Show Up or Shut Up with Wendy Solganik

Host Wendy Solganik interviews quilting instructor Heather Kojan, a modern quilter with traditional roots, founder of the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild, and Willa Workshops instructor behind Threaded and Sewn, The Modern Improv Pillow, and the upcoming in-person retreat Fodder School Live (sold out; August 2026). Heather recounts growing up crafty (crochet, sewing), studying business, working in radio, restaurants, and a small catering business, then making her first quilt in late-80s colors and quilting casually while raising kids. She describes discovering modern quilting through blogs/Flickr, starting a guild to build community in Baltimore, and “faking it till you make it” into lecturing and national teaching, patterns, publications, and retreats (including a large Lancaster retreat). Heather explains her income streams, extensive travel, and plans to reduce travel while creating more Willa Workshops content that merges mixed media and textiles, including future collaborations and a planned co-taught Fodder School 7 lesson.  00:00 Meet Heather Kojan 02:05 Podcast Premise and Intro 03:39 Why Heather Now 04:44 From New York to Virginia 10:02 Early Craft Obsessions 12:46 College and Career Detours 16:26 Radio Restaurants and Catering 19:48 First Quilt and Family Life 23:03 Modern Quilting Awakening 25:06 Starting a Quilt Guild 28:23 First Lectures to Full Time 30:56 Income Streams and Recognition 33:35 How She Booked Teaching Gigs 34:32 Cold Email Breakthrough 35:53 Applying and Getting Noticed 37:04 Taking Over the Retreat 38:55 What Happens at Retreats 41:14 Finding Fodder School 46:13 From Student to Collaborator 50:57 Building Online Courses 59:08 Planning the Next Chapter 01:01:38 Travel Burnout and Ego 01:06:15 Slowing Down and New Hybrids 01:11:34 Recruiting Teachers and FS7 01:14:24 Wrap Up and Thanks 

In this episode of the 'Show Up or Shut Up' podcast, host Wendy Solganik interviews artist, and Executive Producer of Willa Workshops, Evan Haley. Wendy really wanted to bring Evan onto the podcast to highlight an emerging opportunity for book artists within Fodder School: the opportunity to create truly unique artist books from lessons in Fodder School that aren’t specifically designed with a book as the end product in mind!They discuss Evan's unique journey from studying pre-med sciences at Princeton University to becoming a mixed media artist, and delve into the creative processes and challenges that define his art-making experiences. Wendy shares her insights on the evolution of Fodder School and the potential for members to adapt projects to suit their personal creative goals, emphasizing the importance of pushing artistic boundaries and overcoming fears. The episode also introduces a secret project focusing on learning the Procreate app, highlighting the significance of digital technology in modern art creation.(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast and Guest(01:27) Wendy's Artistic Journey and Podcast Overview(02:48) Meet Evan Haley: Background and Early Life(04:12) Evan's College Experience and Shift to Art(10:05) Evan's Artistic Development and College Projects(18:56) Fodder School Projects and Creative Problem Solving(22:32) Exploring Creative Potential and Bookmaking(28:04) Fodder School Community and Off the Beaten Path(28:41) Exploring New Projects in Fodder School(29:24) Pushing Artistic Boundaries(33:16) Overcoming Fear in Art Creation(36:07) Taking Up Space with Your Art(40:09) Letting Go of Unloved Art(47:13) The Secret Project: Procreate Course(52:27) The Challenges of Learning New Tools(56:41) Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude

In this episode of the Show Up or Shut Up podcast, Wendy interviews artist Jane Chipp, who is returning to Fodder School 5 as a teacher. They delve into Jane's artistic journey, from her early fascination with handmade crafts influenced by her family's Baltic heritage to her evolution into a mixed media artist specializing in collage, assemblage art, journaling, and textiles. Jane shares pivotal moments, including her participation in a three-year textile art program, her transformative experience with a found collection of personal artifacts, and her prolific work during the COVID-19 lockdown. Together, they discuss the benefits and challenges of teaching art online, the joy of crafting with found photos, and the intricate, layered techniques that define Jane's unique artistic style. Jane also offers a sneak peek into her upcoming lessons inspired by vintage lace for Fodder School 5.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest01:21 Meet Jane Chipp: Artist and Teacher04:03 Jane's Early Life and Creative Beginnings05:07 Family Influence and Childhood Creativity08:59 Career Path and Creative Pursuits15:35 Discovering Textile Art and Mixed Media33:46 The Turning Point: Honoring a Stranger's Life47:54 Struggles with Large-Scale Art48:38 Exciting New Project in Fodder School50:09 The Importance of Artistic Community52:07 Impact of COVID-19 on Artistic Journey52:23 The 100-Day Project and Instagram Journey53:42 Writing and Publishing a Book01:00:46 Meeting Lori Canner and the Collage Community01:03:51 The Role of Instagram in Artistic Growth01:09:35 Teaching and Creating Online Courses01:13:04 Artistic Preferences and Techniques01:15:56 Signature Colors and Artistic Style01:29:55 Upcoming Fodder School Project01:31:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the "Show Up or Shut Up" podcast, host Wendy Solganik interviews Columbus, Ohio-based mixed media artist Susan Rossiter. Susan shares her journey from growing up in Pennsylvania, studying fine art, and moving across the country, to establishing herself as a prolific artist with a disciplined practice. The conversation delves into Susan’s inspirations—particularly the colors, shapes, and patterns of the 1950s-1970s, her love for experimental materials, and her evolution from traditional art school techniques to vibrant, mid-century-inspired mixed media works. Susan discusses balancing a full-time day job with her art career, her involvement with Studios on High Gallery, and her role as an educator for GOLDEN Paints.The episode is filled with insights on creative discipline, the realities of being a working artist, and the importance of making art that brings personal joy rather than simply following trends or market demands(00:00) Introduction to the Show Up or Shut Up Podcast(02:36) Meet Susan Rossiter: Mixed Media Artist(03:39) Susan's Artistic Journey and Inspirations(05:11) Early Art Experiences and Education(08:49) College Years and Artistic Development(17:07) Post-College Adventures and Artistic Growth(22:12) Life in Minneapolis and Transition to Ohio(25:32) Balancing Art and Life in Ohio(30:58) Exploring Mixed Media and Collage Fodder(40:49) Personal Life and Studio Setup(47:18) Editing Video in Bed(47:52) Exploring Columbus and Beyond(49:00) Joining the Art Co-op(52:21) Balancing Art and Fitness(53:08) Golden Artist Educator Program(56:15) Fodder School and Artistic Inspiration(59:06) The Influence of Mid-Century Design(01:07:51) Artistic Freedom and Day Jobs(01:20:25) Quilting and Other Artistic Pursuits(01:33:43) Future Plans and Manifesting Dreams(01:36:23) Conclusion and Gratitude

In this episode of the Show Up or Shut Up Podcast, host Wendy Solganik interviews mixed media artist Roxanne Evans Stout. Wendy announces that Roxanne will be joining Fodder School 5 as a first-time instructor. The conversation delves into Roxanne's artistic journey which began in her childhood in Santa Monica and evolved through various stages, including her experiences growing up in different places due to her father's Air Force career, her education in the sciences at Humboldt State, and her eventual shift to a more free-form, mixed media art style. Roxanne talks about her teaching career, her close relationship with her mother who was also an artist, and how her mother’s passing intensified her commitment to art. The episode also explores Roxanne’s teaching experiences in locations like Santa Fe and her upcoming workshop in Italy. Wendy and Roxanne discuss the unique elements of Roxanne's art, including her use of neutral colors, texture, and inspiration from nature. Roxanne shares her excitement for the new projects in Fodder School 5 and drops hints about her plans for the artistic journey ahead.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest02:37 Roxanne's Early Life and Artistic Beginnings04:04 Life in Santa Monica and Artistic Influences07:48 College Years and Meeting Her Husband13:23 Life in Northern California and Early Art Career20:43 Teaching Career and Artistic Evolution22:46 Developing a Unique Artistic Style25:35 The Influence of Blogging and Artist Books29:15 Collections and Inspirations35:27 The Story Behind the Work Table36:38 Challenges of Building a Custom Table37:49 Creating an Inspiring Studio Space39:35 The Evolution of My Art Journey40:15 Teaching and Workshops43:13 Artist Residencies and Their Impact46:38 Upcoming Workshops and Inspirations52:58 Exploring My Color Palette58:31 Influence of My Mother's Art01:06:03 Conclusion and Future Plans