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.

Episodes

Sep 10, 2024

1 hr 2 sec

Episode #183. I catch up with Australian painter Christopher Zanko to discuss his hand carved paintings, his printmaking roots, being a two time finalist of the Wynne prize and his recent exhibitions. 
 
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 available to do in your own time anywhere in the world. 

Sep 10, 2024

1 hr 2 sec

182 - Rhys Lee

Aug 27, 2024

Aug 27, 2024

58 min

Episode #182. I catch up with Australian painter Rhys Lee to discuss his oil paintings, his graffiti roots, global exhibitions and his recent show in Brisbane with Edwina Corlette. 
 
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 available to do in your own time anywhere in the world. 

Aug 27, 2024

58 min

Aug 15, 2024

58 min

This week I bring you another classic episode from back in 2019 when I caught up with British artist D*Face. We discuss his role in the birth of street art, his career and running his gallery Stolen Space.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 waitlist enrollment right now. 

Aug 15, 2024

58 min

Jul 31, 2024

25 min

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.
 

Jul 31, 2024

25 min

179 - Ben Frost

Jul 16, 2024

Jul 16, 2024

1 hr 13 min

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.

Jul 16, 2024

1 hr 13 min

Jul 3, 2024

44 min

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. 

Jul 3, 2024

44 min

Jun 25, 2024

59 min

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.  

Jun 25, 2024

59 min

May 1, 2024

1 hr 10 min

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. 

May 1, 2024

1 hr 10 min

175 - Max Berry

Apr 17, 2024

Apr 17, 2024

53 min

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. 

Apr 17, 2024

53 min

174 - RUFFMERCY

Apr 2, 2024

Apr 2, 2024

1 hr 13 min

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. 

Apr 2, 2024

1 hr 13 min

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