Art Problems

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 

EP 69: How to Take a Break Without Feeling Guilty

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 for me, and what it might mean for you.

EP 68: Behind the Scenes of Zero Art Fair with Artists Jennifer Dalton and William Powhida

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 dollars in art.
Today on the Art Problems Podcast I talk to the artists behind the fair, Jennifer Dalton and William Powhida. Let's get the skinny direct from the source!
 
 
Relevant links:
https://www.zeroartfair.com/home
http://www.jenniferdalton.com/
https://williampowhida.com/

EP 67: Meet Artist John Sproul

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 different, but I love this conversation with John because he shows just how much is possible when you dive into the work!
Relevant links:
John Sproul
Join Netvvrk

EP 66: How to Put Together a Competitive Guggenheim Application

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 passing thought about the award, this podcast is the one to listen to.
And if you like it, be sure to share it with friends you know are applying. Helping them will only help you in the long run.
 
Relevant links:
How to Get Bigger and Better Shows - the Free Masterclass
Guggenheim Fellowship