Bench Talk (2025)

29/09/2025

New Bench Talk episode #206!
Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

In this week’s episode I sit down with artist to recap Sydney Contemporary 2025 — Australia’s biggest art fair.

We cover:
👉🏼 Standout artists & works that caught our eye
👉🏼 The difference between online vs. in-person experiences
👉🏼 Damien Hirst’s butterfly piece with a $1.2m price tag
👉🏼 The overwhelm (and thrill) of navigating art fairs

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like behind the scenes at Sydney Contemporary, this episode gives you a raw and honest take.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube
🔗 Link in bio

👉🏼 Get our free Visibility Guide to attract collectors and gallery interest - https://www.artcareeracademy.com/visibility-guide

09/09/2025

Bench Talk #205 featuring
Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube

Street artist CTO joins for an unfiltered conversation about street art, graffiti politics, and painting walls across Melbourne and beyond.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

- His shift from psychedelics and self-discovery into murals
- Learning rope access to paint massive walls safely
- How art can be activism, alchemy, and a way to shift collective consciousness
- The Melbourne street art scene and graffiti beef
- The future: sculptures, installations, and big walls in America

This episode is part philosophy, part technical deep dive, and part raw honesty about what it takes to live and breathe street art today.

As always this episode is brought to you by

👉 Join the Going Pro waitlist — our signature program for visual artists. Be first to hear when doors open for the 2026 intake and unlock early access, exclusive bonuses & the best price.
artcareeracademy.com

👉Download our free cheatsheet to boost your creative cashflow:
artcareeracademy.com

27/08/2025

This week sits down with Claire Bradshaw from to talk about the 3 most common mistakes artists make — and how to avoid them.

⚡️ Hiding away in the studio
⚡️ Ignoring the business side
⚡️ Relying only on Instagram

Instead, discover how to build a sustainable, professional art career through visibility, community, and smart business practices.

🎧 Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
📺 Or watch the full conversation on YouTube
Find the links in Bio

25/08/2025

Available to watch on YouTube and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

This week on the I sit down with contemporary artist Tom Adair to explore both his creative journey and the changing art market.

Inside this episode you’ll discover:

⚡️ Tom’s first art sale & what it taught him
⚡️ Why intuition and family balance matter in his career
⚡️ Dream projects — from immersive installations to a museum retrospective
⚡️ Insights on art valuation, collectors, and the digital marketplace
⚡️ What’s next — fatherhood & a kids’ wear brand

A conversation that blends creativity with business - and shines a light on what it really takes to thrive as an artist today.

🎧 Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
📺 Or watch the full conversation on YouTube
Find the links in Bio

21/08/2025

Available to watch on YouTube and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

“The art world is shifting — innovation is key.” – Tom Adair

This week on the I sit down with contemporary artist Tom Adair to explore both his creative journey and the changing art market.

Inside this episode you’ll discover:

⚡️ Tom’s first art sale & what it taught him
⚡️ Why intuition and family balance matter in his career
⚡️ Dream projects — from immersive installations to a museum retrospective
⚡️ Insights on art valuation, collectors, and the digital marketplace
⚡️ What’s next — fatherhood & a kids’ wear brand

A conversation that blends creativity with business - and shines a light on what it really takes to thrive as an artist today.

🎧 Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
📺 Or watch the full conversation on YouTube
Find the links in Bio

12/08/2025

BENCH TALK #202. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and watch on YouTube. Link in bio.

Pricing your artwork can feel daunting…right?!

How do you decide what it’s worth?
What if a piece doesn’t sell?
How many prints should you make?

In this new episode, Tom Gerrard & Claire Bradshaw from the Art Career Academy share real-world advice for emerging artists, including:

⚡️ Confidently pricing your work
⚡️ What to do with unsold pieces
⚡️ Smart print edition strategies
⚡️ Mindset shifts for long-term success

Because every exhibition, sale, and connection is part of the bigger picture of your art career.

🎧 Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
📺 Or watch the full conversation on YouTube
Find the links in Bio

29/07/2025

Celebrity Artists — legit creatives or rich hobbyists?

In this week’s episode of Bench Talk, & .co ‘s explore the bizarre world of celebrity art.

They unpack:
- Why artists like Ed Sheeran & Adrian Brody face backlash
- The emulation phase in every artist’s journey
- How celebrity status skews provenance & value
- Why joy in art matters—regardless of skill or fame

Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube 🎧 Link in Bio.

And tell us—do you take celebrity art seriously?

23/06/2025

Bench Talk #199 - .r.e.z
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Full video on our YouTube channel

In this new episode with Drex we discuss the evolution of his work, the balance between his music and art careers, and the importance of maintaining a human touch in his creations.

“The human hand in artwork is important.” Drez

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
👉🏼 The balance between digital precision and raw expression
👉🏼 Life between music and visual art
👉🏼 His immersive new show Saturation Point
👉🏼 The physicality of large-scale work (and why fitness matters for artists)
👉🏼 His dream to blend sculpture with architecture

🎧 Listen on Spotify or Apple
📺 Full video on YouTube

Click link in Bio for the links!

17/06/2025

Bench Talk #199 - .r.e.z

In this new episode with Drex we discuss the evolution of his work, the balance between his music and art careers, and the importance of maintaining a human touch in his creations.

“The human hand in artwork is important.” Drez

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
👉🏼 The balance between digital precision and raw expression
👉🏼 Life between music and visual art
👉🏼 His immersive new show Saturation Point
👉🏼 The physicality of large-scale work (and why fitness matters for artists)
👉🏼 His dream to blend sculpture with architecture

🎧 Listen on Spotify or Apple
📺 Full video on YouTube

Click link in Bio for the links!

20/05/2025

Episode #197
Available now on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Link in bio.

In this episode, we dive into the vibrant world of Miami-based muralist , as he shares his creative evolution from high school musician to one of the pioneers of Miami’s street art movement.

We talk about how architecture shaped his approach to design, what it was like working with El Mac, and how projects like Primary Flight and Wynwood Walls changed the landscape of public art.

HoxxoH opens up about the role of music in his art, the tools he builds himself, and how he balances the controlled environment of the studio with the raw unpredictability of mural work.

Hosted by

As always, this episode is brought to you by

06/05/2025

Episode #196
Available ow on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Jasmine shares her artistic journey from her early days in Adelaide to becoming a successful muralist. She discusses her experiences at art school, the challenges of being an artist today, and the importance of personal expression in her work. Jasmine also highlights the supportive nature of the mural community, the impact of female artists in the field, and the balance between her studio and mural practices. Throughout the discussion, she emphasises the significance of health and wellness in sustaining a long-term art career and the accessibility of art through murals. In this conversation, Jasmine discusses her artistic journey, the evolution of her identity as an artist, and the importance of balancing traditional and contemporary practices. She shares insights on art residencies, the significance of art prizes, and her experiences with murals. Jasmine also reflects on her creative process, the joy of experimentation, and her aspirations for the future, including a desire to travel and expand her artistic horizons.

As always this episode is brought to you by

23/04/2025

New look. New episode and now available on YouTube. You can now watch all Bench Talk episodes on the YouTube channel.

In this Q&A style episode of Bench Talk, Tom Gerrard & Claire Bradshaw from The Art Career Academy discuss various aspects of building a successful art career. Together they address the common challenges artists face; such as managing an overflow of artwork, balancing artistic growth with business acumen, and choosing the right art supplies.

If you have a question you’d like Tom & Claire to unpack in a future Q&A episode, send your questions via DM.
——

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Managing artwork overflow.

Storage solutions and selling strategies essential for artists.

Balancing creativity and business.

Artists should focus on their unique style while evolving.

Experimentation in art is important but should be balanced with consistency.

Choosing the right art supplies can impact the quality of work.

Engaging with the audience can enhance the art community.

Bench Talk