Art Problems

Paddy Johnson
  • 4.9 (131)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The VVrkshop podcast for ambitious artists who want more shows, bigger grants, and better residencies.

  1. DEC 19

    EP 103: Meet the Business Reporter With Data-Driven Insights into Your Career

    In this episode, Paddy talks with art market analyst Tim Schneider about the New Visions Report 2025, a survey of over 1,000 visual artists about their working conditions. They discuss why even successful artists struggle with money, what separates artists who advance in their careers from those who don't, and the business practices that matter most. Tim shares insights from two decades covering the art market about networking, professional systems, and why the infrastructure around your art practice is just as important as the work itself.

    49 min

  2. DEC 5

    EP 102: Taxes for Humans: A Conversation with Hannah Cole

    Artist and accountant Hannah Cole talks about her new book "Taxes for Humans"—your not-boring guide to taxation for self-employed artists. We discuss why tax education is deliberately kept from us, how to fix a messy tax situation without shame, and Hannah's secret agenda to turn artists into activists. Plus: tax-advantaged accounts, disaster relief benefits, and why it's worth investing in your professional development before the year ends. Related links: Taxes for Humans

    46 min

  3. NOV 21

    EP 101: How to Get Studio Visits Without Reading Minds

    This week I'm extending a conversation I started in my revived Hyperallergic column: do you need a proper studio space to get studio visits? The answer is no—if you handle it properly. But the real question isn't about your space. It's how to network effectively so visits actually happen. I break down the exact timing strategy for outreach, why most networking fails in the follow-through, and how to structure emails that make it easy for people to say yes. The biggest reason artist emails don't get responses isn't disinterest—it's that the email didn't make it easy to respond. I cover four principles that change that and walk through a real scenario showing how to think strategically about follow-up. Want the exact framework? Join me for my free webinar Monday, November 24th at 7 PM EST. RELEVANT LINKS:  Hyperallergic: Do I Need a Studio?  Free Webinar Sign Up: How to Get Studio Visits Without Reading Minds

    20 min

  4. NOV 13

    EP 100: Inside Netvvrk with Painter Chris Moss

    This week on the Art Problems podcast interview series "Inside Netvvrk", I'm wrapping up the series with Chris Moss, a painter and the artist advisor who leads all of Netvvrk's studio critiques. Chris has been with Netvvrk for years. He shares what it's like to go from being completely stuck to organizing a neighborhood studio crawl that brought hundreds of people through his door. We talk about why COVID isolation finally pushed him to find a solution, how he went from zero shows to curating exhibitions with himself in them, and why self-worth is one of the biggest intangible benefits of investing in your career. Chris also gets into why regular critique with other artists matters more than almost anything else for making better work. If you've been feeling stuck or isolated in your practice, Chris's focus on community and taking action—even when it feels uncomfortable—might be exactly what you need to hear.

    22 min

  5. NOV 12

    EP 99: Inside Netvvrk with Multidisciplinary Artist Brent Showalter

    This week on the Art Problems podcast interview series "Inside Netvvrk", I'm talking with Brent Showalter, a multidisciplinary artist whose brilliantly colored paintings and photographs transform layered compositions of color and shape into vibrating surfaces. Brent runs multiple businesses and brings that same strategic mindset to his art practice. In doing so, he's able to devote more time to his art. We talk about how his accountability group helped him finally organize his entire archive, and what it takes to feel confident when opportunity knocks—whether that's the director of the Guggenheim walking into your studio or an Instagram comment from a curator. Brent also shares how that casual comment turned into a curated opportunity in 24 hours—because he had everything ready to go. If you've been wondering whether Netvvrk is worth the investment, this conversation will help. It shows what happens when you stop reinventing the wheel and start using the tools that already work.

    28 min

  6. NOV 11

    EP 98: Inside Netvvrk with Abstract Painter Ann Marie Auricchio

    This week on the Art Problems podcast interview series “Inside Netvvrk”, I'm talking with Ann Marie Auricchio, an abstract painter who creates work at the intersection of psychological and physical experiences. Ann Marie shares what it's like to restart your art career after 25 years in another profession. She talks about why having all your materials ready isn't enough if you don't know how to use them, and how a shoulder injury became the perfect time to invest in herself. We get into how she went from feeling stuck and isolated in New Orleans to landing her first museum solo show and working with multiple galleries. She also explains how writing exhibition proposals with other Netvvrk members led to actual acceptances—and taught her when to turn down opportunities that don't financially make sense. We also talk about researching institutions by looking at other artists' CVs and why community matters even when people can be annoying. If you're restarting your career or feeling isolated in your practice, this conversation will help. It shows what's possible when you get your assets in order and find your people.

    37 min

  7. NOV 10

    EP 97: Inside Netvvrk with Data Artist Laurie Frick

    This week I'm launching 'Inside Netvvrk,' a new interview series with Netvvrk members. First up is Laurie Frick, a data artist and one of Netvvrk's founding members. In this conversation, we talked about what it's really like to invest in your career when you're already mid-career. Laurie doesn't sugarcoat it: Netvvrk isn't cheap, and you need to treat your career like it's worth investing in. But she also shares what changed when she made that commitment—going from feeling stuck in public art commissions to now having four galleries and selling all the work she makes. We talk about the small group of artists who transformed each other's fellowship applications into something extraordinary, what it takes to actually be vulnerable with other artists, and why a community on Zoom can be just as real as painters meeting in a bar. If you've ever wondered whether coaching or community membership is worth the investment—especially if you're already established—this conversation shows what happens when you stop going it alone.

    37 min

  8. NOV 7

    EP 96: Paddy Tells All: How Netvvrk Actually Works

    This week, accountant and artist Hannah Cole interviews me. As an artist who isn't (yet) a Netvvrk member, she had a lot of questions about how it helps mid-career visual artists. Who is it for? How does it work? What makes it different from a course? Do you really need it? We talk about why I started Netvvrk after years of cobbling together income from adjunct teaching and speaking fees, and how those early artist statement classes revealed a bigger problem—artists needed ongoing support and community, not just one-off solutions. I share how the membership works, from the positions module that shows you exactly where you are in your career to the accountability groups that make sure you actually do the work. We also get into member stories—like the artist who went from applying to juried shows to showing at invite-only shows all the time, and another who landed a show at a blue-chip gallery. If you've ever felt like you're working all the time but stuck in the same place, this conversation breaks down what's possible when you have the right structure and support.

    40 min
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4.9
out of 5
131 Ratings

About

The VVrkshop podcast for ambitious artists who want more shows, bigger grants, and better residencies.

Information

  • Creator
    Paddy Johnson
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Art Problems

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