Podcast
Bench Talk
Hosted by Tom Gerrard · EN
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.
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.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
#222 | Building an Art Community That Transforms a City (10 yrs of Darwin Street Art Festival)
1w ago01:10:10Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a city gets behind public art? And what does it take to build a thriving mural community that impacts everyone from homeless people to politicians? In this live panel discussion recorded at the Darwin Street Art Festival's 10-year celebration, Tom Gerrard sits down with David Collins (founder and director), George Rose (established muralist), Caleb Schatz (emerging artist), and Ris Pikala (first-time participant) to explore how a small idea became a movement that transformed an entire city. This conversation goes deep into: ⚡️ How David Collins went from graffiti writer to festival founder in one bold moment ⚡️ Why running the festival by locals (not outsiders) made all the difference ⚡️ The origin story: a full moon, a Yappa Yappa, and telling the Northern Territory government "you gotta give us a festival" ⚡️ How the festival produces opportunities for emerging artists to paint their first public mural ⚡️ Building confidence through community support and visible accomplishment ⚡️ The surprising embrace of muralism across all demographics (young, old, homeless, politicians — everyone has a favourite) ⚡️ Why Darwin's community reception is different from other cities ⚡️ The ripple effect: inspiring the next generation of artists ⚡️ How festivals create momentum that outlasts the event itself ⚡️ What it means to participate multiple times (George's four festivals) versus painting for the first time (Ris' debut) ⚡️ The role of curation in maintaining artistic integrity while growing scale ⚡️ Creating a world-class festival that doesn't feel corporate or disconnected from the community This episode is essential for anyone thinking about building an art community, launching a creative initiative, or understanding how public art can become part of a city's identity. 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube ------ 🔗 WANT TO GO DEEPER? 👉 Get our free Visibility Guide to learn how artists are getting seen by gallerists and collectors right now! https://www.artcareeracademy.com/visibility-guide 👉 Want to learn how Tom and our art students make a great income from their art? Get a copy of our free cheatsheet here; https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard ✦ Watch on Youtube | @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.com GUESTS: David Collins, George Rose, Caleb Schatz, Ris Pikala ✦ Instagram | @darwinstreetartfestival @uncooldaybed @george_rose @calebdude.art @nccadarwin ✦ Website: https://www.darwinstreetartfestival.com.au/ If you loved this episode, then we'd love a 5 star review and do subscribe so that you never miss an episode. Thanks for being here!
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BENCH TALK Podcast #221 | George Rose: Painting Globally, Colour Mastery & The Business of Muralism
3w ago00:50:55Tap to summarizeHow do you build an international mural career when Australia feels like the other side of the world? In this episode of Bench Talk, Tom Gerrard reconnects with George Rose in Darwin, where they've both been painting murals for the Darwin Street Art Festival. George shares her journey from painting walls across Australia to becoming an internationally sought-after muralist, working everywhere from Europe to North America and beyond. This conversation covers so much ground: the real differences between painting murals in Australia versus Europe, the nine-story murals George has created in Darwin, the meticulous design and mockup process that often takes longer than the actual painting, her deep exploration of colour and gradient work, and the physical toll of large-scale muralism (and how she's adapted). But what makes this episode particularly valuable is George's honest take on the muralism industry: why design time should be paid, why artists aren't sign writers, and how the business side of this work is often undervalued. Tom and George explore: ⚡️ Building an international mural career from Australia (a place that's far from everywhere) ⚡️ The stark differences between mural markets in Australia, Europe, and America ⚡️ Why Europe pays less but offers beautiful walls (firewall architecture, building ratios) ⚡️ The Darwin murals: two nine-story pieces painted two years apart ⚡️ Designing paintings that work as individual pieces but also complement each other ⚡️ The massive boom lifts and technical equipment needed for large-scale work ⚡️ Why the design and mockup process matters as much as the painting ⚡️ The evolution of George's colour work: from black outlines to gradient-based colour play ⚡️ Building a personal library of brush patterns, textures, and collected imagery ⚡️ Why flexibility on the wall is essential (artists aren't technicians or sign writers) ⚡️ Recovering from shoulder injuries through functional strength training ⚡️ The challenges of maintaining a studio practice while being nomadic ⚡️ How Darwin's community is uniquely open to unconventional concepts ⚡️ Future plans: UK, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, and a potential Masters in Fine Art at Basel ⚡️ Why returning to formal art education can catalyse the next shift in an artist's practice This episode is essential for any artist considering an international career, thinking about the business side of their work, or wanting to understand how colour, design, and intention shape large-scale muralism. 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube ------ 🔗 WANT TO GO DEEPER? 👉 Get our free Visibility Guide to learn how artists are getting seen by gallerists and collectors right now! https://www.artcareeracademy.com/visibility-guide 👉 Want to learn how Tom and our art students make a great income from their art? Get a copy of our free cheatsheet here; https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard ✦ Watch on Youtube | @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.com GUEST: George Rose ✦ Instagram | @george_rose ✦ Website: georgerose.com.au If you loved this episode, then we'd love a 5 star review and do subscribe so that you never miss an episode. Thanks for being here!
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BENCH TALK Podcast #220 | Yakob Morley
May 2600:51:20Tap to summarizeIn this engaging interview, artist Jacob Morley shares his journey from tattooing to painting, his creative process, and how moving to the Mornington Peninsula has influenced his art and lifestyle. Discover insights on building a sustainable art career, the importance of space organization, and the joy of experimenting with different mediums. In this episode we explore: Transitioning from tattooing into painting and mixed-media art. ⚡️Mornington Peninsula move reshaped lifestyle and artistic direction. ⚡️Building modular studio spaces to support creative flexibility. ⚡️Balancing commercial work with personal artistic practice. ⚡️Folk art and street signage inspire visual language. ⚡️Experimenting across painting, woodworking, and assemblage techniques. ⚡️Navigating art sales, online presence, and creative authenticity. ⚡️Future projects focused on growth, collaboration, and experimentation. 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard ✦ Watch on Youtube | @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.com GUEST: Hiroyasu Tsuri (TWOONE) ✦ Instagram | @t_w_o_o_n_e ✦ Website | https://hiroyasutsuri.com/ ------- WANT MORE? 👉 Get our free Visibility Guide to learn how artists are getting seen by gallerists and collectors right now! https://www.artcareeracademy.com/visibility-guide 👉 Want to learn how Tom and our art students make a great income from their art? Get a copy of our free cheatsheet here; https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide
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BENCH TALK Podcast #219 | TWOONE - The First Guest, 10 Years Later — What a decade as a working artist actually teaches you
May 1300:45:31Tap to summarizeMural artist Hiroyasu Tsuri (TWOONE) was the very first guest on the BenchTalk art career podcast ~ ten years ago, on a rooftop in Melbourne with a dictaphone and no plan. Today he's one of the most compelling working artists in the world — painting large-scale murals across Japan, Malaysia, Morocco and Hong Kong, living in rural Italy and building an art career entirely on his own terms. In this artist interview, I sit back down with Hiroyasu a decade later to talk about what it really takes to build a sustainable art career ~ the creative philosophy, the long game and why embracing what you can't control might be the most important thing a professional artist can do. A decade later, Hiroyasu is living in a farmhouse in rural Italy, painting monumental walls across Malaysia, Morocco, Hong Kong and Japan and preparing for a major gallery exhibition in Victoria responding to the Ukiyo-e collection at Latrobe Regional Gallery. The work has expanded. The life has grown. And yet, he'll tell you himself, he still doesn't feel like he's mastered his own technique. That's not a confession. That's the whole philosophy. In this special anniversary episode, Hiroyasu and I sit back down together and talk about what a decade in the art world actually looks like from the inside. The creative philosophy that drives the work, what happens when you stop trying to fix your mistakes and start incorporating them, why Hiroyasu deliberately paints walls anyone can walk past rather than spaces only art people enter and what staying curious has done for his career that chasing mastery never could. In this episode we explore: ⚡️The calligraphy lesson Hiroyasu learned as a kid in Japan and how it became the foundation of his entire practice ⚡️Why he deliberately works with tools he can't fully control ~ and what that produces ⚡️How moving from Berlin to a small Italian village changed the way he works and finds inspiration ⚡️What murals do for communities that galleries simply can't ⚡️The moment a byproduct became the product ~ how his lightbox series was born entirely by accident ⚡️Walking between paintings: why action stimulates more ideas than sitting and thinking ever will ⚡️Where Hiroyasu is headed next If you've ever wondered what 10 years as a professional artist actually looks like - then this is it. 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard ✦ Watch on Youtube | @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.com GUEST: Hiroyasu Tsuri (TWOONE) ✦ Instagram | @t_w_o_o_n_e ✦ Website | https://hiroyasutsuri.com/ ------- WANT MORE? 👉 Get our free Visibility Guide to learn how artists are getting seen by gallerists and collectors right now! https://www.artcareeracademy.com/visibility-guide 👉 Want to learn how Tom and our art students make a great income from their art? Get a copy of our free cheatsheet here; https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide
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BENCH TALK Podcast #218 | Why Talented Artists Struggle (the Mindset Fix That Helps Them Succeed)
Apr 2900:26:47Tap to summarize👉🏼 Watch the limited time full MASTERCLASS REPLAY on the 3 Shifts Professional Artists Make to Build Real Careers: https://www.artcareeracademy.com/lp-replay-3shifts What's the real difference between an 'artist' and a 'professional artist'? It's not talent. It's not luck. It's a fundamental mindset shift that changes everything. In this episode of Bench Talk, Tom Gerrard sits down with Claire Bradshaw from Art Career Academy to unpack one of the most critical (and often overlooked) transitions an artist can make: the shift from seeing yourself as "an artist" to recognising that you're actually running a business as well. This isn't about selling out. It's not about faking it till you make it. It's about stepping into your higher self and showing up as the professional artist you're meant to be ~ even before you feel 100% ready. In this episode Tom and Claire explore: ⚡️The exact moment Tom shifted from "graphic designer who does art on the side" to full-time professional artist ⚡️Why it took three years (and what accelerated the process) ⚡️The power of surrounding yourself with artists who are already where you want to be ⚡️How this mindset shift happens at every level of an art career (not just once) ⚡️Why stagnation is a sign you're ready for the next up-level ⚡️The painful but necessary process of "killing off" old versions of yourself to grow ⚡️Navigating the fear of being shunned by peers when you start monetising your art ⚡️Limiting beliefs that hold artists back (and how to work through them) ⚡️The role of vision in helping you close the gap between who you are now and who you need to become ⚡️Why "fake it till you make it" is terrible advice (and what to do instead) ⚡️The freedom and responsibility of designing your own art career path ⚡️How to know when it's time to move to the "next arena" in your career This episode is essential listening for any artist who's serious about turning their creative practice into a sustainable, thriving career — without compromising who they are. Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube ------ 🔗 WANT TO GO DEEPER? 👉🏼 Ready to join a community of artists building real careers? Learn more about Momentum, our mentorship community for artists who are earning $3,500+ from their art: https://www.artcareeracademy.com/momentum-collective ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard ✦ Watch on Youtube | @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.com GUEST: Claire Bradshaw ✦ Instagram | @artcareeracademy and @_clairebradshaw_ ✦ Website | https://www.artcareeracademy.com/
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BENCH TALK Podcast #217 | KRISTOPHER RAOS - Studio Practice & The Long Game
Apr 1501:02:16Tap to summarize👉 FREE live masterclass training for working visual artists ~ discover why talented artists stay stuck and the 3 shifts that change everything. https://www.artcareeracademy.com/freetraining-unstuck What does it really take to transition from graffitti writer to full-time studio artist? In this episode of Bench Talk, Tom Gerrard reconnects with Los Angeles-based artist Kristopher Raos for an in-depth conversation about making the leap from graffiti to a sustainable studio practice, the alchemy of materials, and why keeping your work accessible matters. Kristopher hasn't painted graffiti in five years — not because he fell out of love with it, but because he channeled that same energy into his studio work. What started as a "more practical solution" to painting on the streets has become a thriving full-time career, complete with gallery representation, museum exhibitions, and a deeply experimental material practice. In this conversation, Tom and Kristopher explore: ⚡️ Why the transition from street to studio felt natural (not like a compromise) ⚡️ How Kristopher deliberately left text behind to create distance from "street artist turned gallery artist" labels ⚡️ The materials he works with: cel vinyl, gouache, acrylic, and experimental processes ⚡️ Separating binders from pigments to achieve ultra-flat, saturated surfaces ⚡️ Why he doesn't use spray paint on canvas (and the lessons learned early on) ⚡️ The graffiti writer's "alchemy" mindset applied to traditional materials ⚡️ Looking at the LA landscape for source material instead of spots to paint ⚡️ Why Kristopher keeps his work affordable and accessible to multiple audiences ⚡️ The importance of pricing work so emerging collectors can participate ⚡️ Working with Charlie James Gallery and experimenting outside market pressures ⚡️ Having work in museum permanent collections (Buffalo AKG, California institutions) ⚡️ The reality of being a full-time artist in your 40s (and why it's the prime years) This episode is a masterclass in intentional career-building, material experimentation, and staying true to your roots while evolving as an artist. 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard ✦ Watch on Youtube | @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.com GUEST: Kristopher Raos ✦ Instagram | @kristopher_raos ✦ Website | https://kristopherraos.com ------- WANT MORE? 👉 Get our free Visibility Guide to learn how artists are getting seen by gallerists and collectors right now! https://www.artcareeracademy.com/visibility-guide 👉 Want to learn how Tom and our art students make a great income from their art? Get a copy of our free cheatsheet here; https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide
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BENCHTALK Podcast #216 | ELLIOTT ROUTLEDGE
Apr 100:50:18Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to evolve as an artist without losing yourself in the process? In this episode of Bench Talk, Tom Gerrard sits down with Sydney-based artist Elliott Rutledge for a raw, honest conversation about artistic evolution, breaking into the gallery world, and the courage it takes to keep experimenting when you're not sure if anyone will buy the work. Elliott is a true creative polymath - working across abstract paintings, text-based works, murals, sculptures and more. But his path hasn't been linear. He went from street art to gallery representation, navigated imposter syndrome along the way and learned to trust his instincts even when commercial viability wasn't guaranteed. In this conversation, Tom and Elliott explore: ⚡️Why Elliott doesn't call himself a "street artist" anymore: ⚡️How to navigate imposter syndrome when transitioning into the gallery world ⚡️The evolution of Elliott's condensed, elongated text-based works ⚡️Why he kept certain bodies of work "on the back burner" for years before showing them ⚡️How one interior designer's enthusiasm gave him the confidence to finally exhibit his text pieces ⚡️The importance of creating work you love, even if you don't think it will sell ⚡️Working across multiple mediums and styles without feeling scattered ⚡️How mentors shaped Elliott's gallery career ⚡️Being featured in the Australian Abstract art book ⚡️Balancing fatherhood, studio time, and a relentless creative drive This is a interview is all about artistic integrity, creative courage and the long game of building a sustainable art career without compromising who you are. 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard ✦ Watch on Youtube | / @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.com GUEST: Elliott Routledge ✦ Instagram | @funskull ✦ Website | https://www.elliottroutledge.com/ ------- WANT MORE? 👉 Get our free Visibility Guide to learn how artists are getting seen by gallerists and collectors right now! https://www.artcareeracademy.com/visibility-guide 👉 Want to learn how Tom and our art students make a great income from their art? Get a copy of our free cheatsheet here; https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide
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BENCH TALK Podcast #215 | ART CAREER ACADEMY - When Art Advice Derails You
Mar 1800:23:02Tap to summarizeEvery artist has been there. Someone - a gallerist, a family member, a fellow artist - pulls you aside and tells you exactly what's wrong with your work. You didn't ask. But now you can't stop thinking about it. In this episode of Bench Talk, Claire Bradshaw from Art Career Academy and I unpack one of the most common (and damaging) experiences in an artist's career: unsolicited advice and what to do when it threatens to knock you off course. In this episode Claire and I explore: ⚡️Why unsolicited advice is everywhere and why it's getting louder ⚡️The real reason criticism hits artists harder than most people ⚡️Tom's personal story: the "clean lines" advice that cost him two years of joy ⚡️Claire's 3-step framework for handling feedback without going into freeze or spiral ⚡️How to assess whether advice actually deserves your attention ⚡️Why trying to please everyone is the fastest route to becoming forgettable ⚡️The Picasso, Matisse + Basquiat reminder every artist needs to hear ⚡️Why community matters more than ever when you're putting your work out there Key takeaway: Your power is in your centre. When you know your vision, your values, and where you're taking your art ~ the noise stops landing so hard. 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard ✦ Watch on Youtube | / @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.com GUEST: Claire Bradshaw ✦ Instagram | @artcareeracademy @_clairebradshaw_ ✦ Website | https://www.artcareeracademy.com ------- WANT MORE? 👉 Get our free Visibility Guide to learn how artists are getting seen by gallerists and collectors right now! https://www.artcareeracademy.com/visibility-guide 👉 Want to learn how Tom and our art students make a great income from their art? Get a copy of our free cheatsheet here; https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide
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BENCH TALK Podcast #214 | BYRON BOWMAN KEHOE
Mar 401:09:19Tap to summarizeIn this insightful interview, Byron Bowman Kehoe, a seasoned gallerist, shares his journey through the art world, from early exposure to art in his family gallery to working in Japan and New York. Discover his perspectives on art collection, studio practices, street art, and how galleries like Backwoods shape Melbourne's vibrant art scene. ------ KEY TAKEAWAYS: - Early exposure to art through family gallery - Japanese art influence on contemporary taste - The role of collectors in the art world - Studio practices and artist assistants - The evolution of street art into gallery spaces - Strategies for artists to approach galleries - The importance of storytelling in art - The future of Melbourne as an art hub ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard ✦ Subscribe to Channel | www.youtube.com/@ArtCareerAcademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com GUEST (Byron Bowman Kehoe) ✦ Instagram @backwoods.gallery ✦ Find out more at: https://www.backwoods.gallery/ Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! ------- WANT MORE? 👉Download free cheatsheet to boost your creative cashflow: https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide 👉 Join our free 7 days of Drawing a Day in May challenge: https://www.artcareeracademy.com/drawing-challenge -------- SUPPORT THE SHOW: 👉 Subscribe by hitting the bell 🔔 icon above 👉 Make a One-Time or Recurring Donation on PayPal: https://paypal.me/artcareeracademy ___________________ © 2025 Art Career Academy. All rights reserved. Content from Art Career Academy & BenchTalk Podcast is protected under copyright law. Legal Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by guests on Art Career Academy & BenchTalk are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Tom Gerrard, Claire Bradshaw or the Art Career Academy. This channel and podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.
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BENCH TALK Podcast #213 | ART CAREER ACADEMY - Q&A: Commissions
Feb 1900:28:00Tap to summarizeA listener question inspired this episode — and it highlights something many artists and collectors experience: How do you create a commissioned artwork that truly feels right for everyone involved? In this episode of Bench Talk, we explore how commissions can become rewarding creative collaborations when expectations are clear and communication is open. Because when alignment is there, the process feels energising — and the artwork becomes something truly special. In this episode: • Why commissions are an opportunity for meaningful collaboration • How collectors can communicate what they love with clarity • How artists can guide the process with confidence and professionalism • Why alignment matters more than perfection • How great commissions strengthen artist–collector relationships 👉 Join the Going Pro LIVE cohort 2026 waitlist — our signature program for visual artists. https://www.artcareeracademy.com/waitlist 👉 Get our free Visibility Guide to learn how artists are getting seen by gallerists and collectors right now! https://www.artcareeracademy.com/visibility-guide 👉 Want to learn how Tom and our art students make a great income from their art? Get a copy of our free cheatsheet here; https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide
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