Welcome to The Independent Artist Podcast with your hosts Douglas and Will — the show where we pull back the curtain on the real life of working artists. 

As spring show season ramps up, co-hosts Douglas Sigwarth and Will Armstrong dive into the real-life balancing act of being a working artist on the road. Fresh off a demanding Florida circuit and gearing up for a run of Texas art festivals, they unpack what it takes to juggle family life, studio production, and the nonstop pace of travel.

This candid conversation explores the often unseen side of an artist’s career—managing responsibilities at home, caring for loved ones, and staying present for family while being pulled into the intense focus required to create and sell work at a high level. It’s a season where the pressure is real, the calendar is full, and keeping all the balls in the air becomes both an art and a challenge.

If you’ve ever struggled to balance your creative ambitions with the people and priorities that matter most, this episode will hit home.

Episode tags:

Art Worth: A Festival at Clearfork- https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=14014

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ZAPPlication https://www.zapplication.org

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Welcome to The Independent Artist Podcast with your hosts Douglas and Will — the show where we pull back the curtain on the real life of working artists. 

Fresh off winning Best in Show at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Ecuadorian artist Nathalia Toledo Barcia joins us for a deeply moving conversation about culture, soul, and the stories embedded in her work.

Nathalia’s art lives at the intersection of painting and porcelain—where delicate surfaces become artifacts of memory and identity. Drawing from her Ecuadorian heritage, her paintings carry the visual language of her culture while her porcelain forms feel like relics of something timeless, as if they’ve been unearthed from a personal mythology.

In this conversation, Nathalia shares a belief that resonates with many artists: every piece of art carries a piece of the maker’s soul. For her, art isn’t just an object—it’s a manifestation of spirit, a form of nourishment for both the creator and the viewer.

We talk about what it means to create outside the corporate system, to live with the courage—and sometimes the naïveté—of believing that art can sustain a life. Natalia reminds us that artists are constantly evolving, constantly transforming, and that staying open to change is essential to a creative life.

In a world that often measures value in productivity and profit, artists quietly become something else entirely: a form of resistance.

This episode is a reminder that making art is more than a profession—it’s a way of keeping the soul alive.

Episode tags:

Art Worth: A Festival at Clearfork- https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=14014

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Email [email protected] (contact us here about advertising on our show)

PLEASE RATE US AND REVIEW US.......... and SUBSCRIBE to the pod on your favorite streaming app.

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VENMO/ username @independentartistpodcast or through PAYPAL.ME by clicking on this link https://paypal.me/independentartistpod?locale.x=en_US

Sponsors
The National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA). http://www.naiaartists.org/membership-account/membership-levels/

ZAPPlication https://www.zapplication.org

Support the show

Welcome to The Independent Artist Podcast with your hosts Douglas and Will — the show where we pull back the curtain on the real life of working artists. 

Visual artists Douglas Sigwarth (https://www.sigwarthglass.com/) and Will Armstrong (http://www.willarmstrongart.com/) co-host and discuss topics affecting working artists.

In this episode, we sit down with Erin Curry (https://erincurryart.storenvy.com/), an artist whose work is deeply informed by both science and lived experience. With a background in biology and a childhood shaped by parents who collected fine art and brought her to art fairs from an early age, Erin’s creative language is grounded in observation, systems, and an intimate understanding of how form, pattern, and meaning emerge over time.

Our conversation moves squarely into the present moment—one marked by political tension, the rise of fascist ideologies, and the ever-present weight of ICE and state power pressing into daily life. Erin speaks candidly about how these forces inevitably seep into the studio, and why making art that responds to now is not only unavoidable, but necessary. This episode is a thoughtful reflection on inherited art worlds, scientific ways of seeing, and the responsibility—and risk—of creating work that bears witness to the time we’re living in.

Episode tags:

Art Worth: A Festival at Clearfork- https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=14014

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Instagram https://www.instagram.com/independentartistpodcast/
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Email [email protected] (contact us here about advertising on our show)

PLEASE RATE US AND REVIEW US.......... and SUBSCRIBE to the pod on your favorite streaming app.

SUPPORT THE SHOW
VENMO/ username @independentartistpodcast or through PAYPAL.ME by clicking on this link https://paypal.me/independentartistpod?locale.x=en_US

Sponsors
The National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA). http://www.naiaartists.org/membership-account/membership-levels/

ZAPPlication https://www.zapplication.org

Support the show

Welcome to The Independent Artist Podcast with your hosts Douglas and Will — the show where we pull back the curtain on the real life of working artists. 

Visual artists Douglas Sigwarth (https://www.sigwarthglass.com/) and Will Armstrong (http://www.willarmstrongart.com/) co-host and discuss topics affecting working artists.

Switching Gears in '26 is a candid conversation about what it means to keep making work when the ground feels uncertain.

We talk about the influence of legendary glassblowing artist Lino Tagliapietra, the pressure of staying creative during difficult economic and political times, and the strange in-between of waiting for application results for the 2026 season. We also dig into the ongoing tension between making work about something versus creating decorative work—and which of those paths is actually harder to sell. From making the work to finding the audience for it, this episode sits in the space between patience, persistence, and adaptation.

We also look at how tools like ChatGPT and emerging AI technologies are beginning to shape creative thinking, workflow, and decision-making. This is a conversation about recalibration, resilience, and choosing to move forward even when the path isn’t fully visible.

Episode tags:

Sono Lino- documentary about Glass Maestro Lino Tagliapietra https://www.sonolino.com/

Kimball Arts Festival-https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=13821

Sun Valley Arts & Crafts Festival-https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=14057

Art in the High Desert-https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=14073

Art in the Pearl- https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=13832 

Cat Tesla Business of Art- https://www.catteslaworkshops.com/

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Email [email protected] (contact us here about advertising on our show)

PLEASE RATE US AND REVIEW US.......... and SUBSCRIBE to the pod on your favorite streaming app.

SUPPORT THE SHOW
VENMO/ username @independentartistpodcast or through PAYPAL.ME by clicking on this link https://paypal.me/independentartistpod?locale.x=en_US

Sponsors
The National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA). http://www.naiaartists.org/membership-account/membership-levels/

ZAPPlication https://www.zapplication.org

Support the show

Welcome to The Independent Artist Podcast with your hosts Douglas and Will — the show where we pull back the curtain on the real life of working artists. Before we dive into today’s conversation, Will and Douglas kick things off by talking about the whirlwind of doing the One of a Kind Show—the highs, the hustle, and what it takes to say yes to an opportunity before it slips away. They reflect on the importance of moving quickly when the window opens, trusting your instincts, and learning to spot the difference between real opportunity and distraction. The intro wraps with a timely reminder for artists: how to recognize and ward off a scam email before it costs you time, money, or peace of mind.

Today’s episode is titled “Am I the Artist, or Am I the Art?”—and it’s a deep, unfiltered conversation with mixed media artist Elissa Brown  (http://www.thefreckledarmy.com/p/mina-page.html)

Elissa is a storyteller first, even when the story begins with crippling anxiety, sweating through her shirt, and stepping straight into the void. In her work, she creates entire worlds—layered, constructed realities that blur the line between facade and truth, between an impenetrable exterior and what’s breaking underneath. She openly embraces the unreliable narrator, questioning whether we ever fully control the stories we tell about ourselves.

We talk about the commonality of the banal, the necessity of invention, and why, sometimes, if you can’t teach, you have to do. We talk about choosing your hard, about becoming a better version of yourself, even though you know full well it doesn’t say “asshole” on the check.

This is a conversation about identity, anxiety, and the uncomfortable honesty of making art from necessity rather than comfort. Elissa’s work isn’t just something you look at—it’s a place you step into. And once you’re there, the question becomes unavoidable: where does the artist end, and the art begin?

Visual artists Douglas Sigwarth (https://www.sigwarthglass.com/) and Will Armstrong (http://www.willarmstrongart.com/) co-host and discuss topics affecting working artists.

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Email [email protected] (contact us here about advertising on our show)

PLEASE RATE US AND REVIEW US.......... and SUBSCRIBE to the pod on your favorite streaming app.

SUPPORT THE SHOW
VENMO/ username @independentartistpodcast or through PAYPAL.ME by clicking on this link https://paypal.me/independentartistpod?locale.x=en_US

Sponsors
The National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA). http://www.naiaartists.org/membership-account/membership-levels/

ZAPPlication https://www.zapplication.org

Music  "Walking" by Oliver Lear
Business inquiries at

Support the show

Welcome to The Independent Artist Podcast with your hosts Douglas and Will — the show where we pull back the curtain on the real life of working artists. In the intro of this episode, we’re talking about what it means to recharge your creative batteries after a long, exhausting season of art shows.

We’ll share how we find inspiration and motivation when burnout creeps in, and tell a story about serendipity — one of those unexpected moments that reminds us why we chose this path in the first place.

Guest: Janine DeCresenzo (https://www.janinedecresenzojewelry.com)

What do you do when everything you’ve worked for is suddenly gone? In this episode, we sit down with jeweler Janine DeCresenzo , who faced every artist’s nightmare — the theft of her entire inventory after a show. Janine opens up about the emotional and professional impact of that moment, and how she found the strength to rebuild her career from the ground up.

This is a raw, insightful conversation about resilience, vulnerability, and recovery. Janine shares the concrete steps she took to move forward, the support systems that helped her heal, and practical advice for other jewelers to protect themselves before disaster strikes.

If you’ve ever faced loss, setback, or the fear of starting over — this episode will remind you that it’s possible to pick up the pieces and create something even stronger.

Whether you’re packing up from your last show or just trying to find your spark again, this conversation is all about slowing down, refocusing, and reconnecting with what drives your art.

Visual artists Douglas Sigwarth (https://www.sigwarthglass.com/) and Will Armstrong (http://www.willarmstrongart.com/) co-host and discuss topics affecting working artists.

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Email [email protected]

PLEASE RATE US AND REVIEW US.......... and SUBSCRIBE to the pod on your favorite streaming app.

SUPPORT THE SHOW
VENMO/ username @independentartistpodcast or through PAYPAL.ME by clicking on this link https://paypal.me/independentartistpod?locale.x=en_US

Sponsors
The National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA). http://www.naiaartists.org/membership-account/membership-levels/
ZAPPlication https://www.zapplication.org

Music  "Walking" by Oliver Lear
Business inquiries at [email protected]

Support the show

Working Artists! You are not alone! Listen to these entertaining and inspirational podcast conversations with working artists.

When the art show season wraps up, the podcast season renews! Back on their mics, Will and Douglas catch up over topics from this year's art fairs. Somehow, these guys incorporate the following topics together into a conversation that only art fair artists can: Booth shots, food poisoning, reproductions, Plaza Art Fair, artist "collaborators," taxes, Devo, tricky installs, personal style, incestuous art collections, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and being an "Art Cop."

Visual artists Douglas Sigwarth (https://www.sigwarthglass.com/) and Will Armstrong (http://www.willarmstrongart.com/) co-host and discuss topics affecting working artists.

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Instagram https://www.instagram.com/independentartistpodcast/
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Website https://independentartistpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@theindependentartistpodcast
Email [email protected]

PLEASE RATE US AND REVIEW US.......... and SUBSCRIBE to the pod on your favorite streaming app.

SUPPORT THE SHOW
VENMO/ username @independentartistpodcast or through PAYPAL.ME by clicking on this link https://paypal.me/independentartistpod?locale.x=en_US

Sponsors
The National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA). http://www.naiaartists.org/membership-account/membership-levels/
ZAPPlication https://www.zapplication.org

Music  "Walking" by Oliver Lear
Business inquiries at [email protected]

Support the show

Working Artists! You are not alone! Listen to these entertaining and inspirational podcast conversations with working artists.

We are thrilled to return to the mics to record our podcast conversations, and we are touched by the love and encouragement from our listeners. With all the chaos that surrounds us, we hope to continue to share the conversations that inspire us and make us laugh. But ultimately, we hope to foster meaningful connections with fellow members of our artist community. Please help us spread the word that The Independent Artist Podcast is back on the air for your listening pleasure.

Visual artists Douglas Sigwarth (https://www.sigwarthglass.com/) and Will Armstrong (http://www.willarmstrongart.com/) co-host and discuss topics affecting working artists.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/independentartistpodcast/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/independentartistpodcast
Website https://independentartistpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@theindependentartistpodcast
Email [email protected]

PLEASE RATE US AND REVIEW US.......... and SUBSCRIBE to the pod on your favorite streaming app.

SUPPORT THE SHOW
VENMO/ username @independentartistpodcast or through PAYPAL.ME by clicking on this link https://paypal.me/independentartistpod?locale.x=en_US

Sponsors
The National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA). http://www.naiaartists.org/membership-account/membership-levels/
ZAPPlication https://www.zapplication.org

Music  "Walking" by Oliver Lear
Business inquiries at [email protected]

Support the show

Working Artists! You are not alone! Listen to these entertaining and inspirational podcast conversations with working artists.

Visual artists Douglas Sigwarth (https://www.sigwarthglass.com/) and Will Armstrong (http://www.willarmstrongart.com/) co-host and discuss topics affecting working artists.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/independentartistpodcast/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/independentartistpodcast
Website https://independentartistpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@theindependentartistpodcast
Mailing List  http://eepurl.com/hwQn7b
Email [email protected]

PLEASE RATE US AND REVIEW US.......... and SUBSCRIBE to the pod on your favorite streaming app.

SUPPORT THE SHOW
VENMO/ username @independentartistpodcast or through PAYPAL.ME by clicking on this link https://paypal.me/independentartistpod?locale.x=en_US

Sponsors
The National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA). http://www.naiaartists.org/membership-account/membership-levels/
ZAPPlication https://www.zapplication.org

Music  "Walking" by Oliver Lear
Business inquiries at [email protected]

Support the show

Working Artists! You are not alone! Listen to these entertaining and inspirational podcast conversations with working artists.

Marina Terauds (https://www.marinaterauds.com/) has always loved to draw. When she was a child, her parents would sneak her sketchpad, and while she slept, they created drawings for her to find when she awoke. She enrolled in an arts academy in 5th grade and continued her art education, earning a master's in printmaking at The Latvian Academy of Arts. She worked as a key animator for many years before she emigrated to the United States with her husband Uldis. In this conversation, Marina describes her experiences adapting to rural life in a different country without being fluent in the language. Her nature walks became the source of inspiration, which ultimately fueled her body of work.

#printmaking #intaglio #etching #watercolor #naturestudy  #originalprint #handpulledprint #artbyhand #roadwarrior #art #artist #workingartist #podcast #artistconversation #positiveattitude #artistlife #independentartist #independentartistpodcast #artfair #artfairartist #emergingartist #sketchbook #journal #visualdiary #sketch #drawing #ink #inkdrawing #inkillustration #naturestudy #naturesketchbook #mushroomsketchbook

Visual artists Douglas Sigwarth (https://www.sigwarthglass.com/) and Will Armstrong (http://www.willarmstrongart.com/) co-host and discuss topics affecting working artists.

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Instagram https://www.instagram.com/independentartistpodcast/
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Website https://www.sigwarthglass.com/independentartistpodcast.html
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Mailing List  http://eepurl.com/hwQn7b
Email [email protected]

PLEASE RATE US AND REVIEW US.......... and SUBSCRIBE to the pod on your favorite streaming app.

SUPPORT THE SHOW
VENMO/ username @independentartistpodcast or through PAYPAL.ME by clicking on this link https://paypal.me/independentartistpod?locale.x=en_US

Sponsors
The National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA). http://www.naiaartists.org/membership-account/membership-levels/
ZAPPlication https://www.zapplication.org

Music  "Walking" by Oliver Lear
Business inquiries at [email protected]

Support the show