A conversation about making art and the artist's journey with Ty Nathan Clark and Nathan Terborg, two artists trying to navigate the art world, just like you. In each episode, the duo chooses a quote from a known artist and uses it as a springboard for discussion. Through their conversations, Ty and Nathan explore the deeper meaning of the quote and how it can be applied to the artists studio practice. They share their own personal stories and struggles as artists, and offer practical advice and tips for overcoming obstacles and achieving artistic success. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, "Just Make Art" provides valuable insights and inspiration to help you navigate the creative process and bring your artistic vision to life. With their engaging and conversational style, Ty and Nathan create a welcoming space for listeners to explore their own artistic passions and learn from two artists working hard to navigate the art world.
Breathwork And Nervous System Resets with Michael Gazzo
The fastest way to kill creative flow is to turn art into an identity you have to defend. Nathan sits down with special guest host Michael Gazzo (@ Michaelvgazzo ), a coach, rebirth breathwork facilitator, master NLP practitioner, and platinum-selling music producer, to talk about what happens when external success still leaves you empty and what it takes to create from a more honest place. We trace Michael’s path from childhood music obsession to major-label moments, touring, and high-pressure industry wins and then into the quieter work of rebuilding from the inside. Along the way, we unpack why curiosity and play create the “happy accidents” that make work feel alive, and why creative block often isn’t a lack of talent but a nervous system and heart issue. If you’ve felt stuck in perfectionism, overthinking, or the need to make something that “works,” this conversation offers a different frame: become a better receiver first. We also get practical. We talk breathwork as a tool for regulation and deeper emotional release, how to redirect spiraling thoughts without bypassing your real feelings, and how journaling can become a direct dialogue with the work itself. Finally, we break down intention setting, focusing on a cleaner why, avoiding negative motivators that burn out fast, and serving the art instead of using the art to chase approval. If this resonates, subscribe for more conversations on creativity and the inner life, share this with a friend who’s blocked, and leave a review so more artists can find the show. Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
How Music Builds Memory And Momentum In Art
One song can pull you back to a room you haven’t seen in 30 years, and that same song can push you into the studio with a totally different kind of courage. Nathan Terborg and Ty Nathan Clark go all-in on the music that formed their taste and still shapes their creative process, from early mixtapes and older-sibling tape raids to the ritual of Tower Records, used CD bins, and the album art that taught us as much as any design class. We trade stories about the records that became emotional landmarks, the soundtracks that acted like secret portals to new bands, and the way certain albums become permanent studio companions. Ty shares how the Basquiat film soundtrack helped reroute his path as an artist, and we dig into the very real chain reaction of influence, like Jeff Buckley inspiring Thom Yorke’s approach on Radiohead’s work. Along the way we hit The Crow soundtrack, OK Computer awe, deep-cut favorites, and a few “no shame” listens that still surprise people. Then we bring it back to craft: how to build a studio playlist with intention, how to match music to the energy you need, and why silence can be the most powerful tool when you’re trying to hear what the work is asking for. If you’ve ever wondered how music and creativity connect at a practical level, this one is a blueprint you can actually use. If it resonates, subscribe to Just Make Art Podcast, share it with an artist friend, and leave a review so more people can find it. What album changes the way you make work? Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
How Cameron Crowe’s Memoir Teaches Artists To Keep Going
Cameron Crowe wrote for Rolling Stone as a teenager, rode alongside the biggest bands of the era, and somehow stayed human enough to turn those years into art. We use his memoir The Uncool as a springboard to talk about the real creative process: the awkward beginnings, the brutal winters, and the small daily choices that keep an artist moving when nobody is clapping yet. We pull quotes and stories that hit hard for working artists. What does “opportunity favors the prepared mind” look like in practice when you’re sending work out, building taste, and stacking reps? How do you protect the “invincible summer” in you when the studio feels cold, the market feels loud, and your mind starts running worst-case scenarios? We also linger on the difference between being discovered and being ready, and why preparation beats panic every time. Then we get into confidence and evolution. “Act like you belong” isn’t fake swagger, it’s a quiet claim to your seat at the table if you’re doing the work. And Joni Mitchell’s advice cuts straight through the fear of changing your style: stay the same and get crucified, change and get crucified, so you might as well keep it interesting. We close with a challenge we all need: notice the work you’re avoiding, because it might be the work that matters most. If this conversation lights a fire, subscribe, share it with an artist friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one piece of work you’re going to start or finish this week? Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
De-Romanticizing Art And What It Gives Back
Art-making isn’t a vibe. It’s a practice that can feel exhausting, confusing, and sometimes flat-out miserable, yet we still wake up wanting to go back. We sit with a blunt question that every working artist eventually faces: what is making art giving us even when it doesn’t feel good? We start by de-romanticizing the work through Hugo Winder-Lind’s reminder that painting doesn’t always feel good, especially now that artists are expected to be multi-faceted creators. From there we get honest about envy, creative cycles, and the kindness we owe other artists when they’re in the ditch. We also call out the social media highlight reel, the edited two minutes that hides the seven hours of staring, failing, quitting, and starting again. Then we move into what the studio actually gives back. Mark Bradford frames labor as a way to slow down until you can hear yourself think and reach the quieter voice with the better idea. Sheila Hicks adds the bigger frame: discovery is part of being alive, so hang in there because you never know what the next discovery might be. Along the way we talk logistics, perfectionism, routines that prime the pump, excluding distractions so actions match goals, and Noel W. Anderson shares why the studio nourishes us in ways we can’t fully explain. If you’ve been stuck, burned out, or questioning why you keep doing this, hit play. Subscribe, share this with an artist friend, and leave a review, then tell us: what does your creative process give you when it’s not giving you joy? Audio artist clips from: TimeStamps: https://www.instagram.com/time____stamp/ Louisiana Channel: https://www.instagram.com/louisianachannel/ Artists: Hugo Winder-Lind: https://www.instagram.com/hugowinderlind/ Noel W. Anderson: https://www.instagram.com/nwa_studios/ Sheila Hicks: https://www.instagram.com/hastingshicks/ Mark Bradford: https://www.hauserwirth.com/artists/2838-mark-bradford/ Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
Cy Twombly And The Beauty Of Contamination In Art
This is a replay from Season 1. A single line from Cy Twombly cracks open a huge question for artists: “One must desire the ultimate essence even if it is contaminated.” We sit with that tension between purity and grit and ask what “essence” really means in abstract expressionism, mark making, and the real studio process where rust, dust, scraps, and revisions refuse to stay out of the frame. From there, we trace why Twombly still feels so magnetic and so misunderstood. He left few interviews and little public persona, which forces viewers to do the work themselves. We talk through Joshua Rivkin’s Here We Go Chalk and the image that won’t let go: the unswept floor. What’s more contaminated than what falls, gets cast aside, and ends up as leftovers? Rivkin treats that debris like a mosaic, and it becomes a clean way to see how Twombly gathers fragments of history, poetry, the body, and the mind, then buries and reveals them through layers. We also get practical about how art communicates. What does it mean for a painting to “claim the room it inhabits” when the artist is not there to explain it? How much context should titles and statements provide, and when does mystery make the work stronger? If you’ve ever stood in a museum and felt pulled into a surface like an archaeologist, this one puts language to that experience and gives you a better way to look. If this sparks a reaction, share the episode with an artist friend, subscribe so you do not miss the next conversation, and leave a review to help more people find the show. Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
Make The Art No One Is Asking For with Jeff Musser
Nobody is asking you to make your art. Jeff Musser thinks that’s exactly why you have to make it anyway. Jeff is a Northern California figurative painter who builds images from collage, family photographs, sketches, and historical source material. We talk about painting as a primal need to make marks, why the studio can feel like a scratch-off ticket you keep buying with your time, and how the best ideas often arrive only after you start. Along the way we bounce off quotes from artists like Jenny Saville, Julian Schnabel, Kerry James Marshall, Ai Weiwei, Lisa Yuskavage, Gerhard Richter, and Chuck Close to get specific about process, risk, and the messy realities of creative work. Then the conversation turns toward meaning. Jeff shares how his work takes on the history and construct of race, especially the invention and evolution of whiteness, and how that construct shows up in family history and private thought. He also reflects on living in China as a visible outsider, experiencing attention and privilege that made power dynamics impossible to ignore. We talk about art as a form of self-repair, and why serious subject matter still needs play to stay alive. If you’ve been waiting for permission, this is your reminder to build momentum and make the work. Subscribe, share this with an artist friend, and leave a review. Find Jeff Musser on Instagram: @jeffmusserart and online at jeffmusser.com Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
Three artists. One exhibition. A decade of friendship that turned into fuel for making braver work. Ty sits down with Vy Ngo and Eric Breish to explore how creative community shapes everything—from the courage to apply, to the way we process rejection, to the rituals that help us recover after the lights go down. We start with origin stories and the rush of seeing our pieces hang together at Art Center Waco’s Amplified show. Then we dig into the practical spine of a thriving art practice: how to pick the right opportunities, why research beats volume, and how strong documentation (clear, well-lit photos and short videos) becomes your first studio visit. We talk about building a cohesive submission that tells a story instead of tossing in disconnected “greatest hits,” and we unpack the difference between galleries that simply move product and those that invest in your evolution. The conversation gets honest around critique and growth. Safe feedback from trusted artist friends can be uncomfortable and necessary—pushing you to clarify intent, separate your voice from influence, and keep evolving. When no arrives, confidence returns to the work itself. One pivotal story turns a painful rejection into a better fit with a smaller gallery that encouraged risk and led to the most personal show of a career. The lesson: alignment and patience create momentum. We also name the quiet crash after big openings—what we call post‑artum depression—and offer tools to navigate it: nature days, spiritual or wellness practices, journaling, and time with people who truly understand. Finally, we celebrate DIY paths and authentic networking. Show up for spaces you love without treating every hello like an angle. Be interested before trying to be interesting; your people will find you. If this resonates, follow, share with an artist who needs it, and leave a review so more creatives can find the show. Your support helps us keep bringing real conversations—and practical tools—to the studio. Vy Ngo: @vjngo_art Eric Breish: @eric_breish_art Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
Art is Hard. What If The Hard Part Is The Point. We Are In A Fight With The Work.
What if the hardest days in the studio are not detours, but the path itself? We open up about the real fight behind the work—those sessions where flow vanishes, doubt gets loud, and the canvas refuses to cooperate—and why that tension can become your most reliable teacher. Drawing from Rashid Johnson’s candid reflection with Carrie Scott on battling the work, we unpack the difference between inspiration and perspiration and why chasing “perfect” kills momentum. Along the way, we trade tools and stories: turning fight-or-flight into practical choices, switching pieces to redirect energy, and using rituals like Morning Pages, breath work, and device-free sessions to clear mental noise. Sun Tzu helps us name the real enemy—resistance expressed through fear and comparison—while Julia Cameron and Nick Cave remind us to cooperate with process, loosen our grip on control, and operate under the “cloud of artistic unknowing.” We talk about repainting, scrapping, and starting over, not as failure but as fidelity to the work’s evolving voice. The thread tying it all together is permission. You don’t need a bigger studio, pricier materials, or the perfect plan to make authentic art. You need consent to be where you are, to use what you have, and to let mystery lead when the plan breaks. If you’ve asked yourself, “Have I lost it?” you’re in good company—and you’re exactly where growth happens. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a review telling us how you keep the conversation with your work alive. The Episode from Carrie Scott with Rashid Johnson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c41I_sre-Uk Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
Jack Whitten, Gimmicks, And The Grind Of Abstraction with Jamele Wright Senior.
What if paint could hold fear, wonder, and the cosmos all at once? That question runs through this conversation with guest host Jamele Wright Sr., where we explore Jack Whitten’s radical break from gesture and the relentless search to make painting enough on its own terms. From turning acrylic into “glass” to trapping forms on a truly flat plane, we trace how Whitten rebuilt painting through mechanics, experiment, and time in the studio. We get candid about gimmicks—when devices clarify and when they distract—and why one stunning passage can sabotage an entire canvas. A spontaneous pilgrimage to see a 10-by-10 Clifford Still became a turning point: white walls, no tricks, just a square that redefined what the work needed. That experience sets up a bigger argument for seeing art in person, where edges, drape, and surface detail can’t hide behind the glow of a screen. Along the way, we connect Rothko’s vertical bars, Twombly’s relentless repetitions, and the sheer grind that makes a monumental gesture land with authority. Whitten’s language of the spiritual, magical, and cosmic opens the door to the era’s space-age curiosity and Black futurist soundtracks—Sun Ra, Funkadelic, and Earth, Wind & Fire—and to the ambition of putting “the fear of God” in paintings. We talk practice as training: ten-painting cycles, breaking boredom at eight, honest tests of scale, and letting assistants’ “mistakes” become creative constraints. Color mixing from scratch, documenting stages, and cooling down after a studio crescendo all feed a process that values interiority and invites slow looking. Abstraction here isn’t an absence; it’s the artist’s inner weather made visible. One hundred people can read the same canvas a hundred different ways, and that plurality is the point. If you’re hungry to make work that holds up off-screen and in real space, this one will nudge you back to the studio and into the museum with fresh eyes. If it resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who loves painting, and leave a review to tell us what artwork last made you stop and stay. Follow Jamele at https://www.instagram.com/artthenewreligion/ Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
Perspectives on Jack Whitten and the Birth of Abstraction with Jamele Wright, Sr.
What if paint is the vehicle and you are the medium? We dive deep into Jack Whitten’s Notes from the Woodshed with guest host Jamel Wright Sr., tracing how a life shaped by the Jim Crow South, pre-med rigor, and carpentry precision produced a studio practice built on invention. From the famed developer tool to a crow’s nest for high vantage points, Whitten redesigned the act of making—choosing systems over spontaneity and treating process like a living experiment. Jamel brings a rich perspective as an Atlanta-based artist and professor whose work spans Georgia red clay, Dutch wax cloth, and large-scale textiles. Together we map the long road to abstraction—Turner’s atmospheres, Monet’s shadows, Cézanne’s form, and the New York School’s debates—while centering the Black artists too often written out of the frame. We talk Norman Lewis, Joe Overstreet, Sam Gilliam, and the way community quietly powers discovery, even as art remains a solitary grind. The result is a candid look at research, journaling, and “recipes” that transform failed trials into the first real painting, then the next ten that lock in the language. Along the way, we wrestle with Whitten’s audacity—“May the history of Western painting die within me”—and why abstraction can be activism: engineering new tools, removing gesture, and insisting on thought as freedom. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance materials, memory, and ambition without losing your voice, this conversation offers a field guide. Press play, then tell us what rule you’re ready to break. If the episode resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—your support helps more artists find their way. Follow Jamele Wright, Sr. at https://www.instagram.com/artthenewreligion Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
The Fearless Experiment: Q&A on Unconventional Materials & Artist Mindset
What if the most exciting art materials aren’t on a shelf, but in a scrap bin behind the shop? We dig into the joy and rigor of working with nontraditional sources—HVAC steel, coroplast misprints, billboard tarps, even feedbags—and how renewable streams of “improper” materials unlock fearless experimentation. That freedom matters because it fuels the process-first mindset we lean on when the work gets messy, slow, or confusing. We also get practical about longevity. If you’re early in your practice, we suggest a different priority: make more work. Let volume accelerate learning, then invest in archival strategies as your voice takes shape. Along the way, we unpack myths around “creative block,” share simple momentum builders, and explain why deadlines—real or self-imposed—can short-circuit perfectionism. The mental game takes center stage too. We talk about protecting focus in dark news cycles, limiting social media’s pull, and treating the studio as a sanctuary for play. On criticism, we separate opinion from fact, consider the source, and extract usable truth without losing our footing. And we explore deeper currents—gratitude as a creative reset, the spiritual feel of making, and the honest cost of time traded for a few rare breakthroughs that make years of work feel worth it. If you’re curious about unconventional materials, archival finishing, handling fear and doubt, and building a resilient creative practice, this conversation will meet you where you are and nudge you forward. Listen, share with a friend who needs momentum, and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
Q&A: Answering your Questions. From Home Studios To Galleries: Real-World Art Career Advice
We are excited to answer your art questions! In this episode we will discuss: how do you keep your practice thriving while navigating space, money, and access? We dig in with honest, field-tested advice and personal stories from two working artists who’ve built momentum in imperfect conditions. We start with the studio question everyone wrestles with: home vs separate space. You’ll hear why a “setup” beats square footage, how to protect focus if interruptions tank your flow, and scrappy ways to work larger without taking on a lease you can’t sustain. From there, we lay out a gallery game plan: what a strong approach package looks like (10–15 works with depth behind them), what “consistency” really means, and how to get on the radar through open calls, smart social presence, and showing up at the right level. International showing gets a reality check. Culture changes the conversation, but logistics can make or break it. We walk through shipping options, customs surprises, and how to avoid vanity traps with contracts that shift costs onto artists. We also talk residencies, including why many invite-only programs pull from boards and alumni, and how relationships can open doors when applications can’t. Collectors and sustainability round out the heart of the episode. We share favorite delivery stories, why early-stage artists should sell to keep making, and how ideal collectors help build careers over time. For anyone staring down a short financial runway, we offer practical steps: emergency grant resources, low-cost materials that keep you prolific, and the mindset shift that treats bridge income as a patron rather than a detour. If you found value here, follow the show, share it with an artist friend, and leave a review so more creatives can find these conversations. Got a question for part two? Send it our way—your prompts shape the next round. Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
Why I Make Art. Ursula Von Rydingsvard
A single question can power a lifetime of work: Why do I make art? Ty and Nathan sit with Ursula Von Rydingsvard’s stark and generous answers—woven from anxiety, labor, faith in process, and the stubborn hope that making can heal—and use it as a mirror for our own practices. From the first splinter to the last pass of the saw, we look at how big work invites big stakes, why the best days feel like discovery, and how the studio becomes a container strong enough to hold whatever we bring into it. We dig into the creative toggle between object and process: when materials feel right but the method frays, and when the method sings but the object won’t land. That friction is feedback, not failure. Ursula’s line about having confidence in the possibility of seeing the work through reframes ambition without guarantees—an artist’s version of resilience. We also talk about self-doubt as a companion rather than an enemy, and how studying our heroes deeply—films, books, museum visits—feeds our own artistic DNA without imitation. There’s a human infrastructure behind monumental art. Ursula’s assistants form another kind of family, proof that leadership in the studio is its own craft. We reflect on daily rhythm, showing up without perfect conditions, and making pieces that may outlive us—which is how work reaches into the future. The conversation edges into generational pain and the unanswerable questions art dares to hold. Answers are rare; presence is everything. If you’ve ever needed permission to trust the process and keep going, consider this your sign. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a creative nudge, and leave a quick review—tell us your “why” so we can feature it in a future Q&A. Make sure to check out "Art from the Outside" and the amazing interview they had with Ursula: Spotify Apple Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
Make More, Fear Less: on Critique, Confidence, and Choosing Meaning. A Candid Studio Conversation at Poolhaus, Day 2.
Coffee, rain, and a table full of half-built ideas set the stage for a candid deep dive into how artists actually move work forward in our second conversation at Poolhaus studio. We trade the comfort of endless polishing for a stubborn rule—get to the next step sooner—and unpack how that one shift stops overworking, preserves strong moments, and helps a real body of work take shape. Along the way, we turn useful decisions into mantras, write them on the wall, and repeat them when stamina dips. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s momentum with intention. We also open the door on critique: how to build a trusted brain trust, weight feedback from mentors versus peers, and curate with clear eyes when your favorite new experiment ranks dead last. Likes are not the art world, and honest notes from people who know your context can be the difference between a scattered show and a resonant one. Confidence matters too—not as posturing, but as fluency in your own language. We talk about answering tough questions from curators, claiming simple choices with conviction, and studying both your work and the person making it. Life intrudes. A recent loss in the recovery community brings the conversation to grief, meaning, and the privilege of making anyway. Borrowing strength from Nick Cave’s reflections on grief as an exalted, remaking state, we choose boldness over hesitation and practice that isn’t conditional on perfect circumstances. Stock your studio with wisdom like winter coats: books, notes, mentors, and sentences that steady you when the weather turns. Then finish the damn thing, explore the dancing sparks, and move to the next with courage and care. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with an artist who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review so more makers can find it. What mantra keeps you moving? Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
The Art of Breakthrough: A Candid Studio Conversation at Poolhaus
Artistic breakthroughs don't happen by accident. They emerge from dedicated practice, willingness to fail, and persistence through periods of frustration and doubt. But how do you recognize when you're on the cusp of something transformative versus simply taking another step in your creative journey? Recorded face-to-face at Poolhaus Art Studio in Waco, Texas, this intimate conversation dives deep into the psychology of creative evolution. Both artists share candidly about their current struggles and triumphs, with one revealing a year-long process of private experimentation that's finally beginning to bear fruit. They discuss the delicate balance between methodically refining established techniques and daringly exploring new territories – what one describes as "exploiting the known while exploring the unknown." The discussion reveals powerful strategies for navigating creative uncertainty, including developing systematic approaches to idea management, embracing the cyclical nature of creative development, and maintaining belief in the process even when progress seems elusive. Both artists emphasize the importance of the mantra "the work is taking me somewhere" as a touchstone during difficult periods. Today's artists face unique challenges in the social media age, where the pressure to maintain visibility conflicts with the traditional approach of developing work privately before revealing a cohesive body. The conversation explores finding personal balance, using platforms like Instagram as a "visual journal" without feeling obligated to share finished work prematurely. As Simon de Pury noted, "Instagram will have the same impact on the art market as YouTube had on the music industry" – removing gatekeepers and creating direct connections between artists and audiences. Whether you're struggling to find direction in your practice or contemplating a bold new direction, this episode offers a raw, honest look at the breakthrough process from artists who continue to push their own boundaries. Schedule a studio visit with a fellow artist this week – virtual or in-person – and see where the conversation takes your work. Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
Embrace the Ugly Phase Before Beauty Emerges: Arlene Shechet
Have you ever looked at your work-in-progress and thought it was absolutely hideous? According to acclaimed sculptor Arlene Shechet, that's exactly where the magic happens. In this eye-opening exploration of artistic process, we dive deep into Shechet,'s philosophy of creation, where listening to your work becomes just as important as making it. The American sculptor, whose gravity-defying arrangements have earned places in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney, reveals how embracing the "ugly" phases of creation leads to unexpected beauty. "I have to have a real appetite for ugly," Shechet, confesses about her creative process. "There are so many points where this thing is just hideous and yet I have to believe in it." This sentiment resonates profoundly with our own artistic journeys—recognizing that every meaningful piece goes through an awkward adolescence before reaching maturity. What truly sets Shechet, apart is her approach to artistic control. After carefully crafting her ceramic sculptures, she surrenders them to a 2,000-degree kiln where "all bets are off." This balance between meticulous creation and acceptance of unpredictability forms the heart of her practice. She meticulously documents every experiment in notebooks, creating a scientific approach to artistic discovery that allows her work to continually evolve. We're particularly struck by Shechet,'s description of her studio as "both a farm and a factory"—a place that cultivates growth while producing tangible objects. Her commitment to pushing boundaries by creating open systems rather than settling into comfortable patterns mirrors our own philosophy of artistic development. When she declares, "I want to make something more than an idea," she articulates the ultimate challenge facing every serious artist: creating work that resists easy description and demands deeper engagement. Join us in this fascinating conversation about embracing discomfort, fighting against creative stagnation, and finding joy in the uncertain journey of making art that matters. Whether you're a seasoned creator or just beginning your artistic path, Shechet,'s wisdom offers valuable perspective on sustaining growth through perpetual discovery. Please visit: https://art21.org/watch/art-in-the-twenty-first-century/s7/arlene-shechet-in-secrets-segment/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh_lDHY0ZO4 https://www.frieze.com/video/arlene-shechet-and-sheena-wagstaff-frieze-masters-podcast Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
Part 4. Breaking down: How to Be An Artist by Jerry Saltz.
What separates artists who give up from those who thrive despite rejection? In this fourth installment exploring Jerry Saltz's "How to Be an Artist," Ty and Nathan tackle the emotional armor required to navigate the art world's toughest challenges. When a Pulitzer Prize-winning critic featured Nathan's early work as an example of what not to do, he was devastated. "I was mourning the loss of an art career that didn't even exist," he confesses. This vulnerable moment becomes a masterclass in transforming criticism into creative fuel—a skill every artist must develop. The conversation weaves through the phases of artistic development: wanting it, doing it, and living it. They explore how Instagram has weaponized envy, why self-imposed deadlines create surprising breakthroughs, and the myth of overnight success that derails so many promising careers. "Art gives up its secrets very slowly," they remind us, encouraging patience and persistence. Perhaps most powerful is their discussion of "radical vulnerability"—following your work into uncomfortable psychological territory that reveals your truest voice. As Ty shares stories of gallery disasters and damaged artwork, a portrait emerges of the resilience required to survive the inevitable setbacks of creative life. The episode concludes with Jerry's most memorable advice: after the demons of doubt have spoken, simply tell yourself "I'm a fucking genius" and get back to work. It's strategic delusion as artistic superpower—and it just might be the difference between giving up and breaking through. Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
Part 3. Breaking down: How to Be An Artist by Jerry Saltz.
Part 3. Diving deep into Jerry Saltz's "How to Be an Artist," we explore the transformative journey of learning to think like an artist. This episode unpacks the beautiful paradox that while art remains unchanged physically, it's never the same when we experience it – as Saltz writes, "an unchanging thing that is never the same." We discuss how becoming a "seeing machine" develops your artistic eye, examining artwork up close, questioning materials and processes, and truly noticing rather than merely looking. One of the most powerful concepts we explore is embracing artistic inconsistency. When Saltz writes, "Don't resist something if you're afraid it's taking you far afield from your usual direction. That's the wild animal in you feeding," he reminds us that creative evolution requires following our instincts even when they lead us into unfamiliar territory. This is how artists avoid becoming creatively caged – by allowing ourselves to experiment freely. The conversation takes a particularly meaningful turn when discussing courage as "a desperate gamble that will place you in the arms of creative angels." We examine how artists throughout history, from Alice Neel to Ellsworth Kelly, displayed remarkable bravery by pursuing their unique visions despite working against prevailing movements of their time. Their courage to follow their intuitive logic ultimately led to extraordinary contributions to art history. Perhaps most reassuringly, we break down Saltz's practical insight that an artist's career can be sustained by surprisingly few supporters – just one dedicated dealer, a handful of collectors, and a few critics or curators who understand the work. The challenge lies in putting yourself out there consistently, showing up at exhibitions, and actively participating in the art community. What will you discover about your own creative process by training yourself to see differently? How might embracing your artistic inconsistencies lead to unexpected breakthroughs? Join us as we continue our exploration of what it truly means to be an artist in today's world. Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
Part 2. Breaking down: How to Be An Artist by Jerry Saltz.
What transforms raw materials into meaningful art? How do artists develop their unique voice while standing on the shoulders of those who came before them? In this thought-provoking second part exploration of Jerry Saltz's "How to Be an Artist," we unpack the practical realities of the creative journey and the mindsets that sustain artistic growth. The conversation begins with the critical practice of capturing ideas—through sketchbooks, journals, voice memos—creating an ever-expanding archive of inspiration that artists can mine for future work. We share personal systems for documenting fleeting thoughts and how this practice often reveals what's truly happening in our minds. These captured moments become the seeds from which our most authentic work grows. We tackle the intimidating challenge of finding one's artistic voice, challenging the myth that great artists spring forth with fully-formed originality. All masters begin as students—imitating, copying, and gradually infusing their personal perspective into established forms. The studio becomes the sacred space for this transformation—a sanctuary where imitation evolves into innovation without judgment or shame. Whether your workspace resembles the pristine order of Agnes Martin or the chaotic energy of Francis Bacon, it should serve as your laboratory for experimentation. Perhaps most profound is the discussion of embedding thought and emotion into physical materials—creating work that communicates even when you're not present to explain it. This alchemical process requires deep listening to both your materials and your inner voice. Great art puts out more energy than went into its making, resonating with viewers on levels beyond literal understanding. We close with an essential reminder: there are no wasted days in the studio. Even apparent failures move your practice forward. The struggle itself is valuable—often taking you further than easy successes ever could. Learn to finish work and move forward rather than getting trapped in perfectionism. Your next piece will benefit from everything you've discovered in creating this one. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just beginning your creative journey, this episode offers practical wisdom and permission to embrace both the struggle and joy of making meaningful work that's distinctly yours. Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
Part 1. Breaking down: How to Be An Artist by Jerry Saltz.
What if the path to becoming an artist wasn't shrouded in mystery but illuminated by practical wisdom? In this deep dive into Jerry Saltz's transformative book "How to Be an Artist," we explore the Pulitzer Prize-winning critic's generous, accessible, and remarkably grounded advice for creative souls at any stage of their journey. "Art is for everyone," Saltz declares, immediately dismantling the barriers that keep so many from pursuing their creative calling. Whether you're wondering if you can be an artist without formal education, while working full-time, or while wrestling with crippling self-doubt, his answer rings clear: "Of course you can." Through our conversation, we unpack how Saltz's decades of observing artists have yielded insights that speak directly to the heart of the creative struggle. The book's wisdom resonates powerfully throughout our discussion – from embracing the uncomfortable vulnerability of making art to recognizing that "the faster your work makes sense, the faster people will lose interest." We explore why certainty kills curiosity, how imagination forms the very essence of human existence, and why getting productively lost might be the most direct path to finding your voice. Saltz's practical advice – "cast your nets into the waters" of inspiration and "work, work, work" – offers a refreshing antidote to creative paralysis. Perhaps most encouraging is Saltz's insistence that it's never too late to begin. Through stories of artists who found success later in life (including Saltz himself who didn't become serious about his calling until age 40), we confront the myth that artistic accomplishment requires early specialization. Whether you're just starting out or seeking to deepen your existing practice, this episode offers a roadmap filled with practical wisdom, compassionate encouragement, and the liberating reminder that "nothing happens if you're not working, but anything can happen when you are." Buy "How to be an Artist" by Jerry Saltz Send us a message - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to follow us on Instagram here: @justmakeartpodcast @tynathanclark @nathanterborg Watch the Video Episode on Youtube or Spotify, https://www.youtube.com/@JustMakeArtPodcast
Producer's note
Steal the structure. Not the show.
Keep the useful structure, then change the audience, point of view, and voice until the idea is unmistakably yours.
