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.

  1. 2 DGN GELEDEN

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

    Ekaterina Popova sits down with Liz Lidgett, gallery owner, art advisor, and author of the newly released book "Art for Everyone: How to Collect Art and Personalize Your Space on Any Budget." Liz has built a thriving gallery and design practice in Des Moines, Iowa, and has spent her career making the art world feel welcoming, joyful, and genuinely accessible to collectors at every level. In this conversation, they explore the business side of building a sustainable art career, including how artists can better connect with collectors by focusing on home-ready presentation and offering varied price points. Liz also shares what she wishes more artists understood about the collector relationship, and how she turned her location into a superpower rather than a limitation. Whether you are an artist looking to grow your career or someone who has always wanted to bring more art into your home, this episode is full of practical insight and genuine encouragement. In this episode: What inspired Liz to write "Art for Everyone" and who it is for How artists can make their work more collector-ready The importance of varied price points and accessible entry pieces Building a gallery and creative career outside of major art hubs What collectors are really looking for when they walk into a gallery Links and Resources: Get the book: Art for Everyone by Liz Lidgett Liz Lidgett Gallery: lizlidgett.com Follow Liz on Instagram: @lizlidgett Submit your work to Create! Magazine: createmagazine.co/call-for-art

    25 min.
  2. 6 DGN GELEDEN

    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 Create! Magazine Call for Art 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 mdartplace.org.   Visit the Gallery: Explore the current exhibitions at 218 West Saratoga Street, Baltimore, MD.

    16 min.
  3. 30 APR

    10 Years In: The Failures That Built My Creative Business

    Ten years ago, I took the leap into full-time creative entrepreneurship with no roadmap, no guarantee, and a lot of hope. This episode is my honest look back at what actually got me here, and it is not a highlight reel. I recently had the honor of spending two days at Michigan State University as a guest lecturer and juror for the undergraduate senior show. The organizers asked me to speak about failure, not success. That invitation sent me into a real reflection on the moments that broke me open and ultimately built everything I have today. In this episode I share what I wish I had known at 27, including why I stayed too long in projects that had expired, how learning to quit strategically changed everything, why your non-negotiables have to come before your goals, how I learned to stop shrinking under criticism without losing my empathy, the difference between goals that are truly yours versus ones you inherited from someone else's definition of success, and why every significant thing I have built grew directly out of a previous failure. I also talk about losing our first book deal, a solo show that nearly got canceled, the shadow side of stubbornness, and why knowing what hill you are willing to die on matters more than any strategy. This one is personal. It is also practical. I hope it meets you exactly where you are. Did this resonate? Let's chat! Tag me over at @katerinaspopova on IG To join the Create! Collective membership community, visit createmagazine.co/collective. For our subscription, membership, mini courses, and more, visit createmagazine.co/join.

    29 min.
  4. 24 APR

    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 theartistadvisory.com. 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 createmagazine.co/call-for-art. Courses: Start learning now at www.createu.co Connect on Instagram: Follow Marina at @theartistadvisory.

    17 min.
  5. 11 APR

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

    So much of what we hear right now is about what is changing, what is closing, what is shifting. In this solo episode, Ekaterina Popova cuts through the noise to focus on what has remained true across every platform, every trend cycle, and every era of the art world: the core principles of getting paid for doing what you love. Kat takes us back to her teenage years, painting prom backdrops and dance team sets for a hundred dollars at a time, with no connections, no following, and a kind of blissful confidence that the work would find its people. That early experience shaped a belief system that carried her through years of building a creative business, and she traces exactly where that belief started to crack, what planted it back, and what she wishes she had known sooner. In this episode, Kat shares how her earliest art sales happened long before social media existed, why the doubt she absorbed in art school was some of the most expensive she ever entertained, what the relationship with your own work has to do with whether it ever sells, and how she hired a coach this week with nothing more than an Instagram DM and a clear sense of what she needed. This one is for the artist who keeps waiting for the right moment, the bigger audience, or the better strategy. The strategy, it turns out, has been the same all along. Work with Kat: https://espopova.com/home Connect with Kat at info@createmagazine.com and follow along at @createmagazine on Instagram. Submit to our current call for art: https://www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art

    14 min.
  6. 5 APR

    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: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250824523/makingartandmakingaliving/ 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 www.createu.co Visit www.createmagazine.co and click Programs to learn more. Private mentorship and coaching with certified master coach, Ekaterina Popova https://espopova.com

    26 min.
  7. 29 MRT

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

    You Don't Have to Choose Between Making Art and Building a Career. James Miille Proves It. Photographic artist James Miille has shown work in New York, Paris, Miami, and Mexico City, built two companies, and never stopped making the art that started it all. In this episode he pulls back the curtain on how he actually does it. James creates surreal composite photographs entirely from scratch, every element shot by him, every image sparked by a song. He breaks down his creative process, why documenting your work is now more important than ever, and how he thinks about the business of being an artist without letting it kill the passion. This one is packed with real, actionable insight for artists at any stage. Episode Highlights How a song becomes a surreal photograph and what James is building right now Why showing your process is your biggest competitive advantage in the age of AI The through line running through all his work: men having feelings and why that still feels radical His upcoming coffee table book mapping emotions through surreal portraiture The video game based on his art universe currently in the concepting phase How co-founding Superfine Art Fair led to launching Studio Chamiilleon The mindset shift that makes the business side of art feel less like a chore His plan to take entire exhibitions on the road in a single suitcase Connect with James jamesmiille.com studiochamiilleon.com Join the Create! Community Read artist features, discover new voices, and get resources built for working creatives at createmagazine.co

    26 min.

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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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