In this episode, Victoria speaks with James McCrae, an author, poet, and teacher who explores the intersection of creativity and mindfulness. They discuss James's journey as a creative, the importance of community in nurturing artistic expression, and the philosophy behind his initiative, Sunflower Club. The conversation delves into overcoming creative blocks, the healing power of creativity, and the release of vulnerability in sharing one's art. James also shares insights from his latest book, 'The Art of You,' which emphasizes the balance between the spiritual and practical aspects of creativity.

Here’s what we discuss:

1. The challenge societal expectations can pose for artists, and how to overcome them
2. How to find time for art with a busy schedule and navigating creative blocks
3. How Engaging with new experiences can refill creative inspiration
4. Meditation and mindfulness practices to enhance creativity

About James -

James McCrae is a poet and teacher at the intersection of creativity and mindfulness.

As the founder of Sunflower Club, a global creative community, he helps writers, artists and entrepreneurs embody their authentic voice and higher purpose. He is a regular speaker and workshop facilitator at events and retreats around the world. A former Madison Avenue brand strategist, James has helped numerous companies define their message and mission. James lives in Austin TX, where he hosts regular open mic nights.

Website: jamesmccrae.com

IG: @wordsarevibrations

Visit our website: visionaryartcollective.com

Follow us on Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag

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Victoria shares grounded advice on studio visits, offering guidance on how to prepare your space, what kinds of work to show, how to navigate dialogue and silence, and why presence and generosity matter more than perfection. The episode also touches on easing into the year with grace and viewing studio visits as opportunities for connection, feedback, and long-term relationship building.

To learn more about Victoria's 1:1 Mentorship Program, visit:
visionaryartcollective.com/mentorship

To register for Victoria's upcoming webinar at Salmagundi, visit:
https://salmagundi.org/2026-from-studio-to-gallery/

To learn more about The Visionary Community, visit:
visionaryartcollective.com/visionary-community-enroll

Victoria J. Fry is a New York City–based painter, educator, curator, and founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary. She has supported thousands of artists through exhibitions, publications, and mentorship.

Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag
Newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

Victoria shares what’s coming up at Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary. She discusses reviewing applications for her 1:1 Mentorship Program beginning in March, announces a February webinar with the Salmagundi Club on what curators and gallery directors look for, and shares updates on Femina, the gallery’s first all-women group exhibition of 2026. Victoria also notes that enrollment is open for The Visionary Community, that Warnes Contemporary will return to the Affordable Art Fair this March, and notes the shift of New Visionary Magazine to a biannual publication schedule, reflecting a more intentional and sustainable approach to growth.

To learn more about Victoria's 1:1 Mentorship Program, visit:
visionaryartcollective.com/mentorship

To register for Victoria's upcoming webinar at Salmagundi, visit:
https://salmagundi.org/2026-from-studio-to-gallery/

To learn more about The Visionary Community, visit:
visionaryartcollective.com/visionary-community-enroll

Victoria J. Fry is a New York City–based painter, educator, curator, and founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary. She has supported hundreds of artists through exhibitions, publications, and mentorship.

Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag
Newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

In this solo episode, Victoria explores what it means to stay in relationship with your creative practice, especially during imperfect or inconsistent seasons. She reflects on her January drawing challenge, reframing missed days not as failure but as an invitation to practice persistence, forgiveness, and trust. Rather than focusing on productivity or perfection, this episode emphasizes returning to the work, honoring natural rhythms, and recognizing that simply showing up, even when nothing visible happens, is an essential act of devotion to a sustainable art practice.

To learn more about Victoria's 1:1 Mentorship Program, visit:
visionaryartcollective.com/mentorship

To learn more about The Visionary Community, visit:
visionaryartcollective.com/visionary-community-enroll

Victoria J. Fry is a New York City–based painter, educator, curator, and founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary. She has supported hundreds of artists through exhibitions, publications, and mentorship.

Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag
Newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

Artist, curator, educator, and founder of The Art Is the Next Level, Sergio Gomez joins Victoria for a candid conversation about sustainability, boundaries, and staying grounded in an increasingly distracted world. Together, they reflect on how intentional routines, self-awareness, and thoughtful decision-making can help artists avoid burnout while continuing to grow creatively and professionally.

Here’s what we discuss:

1. How morning routines and grounding practices create a buffer against overwhelm, and why they need to be personal, flexible, and enjoyable
2. Navigating distraction, digital fatigue, and the constant pull away from creative work in a screen-driven culture
3. The power of intentional boundaries, including Sergio’s “add and subtract” rule for protecting time and energy
4. Reframing success through self-reflection, accountability, and aligning daily choices with the highest version of yourself

About Sergio-

Sergio Gomez is a visual artist, gallery director, author, and podcast host known for his large-scale figurative abstraction paintings and charcoal drawings that explore the cycles of life. Based in South Florida after years in Chicago, his work has been featured in over 45 solo exhibitions across the U.S. and internationally in museums in Romania, Italy, Mexico, and Vienna, as well as in over 150 group exhibitions worldwide. He is the Director of Exhibitions at the Zhou B Art Center and founder of 33 Contemporary Gallery, curating over 100 exhibitions, including the renowned National Wet Paint MFA and National Self Portrait Annual. Sergio co-founded Art NXT Level®, a coaching platform for artists, and hosts the popular Art NXT Level podcast with 375+ episodes. As co-author of Crush Self-Sabotage and Live Fully!, he empowers artists to build sustainable careers.

Website: sergiogomezonline.com

IG: @sergiogomezart

Visit our website: visionaryartcollective.com

Follow us on Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag

Join our newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

Jonathan Carver Moore joins Victoria to share his journey into the art world and the founding of Jonathan Carver Moore Gallery in San Francisco, a space dedicated to championing BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists through a Black queer lens. Jonathan reflects on how early museum visits shaped his love of art, how community and curating organically led him toward gallery ownership, and the pivotal impact of encountering Zanele Muholi’s work during a time of personal and global transformation. Together, Victoria and Jonathan discuss building inclusive art spaces, the power of community-driven programming, and why sometimes the most meaningful opportunities come from simply asking.

Key Topics –

• Jonathan’s path from nonprofit work to gallery ownership and the moments that clarified his curatorial vision.
• Creating an inclusive gallery in the Tenderloin and building community through artist talks, open houses, and a robust Artist in Residence program.
• Art fairs as relationship-building and marketing, the value of smaller fairs, and why long-term connections matter as much as immediate sales.

About Jonathan –
Jonathan Carver Moore is the founder of Jonathan Carver Moore Gallery in San Francisco, a contemporary gallery dedicated to championing BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists through a Black queer lens. Through exhibitions, community programming, and an Artist in Residence initiative, he creates space for storytelling, representation, and connection, while supporting artists in building visibility and sustainable careers.

Website: jonathancarvermoore.com

IG: @jonathancarvermoore

Visit our website: visionaryartcollective.com

Follow us on Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag

Join our newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

In the first episode of 2026, Victoria reflects on easing back into work after the holidays and the role of routine, patience, and self-trust in rebuilding creative momentum. She shares openly about returning to the studio after time away and how honoring both rest and structure supports a sustainable art practice.

Victoria discusses her January drawing challenge and the powerful impact daily, low-pressure drawing has on reconnecting with flow, releasing perfectionism, and sharpening technical skills. She emphasizes the value of prioritizing studio practice before career goals, encouraging artists to reflect on what they want to make, revisit, pause, or explore this year. This episode invites artists to begin the year by grounding themselves in practice, curiosity, and alignment, trusting that clarity and momentum grow from consistent, intentional presence.

To learn more about Victoria's 1:1 Mentorship Program, visit:
visionaryartcollective.com/mentorship

To learn more about The Visionary Community, visit:
visionaryartcollective.com/visionary-community-enroll

Victoria J. Fry is a New York City–based painter, educator, curator, and founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary. She has supported hundreds of artists through exhibitions, publications, and mentorship.

Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag
Newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

Victoria closes out 2025 with a reflective solo episode focused on honoring growth, releasing what no longer serves, and intentionally preparing for the year ahead. She reflects on the evolution of the podcast, personal challenges she’s navigated over the past few years, and the importance of staying connected to purpose during difficult seasons.

Drawing from symbolism in the Year of the Snake and the Year of the Horse, Victoria explores themes of shedding, intuition, alignment over approval, and the momentum that comes from embodied self-trust. This episode invites artists to pause, acknowledge their resilience, and step into 2026 with clarity, courage, and intention.

To learn more about Victoria's 1:1 Mentorship Program, visit:
visionaryartcollective.com/mentorship

To learn more about The Visionary Community, visit:
visionaryartcollective.com/visionary-community-enroll

Victoria J. Fry is a New York City–based painter, educator, curator, and founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary. She has supported hundreds of artists through exhibitions, publications, and mentorship.

Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag
Newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter