Bench Talk

Welcome to Bench Talk — the podcast where I dive into real, honest conversations with inspiring artists, to reveal what it really takes to build a thriving creative career. I’m your host, Tom Gerrard — an international artist from Australia and Co-Founder of The Art Career Academy, an online school dedicated to helping visual artists rise up and go pro. I kicked off this podcast back in 2016, when I was dreaming of going full-time with my art. And through these chats, I found the path and walked it.

Listen on:

  • Podbean App
  • Spotify

Episodes

180 - Art Career Q&A #1

Wednesday Jul 31, 2024

Wednesday Jul 31, 2024

This week we introduce a new segment to Bench Talk. Tom Gerrard sits down with Claire Bradshaw from the Art Career Academy to discuss some frequently asked questions from the Bench Talk inbox and discussions from within the Art Career Academy's momentum group. 
 
Tom and Claire discuss:
The importance of investing in your work's presentation and using quality art materials. 
Battling with the IG algorithm.
Getting your artwork seen. 
Exploring new styles when you're already known for something. 
Looking to uplevel your art career so that you feel confident and clear on the pathway forward AND experience creative and financial growth?  
Check out www.artcareeracademy.com.  The signature 6 week program Going [ART] Pro is open for enrollment right now.  Doors close 5th August.
 

179 - Ben Frost

Tuesday Jul 16, 2024

Tuesday Jul 16, 2024

For episode #179 I sit down with Australian pop artist Ben Frost. We discuss his street art roots, AI, exhibiting in the USA and many other areas of his career. 
Looking to uplevel your art career so that you feel confident and clear on the pathway forward AND experience creative and financial growth?  
Check out www.artcareeracademy.com.  The signature 6 week program Going [ART] Pro is open for enrollment right now.  Doors close 5th August.

178 - Roger Gastman

Wednesday Jul 03, 2024

Wednesday Jul 03, 2024

Episode #178 I sit down with American curator, art dealer, filmmaker, and publisher Roger Gastman.
Roger's career within the arts focuses on graffiti and street art. He got his start producing While You Were Sleeping magazine and continues till this day making fine art books. 
In 2011 he produced Art in the streets Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and went on to be the main person behind ‘Beyond the streets’. We discuss all of this and a whole lot more. 

Tuesday Jun 25, 2024

This week I dig into the archives and pull out a classic episode from back in 2018. We hear from Los Angeles based artist Lauren YS. I caught up with Lauren while she was visiting Melbourne for her exhibition at Juddy Roller. We discuss her work, muralism and traveling for art.  

176 - Rhys John Kaye

Wednesday May 01, 2024

Wednesday May 01, 2024

Episode #176 - Tom Gerrard sits down with Melbourne based artist Rhys John Kaye. They discuss Rhys' graffiti roots, his time spent living on Korea, his transition to oil paint and the growth of graffiti in the fine art world. 

175 - Max Berry

Wednesday Apr 17, 2024

Wednesday Apr 17, 2024

For episode #175, Tom Gerrard sits down with Queensland based artist Max Berry. They discuss Max's career, oil painting, art residences and studio setups. 
This episode is brought to you by the artcareeracademy.com The online school for the career artist. 

174 - RUFFMERCY

Tuesday Apr 02, 2024

Tuesday Apr 02, 2024

This week I dig into the archives and bring you another classic episode. This one is from back in 2017 when I caught up with UK based animator RUFFMERCY. He's worked with an extensive list of musicians such as Lilly Allen, Blu, DJ Shadow, Nas, J Dilla, Danny Brown, Run The Jewels, Schoolboy Q and many more. To check out his work go to ruffmercy.com
 
This episode is brought to you by the artcareeracademy.com The online school for the career artist. 

173 - George Goodnow

Wednesday Mar 20, 2024

Wednesday Mar 20, 2024

This week Tom Gerrard sits down with Sydney based painter, installation artist and muralist George Goodnow. We discuss some of the great projects George has worked on as well as curation, establishing yourself in a new city and winning the Howard Arkley award for contemporary painting. 
 
This episode is brought to you by the artcareeracademy.com The online school for the career artist. 

172 - Steve Leadbeater

Tuesday Mar 05, 2024

Tuesday Mar 05, 2024

Episode #172 - I sit down with Steve Leadbeater for a conversation about Ceramics, the role instagram plays in studio life and his recent collaborations with David Bromley. 

171 - Felipe Pantone

Thursday Feb 22, 2024

Thursday Feb 22, 2024

This week I dig into the archives to bring you a classic episode featuring American based Spanish artist Felipe Pantone. I first interviewed Felipe back in 2017. He has since taken his career to the highest of heights. 

Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Version: 20241125