One of the most common challenges artists face is knowing when—and how—to hire help for their practice. This week, I'm breaking down the practicalities of hiring: from determining if you're ready, to figuring out what you can afford to pay, to managing assistants effectively.
I cover the key tipping points that signal it's time to bring on help, the difference between contractors, assistants, and coaches, and why feeling overwhelmed doesn't always mean you need to hire someone. We also discuss W.A.G.E.'s fee calculator as a concrete tool for determining fair pay, why underpaying assistants creates more problems than it solves, and how Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) can make working with help much smoother.
Plus, I explain how coaching can bridge the gap between doing everything yourself and hiring expensive consultants—helping you work smarter before you invest in working more. If you're struggling with time management, turning down opportunities, or can't meet deadlines without help, this episode offers practical guidance for making your first hire or improving how you work with the people already supporting your practice.
Relevant Links:
W.A.G.E. (Working Artists and the Greater Economy)
Netvvrk.com
Loom
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EP 93: The Cancer Episode with Sculptor John Powers
This week we’re talking about how health events affect the lives of artists. Sculptor John Powers joins me as we share our experiences - his traumatic hand injury and subsequent cancer diagnosis, and my own recent double mastectomy.
We dig into the specific challenges artists face when medical crises threaten the tools of our trade, how we navigate the US healthcare system, and the mental strategies that help us maintain morale when everything feels out of control. We also explore the practical realities: phantom limb pain, nerve regeneration, the importance of finding the right surgeon, and how artistic skills - like explaining complex ideas and self-entertaining in solitude - translate surprisingly well to being a patient.
Medical crises are one of the top reasons artists in our community need to step back from their work, yet we rarely discuss how to navigate them. This podcast fills that need.
Relevant Links:
John Powers
NYU Langone Health
Weill Cornell Medicine
Columbia Presbyterian
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1:23:45
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1:23:45
EP 92: Is the Era of Art Fair Spectacle Over?
VVrkshop founder Paddy Johnson and artist William Powhida dive into their impressions of the 2025 Armory Art Fair in New York. In this episode, we explore how Frieze's new ownership has changed the fair's feel, from stricter security to the notable absence of mega galleries like Hauser & Wirth and Gagosian.
We break down the numbers - more than half of 2024's exhibitors didn't return, LA galleries dropped by 26%, and smaller works dominated booths as galleries adapted to market realities. The conversation covers standout pieces that caught our attention, from Nick Farhi's provocative glory hole installation at Europa to Nikita Gale's politically charged "Interceptor" barricade at 56 Henry.
We also dig into emerging art trends, including the rise of "art history textbook painting" where artists render historical styles in abstract brushstrokes, and discuss the troubling vacuum in art criticism. The episode touches on the political climate's impact on art-making and whether we're seeing the end of an era for large-scale art fair presentations.
Relevant Links:
The Armory Show
Tim Van Laere Gallery (Rinus Van de Velde)
Victoria Miro (Doron Langberg, Flora Yukhnovich)
Peter Blum Gallery (Marha Tuttle)
Europa (Nick Farhi)
56 Henry (Nikita Gale)
Yancey Richardson Gallery (Marilyn Minter)
Corbett vs. Dempsey (Cauleen Smith)
What If The World Gallery (Mia Chaplin)
Uffner & Lui (Talia Levitt)
Marinaro (Ever Baldwin)
Hess Flatow (Emma Safir)
Dastan Gallery (Tehran artists)
P40D Gallery (Piper Bangs)
Anton Kern Gallery (David Shrigley)
James Cohan (Simon Evans)
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EP 91: Why Art Speak Persists and How to Ditch It
What exactly is "art speak" and why do artists continue to use it when we all agree it’s creates a poor reading experience? In this podcast, I break down the inflated language that clutters artist statements—from "liminal" and "corporeal" to meaningless spatial metaphors that make work sound more complex than it is.
Drawing on Alix Rule and David Levine's landmark essay "International Art English," I explore why vague academic language emerged from 1970s French poststructuralist influence and why it's stuck around for nearly 50 years. Plus, we discuss why clarity can become your competitive advantage as AI changes how we evaluate written materials and grant competitions intensify.
RELEVANT LINKS:
"International Art English" by Alix Rule and David Levine (2012)
Free Masterclass: "How to Build an Art Career When Traditional Paths Fail" - July 22nd, 7:30 PM EST Netvvrk membership: [JOIN HERE]
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EP 90: Three Mistakes to Avoid when Applying for a Guggenheim Fellowship
In this episode, Paddy gives you the skinny on the Guggenheim Fellowship, one of the most prestigious awards for mid-career artists. The talk contains tips and strategies you won't find on their website, including knowing when to apply and how often. You won't find this information anywhere else, so have a listen. Even if you're not planning to apply, this episode will give you strategies for ALL grant applications.
Relevant links:
https://www.gf.org/
España