Art Problems

EP 79: What Happens When Artists Can Do Anything They Want

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 TSA's network of artist-run spaces creates alternatives to market-driven galleries, fosters authentic community across five cities, and helps artists build rich, fulfilling lives through meaningful connections and creative autonomy.
Paik's plain-spoken wisdom about community and organizing provides a salve to an otherwise market-focused art industry.Plus, an important plug: TSA is currently fundraising to support its mission. You can help by purchasing their newly released artist-designed T-shirts and sweatshirts or becoming a monthly member through Patreon, starting at just $5. 
https://www.tigerstrikesasteroid.com/

EP 78: What To Do When Everything is Not Fine

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 friends, your neighbors, a local knitting group, a group of artists you share advice with.

EP 77: Can Museum Matchmaking Work For You?

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 finding homes, and donors and institutions are getting what they need.
Listen as Darling, and I get into the thick of it and learn more about a process that might work for you or someone you know!

EP 76: Who Is Carrie Scott?

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 conversation touches on Seen, her newest membership for collectors and artists, whether you can feel art, and who gets to monopolize parenthood conversations in the art world.

EP 75: How to Manage an Art Career When You’re Over 60

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 going to pretend ageism doesn't exist. It does, and it will impact you. However, how you view your age will determine the extent of its effects on your career. YOU are not beholden to another person's preconceptions. Your age does not have to be a limitation. It is a strength waiting to be unleashed.
I'm tackling the issue head-on this week on the Art Problems podcast by sharing seven game-changing tips that will help you:
Reframe your mindset and embrace your ambition
Master essential skills for today's art world
Transform your studio practice to work with you, not against you
Consider these tips a toolkit for visibility, success, and artistic fulfillment in your 60s and beyond.
The best part? Many of these strategies are just as powerful for younger artists. It's never too early (or too late) to take control of your art career!

EP 74: The Problem You Didn’t Know You Had

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 great for agendas and basic writing and editing. I use it almost every day and it helps me enormously.
But it does have limitations. It can't fill in the information you don't give it, and it won't identify specific problems unless you ask it to do so.
As a means of answering those AI limitations, I've created strategic email scripts that artists can use to get better shows, additional funding, and even acquisitions. The scripts come in three separate documents - one for galleries, one for museums, and one for Instagram - and retail at $129 or $49 for the gallery scripts alone. But for a limited time, I'm offering 15% off. All you gotta do to get the coupon is fill in your information when the pop up appears.
During the podcast I give five examples of AI use that can help you grow your career and five limitations you need to be aware. AND I share specific cases so you can see how AI plays out in real life!
Happy listening -- and Netvvrking!

EP 73: Post Hurricane Helene with Artist and Accountant Hannah Cole

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 hurricane has affected her and her family over the last several days, which includes losing her life's work, being exposed to toxic chemicals and without water since last Friday. Many artists are in the exact same position as Hannah or worse.
Listen to the podcast to learn more about how the hurricane aftermath affects the residents of Asheville.
 
Here's how you can help:Relevant links on [PODCAST] Art Problems: Post Hurricane Helene with Artist and Accountant Hannah Cole — VVrkshop

EP 72: Do You Need a Gallery?

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 advisory firms and then returned to the brick-and-mortar space!
In this episode of Art Problems, I talk about this new world — how to manage gallery closures and what you need to make a go of it on your own.

EP 71: Your Residency is a Feminist Act

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 possible.
In this podcast, we talk about residencies, networking, feminism, and even the new Miranda July book All Fours.
 
Relevant links:
https://longmeadowartresidency.com/
https://www.surfpoint.me/
https://www.tidesinstitute.org/studioworks-artist-in-residence-program/
https://www.daniellemysliwiec.com/
 

EP 70: Is There a Dead Body Trend in Art?

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 the fair say about the world.
The shifting landscape of art, which includes many new faces and names
Plus, we talk about all the work in the shows that sparked thought!
 
Relevant links:
Armory The Armory Show | New York's Art Fair
Lydia Pettit at Dinner Gallery
Rodrigo Valenzuela at Asya Geisberg Gallery 
CHIFFON THOMAS at Michael Kohn Gallery 
Derrick Adams and Jeffrey Gibson at Tandem Press
Rafael Lozano-Hemmer
SPURS Gallery
Jeanne Silverthorne at Marc Straus Gallery
David Scher and Ward Shelley at Pierogi Gallery 
Simonette Quamina at Praxis Art 
Manuel López at Charlie James Gallery (cjamesgallery.com)
Paige K.B.’s installation Of Course, You Realize, This Means War at Blade Study
CURRO (galeriacurro.mx)
Alejandro Almanza Pereda at Galeria CURRO
David Hammons at Jack Tilton Gallery
Tamarind Institute (unm.edu)
Eva Koťátková at hunt kastner gallery
William Kentridge and Ai Weiwei at Whitechapel Gallery
Matt Bollinger
Katinka Lampe at Gallerie Ron Mandos 
The Library Collective out of Baltimore
Caro Jost 
Jennifer Bartlett at Locks Gallery
Grayson Perry at Paragon (paragonpress.co.uk)
Kathris Linkersdorff, Zoe Walk, and Sarah Anne Johnson at Yossi Milo
Broadway (broadwaygallery.nyc)
Theo Pinto at Nature Morte
Whitestone Gallery (whitestone-gallery.com)
1301SW
Sim Smith (sim-smith.com)
Nicodim Gallery
Tschabalala Self at Two Palms
Michael Berryhill at DIMIN
Emily Weiner at MILES McENERY GALLERY
I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih at Gajah Gallery
Andy Dixon at The Hole
 
Spring Break SPRING/BREAK Art Show - About (springbreakartshow.com)
Jac Lahav and Michele Maslow’s Monster with artists Caitlin McCormack, Taylor Lee Nicholson, and Charles Clary
Stuart Lantry, Post It Notes
Stina Puotinen, "Two Fishes" 
“All’s Fair in love and Lore” curated by Harsh Collective, featuring Laura Benson, Lucinda Gold, and Gabriel Kramer
Gary Gissler at Anita Rogers Gallery
Robert Jamora in “Everything is Fine”
Peter Dayton
Marianna Peragallo
Eric Diehl 
54 | Bobby Anspach Studios Foundation 
ACE LEHNER (ace-lehner.com)’s The Barbershop: The Art of Queer Failure