Art Problems

We're kicking off 2026 with artist William Powhida, whose 2017 work After the Contemporary predicted the future of art with unsettling accuracy. From the NEA closure to resource wars to Miami flooding, his satirical timeline keeps proving prescient. We discuss what he got right, what he missed (AI, influencers), and his predictions for 2026—including the rise of the "haute garde," the gambling-ification of culture, and why flexible pricing models might finally give artists more agency.

Relevant links:

In this episode, Paddy talks with art market analyst Tim Schneider about the New Visions Report 2025, a survey of over 1,000 visual artists about their working conditions.

They discuss why even successful artists struggle with money, what separates artists who advance in their careers from those who don't, and the business practices that matter most.

Tim shares insights from two decades covering the art market about networking, professional systems, and why the infrastructure around your art practice is just as important as the work itself.

Artist and accountant Hannah Cole talks about her new book "Taxes for Humans"—your not-boring guide to taxation for self-employed artists. We discuss why tax education is deliberately kept from us, how to fix a messy tax situation without shame, and Hannah's secret agenda to turn artists into activists.

Plus: tax-advantaged accounts, disaster relief benefits, and why it's worth investing in your professional development before the year ends.

Related links:
Taxes for Humans

This week I'm extending a conversation I started in my revived Hyperallergic column: do you need a proper studio space to get studio visits? The answer is no—if you handle it properly.

But the real question isn't about your space. It's how to network effectively so visits actually happen. I break down the exact timing strategy for outreach, why most networking fails in the follow-through, and how to structure emails that make it easy for people to say yes.

The biggest reason artist emails don't get responses isn't disinterest—it's that the email didn't make...

This week on the Art Problems podcast interview series "Inside Netvvrk", I'm wrapping up the series with Chris Moss, a painter and the artist advisor who leads all of Netvvrk's studio critiques.

Chris has been with Netvvrk for years. He shares what it's like to go from being completely stuck to organizing a neighborhood studio crawl that brought hundreds of people through his door. We talk about why COVID isolation finally pushed him to find a solution, how he went from zero shows to curating exhibitions with himself in them, and why self-worth is one of the...

This week on the Art Problems podcast interview series "Inside Netvvrk", I'm talking with Brent Showalter, a multidisciplinary artist whose brilliantly colored paintings and photographs transform layered compositions of color and shape into vibrating surfaces.

Brent runs multiple businesses and brings that same strategic mindset to his art practice. In doing so, he's able to devote more time to his art. We talk about how his accountability group helped him finally organize his entire archive, and what it takes to feel confident when opportunity knocks—whether that's the director of the Guggenheim walking into your studio or an...

This week on the Art Problems podcast interview series “Inside Netvvrk”, I'm talking with Ann Marie Auricchio, an abstract painter who creates work at the intersection of psychological and physical experiences.

Ann Marie shares what it's like to restart your art career after 25 years in another profession. She talks about why having all your materials ready isn't enough if you don't know how to use them, and how a shoulder injury became the perfect time to invest in herself.

We get into how she went from feeling stuck and isolated in New Orleans to landing her...

This week I'm launching 'Inside Netvvrk,' a new interview series with Netvvrk members. First up is Laurie Frick, a data artist and one of Netvvrk's founding members.

In this conversation, we talked about what it's really like to invest in your career when you're already mid-career. Laurie doesn't sugarcoat it: Netvvrk isn't cheap, and you need to treat your career like it's worth investing in. But she also shares what changed when she made that commitment—going from feeling stuck in public art commissions to now having four galleries and selling all the work she makes.

This week, accountant and artist Hannah Cole interviews me. As an artist who isn't (yet) a Netvvrk member, she had a lot of questions about how it helps mid-career visual artists.

Who is it for? How does it work? What makes it different from a course? Do you really need it?

We talk about why I started Netvvrk after years of cobbling together income from adjunct teaching and speaking fees, and how those early artist statement classes revealed a bigger problem—artists needed ongoing support and community, not just one-off solutions.

I share ho...

Eric Shiner, President of Powerhouse Arts joins the podcast to give artists the skinny on this new organization. This 170,000 square-foot nonprofit in Brooklyn's Gowanus neighborhood is fast becoming one of the most significant resources for artists in New York City.

Eric walks me through Powerhouse's seven fabrication workshops (ceramics, printmaking, textiles, wood, metal, and more), their artist subsidy program that makes these resources financially accessible, and their new artist residency program. 

We also talk about how Powerhouse is expanding into exhibitions and performing arts with affordable ticket prices, and why they're supporting Fall of Freedom—a n...

One of the most common challenges artists face is knowing when—and how—to hire help for their practice. This week, I'm breaking down the practicalities of hiring: from determining if you're ready, to figuring out what you can afford to pay, to managing assistants effectively.   I cover the key tipping points that signal it's time to bring on help, the difference between contractors, assistants, and coaches, and why feeling overwhelmed doesn't always mean you need to hire someone. We also discuss W.A.G.E.'s fee calculator as a concrete tool for determining fair pay, why underpaying assistants creat...

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 strategies that help us maintain morale when everything feels out of control. We also explore the practical realities: phantom limb pain, nerve regeneration, the importance of finding the right surgeon, and ho...

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 galleries dropped by 26%, and smaller works dominated booths as galleries adapted to market realities. The conversation covers standout pieces that caught our attention, from Nick Farhi's provocative glory hole installation at Europa to...

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," I explore why vague academic language emerged from 1970s French poststructuralist influence and why it's stuck around for nearly 50 years. Plus, we discuss why clarity can become your competitive advantage as AI ch...

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 grant applications.

Relevant links:

https://www.gf.org/

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 culture essential infrastructure and why artists need to connect beyond their silos. This is about training yourself to dream big and recognizing that artists are needed everywhere.

RELEVANT LINKS:
Natalia Nakazawa: ht...

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 building hope: community, social proof, joy, and collaboration, plus practical advice on organizing art builds, leading protests, and turning your studio into a "hope-making machine."

RELEVANT LINKS:
Julie Peppito: https://www.juliepeppito.com/
Julie...

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 prioritize reach over genuine connection, and why the art world's scrappy resilience might be our greatest asset. Plus, an announcement about an upcoming series designed to bring hope and courage to the creative community.

RELEVANT LINKS: Duration: 00:08:25

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 success in experimental projects, and uses art to build empathy and human connection during politically volatile times.

RELEVANT LINKS: 

Amy Kligman: https://www.amykligman.com/

Amy Kligman Instagram: https://ww...

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 Break, and meticulously detailed highway landscapes at NADA.

Most significantly, we explore how the most politically relevant work happened outside the fairs, with an extended conversation of Mitchell Chan's "Insert Coins" – a deceptively simple video game installation that re...

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 concerns. The overall market recession.

But is it just market fatigue, or something deeper? We explore whether New York has simply become too expensive for emerging galleries to self-subsidize, whether po...

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 moving forward.

Joint Netvvrk Here

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.

Today, we walk through the origins of Transcultural Exchange and learn about the upcoming conference for artists, taking place March 7...

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 York times

"The Painted Protest, How Politics Destroyed Contemporary Art", Dean Kissick, Harper's Magazine.

“The One Word That Describes Art Now...

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 advantage of our VantaBlack Friday deal before it slips away. You get $100 off the annual membership when you join before Monday December 2nd.

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 determine so you can set realistic goals and timelines.

I give you the outline of what we're doing inside Netvvrk...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 la...

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 mana...

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.

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<...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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!

<...

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 pl...

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...

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.

<...

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...

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 work...

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...

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 to hear what you think!

Relevant links: Duration: 00:12:54

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:

Doesn't the art world drive you nuts?

There are all these rules of conduct you're supposed to follow, but then you're also supposed to know all the times when those rules don't apply. It's like you need the equivalent of a degree in engineering, just to get your foot in the door. (In reality, that degree is probably more like an MFA from Yale.)

Well, today I break down the 10 most common contradictions and give you an advanced guide on how to navigate them.

You'll recognize that the art world's secrets aren't secrets...

Are artists getting the short end of the A.I. stick? Faced with a loss of potential revenue, many artists are questioning the value of A.I. models that train on their artwork to produce artwork for users at no cost. Zero dollars from your labor isn't a good deal.

In this episode of Art Problems, I discuss the short comings of using licensing to deal with A.I. companies acting like bullies stealing your lunch money.

But, I also talk about which text-based platforms are most useful to artists writing artist statements and show...

One of the great frustrations with the art world is the nonsense terms you have to interpret and apply to your practice. Are you an emerging, mid-career, or an established artist? NOBODY KNOWS. It's different for every application you fill out.

What if I told you, I had a solution to this problem?

A set of terms where you could easily see your EXACT place within the art world.

Well, whatyaknow! That's the subject of this podcast!

You'll learn the terms and industry sectors we're identifying behind the scenes at Netvvrk...

Do I really need to read ArtForum?

This and other media-related questions on this episode of Art Problems.

We dive into:

The state of the media and how it effects you and your practice.

When you should start thinking about making a catalogue of your work and their purpose.

Whether using paid publications like New American Painting is worth your money.

And let's just get this out of the way right here: don't pay for advertising.

It's not worth it.

In honor of the Whitney Biennial, I'm sharing an episode of Pep Talks for Artists on how to work an opening. In this episode Podcast host and producer Amy Talluto talks with Mandy Wilson Rosen about the book "How to Work a Room" by Susan RoAne to see if it jusssttt might have some helpful tips inside for artists. Spoiler alert: It does. It's chock full of helpful tips for surviving an opening —and Amy even found some cocktail party lounge music for the ep.

All music is licensed from Soundstripe.

For more support with your...

I am back from the LA fairs, hoo boy, do I have some impressions. There was so much to do and see relative to New York’s Frieze week, that I started to wonder if New York would continue to be the economic center for art!

In this podcast I discuss the biz, trends, and art so you have all the information you need to know whether participating in the LA Fairs is worth the investment.

You’ll also get the skinny on each fair so you get a sense of the flavor of each.
...

I know, I know.

I'm basically promising the answer to life in an eight-minute podcast!

Well, it's not quite that, but this week on the Art Problems Podcast I talk about how understanding your goals and audience can give you the answer to pretty much any question you have about artist statements. And I'll tell you this now: The answers won't stop with statements.

Not to be cryptic or anything, but I'm going to leave you with this teaser: Your audience might not be who you think!

Almost every artist will need to take an extended break from art making at some point in their career. Whether that be due to child rearing, the loss of a parent, or a significant move, the job of getting back into the game can be just as challenging as the disruptions that took you away from the studio. You're probably worried that...

You have visible gaps in your CV that galleries will notice and ask you about.

You've lose touch with many of your contacts and art friends and now they're gone for good.

In this podcast

Have you ever exchanged gifts with someone and only to learn that the present you got them is waaaaay more expensive then the one they got you?

Awkward!

In this Valentine's Day podcast on connection and mailers, I talk about how social currency and exchange works much the same way. If you're asking someone for their email, and you're giving them something in exchange you want it to be roughly equal in investment. Sometimes that's the newsletter itself and sometimes it's a little more.

Making any sort of career plan often results self-discovery. In this episode, I speak to three Netvvrk members, Jon Laustsen, Karey Kessler and Arden Bendler Browning about what they've learned through the process.

Jon talks about how using a typewriter helped him connect to the process better.

Karey talks about the discovery that the length of the journey and the goals she original set have shifted.

Arden learns that being shy and introverted don't preclude her enjoyment of talking about her work.

What can you learn about yourself through this process?<...

Are you struggling to find time to do every god damn thing?

Of course you are. You're an artist.

That's why I started this series on goal setting.

In this podcast I speak with artist and Netvvrk member Cadence Giersbach about how she sets priorities and gets things done. Giersbach describes the importance of focusing on the things that are within your control—what you can do each day to get tasks done.

If you want to know more about how to spend le...

Have you ever launched an exhibition space and then tortured yourself over whether to include yourself in a show because you know it will look bad? Or struggled over whether to send an email to gallerist or a DM over instagram because someone followed you, but you're not sure if DMing a welcome is friendly or spam?

Welcome to the world of art world taboos, which are both plentiful and entirely useless in any situation other than the most obvious examples. In this episode I identify a few of the more common taboos that trip a...

In this episode of Art Problems, I take on a vexed topic for many artists: goal setting!

Is it even worth setting goals when it's so difficult to know where your opportunities will come from?

Short answer: Yes.

I talk to artist and Netvvrk member Heather Beardsley about the process she used to set her goals, and how she achieved them.

And you know what?

It's not rocket science.

You can follow Heather's method (the Netvvrk method) and do the same thing.

Because study after...

Last year, I predicted what 2023 in the art world would look like. This week, I take a look back at those predictions, share what I got right and wrong, and make new ones for 2024.

Spoiler alert: We've got big structural changes ahead. It's hard to say how those changes will play out, but discuss the benefit of approaching shifts with cautious optimism.

Relevant links:

The Internet is about to Get Weird Again 

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-commentary/internet-future-about-to-get-weird-1234938403/

The Enshitification of TikTok 

http...

Do you have an internal ticker tape running tracking one anxiety to the next?

Many of us who struggle with fears that our ambitions for our art will never align with our careers find end of year planning stressful.

That's why, in this podcast, I invited artist and meditation expert Kristen Jordan to the podcast. (Psst: She also manages the Netvvrk membership support desk.)

She tackles all of the anxiety around meditation, the ways it can help us formulate and tackle goals, and even leads is through a mediation at the end of...

Is conventional wisdom shifting? Many believe art fairs and artists shouldn't mix. One artist described it to me as watching your parents have sex. It's not something artists want to do!

But not everyone agrees.

In this episode I speak to artist Mark Joshua Epstein about his experience at the Miami art fairs and why he believes the stigma associated with artists who attend without exhibiting their work has changed. He got a lot out of his visit, and shares what he gained, who he thinks will benefit, and when it won't help you. And...

Is there a way to escape the demoralizing FOMO many artists experience during the Miami art fairs? In this episode of Art Problems, I discuss the ceiling many artists feel during this time of year, how to insert yourself into the fairs, and how not to feel like this whole art endeavor-thing is pointless.

Spoiler alert: The whole art thing is not pointless.

This week, I conducted an experiment: I took a survey that identified problems for standard businesses by revenue stages and examined how those problems aligned with the average artist's studio practice.

Surprise! The metrics didn't line up.

So, I used the framework for the business stages to create my model for artists. This podcast shares what I learned and produced for you! In the process, I created a downloadable action checklist so you can identify your career stage and what actions you need to take to get to the next level. That link below.

In this episode, I discuss the abundance of triggers liable to make you feel a little more sensitive about your career this time of year including the Miami art fairs, holiday sales, and an art market recession. I also discuss what you can do when you start feeling all the feels.

We often get in our own way when we become self-conscious about visibility. This podcast is designed to give you the tools to avoid the behaviors likely to set you back.

 Sign up Here for early access to the Vantablack Friday offer!

Do you really need an artist residency?

You know it helps a CV, but how much?

Will it help other aspects of your career?

In this episode, I talk about how to determine if you need a residency and how to find the residencies best suited to your needs. If you've been stressing over whether you should spend time at a residency or how to find one, this podcast will provide an answer to many of those anxieties.

Is your lack of tech literacy stressing you out?

Are you worried you're too old to get the hang of new technology?

Maybe you're not old, and reasonably tech-savvy, but still stymied by constant tech updates?

Today on the podcast I invite my mother, Jacqueline Johnson, to talk about her use of technology.

She is not a master of technology. But, at age 77, she has figured out how to use what she needs, and reports crying far less often as a result of the...

Is your body not working as well as it did when you were twenty? Is this affecting your studio practice? Welcome to the joys of mid-career!

In this episode of Art Problems, I speak about the importance of seeking out good healthcare so you can sustain your work in the studio.

Try different types of support.

Use what works for you.

Trust your body.

Adapt, adapt, adapt.

Learning to accept change is the key to happin...

In this episode, I talk to artists Barbara Nitke, Natalya Kochak, Laurence Elle Groux (goes by Elle) to talk about how they used the Netvvrk membership to help them secure their Chelsea show Mind Body and Soul—a Chashama exhibition at 320 West 23rd Street in New York.

We go through the process of how they met, how they got the show, the resources they needed to make the show, and now, what they can do to get the show more exposure.

If you're an artist who either needs shows or has a show you want to get peo...

Let me guess. You have a million things to do to move your art career forward, but you're only one person, and you're struggling to find time in the studio, let alone do all the other tasks. You need one job, not four.

In this episode of Art Problems, I discuss how to get the time you need in the studio.

The solutions I have aren't sexy, and some of them aren't even that fun.

But you know what is fun? TIME IN THE STUDIO.

If they work, and they do...

Does anyone even read art criticism any more?

For years, the prevailing wisdom told us that the art industry needs art criticism to grow. And yet, today, the industry is larger than ever; the number of professional art critics in the country is dwindling, and those writing reviews aren't having them read.

So, do we need art criticism? Is art criticism itself the problem? Is it too positive to be taken seriously or too negative to qualify as anything more than clickbait?

In this episode of Art Problems, Paddy Johnson summarizes the recent...

In this podcast, Paddy Johnson discusses how you can participate in the art world at the level you want to participate when you are afraid that your work isn't at that level. 

What are the symptoms of self doubt?

How can simple avoidance behaviors be mitigated?

And how can more complex fear-driven avoidance be tackled?

The answers to all that and more inside today's podcast.

Relevant links:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-25-how-to-work-an-opening/id1591933339?i=1000561557530

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mo...

In this podcast, Paddy Johnson and artist William Powhida discuss the increasing cost of museums, art fairs, application fees, and travel impacting artists and how to beat them.

You'll learn:

Where to stay when visiting New York that won't cost $500 or more a night

How to avoid a large fair entrance fee

And how to lower the cost of museum fees

The start of the fall season is upon us!

And with all fall events, so too comes feelings of excitement, mixed with overwhelm and sometimes even dread.

You might be asking yourself questions like,

"How do I get my art seen when there is so little press to cover the five million shows now open across the country?"

"How do I network at openings and fairs when no one wants to see my work unless I am the exhibiting artist?"

"How do I attend these events without bankrupting myself...

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 grant applications.

Relevant links:

https://www.gf.org/

In this episode I talk with artist Eric LoPresti about defining success inside an industry that has few markers to gage it. LoPresti talks about his goals for his work, his approach to securing the opportunities he's gained, and a work strategy that identifies artists as either hunters or trappers. Listen to the podcast to learn more!

Relevant links:

http://www.ericlopresti.com/

Welcome to the future where down is up, up is down, and email isn't just a spam storage service.

In this podcast, I share the news that many artists aren't going to like—email is back, baby! In many ways, it never left us, but in this episode, I discuss the recent media shift to newsletters and why artists should be placing their focus there as well.

If you haven't been building your mailing list, now is the time to start. It can transform your career.

Relevant links:

https://www...

A gallery with an incredible curatorial record, a publishing wing, a 90% sales split to the artist AND 5% resale royalties may sound like an artist's fantasy, but it exists! Enter Testudo, a new online-first gallery dedicated to inclusivity, transparency and security.

In this episode of Art Problems, I speak with John Dennehy of Testudo, the gallery he co-founded with his partner Kirby Voigtman in 2021. We discuss the gallery model, its importance to artists and collectors, and the company's goals.

Relevant links:

https://testudomkt.com/

https://testudomkt.com/editorial

h...

In this episode, William Powhida joins Paddy Johnson to talk about the changes in the art world, since 2017. Powhida and Johnson focus on Upstate Art Weekend and a recent New Yorker profile of Larry Gagosian to examine these changes, and use Powhida's 2017 show, "After the Contemporary" at the Aldrich Museum of Art, which imagines the art world of the future, as a starting point. 

Relevant Links: 

The World According to Larry Gagosian. FT.com

Upstate Art Weekend

How Larry Gagosian Reshaped the Art World. The New Yorker

Aft...

Oh, this episode is a doozy! In it, Paddy discusses how Netvvrk artists secured nearly a million dollars in grant funding for artists in just two years. The breakdown is in this episode if you want to know what Netvvrk artists are doing to secure awards like the Guggenheim Foundation Grant, The Pollock Krasner, JMF funding, and more. 

The tally, currently at $755,000, represents the dedication of the artists who join Netvvrk and the strength of the membership. And if you want to know more about the membership, I'll talk about it live Tuesday, July 18th, at 7:30 PM E...

Does having a day job make you feel a little self-conscious about the status of your art career? If so, you're not alone.

Prompted by a recent discussion on the VVrkshop Instagram, Paddy speaks with Catherine Haggarty, co-founder of NYC Crit Club, and an artist and Macon Reed, artist and Netvvrk member about the day job stigma for artists. We dive into subjects like:

How class and privilege support the expectation that artists work full-time in the studio, starting in art school

How acknowledging that you didn't come from pr...

In this episode, artist and critic William Powhida joins Paddy Johnson to discuss the context surrounding an expanded art fair cycle in New York. What once lasted a week now spans two, which, in this year's depressed market, amounted to a much longer timeline to lose money.

We discuss Frieze, NADA, Future Fair, and Spring Break, and why the growing exclusiveness of the fairs hurts art.

Relevant links:

Hat tip to Michael Anthony Farley and Whitney Kimball for their summary of Spring Break in BMore Art.

https://bm...

In this episode of Art Problems, I speak with Luke Blackadar lawyer, and Deputy Director of the Arts and Business Council, about the Supreme Court's Ruling against the Warhol Foundation in AWF vs Goldsmith. Amongst the areas of possible impact, we discuss appropriation artists who use screen printing, A.I. renderings using artist work, and copyright trolls.

Listen up. This one's a great one.

https://artsandbusinesscouncil.org/luke-blackadar/

We all talk a lot about artist statements, instagram, going to openings and getting studio visits as a means of securing shows, residencies and grants.

The unspoken truth, though, is that if nobody wants to look at your art, the best artist statement in the world won't make a difference to your career.

Here's the thing, though. Making better work requires research and feedback, all actions you need to take to develop all your support materials.

A holistic approach to your practice will help you realize your full artistic p...

The second in my podcast series examining which support materials can get you seen in the art world and the exact process we use inside Netvvrk to create member assessments that allow you to hone those materials.

In today's episode, I talk about the importance of your Instagram, and why you need to be on the platform to get your work seen. But I also talk about the social media recession we're currently experiencing and what to do about it.

spoiler alert: It doesn't mean stay off social. It does mean, though, that you need...

The first in my podcast series examining which support materials can get you seen in the art world and the exact process we use inside Netvvrk to create member assessments that allow you to hone those materials.

In today's episode, I talk about the importance of your website, how the most common mistakes I see will keep curators and dealers from contacting you, and the simple steps you need to take to avoid those mistakes.

Nothing I will discuss requires special skills or knowledge.

And everything I talk about is part of the...

In today’s episode, I’m answering the question that plagues so many artists: How do you navigate all the scams and pay-to-play schemes targeting artists is not easy.

They’re everywhere! And if you’re not careful, you can get sucked into something that seems fine on the surface. 

Today, I’m walking you through the scam taxonomy I established for these schemes, and how to identify them in any circumstance. We’re covering it all— instagram, email, pay-to-play, application fees, and publication and copyright scams. I even share with you how I nearly...

In this episode, Paddy builds on her latest piece in Hyperallergic, "How to Get A Public Art Commission," by diving into the details. In this tactical podcast, you'll learn everything you need to know about how to get public art commissions, from what language to avoid to where to find calls that don't require pre-existing experience.

Relevant links: https://hyperallergic.com/809184/art-problems-how-do-i-get-a-public-art-commission/

In this episode, I talk about five ways artists can give up networking while building a larger network than ever.

Sound too good to be true? It probably is, but you'll never know unless you tune in.

Can you grow out of self-doubt? In today’s episode, I talk with Netvvrk member Julie Peppito about the trappings of childhood precociousness and how her negative art school experiences impacted her sense of self-worth and even her participation in the art world. And we talk about how she navigated out of negative experiences into a space of greater self-acceptance and artistic fulfillment.

Julie Peppito
The Camp Gallery

Julie Peppito Biography

Julie Peppito (b.1970, Tulsa, OK) combines multiple materials to create creature-like sculptures, layered tapestries, installations, collages, and playground art...

What All the Most Visible Artists Are Doing

I spent the last two months reviewing artist work, CV, Instagram, and websites and found that the most visible artists do the same four things.

On this episode of Art Problems, distill what I learned from doing over 250 artist assessments into these four actions you can take too.

And if you like what you hear here, you’re really going to love my free masterclass How to Get Seen in the Art World, because I do an even deeper dive into how you can build tow...

Even when the A.I. chatbot ChatGPT gets everything wrong, it still sounds right. And that's some uncanny valley right there. 

In this episode of Art Problems, I talk about ChatGPT and the larger A.I. field, some of the ethical issues involved, and see just how much the bot knows about the art world. Spoiler alert: it still can't write your artist statement. Boo.

It's goal-setting time! Welcome to 2023! 

The biggest problem I see artists need help with when setting 2023 goals is figuring out what to do to achieve them when so many opportunities seem to come randomly from friends and connections. 

I'm here to tell you it's possible! Join me as I walk through my top 5 steps to creating a 2023 visibility plan and what you need to do to ensure it leads to results.  

Plus, I share some inside tips that I will talk about in my live intensive workshop this Thursday. Listen in; you don’t want...

In this episode, artist William Powhida joins Paddy Johnson to discuss changes to social media and what we expect to see in 2023. 

Mentioned: 

Bluesky - a decentralized social network protocol that allows social media networks to interact.

Mastodon - A twitter alternative

Emily Weiner's Instagram

Peer Review - A publication of reviews for artists by artists