nitty gritty podcast
Season 4
A podcast hosted by Kate Florence
Built from a desire to share the realities of life as a creative, Nitty Gritty explores the highs and lows of being an artist in today's world.
episode 1
Hannah Muehi
Hannah is a contemporary artist and content creator based in Berlin. Her work is an intimate look at her personal experiences and emotions as a woman in today’s society. Through her art she explores both the person she is and who she hopes to become.
Together we talked about the intricacies of an art practice online and offline, as well the way her work is able to provide a space to express herself and the things she believes in.
episode 2
Sasha Court
Sasha is a ceramicist, painter, poet, mother and lover. Her work is an expression of more than just visceral form, but feeling; a devotion to capturing the ache and awe of what it means to be human.
In this conversation Sasha talked about the openness she approaches her work with and the intuitive direction it allows, the limiting beliefs and rules that are forced upon us by the world and the ways in which we can throw them in the bin and make our own!
Episode 3
Table Talk
A series aiming to disrupt the creative ecosystem, challenge our belief systems and broaden our horizons. A series inspired by those evenings in a warm lit apartment with dinner plates licked clean and glass of wine in hand; when the conversation takes you to a place you can't turn back from. Table Talk, great food and even better people.
During this conversation, I sat down with Holly Terry, Rosie Woods, Amanda Jones, Mica Schettini, Jess Prescott, Brandi Hughes, Brittany Ferns and Jessica Hance to ask what it means to create in today's world—from AI to intention, with a sprinkle of trauma stories.
Episode 4
Maria's Byron Bay
Maya and Chelsea are the artists of the kitchen and creative geniuses that brought the artworks of the Table Talk collection to life. Through flavour, colour and ingredients, the experience was a performance that danced along the line of art and life.
From presentation to materials, references and client relationships, the language of their kitchen has birthed many new ideas to take to the studio by applying one creative outlet to another.
Episode 5
Softedge Studio
Founder of Softedge, Layla, has been paving the way for the ceramics industry since building the brand in 2019. Born out of a love for cooking and conversations in the kitchen, Softedge reimagines the art of eating. Over the years the team has seen their considered designs and craftsmanship served on tables all around the world.
In this conversation, we explored the journey of the brand, from finding and working with talented craftspeople in Japan and the quickly developing demand to dealing with copycat dupes by big brands.
Episode 6
Tabby Booth
Tabby is a multidisciplinary artist, illustrator and gallery owner. Her work treads an interesting parallel path between illustration and raw, traditional painting - exploring themes of mythology, mysticism, and the sea. Designed, as Tabby says, for the walls of bold, playful people.
In this conversation we covered some of the big hitters - “Instagram artist vs 'real' artist, authenticity, representing yourself and all of the nitty gritty bits and pieces that come with it.
Episode 7
Jess Cochrane
Jess is an Australian artist now based in London, producing paintings that depict scenes from the everyday with a focus on familiar moments of gathering and the things we as humans tend to collect. In her work she focuses on consumerism, pop culture and fashion.
In this conversation, we explored the themes of Jess's work and her approach to confronting them since starting her career in London. From technology to motherhood, she shared some of the hurdles faced in her practice and how she chose to overcome them.
Episode 8
Bianca Pintan
Bianca has spent the last 8 years developing her handbuilding, carving and bold colours to form a practice that is both a creative language and way of healing. What initially began as curiosity has now become transformative, led by a dialogue between clay and intuition. Understanding the impact of sharing, Bianca now offers courses online where she teaches all of her trade secrets.
Amongst many, we touched on themes of acceptance and openness in an art practice, flow state and marketing yourself as a self represented artist via organic and paid channels.
Episode 9
Daren Thomas Magee
Mr Daren Thomas Magee of Real Fun, Wow is an illustrator, muralist, designer and epitome of someone who loves to create.
His work lives somewhere between imagination and reality—often landing in that weird, wonderful in-between space. With everything from prints and books to socks, posters, tapestry and tiles, it's obvious Daren is constantly pouring his creativity into every avenue he can and then sharing it with the world.
In this conversation we discussed everything from structuring an art business out of nothing, finding your feet and making money, self doubt and imposter syndrome.
Episode 10
Gallery red flags that cost me 25K
Story time this week. In light of recent events, I wanted to share my experience with galleries — the red flags I ignored, the things I’d do differently now, and the lessons that could have saved me a lot of pain and struggle. If you’re navigating gallery relationships, big opportunities, or that uneasy feeling you can’t quite name, this episode is for you.
Episode 11
Tamika Hogan
This week I’m joined by self-taught oil painter Tamika Hogan for a grounded conversation about the evolution of her practice over the last 6 years, becoming a full-time artist while co-parenting her son.
Known for her immersive West Australian land and seascapes, Tamika’s paintings have an entrancing ability to translate the power and stillness of nature into timeless and immersive works of art.
We chat about some of the tools she's implemented to manage the challenging balancing act of creativity, motherhood and business, from retiring the “flighty artist” identity, creative celibacy, and why time will never equal price when it comes to art.
This one’s about grounded ambition, long-term thinking, and taking your practice seriously without losing its soul.
Episode 12
Lola Erhart
Lola is a painter born in Buenos Aires and now based in the forest of Patagonia. Her figurative work takes the human body as an object of study, exploring the way emotional and fundamental parts of the human psyche can be displayed through brushstrokes. Lola’s models are friends or women close to her, resulting in an intimate reverence for her subjects.
In this episode, Lola explained her practice to me, as well as some of the business processes and personal habits she has introduced to keep her work fluid and time productive.
This was such a grounded conversation and gentle reminder for all creatives to listen to—if we can’t remember to make space for ourselves, it simply won’t exist.
Episode 13
Sophia D'Urso
This week I’m chatting with the brilliant Sophia D’Urso, founder of ArtSupport and one of the most insightful voices in the Australian arts space.
Sophia created ArtSupport after her own creative journey, with a mission to equip artists and arts workers with the tools, resources and confidence to build sustainable careers. Through mentorships, workshops, and her weekly newsletter packed with opportunities, she’s become a go-to guide for creatives at all different levels of their career.
In this episode, we went through it ALL. From building a sustainable art practice to moving through fear, setbacks, and limiting beliefs. Sophia walked us through her experiences and some of the techniques she teaches clients to harness the best version of themselves.
If you’ve been craving practical advice and a bit of a reset, this one’s for you.
Episode 14
The Host in the Hotseat Q&A
UNO REVERSE! Kate's on the other side of the mic this week for an expansive Q&A with Sophia D’Urso of ArtSupport.
From the psychology of sales to what bubble wrap to buy, this chat spans the mindset and mechanics of building and sustaining a serious art practice.
Kate shares her rules around commissions, how buyers invest in the story of you, and the not-so-sexy logistical realities of shipping, suppliers, and insurance.
This no-fluff, no-gatekeeping Q&A is for anyone who’s been craving a real roadmap!