What does it really mean to find your visual voice as an artist?
In this After Hours episode, Pennylane Shen shares a grounded, perspective-shifting approach to finding your visual voice as an artist—one that steps away from the noise of social media and back into tactile, intentional creative exploration.
Drawing from her popular seminar and years of experience consulting thousands of artists, Pennylane walks us through what it actually means to develop a cohesive practice. She invites us to reflect on the visual threads that connect our work, create physical spaces that nurture inspiration, and explore the lineage of influence that shapes how we create.
This isn’t about following trends or rushing to define your “style.” It’s about slowing down, observing what already exists in your work, and giving yourself the structure—and permission—to go deeper. From mood boards to people maps to the underrated power of studies, this masterclass offers a refreshing, practical, and honest look at what it really takes to show up for your art.
It’s a quiet and powerful nudge back to the core of your practice, where your curiosity leads and your voice takes shape.
Meet our magical guest, Pennylane Shen
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.
Listen now
Let this After Hours episode with Pennylane Shen be your reminder to come back to your art practice and find your story.
Want more from Pennylane? In her full episode on The Magic Hour Podcast, we dive into the real challenges artists face today: burnout, self-doubt, and the pressure to do more. Drawing from her work with thousands of artists around the world, Pennylane shares what it means to find your visual voice, embrace structure and play, and build a creative practice that reflects your values.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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