Art Problems

What would launching an exhibition look like if you only had to focus on your art? That's the dream Tiger Strikes Asteroid makes possible. As founder Alex Paik explains in this episode of Art Problems, TSA handles everything from taxes to website maintenance across its five locations, allowing artists to concentrate solely on creating and exhibiting their work. In this episode, Paik explains how T...

Well, this week sure sucked. If you're like me, you're probably having a tough time figuring out how to feel okay. Because you know, like me, that everything will not be okay. I want you to know this: you are not alone. On this episode of Art Problems I talk about how leaning into community can help you find the optimism you need to get through the next couple of years. Community can be your frien...

Ever wonder how to get your art into museum collections? Museum Exchange co-founder Michael Darling joins me to discuss how his company connects artwork with museums that want it. Museum Exchange functions like a matchmaking service - museums write proposals for artwork they want, and donors choose the best fit. It's working: small regional museums are building collections, challenging works are f...

Is any question more vexing to artists than, "What do you do?" No, because it's impossible to answer! This week on the podcast, I turned the tables and asked curator, consultant, and media personality Carrie Scott the same questions she asks artists in her interviews. What do you do? Who do you make work for? What made you decide to pursue a career in the arts? In asking these questions, our conve...

Does advanced age feel more like a liability than a strength? Welcome to the art world, which can suuuuck for mid-career artists. Ageism in the art world is more than just a problem—it's a barrier that can feel insurmountable, especially for women artists over 60. (And yes, while it affects everyone, the impact on women is particularly harsh.) I'm not going to pretend ageism doesn't exist. I'm not...

The problem most artists don't know they have with A.I.? They aren't using it enough. If you don't use it, you won't know all it can do to help you. But you also won't be aware of its limitations. In this podcast, I walk you through exactly how AI can help you save time in the studio, and when you need to switch out the AI for an expert. Here's the spoiler alert on what AI can and can't do: It's g...

You wouldn't think a town in the mountains would be devastated by a hurricane. That's what happens to cities on the coastlines. But we live in a world undeniably affected by climate change, so all bets are off. Today on the Art Problems podcast I speak with Hannah Cole an Artist and Accountant based in Asheville, an artist-friendly city heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene. She shares how the hurr...

There was a time when I couldn't imagine even asking this question. Of course, you need a gallery. How else will you sell your work to collectors? But now, in the age of Instagram, substack, and websites, maybe it's not as urgent a need. You can connect with buyers on your own. Even galleries don't always think they need galleries. Many have closed and become advisory firms. Many have become advis...

Is it possible to leave your family for a couple of months to make art on a residency and not feel guilty for doing it? For many of us, probably not, which is why on this podcast, I speak with artist Danielle Mysliwiec about why her experience at Surf Point, The Tides Institute, and Long Meadow Art Residency is worth any guilt incurred in the process.  Put yourself and your career first whenever p...

What's with the dead bodies? Yes, that's an actual question from the New York fairs. This week on the podcast, I invited the artist William Powhida on to the show ostensibly to discuss what we saw last week. The discussion, though, ended up going far deeper. On the podcast, we talk about: What we want from art in an increasingly tumultuous world What landscapes, florals, and a dead body trend at t...

Raise your hand if you feel guilty taking time off. 🙋‍♀️ You are not alone, I promise you. This is a challenge I struggle with as well, so if you've said you struggle to maintain a life-work balance this podcast is for you. Today, I'm here to walk you through what causes guilt around taking vacations and some of the mindshifts involved in giving yourself the space to take a break—what that meant...

Is there a scenario in which giving your work away for free is preferable to storing it? For more than 80 artists, the answer to this question is called the Zero Art Fair. (In other words, if the storage fees become too high, then yes, free is better than the trash.) The fair, which took place last weekend at Upstate Art Weekend, helped artists place more than 200 works and close to half a million...

I'd like to introduce you to artist John Sproul. Over the last three years, his career has completely transformed. John is a Netvvrk member, and like so many of us, he's putting the work in. But is he doing anything different than you? In this episode of Art Problems, John talks about his path; exactly what he did, how he did it, and how Netvvrk helped. Every artist path to success will be differe...

The Guggenheim Fellowship application goes live mid-August, Have you been wondering whether you should apply for a Guggenheim fellowship? Let me help you answer that question. In this episode of the Art Problems Podcast, I discuss the biases of the grant, what you need to make a competitive application, and give you tips on how to avoid getting bogged down by anxiety. If you've so much as had a pa...

How selfish can you be without turning into a jerk no one wants to be around? And is being a jerk an acceptable price if the result is getting what you want? I like to think the answer to that question is no, but I dive into this topic on today's episode of Art Problems because we all know artists who aren't all that generous but have a good deal of success. And it's at least worth exploring why w...

What will happen to your art when you die? Have you made plans? Do you feel too nervous about the thought to even make plans? The problem with this is that if you want your art cared for after your death, you have put plans in place within your lifetime. That's why I decided to speak with estate planning legacy experts Ursula Davila-Villa and Anna Stothart of Davila-Villa & Stothart. During th...

Have you ever talked to someone and instantly recognized that person as your friend and colleague? Meet Ceri Hand, a registered coach for artists, and instant friend and colleague! She's based in London. Worked at the highest levels of the art world. And knows from experience exactly what artists need to do to move their careers forward. In this interview we talk about: How to gain visibility if y...

Have you ever had someone write about your work, but you felt it misrepresented you? Have you ever had someone post your work, but without crediting you? Or maybe they used your work without asking you if it was okay. In this episode of Art Problems, I talk about how to make the most out of less-than-ideal situations. I talk about how to get what you want. And I talk about how to avoid what you do...

You know all those jpgs you have lying around your computer? As a random file on your computer, they're worth nothing. But what if I told you, that the hours of labor those images represent can be monetized -- and not just through the traditional gallery route. This week on the Art Problems Podcast I speak with Kelani Nichole of the Transfer Data Trust, the next iterative phase of Transfer Gallery...

In honor of the upcoming quarterly tax payments, I’m sharing an episode from Sunlight, my favorite podcast about taxes, money, and managing your art career. About this episode, podcast host, artist, and accountant Hannah Cole writes,  Have you ever wondered what questions you should ask when you’re hiring a new accountant? Today, I’m explaining some of the biggest mistakes I see people make when t...

I asked that question of Get the Picture author Bianca Bosker on this week's episode of Art Problems. And let me tell you, the answer was every bit as thrilling as asking the question. In Bosker's New York Times bestselling book, she spends five years working at galleries, and artist studios, as well as interviewing the Whitney Biennial curators and spending time working as a guard at museums, all...

Are you feeling stuck? Your art isn't selling. Your opportunities are dwindling. You're wondering if it's time to throw in the towel. Let me answer that for you really quick: No. In this podcast, I talk about what to do when sales are down, and the answer isn't quitting. It's experimentation in the studio. Have a listen and let me know what you think.

You know how every other headline for the past year has been about the sinking art market? Well, we're finally starting to see the light. In this week's episode of the Art Problems podcast, I discuss two fairs and an art show in Chelsea and how art sales are finally on the rise! Relevant links:  Join the Netvvrk membership!

You know what sucks? Feeling like you've been stuck in the same place career-wise for years on end, with no solution insight. You're tired. And you're demoralized. What if I told you I could give you a way to feel better, even if for just a short while? Well, I've got you. In this podcast I give you two easy exercises that will help build your confidence AND ease feelings of burn out. I can't wait...

Heather Bhandari knows artists. She's spent her 25-plus-year career in service of helping them build their careers. She's written books, organized conferences, put together learning centers, taught classes, and helped manage legacies. And that's why I asked her on the podcast. In our conversation, Heather discusses: Positive changes to the art world that give her hope for artists. How there are ma...