Bay Area artist Karl X Hauser joins Jen for a conversation about his long career in art. Karl creates narrative drawings and sculptures that are quirky, playful but also a little dark. His characters spring from his imagination, and seem to be up to childlike antics, but always with a slightly sinister edge.  Working in materials such as cast metals, kiln formed glass, wire and nails, and keeping them in a raw unpolished state, Karl’s materials tamper any overly playful sense of innocence or purity. This contrast creates a yummy combination of slightly sinister and sweet, and encourages t ..read more

Miriam Hitchcock is a California based artist, mother and teacher, who has had a fascinating and prestigious career that has taken her from San Francisco, to Yale to Italy and back again. We dig into the "boys club" that was present in the east coast art scene when she was there, living in Italy, the east coast vs. west coast critiques, the "camp" of abstraction, motherhood, and more. Miriam primarily makes paintings often using eccentric shaped formats. She uses a hybrid visual language that is both abstract and figurative, fusing domestic and landscape elements. To me, her work is simultane ..read more

Jen chats with Virginia based artist Sarah Boyts Yoder for a casual conversation that rambles from desert light, homeschooling during the pandemic as an artist/mom, connecting with viewers, joyfulness in work, and her working process. Sarah Boyts Yoder is a painter based in Charlottesville, VA. She received a BFA in Painting from Eastern New Mexico University in 2003 and an MFA in painting from James Madison University in 2006. Her work has been featured in numerous publications and exhibitions throughout the US including the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. She was awarded a professional ..read more

Artist Tom Owen joins gallerist Jen Tough for a fun and casual conversation about his life and work. Tom is part of the roster of Jen Tough Gallery. Tom and Jen met five years ago when he responded to a call for entry for a show called Guilty Pleasures. Tom is an art collector and painter living in northern Kentucky, across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. We nerd-out on spreadsheets and their power to connect artists and galleries, making the huge transition from a 9-5 job to being a full-time artist, life in the midwest, how a business background is beneficial to being an artist, art collect ..read more

Today I chat with abstract expressionist painter Natalie Dadamio, who has a very special view on art, art making, and the business of art. We discuss a lot about how art and spirituality intermingle, can heal, and the power of vulnerability and authenticity. Natalie embraced the Artist Alliance's 100 Rejections Challenge, and discusses how it empowered her and opened her up to new possibilities and opportunities. Follow Natalie on Instagram: @Natalie.Dadamio.art Are you interested in joining Jen Tough's art fair collective? She's gathering artists together and representing them at ArtExpo Da ..read more

One of the most common questions artists have is about achieving gallery representation. In this episode, I present three ways to improve your chances of representation: research, connection and understanding the actual mechanics of selling art and how a gallery operates. I also cover the importance of maintaining a database to track your approaches, the best way to maintain a positive relationship with your gallery, and more. Gallery website: www.JenTough.gallery Join the Artist Alliance: ArtistAllianceMembership.com ..read more

Jen talks with Austin based artist Laura Klopfenstein, discussing what it's like to work full time in the science world, be a mom, and create her strange and beautiful pieces (often that contain teeth!). Laura creates collages and paintings that are intricate and curious, often reflecting her science-based life. Her work can be subtly political and often humorous, with subjects about climate change, American over consumption and cultural commentary. Check out Laura's work on her website, or at Jen Tough Gallery. Laura Klopfenstein's website: www.laklopfenstein.com Jen Tough Gallery website ..read more

Discussing the ideas behind emerging and re-emerging artists, older artists and marketing, painting the edges of your painting, concern about too many creative directions, online sales, and switching gears in your art making.  Visit the gallery website: www.JenTough.gallery Ask a question for the podcast: www.ToughonArt.com Join the Artist Alliance: ArtistAllianceMembership.com ..read more

Today Jen Tough dives into the most common mistakes artists make and gives a variety of simple solutions and helpful advice on how to avoid them. The top mistakes are: 1. Out of date website 2. Confusing online name identification 3. Not networking enough 4. Not entering enough juried shows 5. Not having a spreadsheet to keep track of gallery approaches 6. Not having a simple annual marketing plan 7. Not tracking time spent in the studio and time spent on marketing 8. Not interacting enough with galleries/curators/arts professionals 9. Expecting to be "discovered" 10. Spending the majority of ..read more

How many times a day do artists think this to themselves? This thought happens on the micro (with each new change to a piece of work) as well as on the macro (a whole career).  In this shorty episode, Jen talks unscripted about how to take more risks with art marketing (and maybe not hate it quite as much) if we throw the "this may not work" fear into the trashcan. Maybe there are some nuggets in here. And maybe not. Hey! If you'd like to be part of the Artist Alliance, and be part of our new residency program starting soon, sign up now! www ArtistAllianceMembership dot com (our monthly ..read more