On today’s episode of Creative Space, we have the pleasure of speaking with Brooklyn-based artist, actor and screenwriter, Annika Connor.

Primarily known for her watercolor and oil paintings, Annika also writes screenplays and sketch comedy, and was recently elected to the SAG-AFTRA board for New York.

She’s the owner and president of Active Ideas Productions, an arts organization whose mission is to serve the artistic community by facilitating the presence and publication of young talented artists and educating the public about their work.

In addition, she owns Annika’s Artshop, an online boutique for clothing, homeware, gifts and more featuring her paintings.

We cover so much ground in this episode, including what makes a great studio space, advice for artists just getting established in New York City, and the parallels between painting and writing,

For more on Annika Connor, visit: annikaconnor.com.

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SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

1:44—Pool parties in Manhattan

2:45—The story behind her breathtaking “Mimosa Forest”

5:35—What makes a great studio space

7:39—Productive insomnia

8:22—Working with who you are as an artist

11:33—Annika’s early life

15:00—Studying at the Art Institute of Chicago

16:44—Some ideas require paint and others require words

22:47—What Annika loves about NYC

36:00—Annika’s creative process

41:21—The richness that comes with struggle

49:00—The greatest challenges in her career so far

56:00—Annika’s advice for young artists