Episode: 148 What It Takes to Be a Great Art Teacher in Today’s World with Colleen Attara

Artists and creators don’t just make things. We carry things. We process, we hold, we try to make sense of a world that often feels too heavy.

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Colleen Attara, one of the most impactful teachers I’ve ever experienced, to talk about what really happens inside a creative space that feels safe, honest, and alive.

This is a conversation about:

•  what it means to be a teaching artist beyond just technique 
•  why making art in community hits differently than doing it alone 
•  how creativity becomes a way to come back to yourself after burnout 
•  the role of vulnerability in both art and teaching 
•  and why gathering, creating, and expressing yourself is not frivolous… it’s necessary 

We also get into the behind-the-scenes of Colleen’s workshops, her philosophy on teaching, and how something as simple as being seen can completely shift the way you create.

If you’ve been feeling disconnected from your art…
 if you’ve questioned whether what you’re doing even matters…
 or if you know you’re meant to share your creativity with others but don’t know how…

this episode will inspire you to remember who you are when you’re allowed to create freely.

Here are a few behind-the-scenes photos of Colleen's cottage studio and my time with her!