Art Problems

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.

THE THREE BUSINESS STAGES OF STUDIO PRACTICE

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!

Relevant links:

https://hyperallergic.com/784192/art-problems-dont-make-art-to-sell-do-i-still-belong-in-the-art-world/

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 computer.

Learn how she overcame her fear of technology and how you can, too!

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 happiness.

Relevant links:

Brad Stuhlman, Master of Change

https://www.amazon.com/Master-Change-Everything-Changing-Including/dp/006325316X

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 people out to see, there are a lot of practical tips in this episode to help you.

Ways I can support you:

The Netvvrk membership is open through Sunday. Netvvrk helps mid-career artists get the shows, residencies, and grants of their dreams. Join us today. [Link]

Relevant links:

https://chashama.org/event/body-mind-spirit/

https://www.marcalain.com/

https://www.laurenceellegroux.com/

https://www.natalyakochak.com/

https://www.barbaranitke.com/

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, use these strategies.

And if you want to do a deeper dive on this, make sure you're on my email list.

On Tuesday October 10th, I release the link to my new free webinar on how to get more shows without transforming your personality into a content creator. Don't miss this class.

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 online discussions about criticism, focusing on Sean Tatol's "Negative Criticism" and Ben Davis's "Is Criticism Too Positive" and explains why this conversation is relevant to artists.

If you struggle to understand the media landscape, this podcast will help you understand the stakes so you can make better decisions about where to spend your time.

Professionals discussed: Jerry Saltz, Sean Tatol, Ben Davis, Jason Farago, Joanna Freeman, Jackson Arn, Josh Baer, Jeff Poe

Relevant links:

https://www.thebaerfaxtpodcast.com/e/jerry-saltz/

https://news.artnet.com/opinion/sean-tatol-negative-reviews-part-1-2353302

https://news.artnet.com/opinion/sean-tatol-negative-criticism-part-2-2353305

https://news.artnet.com/multimedia/the-art-angle-podcast-state-of-art-criticism-2358970

https://thepointmag.com/criticism/negative-criticism/

http://19933.biz/manhattanartreview.html

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/moving-towards-self-acceptance-with-julie-peppito/id1646991472?i=1000601638275