The Art Coaching Club Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Walker Antonio, a Virginia-based Filipino-American painter whose work blurs the boundaries between the real and surreal, the physical and psychological. Working primarily on a large scale, Walker's process moves from energetic chaos to deliberate refinement—a philosophy that extends to his remarkable career trajectory.

Just 18 months after graduating from Wofford College with his BA in Studio Art and Art History, Walker has built an impressive professional practice. He shares his unconventional journey from receiving the 2023 Whetsell Family Fellowship to spending 10 months at a ski resort in Germany, and how he quickly gained representation with three galleries upon returning stateside.

We dive into Walker's evolving artistic practice—from large-scale figurative works exploring themes of environment and identity to experimental 6x6-inch pieces that challenge his understanding of composition. He opens up about the pivot points in his career, including creating 34 pieces in 10 days during the Foundation House Artist Residency and showing alongside Picasso and Basquiat at the Palm Beach Modern Contemporary Art Fair.

As the first visual artist selected for the Kenan-Lewis Fellowship at Woodberry Forest School, Walker offers candid insights on balancing teaching, pursuing his MA in Fine Arts from Falmouth University, and managing the business side of art. He emphasizes the power of authentic networking over social media growth, the many hats artists must wear (accountant, marketer, graphic designer), and why he's chosen to avoid commissions to protect his creative vision.

With solo exhibitions at Stevenson & Co. (Charleston, SC) and the Rhodes Art Center (Gill, MA) in 2025, plus upcoming shows at Sheridan Studios (Macon, GA) in February 2026 and the Baker Gallery (Woodberry Forest, VA) in November 2026, Walker's career is rapidly expanding. His work has been published in American Art Collector and Suboart Magazine, with forthcoming publication in the Penn Journal of Arts and Sciences.

Whether you're an emerging artist or simply curious about the art world, Walker's perspective on treating Instagram as a living portfolio, his strategic approach to artist residencies (including his upcoming 2026 Elf School of the Arts Residency), and his commitment to "just keep going" will inspire you to pursue your creative path with intention and authenticity.

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Why do collectors hesitate to buy art — even when they love your work?

In this solo episode of The Art Coaching Club podcast, I’m breaking down why collectors don’t buy art, using real conversations I hear again and again from artists inside The Club and in one-on-one coaching.

If you’ve ever thought:


“People love my work, but they’re not buying”


“Maybe my prices are too high”


“Maybe my art just isn’t good enough”

This episode is for you.

We’ll dig into the art sales psychology behind collector hesitation and talk through what actually stops collectors from buying art — and why it’s usually not about talent, trends, or Instagram reach.

In this episode, we cover:


Why collectors don’t buy when they’re unsure (not uninterested)


The biggest misunderstanding artists have about how collectors decide what to buy


Why price often feels unclear, not wrong


Why cheap art doesn’t sell the way artists think it will


How context, confidence, and clarity help collectors move forward


What artists misinterpret when collectors go quiet


How to guide collectors without pressure or awkwardness

Buying art is a luxury decision, not a rational transaction — and understanding that changes everything about how you sell, follow up, and build long-term collector relationships.

This episode is especially helpful if you want to:


Attract art collectors, not just followers


Understand why interest doesn’t always turn into sales


Sell art with more confidence and professionalism


Build a sustainable art career without slashing prices or chasing trends

These are the exact conversations we go deeper into inside The Club, where artists learn how to sell their work with clarity, confidence, and integrity — without guessing or burning out.

Subscribe for more solo episodes on pricing, collectors, artist business strategy, and building a career that actually lasts.

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Taxes are one of the most confusing parts of being a working artist, especially when you’re self-employed, selling through galleries, or juggling multiple income streams.

In this episode, I’m joined by Hannah, a working artist and the founder of Sunlight Tax, to break down the tax basics every artist needs to understand, in clear, plain language.

We cover:


What a Schedule C is and how artists are taxed when self-employed


How self-employment tax actually works (and why it’s higher than you expect)


1099s explained, including galleries, Stripe, PayPal, and Etsy


Why you still need to report income even if you don’t receive a 1099


Simple ways to stay organized without rigid bookkeeping systems


When an LLC makes sense for artists and when it doesn’t


The easiest first step to take if taxes feel overwhelming right now

This is a practical, grounded conversation designed to help artists feel clearer, more confident, and better prepared without turning finances into a second full-time job.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Sunlight Tax: https://www.sunlighttax.com/
1099s for creatives: https://www.sunlighttax.com/1099

If you’re an artist building a sustainable career and want to understand the business side without losing your creativity, this episode is for you.

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In this episode, I’m joined by artist Carrie Pittman, whose work is known for its movement, texture, and emotional depth — and whose career is a powerful example of what it looks like to build longevity as an artist.

Carrie began her professional life in sales and finance, and painting originally entered her world as a creative outlet during a difficult personal season. What started as healing slowly evolved into a full-time art career that’s now spanned more than a decade, built through commissions, designer relationships, collaborations, and a deep belief in her own work.

In this conversation, we talk about:


Developing an artistic voice without formal training


Making the leap away from a secure career into full-time art


Confidence, comparison, and learning to ask for opportunities


Why no one is coming to “discover” you — and why that’s actually empowering


Building a sustainable business through commissions, collaborations, and consistency


Navigating social media without letting metrics dictate your worth or direction


Balancing hustle, rest, and long-term creative energy

Carrie is honest, grounded, and refreshingly practical about what it really takes to show up for your work year after year — creatively and financially.

This episode is especially meaningful for artists who are serious about longevity, navigating self-doubt, or trying to reconcile creativity with real-life responsibilities.

Links & Resources

• Follow Carrie on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/carriepittmanart

• Explore Carrie’s work:
https://www.carriepittman.com

• Apply to The Art Coaching Club (applications are currently open):
https://www.theartcoachingclub.com/about-1

• Learn more about The Art Coaching Club:
https://www.theartcoachingclub.com

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In this episode, I’m joined by artist Ashley Blazer, whose work is rooted in the natural world and explores spirituality, human presence, and the landscapes we move through — both physically and creatively.

Ashley recently relocated from Austin, Texas to Charlottesville, Virginia, and we talk about how changing environments can reshape the way you see, make, and think about your work. Her practice spans painting, textiles, and sculpture, and one of the most powerful throughlines in this conversation is permission — permission to experiment, to step away from a medium, and to return to it with new clarity.

We cover:


Letting your artistic style evolve without forcing an “arrival”


How environment and place influence creative work


Balancing studio time with the realities of motherhood


Navigating the business side of art without losing creative momentum


Marketing, visibility, and building sustainable relationships as an artist


Why discomfort in your practice is often a sign of growth

This is an honest, grounded conversation for artists who are navigating change, refining their direction, or trying to balance creativity with the rest of life.

Links & Resources

• Learn more about Ashley Blazer and her work:
https://www.ashleyblazer.com

• Apply to The Art Coaching Club (applications are currently open):
https://www.theartcoachingclub.com/about-1

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