Art and Audio

Music.

It's what most artists listen to while they're working.  Some prefer classical, or instrumental, without words, because it doesn't occupy their mind while they work.  It just sets an atmosphere.  Others prefer the opposite, because they want their minds occupied, so that their hands can work more instinctually, without their thoughts getting in the way.

Some of us don't listen to music at all.  For artists who prefer their mind to be occupied, even better options have developed over the last several years.  Podcasts.

For anyone who doesn't know what a podcast is, think of it as a talk radio show.  Only, instead of being on the radio, it's on the internet.  They record the show, then post it for people to listen to.  You can go to their website and listen to it, or you can use a podcast manager to subscribe to their feed.  Itunes can do this, as can many other programs, such as BeyondPod on Android devices.  This grants you on demand audio to listen to.  It's like Netflix, but for talk radio.

It's too bad it isn't as easy as Netflix though.  These podcasts are spread across the internet, and you have to find them.  But, every year there are more and more to find, spanning all kinds of imaginable topics.  Unfortunately, art podcasts are few and far between.  Which isn't really all that surprising, considering the visual barrier it presets.  It's difficult to talk about art, when you're limited to an audio product only, and can't look at the various things you'd normally talk about.

But, that doesn't mean they can't be found:

The Savvy Painter Podcast - This is my current favorite.  Artist Antrese Wood interviews other artists.  It's interesting hearing how other artist's careers have progressed, and what they consider important.

Artists Helping Artists Podcast - This one also does interviews, but doesn't focus on them.  The marketing side of art is often discussed.

Advance Your Art Podcast - This one focuses on interviews, but doesn't revolve around the visual arts.  Film-makers, dancers, writers, anything considered creative is on the table.

Art Heroes Radio - To be honest, I haven't listened to this one yet, so I don't know much about it.  But I know people like it.

Art Marketing Action - This one obviously focuses on the business side of art.  They're short, but there are quite a few episodes on a variety of topics.

Personally, I've really gravitated more towards this, over music, as a source of knowledge.  I can listen not only while I'm painting, but while I'm driving, while I'm exercising, while I'm cooking dinner, while I'm cleaning at work.  And if I ever get tired of a topic, I can always switch gears and listen to something else.  I have a slew of NFL related podcasts.

In regards to art and audio specifically, I don't have a preference between having my mind occupied or no.  I can work either way.  But I just prefer listening to this.  I can produce work and learn at the same time.  And it doesn't even have to be a podcast.  It can be an audiobook.  Or, I can put a documentary on the tv just as easily, off of youtube or netflix or amazon.

For anyone interested, here's a list of some of my favorite podcasts not related to art:

Fitness Confidential - Vinnie Tortorich teaches diet, fitness, and the science behind it all.  If you decide to check this one out, the Friday shows are my favorites.  He brings on experts in the field to discuss the science behind what happens in our bodies.

The Adam Carolla Show - This one is always a lot of laughs, and there's often a bit of good, pragmatic life advice.

Dan Carlin's Hardcore History - A long form history podcast.  Episodes don't go up very often, but they're well worth the wait.  They're so interesting, it's like listening to a story.

Astronomy Cast - An educational podcast on the topic of astronomy.  It's been around for a long time, and covers every imaginable related topic.

Ross Tucker Football Podcast - This is my favorite NFL podcast.  Ross Tucker is a former player and current sports media personality.  This covers both current news, and general topics and philosophies in football.

Have any suggestions for great podcasts I haven't found yet?  I'd love to hear about them.

Bonus pro-tip:  Wireless Bluetooth headphones.  I've tried a few different ones, and they definitely aren't all equal - connectivity problems, comfort, etc.  The most expensive ones were the worst I've had, though I haven't had the triple digit price-tag ones to try.  These here are the best I've had, and also the cheapest:  Mpow Cheetah Headphones