The Create! Podcast

Ekaterina Popova
  • 4.9 (259)
  • Visual Arts
  • Updated Weekly

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. 8h ago

    Your Artist Dream Is Still Waiting, with Jacqueline Bermudez

    If you've put your artist dream on the back burner and it's time to come back, this episode is for you. Painter Jacqueline Bermudez joins Kat to share how she returned to oil painting after 17 years in the corporate world, how she protects her vision from outside opinions, and the weekly art sessions she leads with children at a Miami hospital. In this episode: How a childhood love of coloring and one high school painting class led Jacqueline back to oil painting in 2016 Why portraits are her way of exploring the human mind and the inner world Her ongoing series, her own interpretation of the chakras, with animals and plants as symbols How to protect your inner voice while a new creative direction is still fragile What changed when she began treating her painting practice like a job How she painted her solo show in about 35 days, and why planning made it possible Her weekly art sessions with children going through bone marrow transplants About Jacqueline Bermudez: Jacqueline is a self-taught portrait painter and photographer based in Miami. Born in Orlando and raised in Caracas, she returned to oil painting in 2016. Her work has been accepted into exhibitions including Woman Made Gallery in Chicago and the Crocker-Kingsley Exhibition at Blue Line Arts, and she is a resident artist at Miami International Fine Arts. Her paintings use vibrant color, bold patterns, and animals and plants to symbolize personal growth. See Jacqueline's work: https://www.jacquelinebermudez.com Join me for the free Coffee House, every Wednesday at 12 pm Eastern. Bring your questions about your creative goals and get a look inside the Create! Collective membership. Sign up: https://espopova.com/free-coffeehouse More from Create! Free resources for artists: https://www.createu.co/free-resources Submit your work to our open call for art: https://www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art Create! Magazine Substack: https://createmagazine.substack.com

  2. 8h ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: Unbossing

    Introducing Reed Hastings on Unlearning Leadership: From Netflix to the Mountain from Unbossing. Follow the show: Unbossing Reed Hastings built Netflix from a DVD-by-mail startup into a global entertainment empire — and then did something most founders never do: he walked away. In this first episode of Unbossing, hosts Rishad Tobaccowala and Drew Ianni sit down with Reed for a candid conversation about the leadership principles he'd keep, the ones he'd rewrite, and what he's learned building something entirely new. Reed opens up about the famous Netflix Culture Memo — what it got right, what it got wrong, and why, if he could do it again, he'd lead with the heart. Now on the board of Anthropic and developing Powder Mountain into a private ski community in Utah, Reed reflects on the shift from the digital to the very physical — and what that's taught him about culture, community, and starting over. This is a conversation about unlearning the rules that made you successful, so you can build something even better.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

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  3. Oct 3

    Let Yourself Be Supported (with Kat)

    Running a creative business can feel like the whole world is on your shoulders. The studio time, the bills, the marketing, the social media. In this episode, Kat shares why she is softening her own "do it all yourself" message and what she is doing to receive more support. You will hear about the people who lifted her along the way, from her high school art teacher to friends who gave her a place to stay in college. She also opens up about a big loss in her business a few years ago and what she sees differently now. In this episode: Why every career and business is built with a team behind it How hyper-independence speeds up burnout, and how to invite help in Kat's honest take on social media after two months of learning, a call with Meta, and plenty of viral challenges Why Substack feels so calm, and how it led to a painting sale to a collector who is also an author Simple ways to build your own community, like sharing an art fair booth, recommending another artist to your gallery, meeting for coffee, or painting together on Zoom Why writing down your dreams and then letting them go keeps your vision clear Trusting that an artwork will find its home at the right time Join the Create! Coffee House Starting October 7, Kat hosts a free weekly Zoom room every Wednesday at noon Eastern. Bring your coffee and your questions about your art career, business, practice, or mindset, and come be seen and heard. Kat will also share a quick tour of the ways she can support you. Join here: https://espopova.com/free-coffeehouse Create! Magazine Turns 10 Join us in Philadelphia on October 16 for our 10 year anniversary party and pop-up show. Get your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/create-magazine-turns-10-pop-up-show-meet-up-tickets-2001784728008 Read Our Substack https://createmagazine.com/substack Share your ideas Which topics and guests would you like to hear this fall? Email info@createmagazine.com. If you enjoyed this episode, tag Kat in your Instagram stories. She loves seeing who is listening! @katerinaspopova or @createmagazine

  4. Sep 24

    How to Price Your Art for Art Fairs and Sell More Work with Alex Mitow of Superfair

    Thinking about showing your work at an art fair but not sure where to start? In Part 1 of this two-part series, Kat sits down with Alex Mitow of Superfair to go back to the basics of selling your art in person. Alex has helped more than 5,000 artists show their work across 40+ fairs. He shares how to choose your first art fair, why your hometown is often the best place to begin, and how to price your artwork so new collectors can say yes. You will also learn how Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) give artists clear, doable goals that lead to sales, like meaningful conversations and new email subscribers. In this episode, you will learn: How to choose your first art fair with confidence Why a local, low-stress first show sets you up for success What KPIs are and how artists can use them to grow sales How to price your booth with a mix of small, medium, and large original works Why accessible entry points help you build a loyal collector base over time Get $250 off your Superfair booth Superfair is expanding to Philadelphia and Boston and now offers multi-fair bundles to help you plan your year. Book a call with the Superfair team to find the right fair for your practice, and mention Create! Magazine on your survey and discovery call to receive $250 off your booth. Book your call: https://calendly.com/d/cqt2-fkf-54v/15-minute-discovery-meeting Keep learning on Substack Pricing inspired one of our most popular Substack posts, and we continue the conversation there. Subscribe to join our creative community and get more resources for your art career: https://createmagazine.substack.com Coming up in Part 2: Alex returns to talk about curating your booth, starting meaningful conversations with buyers, and more insider tips for art fair success.

  5. Sep 17

    Art Is Abundance: A New Way to Think About Art and Money

    If you have been feeling hopeless or down about your art career, you are not alone. This episode comes straight from the heart, and it is an invitation to rekindle even the tiniest spark of hope that incredible things are ahead, no matter where you are right now. As I reflect on 10 years of Create! Magazine and 10 years of working for myself, I keep coming back to basics. Expecting support before I know how it will arrive. Noticing the opportunities I do have, even when things are not perfect. And paying attention to the whole picture, because just like in nature, something is always growing even when other things look like they are dying. I share my own recent season of negativity, the moment a friend lovingly told me I give up too quickly, and the small, unglamorous example of a HYROX race that reminded me how cause and effect really works. When you show up, even imperfectly, even for 10 minutes, results follow. This one includes a little tough love. If you are ready to come out of a fearful cycle and start showing up for yourself again, I hope it helps. In this episode Why our brains have a negative bias, and how the news and art market reports feed it Delete, generalize, distort: why "no one is buying art" is never the whole truth The law of cause and effect and taking responsibility for your success What a HYROX race taught me about showing up when it is not your top priority The friend who told me to stop giving up so quickly What follow-through looks like in a real art practice: the sketchbook, the newsletter, the pitch, the reel How catastrophizing keeps you from ever giving your work a fair chance Why micro habits beat marathons Allowing opportunities to find you, even in a slower economy Stopping three feet from gold, and honoring the months left in 2026 Why art is abundance: wellness, connection, self-trust, and income Daisy Fancourt's research on art and health (check out her book, Art Cure, and her episode on the show) Emotional regulation as the foundation of any selling strategy An introduction to my new program, Art Is Abundance Join Art Is Abundance Art Is Abundance is my new six-week live program for visual artists who want more abundance in their lives, both financially and in confidence. We cover the mindset and emotional regulation that make showing up possible, plus practical strategy for monetizing your work and getting seen by the right people, whether you want to work with galleries, run an independent practice, or build a hybrid career like mine. Six live Zoom calls, Fridays at 12pm ET, October 2 to November 6, 2026, with lifetime access to the recordings. Join this month and save $300. Join here: https://espopova.com/art-is-abundance-course Questions? Email me at info@createmagazine.com

  6. Sep 14

    From "Practical" Career to Full-Time Artist and Coach: Lacie Martinez on Motherhood, Grief, and Going For It

    How do you find the courage to step off the "practical" path and fully commit to your creative calling? In this episode of the Create! Podcast, Kat talks with painter and coach Lacie Martinez about coming back to her creative voice. Lacie shares how her background in apparel design and kinesiology shapes her vibrant, richly textured figurative paintings. We talk about the vulnerability behind her debut exhibition, which celebrated the unfiltered, deeply connective realities of motherhood, and how she turned personal loss into a calling to hold space for other women. Lacie opens up about taking the leap into full-time art and how she now helps others move past limiting beliefs and live in full alignment. Key Topics Discussed: Reclaiming her identity as a painter after years on a "practical" career path Finding her way back to the canvas and working through the fear of not being "good enough" The story behind her debut exhibition and the connective threads of motherhood Turning grief into purpose by hosting retreats and creating safe, uplifting spaces for women Navigating the transition into full-time art and helping others build their dream lives through coaching Programs & Community Art Is Abundance Live Coaching Program If you love what you make and you're ready for your work to support your life, this six-week live program is for you. Together we'll work through money mindset, preparing your work for sale, selling your originals, getting seen by the right people, and building multiple income streams, then turn it all into a clear action plan. Founding pricing is open through September 30. Join us this October: https://espopova.com/art-is-abundance-course Create! Substack Subscribe for more interviews, artist stories, and reflections: https://createmagazine.substack.com/ Connect with Lacie Martinez Website: https://www.laciemartinez.com/ Camp Conqueror Summer 2027 Retreat: https://www.laciemartinez.com/campconquerorawomensretreat Conquer & Crush 3 Month Challenge: https://www.laciemartinez.com/conquer-crush-3-month-challenge Substack: https://substack.com/@laciemartinez She Who Conquers Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-who-conquers/id1805457551 Art Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laciemartinez.art Main Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_laciemartinez_ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lacie_shewhoconquers/

  7. Sep 7

    Intuition as Knowledge: Mastering Oil Painting to Bring Your Ideas to Life with Alonsa Guevara

    A lot of us went to art school and never actually learned how to paint. We were told to go make something and figure it out, which is great, but it often leaves us limited by our ability to bring our ideas to life. If that's you, you're not alone, and this episode is a permission slip to learn something new if you feel stuck. My guest today is Alonsa Guevara, a Chilean American artist whose work has been exhibited internationally and featured in Forbes, Time Out New York, and VICE. I had the privilege of working with Alonsa and learning more organized ways to mix paint, organize color temperature, and more. On this episode, we talk about her evolution from conceptual work to more realism in her paintings, and she also announces her new course, Alive Nature, here for the first time. Focusing on florals, botanicals, and fruit, it spans seven modules and is built so a complete beginner can follow along. The waitlist gets first access and a discount. Doors open September 16 and close September 20. Links to join are below, and yes, I'm on that waitlist myself! Come find us on the Create! Magazine Substack too. That's where I share essays on galleries, pricing, and building a creative career you love. createmagazine.substack.com 🔗 Links & Mentions Join the Alive Nature Course Waitlist: waitlistcourse.com/alonsaguevara Follow Alonsa Guevara: @alonsaguevara on Instagram Visit Alonsa's Website: https://www.alonsaguevara.com 💡 Episode Highlights The Reality of Art School: Why many traditional and contemporary programs focus heavily on conceptual thinking rather than the technical craft of painting. The Power of Observation: How practicing through careful study and copying helps build an internal visual library for future original work. Decoding Color Temperature: Understanding how subtle shifts in temperature can make a painting feel alive rather than flat. Intuition as Knowledge: Redefining intuition not as random luck, but as accumulated technical knowledge and experience. Inside Alive Nature: A breakdown of Alonsa's brand new online course designed for all skill levels, with step by step guidance on botanical and fruit painting.

  8. Aug 31

    Laurén Gerig: Painting Place, Memory, and a Sustainable Studio Practice

    How do you translate the memory of a landscape into a rich, tactile painting? And how do you sustain a meaningful studio practice when life and work get demanding? In this episode of the Create! Podcast, Kat sits down with Lansing, Michigan-based visual artist and educator Laurén Gerig. Laurén shares her thoughts on place attachment, building expressive paint surfaces, and using poetry to set the stage for intuitive studio sessions. We also dive into the realities of balancing a demanding day job in academia with an active exhibition schedule, and how small micro-moments in the studio can help you overcome creative fatigue and keep momentum alive. In this episode, we talk about: Capturing the psychological bonds we create with landscapes and nature The tactile joy of thick mark-making, paint accumulation, and surface texture Using poetry as a studio ritual to transition into making work Navigating life as both a practicing artist and a university gallery director Making room for low-pressure, small-scale work like 20-minute charcoal drawings How running and stepping away from the easel can serve as the ultimate creative reset Connect with Laurén Gerig: Website: www.laurengerigart.com Instagram: @laurengerigart Stay connected with Create! Magazine: Subscribe to the Create! Substack for more artist stories and reflections: www.createmagazine.substack.com Submit your work for an upcoming issue of Create! Magazine: www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art

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4.9
out of 5
259 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Ekaterina Popova
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    465
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Create! Magazine LLC
  • Show Website
    The Create! Podcast

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