NFTs are the cool new thing in the art world at the moment, and we can probably all agree that they are here to stay. My guest is very enthusiastic about them, yet prudent. Yuri Cataldo is Co-Founder and General Partner of Athenian Venture Capital and Co-Author of the blockchain book “Be Left Behind”. But before he got into all of this, Yuri was first classically trained in theatre as a set & costume designer. He worked on Broadway and later became an entrepreneur, starting multiple ventures. He became involved with cryptocurrency when a business he worked with started accepting it as payment, and then became an expert in that field when he wrote a book on the topic. In this episode, Yuri explains at length what NFTs are (and aren’t) with clear explanations and examples.

Conversation Highlights:

• What NFTs are and are not.
• Why NFTs are both amazing and garbage.
• Why artists should learn more about NFTs.
• What the pros and cons of NFTs are

PLUS: Don’t forget the taxes!

Links and resources:

• Website: www.yuricataldo.com and www.athenian.vc
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ycataldo/
• Book: Be Left Behind
• Great Explainer of NFTs from Wax: https://medium.com/wax-io/the-beginners-guide-to-nfts-and-how-to-get-them-on-wax-8c377f008f0e
• How to make an NFT for beginners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NmmF9lJBlU
• General article on NFTs from the NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/11/arts/design/what-is-an-nft.html

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Multi-disciplinary and multi-talented, our guest today is an entertainer, beauty queen, speaker, author, and…speed painter! Jessica K. Haas was brought up by a single mother who could barely make ends meet but never gave up. After discovering speed art at the age of 15 through her determination to be authentic to her true artistic talent in a pageant talent competition, Jessica has been a speed artist for over half her life. Against the advice of experienced people, among which some of her art teachers, she took her supposed “weird” ideas and made them happen. A must-listen episode for all artists in need of inspiration and reassurance that it’s ok to do “your thing”.

Conversation Highlights:

• Why you should do “you” and let others do “them”
• When it is appropriate to show your art for “exposure”
• How any experience is either a gain or a lesson learned

PLUS: You’re not doing it wrong, you’re doing it “new”!

Links and resources:

Website: www.jessicakhass.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicakhaas/

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Our guest today has an amazing story to share, one that started at the age of four when he sold his first painting. David Kovats was born in Hungary, surrounded by art.  Throughout his career, he had the opportunity to work for Sotheby’s, and together with his sister, he founded Dobossy Auctions in Budapest, which stimulated the secondary market of Hungarian contemporary art with its unique and fresh approach. In 2020 he had the brave (or crazy) idea of opening a gallery in London that would represent Eastern European contemporary artists whose work remained absent from the international market. Throughout the interview, David and Catherine candidly discuss the ups and downs of working in the art world and how collaborations between artists and gallerists can be built for mutual success.

Conversation Highlights:

• How David finds artists he is interested in representing
• Why firmly believing in what you do is the first step to turning any idea into reality
• Why a trusting relationship with your gallery is of the utmost importance

PLUS: What is your one-sentence vision?

Links and resources:

Website: https://davidkovats.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkovats_gallery/

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If you've ever stopped and wondered if was possible to have it all, meaning a successful artistic career while also being a loving partner and mother, then you will love to hear our guest’s thoughts on today's podcast episode. Mauren Brodbeck was surrounded by artists while growing up, and there was never a doubt in her mind that she would also become a professional artist herself. The real question was: which medium to choose? What she ended up studying and how her career developed is fascinating! Not only is she now a multisensory visual artist and singer-songwriter, but she made it all happen while being in a relationship and becoming a mother herself. She learned a lot along the way, and while still learning, she can now talk about what it means to be a woman and artist-entrepreneur in today’s world. We promise this episode will give you plenty of food. And yes, this one is for men too!

Conversation Highlights:

• Why women need to embrace and integrate all aspects of their lives – not separate them!
• Why you should never compare yourself to other women
• How to find your own personal balance in life

PLUS: You don’t need to prove anything to anyone – listen to yourself!

Links and resources:

Websites:

www.maurenbrodbeck.com

www.rawradical.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/maurenbrodbeck/

https://www.instagram.com/rawradical/

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Our guest on the podcast today is Sima Schloss, an NYC-based artist and art history teacher who defines herself as an abstract expressionist. Throughout her conversation with Catherine, Sima shares the evolution of her artistic journey and how artist collaborations became an important part of her creative process. If you ever wondered if artist collaborations could be a way for you to develop your art career or simply get unstuck creatively, then this episode will give you much to think about, and, hopefully, great tools to set-up your partnerships and creative collaborations.

Conversation Highlights:

• How to set-up artist collaborations
• What collaborations can bring to you and your work
• Why you should focus on the process, not the end result

PLUS: Why getting 100’s of rejections is actually a good thing.

Links and resources:

About Sima :

https://www.simaschloss.com/

https://www.instagram.com/simzee/

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Our guest today is the fabulous children’s book illustrator, Christine Battuz! Upon getting her Masters in Fine Arts in Italy, Christine put together a portfolio and started reaching out to advertising agencies where she thought she could get some work. The first Artistic Director she met told her that she should become an illustrator because she was clearly gifted. At that point, she didn’t even know (nor believed) that she could actually make it her profession! She started her career as an independent illustrator and is now represented by an NYC-based agent. It’s not to say that she did not have a few challenges or disappointing experiences along the way. In today’s episode, Catherine and Christine explore the artist’s professional path and all the ups and downs that make it a journey.

Conversation Highlights:

• How to look for an agent, and what he/she can do for you
• Why you need to build a trusting relationship with an agent
• What are the characteristics of a good working space

PLUS: Why you should be willing to accept challenge and criticism as part of the journey

Links and resources:

About Christine :

https://www.behance.net/ChristineBattuz

https://www.illustrationquebec.com/en/portfolios/auteurs/christinebattuz/

https://www.kuizin.com/illustration

https://www.instagram.com/kuizin/

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Our guest today is not only an artist, but she is also a financial planner and investment advisor. Christina Empedocles likes to say that she started her artistic career at the worst time possible: in 2008 when the financial world crashed and galleries were closing. These unfortunate events led her to start educating herself on the topic of personal finances and to develop a career advising artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs from all walks of life, on how to build better habits around their personal finances. During this episode, Christina and Catherine discuss how and why artists can start taking control of their finances today.

Conversation Highlights:

• How going into debt to finance your art career can turn to a vicious cycle
• Why it’s not a good idea to drop everything and be a full-time artist at once
• How tracking your expenses can give you confidence and be empowering
• Why your time is your most valuable resource

PLUS: The most forgotten expense - and the number of bank accounts you should have! 

Links and resources:

Website: www.insightpersonalfinance.com

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Our guest today is Jen Kiaba, an artist and educator who grew up in the infamous Unification Church, a religious group referred to as a primary example of a cult. After escaping a forced arranged marriage, she fought her way out of the cult and went on to earn her BA in Art History at Bard College. She now has a flourishing art practice and career and she also writes and speaks about art, healing, and their intersection. Together, Jen and Catherine talk about the challenges and insecurities that come with building an art career, especially when everyone else seems to have it all together, and how there will always be reasons or excuses to give up, but that it’s up to you to turn your vision into reality. This episode is so packed with sound advice, you’ll want to go back to it…and not just once!

Conversation Highlights:

• Why patience is key throughout your artistic career
• The reason why consistency in your art practice will pay off in the long run
• How to safely overcome the fear of rejection

PLUS: Why “noes” are as important to celebrate as “yeses”! 

Links and resources:

Website: www.jenkiaba.com
Instagram: instagram.com/jenkiaba
Facebook: facebook.com/jenkiaba

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Here we are! 2021 is here… At last! The beginning of the year is the perfect time to plan for what’s to come. Will this be another podcast episode about new years resolutions? Absolutely not! Most people don’t follow through on their resolutions anyway because they say they lack motivation. Yet, following through has nothing to do with motivation. In this solo episode, Catherine walks you through you what it takes to plan for a successful year!

Conversation Highlights:

• How and why you should debrief on the year that just ended
• Why a clear vision is the backbone of your art business and career
• Why FOCUS should be an important word, if not your word of this new year

PLUS: My special wish for you in 2021! 

Links and resources:

• Follow Catherine on Instagram: @catherineorer
• Check out The Artist Entrepreneur for more info and resources!

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In today’s episode – the last one of 2020 already (or should we say finally?)! – our guest is Nicola Bennett, a New Zealand-based abstract painter whose work is inspired by food. According to her, the sensory pleasure of cooking can be compared to that of painting, and the experience of sharing a meal is similar to the connection she likes creating with her clients. Together, Catherine and Nicola discuss this artist’s journey to becoming a professional artist and how connecting and building relationships with people interested in her work is what made her start loving marketing and sales.

Conversation Highlights:

• Why you should find what excites you about your work – and share it
• How to balance online and offline actions
• Why you should be kind to yourself and love your work

PLUS: Wanna find your niche? Let us explain how to frame it instead!

Links and resources:

Instagram: @nicolabennettart
Website: www.nicolabennett.co.nz

“Even if you don’t understand what the bird is signing, you can still enjoy listening to it.” -Nicola Bennett

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