[BONUS] From Treading Water to Landing Commissions in One Year with Yuko Oda

Left Paddy Johnson, Left Yuko Oda

What does it feel like to work professionally as an artist for 23 years but still feel like you're treading water?

In this episode of Art Problems, I speak with Boston-based artist Yuko Oda about joining Netvvrk just over a year ago after graduating from RISD in 2002 and spending two decades feeling confused about her trajectory. She was saying yes to everything, spreading herself too thin, and missing opportunities she should have seized—like a group show in Tokyo where she wasn't happy with the work she submitted.

In just over a year, Yuko sold her first major piece directly to a collector, secured a three-piece commission for a downtown Boston high-rise, exhibited work in Rome that she calls her best art experience ever, and learned to set boundaries that protect her momentum. We talk about overcoming hesitation to invest in yourself, how accountability groups helped navigate everything from invoices to artist-consultant contract splits, and what it feels like to finally know where you are on your career path instead of floating like a bubble.

Relevant Links:

Yuko Oda: Website: https://www.yukooda.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yukooda75

Education:

• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): https://www.risd.edu

Institutions Mentioned:

• UMass Lowell: https://www.uml.edu

• Harvard Entomology Club:https://hmnh.harvard.edu

• New York Institute of Technology:https://www.nyit.edu

Grants & Programs:

• Guggenheim Fellowship: https://www.gf.org

Artists Mentioned (Commission Advice):

• Laura Fayer: https://www.laurafayer.com/

• Adria Arch: https://www.adriaarch.com/

• John Laustsen: https://www.jonlaustsen.com/

• Mary Lynn Burke: https://www.marylynnburke.com/

• Kristin Cronic: https://www.kristinraecronic.com/