The Create! Podcast

What does it actually take to build a sustainable, global art career in 2026? As the market shifts away from the high-octane speculation of the early 2020s, a new era of radical transparency and artist autonomy is emerging.
In this episode, host Ekaterina Popova sits down with visionary curator, collector, and entrepreneur Sonia Borrell to pull back the curtain on what the world's top collectors are looking for right now. Sonia shares the inspiration behind her newest venture, StudiotoGallery, a platform designed to dismantle traditional gatekeeping and return control to the creator.
From the importance of "positioning over visibility" to navigating the rapid growth of the Chinese art market, this conversation is a masterclass in modern art business. Whether you're an emerging painter or an established professional, Sonia's insights offer a refreshing, high-level perspective on thriving in today's selective ecosystem.
Inside the Conversation
The 2026 Market Recalibration: Sonia discusses why "hype" pricing is falling away and how artists can re-emerge by focusing on authentic connections and sustainable growth.

The Sovereign Artist: A look at the StudiotoGallery model, where artists maintain full control over their pricing, inventory, and gallery representation.

The Power of Positioning: Why your "human filter" and professional presentation matter more to a museum or serious collector than a viral Instagram reel.

Global Expansion: Sonia shares her experience bridging the gap between Western creators and major corporate partners and institutions in China.

Sustainable Partnerships: How to identify a "human-centric" gallery and why the future of the art world relies on collaborative, shoulder-to-shoulder work.

Protecting Your Practice: Practical advice on avoiding scammers, managing mental health in the studio, and staying positive during market shifts.

About Sonia Borrell
Sonia Borrell is a prominent art world connector, collector, and founder of Art Belina and StudiotoGallery. With deep roots in the international market, she specializes in helping artists scale their businesses through IP collaborations, museum placements, and high-level mentorship. Sonia is a pioneer in the movement toward a more transparent and educator-led art market, providing artists with the tools they need to lead their own careers.
Connect with Our Guest
Website: soniabblondon.com

Platform: studiotogallery.com

Resources for Artists
Create! Magazine

What if I told you that making art literally changes your DNA? In a world that often treats creativity as a luxury or a hobby, the data is finally catching up to what artists have always felt: art is essential medicine.
In this episode, Kat sits down with Daisy Fancourt, a professor of psychobiology and epidemiology at University College London, whose groundbreaking research provides the "validation ammunition" every creative needs. We dive into her new book, Art Cure, which presents decades of evidence showing that arts engagement is a vital clinical intervention.From reducing stress hormones like cortisol to slowing biological aging and influencing gene expression, we explore why creative engagement should be recognized as the Fifth Pillar of Health alongside nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management.
 
In this episode, we discuss:
The "Fifth Pillar" Concept: Why creative engagement is as vital to your longevity as diet and exercise.

The Biology of Art: How making and viewing art creates measurable health benefits that accumulate over time.

DNA & Gene Expression: The fascinating science behind how creativity affects our bodies at a cellular level.

Validation for Artists: Why your work is a necessity for your collectors and the world, especially during turbulent times.

The Psychobiology of Art: Daisy's journey from professional pianist to leading researcher at UCL.

 
Resources & Links Mentioned:
The Book: Art Cure by Daisy Fancourt

Daisy's Research Group: SBPR Research

Create! Magazine: www.createmagazine.co

Newsletter: Join the Weekly Newsletter

Community: Follow Create! Magazine on Instagram

 
Connect with the Guest: Daisy Fancourt is Professor of Psychobiology and Epidemiology at University College London where she heads the Social Biobehavioural Research Group, and Director of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre on Arts and Health. She has published 300 scientific papers, won over two dozen academic prizes and is listed as one of the most highly cited scientists in the world. Daisy is also a multi-award-winning science communicator and has been named a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and BBC New Generation Thinker.

In this episode, host Kat (Ekaterina Popova) is joined by painter Emi Avora, a London-trained and Singapore-based artist whose work blends architectural structure with lush, dreamlike abstraction. Drawing from her upbringing in Greece, Mediterranean light, mythology, and lived experiences across cultures, Emi creates immersive interiors that feel both opulent and quietly haunting.
www.emiavora.com
 
In this conversation, we discuss:
 
Emi's journey: From growing up in her father's studio in Corfu to her formal art education.
The influence of light: How Mediterranean light remains a primary tool for creating clarity in her work.
Finding roots through relocation: How moving to Singapore drew her back to symbols and mythology in her subject matter.
Building a sustainable practice: Insights on balancing motherhood with a dedicated studio life and trusting the slow unfolding of your work.
Professional milestones: Her recent recognition as the winner of the Women in Art Prize and what that visibility has meant for her career.
 
Connect with us:
Website: https://www.createmagazine.co/

Instagram: @createmagazine

Substack: https://createmagazine.substack.com

What happens when you stop obsessively planning and trying to control the outcome in the studio and start letting your subconscious lead the way? In this episode of the Create! Podcast, host Ekaterina Popova chats with August Vilella, a self-taught artist whose intuitive approach has landed his work in Art Basel and major galleries across Asia and Europe.
August reveals how he abandoned sketches and rigid concepts to find a "direct language" that transcends cultural and language barriers. We explore his "happy accident" move to Japan, his upcoming 10th-anniversary chronological exhibition, and why he believes the best career investment you can make is simply showing up in person. 
In This Episode, We Discuss:
 
The Intuitive Method: Why August starts with a completely white canvas and no prior ideas or sketches to allow the subconscious and past experiences to take a leading role. 
The Self-Taught Advantage: How skipping art school allowed August to find his own unique style and "signature" before being influenced by a teacher's perspective. 
Building a Career from Zero: The story of how a two-week trip for a show in 2020 turned into a five-year Japanese residency after a flight was cancelled during the pandemic. 
Being Your Own "Bad Boss": The discipline required to be strict with gallery deadlines while maintaining a meditative, improvisational creative process. 
The "Lottery" of Opportunities: Why traveling to openings and art fairs is essential for letting collectors and directors see your energy and story, not just the final work. 
Milestone Exhibitions: A look at his massive 500-square-meter 10th-anniversary show in Shenzhen and upcoming solo exhibitions in Tokyo and Ginza. 
Key Quotes:
"All my past experience have some deep impact in my painting... my subconscious mind have a very important role in the creative process." — August Vilella
"The best way to make an interesting career is to travel, to meet people, to talk with people... they not only see your work, they also see your energy." — August Vilella
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/august_vilella_art/
Website: augustvilella.com
About the Host:
Ekaterina Popova is an artist and the founder of Create! Magazine. Explore more articles and opportunities for artists at www.createmagazine.co.

In this episode, I reconnect with Sharone Halevy nearly a year after our collector talk at Superfine (now The Superfair) in San Francisco. Sharone is an abstract expressionist painter who's built her entire practice around commission work and selling directly to collectors without gallery representation.
We discuss her transition from theater directing to painting, why she works on sliding scales to make art accessible, and how she uses sound and storytelling to create "tangible memories," paintings that capture how moments felt rather than every detail. Sharone shares her approach to building confidence, why friends and family are your first important collectors, and how she leveraged social media to create direct audience connection.
As lead curator and operations manager at The Superfair, Sharone coaches every exhibiting artist on booth curation, pricing strategy, and selling techniques. We discuss the fair's rebrand and refocus on attracting the right buyers rather than massive crowds, and why in-person events matter for artists, especially those in rural areas.
We wrap up with Sharone's challenge for the year: find a hobby. Not another income stream or content for social media, something tactile and creative you do purely for joy.
 
CALL FOR ART: CREATE! MAGAZINE 2026 WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL EDITION 
Deadline: January 31st, 2026
Submit: https://www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art
 
CONNECT WITH SHARONE: 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/art_by_sharone/
Website: https://www.artbysharone.com
 
CONNECT WITH CREATE! MAGAZINE: 
Instagram: @createmagazine
Collective: https://www.createmagazine.co/collective
Website: https://www.createmagazine.co
 
MENTIONED: The Superfair: thesuperfair.com 
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