In the first episode of The Creative Doghouse, I talk about the uneasy moment every artist knows well: staring at a blank canvas and feeling unsure how to begin.

The episode centers on a new painting in its earliest stage and the hesitation that can show up when a piece involves drawing people, defining a style, and trying not to force decisions too early. I reflect a bit on the frustration of starting, stopping, and returning to the same work, and why that resistance often feels harder than the painting itself.

Along the way, I share a practical technique he uses to loosen up creatively, including working through art books and tracing as a form of practice to better understand shape, style, and visual language without the pressure of creating a finished piece.

The episode closes with a creative spark drawn from being at Magic Kingdom and the inspiration that comes from simply being surrounded by art, motion, and atmosphere.

This episode sets the tone for the show: honest studio conversations about art, process, and the decisions that happen between a blank canvas and a finished piece.

Eric’s Art: www.ericdoggett.com

Eric’s Disney Art: www.disneyfineart.com/collections/eric-doggett

Send Me a Question/Comment/etc: podcast@thecreativedoghouse.com