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.
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Episodes

Sep 10, 2024
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.

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 15, 2024
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.

Jul 31, 2024
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 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 3, 2024
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.

Jun 25, 2024
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.

May 1, 2024
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.

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 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.

