The Create! Podcast

If you have ever felt like you are running a marketing agency instead of an art practice, you are not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Alex Mitow and Sharone Halevy, the dynamic duo behind Superfair, now in their 11th year as one of the most artist-forward art fairs in the country. We talk about what they are witnessing in real time across the artist community, why burnout is at an all-time high, and what actually works when you strip away the noise. We cover: Why social media has aged and what that means for your practice The concept of force multipliers and how to find yours What artists are doing that is getting in their own way Why in-person connection is the ultimate leverage point How to come back to life creatively when you are running on empty What it actually looks like to exhibit at an artist-forward art fair LINKS AND RESOURCES Book a free 15-minute discovery call with the Superfair team (mention Create! Magazine for exclusive listener discounts): https://calendly.com/d/cqt2-fkf-54v/15-minute-discovery-meeting Learn more about Superfair: https://www.thesuperfair.com Celebrate ten years of Create! Magazine with our first ever Annual Art Prize, open now through July 31: https://www.createmagazine.co/prize Submit to our current open calls and stay up to date on everything Create!: https://www.createmagazine.co Join us on Substack. Articles are free for your first seven days, and your support keeps us sharing artists, career tips, and resources with the community: https://createmagazine.substack.com CONNECT WITH SUPERFAIR Website: https://www.thesuperfair.com

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

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 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

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