The Create! Podcast

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.

What Does It Mean to Feel Seen? A Conversation on Community and Serving Through Art with Artist The Tracy Piper 07/20/2026

How to Find the Right Gallery Partner: Signs to Look For 07/09/2026

They Can't Take This From You: Coming Back to Your Practice, Again and Again 07/01/2026

The Burnout Fix: Create Leverage, Force Multipliers, and What to Focus On to Move the Needle in Your Art Career (ft. Superfair) 06/24/2026

The Art of Creative Loitering: A Permission Slip to Slow Down 06/18/2026

Summer Updates from Kat + The Mundane Is the Muse: Yahel Yan on Chairs, Hot Sauce, and 100 Days of Painting 06/05/2026

Summer Updates from Kat + The Mundane Is the Muse: Yahel Yan on Chairs, Hot Sauce, and 100 Days of Painting This episode is two things in one: an honest, personal check-in from Kat as we head into summer, Q&A from our community. followed by a conversation with San Diego-based Mexican painter Yahel Yan, a Create! community member whose 100-day challenge journey ended in a full solo exhibition. Kat opens by sharing what has been on her mind lately, from the turbulence in the art world and the economy to a growing sense that artists deserve more privacy, more mystery, and more protection of the creative and intellectual work they have built over years. She reflects on the pressure to share everything online, the times that oversharing has cost her, and why she is choosing to reclaim some intentional secrecy, not as gatekeeping, but as a form of boundaries and self-respect. She also answers questions submitted by listeners through the Create! broadcast channel on Instagram, covering practical topics like what to do when you do not have a mailing list at an exhibition, how to approach interior designers as potential clients, how to identify your ideal collector when you are just starting out, and where collectors are actually discovering new artists today. Then Kat sits down with Yahel Yan, a Create! Magazine featured artist and community member, for a conversation about her winding path to painting, the deeply personal chair series that became her signature work, and what it felt like to complete and exhibit 100 paintings in 100 days. Yahel grew up in Mexico City, surrounded by color and the energy of a sprawling metropolis. After pursuing graphic design and building a family, she arrived in San Diego in 2000, pregnant with her third child, navigating a new country, a new language, and a new life. Art became her anchor. When her youngest started preschool, she returned to the studio and has been painting ever since. Her "Chairs Are People" series began in 2012, almost by accident. Yahel had always collected small chairs, filling her home with so many she joked there was nowhere left to sit. When she began painting them, something shifted. She started seeing chairs as personalities, as stand-ins for human presence, romance, grief, and memory. Many come from the street, discovered and abandoned, each one a mystery she gets to invent. Others she takes on what she calls field trips, photographing her own chairs in new environments before bringing them back to canvas. Earlier this year, Yahel participated in the Create! 100 Day Challenge, painted all 100 pieces, and turned them into a solo exhibition, presented as grids of nine that let viewers spend hours discovering objects they had not noticed at first glance. She shares why she never planned to show the work publicly until she simply had to. In this episode, you will hear: Kat's solo Q&A segment: What is weighing on her in the art world right now, and how she is choosing to respond Why she is reclaiming privacy and mystery in her practice and her business What to do when you do not have a mailing list at a show (and how to start one) How to approach interior designers as potential clients for your work How to identify your ideal collector when you are just starting out Where collectors are actually finding emerging artists today Conversation with Yahel Yan: Growing up in Mexico City and how that shaped her palette, energy, and sense of movement Why she chose graphic design over fine art, and how that path served her Moving to the United States with two children and one on the way, and how creativity helped her build community in a new country The origin of "Chairs Are People" and how chairs became characters with stories and feelings Finding chairs on the street and taking her own chairs on "field trips" to photograph in new environments Joining the Create! 100 Day Challenge and discovering unexpected joy in painting food, hot sauce, and other overlooked objects Exhibiting all 100 paintings as a grid installation and the experience of seeing them as one complete body of work What is next: a ceramics workshop in Maine with her daughter Links mentioned in this episode: Yahel Yan on Instagram: @yahel.yan.art Yahel's website: yahelyan.com Create! Substack (subscribe free or paid): createmagazine.substack.com Create! broadcast channel: follow @createmagazine on Instagram Join the next 100 Day Challenge cohort waitlist: www.createmagazine.myflodesk.com/challenge /episode/index/show/artandcocktails/id/41550500

Simplifying Content Creation for Makers with Brand Photographer Nicole Bedard 06/01/2026

What Survives the Fire: Larry Ossei-Mensah on Clay, Curating, and Creative Excellence 05/26/2026

Petite Pleasures, Big Dreams: Jo Gamel on Daily Painting, Following Every Interest, and Showing Up for Your Most Ambitious Goals 05/21/2026

Petite Pleasures, Big Dreams: Jo Gamel on Daily Painting, Following Every Interest, and Showing Up for Your Most Ambitious Goals Jo Gamel is back, and this conversation covers a lot of ground. A Philadelphia-based fine artist, gallery liaison, teaching artist, science fiction writer, and member of the music project Medal of Jupiter, Jo embodies what it looks like to follow genuine curiosity across disciplines without apology. In this episode, we get into her participation in the 100 Day Painting Challenge, how she built a consistent studio practice around a fully funded medical billing program, and what it actually takes to show up for your work when your schedule is packed. Jo shares how she used block scheduling to protect her 5 a.m. studio hours, how pre-selecting a limited palette and 300 reference photos from her phone set her up for creative flow rather than decision fatigue, and how her miniature series became a portal into memory, travel, and her great-grandmother's immigration story. We also talk about the sensory, cafe-style exhibition she mounted at the Jane Gallery, the power of immersive art presentations, and why she believes every artist should be loudly celebrating their wins so others know what is possible. Jo has shown at the Louvre during Paris+ Art Basel, Chelsea Old Town Hall during London Art Week, and the European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona. This fall, she is directing the Arts League gallery for Collective Futures (a citywide Philadelphia collaboration, October 2 to 23, themed around Bohemia as a trans-historical state of mind), and she announces something she visualized years ago: she will be showing at the Stockholm Affordable Art Fair this September. This one is full of practical insight, ancestral warmth, and a lot of encouragement to say the big dream out loud. In this episode: What it means to be pluridisciplinary and why the old masters were too Building a block schedule that actually holds up during a demanding program How the 100 Day Painting Challenge became a meditation on petite pleasures and personal history Creating a fully immersive, sensory gallery experience on your own terms The role of community and mutual aid in a sustainable art career Why sharing your achievements is just as important as achieving them Jo's upcoming exhibitions in Philadelphia and Stockholm Links and resources: Join us on Substack: Jo Gamel: Jo on Instagram: Join the Create! Collective: Free Studio Workbook and Workshop: 100 Day Challenge Waitlist: Connect with Jo: Past episode: /episode/index/show/artandcocktails/id/41378615

How to Stop Being Forever Emerging and Graduate to Your Next Level with Ekaterina Popova 05/14/2026

How to Stop Being Forever Emerging and Graduate to Your Next Level with Ekaterina Popova There is a next-level version of you already waiting and this episode will help you step into it. Drawing on a decade of running Create! Magazine and watching hundreds of artists grow, Kat (Ekaterina Popova) lays out exactly how to graduate to the next stage of your career, whether you are a visual artist, a maker, or a small business owner. The identity shift that unlocks real momentum, a framework for choosing opportunities worth your time, and a clear five-step action plan you can start this week. HIGHLIGHTS The identity shift behind every real level-up Why your behavior follows your identity, and how to update it How the art world defines career stages, and why you get to decide what counts The three kinds of opportunities, and which ones actually move you forward A five-step action plan to step into your next level this month THE 5-STEP ACTION PLAN Audit where you actually are Define your next level specifically Do the mindset and presentation work: bio, website, CV Get into a solution-oriented room Become generous and give from your experience SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by Blue Green Galleria Fine Art, specializing in Chinese and Asia-Pacific contemporary artists. Catch them at the first-ever Salt Lake Art Show, May 14 to 17 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, Utah. Find them at booth A202 with a duo presentation by Yana Hu and Long Han. | Blue Green Galleria on Artsy CREATE! COLLECTIVE Your environment shapes what you believe is possible. The Create! Collective is our membership community of artists and creative entrepreneurs winning grants, opening galleries, and building bigger tables. Join ours or build your own, but find a room that lifts you up. SUBSCRIBE + SUBMIT Create! Dispatch on Substack: Studio Sundays, open calls, and tips every week. Free tier available. Support independent publishing for $10 a month. Submit to Studio Sundays: our free Sunday feature spotlighting your workspace. CONNECT @createmagazine | /episode/index/show/artandcocktails/id/41296420

Artist. Curator. Founder. How Indira Cesarine of The Untitled Space in NYC Built a Creative Career That Does Not Fit in a Box 05/09/2026

Artist. Curator. Founder. How Indira Cesarine of The Untitled Space in NYC Built a Creative Career That Does Not Fit in a Box Indira Cesarine is an artist, curator, and the founder of The Untitled Space, one of New York City's most vital independent galleries. She has built a practice that refuses to be contained by a single role, and this conversation is a behind-the-scenes look at how she does it. We sat down to talk about her current exhibition "In Full Bloom," a group show featuring 34 women artists working with floral and botanical imagery as a vehicle for transformation, identity, and power. But we went much further than the show itself. Indira shares what it took to open and sustain an independent gallery in New York, how she thinks about building a curatorial vision that is both intellectually honest and visually compelling, and what it means to remain a practicing artist while running an institution. If you have ever wondered what it looks like to hold multiple creative identities at once and build something meaningful across all of them, this episode is for you. In this episode: What led Indira to found The Untitled Space and what the early years actually looked like How she develops a curatorial concept from first instinct to finished exhibition The way her own studio practice informs how she reads and selects the work of other artists What she looks for in a group show and how individual voices come together into something larger Sustaining creative leadership over the long term without losing the work that started it all Links and resources: "In Full Bloom" is on view at The Untitled Space, 45 Lispenard Street, New York, NY through May 22, 2026. Visit for full details. Submit your work to Create! Magazine. We are currently accepting submissions for upcoming issues and exhibitions. Visit to apply. Free masterclass: Sell More Art. Build a sustainable practice and start earning consistently from your creative work. Register at . /episode/index/show/artandcocktails/id/41234405

Art for Everyone: Collecting, Connecting with Buyers, and Building a Career from Anywhere with Liz Lidgett 05/06/2026

Protecting Art Spaces: Leadership and Fundraising with Amy Cavanaugh Royce 05/02/2026

Protecting Art Spaces: Leadership and Fundraising with Amy Cavanaugh Royce In this episode of the Create! Podcast, host Ekaterina Popova sits down with Amy Cavanaugh Royce, the Executive Director of Maryland Art Place (MAP). Amy shares her journey from a professional touring cellist and recording artist to a leader in arts administration, providing a candid look at the resilience required to sustain a major contemporary arts hub. The conversation explores the intersection of creative empathy and executive leadership, emphasizing why protecting physical space is vital for the health of a city’s creative economy. Episode Highlights The Evolution of a Practitioner: Amy explains how her background as a freelance musician allowed her to bring a unique level of empathy to her leadership role. Understanding the Process: She highlights the importance of leaders understanding what it takes for artists to get to a final product to effectively advocate for them. Protecting Creative Real Estate: A discussion on Amy’s commitment to retaining MAP’s 20,000-square-foot building in downtown Baltimore to ensure artists stay within the context of general commerce. Fundraising and Resilience: Amy offers insights into the different funding landscapes of DC and Baltimore, noting that persistence is key and that a "no" from a potential donor often simply means "not now". Creating Artist Opportunities: From the "Out of Order" annual auction to managing the Maryland State Arts Directory, Amy explains how MAP connects artists with collectors and public art projects. The Bromo Art Walk: Amy previews the upcoming event on May 14th, featuring a New York–Baltimore exchange curated by Jim Condren and Glenn Goldenberg. About Maryland Art Place (MAP) Maryland Art Place (MAP) inspires, supports, and encourages artistic expression through innovative programming, exhibitions, and educational opportunities while recognizing the powerful impact art can have on our community. MAP creates a dynamic environment for artists of our time to engage the public by nurturing and promoting new ideas. MAP has served as a critical resource for contemporary art in the Mid-Atlantic since 1981. Take Action Submit Your Work: Visit the to find current opportunities to get your work in front of a global audience. Support the Mission: Learn more about Maryland Art Place, become a member, or donate by visiting . Visit the Gallery: Explore the current exhibitions at 218 West Saratoga Street, Baltimore, MD. /episode/index/show/artandcocktails/id/41125870

10 Years In: The Failures That Built My Creative Business 04/30/2026

This Super Simple Confidence Hack for Artists with Marina Granger 04/24/2026

This Super Simple Confidence Hack for Artists with Marina Granger In this episode, Kat welcomes Marina Granger back for another installment of their ongoing series. They dive deep into the nuances of identity, confidence, and a unique manifestation practice Marina has utilized since she was twelve. Whether you are transitioning into a new career phase or simply feeling a dip in your creative self assurance, this conversation offers a quick, actionable ritual to realign with your highest potential. Episode Highlights Identity and Visual Recognition: Marina shares how a recent change in hair color triggered a shift in her confidence because she did not recognize herself in her self referential system. The Power of Upgrading: The conversation explores how our identities grow through the many seasons of life and why it is vital to upgrade your self image as you evolve. Overcoming Paralysis: Marina shares a success story about a client who was paralyzed by doubt but managed to finalize exhibition dates and a press release within 45 minutes of using this technique. Practical Joy: The duo discusses upgrading your everyday experience through small details, like using fancy Italian toothpaste, to create a domino effect of success. The Mirror Technique: A Step-by-Step Guide Marina describes this as the "lazy girl manifesting technique" because it is fast, powerful, and only needs to be done every few years to keep you going. Wisdom for the Creative Journey Marina encourages artists to embrace failure, noting that the more you fail, the more you succeed. For those feeling overwhelmed by the opinions of the industry, she suggests focusing on how you want to feel and taking small daily actions that reflect your desired identity. Resources and Links The Artist Advisory: Discover more mindset and career resources at . The MFA Podcast: Tune in for real life advice on building a sustainable art career. The Artist Academy: Join Marina’s career course for practical and "mystical" tactical training. Call for Art: Explore current opportunities to share your work at . Courses: Start learning now at Connect on Instagram: Follow Marina at . /episode/index/show/artandcocktails/id/41004730

The Timeless Principles of Getting Paid for Your Art (Still Relevant in 2026) 04/11/2026

The Secret Financial Lives of History's Most Famous Artists (Yes, Including the Illegal Stuff), with Mason Currey 04/05/2026

The Secret Financial Lives of History's Most Famous Artists (Yes, Including the Illegal Stuff), with Mason Currey What does it actually take to make art and make a living at the same time? This week, Ekaterina Popova sits down with Mason Currey, author of the beloved Daily Rituals series and his brand new book, Making Art and Making a Living (Celadon Books), a rich, research-driven look at how artists across centuries have funded their creative lives. From day jobs and patrons to inheritances, government grants, and a few schemes that fall into grayer territory, Mason has compiled the stories so many of us have needed to hear. In this conversation, he and Kat explore why community matters more than most creatives realize, how constraints can actually be an artist's greatest asset, and the practical power of reverse engineering the career you actually want. If you have ever asked yourself whether you are doing this whole creative life thing right, this episode is your answer. Spoiler: you are in very good company. In this episode: Why community and creative scenes have always mattered more than solo genius How Mason's entire career grew from a blog post he wrote while procrastinating The surprising truth about artists who got everything they wanted, and still couldn't work Baudelaire, Whistler, and what history's most dramatic artistic money struggles can teach us about our own How to reverse engineer the career you want by studying the people who have it Why constraints, including financial ones, are often where the best work comes from The power of doing something, even a small, imperfect, DIY version of your vision Links and resources mentioned: Making Art and Making a Living by Mason Currey: Mason Currey's website and newsletter (Subtle Maneuvers): masonwcurrey.com Best American Essays series (mentioned by Mason as a career research tool) Work with Kat + explore Create! Magazine: Create! Magazine celebrates working artists through features, interviews, and juried open calls. Submit your work, explore available articles, and join the community at createmagazine.co. Ready to grow your art career with step-by-step guidance? Explore micro courses on marketing, sales, visibility, and more at Visit and click Programs to learn more. Private mentorship and coaching with certified master coach, Ekaterina Popova /episode/index/show/artandcocktails/id/40739465

How to Climb Out of a Funk and Get Your Passion Back 04/01/2026

You Don't Have to Choose Between Making Art and Building a Career. James Miille Proves It. 03/29/2026

The Gap Between Where You Are and Where You Want to Be Is Not a Problem with Kat 03/24/2026

The Gap Between Where You Are and Where You Want to Be Is Not a Problem with Kat You invest in a mentor, a course, or a new skill, and instead of feeling excited, you feel exposed. You see the artist you admire and wonder if you will ever get there. Your ego wants you to quit before you even start. Sound familiar? This week Ekaterina gets honest about her own experience of evolving, trying new things in the studio, shifting her art, and the vulnerability, self-doubt, and resistance that showed up right alongside it. She turns that moment into the most important conversation you can have as a creative or entrepreneur: what to do with the gap between where you are today and where you want to go. This episode will shift how you see your progress, your timeline, and your worth as an artist right now, before you have it all figured out. In this episode: Why your brain treats learning a new skill like a threat, and how to push through anyway The one question that separates artists who grow from artists who stay stuck What the research says about how fast you can build real confidence in a new skill (it is faster than you think) How to stop comparing your Chapter 1 to someone else's Chapter 20 Why sharing your work before you feel ready is one of the highest-leverage moves you can make What taking responsibility for your own success actually looks like on a Tuesday night If you are an artist or creative entrepreneur who is learning something new, building something from scratch, or feeling behind, this episode is for you. You are not behind. You are not untalented. You are not too late. Ready to stop figuring it out alone? Kat has 3 spots open this season for one on one coaching. If you are an artist building a sustainable career, transitioning to full time, or growing a creative platform or mentorship practice, apply now at . Applications are open and she is currently scheduling free discovery calls. Resources: One on one coaching: Create Magazine: Instagram: Substack: /episode/index/show/artandcocktails/id/40604770

The Art Business Advice Nobody Tells You About Commissions, Burnout, and Actually Making It Work with Emily Jeffords 03/21/2026

Daniel Arsham: How to Break Into the Art World and Build a Career Nobody Can Ignore 03/16/2026

Daniel Arsham: How to Break Into the Art World and Build a Career Nobody Can Ignore Most artists wait for the art world to invite them in. Daniel Arsham stopped waiting - and built his own gallery at 21 instead. In this episode, Kat sits down with Daniel Arsham, one of the most sought-after artists of his generation, to talk about his brand new book Future Relic - a brutally honest handbook written for his 17-year-old self who dreamed of being an artist but had no roadmap to get there. Daniel's iconic "eroded" aesthetic has made him a singular force in contemporary art, but behind that vision is decades of showing up, collecting failures, and building a career on his own terms - from gutting a Miami house to create a gallery space, to collaborating with Dior, Adidas, Pharrell Williams, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In this conversation, we get into: Why art school teaches you to make the work but not build a career How Daniel got gallery representation with Perrotin after four years of showing up The mindset shift that makes walking into intimidating rooms possible Why nobody remembers your failures - and why you should collect them anyway How brand collaborations funded his practice without compromising his vision The power of writing down ultra-specific goals Why restraint is one of the most underrated tools in an artist's career Whether you're just starting out or wondering how to take your practice to the next level, this conversation will inspire you and give you real, actionable perspective on what building a sustainable art career actually looks like. Get the book: Daniel Arsham's exhibition "Just Various Thoughts" opens March 5th at Perrotin New York. Enjoying the show? Leave us a review on iTunes and share this episode with a fellow artist - it means the world. Explore Create! Magazine, open calls, exhibitions, and free resources: Follow us on Instagram: @createmagazine Read new articles on our Substack: createmagazine.substack.com /episode/index/show/artandcocktails/id/40152665

When Art Meets Craft: Color, Creativity, and Calling Yourself an Artist with Lisa Solomon 03/09/2026

When Art Meets Craft: Color, Creativity, and Calling Yourself an Artist with Lisa Solomon What does it mean to call yourself an artist - and who gets to decide? In this episode, I sit down with multidisciplinary artist, educator, and author Lisa Solomon for a wide-ranging conversation about the blurry line between art and craft, creative experimentation, and the practical realities of building a sustainable creative life. Lisa's work spans embroidery, fiber, painting, and installation, and her new book is an absolute feast for the eyes - organized by color, featuring 20 artists working in 20 different mediums, with projects for all skill levels. We talk about: When you can (and should) start calling yourself an artist The art vs. craft debate - why it's still happening and whether it even matters How Lisa's grandmother's knitting and crocheting shaped her artistic identity The pioneers who were excluded from art history because of their mediums - and why that's finally changing Creative ADHD: how to balance experimentation with actually completing a body of work What to do when you have a vision but not yet the skills to execute it (hint: lean in and trust your gut) The Thousand Doily Project - a massive community collaboration How parameters and limitations can actually unlock more creative freedom Funding your creative projects, budgeting for big ideas, and why having a day job isn't a compromise - it can be a gift Why color is hard (especially purple) and what a Joni Mitchell retrospective taught Lisa about unexpected palettes Lisa's new book is available at bookstores everywhere - or request it at your local library! You can also find her on Instagram at @lisasolomon and at lisasolomon.com. She's also running a watercolor retreat in California through City College Extension in late May. Grab Lisa's new book: https://publishing.hardiegrant.com/en-us/books/art-craft-color-by-lisa-solomon/9781964786049 Links mentioned: Submit to a Create! Magazine Call for Art: Join Create! Collective: /episode/index/show/artandcocktails/id/40365070

Astrology, Feng Shui and Owning All Parts of Your Creative Identity with Marina Granger 03/02/2026

Finding Your North Star: For Artists Who Refuse to Compromise Their Vision with Jessica Libor 02/23/2026

Finding Your North Star: For Artists Who Refuse to Compromise Their Vision with Jessica Libor What happens when you feel outside pressure to make work that doesn't feel like you? In this episode, Kat sits down with Philadelphia-based artist and curator Jessica Libor for a deeply honest conversation about identity, persistence, and building a creative life on your own terms. Jessica shares the story of applying to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts several times before getting in, navigating the tension between her love of fairy tales and beautiful imagery and an academic environment heavily influenced by postmodern aesthetics. She opens up about making dark, tortured paintings to fit in - and how she eventually found her way back to the work she was always meant to make. They also dig into how Jessica launched Era Contemporary, her own gallery and curatorial project, and why creating your own opportunities is sometimes the most powerful move an artist can make. You'll also hear about the mindset tools Jessica swears by - from attending high-end exhibitions and imagining yourself in the room as an exhibiting artist, to journaling and scripting her ideal creative life. She also shares the manifestation story behind getting into Spring Break Art Fair, one of New York's most exciting independent art events. This episode is full of honest reflection on imposter syndrome, developing a personal aesthetic under pressure, and what it really means to stay connected to your North Star as an artist. ABOUT JESSICA LIBOR Jessica Libor is a Philadelphia-based artist whose work explores feminine identity, storytelling, and personal mythology through a lens deeply rooted in global fairy tales and folklore. She holds an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and has pursued classical training at the Grand Central Atelier and the Florence Academy of Art. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including solo shows in Paris and Philadelphia, and she was selected for the prestigious SPRING/BREAK Art Show in New York in 2025. Her paintings are held in private collections worldwide and have been featured in American Art Collector, Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, and on WHYY/PBS. She is also the host of The Creative Heroine Podcast. Follow her work at jessicalibor.com and on Instagram at @jessicaliborstudio. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Leave a review on iTunes and share with a fellow artist or art lover. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and visit to submit your work to our latest open call in partnership with Square One Gallery. Join our weekly newsletter: /episode/index/show/artandcocktails/id/40198665

What Collectors Wish Emerging Artists Knew About the Art Market in 2026 with Sonia Borrell 02/18/2026

What Collectors Wish Emerging Artists Knew About the Art Market in 2026 with Sonia Borrell What does it actually take to build a sustainable, global art career in 2026? As the market shifts away from the high-octane speculation of the early 2020s, a new era of radical transparency and artist autonomy is emerging. In this episode, host Ekaterina Popova sits down with visionary curator, collector, and entrepreneur Sonia Borrell to pull back the curtain on what the world's top collectors are looking for right now. Sonia shares the inspiration behind her newest venture, , a platform designed to dismantle traditional gatekeeping and return control to the creator. From the importance of "positioning over visibility" to navigating the rapid growth of the Chinese art market, this conversation is a masterclass in modern art business. Whether you’re an emerging painter or an established professional, Sonia’s insights offer a refreshing, high-level perspective on thriving in today’s selective ecosystem. Inside the Conversation The 2026 Market Recalibration: Sonia discusses why "hype" pricing is falling away and how artists can re-emerge by focusing on authentic connections and sustainable growth. The Sovereign Artist: A look at the StudiotoGallery model, where artists maintain full control over their pricing, inventory, and gallery representation. The Power of Positioning: Why your "human filter" and professional presentation matter more to a museum or serious collector than a viral Instagram reel. Global Expansion: Sonia shares her experience bridging the gap between Western creators and major corporate partners and institutions in China. Sustainable Partnerships: How to identify a "human-centric" gallery and why the future of the art world relies on collaborative, shoulder-to-shoulder work. Protecting Your Practice: Practical advice on avoiding scammers, managing mental health in the studio, and staying positive during market shifts. About Sonia Borrell Sonia Borrell is a prominent art world connector, collector, and founder of Art Belina and StudiotoGallery. With deep roots in the international market, she specializes in helping artists scale their businesses through IP collaborations, museum placements, and high-level mentorship. Sonia is a pioneer in the movement toward a more transparent and educator-led art market, providing artists with the tools they need to lead their own careers. Connect with Our Guest Website: Platform: Resources for Artists /episode/index/show/artandcocktails/id/40149965

Is Art the Missing Fifth Pillar of Health? Proving the Science of Creative Life Force with Daisy Fancourt 02/10/2026

Is Art the Missing Fifth Pillar of Health? Proving the Science of Creative Life Force with Daisy Fancourt What if I told you that making art literally changes your DNA? In a world that often treats creativity as a luxury or a hobby, the data is finally catching up to what artists have always felt: art is essential medicine. In this episode, Kat sits down with Daisy Fancourt, a professor of psychobiology and epidemiology at University College London, whose groundbreaking research provides the "validation ammunition" every creative needs. We dive into her new book, Art Cure, which presents decades of evidence showing that arts engagement is a vital clinical intervention.From reducing stress hormones like cortisol to slowing biological aging and influencing gene expression, we explore why creative engagement should be recognized as the Fifth Pillar of Health alongside nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management. In this episode, we discuss: The "Fifth Pillar" Concept: Why creative engagement is as vital to your longevity as diet and exercise. The Biology of Art: How making and viewing art creates measurable health benefits that accumulate over time. DNA & Gene Expression: The fascinating science behind how creativity affects our bodies at a cellular level. Validation for Artists: Why your work is a necessity for your collectors and the world, especially during turbulent times. The Psychobiology of Art: Daisy’s journey from professional pianist to leading researcher at UCL. Resources & Links Mentioned: The Book: Daisy’s Research Group: Create! Magazine: Newsletter: Community: Connect with the Guest: Daisy Fancourt is Professor of Psychobiology and Epidemiology at University College London where she heads the Social Biobehavioural Research Group, and Director of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre on Arts and Health. She has published 300 scientific papers, won over two dozen academic prizes and is listed as one of the most highly cited scientists in the world. Daisy is also a multi-award-winning science communicator and has been named a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and BBC New Generation Thinker. /episode/index/show/artandcocktails/id/40057175

Emi Avora: Mediterranean Light, Mythology, and the Art of Relocation 02/05/2026

Mastering the Subconscious: Intuitive Painting and Global Art Career with August Vilella 01/30/2026

Mastering the Subconscious: Intuitive Painting and Global Art Career with August Vilella What happens when you stop obsessively planning and trying to control the outcome in the studio and start letting your subconscious lead the way? In this episode of the Create! Podcast, host Ekaterina Popova chats with August Vilella, a self-taught artist whose intuitive approach has landed his work in Art Basel and major galleries across Asia and Europe. August reveals how he abandoned sketches and rigid concepts to find a "direct language" that transcends cultural and language barriers. We explore his "happy accident" move to Japan, his upcoming 10th-anniversary chronological exhibition, and why he believes the best career investment you can make is simply showing up in person. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Intuitive Method: Why August starts with a completely white canvas and no prior ideas or sketches to allow the subconscious and past experiences to take a leading role. The Self-Taught Advantage: How skipping art school allowed August to find his own unique style and "signature" before being influenced by a teacher’s perspective. Building a Career from Zero: The story of how a two-week trip for a show in 2020 turned into a five-year Japanese residency after a flight was cancelled during the pandemic. Being Your Own "Bad Boss": The discipline required to be strict with gallery deadlines while maintaining a meditative, improvisational creative process. The "Lottery" of Opportunities: Why traveling to openings and art fairs is essential for letting collectors and directors see your energy and story, not just the final work. Milestone Exhibitions: A look at his massive 500-square-meter 10th-anniversary show in Shenzhen and upcoming solo exhibitions in Tokyo and Ginza. Key Quotes: "All my past experience have some deep impact in my painting... my subconscious mind have a very important role in the creative process." — August Vilella "The best way to make an interesting career is to travel, to meet people, to talk with people... they not only see your work, they also see your energy." — August Vilella Connect with the Guest: Instagram: Website: About the Host: Ekaterina Popova is an artist and the founder of Create! Magazine. Explore more articles and opportunities for artists at . /episode/index/show/artandcocktails/id/39936070

Finding Your Collectors Without Galleries: Sharone Halevy on Commission Work, The Superfair, and Why Artists Need Hobbies 01/23/2026

The Create! Podcast

TOPICS