The Create! Podcast

The Club: Discovering the Forgotten Parisian Haven for Women Artists with Jennifer Dasal

In this episode of Art & Cocktails, Kat Popova sits down with art historian, author, and podcast host Jennifer Dasal to talk about her latest book, The Club: Where American Women Artists Found Refuge in Belle Époque Paris (Bloomsbury, 2025). Jennifer shares the little-known story of the American Girls’ Club in Paris—a home-away-from-home for women artists during the late 19th century that became a vital hub for creativity, education, and connection. We dive into her passion for art history, her research process, and why community was just as important for artists in Belle Époque Paris as it is today.   We also discuss: How Jennifer uncovers forgotten stories in art history Why Paris was a critical destination for American women artists The parallels between the struggles of 19th-century women artists and today’s ongoing inequities in the art world The importance of building supportive communities for artists at every stage   ✨ Learn more about Jennifer and her work at jenniferdasal.com ✨ Order Jennifer’s new book The Club here: Bloomsbury ✨ Join the waitlist for the Art Queens Society, Kat’s community for ambitious women artists: createmagazine.myflodesk.com/aqsociety

From Dream to Published: Kristy Gordon on Writing, Publishing, and Inspiring Artists

Kristy returns to Art and Cocktails to share the inspiring story behind writing and publishing her book. We talk about the dream that began in childhood, the process of bringing it to life, and the milestones that followed. These include holding the finished copy in her hands, receiving an endorsement from Jerry Saltz, and seeing her work translated into Taiwanese. Kristy also addresses the myths that hold artists back from writing, why you do not have to identify as a “real writer” to publish a book, and how to navigate both traditional and self-publishing while keeping your vision intact. She shares details about her upcoming Essential Publishing Bootcamp with Frannie, a live two-day workshop that helps artists and creatives turn their book ideas into reality. Participants will learn about the different publishing paths, receive a step-by-step workflow for bringing a book to life, and review examples of real winning pitches that secured book deals. Whether you are interested in traditional publishing, indie presses, or self-publishing on Amazon, this workshop will provide the tools to make it happen. Kristy Gordon is a Canadian-born artist based in New York City whose paintings have been exhibited internationally, including at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Uris Center, the European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona, and the National Academy Museum in New York City. She is a three-time recipient of the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant and earned her MFA from the New York Academy of Art, where she now teaches. Her work appears in more than 600 collections worldwide and has been featured in Vogue, Hyperallergic, and Fine Art Connoisseur. She is represented by Garvey|Simon, Blumka Contemporary, and Grenning Gallery. Learn more about Kristy’s Essential Publishing Bootcamp and sign up at https://www.down2art.com/Write-Your-book. Create! Magazine is now accepting submissions for our upcoming issue. Apply to the current call for art at https://www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art. Publish your own art catalog: https://www.createmagazine.co/art-catalog  

Back to Basics: Falling in Love Again and Building a Fun Art Practice with Kat

Hello friends, and welcome to Art & Cocktails. In this solo episode, I’m Ekaterina Popova ( Kat), inviting you to return to the joy, curiosity, and grounding that comes from showing up for your art without overcomplication or pressure. This summer, I started a 100-day painting challenge that has completely reignited my love for the process. I share how working small, limiting my decisions, and committing to consistent daily practice has kept me inspired and overflowing with ideas. We discuss why slowing down and simplifying can help you create more, how to eliminate decision fatigue in your practice, the power of small daily creative commitments, using challenges to build confidence and spark inspiration, and how to protect your joy in art while still pursuing professional goals. Whether you’ve been in a creative rut or simply want to fall in love with making again, this episode will remind you why you started. Join the 100-Day Painting Challenge & Course. We start August 18, 2025. Learn alla prima techniques, get weekly demos, safe material tips, and join a supportive community committed to creating every day. Perfect for oil or acrylic painters. 👉 Enroll here: https://www.katerinapopova.com/100-day-painting-challenge-course Mentioned in this episode: Emergency Exit group exhibition at Cole Gallery, Menorca — available works on Artsy: www.artsy.net/show/cohle-gallery-emergency-exit Read on Substack: https://ekaterinapopova.substack.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and leave a review on iTunes. It helps us reach more creatives like you.

Danielle Clough: Painting with Thread, Embracing Craft, and Following Creative Instincts

In this special episode of Art & Cocktails, artist Danielle Clough joins host Ekaterina Popova (Kat) to share her journey to becoming an internationally recognized embroidery artist. Known for her bold, painterly thread work and playful approach to fiber, Danielle opens up about finding her voice, building a creative career on her own terms, and embracing the power of intuition and process. She reflects on the evolution of her practice, from sewing plush toys and experimenting with “thread sketching” to creating intricate embroidered portraits that feel like paintings. Danielle also discusses her breakout moment with Colossal, the inspiration behind her newest solo show Cruel Intentions at Paradigm Gallery, and how she reimagines vintage imagery through a contemporary lens. This episode explores the value of craft in the art world, the importance of protecting what you love when working with commercial brands, and the joy of slowing down through hands-on making. Danielle offers heartfelt encouragement for emerging fiber artists and shares the story behind her iconic Instagram handle, @fianceknowles. To explore more of Danielle’s work, visit danielleclough.com or follow her on Instagram at @fianceknowles. If you are in Philadelphia, don't miss her solo exhibition Cruel Intentions, now on view at Paradigm Gallery. Submissions are now open for Create! Magazine’s 9-year anniversary print issue. Apply today at createmagazine.co/call-for-art. https://www.paradigmarts.org/blogs/news/danielle-clough-crewel-intentions Stay Connected Follow Danielle Clough and explore her work: Website: danielleclough.com Instagram: @fianceknowles Visit her solo exhibition Cruel Intentions now on view at Paradigm Gallery: paradigmarts.org Apply to be featured in Create! Magazine’s 9-Year Anniversary Print Issue: createmagazine.co/call-for-art Subscribe to Create! Dispatch on Substack for weekly artist interviews, open calls, and creative insights: createmagazine.substack.com Explore online courses, artist resources, and creative business content at Create U: createu.co Follow us on Instagram: @createmagazine

Thriving as an Introvert in the Art World: Openings, Exhibitions & Networking on Your Terms

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, awkward, or drained by art openings or networking events, this episode is for you. Host Ekaterina Popova (Kat) shares supportive and practical advice for introverted artists who want to show up with authenticity and confidence without sacrificing their energy. You’ll learn how to prepare, what to say, and how to care for your emotional well-being before and after events. From conversation tips to grounding practices and confidence, this quick solo episode offers a gentle guide for navigating the social side of the art world in a way that honors your personality. Whether you are just beginning to attend shows again or want to expand your network while staying true to yourself, this conversation will help you feel less alone and more empowered. Learn more about the podcast.   Topics Covered: • Mindset reframes for introverts • How to prepare for gallery events and conversations • Conversation starters and meaningful ways to connect • How to feel good in your body through wardrobe choices • Boundaries, exit strategies and post-event grounding • Alternatives to traditional networking Helpful Questions to Ask at Openings: • What brought you out tonight? • Are you one of the artists in the show? • Which work stood out to you? • I follow your work. It's so nice to see it in person. • I'm new to this space. Do you come here often?   Recommended Resources: How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes Presence by Amy Cuddy The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron CreateU.co — online courses and community for artists Connect: If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow artist and tag @createmagazine or @katerinapopova on Instagram. We would love to hear what resonated with you or how you're learning to show up in your own way.