The Art Confidential

The Art Confidential
  • 5.0 (53)
  • Visual Arts

The podcast where the art world gets refreshingly real. No gatekeeping, no glossy version of success. Just two mixed media artists having honest conversations with the people shaping the creative world: artists, gallerists, consultants, and the curious minds in between. We're not just interviewing the art world, we're learning how to navigate it alongside you. If you're building a creative life, pull up a chair.

  1. 2d ago

    A Secret Creative Life - The One With Erik Larson

    Our guest today is proof that there is no single path to a creative life. For more than four decades, Erik Larson has built a remarkable career as both a professional designer and an underground filmmaker. Entirely self-taught, Erik has written, directed, shot, and edited colorful, irreverent, joy-filled films with the same group of collaborators he began working with as a teenager in Chicago. Along the way, he built a successful career as an art director and creative director, proving that there is more than one way to create a life in the arts. We talk about: Making films without film school, funding, or permissionBuilding creative trust with collaborators over 40 yearsSelf-doubt, imposter syndrome, and getting older as an artistLGBTQ+ history, visibility, and creative braveryLetting go of perfection and putting the work into the worldPlus: Super 8 films, thrift store costumes, fake names, secret creative lives, and a standing ovation at the New Beverly Cinema. This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered if their unconventional path still counts. It does. Mentioned in This Episode The Wizard of Oz  https://amzn.to/4wabROlThe Devil in the White City by Erik Larson  https://amzn.to/4gKboOnLars Erik Films on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/larserikfilms/Lars Erik Films website  https://www.larserikfilms.com/Lars Erik Films on YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@larserikfilmsSome links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. About The Art Confidential The Art Confidential is a podcast about how the art world really works. Hosts Jacqui Fehl and Andreina Bates sit down with artists, gallery owners, consultants, and other insiders for candid conversations about building a creative life—from studio practice to sales, exhibitions, and the realities behind the scenes. Follow the show so you never miss an episode exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping today’s art world. Connect with us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential Website: https://theartconfidential.com

    A Secret Creative Life - The One With Erik Larson

  2. Jul 7

    Collaboration & Building Community - The One Where We Build Creative Community

    What if building a creative community was less about networking and more about connection? In this working episode, Jacqui and Andreina explore the difference between collaboration and community, and why some of the most valuable things artists share aren’t business tips or techniques, but encouragement, perspective, generosity, and support. Inspired by conversations with fellow artists, musicians, writers, and creatives, they share stories about unexpected friendships, creative gatherings, and the small acts of connection that make creative work feel a little less lonely. They also invite listeners to join a two-week Community Experiment designed to help build deeper creative connections. We talk about: Why creative work can feel isolating and how community changes thatThe difference between collaboration and connectionOvercoming scarcity mindset and supporting fellow creativesSimple ways to build creative relationships without an agendaThe Community Experiment and how to participatePlus: Stories about artist gatherings, virtual studio dates, unexpected friendships, and the creative people who have inspired us along the way. If you’ve ever felt like you’re creating in a vacuum, this episode is for you. Mentioned in This Episode Kasey Moran Art  https://www.instagram.com/kaseymoranartAsheville-ish (Ryan Muirhead)  https://www.instagram.com/ashevillishNatalie Ray Fine Art  https://www.natalierayfineart.com/Bronwyn Cronin Jazz  https://www.instagram.com/bronwyncroninjazzClaudia Guerreiro  https://www.instagram.com/artbyclaudiaguerreiroSky Loraine Art  https://www.instagram.com/skyloraine_  https://www.skyloraineart.com/Subscribe to The Art Confidential newsletter at theartconfidential.com to access the Community Experiment worksheet and our growing collection of free creative resources and downloads. About The Art Confidential The Art Confidential is a podcast about how the art world really works. Hosts Jacqui Fehl and Andreina Bates sit down with artists, gallery owners, consultants, and other insiders for candid conversations about building a creative life—from studio practice to sales, exhibitions, and the realities behind the scenes. Follow the show so you never miss an episode exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping today’s art world. Connect with us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential Website: https://theartconfidential.com

    Collaboration & Building Community - The One Where We Build Creative Community

  3. Jun 23

    Building Something Bigger Than Yourself - The One With Robert Nicholas of Marquee

    In this episode of The Art Confidential, we sit down with Robert Nicholas, artist, designer, and founder of Marquee Asheville in the River Arts District. Robert shares how a lifelong instinct to see potential in overlooked objects led him from antiques and handmade lighting to building one of Asheville’s most unique creative spaces. This conversation goes beyond business. It is about community, courage, and choosing to rebuild when it would be easier to walk away. Robert opens up about the vision behind Marquee, what Hurricane Helene changed, and why creating a space where artists feel seen and supported matters just as much as the work itself. We talk about: How Robert built a business from antiques, found objects, and instinctThe difference between Splurge and Marquee, and how Marquee became something bigger than a galleryWhy community is at the center of everything he createsRebuilding after Hurricane Helene and what it took to come backWhy artists need to stop listening to negative voices and take the next stepPlus: A simple but powerful reminder, if you think of someone, reach out. It might matter more than you know. This episode is for artists, makers, and anyone trying to build something meaningful without waiting until they feel ready. Mentioned in This Episode The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins https://amzn.to/3Qk8IvSMarquee Asheville  https://marqueeasheville.com/Some links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. About The Art Confidential The Art Confidential is a podcast about how the art world really works. Hosts Jacqui Fehl and Andreina Bates sit down with artists, gallery owners, consultants, and other insiders for candid conversations about building a creative life—from studio practice to sales, exhibitions, and the realities behind the scenes. Follow the show so you never miss an episode exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping today’s art world. Connect with us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential Website: https://theartconfidential.com

    Building Something Bigger Than Yourself - The One With Robert Nicholas of Marquee

  4. Jun 9

    The Joy Report - The One With Tiny Things Making Life Better

    What if joy isn’t something huge or life-changing, but something small you notice on an ordinary Tuesday? In The Art Confidential's first-ever Joy Report episode, Jacqui and Andreina share the little things currently making their lives softer, calmer, easier, and more fun. From mahjong nights and birdwatching to morning walks, gratitude journals, protein powders, and temperature-controlled beds, this conversation is full of the tiny rituals and comforts helping them feel more grounded in this season of life. We talk about: Why mahjong is suddenly everywhere, and how it became Andreina’s newest obsessionJacqui’s five-minute gratitude journal practice and how it shifted her mindsetBird feeders, solar fountains, and creating tiny backyard moments of peaceLife-changing middle-aged discoveries like progressive contacts and BedJet systemsFinding joy in routines, community, slowing down, and paying attentionPlus: Bear encounters, “Sad Sunday,” and the legendary Tiger T*****s Mahjong Group This episode is for anyone craving a softer pace, tiny pleasures, and reminders that joy is usually hiding in the little things. Mentioned in This Episode Mahjong Set (https://amzn.to/4dYdTLe)5-Minute Gratitude Journal, Spiral Bound (https://amzn.to/4f1Ik4o)Smart Bird Feeder with Camera (https://amzn.to/4nHdbFv)Spicy Bird Food to Deter Squirrels (https://amzn.to/49bgXkG)Pedestal Bird Bath (https://amzn.to/4uUdLly)Solar Powered Bird Bath Fountain (https://amzn.to/49hG31f)Kion Mango Amino Acids (https://amzn.to/4up15TU)BedJet (https://amzn.to/42Pzi2X)Hungryroot (https://www.hungryroot.com/r/FIG4RJFU)The Lazy Genius Podcast (https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/lazy)Barbara Brown Taylor (https://barbarabrowntaylor.com)Some links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. About The Art Confidential The Art Confidential is a podcast about how the art world really works. Hosts Jacqui Fehl and Andreina Bates sit down with artists, gallery owners, consultants, and other insiders for candid conversations about building a creative life—from studio practice to sales, exhibitions, and the realities behind the scenes. Follow the show so you never miss an episode exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping today’s art world. Connect with us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential Website: https://theartconfidential.com

    The Joy Report - The One With Tiny Things Making Life Better

  5. May 26

    A Rebellion of Care - The One With David Gate

    In this episode of The Art Confidential, Jacqui and Andreina sit down with poet, writer, and visual artist David Gate for a conversation about creativity, care, and what art can make possible in difficult times. From poetry and mental health to friendship, truth-telling, and the role of artists in community, this one is thoughtful, honest, and deeply grounding. David shares his path from writing songs to becoming a widely loved poet whose work speaks to loneliness, sensitivity, masculinity, and hope. They talk about how Asheville shaped his life and work, why creativity became a form of self-care, and how art can help people feel less alone by showing them their own experiences reflected back. We talk about: How David moved from songwriting into poetry and found his voiceCreativity as care and its connection to mental healthWhy telling the truth is an act of rebellion for artistsMale sensitivity, emotional language, and naming what we feelThe role of sharing art and creating connection through your workPlus: baby goats, late-night writing, Burial Beer, and a poem that might make you cry. This episode is for artists, writers, parents, and anyone who needs a reminder that sensitivity is not weakness, it is strength. Mentioned in This Episode A Rebellion of Care: Poems and Essays by David Gate  https://amzn.to/3OIvmxwLonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry https://amzn.to/41FcPVSThe Source of Self-Regard by Toni Morrison https://amzn.to/48aDltLDavid Gate website  https://davidgatepoet.comDavid Gate Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/davidgatepoet/David Gate Substack  https://davidgate.substack.com/Burial Beer Co.  https://burialbeer.com/Some links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. About The Art Confidential The Art Confidential is a podcast about how the art world really works. Hosts Jacqui Fehl and Andreina Bates sit down with artists, gallery owners, consultants, and other insiders for candid conversations about building a creative life—from studio practice to sales, exhibitions, and the realities behind the scenes. Follow the show so you never miss an episode exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping today’s art world. Connect with us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential Website: https://theartconfidential.com

    A Rebellion of Care - The One With David Gate

  6. May 12

    Pricing Your Art Without Losing Your Mind - The One Where They Talk About Money

    Pricing your artwork can feel emotional, awkward, and confusing, especially when you are trying to balance confidence, consistency, galleries, collectors, materials, and your own gut feeling. In this episode of The Art Confidential, Jacqui and Andreina talk honestly about the pricing mistakes they made early on, from undercutting galleries to letting someone else push prices too high. They share practical ways to build a pricing structure that feels fair, sustainable, and believable. We talk about: Using price-per-square-inch formulas without losing the human sideWhy consistency builds trust with collectors and galleriesWhen and how to raise your pricesHow to respond when someone asks for a discountCommissions, deposits, revisions, and knowing when to say noPlus: why email lists, collection releases, and subscriber previews can become part of your selling strategy. 👉 Want the exact pricing grid and worksheet we talk about? Sign up for the newsletter at https://theartconfidential.com/ and we’ll send you the download link. This episode is for artists who are tired of guessing, underpricing, overthinking, or quietly resenting the business side of their creative work. Mentioned in This Episode The Art Confidential – https://theartconfidential.com/The Art Confidential on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential/Jacqui Fehl website and newsletter signup - https://jacquifehl.com/Andreina Bates website and newsletter signup - https://www.andreinabates.com/Shain Gallery – https://shaingallery.com/collections/andreina-batesAmpersand Aquabord Panels – https://amzn.to/4cRdDw0Some links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. About The Art Confidential The Art Confidential is a podcast about how the art world really works. Hosts Jacqui Fehl and Andreina Bates sit down with artists, gallery owners, consultants, and other insiders for candid conversations about building a creative life—from studio practice to sales, exhibitions, and the realities behind the scenes. Follow the show so you never miss an episode exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping today’s art world. Connect with us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential Website: https://theartconfidential.com

    Pricing Your Art Without Losing Your Mind - The One Where They Talk About Money

  7. Apr 28

    Building Community Through The Scout Guide - The One With Meagan Harris

    In this episode of The Art Confidential, we sit down with the owner/editor of The Scout Guide (Asheville) to talk about what it really takes to build community from scratch. After moving to a new city without a built-in network, she took a leap and launched a local edition of The Scout Guide, creating a platform that highlights small businesses and connects the people behind them. What started as a bold move has grown into a thriving community rooted in trust, relationships, and consistency, with lessons that translate directly to artists building their own networks with galleries, collectors, and collaborators. We talk about: starting over in a new city and building a network from zerowhat The Scout Guide is and how it worksbuilding trust when nobody knows who you arewhy relationships matter more than sellinghandling rejection and not taking 'no' personallybalancing creative work with contracts, invoicing, and adminPlus: favorite local spots, quiet time as self-care, and starting coffee at 40. This episode is for anyone building something from scratch, growing a small business, or trying to create meaningful connections in their community. Mentioned in This Episode: Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life by Roxie Nafousi (https://amzn.to/4cBmSRO)The Scout Guide (Asheville) (https://thescoutguide.com/asheville/) As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.  About The Art Confidential The Art Confidential is a podcast about how the art world really works. Hosts Jacqui Fehl and Andreina Bates sit down with artists, gallery owners, consultants, and other insiders for candid conversations about building a creative life—from studio practice to sales, exhibitions, and the realities behind the scenes. Follow the show so you never miss an episode exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping today’s art world. Connect with us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential Website: https://theartconfidential.com

    Building Community Through The Scout Guide - The One With Meagan Harris

  8. Apr 14

    Hooray for Hollywood - The One With Jacqui's Origin Story

    In this episode of The Art Confidential, Andreina turns the tables and interviews co-host Jacqui Fehl about the winding path that led her from childhood trips to the Art Institute of Chicago to Hollywood sets, voiceover work, and eventually to becoming a working artist and gallery owner in Asheville’s River Arts District. Jacqui shares how an early love of drawing, a painful childhood art class experience, and years spent pursuing acting in Los Angeles all shaped the artist she would later become. Her story is not linear - and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. We talk about: Drawing “princesses” inspired by Picasso and Monet as a childHow one painful art class experience pushed her away from art for yearsMoving to Los Angeles young, broke, and determined to work in entertainmentWorking behind the scenes in Hollywood and on sets like Boy Meets WorldHow voiceover work became both a career and a creative training groundReturning to painting later in life and slowly building confidence as an artistFinding her way into the River Arts District and eventually opening her own gallery Plus: childhood princess drawings, sitcom stories, bold career leaps, and why waiting for permission can keep you stuck. If you’ve ever taken the long way around creatively - or wondered whether it’s too late to begin again - this episode is for you. Mentioned in this episode: https://jacquifehl.comhttps://www.instagram.com/jacquifehl About The Art Confidential The Art Confidential is a podcast about how the art world really works. Hosts Jacqui Fehl and Andreina Bates sit down with artists, gallery owners, consultants, and other insiders for candid conversations about building a creative life—from studio practice to sales, exhibitions, and the realities behind the scenes. Follow the show so you never miss an episode exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping today’s art world. Connect with us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential Website: https://theartconfidential.com

    Hooray for Hollywood - The One With Jacqui's Origin Story
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Trailer

5
out of 5
53 Ratings

About

The podcast where the art world gets refreshingly real. No gatekeeping, no glossy version of success. Just two mixed media artists having honest conversations with the people shaping the creative world: artists, gallerists, consultants, and the curious minds in between. We're not just interviewing the art world, we're learning how to navigate it alongside you. If you're building a creative life, pull up a chair.

Information

  • Creator
    The Art Confidential
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Art Confidential
  • Show Website
    The Art Confidential

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