The Independent Artist Podcast

Douglas Sigwarth is a glassblower. Will Armstrong works in mixed media. Together, they host a podcast that gives voice to the working visual artist -- specifically the kind who loads up a van and drives to art fairs across the country. The Independent Artist Podcast has 104 episodes focused squarely on the art show circuit, and there is nothing else quite like it. Guests are photographers, jewelers, printmakers, painters, and sculptors who make their living selling directly to the public at festivals and fairs. The conversations cover the Plaza Art Fair, Bayou City Art Festival, Memphis shows, and dozens of other events, with honest takes on what works and what does not. Episodes run 50 minutes to two hours, with most landing around 75 to 90 minutes. Douglas and Will have an easy rapport, and they create a space where artists talk openly about financial sustainability, recovering from setbacks (one episode covers bouncing back from a theft), and navigating the particular challenges of independent art sales. Recent episodes have also addressed heavier topics like political tension in the art world and making socially conscious work. Rated 4.9 stars from 95 reviews, which is remarkable for a monthly show covering such a specific niche. If you sell art at shows or have ever considered it, this podcast is an invaluable resource. Even if the fair circuit is not your thing, the discussions about resilience, pricing, and building a direct relationship with collectors apply to any working artist.