The Lonely Palette
If you’ve ever stood in front of a famous painting and thought, “Cool, but… now what?” this podcast is your answer. Hosted by Tamar Avishai, The Lonely Palette dissects iconic artworks piece by piece, without the academic fluff. It’s art history with a side of storytelling sharp, thoughtful, and accessible enough to follow while sketching or commuting.
Avishai takes what could be a museum audio guide and elevates it. Each episode does more than just describe a painting; it offers cultural context, artist backstory, and asks the kinds of questions that make you see things differently. The tone’s smart but relaxed like listening to a well read friend explain why a painting matters.
Perfect for painters, illustrators, or anyone looking to build their visual vocabulary without falling asleep. If you’re trying to make fresher, more informed creative work, this one belongs in your rotation.
Art Juice
Hosted by artists Alice Sheridan and Louise Fletcher, Art Juice is that rare creative podcast that hits both heart and head. It’s equal parts candid conversation and clear eyed strategy, mixing humor with sharp insights into the real work of being an artist today. Each week, Sheridan and Fletcher tackle everything from mindset blocks to marketing moves, with a grounded tone that strips the fluff and gets to the good stuff.
This podcast is built for creators who want more than just inspiration. Whether you’re struggling with the business side of your practice or just need a recalibration on why you create in the first place, Art Juice keeps it honest. No hype, no gatekeeping just thoughtful, down to earth talk about making art and making it work.
Bad at Sports
If you like your contemporary art smart but not self serious, “Bad at Sports” might be your new favorite podcast. It’s a chaotic good mix of interviews, dry wit, and blunt commentary on the state of the art world minus the velvet gloves. The hosts don’t just talk about big names in the scene, they dig up fresh voices and challenge the stale tropes that still haunt galleries and institutions.
Conversations stretch from the conceptual to the ridiculous, often in a single breath. That’s the hook: it doesn’t lecture. It pulls you into complex topics like institutional critique, artist labor, or public space without sucking the air out of the room. International artists and curators get their say here too, keeping the show global and grounded.
If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at an overblown artist statement but still believe art can shape culture in real ways, this podcast is speaking your language.
ArtCurious
If you think art history is just dusty lectures and textbook scans, ArtCurious will change your mind. Hosted by art historian Jennifer Dasal, this podcast shines a light on the strange, mysterious, and often overlooked corners of the art world. From conspiracy theories about the Mona Lisa to scandals surrounding forgotten artists, each episode peels back layers of myth and fact with just the right balance of scholarship and storytelling.
What makes ArtCurious stand out is how casually thoughtful it is. You get the rigor of an expert without the snobbery. It’s the kind of podcast that sneaks up on you you fire up an episode just to pass the time, and suddenly you’re deep in a story about Nazi looted paintings or Van Gogh’s tangled mental health legacy. Whether you’re a working creator or just art curious, this podcast will get you thinking differently about the images you see and the stories behind them.
Creative Pep Talk
Illustrator Andy J. Pizza doesn’t waste your time. His podcast, Creative Pep Talk, delivers exactly what it promises: raw, actionable motivation, served with clarity and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. If you’re a freelance artist or creative entrepreneur grinding to turn your vision into a business, this should be on your regular rotation.
The show hits that rare balance between inspiration and execution. One episode might unpack how to find your personal brand voice. Another might break down why burnout hits harder when your art is your livelihood and how to come back stronger. Andy shares tools without fluff, riffing on everything from creative block to marketing strategy.
What makes it stick is his honesty. He’s been through the hustle, the rejection, the overwhelm. He gets it. For those building a creative life from scratch while managing a budget, schedule, and expectations Creative Pep Talk serves as a battery charger and compass, all in one.
The Jealous Curator: Art for Your Ear
If you’re tired of filtered perfection and artspeak fluff, Danielle Krysa’s podcast is the reset button. ‘Art for Your Ear’ strips things down. These are raw conversations with working artists real people managing doubt, deadlines, and everything in between. Krysa isn’t digging for drama. She’s offering a space where creators can talk honestly about what it really takes to stay in it.
You’ll hear about the wins, sure but also the endless rejection, the fear of going broke, and the quiet breakthroughs that never make it to Instagram. This is the kind of podcast that reminds you why you started making things in the first place. Grounded, human, and quietly empowering, it’s a must listen for creators who want company on the long haul.
Beyond the Studio
A Real World Look at Art Careers
If you’re an artist thinking long term, Beyond the Studio offers the kind of grounded insight that rarely makes it into art school curriculums. This podcast features in depth conversations with working artists who candidly share what it takes to build and maintain a sustainable creative life.
What You’ll Hear
Each episode dives into practical, actionable topics that impact real world creatives:
Finances: How artists manage money, price their work, and plan for the future
Galleries: Insights into navigating gallery relationships and building visibility
Contracts: Legal basics every artist should understand when working with clients or collaborators
Creative Growth: Staying inspired while building a career that lasts
Who It’s For
Perfect for artists who:
Want to treat their practice as both passion and profession
Are curious about the behind the scenes details most creators don’t talk about
Appreciate honest, unfiltered conversations with a balance of inspiration and strategy
Talk Art
Hosted by actor Russell Tovey and gallerist Robert Diament, Talk Art is where contemporary visual culture meets pop energy. The show thrives on the chemistry between its hosts the actor with a passion for collecting, and the gallerist with a deep understanding of the art industry. It’s less about lectures and more about lively, curious, and sometimes surprising conversations.
Talk Art pulls back the curtain on both headline grabbing names and under the radar creators. One episode might feature a Turner Prize winner; the next, a breakout installation artist you’ve never heard of but should. The discussions are casual but rich, offering a wide angle look at how art lives in the real world. From museum walls to Instagram feeds, this podcast makes the art world feel a little less closed off and a lot more human.
The Art History Babes
If you’ve ever loved a gallery but hated the jargon, this podcast might be your antidote. The Art History Babes are four friends with art history degrees who know their stuff and how to keep things real. They tackle topics ranging from ancient sculpture to contemporary performance art, but without the academic fog that pushes people out of the conversation.
Episodes mix cultural commentary, deep dives into exhibitions, and honest discussions about artists and art movements. It’s the kind of podcast that can make you rethink a painting you’ve seen a thousand times or bring a new one into your world entirely all while feeling like you’re just hanging out with smart friends who geek out over art.
Perfect for creators who want sharp insight without the snobbery.
If you’re serious about leveling up your art, strong reference material isn’t optional it’s essential. Whether you’re developing lighting skills, anatomy accuracy, or just need the right pose or texture to work from, the quality of your references shows in the final result. Instead of scraping random photos online or relying on low res images, check out this curated guide on where to find free high quality reference images for artists. It pulls together vetted sources so you can spend less time hunting and more time making.