Building Something Bigger Than Yourself - The One With Robert Nicholas of Marquee

Building Something Bigger Than Yourself - The One With Robert Nicholas of Marquee

In this episode of The Art Confidential, we sit down with Robert Nicholas, artist, designer, and founder of Marquee Asheville in the River Arts District. Robert shares how a lifelong instinct to see potential in overlooked objects led him from antiques and handmade lighting to building one of Asheville’s most unique creative spaces. This conversation goes beyond business. It is about community, courage, and choosing to rebuild when it would be easier to walk away. Robert opens up about the vision behind Marquee, what Hurricane Helene changed, and why creating a space where artists feel seen and supported matters just as much as the work itself. We talk about: * How Robert built a business from antiques, found objects, and instinct * The difference between Splurge and Marquee, and how Marquee became something bigger than a gallery * Why community is at the center of everything he creates * Rebuilding after Hurricane Helene and what it took to come back * Why artists need to stop listening to negative voices and take the next step Plus: A simple but powerful reminder, if you think of someone, reach out. It might matter more than you know. This episode is for artists, makers, and anyone trying to build something meaningful without waiting until they feel ready. Mentioned in This Episode * The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins https://amzn.to/3Qk8IvS [https://amzn.to/3Qk8IvS] * Marquee Asheville  https://marqueeasheville.com/ [https://marqueeasheville.com/] Some links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. About The Art Confidential The Art Confidential is a podcast about how the art world really works. Hosts Jacqui Fehl and Andreina Bates sit down with artists, gallery owners, consultants, and other insiders for candid conversations about building a creative life—from studio practice to sales, exhibitions, and the realities behind the scenes. Follow the show so you never miss an episode exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping today’s art world. Connect with us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential [https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential] Website: https://theartconfidential.com [https://theartconfidential.com]

The Joy Report - The One With Tiny Things Making Life Better

What if joy isn’t something huge or life-changing, but something small you notice on an ordinary Tuesday? In The Art Confidential's first-ever Joy Report episode, Jacqui and Andreina share the little things currently making their lives softer, calmer, easier, and more fun. From mahjong nights and birdwatching to morning walks, gratitude journals, protein powders, and temperature-controlled beds, this conversation is full of the tiny rituals and comforts helping them feel more grounded in this season of life. We talk about: * Why mahjong is suddenly everywhere, and how it became Andreina’s newest obsession * Jacqui’s five-minute gratitude journal practice and how it shifted her mindset * Bird feeders, solar fountains, and creating tiny backyard moments of peace * Life-changing middle-aged discoveries like progressive contacts and BedJet systems * Finding joy in routines, community, slowing down, and paying attention Plus: Bear encounters, “Sad Sunday,” and the legendary Tiger Titties Mahjong Group This episode is for anyone craving a softer pace, tiny pleasures, and reminders that joy is usually hiding in the little things. Mentioned in This Episode * Mahjong Set (https://amzn.to/4dYdTLe [https://amzn.to/4dYdTLe]) * 5-Minute Gratitude Journal, Spiral Bound (https://amzn.to/4f1Ik4o [https://amzn.to/4f1Ik4o]) * Smart Bird Feeder with Camera (https://amzn.to/4nHdbFv [https://amzn.to/4nHdbFv]) * Spicy Bird Food to Deter Squirrels (https://amzn.to/49bgXkG [https://amzn.to/49bgXkG]) * Pedestal Bird Bath (https://amzn.to/4uUdLly [https://amzn.to/4uUdLly]) * Solar Powered Bird Bath Fountain (https://amzn.to/49hG31f [https://amzn.to/49hG31f]) * Kion Mango Amino Acids (https://amzn.to/4up15TU [https://amzn.to/4up15TU]) * BedJet (https://amzn.to/42Pzi2X [https://amzn.to/42Pzi2X]) * Hungryroot (https://www.hungryroot.com/r/FIG4RJFU [https://www.hungryroot.com/r/FIG4RJFU]) * The Lazy Genius Podcast (https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/lazy [https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/lazy]) * Barbara Brown Taylor (https://barbarabrowntaylor.com [https://barbarabrowntaylor.com]) Some links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. About The Art Confidential The Art Confidential is a podcast about how the art world really works. Hosts Jacqui Fehl and Andreina Bates sit down with artists, gallery owners, consultants, and other insiders for candid conversations about building a creative life—from studio practice to sales, exhibitions, and the realities behind the scenes. Follow the show so you never miss an episode exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping today’s art world. Connect with us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential [https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential] Website: https://theartconfidential.com [https://theartconfidential.com]

A Rebellion of Care - The One With David Gate

In this episode of The Art Confidential, Jacqui and Andreina sit down with poet, writer, and visual artist David Gate for a conversation about creativity, care, and what art can make possible in difficult times. From poetry and mental health to friendship, truth-telling, and the role of artists in community, this one is thoughtful, honest, and deeply grounding. David shares his path from writing songs to becoming a widely loved poet whose work speaks to loneliness, sensitivity, masculinity, and hope. They talk about how Asheville shaped his life and work, why creativity became a form of self-care, and how art can help people feel less alone by showing them their own experiences reflected back. We talk about: * How David moved from songwriting into poetry and found his voice * Creativity as care and its connection to mental health * Why telling the truth is an act of rebellion for artists * Male sensitivity, emotional language, and naming what we feel * The role of sharing art and creating connection through your work Plus: baby goats, late-night writing, Burial Beer, and a poem that might make you cry. This episode is for artists, writers, parents, and anyone who needs a reminder that sensitivity is not weakness, it is strength. Mentioned in This Episode * A Rebellion of Care: Poems and Essays by David Gate  https://amzn.to/3OIvmxw [https://amzn.to/3OIvmxw] * Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry https://amzn.to/41FcPVS [https://amzn.to/41FcPVS] * The Source of Self-Regard by Toni Morrison https://amzn.to/48aDltL [https://amzn.to/48aDltL] * David Gate website  https://davidgatepoet.com [ https://davidgatepoet.com] * David Gate Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/davidgatepoet/ [ https://www.instagram.com/davidgatepoet/] * David Gate Substack  https://davidgate.substack.com/ [ https://davidgate.substack.com/] * Burial Beer Co.  https://burialbeer.com/ [ https://burialbeer.com/] Some links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. About The Art Confidential The Art Confidential is a podcast about how the art world really works. Hosts Jacqui Fehl and Andreina Bates sit down with artists, gallery owners, consultants, and other insiders for candid conversations about building a creative life—from studio practice to sales, exhibitions, and the realities behind the scenes. Follow the show so you never miss an episode exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping today’s art world. Connect with us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential [https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential] Website: https://theartconfidential.com [https://theartconfidential.com]

Pricing Your Art Without Losing Your Mind - The One Where They Talk About Money

Pricing your artwork can feel emotional, awkward, and confusing, especially when you are trying to balance confidence, consistency, galleries, collectors, materials, and your own gut feeling. In this episode of The Art Confidential, Jacqui and Andreina talk honestly about the pricing mistakes they made early on, from undercutting galleries to letting someone else push prices too high. They share practical ways to build a pricing structure that feels fair, sustainable, and believable. We talk about: * Using price-per-square-inch formulas without losing the human side * Why consistency builds trust with collectors and galleries * When and how to raise your prices * How to respond when someone asks for a discount * Commissions, deposits, revisions, and knowing when to say no Plus: why email lists, collection releases, and subscriber previews can become part of your selling strategy. 👉 Want the exact pricing grid and worksheet we talk about? Sign up for the newsletter at https://theartconfidential.com/ [https://theartconfidential.com/] and we’ll send you the download link. This episode is for artists who are tired of guessing, underpricing, overthinking, or quietly resenting the business side of their creative work. Mentioned in This Episode * The Art Confidential – https://theartconfidential.com/ [https://theartconfidential.com/] * The Art Confidential on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential/ [https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential/] * Jacqui Fehl website and newsletter signup - https://jacquifehl.com/ [https://jacquifehl.com/] * Andreina Bates website and newsletter signup - https://www.andreinabates.com/ [https://www.andreinabates.com/] * Shain Gallery – https://shaingallery.com/collections/andreina-bates [https://shaingallery.com/collections/andreina-bates] * Ampersand Aquabord Panels – https://amzn.to/4cRdDw0 [https://amzn.to/4cRdDw0] Some links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. About The Art Confidential The Art Confidential is a podcast about how the art world really works. Hosts Jacqui Fehl and Andreina Bates sit down with artists, gallery owners, consultants, and other insiders for candid conversations about building a creative life—from studio practice to sales, exhibitions, and the realities behind the scenes. Follow the show so you never miss an episode exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping today’s art world. Connect with us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential [https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential] Website: https://theartconfidential.com [https://theartconfidential.com]

Building Community Through The Scout Guide - The One With Meagan Harris

In this episode of The Art Confidential, we sit down with the owner/editor of The Scout Guide (Asheville) to talk about what it really takes to build community from scratch. After moving to a new city without a built-in network, she took a leap and launched a local edition of The Scout Guide, creating a platform that highlights small businesses and connects the people behind them. What started as a bold move has grown into a thriving community rooted in trust, relationships, and consistency, with lessons that translate directly to artists building their own networks with galleries, collectors, and collaborators. We talk about: * starting over in a new city and building a network from zero * what The Scout Guide is and how it works * building trust when nobody knows who you are * why relationships matter more than selling * handling rejection and not taking 'no' personally * balancing creative work with contracts, invoicing, and admin Plus: favorite local spots, quiet time as self-care, and starting coffee at 40. This episode is for anyone building something from scratch, growing a small business, or trying to create meaningful connections in their community. Mentioned in This Episode: * Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life by Roxie Nafousi (https://amzn.to/4cBmSRO) [https://amzn.to/4cBmSRO] * The Scout Guide (Asheville) [https://thescoutguide.com/asheville/] (https://thescoutguide.com/asheville/ [https://thescoutguide.com/asheville/])  As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.  About The Art Confidential The Art Confidential is a podcast about how the art world really works. Hosts Jacqui Fehl and Andreina Bates sit down with artists, gallery owners, consultants, and other insiders for candid conversations about building a creative life—from studio practice to sales, exhibitions, and the realities behind the scenes. Follow the show so you never miss an episode exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping today’s art world. Connect with us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential [https://www.instagram.com/theartconfidential] Website: https://theartconfidential.com [https://theartconfidential.com]