Ask an Artist Podcast - Review

Screengrab of Ask an Artist Logo.

Podcasts – radio Surrogate

In our final podcast of this review series, we close with Ask an Artist, which is an interview-based podcast that has run for some time. Hosted by two painters Tom Shepard and Peter Keegan, out of the UK, the podcast has been in circulation since 2019. This clearly reflects in the professionalism and smooth dynamic that the two hosts have, and the ease of their conversation. The episodes that we reviewed run about an hour or just shy of an hour each, they drop biweekly and were those aired on 22/8, 5/9, 19/11, 03/10, and 17/10, they don’t number them, so we have shown the dates.  it is available from Apple Podcasts, where we reviewed it. It is also available on Spotify. There are a lot of ads, however they seem for relevant products, so I won’t hold that against them and appreciate the regularity in that they are predictable. The Podcast seems UK focused, interviewing British artists, and speaking with a focus on UK topics, and context.

Format Content and Topics

The hosts Peter and Tom spend most episodes, hosting an artist, for a discussion on a given topic or theme, and the banter and discussion presented is jovial and positive. I felt comfortable with the hosts and the interviews quiet quickly and enjoyed the conversations generally. The topics ranged from the interviewed artists journeys and methods, to include to some small degree their business and decisions they made in pursuit of the professional artist career. The podcast does make a focus on presenting the journey of a professional artist and giving its tips tricks and stories in that light, which I as a business consultant appreciated. Additionally, it was also a common reoccurring discussion of the difficulties of being a working artist, which allows the interviewed artist to present suggestions and advice as they have experienced and learned in their own journey to the benefit of the listeners.  Four of the episodes reviewed were interviews with one being a manner of Q&A of the hosts.

While the discussions would go on there were periods and times where the conversations lacked a degree of focus or purpose and had more the air of a generic interview and not to a theme or purpose. Most covered a wide range of topics, and while interesting, the lack of a common theme or an area of focus often left the listener without must to remember. We’ve seen in other reviews, specifically the Art Biz podcast where interviews are held with artists, and while still giving room to hear the artist journey we still would have the host push to explore themes or topics the artist, was asked to give input too. It wasn’t just a ramble or general interview each time which my experience with Ask an Artist is.  While an amiable conversation, there was a general light touch on topics of interest or gold nuggets to grab from this podcast in my opinion.

I feel that they had a range of very interesting artists, that they could spend the hour, pulling more in-depth conversations with about relevant themes that may have more value to a listener or a listener with a focus on art business, as there is no question the artists, they interviewed mostly were both businesspeople and successful. Lessons could be provided and outlined into tangible benefits or knowledge bits, with a stronger focus on themes and topics, of relevance to the interviewed artist.

Recommendation 

The podcast is by no means bad or unenjoyable. I felt that it has merit, in the discussion of the various artist journeys and the conversations and roads taken to get to their current careers are always valuable in my opinion. As well as this podcast having a UK focus, I feel this might make it very valuable to listeners in that region, or those with a focus on UK artistry. I feel the podcast gives a good view of and voice for that community. Additionally, if you like general podcasts about artists, then this can also be worth a follow as the general topics are interesting and professionally delivered with a pair of sympathetic hosts.

However, if you’re looking for a focused and driven Art business podcast, with artist led learning and lessons then I think the broad range of this content in the Ask an Artist podcast might be worth passing over. There are other podcasts that can provide the focus and business specific lessons that might be more helpful.

If you’re looking at developing your next project or wondering if your pricing is working for you then why not reach out to Department45.eu to help you. We offer a free one hour consultation, which you can book here with us either on our email, timh@department45.eu, or reach out on our Instagram DM’s, or via our contact us page on the website here. We’ll be happy to have a conversation and see what we can help you with.

Thank you for your time and focus,

Tim H.

Lead Consultant,

THANK YOU!