Bench Talk

Tom Gerrard

Welcome to Bench Talk — the podcast where I dive into real, honest conversations with inspiring artists, to reveal what it really takes to build a thriving creative career. I’m your host, Tom Gerrard — an international artist from Australia and Co-Founder of The Art Career Academy, an online school dedicated to helping visual artists rise up and go pro. I kicked off this podcast back in 2016, when I was dreaming of going full-time with my art. And through these chats, I found the path and walked it.

  1. 11/11/2025

    BENCHTALK Podcast #209 | ART CAREER ACADEMY - How to Run a Stress-Free, Career-Building Art Exhibition

    In this episode, Tom Gerrard sits down again with Claire Bradshaw from the Art Career Academy to unpack everything that goes into preparing for an exhibition — from concept and timing to marketing, mindset, and presentation. Fresh off his solo show 20 Shot Sequence at Lennox Street Gallery, Tom shares his own process, lessons learned, and mistakes to avoid. Claire breaks it down into clear, actionable steps so you can approach your next show with confidence and professionalism. What you’ll learn: - How to plan your exhibition timeline (and why a full year helps) - The mindset needed to stay calm and focused - How to market your show before, during, and after opening night - Why professional documentation is a must - How to build long-term relationships with collectors and galleries ------------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom_gerrard_ ✦ Watch on Youtube | / @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | tom-gerrard.com & artcareeracademy.com GUEST: Claire Bradshaw ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com ✦ Instagram | @artcareeracademy Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! ------- WANT MORE? 👉 Get our free Visibility Guide to learn how artists are getting seen by gallerists and collectors right now! https://www.artcareeracademy.com/visibility-guide 👉 Join the Going Pro waitlist — our signature program for visual artists. https://www.artcareeracademy.com/waitlist 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 🎥 Watch the full conversation on YouTube

    29 min
  2. 21/10/2025

    BENCH TALK Podcast #208 | SARAH HOOK - How Artists Can Work with Collectors, Designers & Dealers

    In this episode of Bench Talk, I sit down with private art dealer Sarah Hook (Fletcher Arts) to dive deep into the world of art dealing, collecting, and what it really takes for artists to thrive in today’s art market. ------ KEY TAKEAWAYS: ⚡️ How private art dealers work with artists, architects, and interior designers ⚡️ The story behind Sarah’s “3 Days, 30 Artists” home exhibition model ⚡️ Smart pricing strategies for artists and why you should never discount your work ⚡️ How to build real, lasting relationships with collectors and dealers ⚡️Why your most authentic art connects most deeply with buyers ⚡️ The mindset every artist needs to go professional Sarah also shares advice on finding representation, staying consistent with pricing, and the number one daily habit every professional artist should have. ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard ✦ Watch on Youtube | / @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.com GUEST: Sarah Hook (Fletcher Arts) ✦ Instagram | @fletcher_64 ✦ Website | https://fletcherarts.com/ Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! ------- WANT MORE? 👉 Get our free Visibility Guide to learn how artists are getting seen by gallerists and collectors right now! https://www.artcareeracademy.com/visibility-guide 👉 Join the Going Pro waitlist — our signature program for visual artists. https://www.artcareeracademy.com/waitlist 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 🎥 Watch the full conversation on YouTube

    36 min
  3. 07/10/2025

    BENCH TALK Podcast #207 | ART CAREER ACADEMY -The 3 Pillars of Artist Visibility: How to Get Seen

    👉 FREE Resource: Download the Artist Visibility Guide mentioned in this episode — learn how artists are getting seen by gallerists and collectors right now! https://www.artcareeracademy.com/visibility-guide In this episode of Bench Talk, Claire Bradshaw from the Art Career Academy and I dive deep into the three pillars of artist visibility — online presence, relationships, and opportunities. We unpack what it really takes to build visibility as an artist beyond just making great work and share personal insights from my career about the power of visibility, credibility, and consistency. ------ KEY TAKEAWAYS: ⚡️ Why creating great art is only 30% of the equation of a professional art career today ⚡️ How to build an online presence that goes beyond social media ⚡️ How to approach relationships with collectors, curators & galleries ⚡️ Why waiting to be “discovered” keeps artists stuck ⚡️ How to create your own opportunities (and momentum) Whether you’re just starting out or ready to elevate your visibility, this conversation will help you see your art career from a strategic, empowered perspective. ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard ✦ Watch on Youtube | / @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.com GUEST: Claire Bradshaw ✦ Instagram | @_clairebradshaw_ & @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! ------- WANT MORE? 👉 Join the Going Pro waitlist — our signature program for visual artists. https://www.artcareeracademy.com/waitlist 👉 Get our free Visibility Guide to attract collectors and gallery interest https://www.artcareeracademy.com/visibility-guide 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 🎥 Watch the full conversation on YouTube

    26 min
  4. 23/09/2025

    BENCHTALK Podcast #206 | LORIBELLE SPIROVSKI - Sydney Contemporary 2025: Highlights

    In this episode of BenchTalk, I'm joined by artist Loribelle Spirovski for a deep dive into Sydney Contemporary 2025. As first-time exhibitors, Loribelle and I share our impressions of Australia’s biggest art fair - from booth placement strategies to the works that stopped us in our tracks. We talk about the role of art fairs in shaping art careers, the difference between seeing art online vs in the flesh, and what it’s like navigating critique in the art world. ------ KEY TAKEAWAYS: - The atmosphere and layout of Sydney Contemporary 2025 - Standout works from Vincent Namatjira, William McKinnon, Cybele Cox, Zach Langdon-Poll and more - Reactions to Damien Hirst’s $1.2m butterfly piece - The challenges of art fairs - overwhelm, criticism, and family feedback - Why artists keep coming back to exhibit ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard ✦ Watch on Youtube | / @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.com GUEST: Loribelle Spirovski ✦ Instagram | @loribellespirovski Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! ------- WANT MORE? 👉 Join the Going Pro waitlist — our signature program for visual artists. https://www.artcareeracademy.com/waitlist 👉 Get our free Visibility Guide to attract collectors and gallery interest https://www.artcareeracademy.com/visibility-guide

    43 min
  5. 09/09/2025

    BENCHTALK Podcast #205 | CTO - From Psychedelic Highs to Mural Heights

    Street artist CTO (Peter Seaton) joins us for an unfiltered conversation about street art, graffiti politics, and painting walls across Melbourne and beyond. KEY TAKEAWAYS: - His shift from psychedelics and self-discovery into murals - Learning rope access to paint massive walls safely (and why swing stages scare him) - Balancing illegal vs legal murals — and why most people don’t know which is which - How art can be activism, alchemy, and a way to shift collective consciousness - The Melbourne street art scene and graffiti beef - The future: sculptures, installations, and big walls in America This episode is part philosophy, part technical deep dive, and part raw honesty about what it takes to live and breathe street art today. ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard ✦ Watch on Youtube | / @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.com GUEST: Peter Seaton (CTO) ✦ Instagram | @ctoart Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! ------- WANT MORE? 👉 Join the Going Pro waitlist — our signature program for visual artists. Be first to hear when doors open for the 2026 intake and unlock early access, exclusive bonuses & the best price. https://www.artcareeracademy.com/waitlist 👉Download our free cheatsheet to boost your creative cashflow: https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide

    1h 5m
  6. 26/08/2025

    BENCH TALK Podcast #204 | ART CAREER ACADEMY - 3 Common Mistakes Made By Career Artists

    In this episode of Bench Talk, I'm joined by Claire Bradshaw from the Art Career Academy to unpack the three most common mistakes artists make — and how to avoid them. From hiding away in the studio and neglecting visibility, to overlooking the business side of art, to relying too heavily on Instagram, Tom and Claire share practical strategies and mindset shifts that can help emerging artists build a sustainable, professional career. If you’ve ever wondered how to put yourself out there, balance creativity with business, or create long-term success beyond social media, this episode is packed with valuable advice. What you’ll learn: - Why visibility is essential for career growth - How to overcome fears of putting yourself out there - Why being an artist also means running a business - Alternatives to relying solely on Instagram - Building long-term, sustainable art practices 🎙 About Going Pro Live: Enrolment is now open for Going PRO LIVE, the Art Career Academy’s signature 3-month program designed to help artists go professional with clarity, confidence, and community. Early bird closes August 26th. Doors close September 1st. 👉🏼 Join us - http://artcareeracademy.com/going-art-pro-course-live-aug25 ------------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom_gerrard_ ✦ Watch on Youtube | / @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | tom-gerrard.com & artcareeracademy.com GUEST: Claire Bradshaw ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com ✦ Instagram | @artcareeracademy Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! ------- WANT MORE? 👉Download free cheatsheet to boost your creative cashflow: https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide

    25 min
  7. 21/08/2025

    BENCH TALK Podcast #203 | TOM ADAIR

    In this insightful episode, I sit down with Tom Adair, an artist known for his bold techniques and evocative works, to explore both his creative journey and the changing landscape of the art world. Tom opens up about his inspirations, first art sales, and dream projects. We also dive deeper into the realities of today’s art market: navigating digital platforms, understanding collectors’ evolving tastes, and finding strategies that help artists thrive long-term. Whether you’re an artist navigating the market or an art lover curious about the intersection of creativity and commerce, this episode is full of inspiration and practical wisdom. ------ KEY TAKEAWAYS: - Tom's First Art Sale: A multimedia mirror piece that launched his career - Balancing Art & Life: Intuition, family, and sustainable creativity - Dream Projects: Immersive installations & a future museum retrospective - Inspirations: Artists including Howard Arthur & Darren Sylvester - Art Market Insights: Valuation, trends, and the role of innovation in shaping the future of art commerce - What’s Next: From becoming a dad to launching a kids’ wear brand ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom_gerrard_ ✦ Watch on Youtube | / @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com GUEST: Tom Adair ✦ Website | https://www.tomadair.com.au/ ✦ Instagram | @tomadair_ ✦Thought Forms Gallery - https://www.thoughtformsgallery.com.au/ ✦ Imagine(Cowboys) Book - https://www.thoughtformsgallery.com.au/shop/p/imaginecowboys-tomadair Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! ------- WANT MORE? 👉 Join the next round of Going Pro LIVE — our signature program for visual artists. Earlybird pricing until 26th Aug, we begin on Sept 1st. Limited spots available. http://artcareeracademy.com/going-art-pro-course-live-aug25 👉Download free cheatsheet to boost your creative cashflow: https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide

    54 min
  8. 05/08/2025

    BENCH TALK Podcast #202 | [Q&A] Pricing, Prints & Unsold Work

    Pricing artwork, navigating unsold pieces and deciding how many prints to release - these are questions every emerging artist faces. In this episode, hosts Tom Gerrard and Claire Bradshaw from the Art Career Academy share practical strategies and mindset shifts to help you build a sustainable art career. ------ WE COVER: ⚡️ How to price your work with confidence — and why most artists undervalue themselves ⚡️ Smart, resourceful ways to handle unsold artwork after exhibitions ⚡️ How to decide the right number of prints for a release ⚡️ Why limited editions can boost value ⚡️ How marketing impacts print sales success ⚡️ The long-term perspective you need to thrive as an artist Whether you’re exhibiting for the first time or looking to refine your pricing strategy, this conversation will help you approach your art career with confidence and sustainability in mind. ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard ✦ Watch on Youtube | / @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com GUEST Claire Bradshaw (Art Career Academy) ✦ Instagram @artcareeracademy ✦ Find out more at www.artcareeacademy.com Want to fast track & uplevel your art career? Join our FREE Masterclass on 19th August to learn the 5 step framework to build demand & generate sustainable income - without sacrificing your authentic artistic vision. Book your spot here 👇🏼 https://www.artcareeracademy.com/masterclass-aug25 Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! ------- WANT MORE? 👉Download free cheatsheet to boost your creative cashflow: https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide

    20 min
4.7
out of 5
77 Ratings

About

Welcome to Bench Talk — the podcast where I dive into real, honest conversations with inspiring artists, to reveal what it really takes to build a thriving creative career. I’m your host, Tom Gerrard — an international artist from Australia and Co-Founder of The Art Career Academy, an online school dedicated to helping visual artists rise up and go pro. I kicked off this podcast back in 2016, when I was dreaming of going full-time with my art. And through these chats, I found the path and walked it.