Primary Market Podcast

In Episode 22 of Primary Market, host Topper Luciani sits down with Providence-based painter Brandon Aguiar to discuss his journey from comic books and animation to developing his own style of painting.Brandon shares his experiences navigating the art world, finding his artistic identity, and building connections within the contemporary art community.Primary Market explores the stories, ideas, and people shaping the contemporary art world.Guest: Brandon AguiarInstagram: @mrbastudioWebsite: https://www.brandonaguiarstudio.com/Host: Topper LucianiPodcast: Primary Market This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit primarymarket.substack.com

In Episode 21 of Primary Market, host Topper Luciani sits down with Los Angeles-based artist Chris Rexroad to discuss his journey into the art world, his evolution as a sculptor, and his experiences working with galleries.Chris also shares the story behind Got It For Cheap, a project making original art more accessible to collectors.Primary Market explores the stories, ideas, and people shaping the contemporary art world.Guest: Chris RexroadHost: Topper LucianiPodcast: Primary Market This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit primarymarket.substack.com

In Episode 20 of Primary Market, host Topper Luciani sits down with artist Todd Bienvenu for a conversation about his journey from Louisiana and Arkansas to becoming a painter in New York.Todd shares how comic books and early art classes shaped his practice, his move to New York, the challenges of building a career after art school, and his experiences navigating the evolving Brooklyn art scene. They also discuss finding an artistic voice, making a living as an artist, social media, galleries, and the unexpected story behind a painting traded for a BMW.Primary Market is a podcast featuring conversations with artists and people connected to the contemporary art world, exploring their experiences, perspectives, and the stories behind the work.Guest: Todd BienvenuInstagram: @toddbienvenuHost: Topper LucianiPodcast: Primary Market This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit primarymarket.substack.com

Description:In Episode 19 of Primary Market, host Topper Luciani sits down with Paris-based artist Isabel De Prince to talk about her journey from modeling to becoming a full-time artist, her early studies in fine arts, and the experiences that changed the way she saw her life and her work.Isabel shares how losing her younger brother led her to reconnect deeply with painting and use art as a way to process grief and understand herself. She talks about her series of horse paintings, her exhibition Daydreaming, and how her work gradually moved from darker themes toward something lighter and more personal.The conversation also explores Isabel’s current practice of using herself, her dreams, and intuition as subjects for her paintings. She discusses using AI as a tool for self-analysis, her fascination with Salvador Dalí, and the importance of an artist developing not only their work but also their identity and presence in the modern art market.Guest: Isabel De PrinceInstagram: @isabeldeprinceHost: Topper LucianiPodcast: Primary Market This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit primarymarket.substack.com

In Episode 18 of Primary Market, host Topper Luciani sits down with New York-based artist and cultural tastemaker Sergio Farias to talk about Hollywood, fame, art, creativity, and the experiences that shaped his work.Sergio shares how his childhood fascination with celebrity culture and the Hollywood lifestyle eventually led him from chasing fame to creating art of his own. He talks about his experiences around Hollywood and celebrity culture, his friendships and connections, his transition into painting, and the inspiration behind his first art show, Girls’ Night Out.The conversation also explores the darker side of Hollywood, excess, nightlife, morality, fame, and the importance of staying true to yourself. Sergio explains how painting became an outlet for his anxiety and a way to turn his experiences, observations, and memories into something meaningful.Guest: Sergio FariasInstagram: @godsergfariasHost: Topper LucianiPodcast: Primary Market This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit primarymarket.substack.com

In Episode 17 of the Primary Market Podcast, Topper Luciani sits down with artist Hanny Ahern to explore her unconventional journey into art.Hanny shares how her creative upbringing, early experiences with fashion, and education in Antwerp, Bennington, and Tisch shaped her path as an artist. They also discuss pushing beyond creative comfort zones, trusting your instincts, and discovering what art really means on a deeper level.The conversation also touches on working in the art world, building a career as an artist, connecting with collectors, and navigating the art market.Guest: Hanny AhernHost: Topper LucianiPrimary Market Podcast Episode 17 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit primarymarket.substack.com

What does it really take to build a life around making art?In Episode 16 of Primary Market, Topper Luciani sits down with artist Kyle Pawlowski for a conversation about painting, experimentation, creativity, and the realities of finding your place in the art world.Kyle talks about his approach to making work, experimenting with different materials and ideas, developing a personal visual language, and staying curious throughout the creative process.They also get into the realities of being an artist today — building an audience, navigating the art market, putting your work out into the world, and finding a way to grow without losing your creative identity.A conversation about making the work, finding your voice, and trusting the process.Host: Topper LucianiGuest: Kyle PawlowskiFollow Kyle Pawlowski:Instagram: @kyleapawlowskiFacebook: Kyle Pawlowski Artist (@KylePArtist)LinkedIn: Kyle PawlowskiArt Portfolio:* Kyle Pawlowski on Saatchi ArtWatch Episode 16 of Primary Market now. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit primarymarket.substack.com

What happens when you spend years searching for your creative path and finally realize you’ve found the thing you’re meant to do?Tony Duvall shares his unconventional journey from photography, biology, and stand-up comedy to becoming a painter, along with the struggles, risks, and lessons that shaped his career.He also opens up about the reality of the art market, making money as an artist, working with galleries, using social media to sell your work, and most importantly staying true to your own creative voice.His advice is simple: make the work you genuinely want to make, keep experimenting, and don’t let the market take control of your creativity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit primarymarket.substack.com

n this episode of the Primary Market Podcast, Topper Luciani sits down with rising painter Joe Yonke for an honest conversation about becoming a professional artist in today’s contemporary art world.Joe shares how he went from studying business at Penn State to selling paintings full-time, relocating from Miami to New York City, and preparing to work alongside established painter Eric Foss. Along the way, we explore the realities of galleries, collectors, social media, and the relentless work required to develop a meaningful painting practice.Topics include:* Finding your voice as a painter* Abstract Expressionism and today’s painting landscape* Bryce Martin and artistic influences* Miami vs. New York’s art scenes* Building relationships with collectors* Gallery representation: when (and when not) to pursue it* The role of Instagram in the fine art world* Making a living as a contemporary artist* Art history, ambition, and long-term visionWhether you’re an artist, collector, curator, student, or simply fascinated by the contemporary art world, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a career in painting today.Subscribe for more conversations with artists, collectors, curators, and the people shaping contemporary art. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit primarymarket.substack.com

In this episode, Topper sits down with Nicole Reber — real estate agent, reformed poet, and passionate art collector based in Los Angeles. Nicole shares her journey from growing up in Ventura County and studying at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, to backpacking Europe and stumbling into the New York art scene. She talks about how artist trades sparked her collection, what it means to catch an artist "in the window," and why living with art is less about the market and more about living a beautiful life. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just art-curious, Nicole's story is a reminder that you can start collecting sooner than you think. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit primarymarket.substack.com