The Composed Artist

In Episode 52 of The Composed Artist, host and live wedding painter Stephanie Gaffney interviews Denise Hopkins, a live painter and gallery owner based in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Known for her distinct impasto oil paintings created with a palette knife, Denise shares her journey into art, including how she started her career after a personal turning point. Stephanie and Denise delve into the importance of painting challenges a...

In this "Crowd Faves" episode, host Stephanie Gaffney shares listener's favorite moments from The Composed Artist podcast. Hear insights from Heather Wolfe on what’s actually important to focus on when you have a career as an artist, Brittany Branson on how to navigate the client choosing process – as well as selling yourself as much as your artwork – and Stephanie Paige Thomson on how this one thing you’ll never gues...

In Episode 51 of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney interviews Anton O'Hanlon, founder of Artefex, to discuss his innovative aluminum archival painting surfaces. Anton shares the rigorous research and testing behind Artefex's aluminum panels, showcasing their superior longevity compared to traditional materials. 

Anton explains how his mission-driven company prioritizes the protection of artwork, offering artist...

In Episode 50 of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney interviews Elysia King, a live wedding painter, muralist, and homeschooling mom. This candid conversation dives deep into the unfiltered realities of balancing a thriving creative career with the demands of motherhood and entrepreneurship. 

Elysia shares her unique journey, from her background as a nurse to building a full-time art business out of necessity, revealing ...

In Episode 49 of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney interviews Emily-Jane Sarroff, a brand strategist for creative entrepreneurs, who recently pivoted to pursue her own art career. 

Em shares her journey of self-discovery, detailing how she transitioned from helping clients tell their brand stories to applying those same principles to her own independent art. This episode explores the courage it takes to make significan...

In Episode 48 of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney interviews live wedding painter Heather Wolfe, who shares her incredibly personal story of overcoming trauma and finding triumph through her art. 

In Part 2 of this powerful interview, Heather discusses how her past trauma has shaped her life and career as a live wedding painter, and shares her insights on balancing a demanding career with motherhood, as well as the un...

In Episode 47 of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney interviews live wedding painter Heather Wolfe, who shares her incredibly personal story of overcoming trauma and finding triumph through her art. 

In Part 1 of this powerful interview, Heather opens up about her experience as a survivor of the 2012 Batman movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado – and how it impacted her life and career. She discusses her journey from be...

In Episode 46 of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney discusses the Top 15 unexpected things she gets to paint beyond the couple getting married, revealing how each wedding offers unique creative opportunities. She delves into painting various elements like portraits, figures, landscapes, and diverse interior venues, highlighting the challenges and joys of capturing distinct settings and lighting. 

Stephanie also explores...

In this minisode of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney provides a timely reminder that we're past the halfway point of 2025, urging artists to start planning for Q3 and Q4, especially with the gift-giving holiday season approaching. 

Emphasizing the importance of proactive planning for commissions and collections, Stephanie draws on her own experience as a live wedding painter and a mom balancing work and family com...

In Episode 45 of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney challenges the common advice of not comparing your art to others. She suggests that controlled comparison can be a tool for growth and inspiration. 

By observing differences in style, process, opportunity, and even business practices, artists can learn new tricks and improve their own work. The goal is to compare your current work to your past self, celebrating your de...

In Episode 44 of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney interviews award-winning artist Stephanie Paige Thomson to discuss her unique virtual live painting studio and community, Broadcasting Brushers. 

Stephanie Paige Thomson shares her journey from self-taught artist to professional, emphasizing the importance of working from life and consistent practice. She details her pioneering concept – Broadcasting Brushers – providing h...

In this "Crowd Faves" episode, host Stephanie Gaffney shares listener's favorite moments from The Composed Artist podcast. Hear insights from Rebekka Lord-Johnson on capturing emotional reference photos, Laura Swytak on the challenges of likeness and scale in portrait painting, and Aaron Jacob Jones on van life and finding an unexpected travel companion in AI. 

This compilation offers a unique look into the creativ...

In Episode 43 of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney shares her insights on traveling for work as a live wedding painter and mom, offering strategies for managing travel while pregnant, including tips for comfort and keeping your energy up. She also discusses the complexities of post-birth travel, especially when nursing, providing practical advice on managing milk production and utilizing airport resources.

Emphasizing ...

In Episode 42 of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney chats with fellow live painter Chloe Campbell about the unique challenges and triumphs of navigating live event painting while pregnant. Both artists share their personal experiences, from managing physical demands and long drives to the emotional shifts that come with balancing a thriving creative business and growing a family.

Then Chloe dives into the exciting upcom...

In Episode 41 of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney dives into the often humorous and sometimes awkward interactions she and other live wedding painters experience with wedding guests.

While painting at weddings, guests frequently feel compelled to comment or ask questions, often forgetting themselves and saying things like seemingly harmless comparisons to Bob Ross and self-deprecating remarks about their own artistic ...

In Episode 40 of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney dives deep into the art of live wedding painting, offering practical tips and strategies to enhance your skills and speed.

Drawing from her decade of experience as a live wedding painter, Stephanie addresses common questions from aspiring artists, covering essential topics like planning your composition, optimizing your posture and brushwork, and effective time manage...

In Episode 39 of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney discusses the critical importance of contracts for artists, especially live event artists. She discusses her own experiences and the value of thorough contracts in protecting both the artist and the client.

From specific clauses that should be included in a contract, to client information, wedding day details, terms of the contract, exclusivity, intellectual property r...

In Episode 38 of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney interviews Ally Allianic, a Florida-based artist with a fascinating career journey. 

Ally shares her unexpected transition from studying astrophysics and working with Lockheed Martin to becoming a highly sought-after live wedding painter. Ally discusses how a friend's suggestion and a stylized photoshoot sparked her interest in the art form, leading her to balance college,...

In Episode 37 of The Composed Artist, host Stephanie Gaffney interviews Libby Rule, a talented live artist out of Kansas City, Missouri. 

Known for her vibrant wedding paintings, Libby shares her fascinating journey from working as an animator for Cartoon Network to becoming a highly sought-after live wedding painter. Libby discusses her unique painting style, her experiences with burnout and physical health challenges, and the ins ...