Ballsy: It takes balls to sell art. (Kolodny)

In Episode 18 of the Ballsy Podcast, we're thrilled to have Instagram sensation Dan Lam, known for her vibrant and tactile sculptures made from unconventional materials. Dan's work blurs the line between allure and repulsion. Inspired by nature and the human body, she creates organic, blob-like pieces that invite touch while evoking a strange otherworldly quality. It's like nothing you've seen before! Join us as we explore Dan's artistic process, her balancing act of contrasts, and her boundless passion for creation. You can find her on Instagram @sopopomo and on her website bydanlam.com

Welcome to The Ballsy Podcast, where we celebrate those who dare to redefine art. In this episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with renowned abstract painter and innovator, Callen Schaub. If you haven't heard of him yet, you're in for a treat! Callen is a sensation on social media, captivating audiences worldwide with his mesmerizing process art. From spinning canvases to pushing the boundaries of acrylic paint manipulation, Callen's work is a fusion of creativity and spectacle. In our conversation, Callen shares insights into his journey as an artist, from early struggles to his determination to carve his own path in the art world. He discusses his transition from running a successful commercial gallery to pursuing his passion full-time and all the bumps along the way. Discover the origins of Callen's iconic spin art technique and how he found his voice by sharing his creative process online. From viral videos to fostering a direct connection with his audience, Callen's story is a testament to the power of embracing innovation and authenticity in the digital age. "I didn't fully know what kind of art particularly. I knew it was going to be abstract. I was just fascinated with color," Callen recalls, shedding light on his journey of self-discovery as an artist. Join us as we delve into the mind of an artistic trailblazer. Learn how Callen's unapologetic approach to art has not only transformed his career but also inspired a new generation of artists to embrace experimentation and their own unique authenticity. Follow Callen Schaub on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook @CallenSchaub for a firsthand look at his captivating work.

Welcome to Episode 9 where we talk to David Krovblit about his practice and journey into the art world.  David Krovblit  is a native of Toronto who now lives in California. His initial training was in photography, and before moving into fine art he was an award-winning commercial photographer. This background is reflected in his technique, which bridges old and new methods of collaging. Before cutting and pasting the images that are his raw material--in the same way as collage artists since the early twentieth century, he uses contemporary digital manipulation to scale and print them in the desired sizes. He then reverts back to an analog process to finish them by cutting and pasting each piece by hand.

You can find him on instagram @krovblit and on his website www.krovblit.com. 

On this weeks episode, we chat with Eddie Gangland. An OG NFT artist and early adopter of the Metaverse. He is known for his Gangland Skulls series is  highly sought after.  He is on track to become an NFT superstar. In this podcast we talk about his career, how he built his influence in the NFT space, some interesting growth hacks, and of course the Metaverse.  

It's a great convo.  You can find Eddie's works on open sea

You can find Eddie's works on open sea https://opensea.io/collection/gangland-skulls  Ganglandskulls.com

TimeStamps 

4:00Entrance to NFTs

4:50 Gangland Skulls

7:00  Shout out to his wife 

11:35 Physical vs digital

13:50 Growth Hack - Timed Drops

15:00 Secondary market sales ‘

15:45  First collector.  Mondoir

16 :15 Pricing

20:30   clubhouse - 8-10 hour days           X

22:30 Meteverse

24:45  Growth Hack 

25:25  How to - the metaverse

42: Matty from TMFA  

46:30 Citizen T

48:30  Growing the team

54:00 Targeted Traffic in metaverse / Real world

About your host: Kolodny

My journey from Hospitality guru to Artist was met with many unforeseen challenges.  What I realized, is being an artist is basically like running a small startup, where the artist is CEO, CMO, CFO, assistant, production lead… well you get the point.   Hopefully by listening to our mistakes and successes you can avoid some of the pitfalls that have lengthened our journey.   I interview successful artists, gallerists, collectors, and learn how these artists overcame “startup” challenges to become as successful as you want to be.  Hopefully listening to them will teach us a trick or two

On this weeks episode, we chat with financier turned pop artist Jared Schwalb.  This week is a special episode with The most Famous Artist (matty mo) as a Co-Host.  We talk about finding customers, sales, how to deal with galleries, plus a lot more

It's a great convo.  Have a listen 

You can find his work

https://www.instagram.com/vehement_art/

And

www.vehementart.com

About your host: Kolodny

My journey from Hospitality guru to Artist was met with many unforeseen challenges.  What I realized, is being an artist is basically like running a small startup, where the artist is CEO, CMO, CFO, assistant, production lead… well you get the point.   Hopefully by listening to our mistakes and successes you can avoid some of the pitfalls that have lengthened our journey.   I interview successful artists, gallerists, collectors, and learn how these artists overcame “startup” challenges to become as successful as you want to be.  Hopefully listening to them will teach us a trick or two

Welcome to Episode 6 of Ballsy with Curt Hammerly.  Curt is Ballsy, and turned his art practice into a successful business.    Taking technical 3d printed designs and slip casting them in porcelin, he creates shapes and forms not seen anywhere else.  He has built a huge and loyal following on instagram, with over 250k fans.   He creates amazing content and even more amazing art.  Working with celebs like Seth Rogan and some of the best designers in the world.  He is growing Hammerly ceramics into an indy powerhouse.   

You can find him on instagram @hammerlyceramics 

and at his website of the same name 

http://hammerlyceramics.com

Welcome to Episode 12 of the Ballsy Podcast.

In this episode, we'll deeply dive into Jochem Rotteveel's creative process, exploring the inspiration behind his unique pieces and the techniques he uses to bring his ideas to life. Jochem's art often features complex geometrical shapes and patterns, inspired by the natural world and the beauty of mathematical structures. His work has been featured in a variety of exhibitions and galleries around the world and has been purchased by collectors from all over the globe. He continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the art world, inspiring others to explore the intersections between technology, math, and art.   You can find him on Instagram @jochemrotteveel and on his website www.jochemrotteveel.com

Welcome to Episode 23 of the Ballsy Podcast where our host, Shawn Kolodny, interviews artists about the business of selling their art.

In Episode 23, we're delighted to have Jasmyn Marie, owner of Marie's Floral Art. Her mediums? Resin and dried florals. Jasmyn shares with Shawn the why behind starting her art business, how she manages her time as a full time scientist, mother, and artist, and the differentiating factors that got her to where she is today - with a multi-year waitlist for commissions and an art business that is scaling beyond her initial dreams and hopes. Listen on.

Welcome to Episode 7 of Ballsy with Marcus Aitken.  Marcus is a contemporary artist living and working in South London. Known for his gestural paintings, Marcus uses a combination of layering, distressing and blending to present a multifaceted surface to his work. His background in design has developed his artistic style creating cutting-edge abstract works. 

He has shown in exhibitions internationally and has collectors around the globe. His work has been featured by various publications including Schön! Magazine, Art Plugged, Saatchi Online, Soft Punk Magazine, High Snobiety, Trebuchet, Condé Nast, and Culture Trip. He was also named as one of Saatchi Art's top 20 emerging artists to watch in 2020.

He makes more than art, doing lots of interesting fashion Colabs, and we get deep into the way he approaches his business.  Really great interview.  

You can find him on instagram 

@marcusaitken_

And on his website 

https://www.marcusaitken.com/

Welcome to Episode 8 of Ballsy with Shira Barzilay of KOKETIT.  Shira Barzilay is an artist whose iconic work is globally recognized through her influential @koketit platform.  The Tel Aviv based artist Instagram account counts close to half a million followers; and her unique and captivating style of drawing and mixed media art has brought her to the attention of some of the world’s leading brands. To date this includes art collaborations with Cartier, Elizabeth Arden, Vogue Portugal, Harper’s Bazaar, N’kd, Lenovo, Revlon, and most recently a design collaboration with Zara. In May 2022 Shira launched her first cover collaboration with international publication Elle Norway, and her art featured on its Green Issue.

We talk about how she made the jump Jump to being a full time artist, how she runs her business, and how she has grown her brand into international recognition.  This one is a lot of fun.  Have a listen.  

You can find her on instagram

@KOKETIT

And on her website

https://www.koketit.com

In our latest Episode 19 of the Ballsy Podcast, we had a chance to speak with Niels Kiené, better known as Salventius, a Dutch artist who specializes in one-line portraits. Using a range of techniques from light painting to 3D printing, he creates art in a spontaneous style he calls "momentalism." His work is unique for its embrace of errors and its speed of creation, both of which are showcased in timelapse videos on his Instagram. Salventius has also gained attention for contributing to the world's first digital art exhibition in space. We'll discuss how his unique style is turning heads in the art community.You can find him on Instagram @salventius and on his website salventius.com

In Episode 15 of the Ballsy podcast, we'll be featuring the unique and dynamic work of artist Dimitri Likissas.

With roots in Belgium and Greece, Dimitri's creative journey has taken him from graphic design to a career in corporate media, and ultimately, to a full-time artist painter whose works have made their way into private collections around the world.

Dimitri's signature style, characterized by colored dots arrangements that transform imagery into abstract and geometric forms, invites viewers on an exciting optical journey that explores the limitless potential of chromatic and tonal scales. Influenced by pop art icons such as Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol, Dimitri's works bring harmony to the cohabitation of patterned dots that keep on moving and rolling.

Join us as we explore the world of Dimitri Likissas, whose art invites us to view the world in a magical, fluid, and invigorating panorama. 

 You can find him on Instagram @dimitrilikissas and on his website www.dimitrilikissas.com/

On this weeks episode, we chat with Cath Zhang from Easy Sunday Club.   We discuss turning her art into a successful products business.  

It's a great convo.

You can find her at 

https://www.instagram.com/easysundayclub/

and 

www.easysundayclub.com/pages/welcome

and 

https://www.youtube.com/c/easysundayclub

About your host: Kolodny

My journey from Hospitality guru to Artist was met with many unforeseen challenges.  What I realized, is being an artist is basically like running a small startup, where the artist is CEO, CMO, CFO, assistant, production lead… well you get the point.   Hopefully by listening to our mistakes and successes you can avoid some of the pitfalls that have lengthened our journey.   I interview successful artists, gallerists, collectors, and learn how these artists overcame “startup” challenges to become as successful as you want to be.  Hopefully listening to them will teach us a trick or two

Welcome to Episode 10 where we talk to Simon Bull about his practice and journey into the art world. Simon Bull has been a famous painter for over 30 years.  He is the 2019 official artist for the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC, was official artist to boxing legend Muhammad Ali and the official artist for the 2002 Winter Olympics. He won the Artist Print Award for the top-selling printmaker in the United Kingdom was the recipient of the National Association of Limited Edition Dealers Print of the Year Award in the US, two years in a row and was awarded their Medal of Honor for services rendered to the art industry.

He is most recently known for his social media fame, amassing 500k followers with his process driven art.  Simon’s paintings are rooted in a deep understanding of the flows and rhythms of the natural world. He chooses techniques that echo natural systems while also surprising and delighting his audience with playful twists and quirks.

You can find him on instagram @simonbullart and on his website www.bullart.com/, and his work can be found at

In Episode 25 of The Ballsy Podcast with host Shawn Kolodny (@kolodnyart,) we interview artist Zac Knudson about his artist's journey and the lessons he's learned since pivoting into art full-time. Zac shares what being an artist means to him, how he juggles making art with the business of art, and what inspired him to take the leap to follow his calling.

In Episode 24 of The Ballsy Podcast, our host, Shawn Kolodny, sits down with Photographer Brad Walls. Brad Walls, originally from Sydney, Australia, is now based in New York City. From 2019 to the present, Brad has been refining his style garnering international acclaim, setting new precedents in photographic expression. Brad’s niche style removes itself from traditional Aerial Photography and focuses on experimentation with negative space, symmetry and leading lines. Taking a keen interest in top down portraits, Brad has documented the likes of synchronized swimming, gymnastics and ballet, using the human body to create visually pleasing shapes from above. The images of bodies and ordinary every-day objects take on a life all of their own through Brad's meticulous composition, choreography, and production styles. Brad discusses his evolution from product designer to image maker, sharing the lessons he's learned the hard way in the art world and paints a picture of the behind-the-scenes of running his art business. The main lesson he wants to share with Bally Podcast listeners and anyone looking to find their way into making a living out of their art?

Listen and learn.

Coming up on Episode 17 of the Ballsy Podcast: From Nashville to Portland, we sit down with the talented artist and entrepreneur, Adrien Saporiti.

With his brush as his tool and creativity as his driving force, Adrien has made a name for himself in the world of visual art.

His mesmerizing murals and street artwork have captivated audiences and become iconic symbols of his craft. Throughout our conversation, Adrien takes us on a journey through his artistic evolution, sharing his earliest influences and the pivotal moments that shaped his style.

From fine art to mural creation, he has mastered the art of storytelling through his vibrant pieces.

Make sure not to miss the episode that's packed with inspiration, creativity, and the pure joy of artistic expression.   

You can find him on Instagram @asap.gif and on his website asapgif.com

In Episode 22 of the Ballsy Podcast, we're thrilled to have the man himself, Apexer. Coming from San Francisco, he's made a name for himself with his vibrant, abstract spray paint designs. His art isn't just confined to local murals; it's been part of group exhibitions and special projects, too. Apexer has even been an artist in residence at significant art centers. Plus, he's recently teamed up for a special collection that's available in multiple states. You won't want to miss this episode as we explore his incredible journey in the art world. 

For Episode 21 of the Ballsy Podcast, Shawn Kolodny sits down with Multidisciplinary artist Sarah Dugger. Sarah is a versatile artist with 25 years of experience. Her current mediums are prints, fabrics, murals, and paintings. She started her career in textile design for renowned consumer brands in the late 1990s, mastering color, concept, and project management. Eventually, she began to explore fine art painting beyond the confines of corporate design. In 2016, she joined muralist group WallDogs and began creating large-scale murals, drawing from her textile industry experience. In 2018, she returned to textile design, starting a print studio with plans to launch a namesake label for unique, wearable, printed art pieces. Based in a vintage furniture warehouse, she specializes in hand-printed fabric by-the-yard, fully embracing her talents in the visual arts. In Episode 21, Sarah Dugger discusses her process around creating art, her artistic relationship with technology, and her journey from the corporate world into fine art, amongst many other tidbits of artistic and business insight. “Art is the kind of job where your wallet have to show up every day. Every single day. Whether you want to or not.” — Sarah Dugger. “The biggest success I’ve had is taking risks,” Sarah says, “all the opportunities that don’t work out are part of the journey. The failures contribute to the success.” You can find Sarah's work on her Instagram @sarahjanedugger or her website www.sarahdugger.com. 1:27 Description of Sarah’s Work & Background 7:07 Corporate Design into Fine Art 8:50 Building the Business of Selling Art 10:20 Sarah’s First Mural Gig 11:27 Pricing 13:57 Deeper Dive into Sarah’s Work 20:22 Showing Up & Process 20:56 Sarah’s Murals & How She Finds Jobs 22:57 Sarah’s Paintings & Sales Channels 26:19 Volume of Art Produced 27:33 Sales Channels 28:45 Mailers & Buyer Communications 31:44 Budgeting 32:15 Making vs. Selling Art 33:23 The Language of Business 35:03 Learning New Skills 37:35 Lessons Sarah has Learned Along the Way

On this weeks episode, we chat with Javier Martin.  Famed Artist Javier Martin known for his mixed media neon works, and has made it in both the gallery and museum world.  He is getting ready to launch a new exhibition, and  In this podcast we talk about his career, how he built his following, global appeal and gallery connections

It's a great convo.

TimeStamps

1:00 A bit about his work

4:50 6:35  Creation of neon

8:15  How he started - Interior design

8:40  winning best young artist of spain

12:30 - Interior designer put work in a home, then into a mag then off to a gallery

16:00 Growing career first

17:30 Blindness series - What we are missing

19:35  Appropriation

22:30 Saw opportunity in smaller market (Korea) and moved there

25:45 Moving to wynwood (miami)

27:00  Galleries were the only way when he started. People werent selling art online

31:00   Building a strong community of collectors

31:45  Selling directly - Pro tip  Dont have global representation

35:15  what social he uses

36:30 On not having full time team

37:30  Sales channels

39:00  On doing his own work

41:00  Commissions

43:00  Pricing

43:45 Inventory

48:45 NFTs

51:45 Concept first then business

55:30  Press

About your host: Kolodny

My journey from Hospitality guru to Artist was met with many unforeseen challenges.  What I realized, is being an artist is basically like running a small startup, where the artist is CEO, CMO, CFO, assistant, production lead… well you get the point.   Hopefully by listening to our mistakes and successes you can avoid some of the pitfalls that have lengthened our journey.   I interview successful artists, gallerists, collectors, and learn how these artists overcame “startup” challenges to become as successful as you want to be.  Hopefully listening to them will teach us a trick or two

So welcome to Ballsy: It takes balls to sell art.  This is episode number 1 I am Kolodny, your host.  This week we have a very successful and prolific artist Jojo Anavim.

You can find Jojos work here  https://www.jojoanavim.com/

Blurring the line between mass consumerism and fine art, New York City based artist Jojo Anavim has established his body of work stemming from a background in graphic design and brand development. Previously a creative consultant for brands such as W Hotels, and Universal Music Group, Anavim crossed over full-time to fine art in 2013. His work continually employs bold color palettes, acrylic paint, oil stick, collage scraps, found items and advertisements Anavim has been collecting since his childhood. He is known for elevating the mundane by transforming everyday items into objects of transcendence. The paintings oscillate freely between playful and subversive. Triggered by his fascination with a child-like consciousness, Anavim challenges the viewer to not only see something beautiful but feel something as well.

In Episode 16 of the Ballsy Podcast, we were lucky to chat with Plastic Jesus, a bold artist whose thought-provoking installations challenge societal norms. His installations often appear unexpectedly in public spaces, disrupting the everyday and sparking conversations among passersby.

While Plastic Jesus prefers to let his art speak for itself, his work has garnered international attention and acclaim. His thoughtfully crafted pieces have been displayed in major cities around the world, captivating audiences with their profound messages and challenging the status quo. Plastic Jesus's artistic vision serves as a reminder that art has the power to provoke, inspire, and effect change. He continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art and invites viewers to question the world they live in.

Join us as we explore the impactful artistry of Plastic Jesus and the conversations it ignites.  

You can find him on Instagram @plasticjesus and on his website www.plasticjesusstore.com

Welcome to Episode 13 of the Ballsy Podcast. In this Episode 13 of Ballsy podcast, we'll be diving deep into the art world of John Westbay, uncovering the inspirations and stories behind his art as well as examining his unique way of working, discussing the techniques he uses to create his art, talking about the ideas and themes that drive him to continue pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms.

Join us for this exciting episode to discover the secrets behind John's captivating and inspiring works of art and gain a deeper understanding of his artistic vision and approach.

You can find him on Instagram @westgard and on his website https://withlovebywest.com/

Welcome to Episode 11 where we talk to Punk Me Tender, a French street artist living in LA.

We'll take an inside look at his creative process and the inspiration behind his vibrant and provocative art, which challenges traditional artistic conventions and pushes the boundaries of what is possible in the art world.

We'll explore Punk Me Tender's incredible journey as an artist, from his humble beginnings in the underground street art scene to his current status as a celebrated and boundary-pushing artist - it's a journey you won't want to miss! 

You can find him on Instagram @punkmetender and on his website www.punkmetender.com 

Welcome to Episode 14 of Ballsy podcast. In this episode, we're thrilled to have a well-known artist - DOT which stands for Department of Transformation. DOT's work is known for its unique blend of traditional art forms and technology, which creates an immersive and interactive experience for the audience. DOT's creations often explore themes of transformation, identity, and the relationship between humans and technology. In this episode, we'll get a chance to learn more about DOT's creative process, inspirations, and ideas. So, sit back, relax, and join us as we take a deep dive into the world of DOT and his transformative art.  

You can find him on Instagram @cantstopdot and on his website www.imnotdot.com