Shows
Just Make ArtArt is Hard. What If The Hard Part Is The Point. We Are In A Fight With The Work.What if the hardest days in the studio are not detours, but the path itself? We open up about the real fight behind the work—those sessions where flow vanishes, doubt gets loud, and the canvas refuses to cooperate—and why that tension can become your most reliable teacher. Drawing from Rashid Johnson’s candid reflection with Carrie Scott on battling the work, we unpack the difference between inspiration and perspiration and why chasing “perfect” kills momentum.Along the way, we trade tools and stories: turning fight-or-flight into practical choices, switching pieces to redirect energy, and using rituals li...
2026-01-2951 min
Just Make ArtJack Whitten, Gimmicks, And The Grind Of Abstraction with Jamele Wright Senior.What if paint could hold fear, wonder, and the cosmos all at once? That question runs through this conversation with guest host Jamele Wright Sr., where we explore Jack Whitten’s radical break from gesture and the relentless search to make painting enough on its own terms. From turning acrylic into “glass” to trapping forms on a truly flat plane, we trace how Whitten rebuilt painting through mechanics, experiment, and time in the studio.We get candid about gimmicks—when devices clarify and when they distract—and why one stunning passage can sabotage an entire canvas. A spontaneou...
2026-01-151h 06
Just Make ArtPerspectives on Jack Whitten and the Birth of Abstraction with Jamele Wright, Sr.What if paint is the vehicle and you are the medium? We dive deep into Jack Whitten’s Notes from the Woodshed with guest host Jamel Wright Sr., tracing how a life shaped by the Jim Crow South, pre-med rigor, and carpentry precision produced a studio practice built on invention. From the famed developer tool to a crow’s nest for high vantage points, Whitten redesigned the act of making—choosing systems over spontaneity and treating process like a living experiment.Jamel brings a rich perspective as an Atlanta-based artist and professor whose work spans Georgia red clay...
2025-12-241h 07
Just Make ArtThe Fearless Experiment: Q&A on Unconventional Materials & Artist MindsetWhat if the most exciting art materials aren’t on a shelf, but in a scrap bin behind the shop? We dig into the joy and rigor of working with nontraditional sources—HVAC steel, coroplast misprints, billboard tarps, even feedbags—and how renewable streams of “improper” materials unlock fearless experimentation. That freedom matters because it fuels the process-first mindset we lean on when the work gets messy, slow, or confusing.We also get practical about longevity. If you’re early in your practice, we suggest a different priority: make more work. Let volume accelerate learning, then invest in archival...
2025-12-0459 min
Just Make ArtQ&A: Answering your Questions. From Home Studios To Galleries: Real-World Art Career AdviceWe are excited to answer your art questions! In this episode we will discuss: how do you keep your practice thriving while navigating space, money, and access? We dig in with honest, field-tested advice and personal stories from two working artists who’ve built momentum in imperfect conditions.We start with the studio question everyone wrestles with: home vs separate space. You’ll hear why a “setup” beats square footage, how to protect focus if interruptions tank your flow, and scrappy ways to work larger without taking on a lease you can’t sustain. From there, we lay out a...
2025-11-2051 min
Just Make ArtWhy I Make Art. Ursula Von RydingsvardA single question can power a lifetime of work: Why do I make art? Ty and Nathan sit with Ursula Von Rydingsvard’s stark and generous answers—woven from anxiety, labor, faith in process, and the stubborn hope that making can heal—and use it as a mirror for our own practices. From the first splinter to the last pass of the saw, we look at how big work invites big stakes, why the best days feel like discovery, and how the studio becomes a container strong enough to hold whatever we bring into it.We dig into t...
2025-10-301h 11
Just Make ArtMake More, Fear Less: on Critique, Confidence, and Choosing Meaning. A Candid Studio Conversation at Poolhaus, Day 2.Coffee, rain, and a table full of half-built ideas set the stage for a candid deep dive into how artists actually move work forward in our second conversation at Poolhaus studio. We trade the comfort of endless polishing for a stubborn rule—get to the next step sooner—and unpack how that one shift stops overworking, preserves strong moments, and helps a real body of work take shape. Along the way, we turn useful decisions into mantras, write them on the wall, and repeat them when stamina dips. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s momentum with intention.We a...
2025-10-0851 min
Just Make ArtThe Art of Breakthrough: A Candid Studio Conversation at PoolhausArtistic breakthroughs don't happen by accident. They emerge from dedicated practice, willingness to fail, and persistence through periods of frustration and doubt. But how do you recognize when you're on the cusp of something transformative versus simply taking another step in your creative journey?Recorded face-to-face at Poolhaus Art Studio in Waco, Texas, this intimate conversation dives deep into the psychology of creative evolution. Both artists share candidly about their current struggles and triumphs, with one revealing a year-long process of private experimentation that's finally beginning to bear fruit. They discuss the delicate balance between methodically refining...
2025-09-2558 min
Just Make ArtEmbrace the Ugly Phase Before Beauty Emerges: Arlene ShechetHave you ever looked at your work-in-progress and thought it was absolutely hideous? According to acclaimed sculptor Arlene Shechet, that's exactly where the magic happens.In this eye-opening exploration of artistic process, we dive deep into Shechet,'s philosophy of creation, where listening to your work becomes just as important as making it. The American sculptor, whose gravity-defying arrangements have earned places in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney, reveals how embracing the "ugly" phases of creation leads to unexpected beauty."I have to have a real appetite for ugly," Shechet, confesses about...
2025-09-0454 min
Just Make ArtPart 4. Breaking down: How to Be An Artist by Jerry Saltz.What separates artists who give up from those who thrive despite rejection? In this fourth installment exploring Jerry Saltz's "How to Be an Artist," Ty and Nathan tackle the emotional armor required to navigate the art world's toughest challenges.When a Pulitzer Prize-winning critic featured Nathan's early work as an example of what not to do, he was devastated. "I was mourning the loss of an art career that didn't even exist," he confesses. This vulnerable moment becomes a masterclass in transforming criticism into creative fuel—a skill every artist must develop.The conversation weaves th...
2025-08-211h 17
Just Make ArtPart 3. Breaking down: How to Be An Artist by Jerry Saltz.Part 3. Diving deep into Jerry Saltz's "How to Be an Artist," we explore the transformative journey of learning to think like an artist. This episode unpacks the beautiful paradox that while art remains unchanged physically, it's never the same when we experience it – as Saltz writes, "an unchanging thing that is never the same." We discuss how becoming a "seeing machine" develops your artistic eye, examining artwork up close, questioning materials and processes, and truly noticing rather than merely looking.One of the most powerful concepts we explore is embracing artistic inconsistency. When Saltz writes, "Don't resist so...
2025-08-071h 10
Friday Feature ArtistCuriosity and scars with Nathan TerborgAbstract artist Nathan Terborg transforms discarded industrial waste into richly layered sculptural wall art. Guided by curiosity and experimentation, his work explores the beauty of brokenness, the power of transformation, and the poetry of materials reborn. For those who save materials for “someday” or wait for the perfect idea, Nathan offers a powerful invitation: don’t wait.Visit our website to view Nathan's work, explore our courses, or dive into more articles and interviews.
2025-07-251h 08
Just Make ArtPart 2. Breaking down: How to Be An Artist by Jerry Saltz.What transforms raw materials into meaningful art? How do artists develop their unique voice while standing on the shoulders of those who came before them? In this thought-provoking second part exploration of Jerry Saltz's "How to Be an Artist," we unpack the practical realities of the creative journey and the mindsets that sustain artistic growth.The conversation begins with the critical practice of capturing ideas—through sketchbooks, journals, voice memos—creating an ever-expanding archive of inspiration that artists can mine for future work. We share personal systems for documenting fleeting thoughts and how this practice often reveals what...
2025-07-2458 min
Just Make ArtPart 1. Breaking down: How to Be An Artist by Jerry Saltz.What if the path to becoming an artist wasn't shrouded in mystery but illuminated by practical wisdom? In this deep dive into Jerry Saltz's transformative book "How to Be an Artist," we explore the Pulitzer Prize-winning critic's generous, accessible, and remarkably grounded advice for creative souls at any stage of their journey."Art is for everyone," Saltz declares, immediately dismantling the barriers that keep so many from pursuing their creative calling. Whether you're wondering if you can be an artist without formal education, while working full-time, or while wrestling with crippling self-doubt, his answer rings clear: "Of...
2025-07-1054 min
Just Make ArtYour Work Knows Everything—Are You Listening?Have you ever felt like your artwork knows more than you do? In this intimate, unplanned conversation recorded during a Montana retreat, Ty and Nathan explore the vital yet often overlooked practice of soul care for artists.Surrounded by the sounds of birdsong and nestled in Montana's rolling landscape, we dive into what happens when artists intentionally step away from their studios. More than just a luxury, these moments of pause—whether through travel, immersion in nature, or simple daily rituals—fundamentally transform our creative practice and the work that emerges from it.Drawing wisdom from...
2025-06-2649 min
Pod SodaEpisode 12 - Nathan TerborgJoin our Patreon! patreon.com/PodSoda
Nathan Terborg, 1979, is an abstract artist who lives and works in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His use of repurposed materials and destructive practices explores themes of addiction, recovery, grief, and growth.
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2025-06-1539 min
Just Make ArtLeonardo Drew. Art as Physical Transformation. Part 2Leonardo Drew invites us into the physical, philosophical, and sometimes painful world of material transformation. Unlike artists who work with found objects carrying built-in histories, Drew deliberately purchases new materials that he must personally weather and transform. "I need to become the weather," he explains, describing a process where he subjects materials to rigorous physical manipulation that often results in literal bloodshed.This physical commitment reflects Drew's deeper philosophy about creation. He describes himself as "the crack addict of art," chasing the highs of creative breakthrough through persistent experimentation and a willingness to fail. His practice demands...
2025-06-1238 min
Just Make ArtLeonardo Drew. Art as Physical Transformation. Part 1The journey from discarded material to transcendent art forms the foundation of our conversation about Leonardo Drew, one of contemporary art's most physically committed and philosophically profound creators. Drew's remarkable journey began in the most unlikely of places—playing in a dump as a child in Tallahassee, Florida—a formative experience that would later inform his artistic sensibility and material relationship.What strikes you immediately about Drew is the joyful contradiction between his ebullient personality and the weighted gravity of his installations. His work appears weathered, aged, and discovered rather than created, yet as we learn, this is a...
2025-05-2942 min
Just Make ArtCopy, Steal, and Become: Why Great Artists Take What They Need: Basquiat, David Bowie, Wes Anderson, Sylvia Plath and others.From Jan 2024. Dive into the provocative world of artistic "theft" as Ty and Nathan explore how creative innovation truly emerges from our influences. This conversation challenges the myth of pure originality, arguing instead that the greatest artists throughout history have been masterful collectors and transformers of ideas.Beginning with Japanese fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto's transformative quote—"Start copying what you love... at the end of the copy you will find yourself"—the duo examines how creative development flourishes through strategic borrowing. From Quentin Tarantino's open acknowledgment of film references to David Bowie's musical influences, the most distinctive voic...
2025-05-011h 11
Just Make ArtA Complete Guide to Artist Residencies.Have you ever wondered what exactly an artist residency is and whether it might be the missing piece in your creative journey? In this comprehensive guide, Ty Nathan Clark takes you through everything you need to know about these transformative opportunities.Artist residencies aren't just retreats—they're powerful creative accelerators that provide dedicated time, space, and freedom to focus exclusively on your work. From rural sanctuaries nestled in nature to dynamic urban studios, these programs offer artists the chance to step away from daily distractions and immerse themselves in their practice.The benefits extend far be...
2025-04-1742 min
Just Make ArtThe Greater the Artist, The Greater the Doubt: Francis Bacon, Van Gogh, Kurt Vonnegut, JD Salinger, Maya Angelou and Charles Bukowski.Doubt isn't the enemy of artistic greatness—it's the catalyst. Reuniting after two months apart, Ty and Nathan dive into the profound relationship between artistic excellence and uncertainty through Robert Hughes' provocative quote: "The greater the artist, the greater the doubt."Ty shares his exciting news about being accepted to the Marfa Invitational after years of persistent applications, exemplifying how perseverance through doubt eventually bears fruit. We explore Charles Bukowski's observation that intelligence breeds uncertainty while ignorance fosters unearned confidence, and how this paradox shapes the creative journey.The conversation weaves through profound insights from An...
2025-03-271h 01
Just Make ArtFrom Trash to Treasure: Robert RauschenbergThis episode is a replay from Dec 28th 2023. Just Make Art will be back with a brand new episode on March 20th.What happens when an artist truly understands their medium? For Robert Rauschenberg, that's precisely when it was time to stop and move on. His philosophy—"I usually work in a direction until I know how to do it. Then I stop. At the time I am bored, or understand, and I use those words interchangeably"—serves as the launching point for a deep dive into artistic evolution and the creative mindset.Ty Nathan Clar...
2025-03-1343 min
Just Make ArtExcavating the Soul of Reclaimed MaterialsJoin us for an exploration of art and materials in this interview Nathan Terborg, recorded at his solo exhibition at Galerie Benjamin Eck in Munich. Nathan skillfully transforms found objects into thought-provoking art pieces. Discover how his early experiences in his grandfather's woodshop influenced his artistic journey, leading him away from traditional painting towards an immersive sculptural practice. Nathan dives into the essence of experimentation, stressing how the relationship between artist and materials is foundational to creating meaningful work. Nathan’s approach of curiosity and discovery emphasizes that artistic freedom resides in the acceptance of imperfection and the...
2025-02-2716 min
Just Make ArtMaking Art from Forgotten Materials | Minnesota to Germany | Artist Nathan Terborg.Imagine the thrill of witnessing your art travel across oceans for a debut in Europe. Join Nathan Terborg he recounts the exhilarating journey of his solo exhibition at Gallerie Benjamin Eck in Munich and the captivating artist talk with curator Domenico de Cirico. This episode promises an insider's look into the logistics of moving over 1,300 pounds of art, the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi that fuels his worldview, and the concept of Weltanschauung that shapes his artistic vision. With Domenico's engaging questions, they traverse the landscape of impermanence and decay, finding beauty in the overlooked and forgotten materials Nathan incorporates...
2025-02-1323 min
Just Make ArtDavid Lynch on Ideas, Meditation and Artistic Freedom.What if the mind could fish for ideas just as easily as one casts a line into the sea? Join us on a voyage into the enigmatic world of the late David Lynch as we explore his profound influence on creativity. From the haunting landscapes of "Twin Peaks" to the visceral imagery in "Eraserhead," Lynch's work has left an indelible mark on the arts. We share personal stories about encountering Lynch's films for the first time and how his distinct vision has shaped our own artistic paths. The episode also highlights Lynch's unique approach to capturing ideas, likening them...
2025-01-301h 30
Just Make ArtFrom Apathy to Introspection in Art: Lessons from Rick Rubin and Patti SmithThe episode explores the importance of creating art for oneself rather than seeking outside validation. Through insights from influential figures like Rick Rubin and Patti Smith, it emphasizes the need for genuine expression, resilience amid challenges, and setting clear goals for the creative journey.• Rick Rubin advocates making art for oneself • Reflecting on the year highlights periods of apathy • The importance of setting micro-goals for artistic progress • Patti Smith’s insights on artistry without audience expectations • William Burroughs on maintaining a good reputation in art • Embracing life’s challenges as part of the creative process ...
2025-01-1629 min
Just Make ArtCan Embracing Uncertainty Improve Your Art? Notes from Jack Whitten.What if embracing uncertainty could unlock your artistic potential? Inspired by Jack Whitten’s "Notes from the Woodshed," Nathan Terborg embarks on a reflective journey through the philosophical depths of creativity and doubt. This episode unpacks Whitten’s profound insights, shared through compelling quotes and personal anecdotes, revealing how his struggles with self-doubt and conviction resonate with our own artistic journeys. Nathan navigate's the beauty of complexity and the transformative power of journaling, drawing from Whitten’s 1987 journal entries. This episode emphasizes the significance of acknowledging emotions and using journaling as a tool for growth and introspection. By expl...
2024-12-2638 min