What does it feel like to work professionally as an artist for 23 years but still feel like you're treading water?

In this episode of Art Problems, I speak with Boston-based artist Yuko Oda about joining Netvvrk just over a year ago after graduating from RISD in 2000 and spending two decades feeling confused about her trajectory. She was saying yes to everything, spreading herself too thin, and missing opportunities she should have seized—like a group show in Tokyo where she wasn't happy with the work she submitted.

In just over a year, Yuko sold her first major piece directly to a collector, secured a three-piece commission for a downtown Boston high-rise, exhibited work in Rome that she calls her best art experience ever, and learned to set boundaries that protect her momentum. We talk about overcoming hesitation to invest in yourself, how accountability groups helped navigate everything from invoices to artist-consultant contract splits, and what it feels like to finally know where you are on your career path instead of floating like a bubble.

Free Info Session: How to Become a Biennial Artist - Wednesday, February 25th at 7pm EST Register here.

Yuko Oda: Website: https://www.yukooda.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yukooda75

Education:

• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): https://www.risd.edu

Institutions Mentioned:

• UMass Lowell: https://www.uml.edu
• Harvard Entomology Club: https://hmnh.harvard.edu
• New York Institute of Technology: https://www.nyit.edu

Grants & Programs:

• Guggenheim Fellowship: https://www.gf.org

Artists Mentioned (Commission Advice):

• Laura Fayer: https://www.laurafayer.com/
• Adria Arch: https://www.adriaarch.com/
• John Laustsen: https://www.jonlaustsen.com/
• Mary Lynn Burke: https://www.marylynnburke.com/
• Kristin Cronic: https://www.kristinraecronic.com/

What does it take to level up your documentation and grant applications when you're deeply insecure about your writing?

In this episode of Art Problems, I speak with Bay Area artist Kimberlee Koym-Murteira about joining Netvvrk three years ago, knowing she needed support to win more grants. She'd seen firsthand that when she had help, she was successful—but she didn't know how to get that consistently. Through constant feedback, mentorship from members, and building relationships in accountability groups, Kimberlee transformed her applications so dramatically that she won many and went from avoiding certain opportunities to applying for the Guggenheim.

This conversation breaks down what it looks like to use a creative community—getting feedback within hours when you need it, why AI tools help but can't replace human editors, and how focusing on your own path instead of competing locally creates sustained hopefulness even when six major galleries in your region close. If you've ever wondered what the practical day-to-day of career growth looks like, the details are all in this podcast.

LINKS AND RESOURCES

Free Info Session: How to Become a Biennial Artist - Wednesday, February 25th at 7pm EST. Register here.

Kimberlee Koym-Murteira: Website: https://www.kimberleekm.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberleekm/

Tools & Resources Mentioned:

• Grammarly: https://www.grammarly.com
• ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com

Bay Area Context:

California College of the Arts (CCA): https://www.cca.edu

What does it feel like to return to your art practice after a 25-year break?

In this episode of Art Problems, I speak with visual artist Shae Nadine about navigating an art world that had completely transformed in her absence. When Shae joined Netvvrk two years ago, she was figuring out basics like digital documentation and artist statements. But through accountability groups and community support, she went from feeling lost to landing a NYSCA grant, a Sukasa residency, and curating a four-month public art exhibition in Chicago.

This conversation gets into the unglamorous parts of building an art career—like why Shae's accountability group toasts their rejections, how to know when you're actually ready to apply for major grants, and why sometimes the best thing you can do for your relationship is stop asking your partner to read your artist statement. If you've ever felt like an outsider in the art world, I recommend listening to Shae’s story.

Links:

Free Info Session: How to Become a Biennial Artist - Wednesday, February 25th at 7pm EST Register here.

Shae Nadine: Website, Instagram

Grants & Programs Mentioned:

• NYSCA (New York State Council on the Arts): https://arts.ny.gov
• Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC): https://lmcc.net
• Sukasa Grant: https://www.skowhegan.org/sukasa
• Manhattan Graphics Center: https://www.manhattangraphicscenter.org
• Pollack-Krasner Foundation: https://pkf.org
• Guggenheim Fellowship: https://www.gf.org

Resources:

• Powerhouse Arts (mentioned in episode): https://powerhousearts.org

Westbeth Artists Housing: https://westbeth.org