The Create! Podcast

Do you need a fresh start? I sure did. In this episode, I share some of the changes and healing that I had gone through in 2020. I explain the need for a rebrand for this show, my personal art evolution, the fear of change, when to let go, and digging into deeper, more soul-based dreams. Thanks for joining me! Tag me on Instagram @katerinaspopova!

In this episode of Art & Cocktails, Kat interviews the talented Zafira Rajan, a seasoned copywriter and digital marketer with over a decade of experience supporting leading online entrepreneurs and course creators. Known for her personality-driven copy and sensory storytelling, Zafira has helped countless clients transform their marketing from "stiff and boring" to something that truly resonates and feels authentic.   What We Discuss: Tips for Creatives to Become Better Writers: Simple yet powerful strategies to enhance your writing skills, whether it's for your art, business, or personal projects. Using Your Voice: How to authentically express yourself in your writing and connect deeply with your audience. Reconnecting with Reading and Writing: The importance of reading for writers and how it can inspire and improve your writing practice. Personality-Driven Copy: Infusing your words with your unique personality to create engaging and relatable content. Sensory Storytelling: Techniques to make your stories come alive, creating a full-body experience for your readers. Balancing Creativity and Business: Navigating the challenges of being a creative entrepreneur and maintaining your artistic voice while achieving business success.   Free Resources: Design Your Custom Writing Ritual: Does sitting down to write feel more like a chore than a joy? In this mini-journal, Zafira guides you towards uncovering a writing ritual that gets you "in the zone," excited and inspired... So that you can create a nourishing writing practice that truly feels good! Access the resource at zafirarajan.com/writing-ritual.   Join Zafira's Membership: The Tide Pool: A creative writing membership where you can practice writing in real-time, receive prompts to keep you inspired, and gain tips and book recommendations. Find out more at tidepool.zafirarajan.com.   Connect with Zafira Rajan: Website: zafirarajan.com Instagram: instagram.com/zafira.rajan Substack: zafirarajan.substack.com   Tune in to discover how you can elevate your writing, engage your audience, and balance your creative and business endeavors with expert insights from Zafira Rajan. Enjoy the episode!   https://www.createmagazine.com  

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

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 

If you have been going through a funk, whether it is burnout, a creative slump, seasonal blues, or just feeling stuck, this episode is for you. Kat gets real about the challenges she faced this past winter, including some big personal changes, and shares the honest unglamorous things that helped her climb back out: taking care of her body, dropping what was not serving her, shifting her mindset around showing up, and finding people who cheer her on too. No toxic positivity here, just real talk and practical perspective for anyone ready to get back on track. Ready to stop navigating this alone? Kat works with working artists and creative entrepreneurs through private coaching at espopova.com. If you are ready to get back on track with someone genuinely in your corner, learn more and book a session at www.espopova.com.

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

You invest in a mentor, a course, or a new skill, and instead of feeling excited, you feel exposed. You see the artist you admire and wonder if you will ever get there. Your ego wants you to quit before you even start. Sound familiar? This week Ekaterina gets honest about her own experience of evolving, trying new things in the studio, shifting her art, and the vulnerability, self-doubt, and resistance that showed up right alongside it. She turns that moment into the most important conversation you can have as a creative or entrepreneur: what to do with the gap between where you are today and where you want to go. This episode will shift how you see your progress, your timeline, and your worth as an artist right now, before you have it all figured out. In this episode: Why your brain treats learning a new skill like a threat, and how to push through anyway The one question that separates artists who grow from artists who stay stuck What the research says about how fast you can build real confidence in a new skill (it is faster than you think) How to stop comparing your Chapter 1 to someone else's Chapter 20 Why sharing your work before you feel ready is one of the highest-leverage moves you can make What taking responsibility for your own success actually looks like on a Tuesday night If you are an artist or creative entrepreneur who is learning something new, building something from scratch, or feeling behind, this episode is for you. You are not behind. You are not untalented. You are not too late. Ready to stop figuring it out alone? Kat has 3 spots open this season for one on one coaching. If you are an artist building a sustainable career, transitioning to full time, or growing a creative platform or mentorship practice, apply now at espopova.com. Applications are open and she is currently scheduling free discovery calls. Resources: One on one coaching: espopova.com Create Magazine: www.createmagazine.co Instagram: @createmagazine Substack: createmagazine.substack.com

Emily Jeffords is back on The Create! Podcast and this one is for every artist who is quietly wondering if there is a better way to do this. Emily is a painter, educator, and founder of the Making Art Work program - and she brings a level of honesty to this conversation that is genuinely rare. We talk about what it looks like to be in an "incubation year," the bravery it takes to begin again after you've already mastered something, and why the sale starts long before anyone opens their wallet - it starts when you fall back in love with your own work. She shares the real story behind her commission journey, from charging 5% of what she charges now to intentionally opening just three spots for large-scale work and selling them all. We get into how she structures commissions entirely on her own terms, the nervous system collapse that was her 2021 burnout, and why she chose to scale her business down from seven figures - and has never looked back. This episode is honest, practical, and genuinely grounding. I hope it gives you the permission slip you didn't know you needed. In this episode: What an "incubation year" actually looks like in your creative business The bravery of beginning again after you've already mastered something How Emily structures commissions so she stays creatively in charge Selling older work - three tips for falling back in love with your inventory Why she walked away from a seven-figure business and what she built instead Burnout as a nervous system issue, not a productivity problem The 1% a day mantra inside Making Art Work What profitability really means for artists beyond money Links mentioned: Emily's free 4-day Share Your Work Challenge - starts March 24   Emily's Making Art Work 9-week program  Submit to Create! Magazine: - createmagazine.co/call-for-art

Most artists wait for the art world to invite them in. Daniel Arsham stopped waiting - and built his own gallery at 21 instead. In this episode, Kat sits down with Daniel Arsham, one of the most sought-after artists of his generation, to talk about his brand new book Future Relic - a brutally honest handbook written for his 17-year-old self who dreamed of being an artist but had no roadmap to get there. Daniel's iconic "eroded" aesthetic has made him a singular force in contemporary art, but behind that vision is decades of showing up, collecting failures, and building a career on his own terms - from gutting a Miami house to create a gallery space, to collaborating with Dior, Adidas, Pharrell Williams, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In this conversation, we get into: Why art school teaches you to make the work but not build a career How Daniel got gallery representation with Perrotin after four years of showing up The mindset shift that makes walking into intimidating rooms possible Why nobody remembers your failures - and why you should collect them anyway How brand collaborations funded his practice without compromising his vision The power of writing down ultra-specific goals Why restraint is one of the most underrated tools in an artist's career Whether you're just starting out or wondering how to take your practice to the next level, this conversation will inspire you and give you real, actionable perspective on what building a sustainable art career actually looks like. Get the book: Future Relic by Daniel Arsham Daniel Arsham's exhibition "Just Various Thoughts" opens March 5th at Perrotin New York. Enjoying the show? Leave us a review on iTunes and share this episode with a fellow artist - it means the world. Explore Create! Magazine, open calls, exhibitions, and free resources: createmagazine.com Follow us on Instagram: @createmagazine Read new articles on our Substack: createmagazine.substack.com

What does it mean to call yourself an artist - and who gets to decide? In this episode, I sit down with multidisciplinary artist, educator, and author Lisa Solomon for a wide-ranging conversation about the blurry line between art and craft, creative experimentation, and the practical realities of building a sustainable creative life. Lisa's work spans embroidery, fiber, painting, and installation, and her new book is an absolute feast for the eyes - organized by color, featuring 20 artists working in 20 different mediums, with projects for all skill levels. We talk about: When you can (and should) start calling yourself an artist The art vs. craft debate - why it's still happening and whether it even matters How Lisa's grandmother's knitting and crocheting shaped her artistic identity The pioneers who were excluded from art history because of their mediums - and why that's finally changing Creative ADHD: how to balance experimentation with actually completing a body of work What to do when you have a vision but not yet the skills to execute it (hint: lean in and trust your gut) The Thousand Doily Project - a massive community collaboration  How parameters and limitations can actually unlock more creative freedom Funding your creative projects, budgeting for big ideas, and why having a day job isn't a compromise - it can be a gift Why color is hard (especially purple) and what a Joni Mitchell retrospective taught Lisa about unexpected palettes Lisa's new book is available at bookstores everywhere - or request it at your local library! You can also find her on Instagram at @lisasolomon and at lisasolomon.com. She's also running a watercolor retreat in California through City College Extension in late May. Grab Lisa's new book: https://publishing.hardiegrant.com/en-us/books/art-craft-color-by-lisa-solomon/9781964786049 Links mentioned: Submit to a Create! Magazine Call for Art: createmagazine.co/call-for-art Join Create! Collective: createmagazine.co/collective

If you've ever felt like you had to hide certain parts of yourself to be taken seriously in the art world, this one is for you. I'm sitting down with my dear friend Marina Granger, founder of The Artist Advisory and host of the brand new MFA Podcast, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to step into your next level as an artist - from the inside out. Marina spent years working at the intersection of practical gallery strategy and deeper identity work, but kept the mystical side of her practice quietly in the background. In this episode she's fully out, and we get into all of it - astrology, feng shui, human design, manifestation, and the very real money blocks that keep creative entrepreneurs stuck even when the revenue is growing. This is part one of two because we simply had too much to talk about! We cover: Lunar New Year rituals and Marina's feng shui practice - including the 27-item trick for stirring prosperity in your home Why Marina hid the cosmic side of her coaching for years and what finally changed Being a manifesting generator and why doing many things is your superpower, not your flaw The three levels of abundance work - conscious, subconscious, and nervous system - and why most of us only work on one How your core identity shapes everything from the galleries you walk into to the clients you attract The immigrant experience and cash overflow - why earning more doesn't automatically mean keeping more Connect with Marina: The MFA Podcast - available wherever you listen 1:1 programs and free resources at theartistadvisory.com Also mentioned: Reality Transurfing by Vadim Zeland Current open call for Create! Magazine in partnership with Square One Gallery - submit at createmagazine.co/call-for-art

  What happens when you feel outside pressure to make work that doesn't feel like you? In this episode, Kat sits down with Philadelphia-based artist and curator Jessica Libor for a deeply honest conversation about identity, persistence, and building a creative life on your own terms. Jessica shares the story of applying to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts several times before getting in, navigating the tension between her love of fairy tales and beautiful imagery and an academic environment heavily influenced by postmodern aesthetics. She opens up about making dark, tortured paintings to fit in - and how she eventually found her way back to the work she was always meant to make. They also dig into how Jessica launched Era Contemporary, her own gallery and curatorial project, and why creating your own opportunities is sometimes the most powerful move an artist can make. You'll also hear about the mindset tools Jessica swears by - from attending high-end exhibitions and imagining yourself in the room as an exhibiting artist, to journaling and scripting her ideal creative life. She also shares the manifestation story behind getting into Spring Break Art Fair, one of New York's most exciting independent art events. This episode is full of honest reflection on imposter syndrome, developing a personal aesthetic under pressure, and what it really means to stay connected to your North Star as an artist. ABOUT JESSICA LIBOR Jessica Libor is a Philadelphia-based artist whose work explores feminine identity, storytelling, and personal mythology through a lens deeply rooted in global fairy tales and folklore. She holds an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and has pursued classical training at the Grand Central Atelier and the Florence Academy of Art. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including solo shows in Paris and Philadelphia, and she was selected for the prestigious SPRING/BREAK Art Show in New York in 2025. Her paintings are held in private collections worldwide and have been featured in American Art Collector, Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, and on WHYY/PBS. She is also the host of The Creative Heroine Podcast. Follow her work at jessicalibor.com and on Instagram at @jessicaliborstudio. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Leave a review on iTunes and share with a fellow artist or art lover. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and visit www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art to submit your work to our latest open call in partnership with Square One Gallery. Join our weekly newsletter: https://createmagazine.myflodesk.com/newsletter

What does it actually take to build a sustainable, global art career in 2026? As the market shifts away from the high-octane speculation of the early 2020s, a new era of radical transparency and artist autonomy is emerging. In this episode, host Ekaterina Popova sits down with visionary curator, collector, and entrepreneur Sonia Borrell to pull back the curtain on what the world's top collectors are looking for right now. Sonia shares the inspiration behind her newest venture, StudiotoGallery, a platform designed to dismantle traditional gatekeeping and return control to the creator. From the importance of "positioning over visibility" to navigating the rapid growth of the Chinese art market, this conversation is a masterclass in modern art business. Whether you're an emerging painter or an established professional, Sonia's insights offer a refreshing, high-level perspective on thriving in today's selective ecosystem. Inside the Conversation The 2026 Market Recalibration: Sonia discusses why "hype" pricing is falling away and how artists can re-emerge by focusing on authentic connections and sustainable growth. The Sovereign Artist: A look at the StudiotoGallery model, where artists maintain full control over their pricing, inventory, and gallery representation. The Power of Positioning: Why your "human filter" and professional presentation matter more to a museum or serious collector than a viral Instagram reel. Global Expansion: Sonia shares her experience bridging the gap between Western creators and major corporate partners and institutions in China. Sustainable Partnerships: How to identify a "human-centric" gallery and why the future of the art world relies on collaborative, shoulder-to-shoulder work. Protecting Your Practice: Practical advice on avoiding scammers, managing mental health in the studio, and staying positive during market shifts. About Sonia Borrell Sonia Borrell is a prominent art world connector, collector, and founder of Art Belina and StudiotoGallery. With deep roots in the international market, she specializes in helping artists scale their businesses through IP collaborations, museum placements, and high-level mentorship. Sonia is a pioneer in the movement toward a more transparent and educator-led art market, providing artists with the tools they need to lead their own careers. Connect with Our Guest Website: soniabblondon.com Platform: studiotogallery.com Resources for Artists Create! Magazine

What if I told you that making art literally changes your DNA? In a world that often treats creativity as a luxury or a hobby, the data is finally catching up to what artists have always felt: art is essential medicine. In this episode, Kat sits down with Daisy Fancourt, a professor of psychobiology and epidemiology at University College London, whose groundbreaking research provides the "validation ammunition" every creative needs. We dive into her new book, Art Cure, which presents decades of evidence showing that arts engagement is a vital clinical intervention.From reducing stress hormones like cortisol to slowing biological aging and influencing gene expression, we explore why creative engagement should be recognized as the Fifth Pillar of Health alongside nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management.   In this episode, we discuss: The "Fifth Pillar" Concept: Why creative engagement is as vital to your longevity as diet and exercise. The Biology of Art: How making and viewing art creates measurable health benefits that accumulate over time. DNA & Gene Expression: The fascinating science behind how creativity affects our bodies at a cellular level. Validation for Artists: Why your work is a necessity for your collectors and the world, especially during turbulent times. The Psychobiology of Art: Daisy's journey from professional pianist to leading researcher at UCL.   Resources & Links Mentioned: The Book: Art Cure by Daisy Fancourt Daisy's Research Group: SBPR Research Create! Magazine: www.createmagazine.co Newsletter: Join the Weekly Newsletter Community: Follow Create! Magazine on Instagram   Connect with the Guest: Daisy Fancourt is Professor of Psychobiology and Epidemiology at University College London where she heads the Social Biobehavioural Research Group, and Director of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre on Arts and Health. She has published 300 scientific papers, won over two dozen academic prizes and is listed as one of the most highly cited scientists in the world. Daisy is also a multi-award-winning science communicator and has been named a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and BBC New Generation Thinker.

In this episode, host Kat (Ekaterina Popova) is joined by painter Emi Avora, a London-trained and Singapore-based artist whose work blends architectural structure with lush, dreamlike abstraction. Drawing from her upbringing in Greece, Mediterranean light, mythology, and lived experiences across cultures, Emi creates immersive interiors that feel both opulent and quietly haunting. www.emiavora.com   In this conversation, we discuss:   Emi's journey: From growing up in her father's studio in Corfu to her formal art education. The influence of light: How Mediterranean light remains a primary tool for creating clarity in her work. Finding roots through relocation: How moving to Singapore drew her back to symbols and mythology in her subject matter. Building a sustainable practice: Insights on balancing motherhood with a dedicated studio life and trusting the slow unfolding of your work. Professional milestones: Her recent recognition as the winner of the Women in Art Prize and what that visibility has meant for her career.   Connect with us: Website: https://www.createmagazine.co/ Instagram: @createmagazine Substack: https://createmagazine.substack.com

What happens when you stop obsessively planning and trying to control the outcome in the studio and start letting your subconscious lead the way? In this episode of the Create! Podcast, host Ekaterina Popova chats with August Vilella, a self-taught artist whose intuitive approach has landed his work in Art Basel and major galleries across Asia and Europe. August reveals how he abandoned sketches and rigid concepts to find a "direct language" that transcends cultural and language barriers. We explore his "happy accident" move to Japan, his upcoming 10th-anniversary chronological exhibition, and why he believes the best career investment you can make is simply showing up in person.  In This Episode, We Discuss:   The Intuitive Method: Why August starts with a completely white canvas and no prior ideas or sketches to allow the subconscious and past experiences to take a leading role.  The Self-Taught Advantage: How skipping art school allowed August to find his own unique style and "signature" before being influenced by a teacher's perspective.  Building a Career from Zero: The story of how a two-week trip for a show in 2020 turned into a five-year Japanese residency after a flight was cancelled during the pandemic.  Being Your Own "Bad Boss": The discipline required to be strict with gallery deadlines while maintaining a meditative, improvisational creative process.  The "Lottery" of Opportunities: Why traveling to openings and art fairs is essential for letting collectors and directors see your energy and story, not just the final work.  Milestone Exhibitions: A look at his massive 500-square-meter 10th-anniversary show in Shenzhen and upcoming solo exhibitions in Tokyo and Ginza.  Key Quotes: "All my past experience have some deep impact in my painting... my subconscious mind have a very important role in the creative process." — August Vilella "The best way to make an interesting career is to travel, to meet people, to talk with people... they not only see your work, they also see your energy." — August Vilella Connect with the Guest: Instagram: www.instagram.com/august_vilella_art/ Website: augustvilella.com About the Host: Ekaterina Popova is an artist and the founder of Create! Magazine. Explore more articles and opportunities for artists at www.createmagazine.co.

In this episode, I reconnect with Sharone Halevy nearly a year after our collector talk at Superfine (now The Superfair) in San Francisco. Sharone is an abstract expressionist painter who's built her entire practice around commission work and selling directly to collectors without gallery representation. We discuss her transition from theater directing to painting, why she works on sliding scales to make art accessible, and how she uses sound and storytelling to create "tangible memories," paintings that capture how moments felt rather than every detail. Sharone shares her approach to building confidence, why friends and family are your first important collectors, and how she leveraged social media to create direct audience connection. As lead curator and operations manager at The Superfair, Sharone coaches every exhibiting artist on booth curation, pricing strategy, and selling techniques. We discuss the fair's rebrand and refocus on attracting the right buyers rather than massive crowds, and why in-person events matter for artists, especially those in rural areas. We wrap up with Sharone's challenge for the year: find a hobby. Not another income stream or content for social media, something tactile and creative you do purely for joy.   CALL FOR ART: CREATE! MAGAZINE 2026 WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL EDITION  Deadline: January 31st, 2026 Submit: https://www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art   CONNECT WITH SHARONE:  Instagram: www.instagram.com/art_by_sharone/ Website: https://www.artbysharone.com   CONNECT WITH CREATE! MAGAZINE:  Instagram: @createmagazine Collective: https://www.createmagazine.co/collective Website: https://www.createmagazine.co   MENTIONED: The Superfair: thesuperfair.com  1000 Libraries coloring books

In this episode, Kat addresses the familiar "January tension"—the conflict between feeling ambitious about new goals while simultaneously exhausted from the past year. She explores what "sustainability" actually means for artists, moving beyond the buzzword to examine what emotionally and financially supports a creative career. Kat shares insights from Vadim Zeland's book Reality Transurfing, discussing the concept of "pendulums"—energy structures built on collective beliefs (like the pressure to post daily on social media) that feed off our energy. She explains why feeding these pendulums is a losing game and how true magic happens when you prioritize joy and flow over algorithms. Finally, Kat breaks down the difference between the "glamour" of the art world (museum shows, viral posts) and the reality of what actually pays the bills, encouraging listeners to conduct a "Sustainable Studio Audit" to track income, time, and energy costs. Key Takeaways: The January Tension: Navigating the split between wanting to force your career forward and acknowledging deep exhaustion Understanding Pendulums: How collective beliefs (like "real artists suffer" or "you must hustle 24/7") become energy vampires that distract us from our true desires Reality Transurfing: Insights from Vadim Zeland's book on how energy flows naturally when you do what you truly want, rather than what you think you should do Glamour vs. Reality: Why the things that look successful (fancy gallery representation, viral reels) are often not the things that pay the bills (print sales, teaching, direct sales) Imposter Syndrome: Overcoming the feeling that you aren't "legitimate" if your business is scrappy or doesn't fit the traditional art world model The Sustainable Studio Audit: A practical exercise to list your income sources, estimate time invested, and rate energy cost (low, medium, high) to eliminate what drains you Resources Mentioned: Reality Transurfing by Vadim Zeland Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Grapevine. The secondary market already exists around your work—it's just happening without you. When art reappears on eBay or Craigslist, it loses context, and so do you. Grapevine is being built to change that, helping artists turn resale energy into momentum and value. Grapevine gives artists a simple page of their own where collectors can resell work peer-to-peer, with your approval, your context, and optional royalties if you choose. Learn more and reclaim your secondary market at grapevine.market. Connect with Create! Magazine: Website & Magazine: createmagazine.co Education & Resources: createu.co Newsletter: createmagazine.substack.com  Instagram: @createmagazine

Welcome back to a brand new season! In this solo episode, Kat reflects on nearly a decade of navigating a full-time art career and the subtle traps that can stall creative growth. If you have ever felt busy but unfulfilled, or found yourself saying "yes" to every group show and opportunity out of a fear of missing out, this episode is for you. Kat discusses the concept that "good is the enemy of great" and how filling our schedules with "good" opportunities often prevents us from doing the deep, legacy-building work our souls actually crave. In this episode, we cover: The "Short-Term Giggle": Why we chase immediate dopamine hits (like small group shows) instead of waiting for the "full meal" of a cohesive body of work. Deep Work vs. Shallow Validation: Moving away from the pressure to look successful on Instagram and toward creating work that truly matters. The Fear of the Empty Calendar: Overcoming the survival-brain instinct that tells us we are failing if we aren't constantly busy. Career Reflection: Kat shares her personal decision to scale back on scattered commitments to focus on producing a body of work she is truly proud of.   JOIN THE COMMUNITY We have officially opened the doors to our membership, The Create! Collective! This is our career membership for artists who want to grow together. What's Inside: Twice-monthly Zoom calls, guest speakers, and support circles. New Opportunity: Active members are invited to participate in our exclusive Artsy exhibition coming up this March. Bonus: Join for the year and receive a special sweatshirt bonus gift.   Join The Create! Collective here: https://www.createmagazine.co/collective   CONNECT WITH KAT Email: info@createmagazine.com Substack: https://createmagazine.substack.com   If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review. Cheers to pursuing greatness together!

In this magical start to the new year, host Kat sits down with her dear friend—psychic medium, curator, and author Sarah Potter. As we step into 2026, Sarah shares wisdom from her life-changing new book, Sober Magic: Using the Tarot and Ritual in Your Journey Away from Drinking. Together, they explore the deep intersection of art and spirituality, discussing how to navigate the "party culture" of the art world while honoring your boundaries. Sarah opens up about her transition from full-time art curator to professional witch, the power of "Glamour Magic" to armor yourself for difficult social situations, and why asking for help is a brave creative act. Plus, we dive into a Tarot forecast for 2026! Sarah reveals why this is a "Magician Year," filled with manifestation power, and how you can harness this energy to create the life (and art) you desire. Whether you are sober, sober-curious, or simply seeking a spiritual reset, this episode is a nourishing guide for your soul.   Key Takeaways: Sober Magic: How to replace the "ritual" of drinking with nourishing spiritual practices like Tarot and altar work. The Art World & Alcohol: Navigating gallery openings and networking events without the crutch of a drink. Glamour Magic: Using fashion and intentional adornment (like heirlooms or specific colors) as spiritual armor. The 2026 Forecast: Why 2026 is the "Year of the Magician" and what that means for your creative potential. Embracing Discomfort: Why sitting with uncomfortable feelings is actually a superpower for artists.   About the Guest: Sarah Potter is a psychic medium, Tarot reader, and professional witch based in New York City. A former art curator, she now uses her intuitive gifts to help clients craft their dream lives through color magic, ritual, and Tarot. She is the author of Sober Magic and the creator of the Cosmo Tarot deck for Cosmopolitan. Her work has been featured in Refinery29, InStyle, and Teen Vogue.   Connect with Sarah: Book: Sober Magic Instagram: @iamsarahpotter Website: iamsarahpotter.com Substack: iamsarahpotter.substack.com   Mentioned in This Episode: The Witch Wave Podcast with Pam Grossman Create! Magazine's Winter Solstice Issue (Curated by Sarah Potter)   Supported by Create! Magazine: Join the Community: createmagazine.co/collective Submit Your Work (Women's Issue): createmagazine.co/call-for-art Subscribe to our Substack: createmagazine.substack.com