Art & Cocktails

• Shrinking the Problem, Expanding the Dream: Trusting the Next Level and Letting Go

  In this solo episode, host Kat — artist, certified coach, and founder of Create! Magazine — speaks directly to those navigating the in-between seasons of life and creativity: when the vision is clear, but momentum feels slow, and nothing seems to be moving fast enough. From reframing your challenges to trusting the pruning seasons, this episode is a reminder that you're not going backwards — you're evolving. You’ll learn how to stop over-identifying with obstacles, use tools like anchoring and “living as if,” and incorporate creative rituals like walking in nature to regulate your nervous system and reignite your vision. Kat also explores the concept of mental hygiene, reducing negativity, and cultivating a mindset that nurtures expansion instead of fear. This conversation is here to help you zoom out, reconnect with your inner knowing, and take aligned, empowered action — especially when the path ahead feels unclear. Limited time only: Grab the Art Career Bundle — a curated collection of 10 workshops designed to help artists step into visibility, sales, and strategic growth. It's 50% off through May 21 at createu.co. This is your reminder: your dream is real. You are not shrinking — you're expanding. Apply to work with Kat 1:1: https://www.katpopova.com/mentorship Visit www.createmagazine.co for recources and artist opportunities  

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• How We See and Understand Art with Gita Joshi

  What makes a work of art resonate? Is it the colors, the subject, the symbolism—or something more elusive? In this episode, curator, author, and coach Gita Joshi returns to talk about her new book Framing the Invisible: How We See and Understand Art. We explore how perception, personal experience, and context shape the way we engage with artwork—whether you're an artist, collector, or simply a curious viewer. We also talk about why visual literacy matters, how to talk about your work with confidence, and why there's no wrong way to see art. Order Gita’s book: https://amzn.to/4j6AJ2V Start learning with our educational micro learning hub: https://www.createu.co Read the blog, submit your work, or check out the latest issue of Create! Magazine: https://www.createmagazine.co Follow Gita on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegitajoshi Follow Kat on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katerinaspopova Thanks for listening to Art & Cocktails! Love the show? We appreciate your support, plese leave us a quick review on iTunes and share this with a friend. 

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• Why Your Pitch Isn’t Landing—And How to Actually Get Published in Magazines, Podcasts, and More with Kat

  If you’ve ever thought, “Why am I not getting featured?”—this episode is for you. Whether your pitches are met with silence, you’re dropping “feature me” comments under open calls, or you’re simply unsure how to approach editors, this is the (loving) tough-love conversation you didn’t know you needed. In this solo episode, Kat shares raw insight from her unique perspective as both a published artist and the editor of Create! Magazine. You’ll learn why some pitches get ignored (even when the art is strong), what editors are actually looking for, and how to approach press and media outreach with clarity, professionalism, and confidence. She also pulls back the curtain on behind-the-scenes stories and common mistakes that hold artists back—like relying solely on social media comments, sending vague DMs, or coming off too self-promotional. You’ll leave with a grounded understanding of how to share your work in a way that actually resonates. Kat also explores the energetic and mindset side of visibility—because getting featured isn’t just about tactics. It’s about believing you’re worthy of being seen, celebrated, and supported.   Want to take it further? Grab Kat’s new mini course: How to Get Featured in Magazines and Press as an Artist at CreateU.co. It’s just $39 and includes a 40-minute video training, pitch templates, a press kit checklist, and Kat’s exact system that’s helped hundreds of artists land meaningful features. New to juried submissions? Make sure you’re not skipping the basics—download our free guide: Essential Tips for Emerging Artists Before Submitting Their Work. Your work deserves to be seen. Let’s make sure the right people find it. Listen now, share with a fellow artist, and start visualizing your next feature—because it’s possible, and it’s closer than you think.

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• What 9 Years of Self-Employment Taught Me About Selling Art, Standing Out, and Scaling a Creative Life with Kat

  In this solo episode of Art & Cocktails, I’m (Ekaterina Popova) celebrating my nine-year self-employment anniversary—marking the moment I walked out of my corporate job and committed to building a life as a full-time artist and creative entrepreneur. This conversation blends personal storytelling with practical strategies for artists who are just starting out, those in the thick of building, and anyone dreaming of making their creative practice sustainable. I share what worked for me when I had fewer than 300 followers, no gallery representation, and no real roadmap—just passion, urgency, and the willingness to figure it out. You’ll hear what helped me sell my first artworks, grow beyond friends and family, and start showing up professionally long before I felt “ready.” Topics include: How I made my first sales with a small audience What to post and how to talk about your work Why local shows and early wins deserve celebration How I began getting noticed by curators and galleries What I did to prepare for opportunities before they happened Why I built Create! Magazine to support other artists like me The shift from doing everything to scaling through systems Why you don’t need to go viral to succeed How creative leadership changed my business and energy I also talk about growing Create U, embracing structure as a form of freedom, and what I’ve learned about building a business that allows for rest, alignment, and long-term joy—not just hustle. If you’re navigating a season of growth or feel like you're on the edge of something new, I hope this episode encourages you to take your next brave step. Explore resources mentioned in this episode: Sell From the Studio course at Create U: www.createu.co/sell-from-the-studio Submit to Create! Magazine: www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art Read and subscribe to my Substack: artandcocktails.substack.com Thank you so much for listening. I’m honored to be on this creative path with you.

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  22:17
• Unmasking the Artist: Speaking Your Truth, Navigating Motherhood, and More with Sarah Detweiler

  In this powerful conversation, Kat sits down with artist Sarah Detweiler to explore the intersections of motherhood, identity, and creative evolution. Sarah opens up about her journey from commercial art to fine art, the deeply personal work in her Hidden Mother series, and her most recent solo show Unmasquerade—a vibrant, layered exploration of ADHD, selfhood, and unmasking in midlife. Together, they unpack the beauty and the bravery of allowing yourself to evolve as an artist—even when it feels risky. This is a raw, affirming episode for anyone navigating transitions and seeking deeper authenticity in their work.   Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction and Background 06:33 – Artistic Evolution and Personal Journey 13:33 – The Hidden Mother Series 17:21 – Unmasquerade: New Directions in Art 22:26 – Exploring Identity and ADHD 27:33 – Closing Thoughts and Future Directions 32:12 – Outro   ✨ CALL FOR ART Submissions for Create! Magazine’s Summer Issue #52 are now open. Be part of our print + online issue, curated by an international jury. Submit by April 30: www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art   🎓 CREATE U Looking to grow your art career without the overwhelm? Explore our micro-courses designed to help you gain clarity, build momentum, and grow on your terms: www.createu.co   Featured Guest: Sarah Detweiler is a Philadelphia-based artist known for her mixed media paintings that weave together hand embroidery, narrative, and figuration. Her work has been exhibited nationally, featured in Create!, Hi-Fructose, Colossal, and The Jealous Curator, and she has had multiple sold-out solo exhibitions at Paradigm Gallery. Follow Sarah on Instagram at @sdartifacts. www.sarahdetweiler.com   Listen, take what resonates—and don’t be afraid to grow beyond what you’ve always been.

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