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The Create! Podcast

Ekaterina Popova

The Create! Podcast (formerly Art & Cocktails) is your space for inspiration, encouragement, and practical insight at the intersection of contemporary art, creative business, and mindset.
Hosted by artist, coach, and Create! Magazine founder Ekaterina Popova, the show is designed to help you grow your art career, expand your creative vision, and build a sustainable, joyful life.
Through candid conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, writers, curators, and thought leaders—as well as empowering solo episodes—you'll find tools, ideas, and stories that remind you that life itself is your canvas, and you have the power to create a career and future that truly supports you.

Find us at www.createmagazine.co/podcast — where the conversation about art and business starts.

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Tuesday · 31 min
The Path to 10K Months as a Creative (and How to Keep Going When Things Gets Slow or Hard)
A slower season is not a sign to quit. In this solo episode, Kat gets radically honest about the past two years of her creative business: the highest highs, the hardest moments, and how she's recommitting to her goals after ten years of self-employment. She also shares the principles and mindset shifts that helped her reach a six-figure business early on, and that she's using again to reach her next level. In this episode: Why "trust recession" thinking can quietly take you out of the game Why life and business move in a spiral, not a straight line Following your joy and choosing the non-negotiables you'd do even if no one paid you Finding your "enough" number to cover the basics Setting clear goals that work like a ladder, and tracking them where you can see them Surrounding yourself with people and voices you want to model Why being a little delusional on purpose beats being "realistic" Investing in yourself, including hiring a coach when you feel stuck Believing in yourself when the numbers feel discouraging Grab the Art Career Bundle: 13 courses plus the bonus workshop, The Path to 10K Months, where Kat walks you through this in a nervous-system-friendly way. https://courses.createmagazine.co/art-career-bundle Join the Create! Magazine Substack for articles, art world experiences and tips for growing your creative business one day at a time: https://createmagazine.substack.com
November 5 · 40 min
Real Artists Wear Black (and Other Lies) with Danielle Krysa
Danielle Krysa, the Jealous Curator, joins Ekaterina Popova live to talk about her new book, Real Artists Wear Black. It's a funny, honest look at the lies artists hear from galleries, family, social media, and their own inner critic, and how to step over them and keep making. Danielle shares the gallery experience that made her say "I have to write a book about this." She also explains why she wears black (it's not what you think), and gives a simple ladder method for celebrating your goals instead of feeling jealous of other people's. In this conversation: Why Danielle wrote the book, and the red flags she ignored because she was so excited Why "we'll talk details later" is your cue to ask for a contract Do your research, talk to someone you trust, and listen to your gut Working for free: when it helps and when it doesn't (Ola Volo's first mural) The myths we absorbed about what artists look like, eat, and wear How to feel your feelings, reach out to a friend, and keep going after a crushing moment Turning jealousy into admiration with a success ladder, one rung at a time Chapter 12, "Don't Rock the Boat," and channeling your inner Peta and Ashley Longshore Why Danielle's 11-year-old self gets the final say in her studio Links Get the book, Real Artists Wear Black by Danielle Krysa: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/danielle-krysa/real-artists-wear-black/9798894142036//?lens=running-press Danielle's Substack, a daily "one minute art retreat" Monday to Friday: https://thejealouscurator.substack.com/ Create! Magazine on Substack: https://createmagazine.substack.com/
November 3 · 19 min
What to Let Go of in Your Creative Business (a Gentle Pause After 10 Years)
Season Finale and a Gentle Pause Winter doesn't have to be a complete pause button. It can be the season where your next chapter takes root in a warm, cozy cocoon filled with hope, trust, and a slower pace. We're honoring 10 years of Create! Magazine, and I'm stepping back from the podcast for the rest of 2026 to rest, paint, write, and spend time with my family. The magazine and the podcast are not going anywhere. In this episode, I share how I audit my creative business to decide what to keep, what to simplify, and what to let go of, so there's room for what's next. If you're a few years (or a decade) into your creative career and craving space, consider this your permission slip. In this episode Celebrating 10 years of Create! Magazine and meeting our writers in person in Philadelphia Why slowing down is how I plan to keep showing up for the next 20, 30, 40 years Letting go like the leaves: making room for fresh growth Choosing what your garden is for, because there's only so much energy in a day Why I'm moving more of my thinking to Substack Why handmade work is becoming more valuable in the age of AI The audit questions I use: What do I want to be known for? If I had $10 million today, would I still want to do this? How much time am I really spending on each activity? Why breaks aren't forever, even when stepping away feels scary Making time for thinking: walks, notebooks and unplugging Try this week: Pick one project to pause, simplify or let go of. Ask yourself the three audit questions above and notice which answer comes fastest. Read more from us on Substack Create! Magazine: https://createmagazine.substack.com Ekaterina Popova (my art and my writing): https://ekaterinapopova.substack.com I'll be writing there over the holidays! Keep in touch Create! Magazine: https://createmagazine.com Instagram: @katerinaspopova Thank you for being in my world. I'll see you in the new year!
October 23 · 41 min
Community Over Curation: Instagram Tips with Superfair Founder Alex Mitow
Toy or tool? How artists can use Instagram to build real community, meet collectors and find opportunities, without the hacks. Alex Mitow, founder of Superfair, is back on The Create! Podcast, and this time we're talking about the app we all claim to be tired of and still open every day: Instagram. Alex has been on it since 2012 (his handle still carries the ghost of a Lower East Side hot dog restaurant), and I've been on it since 2014, back when it was photos with filters. Between us, it has brought collectors, galleries, jury opportunities and most of the friendships that built our careers. So is it a toy or a tool? Alex says both, and that you get out of it what you put in. We share how to use Instagram as a front porch to your world, why your 2,000 real followers can matter more than someone else's 70,000, and the simple things that build trust faster than any trend. In this episode Toy or tool: reframing the frustration and remembering what Instagram has actually given us Why the platform is favoring authenticity again, and why that's good news if you've never "gotten" the tricks "For what purpose?" The one question to ask before you chase views Followers versus prestige: the artist with 2,000 followers and a museum show Alex's in-person funnel: trade Instagrams at fairs, openings and coffee shops, and let your community snowball What to share beyond your art: what genuinely fascinates you, what you're proud of, advice you've lived, and opportunities for your peers Mixing personal and professional on one account, and why nobody has ever cancelled an art sale over a mindset post Instagram as the front door, or front porch, to your newsletter, studio, book, course and booth Best practices: fill the frame, use the back camera, pick one orientation and stick with it, keep text simple, and never post a flyer What's next for Superfair: Houston in February, Boston in September 2027, and Philadelphia, where I'll be showing with Alicia Alex's list of what to share Your art, your process, your inspiration The things that genuinely fascinate you, even if they don't fit the grid (stories are perfect for this) Achievements, big and small, including the study you're proud of Real advice from your own experience: how you set up your booth, how you found your gallery, how you got published Opportunities for your community, shared as you come across them Links Superfair: https://www.thesuperfair.com Interested in a Superfair booth? Book a 15-minute discovery call with the Superfair team and mention Create! Magazine to save on your booth: https://calendly.com/d/cqt2-fkf-54v/15-minute-discovery-meeting Call for art, Create! Magazine: https://www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art The Create! Magazine Substack: https://createmagazine.substack.com Alex on Instagram: @alexmitow4real
October 10 · 29 min
Your Artist Dream Is Still Waiting, with Jacqueline Bermudez
If you've put your artist dream on the back burner and it's time to come back, this episode is for you. Painter Jacqueline Bermudez joins Kat to share how she returned to oil painting after 17 years in the corporate world, how she protects her vision from outside opinions, and the weekly art sessions she leads with children at a Miami hospital. In this episode: How a childhood love of coloring and one high school painting class led Jacqueline back to oil painting in 2016 Why portraits are her way of exploring the human mind and the inner world Her ongoing series, her own interpretation of the chakras, with animals and plants as symbols How to protect your inner voice while a new creative direction is still fragile What changed when she began treating her painting practice like a job How she painted her solo show in about 35 days, and why planning made it possible Her weekly art sessions with children going through bone marrow transplants About Jacqueline Bermudez: Jacqueline is a self-taught portrait painter and photographer based in Miami. Born in Orlando and raised in Caracas, she returned to oil painting in 2016. Her work has been accepted into exhibitions including Woman Made Gallery in Chicago and the Crocker-Kingsley Exhibition at Blue Line Arts, and she is a resident artist at Miami International Fine Arts. Her paintings use vibrant color, bold patterns, and animals and plants to symbolize personal growth. See Jacqueline's work: https://www.jacquelinebermudez.com Join me for the free Coffee House, every Wednesday at 12 pm Eastern. Bring your questions about your creative goals and get a look inside the Create! Collective membership. Sign up: https://espopova.com/free-coffeehouse More from Create! Free resources for artists: https://www.createu.co/free-resources Submit your work to our open call for art: https://www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art Create! Magazine Substack: https://createmagazine.substack.com
October 3 · 21 min
Let Yourself Be Supported (with Kat)
Running a creative business can feel like the whole world is on your shoulders. The studio time, the bills, the marketing, the social media. In this episode, Kat shares why she is softening her own "do it all yourself" message and what she is doing to receive more support. You will hear about the people who lifted her along the way, from her high school art teacher to friends who gave her a place to stay in college. She also opens up about a big loss in her business a few years ago and what she sees differently now. In this episode: Why every career and business is built with a team behind it How hyper-independence speeds up burnout, and how to invite help in Kat's honest take on social media after two months of learning, a call with Meta, and plenty of viral challenges Why Substack feels so calm, and how it led to a painting sale to a collector who is also an author Simple ways to build your own community, like sharing an art fair booth, recommending another artist to your gallery, meeting for coffee, or painting together on Zoom Why writing down your dreams and then letting them go keeps your vision clear Trusting that an artwork will find its home at the right time Join the Create! Coffee House Starting October 7, Kat hosts a free weekly Zoom room every Wednesday at noon Eastern. Bring your coffee and your questions about your art career, business, practice, or mindset, and come be seen and heard. Kat will also share a quick tour of the ways she can support you. Join here: https://espopova.com/free-coffeehouse Create! Magazine Turns 10 Join us in Philadelphia on October 16 for our 10 year anniversary party and pop-up show. Get your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/create-magazine-turns-10-pop-up-show-meet-up-tickets-2001784728008 Read Our Substack https://createmagazine.com/substack Share your ideas Which topics and guests would you like to hear this fall? Email info@createmagazine.com. If you enjoyed this episode, tag Kat in your Instagram stories. She loves seeing who is listening! @katerinaspopova or @createmagazine
September 24 · 49 min
How to Price Your Art for Art Fairs and Sell More Work with Alex Mitow of Superfair
Thinking about showing your work at an art fair but not sure where to start? In Part 1 of this two-part series, Kat sits down with Alex Mitow of Superfair to go back to the basics of selling your art in person. Alex has helped more than 5,000 artists show their work across 40+ fairs. He shares how to choose your first art fair, why your hometown is often the best place to begin, and how to price your artwork so new collectors can say yes. You will also learn how Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) give artists clear, doable goals that lead to sales, like meaningful conversations and new email subscribers. In this episode, you will learn: How to choose your first art fair with confidence Why a local, low-stress first show sets you up for success What KPIs are and how artists can use them to grow sales How to price your booth with a mix of small, medium, and large original works Why accessible entry points help you build a loyal collector base over time Get $250 off your Superfair booth Superfair is expanding to Philadelphia and Boston and now offers multi-fair bundles to help you plan your year. Book a call with the Superfair team to find the right fair for your practice, and mention Create! Magazine on your survey and discovery call to receive $250 off your booth. Book your call: https://calendly.com/d/cqt2-fkf-54v/15-minute-discovery-meeting Keep learning on Substack Pricing inspired one of our most popular Substack posts, and we continue the conversation there. Subscribe to join our creative community and get more resources for your art career: https://createmagazine.substack.com Coming up in Part 2: Alex returns to talk about curating your booth, starting meaningful conversations with buyers, and more insider tips for art fair success.
September 17 · 21 min
Art Is Abundance: A New Way to Think About Art and Money
If you have been feeling hopeless or down about your art career, you are not alone. This episode comes straight from the heart, and it is an invitation to rekindle even the tiniest spark of hope that incredible things are ahead, no matter where you are right now. As I reflect on 10 years of Create! Magazine and 10 years of working for myself, I keep coming back to basics. Expecting support before I know how it will arrive. Noticing the opportunities I do have, even when things are not perfect. And paying attention to the whole picture, because just like in nature, something is always growing even when other things look like they are dying. I share my own recent season of negativity, the moment a friend lovingly told me I give up too quickly, and the small, unglamorous example of a HYROX race that reminded me how cause and effect really works. When you show up, even imperfectly, even for 10 minutes, results follow. This one includes a little tough love. If you are ready to come out of a fearful cycle and start showing up for yourself again, I hope it helps. In this episode Why our brains have a negative bias, and how the news and art market reports feed it Delete, generalize, distort: why "no one is buying art" is never the whole truth The law of cause and effect and taking responsibility for your success What a HYROX race taught me about showing up when it is not your top priority The friend who told me to stop giving up so quickly What follow-through looks like in a real art practice: the sketchbook, the newsletter, the pitch, the reel How catastrophizing keeps you from ever giving your work a fair chance Why micro habits beat marathons Allowing opportunities to find you, even in a slower economy Stopping three feet from gold, and honoring the months left in 2026 Why art is abundance: wellness, connection, self-trust, and income Daisy Fancourt's research on art and health (check out her book, Art Cure, and her episode on the show) Emotional regulation as the foundation of any selling strategy An introduction to my new program, Art Is Abundance Join Art Is Abundance Art Is Abundance is my new six-week live program for visual artists who want more abundance in their lives, both financially and in confidence. We cover the mindset and emotional regulation that make showing up possible, plus practical strategy for monetizing your work and getting seen by the right people, whether you want to work with galleries, run an independent practice, or build a hybrid career like mine. Six live Zoom calls, Fridays at 12pm ET, October 2 to November 6, 2026, with lifetime access to the recordings. Join this month and save $300. Join here: https://espopova.com/art-is-abundance-course Questions? Email me at info@createmagazine.com
September 14 · 28 min
From "Practical" Career to Full-Time Artist and Coach: Lacie Martinez on Motherhood, Grief, and Going For It
How do you find the courage to step off the "practical" path and fully commit to your creative calling? In this episode of the Create! Podcast, Kat talks with painter and coach Lacie Martinez about coming back to her creative voice. Lacie shares how her background in apparel design and kinesiology shapes her vibrant, richly textured figurative paintings. We talk about the vulnerability behind her debut exhibition, which celebrated the unfiltered, deeply connective realities of motherhood, and how she turned personal loss into a calling to hold space for other women. Lacie opens up about taking the leap into full-time art and how she now helps others move past limiting beliefs and live in full alignment. Key Topics Discussed: Reclaiming her identity as a painter after years on a "practical" career path Finding her way back to the canvas and working through the fear of not being "good enough" The story behind her debut exhibition and the connective threads of motherhood Turning grief into purpose by hosting retreats and creating safe, uplifting spaces for women Navigating the transition into full-time art and helping others build their dream lives through coaching Programs & Community Art Is Abundance Live Coaching Program If you love what you make and you're ready for your work to support your life, this six-week live program is for you. Together we'll work through money mindset, preparing your work for sale, selling your originals, getting seen by the right people, and building multiple income streams, then turn it all into a clear action plan. Founding pricing is open through September 30. Join us this October: https://espopova.com/art-is-abundance-course Create! Substack Subscribe for more interviews, artist stories, and reflections: https://createmagazine.substack.com/ Connect with Lacie Martinez Website: https://www.laciemartinez.com/ Camp Conqueror Summer 2027 Retreat: https://www.laciemartinez.com/campconquerorawomensretreat Conquer & Crush 3 Month Challenge: https://www.laciemartinez.com/conquer-crush-3-month-challenge Substack: https://substack.com/@laciemartinez She Who Conquers Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-who-conquers/id1805457551 Art Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laciemartinez.art Main Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_laciemartinez_ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lacie_shewhoconquers/
September 7 · 37 min
Intuition as Knowledge: Mastering Oil Painting to Bring Your Ideas to Life with Alonsa Guevara
A lot of us went to art school and never actually learned how to paint. We were told to go make something and figure it out, which is great, but it often leaves us limited by our ability to bring our ideas to life. If that's you, you're not alone, and this episode is a permission slip to learn something new if you feel stuck. My guest today is Alonsa Guevara, a Chilean American artist whose work has been exhibited internationally and featured in Forbes, Time Out New York, and VICE. I had the privilege of working with Alonsa and learning more organized ways to mix paint, organize color temperature, and more. On this episode, we talk about her evolution from conceptual work to more realism in her paintings, and she also announces her new course, Alive Nature, here for the first time. Focusing on florals, botanicals, and fruit, it spans seven modules and is built so a complete beginner can follow along. The waitlist gets first access and a discount. Doors open September 16 and close September 20. Links to join are below, and yes, I'm on that waitlist myself! Come find us on the Create! Magazine Substack too. That's where I share essays on galleries, pricing, and building a creative career you love. createmagazine.substack.com 🔗 Links & Mentions Join the Alive Nature Course Waitlist: waitlistcourse.com/alonsaguevara Follow Alonsa Guevara: @alonsaguevara on Instagram Visit Alonsa's Website: https://www.alonsaguevara.com 💡 Episode Highlights The Reality of Art School: Why many traditional and contemporary programs focus heavily on conceptual thinking rather than the technical craft of painting. The Power of Observation: How practicing through careful study and copying helps build an internal visual library for future original work. Decoding Color Temperature: Understanding how subtle shifts in temperature can make a painting feel alive rather than flat. Intuition as Knowledge: Redefining intuition not as random luck, but as accumulated technical knowledge and experience. Inside Alive Nature: A breakdown of Alonsa's brand new online course designed for all skill levels, with step by step guidance on botanical and fruit painting.
August 31 · 33 min
Laurén Gerig: Painting Place, Memory, and a Sustainable Studio Practice
How do you translate the memory of a landscape into a rich, tactile painting? And how do you sustain a meaningful studio practice when life and work get demanding? In this episode of the Create! Podcast, Kat sits down with Lansing, Michigan-based visual artist and educator Laurén Gerig. Laurén shares her thoughts on place attachment, building expressive paint surfaces, and using poetry to set the stage for intuitive studio sessions. We also dive into the realities of balancing a demanding day job in academia with an active exhibition schedule, and how small micro-moments in the studio can help you overcome creative fatigue and keep momentum alive. In this episode, we talk about: Capturing the psychological bonds we create with landscapes and nature The tactile joy of thick mark-making, paint accumulation, and surface texture Using poetry as a studio ritual to transition into making work Navigating life as both a practicing artist and a university gallery director Making room for low-pressure, small-scale work like 20-minute charcoal drawings How running and stepping away from the easel can serve as the ultimate creative reset Connect with Laurén Gerig: Website: www.laurengerigart.com Instagram: @laurengerigart Stay connected with Create! Magazine: Subscribe to the Create! Substack for more artist stories and reflections: www.createmagazine.substack.com Submit your work for an upcoming issue of Create! Magazine: www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art
August 21 · 27 min
The Art of Letting Go: Ceramics, Sculpture, and Art as Life with Rebecca Casement
Imagine pouring your heart into a massive sculpture, only to watch it crash to the floor. What if that disaster was exactly what your practice needed? In this episode of The Create! Podcast, host Ekaterina Popova talks with multimedia visual artist, curator, and educator Rebecca Casement. Based in Michigan, Rebecca creates affective, abstract sculptures and installations using ceramics, mixed media, sound, and textiles. This conversation explores her practice of pushing materials to their breaking point and why building instability into artwork mirrors life's unpredictability. Episode Highlights: The Beauty of Instability — why Rebecca intentionally builds heavy, precarious clay sculpture with a high likelihood of breaking in the kiln A Shift in Perspective — the story of a shattered personal sculpture that changed her entire artistic mindset Art as a Lifestyle — how to ditch the burned-out artist trope, protect your physical energy, and bring joy back into a daily studio practice Carried Together — inside her new collaborative project featuring 14 women artists exploring community and care About Rebecca Casement: Rebecca Casement is a multimedia visual artist, curator, and educator who creates affective abstract sculptures and installations. Raised in rural Michigan, she developed a habit of creative experimentation with materials that carries into her studio practice today. Focused on material language and history, her work is both emotive and honest. Rebecca holds an MFA in Studio Art and a Certification in College Teaching from Michigan State University. Connect with Rebecca: https://www.rebeccacasement.com/ Community & Opportunities: Join our Substack for fresh articles, longer-form insights, and community conversation. Submit your work to our current open call, The Artist's World, juried by Marina Press Granger, at createmagazine.com/call-for-art.
August 17 · 26 min
Creative Flow as Medicine: Art for Self-Care and Discovery with Leah Guzman
In this episode of the Create! Podcast, Kat sits down with artist, author, and board-certified art therapist Leah Guzman to explore how creativity can serve as a sanctuary for healing, emotional expression, and personal evolution. Together, they unpack the pressure artists put on themselves, navigating creative burnout, taking intentional breaks from exhibiting, and why the physical act of making art is proven to lower stress and regulate the nervous system. Leah shares practical, low-friction habits to help you reconnect with your art practice without judgment or attachment to the final result. In this episode, we chat about: How art functions as emotional expression and healing during major life transitions. The neuroscience behind art therapy and lowering cortisol levels. Letting go of high-pressure exhibition timelines and career perfectionism. Simple studio hacks to eliminate friction and build a daily creative habit. Leah's upcoming Creative Soul Retreat and using body mapping, animal guides, and focus wheels to clear mental fog. Connect with Leah Guzman & Resources: Join Leah's 3-Day Creative Soul Retreat ($7) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art.therapy.online https://www.leahguzmanstudio.com/creative-soul-society-membership Stay Connected with Create! Magazine: Subscribe to the Substack: https://createmagazine.substack.com Official Website: https://www.createmagazine.com
August 10 · 54 min
Embracing Play, Shattering Art Rules, and Finding Creative Joy with Brandi Hofer
In this episode, Ekaterina Popova welcomes back artist, muralist, author, podcaster, and educator Brandi Hofer to discuss the evolution of her multifaceted creative life. They dive into the realities of being a working artist and mother, why it is essential to embrace play without judgment, and how to quiet the self-doubt often picked up in traditional academic spaces. Brandi shares the story behind her viral, accessible portrait techniques, her monumental 3,082 square foot Truth and Reconciliation mural project, and her upcoming creative retreat in Portugal scheduled for June 2027. This conversation is an honest, approachable, and inspiring reminder to trust your gut and make space for genuine creative joy. Key Topics Covered Multifaceted Creativity: Embracing the seasons of your life and allowing your artistic interests to evolve. Shattering Art School Myths: Why tools like projectors are just another way to create, and how to let go of perfectionism. The Power of Play: Returning to your art practice without judgment and rediscovering the childlike wonder of making. Big Projects & Manifestation: Insights into Brandi's massive community murals and her upcoming 2027 creative retreat in Portugal. Balancing Motherhood and Art: Navigating family life, community building, and carving out space for your passions. Connect with Brandi Hofer Join the Retreat Portrait Class Website: https://www.brandihofer.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandihoferstudios
August 4 · 45 min
Own Your Sales, Own Your Story: Economics of Art Fairs, Hidden Gallery Costs, and Bet-on-Yourself Career Strategies with Sharone Halevy & Alex Mitow
What does it really cost to "get chosen" in the art world, and when does it make more sense to bypass the gatekeepers and bet on yourself? In this episode, we welcome back Sharone Halevy and Alex Mitow from The Superfair for an honest, unfiltered conversation about what art fairs actually are and why they matter for artists in 2026 and beyond. We strip away the smoke and mirrors of traditional gallery representation to talk about the financial realities nobody likes to admit out loud. From spending $6,000 on shipping for a dream international show only to surrender a 50% commission and fund your own travel, to Alex's story of sleeping in a Paris basement for three weeks while losing thousands on an exhibition that looked incredible on paper, we get real about the true price of "exposure". We also unpack why an art fair is one of the most powerful, concentrated feedback engines an artist can access, where a sale is just one small piece of the long-term value. We break down how to overcome the fear of representing yourself in a booth, how to turn casual visitors into loyal collectors, and why owning your narrative, your collector relationships, and your proceeds is worth more than waiting for permission. Plus, Sharone and Alex share an exciting look at what is next for The Superfair, including new fairs launching across the country. In This Episode: The Core of an Art Fair: What an art fair really is and the evolving role it plays for independent artists today. Beyond the Sale: Why real-time, in-person feedback at a fair is one of the most valuable career assets you can build. The Unspoken Costs of Gallery Shows: The reality of shipping fees, 50% commission cuts, and self-funded travel for international exhibitions. When to Be Paid vs. When to Invest: Be Paid: When a commercial business (like a restaurant, hotel, TV placement, or corporate collection) uses your artwork to enhance its own brand or revenue. Invest: When you are actively building your own collector community, retaining buyer contact information, and keeping 100% of your proceeds. Booth Strategy: Practical ways to overcome self-representation anxiety and turn casual passersby into long-term collectors. Dismantling Art World Gatekeeping: Why nobody "knows everything" about art, and why owning your story matters more than traditional validation. What's Next for The Superfair: Upcoming national launches and how artists can get involved this year. Listener Perk: Save $250 on Your Booth: Mention Create when applying or booking to receive $250 off any booth with The Superfair. Connect & Resources: Website: www.thesuperfair.com Book a Free Discovery Call: Schedule a 15-Minute Meeting with The Superfair Subscribe to Our Substack: Create! Magazine on Substack
July 27 · 33 min
Turning Creativity Into Wealth: Bonnie Christine on Pattern Design and Living Your Passion
In this episode, I'm (host Ekaterina Popova) joined by Bonnie Christine, fabric designer, artist, and founder of a multi-seven-figure surface pattern design education business. We talk about what it actually takes to turn a creative gift into real income, how to get started in pattern design even with zero experience, why she believes we have a responsibility to pass on what we know to others, and how she's built her life around her passion rather than the other way around. Bonnie shares the full story, starting in her mom's quilt shop, teaching herself Adobe Illustrator with no design background, and working up the courage to cold call art directors until a company offered her a contract. In this episode: Turning a creative gift into real, sustainable income How to get started in surface pattern design, even with no prior experience Why passing on what you know is part of the creative journey, not separate from it Designing a life around your passion instead of the other way around Why she believes it only takes 10 seconds of courage to change everything Her "one thing a day" philosophy and the power of daily consistency What she's building now with Pattern+, Pattern Magazine, and Flowerie Connect with Bonnie Christine: Website: https://www.bonniechristine.com Podcast: The Professional Creative Stay connected with Create!: Join our Substack for weekly stories, resources, and behind the scenes updates: https://createmagazine.substack.com Visit https://www.createmagazine.co for artist opportunities, open calls, and more
July 20 · 21 min
What Does It Mean to Feel Seen? A Conversation on Community and Serving Through Art with Artist The Tracy Piper
What does it mean to feel seen? Five years ago, the Tracy Piper asked that question and turned it into SEEN, an ongoing portrait and storytelling project rooted in community and connection. In this episode, we talk about how the project began, how she has used her practice to serve the people around her, and what it takes to keep a personal project like this going year after year. Now in its fifth year, SEEN includes over 250 participants and five published volumes, with a new book and exhibition launching this July at Art Tower in Portland. In this episode: How motherhood led Tracy to start asking people what it means to feel seen The ritual behind SEEN, from open call to painting to exhibition Why the project is free to participate in What she's learned from five years and 250 stories Her new show and book launch in Portland this July Advice for artists building a sustainable creative practice Connect with the Tracy Piper: Website: www.thetracypiper.com Instagram: @thetracypiper Call For Art We're currently accepting submissions for Issue No. 59, guest curated by Indira Cesarine of The Untitled Space, deadline July 31st. We're also celebrating our 10th anniversary with an art prize, deadline also July 31st. Learn more at www.createmagazine.co. We share regularly on Substack at Create! Magazine, www.createmagazine.substack.com
July 9 · 20 min
How to Find the Right Gallery Partner: Signs to Look For
Getting a gallery to say yes can feel like the end goal, but it's really where the real work begins. In this episode, Kat breaks down what makes a gallery partnership actually work for both parties, from the signs a gallery is genuinely invested in your career to the economics artists rarely get straight answers on. She also shares the questions worth asking before you sign anything, and how to evaluate a partnership you're already in. In this episode: The signs a gallery partner is genuinely looking out for your best interest What to watch for early in a gallery relationship How commission splits, payment terms, and exclusivity actually work The questions worth asking before you sign How to evaluate a gallery relationship you're already in Mentioned in this episode: Follow Create! Magazine on Substack: createmagazine.substack.com Submit to the Create! Magazine 10th Anniversary Art Prize: www.createmagazine.co/prize This episode is sponsored by Hecho Lovely. Monica Mejia Davenport is a private painter, and Hecho Lovely is where that art becomes something you wear. Every piece is handcrafted from carefully chosen materials, carrying the same intention as her studio work. Discover the collection at www.hecholovely.com and follow the studio on Instagram at @hecholovely. Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. We read every one and will share our favorites on upcoming episodes.
July 1 · 18 min
They Can't Take This From You: Coming Back to Your Practice, Again and Again
In this solo episode, Kat gets honest about a lesson she's still relearning 15 years in: protecting her own art practice. An inspiring gallery visit and a painful past experience resurfacing reminded her of what matters, how to protect it, and understand the value of our art and personal relationship to it. What You'll Hear The artist's date that reminded Kat to get back to the pure joy of art Her past solo show cancellation, and what resurfacing it taught her Why not every gallery experience is a bad one, and how to find the right partners How her first sloppy 100-day challenge changed her relationship to painting Chasing validation vs. finding satisfaction in showing up Join the Challenge Kat's Spend More Time With Your Art Challenge starts July 15, 2026. It's a 21-day commitment to showing up for your own practice, open to any medium. It is not a painting course (though three of Kat's own painting examples are included), it's about reclaiming your relationship with your art, one small commitment at a time. Join Spend More Time With Your Art → Loved this episode? Send Kat a DM on Instagram or email info@createmagazine.com, she'd love to hear from you.
June 24 · 39 min
The Burnout Fix: Create Leverage, Force Multipliers, and What to Focus On to Move the Needle in Your Art Career (ft. Superfair)
If you have ever felt like you are running a marketing agency instead of an art practice, you are not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Alex Mitow and Sharone Halevy, the dynamic duo behind Superfair, now in their 11th year as one of the most artist-forward art fairs in the country. We talk about what they are witnessing in real time across the artist community, why burnout is at an all-time high, and what actually works when you strip away the noise. We cover: Why social media has aged and what that means for your practice The concept of force multipliers and how to find yours What artists are doing that is getting in their own way Why in-person connection is the ultimate leverage point How to come back to life creatively when you are running on empty What it actually looks like to exhibit at an artist-forward art fair LINKS AND RESOURCES Book a free 15-minute discovery call with the Superfair team (mention Create! Magazine for exclusive listener discounts): https://calendly.com/d/cqt2-fkf-54v/15-minute-discovery-meeting Learn more about Superfair: https://www.thesuperfair.com Celebrate ten years of Create! Magazine with our first ever Annual Art Prize, open now through July 31: https://www.createmagazine.co/prize Submit to our current open calls and stay up to date on everything Create!: https://www.createmagazine.co Join us on Substack. Articles are free for your first seven days, and your support keeps us sharing artists, career tips, and resources with the community: https://createmagazine.substack.com CONNECT WITH SUPERFAIR Website: https://www.thesuperfair.com

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