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Bench TalkAuthor: Tom Gerrard
Welcome to Bench Talk the podcast where I dive into real, honest conversations with inspiring artists, to reveal what it really takes to build a thriving creative career. Im your host, Tom Gerrard an international artist from Australia and Co-Founder of The Art Career Academy, an online school dedicated to helping visual artists rise up and go pro. I kicked off this podcast back in 2016, when I was dreaming of going full-time with my art. And through these chats, I found the path and walked it. Language: en-us Genres: Arts, Visual Arts Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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BENCH TALK #199 | DREZ - Art, Music & Staying Human in a Digital World
Episode 199
Monday, 16 June, 2025
In this conversation, Drez shares his artistic journey from graffiti in Melbourne to becoming a recognized fine artist. He discusses the evolution of his work, the balance between his music and art careers, and the importance of maintaining a human touch in his creations. Drez reflects on the differences between street art and studio work, his first sales, and the momentum they created. He also talks about his upcoming exhibition, 'Saturation Point,' which aims to immerse viewers in color experiences. In this conversation, Drez shares his journey as an artist, discussing the balance between freedom and commitment in art representation, his experiences with exhibitions both locally and internationally, and the evolution of his artistic practice. He reflects on the differences between mural and studio work, the challenges of creating sculptural pieces, and the importance of community engagement through mural festivals. Drez also provides insights into his creative process, future aspirations, and the significance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance as an artist. ------ KEY TAKEAWAYS: - How graffiti shaped Drez's artistic voice - The impact of COVID on his transition from music to visual art - Why keeping the "human touch" matters more than ever in a digital world - His first art sales—and how they fueled his momentum - Navigating the shift from murals to sculptural works - The story behind his upcoming exhibition ‘Saturation Point’ - Finding the right gallery representation (and what made him say yes to Magma Gallery) - The physical demands of large-scale work—and why fitness is part of his art process - Why mural festivals matter, and the value of creating outside commercial constraints - His dream of integrating art directly into architecture ------ HOST: Tom Gerrard ✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard ✦ Watch on Youtube | / @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com GUEST: DREZ ✦ Instagram @d.r.e.z Loved this episode? Hit subscribe and give us a 5 star review. This means so much, thank you! ------- WANT MORE? 👉Download free cheatsheet to boost your creative cashflow: https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide 👉 Join the waitlist for the next LIVE round of Going [ART] Pro program for emerging artists https://www.artcareeracademy.com/waitlist