Ep. 12 Mike Shultis: From Graffiti to Yale, Chaos, Masculinity & Making It as an Artist

In Episode 12 of the Primary Market Podcast, Topper sits down with artist Mike Shultis for an unfiltered conversation on what it really takes to make it in the art world.

From tagging trains in Albuquerque to studying at Yale, Mike breaks down his unconventional journey—living in his studio, stealing sandwiches to survive, and pushing his work to the edge both physically and conceptually.

They dive into:

* Graffiti as a gateway into fine art

* The reality of art school (and Yale’s intense environment)

* Masculinity, controversy, and making provocative work

* The pressure of early success and the art market boom

* Why most artists fail—and what it actually takes to endure

This is a raw, honest look at the grind behind the scenes—no fluff, just truth.

If you’re an artist, collector, or just curious about the art world, this episode goes deep.