185 - Shaun Hossack

👉🏼 We’re raising funds through AusArt Day [22nd Oct] to support artists with scholarships into our Going Pro program. We'd love your help in two ways: donate to directly support emerging artists, or share our campaign with your audience. Either way, you’re removing barriers and making professional art education accessible. Thank you! https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000kNIRa/going-pro-art-career-scholarship-fund 🔥What does the actual data say about the art market in 2026?Instead of guessing or listening to rumours, Claire and I dive into the real numbers from the Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting 2026, based on data from over 3,100 collectors worldwide.The insights are game-changing for artists. Gen Z is now the biggest spenders in the art market, outspending every other generation by more than double. Direct-from-artist sales have more than doubled in one year. Instagram is now a genuine sales channel, not just a discovery tool. And collectors are using AI tools to research purchases at unprecedented rates.But what does it all mean for your art career?You’ll hear Claire and I discuss: ⚡️The shocking shift: Gen Z outspending all other generations by more than double⚡️Why younger collectors are investing in living artists, not deceased masters⚡️The wealth transfer that's about to reshape the entire market⚡️How direct-from-artist sales have more than doubled in one year⚡️Why galleries are still the most important sales channel (83% of high net worth collectors use them)⚡️The rise of art fairs: 58% of collectors made purchases linked to art fairs, up from 39% in 2023⚡️How Instagram evolved from discovery tool to genuine sales channel⚡️The role of AI in collector research: 22% now use AI tools, up from 4% in 2024⚡️Why professional presentation matters more than ever⚡️The importance of diversifying your income streams⚡️How galleries and artists are building partnerships rather than hierarchical relationships⚡️The evolving gallery model: pop-ups, art fairs, and behind-the-scenes relationships⚡️Why human-made art is becoming more valuable, not less⚡️Real collector behaviour vs market myths🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube------🔗 WANT TO GO DEEPER?👉 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👉 This episode references the Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting 2026, based on data from over 3,100 collectors worldwide. Read the full survey here - https://www.ubs.com/global/en/our-firm/art/art-market-research/survey-global-collecting-2026.html------HOST: Tom Gerrard✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard✦ Watch on Youtube | @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.comGUEST: Claire Bradshaw (Art Career Academy)✦ Instagram | @artcareeracademy @_clairebradshaw_✦ Website: https://www.artcareeracademy.com/If you loved this episode, then we'd be super grateful for a 5 star review and do subscribe so that you never miss an episode. Thanks for being here!

👉🏼 Enrolments for our signature program Going Pro Self Led are opening soon. Join the waitlist to get first access here-https://www.artcareeracademy.com/waitlist-goingpro-sl 🔥Is AI coming for your art career? OR is it actually the best time to be an artist? In this episode of Bench Talk, Claire and I tackle one of the biggest questions artists are asking right now:What does artificial intelligence mean for the future of art and artists? Instead of feeding into the fear and uncertainty, we look at history to show you why THIS moment is actually an opportunity and some specific mindset shifts and actions you need to make right now.You’ll hear Claire and I discuss: ⚡️ Why uncertainty triggers a freeze response and how to overcome it ⚡️ The predictable pattern with every major change throughout history ⚡️ How photography was supposed to kill painting but gave birth toimpressionism ⚡️ Why human-made art is about to become more valuable, not less ⚡️ The difference between AI art and human art: story, perspective, emotion ⚡️ Why artists are uniquely positioned to thrive in a tech-driven world ⚡️ The coming surge in art collectors, curators, gallery owners and creative roles ⚡️ Practical action steps to take right now ⚡️ Why showing your process and sharing your story matters 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube------🔗 WANT TO GO DEEPER?👉 AI isn't going anywhere. But neither are you! Download 'AI Proof Your Art Career' ~ our free guide for artists who want to stay fully humanhttps://www.artcareeracademy.com/ai-proof-art-career-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.comGUEST: Claire Bradshaw (Art Career Academy)✦ Instagram | @artcareeracademy @_clairebradshaw_✦ Website: https://www.artcareeracademy.com/If you loved this episode, then we'd be super grateful for a 5 star review and do subscribe so that you never miss an episode. Thanks for being here!

👉🏼 Enrolments for our signature program Going Pro Self Led are opening soon. Join the waitlist to get first access here-https://www.artcareeracademy.com/waitlist-goingpro-sl 🔥Kitt Bennett has painted a skeleton on the ground the size of a city block, a mud crab that looks like it’s about to eat him, and ground murals he’s happy to leave fading in the weather for a decade. On purpose.If you’ve ever obsessed over a post’s view count, or felt paralysed trying to get a drawing “right,” this episode is for you.Kitt joins Tom to talk about street art, tattooing, and the messy, unglamorous process most artists never show anyone.You’ll hear Tom & Kitt discuss: ⚡️ How a giant ground mural became a video artwork about process, not just a finished photo ⚡️ Why crustaceans are easier to draw than rabbits, and what that says about how Kitt solves creative problems -⚡️ The real reason Kitt uses himself as reference for almost every figure he paints ⚡️ How his tattoo apprenticeship completely rewired the way he draws - ⚡️ The Microsoft Paint folio he secretly built while working a call centrejob, just to get into art school ⚡️ What blind drawing games teach you about letting go of perfection - ⚡️ Why Kitt downgraded to a “dumb phone” at the end of each day ⚡️ The honest, sometimes brutal feedback loop he has with collaborators like Mayo and DrezKitt’s take on all of it: the work matters more than the metrics! If that’s a mindset shift you need right now, this conversation will help alot.🎧 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.comGUESTS: ✦ Instagram | @kitt_bennett/✦ Website: https://kittbennett.bigcartel.com/If you loved this episode, then we'd be super grateful for a 5 star review and do subscribe so that you never miss an episode. Thanks for being here!

What 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 communityThis 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.comGUESTS: 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!

How 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 practiceThis 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.comGUEST: George Rose✦ Instagram | @george_rose✦ Website: georgerose.com.auIf 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!