The Create! Podcast

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: Future Relic by Daniel Arsham
Daniel Arsham's exhibition "Just Various Thoughts" opens March 5th at Perrotin New York.
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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: createmagazine.co/call-for-art
Join Create! Collective: createmagazine.co/collective

If you've ever felt like you had to hide certain parts of yourself to be taken seriously in the art world, this one is for you. I'm sitting down with my dear friend Marina Granger, founder of The Artist Advisory and host of the brand new MFA Podcast, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to step into your next level as an artist - from the inside out.
Marina spent years working at the intersection of practical gallery strategy and deeper identity work, but kept the mystical side of her practice quietly in the background. In this episode she's fully out, and we get into all of it - astrology, feng shui, human design, manifestation, and the very real money blocks that keep creative entrepreneurs stuck even when the revenue is growing.
This is part one of two because we simply had too much to talk about!
We cover:
Lunar New Year rituals and Marina's feng shui practice - including the 27-item trick for stirring prosperity in your home
Why Marina hid the cosmic side of her coaching for years and what finally changed
Being a manifesting generator and why doing many things is your superpower, not your flaw
The three levels of abundance work - conscious, subconscious, and nervous system - and why most of us only work on one
How your core identity shapes everything from the galleries you walk into to the clients you attract
The immigrant experience and cash overflow - why earning more doesn't automatically mean keeping more
Connect with Marina:
The MFA Podcast - available wherever you listen
1:1 programs and free resources at theartistadvisory.com
Also mentioned:
Reality Transurfing by Vadim Zeland
Current open call for Create! Magazine in partnership with Square One Gallery - submit at createmagazine.co/call-for-art

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.
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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, StudiotoGallery, 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: soniabblondon.com

Platform: studiotogallery.com

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