Colour Me Happy! - By Brandi Hofer Studios
Colour Me Happy! is a podcast hosted by Brandi Hofer that explores what it takes to live a creative life. Each episode features conversations with artists, makers, and other inspiring people about their creative journeys. The show includes honest reflections, humor, and emotional moments while encouraging listeners to feel seen and connected. It emphasizes that creativity is not only about making art but also about building a life that feels true to you.
Episodes
Show Up Anyway: Your Creative Routine Doesn’t Have to Look Like Anyone Else’s with Canadian Artist Courtney Caroline
Be conscious of developing a routine that works for you, because someone else’s schedule doesn’t have to be your schedule.-Brandi This week on Colour Me Happy Podcast! This week I’m chatting with Canadian artist Courtney Caroline about her vibrant, colourful still life paintings, getting geeky about our favourite art supplies and my newfound love for R&F Oil Sticks!We also talk about showing
When Things Feel Overwhelming: One Step at a Time: From Canadian Artist & Muralist Courtney Florence
When things feel overwhelming, just take the next step. Small, manageable things done every day can add up to something really big. -BrandiThis week I’m chatting with Courtney Florence, one of my mural class students who took what she learned in the class and jumped into a summer full of mural projects!We talk about what mural work is really like behind the scenes, from giant walls and unpredictab
Creative Friendships: When You Find a Good One, Hold Onto It - With Designer & Muralist Alli K
Creativity is better when you have someone to share the messy middle with. - Brandi This week on Colour Me Happy Podcast! Creative friendships can be such a gift. In this episode, we talk about finding the people you can lean on, bounce ideas off, and talk to when you’re stuck because chances are, they’ve been through something similar too. Alli shares how moving from working solo to collaboratin
When Art Becomes Home: Sustaining Creativity, Redefining Success & Finding Your Own Rhythm with Canadian Artist Alexandra McLaughlin
Success doesn’t have to look the same in every season of your life. Sometimes the most creative thing you can do is listen to yourself and redefine what success means to you. - BrandiWhat if making art could be therapeutic, but sustaining a creative life meant learning when to push forward and when to step back?In this episode, I sit down with Canadian artist Alexandra McLaughlin for a conversatio
Wake Up to Your Life: Finding Creativity, Inspiration and Purpose in the Everyday with Madalyn Hughes!
Sometimes it takes a moment that shakes you awake to realize you don’t want to sleepwalk through your life.-BrandiWe don’t often have writers on the podcast, so this conversation with poet and author Madalyn Hughes was such a treat. We talk about how writing and art can beautifully go hand in hand, and how creativity doesn’t always need hours of uninterrupted time to exist. Sometimes it starts wit
Burnout to Breakthrough: Creating a Life That Supports You - With Art Therapist Leah Guzman
Burnout...Sometimes the routine that saves you isn’t about getting more done. It’s about finally creating space to come back to yourself. -BrandiWhat happens when you realize you can’t keep living the way you’ve been living?In this episode, art therapist Leah Guzman joins Brandi to talk about overcoming burnout, breaking free from people-pleasing, and creating routines that help you feel grounded
The Brave Leap: From Seattle to Lisbon - Life in Portugal with Artist Lauren Springer
Can you decide to change your life? The answer is yes. You just have to take the big dream and break it into small steps. - BrandiWhat happens when you decide the life you’re living doesn’t have to be the life you stay in? Lauren Springer shares the brave journey of moving her family from Seattle to Lisbon and the lessons she learned about taking big, overwhelming dreams and turning them into smal
How Our Past Influences Our Creative Future - West Coast Live Studio Tour with Samantha Agar and Rose Currie
Your past doesn’t have to stay in the past. It can become part of the art, the stories and the spaces you create.This episode is a very special West Coast artist visit with Samantha Agar and Rose Currie. We had the honour of stepping inside Samantha’s stunning studio and home on Vancouver Island, a space so inspiring you’ll want to go home and make art all day.Samantha shares how her upbringing an
Your Best Ideas Might Not Find You in the Studio - With UK Artist Jane Chipp
Not all our best ideas come in the studio. Sometimes they find us on a walk, while reading, or sitting with a cup of tea. - BrandiJane Chipp Art shares how ordinary objects, memories and everyday moments can become the starting point for meaningful art. From discovering a stranger’s photographs and handwriting to creating a 100 Day Project that led to the book Artful Memories, Jane talks about sto
Your Art Begins Where Your Comfort Zone Ends - With UK Artist Florence Lee
What if the only thing standing between you and the creative career you dream about is the courage to put yourself out there?The magic happens when you’re willing to be seen. Your vulnerability isn’t a weakness. It’s the very thing that makes your art unforgettable. - BrandiIn this episode of the Colour Me Happy Podcast, I sit down with portrait artist Florence Lee for an honest conversation about
It’s Never Too Late to Begin - With West Coast Artist Susan Salvati
Our creativity doesn’t have an expiry date. Every life experience has been preparing you to create the art only you can make.This week on the Colour Me Happy Podcast, I’m joined by one of my dear friends, Susan Salvati, joining us from the beautiful west coast of Canada. We talk about what it means to pursue your passions at any age and why it’s never too late to begin. Susan shares how years of l
A Leap of Courage - With Artist & Educator Jamie Hamilton
“The moments that changed my life the most were the ones where I believed in myself before I had any guarantees.”Artist Jaime Hamilton joins me to share about the power of surrounding yourself with inspiring people, finding mentors who encourage your own voice, and why some of the biggest opportunities in life only happen after you take the leap. Jamie talks about how stepping away on a creative r
Why the Life You Want Can’t Wait - With Artist CHOC Howell
The life you’re dreaming about isn’t waiting for the perfect time. Take the leap, trust yourself, and discover the extraordinary hidden in the ordinary.-BrandiArtist Clare Howell shares how one spontaneous trip to Ireland changed everything... What began as an unplanned adventure grew into a life of creativity, connection, and courage. From traveling solo across Europe in a motorhome to becoming a
Trusting Your Creative Journey - With Artist Charlotte Hamilton
Every experience, every detour, every season of your life becomes part of your art. Trust the journey because it’s quietly shaping the artist you’re becoming.-BrandiNot every lesson happens in the studio. In this heartfelt conversation, Charlotte Hamilton shares how travel, life experience, curiosity, and years of creating have all shaped the artist she is today. We explore why some creative lesso
Find Your Way Back to Joy Through Creativity - With Therapist Heather
Before we were busy, we were dreamers. Creativity is how we find our way back. - HeatherWhat if the artist you’re searching for has been there all along?In this episode of Colour Me Happy, we’re joined by Joyful Living Counselling to share the heart behind our 2027 Portugal Creative Retreat. Together, we explore expressive arts therapy, rediscovering a sense of play, and reconnecting with the vers
How to Surround Yourself with Inspiration - With Artist Michelle Allen
Sometimes the biggest creative breakthrough isn’t changing what you’re making—it’s changing the environment you’re making it in.Artist Michelle Allen joins Colour Me Happy to talk about how a move from the rainy Pacific Northwest to sunny Tucson transformed not only her quality of life but her creative energy. We explore how the people we surround ourselves with, the places we choose to live, and
The Handmade Revolution: Creating a Home That Feels Like You with Gallerist & Author Liz Lidgett
Collect what you love. Your home should tell your story, not impress someone else.We are personally obsessed with a great Gallery Wall: they allow you can hang all your memories and treasures! We were thrilled to have Gallerist & Author Liz Lidgett joins us to challenge the idea that art is only for experts or the wealthy. We talk about overcoming the fear of walking into galleries, trusting y
The Difference Between Art World Scams & Genuine Opportunities with Rosso Crimson Art
If an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The best opportunities in art are built on real relationships, not expensive promises. - BrandiWhat does a genuine creative partnership look like, and how can artists protect themselves from scams disguised as opportunities? In this candid conversation, Rosso Art and Brandi share nearly 40 years of combined experience navigating the art
Getting Geeky About Art Supplies & the Reality of Being a Full-Time Artist with Viktoria Maliar
"The more materials you explore, the more skills you gain—and eventually you’ll find the medium that helps you say exactly what you want to say.” — Viktoria MaliarWhat happens when two artists start geeking out over art supplies? In this episode, artist Viktoria Maliar shares her favourite materials, why she loves working with oils, and what it really takes to build a life as a full-time arti
Creating in the Small Moments: Motherhood, Meltdowns & Making Art Anyway - with Artist Kenzie Snippets of Whimsey
Real creativity often happens in the middle of the chaos, not outside of it. Even if you take 15 minutes a day just for you, it counts!In this honest and deeply relatable episode, Brandi sits down with artist and mother McKenzie Elston to talk about the emotional crossroads so many creatives face. From school morning meltdowns to the pressure of constantly monetizing creativity, they unpack the re
Believing You Deserve a Creative Life - With Artist & Author Carrie Schmitt
What if the first step to living a creative life is simply believing you are worthy of one?In this inspiring conversation, Carrie Schmitt shares how creativity begins with self-worth. Together, Brandi and Carrie discuss the stubborn courage required to protect your energy, say no to what no longer serves you, and remain devoted to the life you know you are meant to live.This episode is a reminder
Move Past Fear and Reconnect with Your Creative Intuition - with Expert Jennifer Halls
Fear can ask endless questions. Intuition makes a clear statement and your body already knows the answer.This week on Colour Me Happy Podcast I sit down with Jennifer Halls to explore how to quiet the noise of overthinking, move beyond fear, and begin trusting the inner voice that has been guiding you all along.Jennifer shares powerful insights from her new book You know: How to Invite & Nou
Follow the Flow of Creative Seasons - With Gallerist Alexis Marie Chute
When you follow your intuition and creative flow and stay curious, the path has a way of meeting you there.-BrandiIn this episode, I sit down with Alexis Marie Chute to talk about what it really looks like to follow your creative intuition while building a meaningful career over time. Alexis shares the power of staying devoted to your path even when it is not linear.Alexis opens up about how batch
Show Up Scared - With Artist Ana Sneeringer
Brandi and artist Ana Sneeringer explore what it really means to move through fear as an artist and a human. They talk about how shyness, anxiety, and self-doubt don’t disappear before you begin, they soften because you begin anyway. From public murals to personal breakthroughs, they share how repetition builds confidence and how fear loses its grip when you stop waiting to feel ready.They also re
Failing Forward: Trusting Your Creative Gut with Julianne Holland Founder of Aphrodite Art School
I thought I was messing it all up… but really, I was failing forward into the life I was meant to build.In this episode, I sit down with Julianne Holland from Aphrodite Art School to talk about what it really looks like to build a creative life without a roadmap. From running an art school in a remote, cowboy-filled corner of Australia to creating community where there wasn’t one before, Julianne
Quiet Your Inner Critic and Keep Going - Artist Emily Raubenheimer aka The Colour Keeper
I ask myself, did I have fun making it? And do I actually love the work I put out? If yes, I can’t control how the world receives it, I just keep going and make more!In this episode with Emily Raubenheimer, we dive into what it really takes to quiet your inner critic without letting it run your creative life. Emily shares how she reframes rejection, not as a stop sign, but as part of the long game
Paint Through the Fear with Nicki Traikos
At every level, the fear is still there: you just keep showing up anyway…You might surprise yourself!- Brandi Nicki, is back, because she is just the BEST! We talk about imposter syndrome and how it doesn’t disappear as you grow, but instead evolves, and how Nicki pushed through that fear when designing the cover of her newest interactive watercolour book (yes… you can actually paint inside it, wh
Artist's Never Retire We just Pivot - With Tabby Booth UK Artist & Gallerist
Artist's don't retire! Our Art is there to guide us through life. - Brandi This week on Colour Me Happy Podcast Creative Pivots & Trusting Your Gut we sit down with UK artist Tabby Booth for a fun, honest, and inspiring conversation about trusting your gut, following your creative instincts, and allowing your art practice to lead the way. We talk about creative pivots, showing up th
Stop Comparing and Start Creating - With Enneagram Coach Anna Paniak
Find Your Type, Find Your Creative Freedom by knowing your Enneagram type! On this episode of Colour Me Happy, I sit down with Anna Paniak to talk about overcoming fear and what actually happens when you discover your Enneagram type. We get into how it’s not about putting yourself in a box, but about understanding your patterns so you can finally move through them.We chat about the three centres,
Lifting up Women A Modern Day Creative Love Story - Art Licensing and Income Streams with Founders of Goodtype
When women support each other creatively, it stops feeling like competition and starts feeling like magic. - BrandiIn this episode, I sit down with the incredible women behind Goodtype to talk about the modern day romance of creative collaboration. Instead of gatekeeping or competing, these artists are sending each other DMs, voice memos, and constant encouragement as they build something bigger t
Make ART! When Art Becomes Your Lifeline - With Canadian Artist Rose Currie
Art is the place where you can hold everything. The pain, the healing, the strength. When you move through hard currents, creativity reminds you that there are still glimmers of light through the darkness. - BrandiI had the pleasure of meeting Rose at an Art Workshop that we held on the Island last summer, so here she is with her full story on the podcast: In this powerful episode, I chat with Can
Embrace Your Weird Self & Celebrate Colour and Joy with Artist Lori Siebert
Art isn’t just something you make. It’s how you survive, how you release, and how you spread joy. – BrandiIn this uplifting episode, Brandi Hofer chats with artist Lori Siebert about embracing your weirdness, finding humour in life, and sharing happiness through art. They talk about why supporting children in their creative pursuits is so important and how art can be a source of therapy during har
From $300 Murals to Mastery: The Real Story of Starting as an Artist
“Every artist has a story where they didn't charge enough, the question is whether you let it break you or build you.” - BrandiWho knew we were practically neighbours? In this episode, I sit down with Canadian artist Joshua Harnack (Some of you might know him as the guy who got a storage locker with 6000 paintings in it) from Edmonton, and we get real about what it actually looks like to start
We Came for the Art, We Stayed for the Sisterhood - With Canadian Artist Rachael Ashe
We Came for the Art, We Stayed for the SisterhoodWe came for the art… and left with community, connection, and conversations we didn’t even know we needed.In this episode, Rachael Ashe and I talk about the power of routine and how tiny daily habits build a sustainable creative practice — especially when life is already full. We dive into discipline over inspiration, internal deadlines, and why tid
Being an Artist is a Way of Life - With Art Therapist Emily Sharp
You don’t retire from being an artist. It’s not a job title , it’s the way you move through the world.What if your creativity could take you across the world, and then back home to yourself? In this beautiful and grounding conversation, I sit down with art therapist Emily Sharp to talk about what it really looks like to build a creative life that supports your nervous system instead of burning it
When Art Holds You: Creating Through Joy, Grief & Life’s Big Pivots with Artist Shana Blakley
Art has a way of staying with you: through joy, through grief, through the moments that change everything. Sometimes it’s not about what you make, but what making gives back to you. - -BrandiIn this deeply honest and inspiring episode of Colour Me Happy, Brandi sits down with artist Shana Blakley to talk about the real life behind a creative career. The pivots, the pauses, the grief, the joy, and
Paint Your Partner: Squabbles, Soulmates & Belly Laughs - Valentine’s Day Gone Wrong (In the Best Way) with Brandi & Charles
Have you ever tried painting your partner?Fair warning… things get weird fast 😆In this Valentine’s episode of Colour Me Happy, Brandi is joined by her husband and partner-in-life, Charles, for a hilarious paint-your-partner challenge that quickly turns into belly laughs, classic partner squabbles, and one unforgettable portrait reveal (yes, we talk about how Charles’ painting of Brandi turned out
Confessions of Art Teachers: The Fails, the Glue & the Chaos with Artist Jamie Hamilton
Art isn’t about perfection. It’s about surviving the chaos with humour and showing up again.By far the most hilarious episode we’ve ever recorded (right up there with Jann Arden), this conversation had our cheeks hurting from laughter.We’re joined by art educator Jamie Hamilton aka heymamapaints, who we first met after she took our portrait class, and quickly realized she was our kind of human.We
Creative Superpowers: Why Artists Can Do Anything with Tracy Verdugo
Being creative means you can pretty much do anything! Your brain is wired with problem-solving superpowers. The magic happens when you stop waiting and start creating! - Brandi This week on Colour Me Happy Podcast What if being creative means you’re actually equipped to do anything? In this episode of Colour Me Happy, Brandi Hofer sits down with artist Tracy Verdugo to talk about the real superpo
Reclaim Your Power ! Self-love isn’t selfish - With Power of Pink Founder Kim Newsted
Self-love isn’t selfish—it’s how we remember who we are and give ourselves permission to shine.Local business owner and founder of Power of Pink, Kim Newsted, joins me on the Colour Me Happy podcast for a conversation every woman needs to hear.This episode is an invitation to refocus on your power, your goals, your wants, your needs, and your health—without guilt. Kim reminds us that when we truly
Making Time for Art - Even in the Busy Seasons of Life - With Watercolour Artist Emma Jane Lefebvre
“Sometimes art isn’t about building a career—it’s about holding onto the part of you that’s still yours.”Enjoy this candid and deeply relatable conversation with two Canadian artists as we talk honestly about creativity, motherhood, imposter syndrome, and the messy middle of following a dream you love.Emma Jane Lefebvre of EmJ Watercolour Studio shares how her art practice began in the margins of
It’s Never Too Late: Catherine Rains on Choosing Your Creative Dream at 50
You don’t need the whole plan. You just need the courage to begin—and the right people around you. - BrandiWhat if that creative dream you’ve been quietly carrying for decades isn’t too late… but right on time?Catherine Rains is back on the Colour Me Happy podcast, and this conversation is a powerful reminder that creativity doesn’t run on a deadline. Catherine shares how she spent years thinking
An Exhausted Mom & Artist - Coming to You From a Hockey Town, a Closet Cry, and a Whole Lot of Heart
"Maybe this is all I can do right now—and that has to be enough."We’re coming to you from a small hockey town in the middle of nowhere Canada—snowdrifts piled high, tiny coffee shops keeping us warm, and, yes… a lot of hockey. We didn’t bring all our podcast gear. We didn’t bring perfection. What we brought was gratitude.Gratitude for you! For giving us a little slice of your time, your
Holiday Chaos, Cozy Crafts & Keeping Your Sanity with Jackie Lindsay Founder of So Bright Home
If you’re craving a dose of holiday nuttiness — the kind that makes you feel seen in the chaos — this quick episode is for you. Brandi is joined once again by the endlessly patient and wonderfully crafty Jacky Lindsay of So Bright Home. Together, they chat about DIY holiday magic, navigating burnout, and the importance of carving out real alone time this season.Whether it’s reading by the fire, hi
Stop waiting to feel "good enough" Take the Leap: Designing Your Life with Desirae Blanchette
Stop waiting to feel ‘good enough.’ Start now, learn as you go, and let the messy, wild ride shape you. - BrandiBe ready for some unfiltered talk on perimenopause, womanhood, and the bold reality of building a business from scratch. In this episode, Brandi Hofer sits down with designer and contractor Desirae Blanchette of Chevco Contracting and Design (Maidstone, SK) for a conversation that is not
Making Art in the Middle of Real Life with Jenna Deibel
Here’s a clean, emotional, on-brand set: title, quote, description, and two takeaway tips — written in your warm, empathetic, creative voice with zero emojis.“Your life doesn’t have to be calm for your creativity to matter. You just have to show up anyway.” - BrandiIn this heartfelt conversation, Brandi Hofer and artist Jenna Deibel get honest about what it truly looks like to make art inside a ve
The Strange, The Creative, The Brilliant - A Triple Guest Podcast! Rene Romero Schuler and Taylor Smith
Every artist has a weird habit or two — sometimes that’s exactly where the magic starts. — Brandi This week on Colour Me Happy Podcast The Strange, The Creative, The Brilliant: You’re getting two incredible artists for the price of one! We sat down with Rene Romero Schuler and Taylor Smith, two creatives with wildly different processes but surprisingly overlapping gallery journeys. From the emot
RedefineSuccess For You! With Canadian Artist Christine Kim
Being a Woman today changes how we measure success—it’s no longer just about how much you work or accolades, it’s about creating a life that feels full and aligned.” — BrandiIn this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Toronto-based artist and teacher Christine Kim to talk about the beautiful chaos of balancing motherhood, teaching, and creative practice. Christine opens up about finding time to cre
Self Acceptance Happens Here: Creating a “Good Messy” Space with Nicki Traikos
My studio is a good messy — it’s where creativity lives, where I can spread out, make mistakes, and keep growing. — Brandi This week on Colour Me Happy Podcast Creating a “Good Messy” Space with Nicki Traikos In this cozy and honest episode of Colour Me Happy, artist and creative entrepreneur Nicki Traikos shares how her once-living-room evolved into a thriving studio space — the birthplace of Li
You Were Made to Create: Embracing Your Original Spark with Laurie Shapiro
Brandi sits down with New York–based installation artist Laurie Shapiro, whose vibrant, immersive worlds remind us that creativity is as unique as a fingerprint. Together, they explore the creative process, the idea of “stealing like an artist” (as Austin Kleon says), and why true originality isn’t about being first — it’s about being authentic.Laurie shares how she builds her layered, colourful e
Start by Doing: Showing Up Anyway with Artist Andrea Nelson
You don’t need permission to create — just start. The act of doing is where the magic begins.” — BrandiEver feel too intimidated to start? Whether it’s a blank canvas, a new creative path, or putting yourself out there online — we’ve all been there. In this inspiring chat with artist and educator Andrea Nelson, we talk about overcoming assumptions, letting go of inhibitions, and just beginning.And
Practicing Confidence! Be Cringe! Advice that will impact your every day mindset — with Artist & Illustrator Megan Roy
If You’re Going to Compete, Compete with Yourself — with Artist Megan RoyMake bad art. Be cringe. Just keep showing up — because your only goal is getting better. — BrandiIn this inspiring episode of Colour Me Happy, artist and illustrator Megan Roy joins host Brandi Hofer for a heart-to-heart about creativity, self-improvement, and the courage it takes to keep showing up. Megan shares how competi
Know Your Worth: Building Strong Foundations with Canadian Artist & Designer Rachael Lyon
When you build a strong foundation, everything else will follow — your confidence, your pricing, and your creative freedom.— Brandi HoferIn this empowering episode, Calgary-based artist and designer Rachael Lyon joins Brandi to talk about what it really means to know your worth as an artist. With a background in illustration and event management, Rachael shares how she unexpectedly transitioned in
Nervouscited: Turning Nerves into Power & Creating a Life You Love with Artist Jodi Miller
“Being nervous is the same as being excited—it’s just energy. When we flip it, we open the door to growth, creativity, and possibility.” — BrandiIn this inspiring conversation with artist Jodi Miller, we unpack the power of nervouscited—that buzzy feeling of nerves and excitement mixed together—and how reframing it can help us learn, grow, and trust our instincts. Jodi shares her journey of going
Flipping the Script: Alli K Design Muralist, & Author on Social Media, Creative Friendships & Saying Yes
When we treat social media as a connector instead of a comparison game, it becomes one of the most powerful tools we have as creatives. – Brandi This week on Colour Me Happy Podcast I sit down with Alli K Design to hear how she built a thriving public art platform and business while staying true to her creative voice. We dive into the positive side of social media—how shifting your outlook turns
Build it Yourself - Turning a 'NO' into a 'YES'! - With Artist Author and Gallery Curator Alexis Chute
Every ‘no’ became a chance to create my own ‘yes'. – Brandi Rejection doesn’t have to be the end of your creative journey — it can be the spark that lights something even bigger. In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with artist, author, and curator Alexis Marie Chute, who turned early rejection from art galleries into a thriving career of building opportunities for others. From launchin
Rediscovering Play with Andrea Mondragón: A Mentorship Session on Creativity & Career
Sometimes the best way forward is to return to what called to your heart in the first place. – BrandiOn this special mentorship episode of Colour Me Happy, artist Andrea Mondragón joins us to share her journey of reconnecting with the childlike joy and play that first drew her to art. Together, we explore how to lean into creative curiosity, how playfulness can become a powerful guide in shaping a
The Courage to Pivot: Hannah Ricke on Art, Burnout & Renewal
Your creativity will always be there for you—ever evolving, transforming, and reminding you of your strength. – Brand This week on Colour Me Happy Podcast in this inspiring episode, Brandi Hofer sits down with Hannah Ricke—artist, social worker, and the creative mind behind Flock of Beasts. Hannah shares her journey from earning a master’s in clinical social work to becoming a full-time artist, an
How to get Un-Stuck - With Canadian Artist Jenny Johnson
You learn more diving in, making mistakes and doing the work! – BrandiThis week on Colour Me Happy Podcast Artist Jenny Johnson joins host Brandi Hofer on the Colour Me Happy podcast for a real-talk conversation about making art while working full-time. Jenny shares her journey from pulling shifts at East Side Mario’s to fund art school, to building her practice around a busy schedule. She and Br
Sit Firmly in Your Creative Power— The Art, Reinvention, and Gold Leaf Mastery of Shirley Yang Crutchfield
Your words have power, own your creative voice. Say it, write, it, walk it, feel it and see it all come to life! – Brandi Brandi sits down with Shirley Yang Crutchfield, an artist whose breathtaking 24-karat gold leaf work blends centuries-old techniques with a fiercely modern voice. Together, they dive into the balancing act of motherhood and creativity, the role of supportive partners, and the p
Paint, Play, and Guacamole: Unfiltered episode on a Creative Life with Artist Rosso Art Founder of Rosso Art School
You don’t need a formal art education to build a meaningful, thriving creative life—you just need connection, curiosity, and the courage to begin. – Brandi This week on Colour Me Happy Podcast Paint, Play, and Guacamole: A Creative Life with RossoIn this fun and candid episode, Brandi Hofer chats with Rosso of Rosso Art School about her inspiring journey from a busy life in London to a quieter, cr
Creative Boundaries: Artist Life with South African Clay ArtistJo Roets
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means it’s time to listen.” – Brandi In this insightful episode of Colour Me Happy, Brandi Hofer chats with South African artist Jo Roets about navigating the highs and lows of full-time creative life. They explore the reality of burnout, why setting boundaries is key to staying inspired, and how self-care isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. Jo Roets is a cel
Inside the Art World with Artist Consultant Penny Lane Shen: Burnout, Breakthroughs & Bold Advice
Brandi sits down with Pennylane Shen—art consultant, advisor, and founder of Dazed & Confucius—for an honest, insightful, and energizing conversation. Artists, this is a must-listen. From navigating burnout to discovering your true art direction, Penny Lane shares real advice from her experience in the industry, what galleries are really looking for, and how to stay inspired when the spark fad
Spreading Joy One Scoop at a Time: Building Community with Business Owner Maria
Spreading Joy One Scoop at a Time: Building Community with Business Owner Maria! Business isn’t just about the bottom line—it’s about the people around you and the community you serve. – Brandi In this episode of the Colour Me Happy Podcast, we sit down with Maria, owner of The Scoop, to talk about the heart and history behind her beloved local business. Maria shares how honouring tradition, embra
The Power of Doing: With Artist, Illustrator and Muralist, Karen Sue!
There’s so much value in simply starting and learning by doing—it’s where real growth happens. -Brandi This week on Colour Me Happy Podcast The Power of Doing: In this episode, we talk with artist, muralist, and illustrator Karen Sue about the power of saying yes to the process and trusting the journey. Karen lives by the advice from her art teacher that you learn far more by doing than by waitin
The Power of Art with Canadian Artist Michelle Lake: Embracing the Slow-Build Creative Journey
“There’s no rush in your creative journey—it’s about learning through the pivots and trusting you already have the tools you need.” - BrandiThis week on the Colour Me Happy Podcast, we chat with local Lloydminster and Canadian artist and muralist Michelle Lake about the power of stepping fully into your art practice. Michelle shares her experience of growing a slow-paced, sustainable career, showi
Fail Big, Laugh Loud: Real Talk with Canadian Artist & Co-Owner of Artwrk.caAggie Armstrong
If you’re not failing, you’re not pushing hard enough. Every misstep is a lesson—and honestly, the best stories come from the mess. - Brandi This episode is bold, loud, hilarious—and full of truth. Brandi Hofer sits down with Canadian artist and Co-Owner of Artwrk.ca Aggie Armstrong for a raw and unfiltered conversation about the highs and lows of creative collaboration. They dive into the messy m
Leap Into the Shed: Creativity, Gut Instinct & Growth with Jessie Founder of Jessie's Art Shed
You don’t have to know everything before you start—going all in teaches you more than planning ever could. - BrandiJoin me on Colour Me Happy with Jessie Whealy, founder of Jessie’s Art Shed in Oxfordshire. What started as art classes in her parents’ shed in 2015 has blossomed into a vibrant, walk-up art studio teaching hundreds weekly. In this episode, Jessie and I talk gut instincts, creative fl
Art Dates & Advocating for Yourself with Billie Rae Busby
Even when life feels like too much, showing up to create can be the thing that saves you. – Brandi This week on Colour Me Happy Podcast we sit down with artist and Canadian Artist Billie Rae Busby to talk about why creating—no matter the chaos of life—is essential to fuelling joy and balance. We dive into the transformative power of setting aside time for “art dates,” and how these moments of cre
Growing Through Practice, Not Perfection - With Rebecca Founder & Educator of Studio Sprout
You don’t need to wait until everything is perfect to start. You just need a little courage, a little structure, and the willingness to get messy.— Rebecca In this empowering episode, Brandi Hofer sits down with Teacher Rebecca, founder of Studio Sprout, to talk about the transformative power of process-based art education. They dive into Rebecca’s journey—from teaching in-person to expanding her
Crumbs, Burnout & Knowing Your Worth – A Real Talk with Canadian Collage Artist & Designer Jessa Dupuis
“We’re not cleaning the floor—we’re just putting on slippers and showing up anyway. And that’s enough.” — Brandi HoferJoin us for a raw, hilarious, and deeply relatable conversation with Canadian collage artist and designer Jessa Dupuis—back for her second appearance on Colour Me Happy! We laughed so much our cheeks hurt, but we also went deep on what it really means to balance motherhood, creativ
The Antidote to Perfectionism with Arooj Chaudhry: Reclaiming Your Creativity
“The antidote to perfectionism is consistency.” – Arooj ChaudhryIn this powerful and grounding conversation, Brandi Hofer sits down with psychotherapist and artist Arooj Chaudhry to explore how creativity can be a form of resistance, healing, and reconnection with self. Together, they unpack the myth of perfectionism and how it leads to burnout and creative paralysis. Arooj offers deeply rooted wi
Spark Change: The Power of Your Creativity & Community
“When you tap into your creativity and use it to uplift others, you’re not just making art—you’re sparking a ripple effect of real, empowering change.”In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Patty from the Spark Foundation to explore how creativity and volunteerism create real, measurable change. From mindset shifts to meaningful action, we discuss how giving back to your community—especially
Seasons of Creativity with Canadian Artist Vikki Drummond: Rest, Rise & Reignite Your Inspired Life
“In a world that rewards constant output, choosing a creative life can feel radical—but it’s also freeing. This conversation with Vikki reminded me that we’re not here to simply produce, but to feel, imagine, and build lives that reflect our true selves.”In this soulful episode, Canadian artist Vikki Drummond joins us to talk about what it means to live a truly creative life—beyond productivity, b
Tiny Steps, Big Magic: Patience & Creative Affirmations with Juliana Naufel
“Even a small task is a part of something bigger—you’re a working cog in the beautiful, creative machine of your life.” – BrandiIn this honest and heartfelt episode, I sit down with Juliana Naufel—artist, affirmation advocate, and founder of Phototrouvée Magazine, who splits her time between Brazil and NYC. Juliana opens up about the power of gentle affirmations, creative slow seasons, and what it
One Thing at a Time: Creating Authentically with Tara Bach
You don’t have to do everything—you just have to do the next right thing.” — BrandiIn this heartfelt episode, artist and mother of three Tara Bach joins us to talk about making space for creativity in the chaos of daily life. Tara shares how staying grounded in the present moment—one thing at a time—has helped her navigate motherhood while keeping her creative spark alive. We dive deep into the jo
The Rule of One & The Art of Success with Mentor & Coach Kellee Wynne
“Success isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters most—consistently.” – BrandiThis week on Colour Me Happy, we welcome celebrated artist, creative business coach, and podcast host Kellee Wynne! A fourth-generation artist with a deep well of experience, Kellee shares valuable insight on building a thriving creative business from the ground up.From her coaching philosophy to powerful to
Take the Reins: Creating Bravely with Caitlin Winner
“The only person who can make your creative life happen is you—so be brave, take the reins, and start living it today.” – BrandiIn this inspiring episode, we sit down with artist Caitlin Winner to explore her journey as a self-taught creative who never stopped learning. Caitlin shares how her fearless approach to taking on new skills, seeking workshops, and constantly growing through artistic expl
Creative Journeys & Inspired Living with Jeanne Oliver
“Creativity is an incredible gift that has been given to each of us, but we have to say, ‘I’ll take it.’” – Jeanne OliverRenowned artist, educator, and world traveler Jeanne Oliver joins us for an inspiring conversation about her creative adventures, the power of community, and how she continues to uplift artists through her work. From hosting artist residencies to curating transformative learning
Planting Big Ideas: How Amy Roper Built a Public Art & Garden Space from Scratch
Ever dreamed of starting a big creative project but felt frozen by the unknown? This week on Colour Me Happy, we’re joined by Amy Roper, founder of Lloyd Public Gardens. As an artist, I had the joy of contributing to the planning of this incredible community space, and in this episode, we dive into how Amy turned a vision into reality—without any prior experience! Her story is a testament to takin
