Art Problems

This week we’re talking about how health events affect the lives of artists. Sculptor John Powers joins me as we share our experiences - his traumatic hand injury and subsequent cancer diagnosis, and my own recent double mastectomy. We dig into the specific challenges artists face when medical crises threaten the tools of our trade, how we navigate the US healthcare system, and the mental strategi...

VVrkshop founder Paddy Johnson and artist William Powhida dive into their impressions of the 2025 Armory Art Fair in New York. In this episode, we explore how Frieze's new ownership has changed the fair's feel, from stricter security to the notable absence of mega galleries like Hauser & Wirth and Gagosian. We break down the numbers - more than half of 2024's exhibitors didn't return, LA galle...

What exactly is "art speak" and why do artists continue to use it when we all agree it’s creates a poor reading experience? In this podcast, I break down the inflated language that clutters artist statements—from "liminal" and "corporeal" to meaningless spatial metaphors that make work sound more complex than it is.  Drawing on Alix Rule and David Levine's landmark essay "International Art English...

In this episode, Paddy gives you the skinny on the Guggenheim Fellowship, one of the most prestigious awards for mid-career artists. The talk contains tips and strategies you won't find on their website, including knowing when to apply and how often. You won't find this information anywhere else, so have a listen. Even if you're not planning to apply, this episode will give you strategies for ALL...

Artist Natalia Nakazawa believes this moment of extreme uncertainty is actually "artist time"—when we need to step up as visionaries and fill the voids that traditional systems are leaving behind. This is the second interview in my series on how to find hope through artistic practice. Natalia has built multiple collectives and focuses on long-term sustainability over quick wins. We discuss making...

After feeling demoralized by Trump’s election, artist Julie Peppito researched how to resist authoritarianism and merged her studio practice with street activism—what she calls "artivism." Peppito, who is leading Saturday's No King's protest in NYC, believes artists are uniquely positioned to break through disinformation as messengers and visual communicators.  We discuss her four-part formula for...

When external pressures feel overwhelming and traditional solutions fall short, how do artists move forward? From The Whitney pausing its Independent Study Program to AI threatening brand partnerships, the challenges facing artists today often don't have clear fixes.  Art Coach Paddy Johnson explores why believing every threat is already reality can paralyze us, how social media platforms prioriti...

At the end of 2024, artist Amy Kligman left her executive director role to create her own opportunities by identifying gaps in the Kansas City arts ecosystem. She launched Special Effects gallery to make local artists more nationally visible and the Salon for Possible Futures, an artwork that doubles as a community gathering space. We discuss how Amy navigates risk and uncertainty, measures succes...

In this second part of our two-part series on New York Art Fair Week, William Powhida and Paddy Johnson discuss the standout artworks from Independent, NADA, and Spring Break. Despite the thin crowds and economic challenges explored in Part 1, there were notable works worth celebrating. The conversation highlights vintage game boards at Independent, playful Nancy Drew-inspired paintings at Spring...

Is New York Art Fair Week losing its momentum? This week, artist and critic William Powhida and I spent time at Independent, NADA, and Spring Break—and the energy felt deflated across all three. In this first part of our two-part series, we dig into what went wrong. Thin crowds. Dealers complaining about slow sales. International collectors staying away due to political uncertainty and travel conc...

The Art Problems Podcast is back after a two-month hiatus — and I’m back announcing the biggest update in Netvvrk membership history. The economy’s rough. The art world’s uncertain. And I’m not pretending otherwise. But that does mean that focusing on your career now can give you a leg up.  This episode is about giving yourself that advantage by finding your place in the art world — and actually m...

One of the best ways to solve the problem of not enough shows is to self-organize. No one can launch a show without networking, so it forces network expansion, along with solving the lack of shows thing. For Transcultural Exchange Director and artist Mary Sherman this activity is as routine as breathing. She is the mastermind behind Avenues for Daring, the 2025 International Conference on Opportun...

In which I reveal plans for a game-changing curriculum built from hundreds of artist surveys and 20+ years of industry experience. Plus, get a must-listen podcast recommendation that perfectly captures the creative journey. When Art Problems returns, expect deeper dives into career-advancing strategies.

Doesn't it seem like everyone is talking about crappy things are lately? This starts with the state of politics and extends all the way through to culture. Is culture in stasis? And if not, why does it feel like it is to so many people? On this episode of Art Problems, the artist William Powhida and I discuss the following articles: “Why has culture come to a standstill,” Jason Farago, The New Yor...

In honor of Thanksgiving, I'm reflecting on the professionals I'm most thankful for—those supporting artists. The field is vast; honestly, this list of ten could easily be five times the size. But there's only so much space in one show! This episode is for you if you want to know who is doing good work and supporting your practice. A few quick and dirty links below PLUS don't forget to take advant...

Every artist needs a visibility plan. But if you're anything like me, you may find following a plan INSANELY difficult. There are too many variables at play to stick to a plan. Well, when you establish your starting point, you can set goals, and creating a plan with the flexibility needed to achieve said goals becomes a lot easier. On today's podcast, I talk about the baseline metrics you need to...

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...