Members Interview

In this interview, Louise Santucci, a South African-born painter now living in London, shares how she began her journey back in 1999 at Roodepoort Art College and how she continues to create today. She talks about painting alongside her son’s ideas, her love for colour, and the energy that tells her when a piece is working. With honesty about balancing family life and her studio time, she offers insight into what keeps her painting and how she hopes her work will bring a sense of hope to others.

Ever caught yourself staring at your latest sketch, thinking, “Is anyone else even dealing with this creative chaos?” The late-night marathons, the piles of notebooks, the ideas that look amazing in your head but a little wonky on paper, sometimes it feels like you’re the only one juggling all that. That’s exactly why finding mentors and collaborators isn’t just “nice to have,” it’s a total game-changer. And yes, there’s a space where that actually happens: the Women in Arts Network. Imagine a place where asking questions doesn’t feel scary, where experimentation…

The final week to be part of the Women in Arts Network’s “Birds” virtual exhibition is here! Don’t miss your chance to share how birds inspire your creativity, your stories, and your dreams. Women-identifying and non-binary artists worldwide, submit by October 9, 2025, and let your work take flight on a global stage.

Have you ever caught yourself daydreaming about earning money without constantly painting, drawing, or hustling exhibitions? You know, that fantasy where someone buys your art while you sip coffee in your PJs? Well, that dream isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. Thanks to the digital age, artists like you can actually turn their skills into passive income, and yes, that includes selling digital downloads and tutorials. Here’s the thing: passive doesn’t mean zero work. You still have to put in the time upfront to create something valuable, a digital print, a…

Filipino-born and California-based painter Airies Bagalawis-Olaes talks about her path from painting as a refuge to showing her work in international exhibitions. In this conversation, she shares her approach to balancing life and studio time, what makes a painting come alive, and her hopes for the future of her work as a dialogue on resilience and identity.

Have you ever stared at a grant application and thought, “How on earth do I make them see my work the way I do?” You’re not alone. Many artists focus on writing proposals and filling forms, but forget that the portfolio you submit is just as important, sometimes even more. It’s the first thing reviewers will look at, and if it doesn’t immediately communicate your vision, your skills, and your project’s potential, it doesn’t matter how polished your proposal is. A portfolio isn’t just a collection of pretty pictures. It’s a…

Ever scroll through your feed, see an artist you admire with thousands of followers, and think, “That’ll never be me”? But what if that following didn’t appear overnight? What if, bit by bit, step by step, those “fans” were built one morning post, one story, one comment at a time? That’s exactly how many artists go from feeling invisible to having their work noticed, shared, and even loved. The thing is, growing an online audience isn’t magic, it’s patience + consistency. It’s sharing the tiny wins: a sketch that catches someone’s…

Have you ever opened your inbox and found an opportunity sitting there that makes your heart skip a beat? Maybe it’s an open call for a group show, a collaboration invite from another creative, or a last-minute chance to display work at a local café. You feel that rush of excitement, the kind that whispers, “This could be it.” But then another voice shows up too, the one that makes you hesitate. It asks, “Do I have the time? Will this actually move me forward? Or will I just burn myself…

In this interview with Women in Arts Network, hyperrealism painter Cher Pruys talks about her lifelong journey in the arts, from sketching as a child to building an internationally recognized career. She shares how she finds inspiration in everyday objects, balances family and studio time, and continues to paint with the same curiosity that first drew her to art.

Five painters who submitted for our virtual exhibition Birds showed us that birds are never just creatures in the sky they are symbols of freedom, memory, and imagination. Through their submissions, we see how birds can be playful, fragile, majestic, or deeply symbolic. Each work reflects personal vision, reminding us that while our experiences differ, the wonder birds inspire is universal. This feature is not about selected finalists, but about honouring the generosity of artists who shared their worlds with us. Their stories enrich the growing archive of this exhibition, which…