Art Problems

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

EP 65: Do You Need to be a Bad Person to be a Good Artist?

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 we have to deal with so many means yet successful people in our lives!
Relevant links:
Does it take a bad person to be a good athlete
https://aeon.co/essays/does-it-take-a-bad-person-to-be-a-good-athlete
Roger Federer's Convocation Speech
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqWUuYTcG-o

EP 64: Do You Have a Plan for Your Art After You Die?

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 this conversation, we talk about who we preserve culture for and why, some of the nuts and bolts around legacy planning, and what changes to the field have presented advancement and challenges.
Join me, for a conversation that balances the practical, the intellectual, and the emotional stakes of artistic legacy.
 
READ THE TRANSCRIPT HERE.

EP 63: Meet Ceri Hand, Registered Coach for Artists

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 you live in a remote area
How to prepare for studio visits.
Why editing your work is one of the most important skills you can develop as an artist.
Beyond all this, Ceri is highly empathetic and a joy to listen to. Make her part of your day!
READ TRANSCRIPT HERERelevant links: https://cerihand.com/

EP 62: How To Get What You Want

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 don't want.
You don't want to miss this one.
Relevant links:https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/28/arts/design/art-coaches-mentor-career.html

EP 61: Your JPGs Have Value

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, an experimental media art space that got its start in Brooklyn, 2013. On the podcast we talk about the future of digital storage, burgeoning art economies, and new art.
 
Relevant links:
https://transfer.art/
https://transfergallery.com/
The Fediverse, Explained
https://www.theverge.com/24063290/fediverse-explained-activitypub-social-media-open-protocol

Four Mistakes People Make When Working with An Accountant

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 they begin to work with an accountant and clarifying what you don’t get when hiring an accountant. 
Listen to today’s episode to learn how working with an accountant could work for your small business, some of the benefits, and how you can make sure you pick the right one for you. 
Also mentioned in today’s episode: 
The disconnect between art and business 
Learning about new tax credits 
How to know which questions you should ask your new accountant 
Estimated quarterly taxes and why they are so important
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Sunlight Podcast

EP 60: Is Having Your Face Sat On Beautiful?

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 to better understand how to appreciate art.
In our interview, we dig a little deeper into the themes of the book, and try to get to the bottom of questions like,
Why does art matter?
Why is the art world so mysterious?
How does a person look at or evaluate art?
Tune in, because this is a podcast you will not want to miss!
 
Relevant links:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156741696-get-the-picture