Art podcasts have been a close friend of mine for over a decade. Because more and more artists are turning to podcasts it’s getting easier to find a lively podcast where you can hear about a crazy variety of ideas, approaches, insights, business hints, life stories and encouragement that will keep you awake, inspired and invigorated.

Whether you’re working long hours in your studio or traveling to your next plein air event or show, you’re going to love these podcasts. From my experience, artists are generous and sincere and love sharing with and helping others.

Artists are also curious. They love to learn. They are forever trying to improve and grow. Podcasts are one more tool that can help with that.

Before we jump into it, let me ask you a question… If a genie handed you a phone that could call any artist in history – who would you call – what would you ask?

We have an incredible opportunity with technology today to peak into and learn from some of the greatest masters of painting and art in the world today!

Here are some of the favorites that keep me company while gessoing panels or making boxes to ship paintings:

The Top 6 Art Podcasts

Artists Helping Artists

Artists helping artists podcast

I had to start with Leslie Saeta’s podcast because she was one of the first that I discovered nearly ten years ago. I especially enjoy the interviews she’s had with other artists like David Gallup, Scott Burdick, and Karin Jurick.

After 30 years in marketing, she’s also a master at finding ways to promote and market artwork that doesn’t necessarily require a gallery.

Her podcast is like having dinner with artist friends and listening to a fun conversation about something they’ve been thinking about.

See if this is for you: A Conversation with Karin Jurick


Plein Air Podcast

Plein Air Podcast Art

I realize I mention Eric Rhoads quite a bit. I have no financial affiliation with him, but I am impressed with the excellent things he is doing to promote plein air and representational painting.

His podcast is my go-to. They are always intriguing.

I love to hear other professional artists share behind-the-scenes tidbits about their philosophies, techniques and struggles. It’s a fantastic listen for beginners and professionals alike.

See if this is for you: PleinAir Art Podcast Episode 82: Dave Santillanes


The Thriving Artist

Thriving Artist Art Podcast

Kristie surprised me at Christmas quite a while ago with Clark Hulings’ out-of-print book that she found in a thrift store for $15. It is one of my great treasures because I love Hulings paintings.

Clark Hulings was one of the most successful representational painters of the 20th century. His paintings are phenomenal, and his marketing of those paintings is legendary.

When he passed away in 2011 his wife and daughter started the Clark Hulings Fund to help artists learn how to manage their art careers the way Clark did – and thrive!

Elizabeth, his daughter, talks about their goals to help artists in this excellent interview:  Creating the Middle Class Artist – Elizabeth Hulings (https://clarkhulingsfund.org/creating-the-middle-class-artist-elizabeth-hulings/)

The podcast is focused primarily on the business and marketing side of art. They really want to see artists make a living from their work.

See if this is for you: Identifying Pivotal Opportunities for Business Growth – Nadia Fairlamb


The Savvy Painter

The Savvy Painter Podcast

I’m a huge biography junkie. From Walt Disney and Pixar to Teddy Roosevelt and Russel M Nelson – I’ve read hundreds of life and business-building stories.

Antrese Wood does an incredible job of both interviewing artists and finding artists to interview. Her podcast is a great way to discover artists you may not have heard about but who are building successful art careers.

At least once a week you can hear a new episode and as she tells us:

  • Learn from artists who have been there before.
  • Expose yourself to new ideas that inspire you to push your studio work farther and build your business.
  • Learn to analyze other people’s marketing solutions and adapt them to suit you.

See if this is for you: Light and Art, with Peter Fiore


ArtCurious Podcast

ArtCurious Art Podcast

Almost 20 years ago I read several books by Jack White about art marketing. Jack passed away a few years ago but he helped and inspired thousands of artists with his books and friendship.

In one of those books he mentioned the idea that in the early 20th-century modern art was funded by the U.S. government to undermine America’s strong value system, so the government could gain greater control. I had heard similar stories before, but Jack’s was more detailed and thought-provoking.

I also chalked it up to another ‘conspiracy theory’. That is until I heard ArtCurious’ episode about the CIA using psychological warfare against Russia using modern Abstract Expressionist art (Ok, so it’s possible modern art isn’t solely responsible for the degrading of American society’s morals, but maybe a little?).

ArtCurious uses well-researched stories that make it a lot of fun to learn about art history.

This is how they describe themselves: We’re interested in the juicy stuff: did Van Gogh actually commit suicide? Was a British painter actually Jack the Ripper? And how did the rivalry between Michelangelo and Raphael produce one of the best works of art EVER? That’s the ArtCurious difference: we’re all about story first, shining light into unseen corners of art history.

See if this is for you: Episode #9: The CIA/AbEx Connection


99% Invisible

99 invisible art podcast

Remember how I talked about artists being curious. Well, 99% Invisible is a curious artist’s best friend.

They describe themselves much better than I could:

“Ever wonder how inflatable men came to be regular fixtures at used car lots? Curious about the origin of the fortune cookie? Want to know why Sigmund Freud opted for a couch over an armchair? 99% Invisible is about all the thought that goes into the things we don’t think about — the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world.”

The podcasts are short (around 6 minutes) and the topics diverse. If you’re curious, you’ll love this podcast.

See if this is for you: 99% Free Parking


Your Favorites?

What are your favorite podcasts? What keeps you awake on those commutes to the show openings?