What does it mean to build a creative practice that’s both intentional and evolving?
In this episode of The Magic Hour Podcast, I sit down with Pennylane Shen—artist consultant, educator, and founder of Dazed and Confucius—for a grounded conversation about visual identity, creative burnout, and redefining what success looks like as a working artist today.
We explore how Pennylane’s consulting work has shaped the careers of over 10,000 artists, the invisible pressure creatives feel to constantly produce, and how to find your visual voice without getting lost in the noise. From breaking away from the traditional gallery path to embracing structure in your play, this episode is packed with thoughtful insights for visual artists trying to make honest, impactful work in 2025.
Episode highlights:
- Burnout, shame, and the pressure to constantly “do more” as an artist
- Why trusting your intuition is a business strategy, too
- The importance of deadlines, structure, and permission to play
- What it really means to find your visual voice (and how to start)
- Disrupting the myth of gallery validation and what success can look like in 2025
- The rise of artist coaches, and how Pennylane’s approach is different
Pennylane speaks candidly about what it really means to build a values-led business in the creative world—and why slowing down, making “bad” art, and trusting the process are essential parts of the journey. No matter what chapter you’re in, this episode offers the grounding you didn’t know you needed.
Meet our magical guest
Pennylane Shen, World Renowned Artist Consultant, Founder of Dazed and Confucius
Pennylane Shen is an artist consultant, curator and educator. Since 2006, her company Dazed and Confucius has offered one-on-one consultations to over 1000 artists each year in addition to business development seminars to audiences worldwide. While Dazed and Confucius caters to artists’ needs such as marketing and career support, what sets them apart from other artist consultants is their core philosophy. Dazed and Confucius prioritizes strong concept and identity building and attention to the quality artwork itself first and foremost.
Pennylane holds a Master’s Degree in Visual Culture Theory from New York University and has lectured at various forums throughout North America, the UK and most recently at TedX Victoria. Her publications discuss the politics of representation, race and fine art. For more than a decade, Pennylane has worked in commercial galleries such as the Bau-Xi Gallery, the longest standing commercial gallery in Canada.Among her curation and education projects are Creative Mornings Vancouver, the NYC Crit Club, Visionary Art Collective, The I Like Your Work Podcast, Thrive Art Studio, The University of the Arts London and The Vancouver Mural Festival. An avid supporter of art and wellness, she sits on the board for the Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Foundation, collecting notable art pieces for hospital walls.
Resources we mentioned:
Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant In this book, organizational psychologist Adam Grant explores what truly drives achievement—and it’s not just natural talent. This thought-provoking book unpacks the hidden forces that shape personal and professional growth, emphasizing the importance of character skills like perseverance, humility, and a willingness to learn.
Drawing on cutting-edge research and compelling stories, Grant offers a roadmap for unlocking potential in ourselves and others. Hidden Potential challenges the myth of innate ability and shows that greatness is less about where you start and more about how you grow.
The Sweaty Startup by Nick Huber is a no-nonsense guide for aspiring entrepreneurs who are tired of startup hype and ready to build a real, profitable business. Author Nick Huber argues that success doesn’t require inventing the next big tech idea—it can come from tackling “boring” service-based businesses that solve everyday problems.
Drawing from his own journey growing a student storage company into a multimillion-dollar business, Huber shares tactical advice on how to spot underserved markets, scale operations efficiently, and build wealth through businesses that often get overlooked. The book is filled with hard-earned lessons on marketing, hiring, systems building, and staying scrappy in the face of competition. Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or someone looking to leave the 9-to-5 grind, this book will shift your mindset, proving that low-glamour, high-demand businesses can be the most rewarding path to financial freedom.
Connect with Pennylane:
Follow Pennylane on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dazed.and.confucius/
Follow Pennylane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pennylane-shen-7359202b/
Check out Dazed and Confucious Consulting online: https://www.dazedandconfucius.com/
Listen now
Listen now to the Magic Hour Podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify.
This episode is brought to you by:
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