The Create! Podcast

In this solo episode, host Kat — artist, certified coach, and founder of Create! Magazine — speaks directly to those navigating the in-between seasons of life and creativity: when the vision is clear, but momentum feels slow, and nothing seems to be moving fast enough.

From reframing your challenges to trusting the pruning seasons, this episode is a reminder that you're not going backwards — you're evolving.

You'll learn how to stop over-identifying with obstacles, use tools like anchoring and "living as if," and incorporate creative rituals like walking in nature to regulate your nervous system and reignite your vision. Kat also explores the concept of mental hygiene, reducing negativity, and cultivating a mindset that nurtures expansion instead of fear.

This conversation is here to help you zoom out, reconnect with your inner knowing, and take aligned, empowered action — especially when the path ahead feels unclear.

Limited time only: Grab the Art Career Bundle — a curated collection of 10 workshops designed to help artists step into visibility, sales, and strategic growth. It's 50% off through May 21 at createu.co.

This is your reminder: your dream is real. You are not shrinking — you're expanding.

Apply to work with Kat 1:1: https://www.katpopova.com/mentorship

Visit www.createmagazine.co for recources and artist opportunities

What makes a work of art resonate? Is it the colors, the subject, the symbolism—or something more elusive?

In this episode, curator, author, and coach Gita Joshi returns to talk about her new book Framing the Invisible: How We See and Understand Art. We explore how perception, personal experience, and context shape the way we engage with artwork—whether you're an artist, collector, or simply a curious viewer.

We also talk about why visual literacy matters, how to talk about your work with confidence, and why there's no wrong way to see art.

Order Gita's book: https://amzn.to/4j6AJ2V Start learning with our educational micro learning hub: https://www.createu.co Read the blog, submit your work, or check out the latest issue of Create! Magazine: https://www.createmagazine.co Follow Gita on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegitajoshi Follow Kat on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katerinaspopova

Thanks for listening to Art & Cocktails! Love the show? We appreciate your support, plese leave us a quick review on iTunes and share this with a friend.

If you've ever thought, "Why am I not getting featured?"—this episode is for you. Whether your pitches are met with silence, you're dropping "feature me" comments under open calls, or you're simply unsure how to approach editors, this is the (loving) tough-love conversation you didn't know you needed.

In this solo episode, Kat shares raw insight from her unique perspective as both a published artist and the editor of Create! Magazine. You'll learn why some pitches get ignored (even when the art is strong), what editors are actually looking for, and how to approach press and media outreach with clarity, professionalism, and confidence.

She also pulls back the curtain on behind-the-scenes stories and common mistakes that hold artists back—like relying solely on social media comments, sending vague DMs, or coming off too self-promotional. You'll leave with a grounded understanding of how to share your work in a way that actually resonates.

Kat also explores the energetic and mindset side of visibility—because getting featured isn't just about tactics. It's about believing you're worthy of being seen, celebrated, and supported.

Want to take it further?

Grab Kat's new mini course: How to Get Featured in Magazines and Press as an Artist at CreateU.co. It's just $39 and includes a 40-minute video training, pitch templates, a press kit checklist, and Kat's exact system that's helped hundreds of artists land meaningful features.

New to juried submissions? Make sure you're not skipping the basics—download our free guide: Essential Tips for Emerging Artists Before Submitting Their Work.

Your work deserves to be seen. Let's make sure the right people find it.

Listen now, share with a fellow artist, and start visualizing your next feature—because it's possible, and it's closer than you think.

In this solo episode of Art & Cocktails, I'm (Ekaterina Popova) celebrating my nine-year self-employment anniversary—marking the moment I walked out of my corporate job and committed to building a life as a full-time artist and creative entrepreneur.

This conversation blends personal storytelling with practical strategies for artists who are just starting out, those in the thick of building, and anyone dreaming of making their creative practice sustainable.

I share what worked for me when I had fewer than 300 followers, no gallery representation, and no real roadmap—just passion, urgency, and the willingness to figure it out. You'll hear what helped me sell my first artworks, grow beyond friends and family, and start showing up professionally long before I felt "ready."

Topics include:

How I made my first sales with a small audience What to post and how to talk about your work Why local shows and early wins deserve celebration How I began getting noticed by curators and galleries What I did to prepare for opportunities before they happened Why I built Create! Magazine to support other artists like me The shift from doing everything to scaling through systems Why you don't need to go viral to succeed How creative leadership changed my business and energy

I also talk about growing Create U, embracing structure as a form of freedom, and what I've learned about building a business that allows for rest, alignment, and long-term joy—not just hustle.

If you're navigating a season of growth or feel like you're on the edge of something new, I hope this episode encourages you to take your next brave step.

Explore resources mentioned in this episode:

Sell From the Studio course at Create U: www.createu.co/sell-from-the-studio Submit to Create! Magazine: www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art Read and subscribe to my Substack: artandcocktails.substack.com

Thank you so much for listening. I'm honored to be on this creative path with you.

In this powerful conversation, Kat sits down with artist Sarah Detweiler to explore the intersections of motherhood, identity, and creative evolution. Sarah opens up about her journey from commercial art to fine art, the deeply personal work in her Hidden Mother series, and her most recent solo show Unmasquerade—a vibrant, layered exploration of ADHD, selfhood, and unmasking in midlife.

Together, they unpack the beauty and the bravery of allowing yourself to evolve as an artist—even when it feels risky. This is a raw, affirming episode for anyone navigating transitions and seeking deeper authenticity in their work.

Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction and Background 06:33 – Artistic Evolution and Personal Journey 13:33 – The Hidden Mother Series 17:21 – Unmasquerade: New Directions in Art 22:26 – Exploring Identity and ADHD 27:33 – Closing Thoughts and Future Directions 32:12 – Outro

✨ CALL FOR ART Submissions for Create! Magazine's Summer Issue #52 are now open. Be part of our print + online issue, curated by an international jury. Submit by April 30: www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art

🎓 CREATE U Looking to grow your art career without the overwhelm? Explore our micro-courses designed to help you gain clarity, build momentum, and grow on your terms: www.createu.co

Featured Guest: Sarah Detweiler is a Philadelphia-based artist known for her mixed media paintings that weave together hand embroidery, narrative, and figuration. Her work has been exhibited nationally, featured in Create!, Hi-Fructose, Colossal, and The Jealous Curator, and she has had multiple sold-out solo exhibitions at Paradigm Gallery. Follow Sarah on Instagram at @sdartifacts.

www.sarahdetweiler.com

Listen, take what resonates—and don't be afraid to grow beyond what you've always been.

What if joy, trust, and intention were the most powerful tools in your art practice?

In this illuminating episode of Art & Cocktails, Kat is joined by Ingrid V. Wells—an artist known for her vibrant, playful still lifes that explore deep themes like resilience, consciousness, and energetic alignment. Her work invites viewers to reconnect with joy as a revolutionary creative force.

Together, they explore how to cultivate a powerful internal state before creating, why joy is a radical act, and how to access your highest creative flow. Ingrid shares her approach to creating from consciousness, letting go of pressure, and trusting the energetic pull of your artistic vision.

This is a beautiful reminder to return to your own creative truth and show up with more self-trust, presence, and purpose.

About Ingrid: Ingrid V. Wells is a San Francisco–based painter whose work has been exhibited internationally and featured in Create! Magazine, W Magazine, Hyperallergic, and more. She is also the founder of TWIRL and serves as Fine Arts Assistant Director at California College of the Arts.

Collect Ingrid's artwork at pxpcontemporary.com Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ingridvwells/ Explore more: www.ingridvwells.com

Booklist for Creative Enlightenment

Work with Kat to Gain Momentum in The Studio: https://aqsociety.com/studio-momemtum

Submit your work to Create! Magazine: www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art

In this inspiring episode of Art & Cocktails, host Kat sits down with visionary landscape artist Jennifer Peart, whose work explores the intersection of nature, mid-century design, and science fiction. They dive deep into Jennifer's creative inspirations, her experience at the Superfine Art Fair, and how she seamlessly weaves sustainability, community, and imagination into every aspect of her art practice.

Grab your favorite drink and join us for this lovely conversation!

Highlights from the episode:

• Jennifer's unique path from community college to a "Hogwarts for art" women's college.

• How teaching art to children transformed her understanding of creativity and brain development.

• Balancing her day job with her studio practice and the importance of rest and inspiration cycles.

• The powerful intersection of nature, sci-fi, and visionary storytelling in her stunning artwork.

Books Mentioned:

Octavia Butler's novels – Exploring visionary futures through compelling narratives.

Ursula K. Le Guin's works – Imagining alternative societal structures and peaceful anarchies.

Special thanks to our episode sponsor: Create! Magazine – Empowering contemporary artists through opportunities, visibility, and community.

www.createmagazine.co

Stay connected with Jennifer:

• https://www.jenniferpeart.com

Boynes Artist Award Create! Magazine proudly announces the 12th edition of the Boynes Artist Award, dedicated to discovering, supporting, and celebrating visual artists worldwide. Submissions open April 1st, with an early bird deadline of May 30th and a final deadline of July 30th, 2025. The first-place winner receives a double-page spread in Create! Magazine, a $2,000 cash award, a dedicated social media ad campaign, and an exclusive interview. For more information and to submit your art, visit boynesartistaward.com.

Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review to support the Art & Cocktails podcast!

In this episode, Kat dives into a powerful and often emotional topic that touches every creative at some point—money. Whether you've struggled with pricing your work, avoided your bank account, or internalized the "starving artist" myth, this episode offers a grounded, compassionate space to begin rewriting your story.

Drawing from personal experiences, years of trial and error, and psychology-backed tools, Kat walks you through how to heal your relationship with money, reframe limiting beliefs, and step into empowered abundance—without losing your integrity.

What You'll Learn:

• Why being an artist is not a punishment or a vow of poverty

• How to identify and shift your inherited money beliefs

• The difference between scarcity patterns and your true identity

• Practical tools: tracking your numbers, affirmations, EFT tapping, subliminals, and more

• How to embrace abundance as a creative and build a thriving, aligned career

Resources Mentioned:

• Money: A Love Story by Kate Northrup

• The Biology of Belief by Dr. Bruce Lipton

• EFT Tapping with Brad Yates (YouTube)

• Subliminal tools from Yes Supply

www.createmegazine.com

www.aqsociety.com

💌 For behind-the-scenes reflections and more tools, visit: https://artandcocktails.substack.com

Share this episode with a fellow artist who's ready to thrive.

In this episode of Art & Cocktails, host Kat (Ekaterina Popova) sits down with Dr. A. Yanina Gomez, a psychologist, author, and co-founder of The Art NXT Level Academy. Dr. Gomez is passionate about helping creatives and women entrepreneurs overcome mental and emotional hurdles that hold them back, including shame, self-sabotage, anxiety, and the ever-persistent inner critic.

We dive into Dr. Gomez's latest book, Today's Working Artist, which is designed to be a practical and thoughtful guide to emotional wellness and creative resilience. Dr. Gomez shares insights on how to prime your day for success, build healthier habits, and develop emotional tools to navigate uncertainty.

You'll also hear Dr. Gomez discuss:

• How to identify and work with your inner critic instead of fighting it

• Strategies for grounding yourself before making big decisions

• Why artists may feel irrelevant in today's turbulent world and how to reclaim your creative purpose

• Practical tools for nervous system regulation, including breathing exercises, tapping, and movement

• Insights into the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model and how it can help you understand and harmonize your inner parts

Whether you're struggling with self-doubt, feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world, or just looking for practical tools to support your creative journey, this episode offers valuable guidance and encouragement.

About Our Guest: Dr. A. Yanina Gomez holds a Doctorate in Educational Psychology and has completed Levels 1 & 2 of Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model Training. She specializes in guiding creatives through emotional and mental obstacles, helping them develop a healthy mindset to thrive in their artistic careers. She is the co-founder of The Art NXT Level Academy and author of several books, including Today's Working Artist and Crush Self-Sabotage & Live Fully: The Artist Wellness Journey to Confidence & Success.

Connect with Dr. Yanina Gomez: Website: Dr. Yanina Gomez Instagram: @dryaninagomez Art NXT Level Academy: The Artist NXT Level

Resources Mentioned:

• Today's Working Artist by Dr. A. Yanina Gomez (Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble)

• The Art NXT Level Academy

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share it with your artist friends who could use a dose of mindset magic and emotional wellness tools.

www.createmagazine.co

Ever find yourself unknowingly sabotaging your own dreams and wondering why? You're not alone! In this quick solo episode, Kat Popova shares heartfelt insights into how hidden desires, subconscious beliefs, and fears shape our lives—and what we can do to break free.

In this episode Kat reflects on:

• Why we often self-sabotage based on what we secretly want—or fear.

• The science behind subconscious patterns and nervous system regulation.

• Practical exercises and compassionate questions to uncover and rewrite limiting beliefs.

Discover how to gently align your subconscious mind, nervous system, and daily actions to achieve authentic success, ease, and magic in your creative journey.

Tune in, reflect, and give yourself permission to step fully into the life and career you genuinely desire!

Highlights:

• Uncover hidden fears holding you back.

• Tools like journaling, EFT tapping, and breathwork to regulate your nervous system.

• Kat's personal experiences overcoming self-sabotage and embracing authenticity.

• Powerful prompts to redefine your version of success and joy.

It's time to rewrite your story and experience the true fulfillment you deserve!

Follow on Instagram @katerinaspopova @createmagazine

Join AQ Society: www.aqsociety.com

Recommended Reading:

• "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks

• "Leveraging the Universe" by Mike Dooley

• "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron