The Art Biz: Recent Episodes
Alyson Stanfield
Looking for art career inspiration and ideas while you’re working in the studio or schlepping your art across the country? Alyson Stanfield helps you be a more productive artist, a more empowered artist, and a more successful artist.
Many artists know exactly what they need to do to move their careers forward. They just aren't doing it.
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Georgie Coote, a National Board certified health and wellness coach who specializes in ADHD in adults, about what's often underneath that gap and why standard productivity advice tends to fail the people who need it most.
Georgie reveals: * Why so many artists know exactly what to do and don't do it * The pattern behind late-in-life ADHD diagnoses in women * What most productivity advice gets wrong for ADHD brains * The difference between ADHD and ordinary overwhelm * Where strategies fail and what helps instead
GeorgieCoote.com
Instagram.com/georgiecootecoaching
Read the more detailed post
. . . ✦ THE NEXT OPENING ✦ . . . small group coaching begins September 1. Get the details and apply at https://artbizsuccess.com/next
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield makes the case that waiting isn't ambition — it's longing.
She unpacks why so many artists organize their careers around a big break that rarely comes, names the three kinds of openings available to every artist, and offers a simple five-step cycle for building real momentum on your own terms.
She covers:
- Why waiting has no relationship with ambition
- Why hustling isn't the alternative most artists think it is
- The 3 kinds of openings, and the one most underused
- What "building a career on someone else's schedule" actually costs you
- The 5 A's that turn intention into follow-through
- Why doing this alone is exhausting and often uninspired
Read more and see featured artists
The Next Opening is a small coaching group for ambitious artists who are done waiting for the big break and ready to make their next move. A year of aiming, acting, assessing, adjusting, and doing it again, with support and accountability. Application only. Next cohort starts in September. artbizsuccess.com/next
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
You worked hard to get your art on those walls. So when only a handful of people show up to the opening, it stings.
In this episode, Alyson Stanfield looks at the most common reasons your supporters stayed home — and what you can do differently before your next show.
In this episode:
- Why the 5-10 days before a show are too late to fix most attendance problems
- How a cold list can cost you the people most likely to show up
- Why you can't rely on the venue to bring people to your exhibition
- Why one or two social media posts won't cut it
- The power of a personal invitation and letting people know why the show matters to you
- Why sending one email isn't enough, and why your supporters will thank you for the reminder
Read the show notes, get links mentioned, and watch the video
July 9 workshop: Follow Up Already
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
Host Alyson Stanfield makes the case that your best salespeople are already in your life, just waiting to be asked to help.
This episode isn't just for artists with collectors. If anyone has ever responded enthusiastically to your work, it applies to you.
Alyson reveals:
- Who counts as a potential advocate
- Why these people genuinely want to help
- Why the relationship has to come first
- How to make it easy with tools whether they are tangible, in-person events, or digital tools
- When and how to make the ask, and what it doesn't look like
If the follow-up is a weak link for you, join Alyson for Follow Up Already: Don't Let Good Opportunities Go Cold.
Read more, get links, and see featured artists on the companion post.
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
There are many ways for artists to make money, but more income sources don't always lead to more income.
In this episode, host Alyson Stanfield looks at the difference between an income source and an income stream—and why that distinction matters when you're deciding what belongs in your art business.
You'll also hear about:
- Why adding a new income source can mean building a separate business
- The time, energy, marketing, and systems each source requires
- Why so-called passive income is a myth
- How to evaluate profitability, potential, and return on your time
- Questions to help you decide whether to add, keep, or let go of an income source
The goal isn't to have as many income sources as possible. It's to understand what each one requires and decide whether it deserves a place in your art business.
Read more and get links and resources on the extensive companion post.
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield makes the case that research is not an academic exercise. And it's not separate from your art practice, but part of it.
She encourages you to think of it as leading with curiosity, which strengthens the work and builds confidence.
Alyson draws on her background as an art historian and her own current investigation into timelines to show what this actually looks like in practice.
Alyson reveals:
- Why "I've always been drawn to this" isn't a good enough answer, and what happens when you push past it
- The difference between work that is beautiful and work that is about something
- Why you mustn't research to find the right or best answer, and why you cannot rely on Google and AI for a true research practice
- How a serious inquiry practice changes your artist statement, collector conversations, and confidence in the work
- What it means to make curiosity a practice rather than a phase you move through before a project begins
Read more and get links and resources on the extensive companion post.
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
Every artist wants to know "how much time?"
How much time on the business side, how much time making the work, and how long before any of it pays off.
In this episode of The Art Biz host Alyson Stanfield gives straight answers to the two questions that matter — including a number you might not want to hear — and offer a better question to ask yourself instead.
She covers:
- Why "how much time?" is the wrong question, and what to ask yourself instead
- The difference between your daily time and the longer stretch it takes to establish yourself
- Why willingness and commitment matter more than the number of hours you have
- How much of your working time goes to business and marketing when you're serious about income
- Why more success means more business, not less
- The timeframe to expect for the hard work to pay off and why steady work matters most
Read more and get links and resources on the extensive companion post.
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This.
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
Making a living from your art takes more than passion and talent. In this solo episode, Alyson Stanfield walks through the real considerations — from committing to your studio practice to making friends with marketing — for artists who are serious about turning their practice into a livelihood.
It starts with a question worth considering: is this really for you?
In this episode, Alyson covers:
- Why marketing your art too early can undermine everything you're working toward
- The financial math many artists avoid, and why ignoring it is not an option
- The old stories that hold you back and what it means to let them go
- Why your artist community is a valuable asset
- The difference between being busy and being productive
- Structure is what makes creative freedom possible
- Why you need to make friends with marketing.
Read more and get links and resources on the extensive companion post
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
Venues aren't looking for artists who need them, they're looking for artists who are ready.
Host Alyson Stanfield introduces the attraction method: a way of building genuine relationships with venues long before you ever make an ask. For alternative venues, the timeline from first contact to a yes can be weeks instead of years.
In this episode, Alyson covers:
- Why readiness is more than finished work, and what signals to a venue that you're prepared
- How alternative venues operate on an entirely different timeline than galleries
- The research and in-person visit steps that show a space you're worth talking to
- What separates "Can I show my art here?" from an opener that actually starts a conversation
- Why consistent, genuine presence means venues sometimes do the asking before you do
Visit this episode's page for all resources
MENTIONED
Beyond White Walls workshop
Elevate Your Art workshop
RELATED EPISODES
The artists who don't wait to be chosen (264)
Use the attraction method for art venues before you make the ask (265)
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
You don't need a gallery to put your work in front of people. You don't need to wait for the next juried show application just for the promise to compete with a hoard of other artists.
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield makes the case that waiting for gallery representation — or cycling through the same juried shows — keeps artists from the kind of visibility they could be creating themselves. This is a practical, imagination-expanding episode for artists who are ready to take control.
In this episode, Alyson shares:
- Why "white walls" can be a metaphor for playing it too safe
- Three real art shows she attended that will stretch what you think is possible
- The lesson a hotel show taught her about personal invitations
- The difference between announcing, commanding, and inviting, and when to use each for promoting your show
RESOURCES MENTIONED
- Elevate Your Art on-demand workshop
- Why the lone artist mindset keeps you small (263)
- How to write an art show invitation: announcing, commanding, or inviting? (article)
BEYOND WHITE WALLS :: May 7 Workshop
Your next exhibition space is closer than you think. Join Alyson on May 7 for Beyond White Walls, a 70-minute live workshop on finding and approaching non-traditional venues for your work. Registration is $37 and includes email templates, a companion guide, and the recording. Details at https://artbizsuccess.com/whitewalls
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield explores why collaboration is often the missing piece in an artist's growth. While working alone feels easier, it can quietly limit what's possible.
This episode makes the case for thinking bigger by asking a simple but powerful question: Who else belongs in your work?
Alyson shares:
- Two powerful examples of artist collaborations and how they reached audiences that the artists couldn't have reached on their own
- How collaborations build accountability, momentum, and deeper work
- Why it's important that your work be part of the larger dialogue
- What to look out for when collaborating
Visit this episode's page for all resources
RELATED EPISODES ON COLLABORATING
This Artist Turned Six Partnerships Into a Sold-Out Gallery Show with Meredith Nemirov (262)
A Collaboration Between 2 Artists that Led to Creative Growth (183)
Multiply Your Audience and Expand Your Show's Impact with Jill Powers (27)
Multi-State Multi-Year Multi-Artist Art Project with Marilyn Artus (30)
Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (64)
Collaborating on Your Art Business with Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin (86)
Play Tops Work, Connection Tops Solitude, and Confidence Tops Fear with Willie Cole (126)
Expanding Your Skillset to Respond to Opportunities with Detour (128)
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
Artist Meredith Nemirov joins host Alyson Stanfield to walk through how she built a rare sold-out show — not by luck, but by design. Starting with a short proposal to a national nonprofit before she ever approached her gallery, Meredith assembled six collaborators, two opening nights, and a donation structure that gave everyone a reason to say yes.
Meredith reveals:
- Why she approached a national nonprofit before she walked into her own gallery
- The three options she gave American Rivers for the collaboration
- How the gallery staff went far beyond hanging the work, and why it mattered
- The missed opportunity she'd handle differently next time
- How having people depending on her changed what happened in the studio
Connect with Meredith
Visit this episode's page for all resources
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
The daily work of running an art business always feels urgent. The strategic work doesn't. So it waits.
But postponing that deeper evaluation isn't okay.
In this solo episode, host Alyson Stanfield names five specific costs that accumulate when the strategic work keeps getting pushed to next month, next quarter, next year.
In this episode:
- Why tactical delays and strategic delays are two different problems
- The question Alyson asks every client when a deadline feels far away
- What it means to leave money on the table, and why it's such an easy cost to ignore
- How unresolved strategic questions become a constant tax on your attention
- Why execution without direction is just activity
- What happens psychologically every day you don't begin the work you've been putting off
Resources & links
- Stop Being Busy. Start Being Strategic. (258)
- Do You Have the Art Business You Actually Want? (259)
- The Art Business Self-Assessment Every Artist Should Do (260)
Read more in depth, get links, and see featured artists
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
My Art Business Assessment — Used with Every Client 50%
In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield introduces the 3-zone framework she uses with every private client to assess where an art business actually stands.
It's the same structure at the heart of the Art Business Reset workshop, and this episode is your chance to walk through it on your own.
Alyson covers:
- The question she asks before any strategy conversation
- The 3 zones that account for everything you do to build your art business outside of making the work: Outreach, Presence, and Systems
- The breakdown of what each zone covers and questions to ask for your assessment
- Why you can't neglect in-person networking and follow-up
Mentioned
Do You Have the Art Business You Actually Want? (259)
Stop Being Busy, Start Being Strategic (258)
Art Business Reset on March 31, 2026
Read more, get mentioned resources, and see featured artists
Email Alyson to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
Most artists didn't design their art business — they drifted into it. In this solo episode, Art Biz host Alyson Stanfield invites you to slow down long enough to ask a question most artists never take time to ask: if you were starting fresh today, would you build it this way?
In this episode, Alyson covers:
- Why most artists are running a business they drifted into rather than designed — and why that matters
- What a business model actually is (and why you already have one whether you designed it or not)
- The difference between examining your business and evaluating it, and why the order matters
- The foundational question she asks every new private client before anything else
- The six areas to examine when you're ready to take honest stock of what you've built
Read more, get links, and see featured artists
Mentioned
Stop Being Busy, Start Being Strategic (258)
When You Want to Sell More Original Art (257)
Beyond Information: Why Artists Need Frameworks (251)
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term art career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
Being busy is boring.
In episode 258 of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield makes the case that most artists are so deep in execution mode that they never step back to evaluate, redirect, or ask whether any of it is actually working. This episode draws a clear line between working IN your art business and working ON it, and explains why both matter, but one gets almost all of the attention.
IN THIS EPISODE
- Why execution without direction is just activity, and what it costs you.
- The side-by-side difference between IN and ON work across four common artist tasks
- The two failure modes: too much IN (reactive, no filter) and too much ON (perfect systems, no execution)
- What working ON your business actually looks like in practice, including the questions to ask
- Why multi-year plans have lost their usefulness, and what to hold onto instead
QUESTIONS TO ASK IN YOUR "ON" TIME
- What is actually working — and why?
- Is this still where I want to go — and why?
- What on my to-do list no longer serves me?
- What has the best potential for a long-term payoff?
- Where am I playing it too safe?
- How can I enjoy my art business even more?
Read more, get links, and see featured artists
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
Selling products — giclées, pillows, aprons, notebooks — made sense when you started. But if you've been asking how to sell more original art and not getting traction, something may need to shift.
Host Alyson Stanfield draws on her background as a museum curator and educator to explore what actually gets in the way and what to do about it.
In this episode:
- Why the pivot to products is understandable, and when it starts working against you
- The fear that drives you away from leading with originals
- What collectors are actually buying when they choose to live with original art
- The screen equalization problem: why your $4,000 painting and your $40 print look identical online (and what to do about it)
- Two tactics for selling more original art
Read more, get links, and see featured artists
Check out Elevate Your Art: Museum-Quality Standards That Command Higher Prices
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
Artist and tax advisor Hannah Cole knows firsthand how shame can poison an artist's relationship with money. When her dad's accountant asked "When are you gonna get a real job?" instead of helping her understand quarterly taxes, she experienced the dismissal that makes so many artists avoid financial conversations altogether.
In this episode, host Alyson Stanfield and Hannah explore why artists develop allergies to money talk and what it takes to build confidence with your numbers.
Hannah reveals:
- Why "when are you gonna get a real job?" creates a lasting money allergy
- How believing money corrupts prevents you from advocating for fair pay
- Her ritual for making bookkeeping feel like self-care instead of dread
- Why you must have a separate bank account for your art biz
- What losing 20 years of art in a hurricane revealed about capitalism and grief
Connect with Hannah:
SunlightTax.com
The Sunlight Tax podcast
LinkedIn: Hannah Cole
Instagram: @sunlighttax
Tiktok: Sunlight Tax
Youtube: Sunlight Tax
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
Daniel Sipe and Karlë Woods didn't set out to start an arts organization. They just wanted to talk to artists during the pandemic. Four years later, Lights Out has produced 95 artist documentaries, thrown 18 popup exhibitions across Maine, and built a funding model that includes everything from $10 monthly donors to six-figure state contracts.
Their story, shared with host Alyson Stanfield, offers a masterclass in starting before you're ready, investing in what matters (yes, including marketing), and building something sustainable through collaboration rather than competition. They reveal:
- Why a power outage became the best thing that could have happened at their first art show
- The $800 investment that felt reckless at the time but proved essential to their credibility
- How they turned what could be seen as competition into their superpower
- The state contract that nearly bankrupted them before it saved them
- The simplest way artists can support arts organizations in their communities
Read more, see images, find resources mentioned
Connect with Lights Out
Website
Videos on YouTube
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
Damien Davis is a visual artist and writer who questions the art world's power structures from an artist's perspective. In this conversation with host Alyson Stanfield, he exposes the gatekeeping mechanisms—from application fees to institutional approval—that keep artists competing for artificially scarce opportunities instead of recognizing the abundance they could create together.
Damien reveals:
- How learning business skills like grant writing and fundraising allowed him to stop waiting for gatekeepers and reclaim his studio practice
- Why he defines a successful artist as simply someone who keeps making art, regardless of galleries or institutional validation
- How barriers like application fees serve to keep artists competing for resources that should be abundant
- Why people at the center of the art ecosystem benefit from keeping artists in perpetual competition with each other
- How his writing exposes exploitation directly while his colorful sculptures draw viewers into uncomfortable conversations about erased histories
Read more, see images, find resources mentioned
Connect with Damien:
Website and Newsletter
Hyperallergic Articles
Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.
Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
Host Alyson Stanfield reveals an uncomfortable truth in this solo episode: the problem isn't that you don't know enough. The real challenge is building the confidence to act on what you already know. After 23 years of teaching artists, Alyson has realized she's been contributing to information overwhelm when what artists actually need are practices that build steady confidence.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- The five major confidence killers that derail your plans
- Six practical confidence-building practices you can start today
- Why your January plans typically fade by February
- How to close the gap between planning and execution
- The difference between accumulating knowledge and trusting yourself
HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 Alyson reflects on episode 251 and her realization about information overwhelm
01:00 The real problem isn't lack of knowledge—it's information overload
02:00 What typically happens to January plans by February
03:10 Three things that kill confidence: doubt, false beliefs, and comparison
04:10 How perfectionism is actually procrastination in disguise
05:30 The inner critic voices that keep you stuck
06:30 Learning from outside critics versus harsh feedback
07:20 Six practices for building steady confidence
13:00 The gap between planning and working your plan
14:30 Practice steady confidence this season
SUGGESTED ACTION
This week, start one confidence-building practice. Choose the one that resonates most: begin a daily wins list, create your "loved" file, write one affirmation, or commit to one self-care practice. You don't need to do all of them at once. Pick one and practice it consistently.
RELATED EPISODES
Beyond Information: Why Artists Need Frameworks (251)
What Your Failures Are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (96)
How to Be a More Confident Artist with Gwen Fox (24)
To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/steady-confidence
🔶 For the first time, Essentials is available as a single season option—four months focused entirely on building steady confidence. Running through April, you'll get weekly practices, community support, and access to all learning modules when you need them. The planning workshop gives you the plan. The season gives you the practices to meet your goals. Learn more: Essentials for Steady Confidence
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
HOW TO BE A GUEST
Think you have a story to share with other artists here on The Art Biz. Take the first step ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
In this coaching-style episode, host Alyson Stanfield coaches Ebony Iman Dallas through the challenges of building a sustainable public art career while navigating motherhood, a regional market, and the fear of rejection.
Ebony makes 90% of her income from public art but struggles with systems, marketing that highlights events instead of her work, and waiting for opportunities instead of creating them. If you've ever felt stretched between creative work and life responsibilities—or stuck in a local market—you'll recognize yourself here.
HIGHLIGHTS
01:30 Ebony's journey from advertising to opening the first art gallery in post-war Somaliland to full-time public art practice
06:10 How Ebony's income breaks down: 90% public art, 10% studio sales
08:30 Why she needs both institutional recognition and sales to spread her messages about Black Oklahoma history
16:30 Ebony admits she has no systems for tracking proposals and keeps everything in her head
21:10 Her graphic memoir Through Abahay's Eyes aims to clear her father's name and show healing is possible
30:20 The critical marketing shift: promote primarily—over events
33:10 Building a VIP list and postcard strategy to stay visible with the right people
40:50 Why fear of rejection keeps your dreams small
44:00 Weekly accountability check-ins take the emotion out and make it a numbers game
46:20 The three main takeaways: accountability structure, VIP postcard strategy, and intentional art-focused marketing
ACTION
Take one of these strategies and put it into action this week. Reach out to one curator or gallery director. Start your VIP list of people who should know about your work. Or schedule a weekly check-in with an accountability partner to share what you've applied for.
RELATED EPISODES
Remove Barriers to Buying Your Art (237)
How to Guarantee that People Remember You with Skip Hill (187)
Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (114)
To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/shape-opportunities
⭐️ Connect with Ebony and see more of her art: https://ebonyimandallas.com
🔶 If you heard Ebony talk about keeping everything in her head and thought "that's me," join us for Own Your Year 2026, January 13-15. This three-day planning workshop will help you get it all out of your head and onto a plan that actually supports your goals. Registration closes January 12th at artbizsuccess.com/makeaplan.
🔶 If you're looking for more customized support beyond group workshops, I also work privately with a small number of artists each year. Learn more at artbizsuccess.com/consulting.
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
HOW TO BE A GUEST
Think you have a story to share with other artists here on The Art Biz. Take the first step ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
What happens when you realize the way you've been working isn't sustainable? When you've built something successful but it's costing you sleep, peace of mind, and the very things you set out to protect?
In this solo episode, host Alyson Stanfield gets really vulnerable with a question most artists face at some point: Who am I if I change the way I've always done things? It's about the pressure to maintain what you've always done because that's what you identify with, the FOMO that makes you say yes when your gut says no, and the overwhelm that comes from adding more and more to your plate.
Artists don't need more information—they need containers to organize it, filters to prioritize it, and boundaries to protect themselves from overwhelm. You'll hear about identity shifts, the power of asking "where can I lower the bar?" and what it looks like to evolve from consuming content to building frameworks that actually support your business.
🔦 HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 The Artist's Annual Review and why reflecting is an act of courage
02:50 The truth is you don't need more information
04:10 We need to prioritize creating containers, filters, and serious boundaries
06:40 Artists keep telling me they're "so behind" and I never want you to feel that way
09:10 I'm preaching sane planning while juggling an insane schedule
13:50 This is about IDENTITY—who I am at my very core
17:20 The right question: what do I need to let go of? Where can I lower the bar?
20:20 This is about evolution, trusting that what already exists is enough
📖 To read more and find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/beyond-info
🔶 FREE! Download The Artist's Annual Review and ask yourself: What do I need to let go of? Where can I lower the bar?
Not just what you want to accomplish in 2026—but what you want less of, and how you want to feel as you move through your days. https://artbizsuccess.com/reviewyouryear
🔶 🔶 OWN YOUR YEAR 2026 🔶 🔶 If you're ready to take that clarity and turn it into a plan—not a plan that adds more to your plate, but a plan that honors where you are and what you actually have the capacity for—join me for Own Your Year 2026.
This planning workshop happens January 13-15, 2026. This isn't about tactics or strategies or adding more to your list. It's about alignment. It's about creating a year that feels sustainable and maybe even radiant.
Learn more at artbizsuccess.com/makeaplan
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
Think you'd make a good podcast guest? Give me your best pitch ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
In 2020, Dawn Trimble was laid off from her interior design job during the pandemic while navigating a divorce—and she felt relief. That moment became a turning point. Within months of painting full-time, she launched her first collection, which sold out in days and matched her corporate paycheck.
Dawn talks about the practical steps she took to build momentum, what she brought from her design background into her art business, how she thinks about creativity as service rather than self-expression, and why she believes the most important thing any artist can do is simply start.
HIGHLIGHTS
01:40 Dawn describes her serene watercolor paintings
03:00 The relief of being laid off during the pandemic
05:40 Creating her first collection and selling out in days
08:00 The three-legged stool business approach
26:00 Wall covering licensing partnerships that surprised her with the size of the first checks
29:00 How she structures her week
32:00 Marketing through storytelling and connection
39:00 The "Memories" collection and her father's dementia
44:00 Her faith, viewing herself as conduit, not source
47:20 Her advice to other artists: just do it
DAWN'S ACTION FOR YOU
Dawn reminds us that everyone has insecurities and everyone is afraid. But you have to start anyway. As she mentioned, inspiration has to find us working.
You can't sit around wishing—it has to be an action. So this week, get into your studio and make something. Let inspiration find you working.
To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/trimble-revenue
Connect with Dawn and see more of her art: https://dawnmtrimbleart.com
🔶 If you've ever felt like you're doing all the things but not seeing sales, or if you're tired of people saying "I love your work" without pulling out their wallet, check out the Followers to Collectors workshop. You'll map out the full journey of how people discover your art, engage with it, build trust over time, and how you make it easy for them to buy when they're ready.
Learn more at artbizsuccess.com/f2c
RELATED EPISODES
Listen to other artists discuss their income streams:
Expanding Your Skillset to Respond to Opportunities with Detour (ep. 128)
Juggling Multiple Art Styles and Audiences with Robin Maria Pedrero (ep. 103)
Beyond Comparison and Jealousy with Jason Kotecki (ep. 191)
Transform Your Creative Ideas into Multiple Income Streams: Helen Hiebert (ep. 18)
The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here's how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
Alicia Bailey and Melinda Laz are part of a four-artist collaborative group in Denver that's been working together for years because it's made them better artists.
In this conversation, they share the practical realities of collaboration: the systems that keep things organized, the communication that prevents problems, and the trust that makes it all possible.
If you've ever wondered whether working with other artists is worth the effort, this episode will show you what's possible when you get it right.
🔦HIGHLIGHTS
01:50 How their friendship evolved into collaboration over 25 years
04:10 The early collaborative work between Alicia and Melinda
05:30 Expanding from a duo to a four-artist collaboration with Catherine Chauvin and Sharon Strasburg
08:30 Why they choose loose collaboration over a more formalized collective
10:40 Drafting proposals together without ego
13:20 Choosing "Perseverance" as their theme to allow broad interpretation
16:10 The systems they use to stay organized and on track
18:00 Why one person serves as the point of contact with galleries
20:40 The importance of going to lunch and doing studio visits
25:40 Learning when to say no to opportunities that don't align
36:20 Communication, clear expectations, and getting everything on the table
40:20 Keeping ego in check while maintaining leadership
🏃THE ARTISTS' ACTION FOR YOU
Go to openings and talk to other artists, especially those whose work you feel a resonance with. Go view art even if it's not an opening, then dig deeper by looking at artists' websites or social media pages to learn about the community right in your backyard. Don't be afraid to reach out—send that Instagram message, ask for coffee, introduce yourself at the opening. Artists want to talk to other artists and form community.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/friendships-collaborations
⭐️ Connect with the artists: https://aliciabailey.com and https://melindalaz.com
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Interested in collaboration? Check out these episodes:
Multiply Your Audience and Expand Your Show's Impact with Jill Powers (ep. 27)
Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (ep. 64)
Collaborating on Your Art Business with Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin (ep. 86)
A Collaboration Between 2 Artists that Led to Creative Growth (ep. 183)
🔶 Community can support your journey in so many ways. We have that kind of community in Essentials for Artist Success. While there are plenty of lessons in our vault—including our current focus on The Artist's Annual Review and planning work we'll dig into in January—our real emphasis is on action and progress. We're here to help you move forward without getting bogged down in more information than you need. Find all the details at artbizsuccess.com/essentials
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here's how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
In part one of this conversation (episode 247), Stephanie Brown shared how she strategically funded her education and built her early career foundation. Now it's time to talk about what happens next: the messy, real, day-to-day work of sustaining an art practice.
Stephanie breaks down her actual income streams with host Alyson Stanfield—sharing her five-year vision for gallery representation and explaining how becoming a mother made her bolder and more focused rather than holding her back.
🔦 HIGHLIGHTS
03:50 Stephanie's income percentages from consulting, speaking, art sales, workshops, and grants
07:30 When paying for a residency is worth it (and when it's not)
08:30 The mistake of saying yes to a show just to meet a quota
10:30 Why motherhood pushed Stephanie's art practice harder instead of pausing it
12:20 What "your mom does for a living" should teach about possibility and freedom
18:30 The tools that keep multiple income streams organized
25:30 Why direct outreach finally started working after years of silence
27:30 If forced to choose only one income stream, this would be it—and why
🏃STEPHANIE'S ACTION FOR YOU
Make a list of the top ten things you're most scared to do in your art career. Then do the scariest thing on that list.
Maybe it's reaching out directly to a gallery you admire. Maybe it's raising your prices. Maybe it's applying to that prestigious residency you've been bookmarking for years. Maybe it's finally having an honest conversation about money with your partner or family.
The scary thing is usually the thing that will move you forward the most.
🔶 ESSENTIALS
If you need structure and support while you're doing the scary things, that's exactly what we provide in Essentials for Artist Success. We help you build a sustainable foundation for your art business with ongoing lessons, accountability, and coaching. Because taking action is always easier when you're not doing it alone.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Expanding Your Skillset to Respond to Opportunities with Detour (ep. 128)
Juggling Multiple Art Styles and Audiences with Robin Maria Pedrero (ep. 103)
Transform Your Creative Ideas into Multiple Income Streams: Helen Hiebert (ep. 18)
Raising Prices on Your Art, Valuing Community, and Balancing Motherhood with Bri Larson (ep. 166)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/motherhood-brown
⭐️ Connect with Stephanie and see more of her art: https://stephaniebphotos.com
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here's how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Too many artists graduate from art school with crushing debt and then spend years figuring out how to make money while trying to maintain a studio practice. Stephanie Brown did the opposite. She graduated from a private art school debt-free, secured a fully funded MFA, and has been treating her art career like a business from day one.
In this conversation with host Alyson Stanfield, Stephanie breaks down exactly how she did it, and why being strategic about money doesn't make you any less of an artist.
🔦 HIGHLIGHTS
02:00 Why interactive art transforms viewers into participants and creates lasting memory points—and how Stephanie intentionally studied education theory to understand this
06:40 How she graduated from a private art school (SCAD) debt-free by maximizing scholarships and strategically taking general education classes at community college
09:40 Why she only applied to fully funded MFA programs and what made University of Michigan's program worth it
16:30 The best advice Stephanie received about graduate school: only go when you know what you want to say to the world as an artist
23:10 How watching her mother's creative side hustles shaped her belief that artists can make money from their work
24:40 The rules she set for herself (one residency, two exhibitions per year) to ensure she could always say "I'm an exhibiting artist"
31:10 Why working from home during the pandemic was the unlock that gave Stephanie energy and time for serious studio practice
33:20 The transferable skills from her art practice (managing budgets up to $50,000) that landed her higher-paying jobs in project management and business operations
🚀 YOUR ACTION Create your own non-negotiable parameters for your art practice. Stephanie's are at least one residency and two exhibitions per year.
What would your rules be?
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be with Kelly Pelfrey (162)
Being an Artist with Geoffrey Gorman (124)
Starting Your Art Career (173)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/debt-free-brown
⭐️ Connect with Stephanie and see more of her art: https://stephaniebphotos.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here's how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Your art doesn't exist in a vacuum. Where and how you show your work shapes how people perceive its value before they even look closely at the piece itself. The venue, the lighting, the labels, the other work nearby—all of it sends signals about whether your art should be taken seriously.
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield explores what falls within your control and what doesn't, and why understanding that difference can transform how collectors see you and your work.
She encourages you to vet opportunities before committing, establish non-negotiables to establish for yourself, and move strategically toward increasingly prestigious venues rather than staying comfortable with familiar options. Whether you're just starting out or you've been showing for years, you'll learn how to raise your standards and make choices that honor the work you've put into your art.
HIGHLIGHTS
00:30 A gallery story that reveals how presentation can undermine even the most exquisite artwork
02:50 Joshua Bell's subway experiment and what it reveals about context over content
04:20 What you can't control after committing: organizers' behavior, placement, promotion, and who else is in the show
06:00 The power of vetting opportunities before you say yes: research methods and setting non-negotiables
09:00 Moving strategically to increasingly prestigious venues rather than staying comfortable
11:40 Being selective even when starting out: choosing the best option available at your career stage
🚀 YOUR ACTION Audit your current opportunities through this lens. For each place you're showing or planning to show, ask yourself:
Does this venue's reputation support my prices and goals?
Will being here make collectors take me more seriously?
What can I control about how my work is presented?
And if you can't control key elements, is this opportunity still worth it?
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Seeking Validation and Earning Credibility as an Artist (129)
How One Curator Works with Artists at a Regional Art Center with Collin Parson (116)
Lessons from a Wildly Successful Pop-up Art Gallery Event with Mai Wyn Schantz (109)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/undermining-value
🔶 Context shapes perception. It's why galleries are selective about their roster and why collectors pay attention to provenance. If you want to command higher prices, context matters enormously. In Elevate Your Art, Alyson covers numerous strategies for increasing the perceived value of your work and being strategic about where and how you show. This is just one of them. The live session on November 18th, with on demand training available afterward. Visit artbizsuccess.com/elevate for all the details.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here's how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
La Vaughn Belle is a visual artist based in St. Croix whose interdisciplinary practice explores colonial histories and Caribbean identity.
Host Alyson Stanfield talks with La Vaughn about building a thriving art career outside traditional art centers through strategic networking, intentional collaboration, and the bold decision to hire a publicist for her monument project I Am Queen Mary.
La Vaughn reveals
- How she built strategic networks that expanded her reach beyond her local community
- Why collaboration with people outside her discipline opened unexpected doors
- The power of consistent newsletter practice and following up with genuine curiosity
- How she hired a publicist for her monument project and landed coverage in The New York Times, Guardian, and Time Magazine
- Why separating your work (obra) from your career (carrera) requires different strategies
- How dedicating 20 studio hours per week transformed her practice
HIGHLIGHTS 01:30 How living in the Caribbean has shaped La Vaughn's cosmopolitan perspective as an artist
06:40 How La Vaughn's work explores colonial histories through material remnants and storm metaphors
09:00 The three key practices La Vaughn built to develop her reputation outside St. Croix
10:30 What La Vaughn looks for in collaboration and how working with non-artists sharpens her practice
17:00 How people find La Vaughn for collaborations and the importance of a strong website
20:10 La Vaughn's consistent newsletter practice and how she asks permission to add people to her list
23:40 Why La Vaughn's friend insisted she hire a publicist and how she overcame her resistance
26:30 Describing the two-and-a-half-story sculpture that combined coral stones and a reimagined Huey P. Newton image
33:30 How La Vaughn dove into her practice after the media attention died down
38:40 Using affirmations and strategic positioning to attract the right gallerist
43:20 The difference between obra (work) and carrera (career) that La Vaughn learned in Cuba
46:40 Why committing to 20 studio hours per week is essential for competing at an international level
🚀 YOUR ACTION Pick one relationship you already have—maybe someone who expressed interest in your work, a curator you met once, or an artist in a different discipline—and reach out this week. Not with an ask, but with genuine curiosity. Invite them for a coffee chat or Zoom conversation and see where it takes you.
🔶 Map out your follower's full journey from discovery to purchase: Follower —> Fan —>Buyer —> Collector. Learn how people find your art, engage with it, build trust over time, and buy when they're ready.
$97 (podcast listeners can save $20 with promo code PODCAST20) Sign up now at ArtBizSuccess.com/f2c
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/visibility-belle
⭐️ Connect with La Vaughn and see more of her art: https://www.lavaughnbelle.com/
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Boldly Reaching Out to Art World Influencers with Laurence de Valmy (108)
Lessons from a Wildly Successful Pop-up Art Gallery Event with Mai Wyn Schantz (109)
Overcoming Anxiety about Making Art World Connections with Heather Beardsley (160)
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here's how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Working with a gallery means putting your art, reputation, and trust in someone else's hands.
That relationship can be transformative (or tense) depending on how it's managed on either side.
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Katherine Hébert, founder of Gallery Fuel, which helps small and mid-size galleries strengthen their businesses.
Katherine has seen both sides of the artist–gallery dynamic and knows what helps these relationships thrive: communication, transparency, and mutual respect.
You'll hear:
- What mutual respect between artists and galleries looks like.
- How to establish trust early in the relationship.
- Why open communication prevents power imbalances throughout the evolution of the relationship.
- What "trust signals" artists send through professionalism and follow-through.
- The role of regular check-ins and collaborative planning.
HIGHLIGHTS 00:40 Katherine shares her journey from art history to founding Gallery Fuel.
05:00 Why she focuses on small and mid-size "Main Street" galleries.
07:00 What genuine trust between artists and galleries means, and how to establish it through clear communication.
11:10 How galleries can assess fit before signing artists.
13:00 The professionalism cues (or "trust signals") artists send to galleries.
15:40 Empowering artists to ask questions and clarify expectations.
20:00 Why regular communication and quarterly check-ins matter.
28:20 Contracts as a foundation for mutual respect and protection.
34:00 How younger collectors are changing the gallery landscape.
41:40 Creative experiences galleries can offer to build connection.
46:20 Alyson's closing thoughts: take what you've learned and put it into action.
🚀 YOUR ACTION
Reach out to one of your professional contacts this week—whether it's a gallerist, curator, or collector.
Share a quick update, ask a question, or simply check in. Every thoughtful message builds the trust that keeps relationships strong.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/respect-hebert
⭐️ Connect with Katherine: https://galleryfuel.com
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Qualities Galleries Are Looking For in Their Artists with Jeremy Tessmer (123)
The Investing Artist: Art, Real Estate, and Legacy with Mary Erickson (19)
Why I Want Partnerships with Art Galleries with Evita Tezeno (175)
What Galleries Want: Preparing Your Art and Yourself with Gabba Gallery (226)
🔶 Map out your follower's full journey from discovery to purchase: Follower —> Fan —>Buyer —> Collector. Learn how people find your art, engage with it, build trust over time, and buy when they're ready. $97 (podcast listeners can save $20 with promo code PODCAST20) Sign up now at ArtBizSuccess.com/f2c
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here's how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
When Alissa Quart's 90-year-old mother received a terminal diagnosis, she faced a daunting question: what to do with 400 paintings created over three decades. Her solution was unconventional, distributing the work directly to neighbors, friends, and anyone who wanted to live with her mother's art.
The story she shares with host Alyson Stanfield touches on something much larger: what artists actually need to sustain their practice and how we think about legacy when the traditional art world isn't an option.
You’ll learn:
- How to approach inventorying and distributing an artist's work when they can no longer do it themselves
- Why affordable housing is critical infrastructure for artists and what happens when creative communities are priced out
- The legal and economic barriers that prevent cities from supporting working artists
- How one New York Times article elevated an artist's work in ways decades of painting couldn't
- When to stop building an artist's legacy and how to set boundaries around the work
HIGHLIGHTS
01:30 Barbara Quart's journey from East Village bohemian to 30 years of daily painting 05:40 The horror story that sparked a mission to honor her mother's wishes 08:20 Looking for external validation through local gallery shows in the Berkshires 10:40 The circumstances that allowed 30 years of sustained art practice 12:50 Why artists need community, not just queen bees but worker ants too 14:40 Legal barriers that restrict housing developments for artists 17:00 How art production creates billions in economic activity 23:10 Starting with an inventory and creating a catalog system 26:30 Women who inherit their husband's art and sacrifice their own lives 29:20 The art destruction party where artists let go of their work 34:10 How one piece in the New York Times changed everything 38:10 Barbara started painting again after the article's positive response 42:00 Collective joy and questioning the myth of individualism 44:00 The promise that consciousness can persist beyond the hand that picked up the brush
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Spotlighting Artists Who Bloom Later in Life with Janice Mason Steves (181)
Proactively Planning Your Art Legacy with Heather K. Powers (143)
Confronting Your Professional Legacy with David Paul Bayles (15)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/quart-legacy
⭐️ Connect with Alissa: https://alissaquart.com
Learn more about and support the Economic Hardship Reporting Project: https://economichardship.org
Follow Barbara Quart’s art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbaraquartpainter/
🔶 Map out your follower’s full journey from discovery to purchase: Follower —> Fan —>Buyer —> Collector. Learn how people find your art, engage with it, build trust over time, and buy when they're ready. $97 (podcast listeners can save $20 with promo code PODCAST20) Sign up now at ArtBizSuccess.com/f2c
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
Artist and activist Malene Barnett joins host Alyson Stanfield to unpack how she balances a multidisciplinary practice while designing work that “holds memory” in space. Malene shares the planning, community, and process-sharing that keep a long, installation-driven practice moving, and she offers a resonant lens on clay as a tool for liberation grounded in Caribbean and West African heritage.
Bits of her wisdom:
- Plan your studio around time-intensive mediums so momentum never stalls.
- On social media, share process, tools, and research to connect when finished work is scarce.
- Think in space: design work and installations that carry memory and story.
- Build stability outside the studio to support long-term creative growth.
- Form intentional communities for critique, support, and opportunity.
HIGHLIGHTS 02:10 Family lineage and a first-generation background shape Malene’s practice.
04:20 The pact to center ancestry and identity in her work from art school onward.
08:20 Clay as a tool for liberation through Caribbean pottery history and markets.
13:10 Leaving bespoke rugs, after a sabbatical, to reclaim her voice and move into clay.
19:20 Tiles and architecture as ways to create a space that holds memory.
21:00 Planning around clay’s long timelines for drying, firing, and glazing.
22:20 Residencies, film, and building an archive of Caribbean potters.
26:40 Why sharing process, tools, and research sustains audience connection.
32:10 Founding the Black Artists and Designers Guild and how to start a community.
35:10 Crafted Kinship: agency, blurred lines between art, craft, and design.
41:10 Career advice: seek stability, invest, and take the long view.
43:20 What’s next: a large-scale ceramic mural in Greensboro, with installation in 2027.
ACTION This week, share one piece of your process with your community: a tool you rely on, a test tile, or a research thread you’re following.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
The Investing Artist: Art, Real Estate, and Legacy with Mary Erickson (223)
Expanding Your Skillset to Respond to Opportunities with Detour (ep. 128)
Leaning Into Her Roots and Community Art with Marilyn Fontaine (185)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/kinship-barnett
⭐️ Connect with Malene and see more of her art: https://malenebarnett.com
🔶 If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels on random marketing tasks and instead build a strong, reliable foundation for your art business, check out Essentials for Artist Success. Inside, you’ll find the structure, coaching, and accountability to help you turn intentions into consistent action. Learn more at artbizsuccess.com/essentials.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
Pinterest isn’t just for recipes and home décor—it’s one of the most underutilized marketing tools for artists. In this episode, host Alyson Stanfield talks with artist coach Hayley Price about how she’s still getting traffic from pins created years ago and why Pinterest should be part of your long-term strategy. Discover how to turn your existing content into evergreen visibility for your art.
- Why Pinterest functions more like a search engine than a social platform
- How pins can drive traffic for years, not hours or days
- The easiest way to start using Pinterest if you already post on Instagram
- Smart strategies for linking pins so they keep working—even after artwork sells
- How to use Pinterest not just for marketing but also for creative inspiration
HIGHLIGHTS 00:30 Meet Hayley Price—artist, gallerist, coach, and podcast host
02:20 Why Pinterest offers long-term visibility compared to Instagram
03:20 How Pinterest functions as a search engine (not social media)
05:10 How interior designers and collectors use Pinterest to discover art
06:30 Doubling your SEO efforts by linking blog posts to pins
08:40 First steps: setting up a business account and connecting Instagram
12:20 Creating multiple pins from one piece of content (without extra work)
19:00 What kinds of pins perform best for artists
24:40 How to keep pins working even after artwork has sold
28:20 Success story: 40–50% of gallery traffic still coming from old pins
29:50 Why ads often perform better on Pinterest than Instagram
33:20 Pinterest as a digital mood board for artistic inspiration
37:00 Hayley’s creative routine and how she balances her multiple roles
ACTION Choose one Inspired Pinterest Action:
- Repurpose something you’ve already shared on Instagram
- Start a new board for your blog posts or a collection
- Revive an old board with fresh pins
Just one step this week can set you up for visibility long after you hit publish.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Presenting Yourself Professionally on Your Artist Website with Jessica Burko (174)
Technology Is Your Colleague in the Studio with Iris Scott (203)
What Artists Need to Know About SEO with Meg Casebolt (222)
22 Tactics to Thoughtfully Invite People to Visit Your Art Website (228)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/pinterest-price
⭐️ Connect with and see more of her art and the artists she features: https://thescoutedstudio.com/
🔶 If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels on random marketing tasks and instead build a strong, reliable foundation for your art business, check out Essentials for Artist Success. Inside, you’ll find the structure, coaching, and accountability to help you turn intentions into consistent action. Learn more at artbizsuccess.com/essentials.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Host Alyson Stanfield talks with Katie Hunt about the findings from her 2025 State of the Product Industry survey.
While Katie’s audience includes product-based artists and makers, many of the themes—pricing pressures, burnout, and the need for stronger systems—apply across the creative sector.
They explore what’s really happening behind the scenes of creative businesses right now: why some are thriving while others are closing or stalling, how tariffs are complicating planning and profitability, and the surprising number of businesses still not using email marketing.
Katie and Alyson reflect on the connection between sustainability and simplification, and how support, community, and structure can make all the difference.
03:50 Who was surveyed and what kinds of businesses they run
09:00 How hiring and systems correlate with reduced hours and greater sustainability
11:30 Why email marketing is still underused—and still effective
15:30 The mindset blocks around unsubscribes and “bothering” your list
17:40 Social media as a visibility tool vs. a sales driver
18:30 Why community, mentorship, and education accelerate growth
21:00 Emotional tone of the industry: cautiously hopeful, but tired
24:20 Following up and closing the loop when no one responds
26:40 30% of respondents have considered closing their business
30:00 Tariffs, planning challenges, and the ripple effect on pricing
34:20 What separates those who sustain their business from those who burn out
38:00 The role of peer support and accountability
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
4 Considerations for Wholesaling Your Art with Katie Hunt (138)
Worrying About the Economy with Elaine Luttrull (141)
Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (157)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/fatigue-hunt
⭐️ Connect with Katie and listen to the Proof to Product podcast at https://prooftoproduct.com
🔶 Ready to make real progress in your art business? Essentials for Artist Success is where you stop spinning your wheels and start taking focused, intentional action. It’s not just another course—it’s a structured system for building momentum, making better decisions, and implementing the right strategies at the right time. Designed to support you through every season of your business, Essentials gives you the clarity, accountability, and community you need to keep moving forward.
Learn more >>> Essentials for Artist Success
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
Artists thrive on creative expression, but that same impulse can scatter your marketing. Without consistency, collectors are left confused about who you are and what you stand for.
In this solo episode, I share why identity comes before design, what goes into a brand kit, and how it saves time while building trust.
Your next collector is just one connection away. Make it a memorable one.
✨ HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 When artists relied on printed packets
02:40 Why tactile marketing materials still matter today
05:40 The tough love: artists aren’t designers (and why that matters)
08:00 Why your Identity — with a capital “I” — comes first
10:20 What a brand kit includes and how it helps
12:00 The pitfalls of DIY and how we can give you support in Essentials
13:40 Wrapping up: identity, design, and consistency in action
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/brand-kit
🎧 MENTIONED
These are the other solo episodes (so far) leading up to the Followers to Collectors workshop.
When the Art Sales Stop: 6 Areas to Investigate (235)
Clean Your Email List to Improve Deliverability and Engagement (236)
Remove Barriers to Buying Your Art (237)
You Don’t Need a Gallery, You Need Conscious Connections (238)
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These episodes feature guests who have clarity around who they are as artists:
Married to a Single Art Project Forever with Michelle Fung (227)
How You Want to Be Perceived as an Artist with Alexandra Squire (133)
What a Commitment to Audience-Building Means to Noelle Phares (225)
📥 RESOURCES
Planning Workshop:
Followers to Collectors – September 9–10
Essentials for Artist Success:
Ongoing coaching, support, and training
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
Waiting to be discovered isn’t a strategy. A gallery might help, but it won’t solve everything. What you really need to build a thriving art career are conscious connections. These are intentional relationships that open doors, create opportunities, and sustain you for the long run.
In this solo episode, host Alyson Stanfield explains what conscious connections are, why they matter more than ever, the barriers that hold artists back, and how to start cultivating your own unique network with a list that only you could create.
00:00 Why waiting to be discovered is not a strategy
01:00 August solo series leading to the Followers to Collectors workshop (see other episodes below)
02:20 The changing art ecosystem — what has and hasn’t changed
02:50 Defining conscious connections
03:30 Quick scenarios that show conscious connections in action
04:50 Why connections matter: resources, opportunities, momentum, knowledge, sales, collaboration
07:10 Conscious connections are the lifeblood of your career
07:30 Barriers: fear, logistics, and avoidance
09:00 The importance of focusing on others, not just yourself
09:10 Four buckets of connections: supporters, sellers & venues, influencers, peripheral potential
11:20 Conscious connections aren’t optional — they are foundational
11:50 One small action to nurture a connection this week
12:30 Invitation to the Followers to Collectors workshop (Sept 9–10)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/conscious-connections
🎧 MENTIONED
These are the other solo episodes (so far) leading up to the Followers to Collectors workshop.
When the Art Sales Stop: 6 Areas to Investigate (235)
Clean Your Email List to Improve Deliverability and Engagement (236)
Remove Barriers to Buying Your Art (237)
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
In these episodes, guests talk about the conscious connections that have helped them succeed with a specific project.
Multiply Your Audience and Expand Your Show’s Impact with Jill Powers (27)
Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (64)
Collaborating on Your Art Business with Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin (86)
A Collaboration Between 2 Artists that Led to Creative Growth (183)
📥 RESOURCES
Planning Workshop:
Followers to Collectors – September 9–10
Essentials for Artist Success:
Ongoing coaching, support, and training
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield When someone is ready to buy your art, the last thing you want to do is make them go on a treasure hunt. Every extra click, unanswered question, or missing price is a barrier that can cost you the sale. In this solo episode, I talk about how you can take charge of the buying process—because while you can’t control the economy or trends, you can control how easy it is for people to pay you. Key Ideas * Collectors don’t just buy art—they buy into the artist. Relationships matter, but clarity in the buying process is non-negotiable.
-
Three keys to a smooth sales experience: Clarity, Ease, and Trust.
-
Why your homepage isn’t enough—and how credit lines, prices, and details create clarity.
-
How multiple payment options and clear agreements make buying easier.
-
Why trust depends on fast responses, transparent policies, and consistent follow-through.
-
A challenge for you: Audit your own buyer’s journey and fix one barrier this week.
Highlights
00:00 Someone discovers your art on Instagram—what happens next? 02:00 Barriers in the buying process and why they matter 04:00 The first key: Clarity (and why your homepage is not the best destination) 05:00 The importance of credit lines for every finished piece 06:00 Pep talk: Don’t make people work harder to give you money 06:20 The second key: Ease—payment options and professional process 07:00 Stories about payment plans gone wrong and how to protect yourself 08:00 Why seamless transactions signal professionalism and build trust 08:20 The third key: Trust—buyers need to feel safe and confident 09:00 Follow-through, transparency, and consistent post-sale communication 09:30 The bigger picture: Trust and relationships over time create collectors 09:50 Your action step—audit your own buyer’s journey 10:00 Workshop invitation and how this step fits into the larger journey 11:20 Closing reminders: You can’t control the economy, but you can control how easy it is to buy your art Mentioned When the Art Sales Stop: 6 Areas to Investigate (235) Clean Your Email List to Improve Deliverability and Engagement (236) Strategic Growth, Collector Relationships, and Costly Lessons with James Corwin (232) 📖 To read more and see featured artists visit https://artbizsuccess.com/remove-barriers 📥 RESOURCES Planning Workshop: Followers to Collectors – September 9–10 Essentials for Artist Success: Ongoing coaching, support, and training ⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes. ~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~ This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Most artists focus on growing their email list—but what if the real power comes from trimming it?
In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield walks you through why and how to clean your email list. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about improving deliverability rates, boosting engagement, and building trust with the people who are actually listening.
If you want to email with more confidence—and stop second-guessing who’s on the other end—this episode is for you.
IN THIS EPISODE
- Why list hygiene is essential for deliverability and visibility
- How neglecting your list hurts your confidence and metrics
- A 5-step process to clean your list (without panicking)
- Why this matters more than ever with changes to email deliverability
- A mindset shift: You’re not deleting people—you’re making space
- How this ties into the upcoming Followers to Collectors planning workshop
00:32 Why email list hygiene often gets overlooked but is critical for your marketing
01:49 The emotional impact of sending emails to people who aren't engaging
03:04 How deliverability is changing and why this matters now more than ever
04:47 What happens when you keep inactive contacts on your list
05:53 Garden metaphor: pruning your list is thoughtful, not ruthless
06:58 Signs it’s time to clean: analytics, hesitation, and confidence dips
07:54 Step-by-step process to clean your list (starting with segmentation)
11:12 Why a smaller list can be more energizing
11:44 How cleaning your list connects to the Followers to Collectors workshop
12:45 Your action step this week and how refreshing your list brings clarity
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
The artists in these episodes discuss successful use of their email lists:
She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be with Kelly Pelfrey (162)
Self Sales, Open Studios, and Relationships with Interior Designers with Carol MacConnell (171)
Increasing Art Sales with Online Events with Patricia Griffin (97)
Producing a Monthly Digital Magazine with Alyson Sheldrake (199)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/clean-email-list
📥 RESOURCES MENTIONED
Planning Workshop:
Followers to Collectors – September 9–10
Essentials for Artist Success:
Ongoing coaching, support, and training
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
You’ve shown up. You’ve posted, emailed, exhibited, maybe even launched something. And yet... the sales aren’t coming.
In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield walks you through six insight areas to investigate when your art isn’t selling like it used to—or like you believe it should. These aren’t quick fixes, but reflective prompts that can lead to real clarity and intentional next steps.
Whether you're feeling stuck, confused, or just curious about how to improve your results, this episode will help you pause, reflect, and reassess—with empathy and a practical path forward.
HIGHLIGHTS
01:00 – The emotional toll of not selling and how to approach it with curiosity, not panic
01:56 – Introduction of the When Your Art Isn’t Selling guide and what to expect from this episode
03:07 – External Factors: What’s beyond your control (economy, distraction, collector habits)
04:00 – The Work Itself: Has your style or message shifted? Are collectors keeping up?
05:00 – How You’re Showing the Work: Venues, pricing visibility, and perceived value
06:36 – The Buying Experience: Is it easy to buy from you, or are you creating friction?
07:28 – How You’re Connecting: Relationships, follow-up, and trust-building
08:54 – How You’re Promoting It: Visibility, storytelling, and showing up consistently
10:10 – Reassurance and encouragement to act from insight, not overwhelm
10:52 – Three options for you
🎧 RELATED EPISODES These episodes focus on self-sales:
She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be with Kelly Pelfrey (ep. 162)
Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (ep. 157)
Self Sales, Open Studios, and Relationships with Interior Designers with Carol MacConnell (ep. 171)
Increasing Art Sales with Online Events with Patricia Griffin (ep. 97)
📥 RESOURCES MENTIONED Free Download and Show Notes:
When Your Art Isn’t Selling – 44 Smart Questions for Insight
Planning Workshop:
Followers to Collectors – September 9–10
Essentials for Artist Success:
Ongoing coaching, support, and training
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Sculptor and installation artist Marianne Lettieri creates intricate, meditative work from salvaged and domestic materials. In this episode, she shares her journey from marketing to art, and how she has centered her practice around intention, discernment, and clarity—rather than urgency or trends.
She talks with host Alyson Stanfield about how she defines success, the importance of showing up in the studio (even if it’s just to sweep the floor), and why research, ritual, and creative constraint are essential to her process.
HIGHLIGHTS
01:50 – Marianne’s career shift from PR to full-time artist
03:54 – Why Marianne is drawn to historical artifacts and “slow” art
08:19 – Defining success: critical acclaim vs. financial success
13:14 – Income sources: sales, commissions, and artist estates
17:57 – How she tracks ideas and builds inventory systems
22:02 – How she’s using only what she already has
24:56 – Making over 100 collages from studio leftovers
26:54 – A rejection story: the San Francisco dump residency
32:10 – Building community through art and faith
38:45 – How location (Granbury, TX) shapes her art
46:42 – Where to find Marianne + Alyson’s closing takeaway
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Establishing Yourself in a New Art Community with Joan Chamberlain (mentioned)
The artists featured in these episodes discuss a very intentional path for themselves.
What a Commitment to Audience-Building Means to Noelle Phares (225)
The Joy in Artist Community and Paring Back Obligations with Ali Cavanaugh (190)
Why I Want Partnerships with Art Galleries with Evita Tezeno (175)
Focusing on the Art, Not the Art Business with Rebecca Welz (134)
How You Want to Be Perceived as an Artist with Alexandra Squire (133)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/discerning-lettieri
⭐️ Connect with Marianne and see more of her art: https://mariannelettieri.com
🎯 Ready to make a plan that actually supports your art business? Join me for the Followers to Collectors planning workshop on September 9-10, where we’ll map out how your audience moves from discovering your art to feeling confident buying it.
You can sign up for the waitlist here. Or join Essentials for Artist Success today to get access to this workshop plus ongoing support, live coaching, and two additional planning workshops throughout the year. Details at artbizsuccess.com/essentials.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Thoughtful artists often hesitate to share their work publicly—not because they’re lazy or unclear, but because they don’t want to contribute to the “noise” online.
In this solo episode, host Alyson Stanfield unpacks that fear and explain why it’s often a mask for perfectionism. You'll hear why your content doesn’t need to be perfect, polished, or viral—it just needs to be true.
She also shares mindset shifts to help you move from performance to presence, broadcasting to connection, and perfection to permission.
Whether you're struggling to post, over-editing everything, or just trying to trust your voice again, this episode is here to remind you: you’re not the noise. You’re the signal.
[00:00] Workshop intro: From Followers to Collectors
[01:45] The fear of adding to the noise
[03:20] You’re not the noise—you’re the signal
[04:50] Where “quality over quantity” falls apart
[06:30] Some of your best content might be the quickest
[07:15] When perfectionism poses as professionalism
[08:10] What quality really looks like (hint: not polished)
[09:25] You can’t control who sees it—just share
[10:40] Shifting from performance to presence
[11:35] Final encouragement: show up with trust
[12:15] Workshop + Essentials invitation
[13:00] Closing thanks + where to find more
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These episodes also have an emphasis on mindset:
Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (ep. 114)
What Your Failures Are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (ep. 95)
Are You Playing It Too Safe in Your Art Business? (ep. 92)
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Christa Forrest (ep. 91)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and see our featured artists, visit artbizsuccess.com/noise
🎯 Ready to make a plan that actually supports your art business? Join me for the Followers to Collectors planning workshop on September 9-10, where we’ll map out how your audience moves from discovering your art to feeling confident buying it.
You can sign up or get on the waitlist here. Or join Essentials for Artist Success today to get access to this workshop plus ongoing support, live coaching, and two additional planning workshops throughout the year. Details at artbizsuccess.com/essentials.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Wildlife artist James Corwin has built a thriving art business by putting his originals first—and building everything else around them. In this episode of The Art Biz, he talks with host Alyson Stanfield about how he strategically developed multiple income streams through prints, commissions, and galleries, all while prioritizing his painting time.
James shares the mindset shift that helped him focus, the failures that taught him the most, and why nurturing collector relationships is a cornerstone of his success. His perspective as both an artist and gallery owner offers valuable insight for anyone seeking representation—or thinking about opening their own space.
Plus, he reveals how he handles marketing, team-building, and staying connected to buyers in a way that’s rare, but powerful.
Highlights * 02:00 – James’s start and finding his niche * 07:00 – Focusing the business and saying no * 13:00 – Early business experience and multiple revenue streams * 20:00 – Print systems, marketing, and building a team * 23:00 – Strategic growth and personal planning * 28:00 – How James actually plans and thinks while painting * 31:00 – Major failures: financial loss and Aspen gallery stress * 36:00 – Representing artists and running a gallery * 39:00 – Advice on gallery representation * 43:00 – Building collector relationships * 48:00 – Teaching, online academy, and omnipresence * 52:00 – Business books/podcasts and what’s next
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These episodes discuss multiple income streams for the artists:
Expanding Your Skillset to Respond to Opportunities with Detour (ep. 128)
Juggling Multiple Art Styles and Audiences with Robin Maria Pedrero (ep. 103)
Beyond Comparison and Jealousy with Jason Kotecki (ep. 191)
Transform Your Creative Ideas into Multiple Income Streams: Helen Hiebert (ep. 18)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/growth-corwin
⭐️ Connect with James and see more of his art: https://jamescorwin.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
The biggest mistakes artists make aren’t about doing the wrong things—they’re about doing nothing at all. Avoidance. Waiting. Hoping something will change on its own.
In this solo episode, host Alyson Stanfield revisits and reframes one of her most popular articles, updated with a decade of insight and experience. These are not dramatic failures, but subtle patterns of inaction that can quietly keep your art business stuck.
Alyson shares 7 common mistakes, grouped into 3 themes:
Mindset. Connection. Structure.
Each is paired with a powerful inquiry to help you take honest inventory—and move forward with more awareness.
HIGHLIGHTS
03:00 What do you want from your art?
05:00 There’s no magical moment when you feel ready.
06:45 Real artists don’t have to promote their work?
08:00 There are doors you don’t even know exist.
10:55 Templates, contracts, follow-up—none of it is optional.
12:50 Your art might be amazing, but does the presentation match?
15:00 These aren’t failures—they’re invitations.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/biggest-mistakes-artists-make/
🔶 My Essentials for Artist Success comprehensive biz-building program can give you the guidance and support for correcting (or avoiding) all of these mistakes. See Essentials for Artist Success 🔶
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
A retired police captain turned artist, Jennifer Steck realized she didn’t have to wait for opportunities to come to her—she could create them.
Seeing a gap in what was available for artists to sell their work, Jennifer founded Artburst Studios, an online gallery that’s part pop-up show and part community hub for artists. She had zero experience running a gallery, but that didn’t stop her.
Armed with curiosity, a clear vision, and plenty of determination, Jennifer (at the time of this recording) has helped over 80 artists sell more than $174,000 of art in just a few years. In this episode, she shares how a simple idea (and a lot of spreadsheets!) grew into a platform connecting artists with buyers and each other.
In this conversation, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Jennifer about:
- Her “aha” moment as a new artist that inspired an artist-centered online gallery.
- The key qualities Jennifer looks for (like clarity, consistency, and an active practice) when reviewing an artist’s online presence—and what might make her pass.
- Why community and collaboration are baked into the Artburst model, and how they benefit every artist involved.
- Strategies for overcoming artists’ reluctance to promote their work and engage their audiences.
- How fear, perfectionism, and overthinking can sabotage art sales—and ways to avoid these common pitfalls.
⌛️ HIGHLIGHTS
00:35 Meet Jennifer Steck – From police captain to artist entrepreneur.
06:00 The “aha” moment – How a Facebook art auction sparked the idea for Artburst Studios.
10:30 Running a virtual art show – Artburst’s short pop-up exhibitions and the importance of artists actively promoting their work.
13:45 Emphasizing community – Encouraging artists to support one another and provide great experiences for their buyers.
16:00 Choosing the right artists – What Jennifer looks for online (and the red flags that make her say “no thanks”).
22:10 Personal touch in sales – How Artburst handles sales and gets artists directly connected with their buyers.
26:30 Why artists resist marketing – Understanding the stigma around self-promotion and how Jennifer helps artists move past it.
35:00 Conquering common mindset blocks – Tackling fear of exposure, perfectionism, and “analysis paralysis” that can hold artists back.
40:00 Looking ahead – Jennifer’s plans to launch the Artburst Boutique for smaller, more frequent art shows.
44:00 Final encouragement – An open invitation for artists to get involved, and why showing up (like attending shows) is so important before seeking opportunities.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Not All Online Galleries are Created Equal with Alex Farkas (ep. 132)
Presenting Yourself Professionally on Your Artist Website with Jessica Burko (ep. 174)
Selling Directly to Collectors at Open Studios with Jeff Schaller (ep. 195)
📖 To read and see more visit https://artbizsuccess.com/artburst-steck
⭐️ Connect with Jennifer and see what she’s up to at ArtburstStudios.com and see her art at JenniferSteck.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
At Art Biz Success and on this show, we believe in DEI. This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
What if titling your art is actually part of your creative practice? One that helps you better understand your work, connect with your audience, and prepare your art for life beyond the studio?
That’s the beautiful perspective offered by artist and writing consultant Fran Gardner. In this episode, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Fran to explore the idea that titles aren’t just labels—they’re bridges. They link your creative intention to the viewer’s experience and give your work a voice when you’re not there to speak for it.
Fran shares her own turning point with titling, walks us through her thoughtful process, and explains why she believes writing—especially titling—is part of every professional artist’s responsibility.
00:00 – Why titling your artwork is an act of creative responsibility
03:45 – The emotional and symbolic power a title carries
07:50 – Fran’s turning point: when numbering her work wasn’t enough
13:55 – A step-by-step process for discovering the right title
20:50 – How titling deepens your understanding of your own work
24:00 – Balancing personal expression with professional presentation
32:10 – The essential role of writing in every artist’s practice
40:15 – Titles as bridges between the art, the artist, and the audience
📖 To read more, find links, and connect with Alyson, see The Art Biz ep. 229.
⭐️ Read about Fran, grab her book, and see more of her art: https://frangardnerart.com
🆓 🖨️ Writing and talking about your art can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re staring at a blank screen. That’s where Studio to Spotlight comes in. This free download includes 28 thoughtful prompts designed to get you writing, reflecting, and sharing more confidently about your work.
Download From Studio to Spotlight.
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
You can’t go wrong with these additional episodes about writing for expanding your creativity and your art business:
Fostering Clarity and Confidence Through Writing with Samantha Clark (211)
Writing on Substack Can Be Integral to Your Creative Process with Ann Balaam Miller (210)
Guidelines for Your Artist Statement (50)
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
It’s easy to assume that people will visit your artist website once it’s built. But websites don’t always attract attention on their own. You have to give people reasons to show up.
In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield shares 11 simple, low-effort strategies to guide more people to your site—plus a way to download the full list of 22 ideas.
These are real, artist-friendly actions that work in the background of your art business to increase traffic over time.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why waiting for people to discover your website isn’t a strategy
- 11 proven ways to increase site traffic—most of them free
- How small tweaks to your emails and profiles can make a big impact
- Why showing up in community spaces can lead people back to your site
- Where to get the full download with all 22 ideas
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Presenting Yourself Professionally on Your Artist Website with Jessica Burko (174)
Technology Is Your Colleague in the Studio with Iris Scott (ep. 203)
What Artists Need to Know About SEO with Meg Casebolt (222)
📖 To read more and get the other 11 tips and the download, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/website-traffic
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
What does it take to stick with one creative project for more than a decade—and still feel inspired by it?
Michelle Fung has been immersed in The World of 2084 since 2015. What began as a vivid dream in a coffee shop became a sprawling, interdisciplinary art project imagining five futuristic nations and their cultural, ecological, and political identities.
In this conversation with host Alyson Stanfield, Michelle shares how she builds these imagined worlds through woodcut painting, animation, books, and research—and how her commitment hasn’t wavered in 10 years. She talks openly about the tension between conceptual satisfaction and selling work, and how she uses long-term planning to stay focused.
You’ll also hear how she transitioned from printmaking to a unique “woodcut painting” process that honors her love of carving and visual storytelling—and how she separates money-making projects from money-burning ones without losing joy.
🎧 In this episode, we discuss:
- How a dream became a decades-long project
- What it means to “marry” your work for life
- Why she created a new medium to reflect her evolving passion
- How she approaches long-term planning (including 10-year and annual plans)
- The relationship between emotional commitment and financial sustainability
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These episodes feature artists who have taken on big or multi-year projects.
Multi-State Multi-Year Multi-Artist Art Project with Marilyn Artus (ep. 30)
Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (ep. 64)
Impacting Artists First in a Curatorial Project Focusing on Empathy with Nanci Hersh (ep. 168)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/forever-fung
⭐️ Connect with Michelle and see more of her art: https://michelleksfung.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Getting gallery representation isn’t just about having great work—it’s about preparation, professionalism, and relationships.
At Gabba Gallery in Los Angeles, those values are at the heart of how things run. For more than a decade, owner and director Jason Ostro has led the gallery’s mission to elevate emerging and mid-career artists, while curator and manager Elena Jacobson makes sure every show runs smoothly. Together, they bring a practical and deeply human perspective to the artist-gallery partnership.
In this conversation, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Jason and Elena about:
- How they collaborate and divide responsibilities at Gabba Gallery.
- The qualities they look for in artists and what makes someone a strong fit.
- Common mistakes artists make when submitting or working with galleries.
- Why proper preparation makes a big difference in working with an artist (or not).
- How Gabba’s 50/50 commission model works and what artists should know about gallery finances.
- Why relationships, networking, and trust are just as important as talent.
Whether you’re actively seeking gallery representation or want to better understand the dynamics behind the scenes, this episode offers honest insight into what it takes to succeed.
Takeaway: Showing your work in a gallery isn’t a handoff—it’s a partnership. The more you understand the gallery’s role, the stronger your relationship (and opportunities) will be.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES and POSTS
Qualities Galleries Are Looking For in Their Artists with Jeremy Tessmer (ep. 123)
Why Artists Should Embrace Galleries (article for some perspective)
The Investing Artist: Art, Real Estate, and Legacy with Mary Erickson (ep. 19) — how she juggles 7 or 8 galleries
The Art Biz Unfiltered: Dealer Michael Findlay on Collectors, Curiosity, and Changes (ep. 209) — longtime NY gallerist on his memoir
Why I Want Partnerships with Art Galleries with Evita Tezeno (ep. 175)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/gabba-gallery
⭐️ Connect with Elena and Jason and read about the artists they represent at https://gabbagallery.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Building a sustainable art business requires more than just making good work. It requires showing up consistently, connecting with the right people, and staying true to a long-term vision—even when that means setting difficult boundaries.
In this conversation, Noelle Phares returns to talk with host Alyson Stanfield about the structures she’s put in place to support her thriving art career. From smart use of assistants and art festivals to strategic decisions around galleries and commissions, Noelle has built her success by staying fiercely committed to audience building.
Here’s what’s ahead:
- How Noelle balances artistic independence with professional growth.
- Why she made audience-building a priority early on—and how she continues to nurture it.
- The systems and support team she’s built to stay focused on creating.
- Setting boundaries with galleries and protecting her studio sales.
- The importance of maintaining multiple price points and income streams.
Noelle’s approach is a masterclass in running an art business with vision, strategy, and heart.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These episodes highlight business systems for artists:
Tools to Shape Up Your Art Business with Jennifer Printz (ep. 79)
Systems to Effectively Manage a Dizzying Increase in Your Art Business with Betty Franks (ep. 80)
How to Squeeze More Time from Your Busy Calendar (ep. 152)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/phares-parttwo
⭐️ Connect with Noelle and see more of her art: https://noellephares.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Building an art career with intention doesn’t always start with a plan. Sometimes it starts with a gut feeling that something isn’t working.
That was true for Noelle Phares, who left behind a structured science career to follow her creative instincts—eventually leading to a solo museum exhibition and a thriving, self-directed art business.
In this episode (part 1 of 2), host Alyson Stanfield talks to Noelle about how she transitioned from environmental data science into full-time painting, and how her rigorous research background continues to shape her studio practice.
The conversation centers around 2024 solo show Tracking Time at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art—how it came together, what she learned from the proposal process, and why she approaches every exhibition as a fully developed project. She also shares her mindset around selling art, connecting with collectors, and painting for impact.
This conversation is rich with insight about:
- Leaving a traditional career to follow a creative calling.
- The research process behind Tracking Time and why Noelle selected 7 distinct locations along the Colorado River.
- Working with museums and curators while maintaining your artistic voice.
- Designing exhibitions that tell cohesive, layered stories.
- Balancing environmental messaging with visual beauty to draw people in.
- Creating work that connects with buyers and retains meaning.
Noelle's blend of structure, vision, and heart makes this an inspiring listen for any artist seeking to step into a more intentional, expansive chapter.
Stay tuned for part 2, where we’ll dive into how she structures her business, manages a team, markets her work, and approaches gallery relationships.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These episodes feature artists discussing their museum shows:
Portrait Project and Museum Exhibition with Lisa Kovvuri (ep. 11)
Series, Catalogs, and Museum Shows with Susan Abbott (ep. 176)
Overcoming Anxiety about Making Art World Connections with Heather Beardsley (ep. 160)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/
⭐️ Connect with Noelle and see more of her art: https://noellephares.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
It’s easy to think that being a full-time artist means struggling financially. But painter Mary Erickson is proof that with discipline, long-term thinking, and a deep love of both art and business, it’s possible to build a creative life that’s both fulfilling and financially secure.
In this conversation, recorded several years ago and lightly edited for re-release, Mary shares how she transitioned from painting before and after work at a frame shop to selling 500 watercolors, managing 8 gallery relationships, and investing in real estate—all while keeping her commitment to living simply and giving back.
In this episode, Mary and I discuss:
- Why she says she paints to buy real estate so she can collect art
- How she used her job at a frame shop as a launchpad for her career
- What it took to sell her first 500 watercolors
- Her entry into the print market (and her rules for doing it smartly)
- Why she sees her galleries as partners, not just sales channels
- How she built a bird sanctuary and artist retreat through her art income
- The financial discipline and mindset that has served her all along the way
This episode is a must-listen if you're an artist who wants to make smart business moves without sacrificing your creative soul.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Check out these episodes that also focus on galleries or working with galleries:
Leaving Gallery Representation to Reach More Art Buyers with Adele Sypesteyn (ep. 163)
Qualities Galleries Are Looking For in Their Artists with Jeremy Tessmer (ep. 123)
The Art Biz Unfiltered: Dealer Michael Findlay on Collectors, Curiosity, and Changes (ep. 209)
Why I Want Partnerships with Art Galleries with Evita Tezeno (ep. 175)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/investing-artist-podcast/
⭐️ Connect with Mary and see more of her art: https://maryericksonart.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
You work hard on your art. You want people to discover it. But if you’re relying entirely on social media to be found, you're building on shaky ground.
Search engines like Google, YouTube, and even Pinterest remain powerful tools for helping people find you and your art—but only if you’re strategic about how you show up there.
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with her go-to SEO coach, Meg Casebolt, about what artists need to know about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and how to take ownership of your content online.
Meg helped Alyson make sense of 20+ years of blog content and gave her the confidence to be more intentional moving forward. She breaks SEO down in a way that’s accessible and artist-friendly—even if it’s not your favorite thing to think about.
We discuss:
- The two things you must own online (spoiler: Instagram isn’t one of them)
- How search engines work and what they’re really looking for
- Where and how to use keywords on your site and images
- What alt text is (and how to write it)
- Whether blogging is still relevant in 2025
- Analytics to pay attention to—and how often to check them
Your Action Step
Take just one small step to improve your online presence. Update alt text, rewrite a product description, or add relevant keywords to a page. Share your progress with me on Instagram @alysonstanfield and use #artbizsuccess.
🔶 Want help building a better content structure? 🔶
Join me inside Essentials for Artist Success, where we’re about to kick off The Artist’s Content Compass workshop. You'll get the tools and support to make your content work harder—without burning out.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/casebolt-seo
⭐️ Connect with Meg, find her podcasts, and learn about Content Love Lab: https://loveatfirstsearch.com/
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These episodes feature stories about artists’ success online:
Presenting Yourself Professionally on Your Artist Website with Jessica Burko (174)
The Key to Success on Social Media with Cathy Nichols (ep. 154)
Stop Incessantly Feeding the Social Media Algorithms with Kamal X ****(ep. 172)
Technology Is Your Colleague in the Studio with Iris Scott (ep. 203)
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Writing about your art isn’t easy—but it’s one of the most important things you can do to clarify your vision and connect with others. In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield walks you through a comprehensive guide to writing an effective artist statement that truly reflects your work.
You’ll hear why artist statements still matter, how to approach the writing process without getting overwhelmed, and what to avoid in your final draft. She also shares specific journaling prompts to help you uncover what’s most essential about your art—and how to put your finished statement to work for you.
Listen closely for the ultimate test of an artist statement.
Whether you’re revisiting an old statement or writing one for the first time, this episode is packed with guidance and encouragement to help you write with confidence.
00:37 The Importance of an Artist Statement
02:08 Defining an Artist Statement
03:45 The Process is the Point
06:16 Journaling Prompts for Clarity
10:15 7 Rules Every Artist Statement Should Follow
15:00 The Ultimate Test for Your Statement
18:10 Editing Your Artist Statement
21:39 Putting Your Statement to Work for You
24:00 You’ve Got This
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
The artists featured in these episodes discuss how writing coexists alongside their art:
Fostering Clarity and Confidence Through Writing with Samantha Clark (211)
Writing on Substack Can Be Integral to Your Creative Process with Ann Balaam Miller (210)
Producing a Monthly Digital Magazine with Alyson Sheldrake (199)
Imperfect Journaling for Artists with Cynthia Morris (51)
📖 To read the full text and see featured artists, visit: https://artbizsuccess.com/writing-your-artist-statement/
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Guest: Ruby Lopez Harper, Executive Director of CERF+
In this episode of The Art Biz, Ruby Lopez Harper, executive director for CERF+ (the Craft Emergency Relief Fund) joins host Alyson Stanfield to discuss the vital work CERF+ does to support artists before, during, and after emergencies. As CERF+ celebrates its 40th anniversary, Ruby shares the history of the organization, its spirit of mutual aid, and how it has expanded its services over the years.
Most importantly, Ruby and Alyson want to encourage artists to research, plan, and prepare in order to protect their art businesses—sharing resources to help them get started.
Take Action Today Ruby encourages all artists to take one step today toward protecting their creative practice—whether it's backing up files, reviewing insurance, or creating an emergency plan. And most importantly, spread the word so that more artists know about CERF+ before they need it.
📖 To read more, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/safeguarding-cerfplus
Highlights * The Origins of CERF+ :: How a group of artists "passed the hat" to help their peers in times of crisis, and how that spirit continues today. * Types of Emergencies CERF+ Responds To :: From studio fires, theft, and natural disasters to medical emergencies and caregiving responsibilities. * Disaster Readiness for Artists :: Key steps artists can take to protect their work and livelihood, including insurance, backup plans, and security measures—by no means a complete list. * Why All Artists Should Care :: You must think about these things before it’s too late. Don’t believe it could never happen to you. * Funding and Grant Opportunities :: Immediate relief grants for disaster-stricken artists and the Get Ready Grant, which funds proactive measures to safeguard a studio practice. * Advocating for Your Safety :: How artists can ask the right questions about security at festivals, galleries, and exhibitions to protect their work. * CERF+ Resources You Should Know :: The Studio Protector Guide, an artist-focused insurance guide, and educational webinars to help artists prepare for unexpected challenges. * How to Support CERF+ :: From spreading awareness to donating or organizing fundraising efforts, Ruby shares how artists and art supporters can contribute.
Resources & Links * CERF+ * Studio Protector Guide * CERF+ Insurance Guidebook * National Coalition for Arts Preparedness & Emergency Response (NCAPER) * Donate to CERF+
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These episodes feature artists who have overcome low points.
Leaning Into Art to Battle Depression with David Sandum (ep. 169)
Leaning Into Creativity in Times of Pain with Rich Simmons (ep. 112)
Making Art While Grieving Loss with Jan Heaton (ep. 52)
Overcoming a Major Setback: Annie Salness (ep. 16)
📖 To read more, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/safeguarding-cerfplus
⭐️ See CERF+ resources above and follow them on Instagram and YouTube.
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
👉 This episode was recorded as part of the 3rd edition of Podcasthon. For one week, more than a thousand podcasts around the globe will highlight a charity of their choice. It was my pleasure to call attention to of one of my favorite organizations, CERF+ (the Craft Emergency Relief Fund), which supports artists in need. Please consider donating. You never know when you might need a hand.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
As an artist, you have the freedom to shape your career—but with that freedom comes the challenge of making decisions that align with your goals and values. Decision-making can feel overwhelming, especially when every opportunity seems promising.
In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield breaks down the Artist’s Decision-Making Framework to help you prioritize what truly matters. She shares practical strategies for assessing opportunities, trusting your instincts, and using policies to protect your time and energy.
Alyson discusses:
- Why decision-making is one of the hardest parts of running an art business.
- The Eisenhower Matrix and how it can help you categorize tasks by urgency and importance.
- The power of policies in simplifying your choices and setting clear boundaries.
- Her step-by-step framework for evaluating opportunities, including gut checks, vision alignment, time management, relationship-building, and financial potential.
- A real-life example of how having a pricing policy helped an artist confidently decline a discount request—without losing the sale.
⬇️ Don’t miss the free downloadable PDF of the framework: https://artbizsuccess.com/decision-framework
01:00 The biggest challenge in running your own art business 02:45 The myth of certainty in decision-making 04:00 How the Eisenhower Matrix can clarify your priorities 06:30 The importance of setting clear business policies 08:15 The Artist’s Decision-Making Framework—step-by-step 12:00 Gut-checking opportunities: Does this excite you? 4:20 Aligning choices with your long-term vision 16:45 Assessing time, energy, and availability 19:30 Evaluating relationships and networking potential 22:15 Understanding financial benefits and long-term value 25:00 Making decisions with confidence 28:00 How one artist stuck to their pricing policy and still made the sale 30:45 Final thoughts: Trusting yourself and your process
If this episode resonated with you, share it with an artist friend who could use some decision-making support. And if you want more structured guidance, check out Alyson’s Essentials for Artists Success program at ArtBizSuccess.com/Essentials.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Guaranteeing an Effective Project with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (ep. 121)
She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be with Kelly Pelfrey (ep. 162)
Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (ep. 157)
📖 To read more, see featured artists, and download the free PDF of the framework, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/decision-framework
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Building an art business takes more than just talent—it takes determination, adaptability, and a willingness to keep going, even when success feels out of reach.
Stella and Gemma Stevens, the artists behind Two Faced Twins, know this firsthand. Their work—bold, colorful, and joyful—now has a dedicated following, but their path wasn’t always easy.
For two years, the Stevens twins struggled to sell a single piece. They faced creative differences, self-doubt, and even a gallery robbery. But instead of giving up, they leaned into their vision, their roles as artists, and their belief in what they were building.
In this conversation, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Stella and Gemma about:
- How they transformed sibling disagreements into a creative advantage.
- The strategies that helped them push through early struggles and build momentum.
- The business mindset that keeps them going, including their marketing and expansion efforts.
- How they inspire the next generation of artists through school visits.
One of the biggest takeaways? Determination isn’t just about working hard—it’s about believing in your work and staying the course.
00:35 Meet the Two Faced Twins: Stella and Gemma Stevens 02:20 Creative Process and Artistic Differences 03:39 Overcoming Early Struggles 06:50 Building a Business and Finding Motivation 18:08 The Birth of Two Faced Twins 20:38 Opening a Gallery During COVID 24:21 Family Involvement and Challenges 27:02 Dealing with a Gallery Robbery and the Aftermath 30:54 Income Streams Breakdown 32:38 Balancing Art and Business 34:50 Engaging with the Community 37:12 Promoting Artwork 39:46 School Visits and Their Impact 46:12 Future Plans and Expansion 48:54 The Importance of a Business Mentor 51:17 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Here are a few other episodes that focus on collaborations:
Multiply Your Audience and Expand Your Show’s Impact with Jill Powers (ep. 27)
Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (ep. 64)
Expanding Your Skillset to Respond to Opportunities with Detour (ep. 128)
A Collaboration Between 2 Artists that Led to Creative Growth (ep. 183)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/two-faced-twins
⭐️ Connect with Stella and Gemma Stevens and see their art: https://twofacedtwins.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Art has a unique ability to transcend language, evoke emotion, and bring people together across cultural divides.
This idea is embodied in the work of Samra Bashir, whose glass paintings celebrate the rich traditions of South Asian and Islamic art while inviting a broader audience into their intricate beauty.
Samra’s journey as an artist began as a personal escape—something she turned to during challenging times. But over the years, her work evolved into something much larger. Through her use of glass paint and light, she has built not just an art practice, but also a powerful means of storytelling, connection, and cultural education.
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Samra about:
- How her creative journey started and what led her to glass painting.
- The role of light in her work and why it’s an essential element.
- How she uses art to foster community and bridge cultural gaps.
- The importance of stepping out from behind the screen and sharing art in real-life spaces.
Samra’s story is a reminder that art doesn’t just exist in isolation—it thrives in conversation, connection, and shared experiences.
01:50 Samra's Early Inspirations 02:28 Reviving Her Art in the U.S.04:05 Samra’s Cultural Heritage and How It Shows Up in Her Work 08:42 Building an Audience and Overcoming Challenges11:37 Balancing Multiple Roles and Art 18:47 The Importance of Community and Teaching Workshops22:43 Connecting Through Art and Overcoming Barriers 26:08 Practical Tips for Artists to Engage with Community 36:50 Conclusion and Practical Applications for You
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Lessons from a Wildly Successful Pop-up Art Gallery Event with Mai Wyn Schantz (109)
Leaning Into Her Roots and Community Art with Marilyn Fontaine (185)
Beyond Comparison and Jealousy with Jason Kotecki (191)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/bashir-community
⭐️ Connect with Samra and see more of her art: SamraBashir.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
If you’ve followed my work, you’ve likely noticed some recurring themes—guiding principles that shape the way I advise artists. These aren’t just casual suggestions; they are the foundation of everything I do. In this episode of The Art Biz, I’m sharing the four core beliefs that define my approach and help artists build sustainable, thriving careers.
You’ll hear why your art must always come first, why you must learn to communicate clearly about your work, why your network is your #1 marketing asset, and why business systems will help you grow faster and save time. Internalizing these beliefs will make decision-making easier, marketing more purposeful, and your path as an artist clearer.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your approach, these principles will support you for the long haul. Join me as we dive into the essential mindset shifts that will strengthen your art career.
00:00 Introduction and Core Beliefs Overview
01:44 Core Belief 1: The Work Must Come First
04:48 Core Belief 2: Your Art Doesn't Speak for Itself—You Must Learn to Communicate Clearly
10:02 Core Belief 3: Your Network is Your #1 Marketing Asset
13:48 Core Belief 4: Business Systems Help You Grow Faster and Elevate Your Professionalism
17:59 Apply to Your Art Biz
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Guidelines for Your Artist Statement (ep. 50)
Being Seen—Networking for Artists (ep. 148)
How to Squeeze More Time from Your Busy Calendar (ep. 152)
How to Guarantee that People Remember You with Skip Hill (ep. 187)
📖 To read more find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/4-beliefs
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/ Because we are still committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Every artist’s journey is unique—what works for one won’t necessarily work for another. Personal preferences, life circumstances, and individual personalities all shape how artists navigate their creative careers.
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield welcomes astrologer and coach Bonnie Gillespie to explore how artists can work with their natural wiring instead of against it. They discuss the concept of enoughness—understanding that an artist’s value isn’t determined by external validation—and how astrology can provide insights into creative rhythms, decision-making, and self-worth.
Highlights:
- What “enoughness” is and why it’s essential for artists.
- How astrology can be used as a tool for self-awareness, not prediction.
- The role of Venus in creativity, money, and self-worth.
- How understanding your natal chart can help you embrace your unique creative process.
- Why artists should pay attention to planetary shifts and their impact on motivation.
- Practical ways to stay inspired and aligned with your artistic path.
Whether you’re deep into astrology or a total skeptic, this episode offers thought-provoking insights into how artists can better understand themselves and their creative flow.
02:57 Understanding Enoughness
05:28 Balancing Positivity and Negativity
07:37 Self-Validation and the Loved File
14:09 Navigating Creative Spirals
15:14 Astrology and Practical Coaching
19:53 The Natal Chart Explained
30:59 Mars in Cancer: Navigating Life's Challenges
32:26 Venus: The Key to Love, Money, and Enoughness
36:10 The Power of the Moon in Your Chart
38:41 Astrological Insights for 2025 and Beyond
46:54 Staying Motivated and Inspired as an Artist
52:17 Practical Steps to Tap into the Bonnieverse
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Injecting Personal Narrative into Your Art with Sara Lee Hughes (ep. 131)
Why I Want Partnerships with Art Galleries with Evita Tezeno (ep. 175)
How You Want to Be Perceived as an Artist with Alexandra Squire (ep. 133)
Every Artist Is Designed Differently and What It Means with Jahje Ives (ep. 178)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/enoughness-gillespie
⭐️ Connect with Bonnie and the Bonnieverse: https://bonniegillespie.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
This episode of The Art Biz with host Alyson Stanfield focuses on the power of commitment and taking action toward your goals.
Explore how to align your schedule with your values, overcome hesitation, and stop waiting for the "perfect time."
With practical strategies like inquiry-based reflection and small, intentional steps, you’ll discover how to move forward confidently. Whether it’s honing your craft, building connections, or pursuing opportunities, this episode inspires you to begin today.
00:20 The Illusion of Time Management
01:29 Living Intentionally
05:25 The Power of Commitment
08:37 Taking Action: Overcoming Hesitation
13:26 The Artist’s Empowered Success Cycle
14:45 Inquiry for Progress: Reflecting and Committing
18:39 Encouragement to Act Today
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (ep. 114)
What Your Failures Are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (ep. 95)
Are You Playing It Too Safe in Your Art Business? (ep. 92)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/take-action-today
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Host Alyson Stanfield discusses the benefits and strategies of a daily creative practice with Helen Hiebert, who constructs installations, sculptures, films, artists’ books, and works in paper using handmade paper as her primary medium.
This conversation acknowledges the value of a daily practice, but Helen is a strong advocate for what she calls “intermittent daily practices.” If sticking to a daily routine forever feels daunting, her approach might resonate with you.
There’s also a dive into Helen’s realization that as a teacher, she could maintain the same class structure while creatively evolving the content to keep it fresh and exciting over time—primarily to prevent herself from getting bored. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on the act of making—without obsessing over the final outcome.
04:00 Helen's Income Streams Update
[ see Transform Your Creative Ideas into Multiple Income Streams with Helen Hiebert (ep. 18) ]
06:14 Daily Practice and Paper Weaving
22:30 Teaching and Online Classes
26:10 The Different Types of Students
26:42 Keeping the Class Interesting
28:17 Innovative Teaching Methods
32:49 Tips for Sticking to a Daily Practice
37:43 The Importance of Community and Accountability
45:41 Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Events
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Creative Placemaking and Public Art with Lynn Basa (ep. 26)
Focusing on the Art, Not the Art Business with Rebecca Welz (ep. 134)
Play Tops Work, Connection Tops Solitude, and Confidence Tops Fear with Willie Cole (ep. 126)
Using Her Superpower and Biomaterials with Kelly M. O’Brien (ep. 196)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/intermittent-practices
⭐️ Connect with Helen and see more of her art: https://helenhiebertstudio.com/
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Debbie Mueller talks with host Alyson Stanfield about how she has cultivated resilience and bravery as an artist, from finding her community to embracing opportunities that might initially feel intimidating. She also discusses how she’s navigated challenges like rejection and the balancing act of art and life.
Debbie credits her successes not just to hard work and persistence but to a little bit of luck—though her version of luck is decidedly hard-earned.
Whether you’re just starting out as an artist or looking for inspiration to take your next bold step, Debbie’s story is a reminder that bravery, persistence, and the willingness to embrace new opportunities can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
01:38 Discovering a Passion for Painting 06:01 Balancing Medicine and Art 08:28 The Role of Luck and Hard Work 15:46 Resources and Inspirations 21:09 The Importance of Community 28:54 Teaching and Personal Growth 30:23 Setting Goals and Looking Ahead 37:15 Conclusion and Bravery Challenge
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These episodes touch on rejection and resilience:
Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (ep. 114)
What Your Failures Are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (ep. 95)
Are You Playing It Too Safe in Your Art Business? (ep. 92)
Dealing with Rejection with Megan Wimberley (ep. 197)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/mueller-bravery
⭐️ Connect with Debbie Mueller and see more of her art: https://debbiemuellerart.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
From sketchbook notes and letters, to authoring her own exhibition catalogues and eventually publishing a memoir, to her thoughtful weekly Substack newsletter, The Lifeboat, Samantha Clark reflects on how writing fosters clarity and confidence for herself and the artists she mentors.
In a conversation with host Alyson Stanfield, Samantha discusses how writing can deepen one's creative practice, the value of opening conversations, and how she maintains a writing schedule alongside her work in the studio.
They also delve into the practicalities of living and working in a remote location and how artists can view marketing not as a chore but as an opportunity to build meaningful connections.
00:43 Meet Samantha Clark: Visual Artist, Writer, and Author
02:23 Samantha's Artistic Journey and Writing Integration
04:22 Living and Creating on Orkney Island
10:43 Balancing Art, Writing, and Mentoring
15:28 The Power of Writing for the Creative Practice
27:26 Weekly Writing Routine
28:39 Newsletter Content and Process
30:47 Why Samantha Transitioned to Substack
35:33 Monetizing and Community Building
43:08 Samantha’s Writing Schedule
47:39 Looking Forward to 2025
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Writing on Substack Can Be Integral to Your Creative Process with Ann Balaam Miller (210)
Imperfect Journaling for Artists with Cynthia Morris (51)
Guidelines for Your Artist Statement (50)
Publishing a How To Book for Artists with Carol McIntyre (37)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/clark-writing
⭐️ Connect with Samantha, subscribe to her Substack, The Lifeboat, and see more of her art: https://www.samanthaclark.net/
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
This episode is for you if you enjoy writing or aspire to do more of it.
Host Alyson Stanfield interviews Ann Miller, who has found a powerful way to merge her creative passions with her love for writing while growing her audience. Using Substack, she refines ideas for books, shares insights into calligraphy and design, and engages her audience with educational content.
Substack has become integral to her process, helping her manage projects, organize thoughts, and extend her teaching. By offering free content to build community, and exploring paid options, Ann balances creativity with income generation.
01:14 Ann's Art Journey
02:22 Diversifying Income Streams
05:31 Teaching and Workshops
07:42 Starting a Substack
13:05 Writing Process and Tools
21:59 Monetizing Substack
25:42 Advice for Artists Who Are Considering Substack
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Imperfect Journaling for Artists with Cynthia Morris (ep. 51)
Guidelines for Your Artist Statement (ep. 50)
Publishing a How To Book for Artists with Carol McIntyre (ep. 37)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/substack-miller
⭐️ Connect with Ann Balaam Miller, subscribe to her Getting Inky Substack, and see more of her art: https://pennib.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Peek inside the elite art world.
Host Alyson Stanfield speaks with Michael Findlay, a long-time art dealer and author of the new memoir, Portrait of the Art Dealer as a Young Man: New York in the Sixties.
They discuss his extensive career, insights into the evolving art market, and memorable stories, including an amusing anecdote about Andy Warhol.
Findlay emphasizes the importance of immersive, in-person art experiences and the qualities that make a great art collector. He also reflects on changes in the relationship between dealers and artists over the decades and the impact of modern technology on art collecting and appreciation.
01:36 Michael's Early Art Experiences
08:07 Art Education and Its Impact
17:41 The Role of Curiosity in Art Collecting
27:14 Modern Art Collecting Challenges
29:54 Michael's Career and Gallery Work
39:45 Andy Warhol Stories
45:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Qualities Galleries Are Looking For in Their Artists with Jeremy Tessmer (ep. 123)
Secrets from Copying a Masterpiece with Lilianne Milgrom (ep. 87)
Focusing on the Art, Not the Art Business with Rebecca Welz (ep. 134)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/findlay-memoir
✅ While you’re there, click on the graphic to download a copy of my Comprehensive Exhibitions Checklist + Timeline—totally free with opt in.
⭐️ Connect with Michael Findlay: https://michaelfindlay.com
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
This is a letter I wrote in 2017 to help a concerned father support his introverted artist son. I wanted to help him—and anyone else who wants to help an artist—understand the struggles of artists and how they can be most helpful.
My 7 pieces of advice (outlined in the timestamps below) isn’t given lightly and is based on decades of experience working with artists.
host: Alyson Stanfield
00:44 Dear Loved One 01:33 Insight 1: Accept Me as I Am 02:34 Insight 2: Respect the Way I Work 03:32 Insight 3: Acknowledge the Difficulties 04:41 Insight 4: Ask About My Goals 05:32 Insight 5: Offer Help 06:48 Insight 6: Support Me 08:01 Insight 7: Just Love Me
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
How to Feel Like a Successful Artist (ep. 165)
Being an Artist with Geoffrey Gorman (ep. 124)
How Do You Know When You’re an Artist? with James Holmes (ep. 88)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/advice-for-helping-artists/
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
Artist and advocate Virginia Broersma talks with me about her efforts to support fellow artists through practical resources. Virginia shares how she founded The Artist's Office to help artists manage administrative tasks and created The Artist's Contract, a free tool for artist protections.
We also explore her Studio Loan program, which connects artists needing temporary studio space. Virginia's work highlights the importance of collaboration, transparency, and empowering artists to navigate their careers confidently.
00:22 Meet Virginia Broersma 01:16 Virginia's Recent Projects and Initiatives 02:15 The Evolution of Virginia's Career 03:49 The Artist's Office: Supporting Artists 06:03 Navigating Opportunities and Challenges 07:36 Balancing Art and Administrative Work 08:41 Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Studio Time 24:57 The Artist Contract and Studio Loan Program 34:57 Encouraging Artist Collaboration and Networking
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
How to Legally Protect Your Creative Work with Kathryn Goldman (ep. 125)
Artist as Problem Solver with Michael Gadlin (ep. 93)
Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (ep. 114)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/broersma-contracts
⭐️ Connect with Virginia and see more of her art: https://virginiabroersma.com
🟪 I have a short webinar that would be a great resource for helping you to increase the perceived value of your work.
It’s called How to Ask for More Money for Your Art. It's only $20. And the reason that I make it so affordable is because it's fundamental. I created How to Ask for More Money for Your Art because I noticed so many artists were sabotaging their work.
If you need to increase the perceived value of your art, check it out.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Host Alyson Stanfield delves into the necessity of creating demand for your artwork in order to achieve a certain level of success.
She discusses the balance between ambition and practicality in the art market and offers five essential tips to assess and cultivate demand effectively.
Alyson stresses the importance of setting realistic expectations, refining your unique artistic voice, and nurturing genuine relationships. Through examples from past episodes and insightful advice, she aims to help artists understand and thrive in their respective markets.
00:29 Understanding the Art Market 01:46 Being Unrealistic in Your Art Marketing Strategies 02:48 Defining “Demand” in the Art World 05:20 Challenges and Realities of High Demand 08:22 Benefits of Being an In-Demand Artist 10:12 Two Key Steps to Take 14:32 Five Practical Tips for Artists to Assess Demand 17:00 Resource: How to Ask for More Money for Your Art
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/demand
🎧 MENTIONED EPISODES
The Internet Might Be Ruining Artists’ Livelihoods with William Deresiewicz (ep. 205)
She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be Every Month with Kelly Pelfrey (ep. 162)
Growing Beyond Being an Instagram Artist with Sara Schroeder (ep. 119)
How to Guarantee that People Remember You with Skip Hill (ep. 187)
🟪 I have a short webinar that would be a great resource for helping you to increase the perceived value of your work.
It’s called How to Ask for More Money for Your Art. It's only $20. And the reason that I make it so affordable is because it's fundamental. I created How to Ask for More Money for Your Art because I noticed so many artists were sabotaging their work.
If you need to increase the perceived value of your art, check it out.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
A deep discussion about the significant impact of the internet on the arts economy and the evolving role of artists in today's market that is ruled by the internet.
Host Alyson Stanfield talks with William Deresiewicz, author of The Death of the Artist: How Creators are Struggling to Survive in the Age of Billionaires and Big Tech.
Bill discuss the challenges of discoverability and financial instability while emphasizing the importance of community support as artists navigate this changing landscape. Bill offers valuable insights on adapting to new opportunities in the digital era, helping artists feel less alone in their journeys.
00:54 The Reality of Being an Artist Today 03:43 The Economics of Art in the Digital Age 07:04 The Challenges of Self-Promotion 18:33 The Evolution of the Artist's Role23:49 The Fourth Paradigm: Producer 25:05 The Professional vs. The Bohemian 26:19 Financial Realities and Transparency in the Arts 27:39 The Cost of Being an Artist 31:25 Community and Collaboration Among Artists 33:55 The Role of Cities in Supporting Artists 38:07 Defining What It Means to Be an Artist 42:43 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be with Kelly Pelfrey (ep. 162)
Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (ep. 157)
Self Sales, Open Studios, and Relationships with Interior Designers with Carol MacConnell (ep. 171)
📖 To read more, see images, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/death-of-the-artist
⭐️ Connect with William Deresiewicz and read his articles and books: https://williamderesiewicz.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Host Alyson Stanfield talks with artist Joan Chamberlain, whose creative journey has taken many twists and turns. Joan shares her story, from her early days as a botanical artist and licensed illustrator to her time as a product developer and dentist.
Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Joan reflects on how moving has impacted her art, her lifestyle, and her happiness.
Joan discusses:
- How attending Alyson’s first live workshop in 2003 shaped her dedication to her art business.
- The positive impact the move has had on Joan’s art practice and why she insists that location matters for an artist.
- The challenges and benefits of transitioning to a new art community, and how volunteering helped her make key connections in Eugene.
- How Joan found her niche and is excited to develop more work in that direction.
- Her informal audience research to find the best market for her work, including the potential for reproductions.
Whether you're thinking of moving, looking for a fresh perspective, or simply searching for joy in your art practice, this episode offers plenty of inspiration.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/chamberlain-community
✅ While you’re there, click on the graphic to download a copy of my Comprehensive Exhibitions Checklist + Timeline—totally free with opt in.
🍷 Connect with Joan and see more of her art: https://joancdesigns.com/
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These episodes touch on what it’s like to reestablish your art business in a new location.
Adapting through Curiosity and Connection with Debra Disman (ep. 202)
Using Her Superpower and Biomaterials with Kelly M. O’Brien (ep. 196)
Overcoming Anxiety about Making Art World Connections with Heather Beardsley (ep. 160)
🔸 STRENGTHEN YOUR ART BUSINESS FOUNDATION
See my art-marketing intensive, Essentials for Artist Success full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Host Alyson Stanfield talks with Iris Scott, a talented artist who has had tremendous success on social media. A large portion of the discussion was driven by questions from her dedicated followers.
Iris shares how the social media landscape has evolved since the early days of her art career and how she adapts to those changes today, including her approach to TikTok and paid advertising.
The insightful conversation also touches on:
- Iris’s time living in Taiwan, where the low cost of living was instrumental in her artistic development.
- The challenges of overcoming doubt and how she finds inspiration in her work.
- Her view of technology as a collaborator, with insights into how she incorporates AI into her creative process.
- A detailed breakdown of Iris’s income from original pieces versus reproductions.
- Balancing a successful art career with motherhood and maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a mom to a toddler.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/scott-technology
⭐️ Connect with Iris and see more of her art: https://www.irisscottfineart.com/
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Growing Your Art Business on Instagram with Jeanne Rosier Smith (ep. 67)
Growing Beyond Being an Instagram Artist with Sara Schroeder (ep. 119)
The Key to Success on Social Media with Cathy Nichols (ep. 154)
Stop Incessantly Feeding the Social Media Algorithms with Kamal X (ep. 172)
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Debra about her dynamic journey as an artist and entrepreneur.
Debra reflects on her career that spans teaching, studio work, decorative painting, and involvement with various communities.
She shares the challenges she faced navigating the competitive art world, her time running Artifactory decorative painting studio in the Bay Area, and her eventual move to Los Angeles to support her husband's acting career, which also opened new opportunities for her.
Debra emphasizes the importance of enthusiasm, showing up daily, and the step-by-step process of building an art career. She also touches on the benefits of engaging with people, the power of reaching out, and the satisfaction of participating in jury shows and contributing to the community.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/disman-adapting
⭐️ Connect with Debra and see more of her art: https://debradisman.com/
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Boldly Reaching Out to Art World Influencers with Laurence de Valmy (ep. 108)
Lessons from a Wildly Successful Pop-up Art Gallery Event with Mai Wyn Schantz (ep. 109)
Overcoming Anxiety about Making Art World Connections with Heather Beardsley (ep. 160)
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield chats with artist Julie deBoer, founder of Mastrius, a mentorship platform for artists.
Julie shares her journey of discovering her unique style with the help of a mentor, and how she resisted what was coming out of her until she began understanding where it came from.
She discusses the challenges of working with galleries, transitioning to solo sales, and the importance of community in the artist’s journey. Julie also delves into how Mastrius differs from other online learning platforms by focusing on personalized mentorship and community support.
The episode wraps up with one of Alyson’s favorite discussions: how Julie finds the time to fit everything in while prioritizing her art.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Expanding Your Skillset to Respond to Opportunities with Detour (ep. 128)
Being an Artist with Geoffrey Gorman (ep. 124)
Planning a Year's Worth of Artwork with Dawn Williams Boyd (ep. 72)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/deboer-style
⭐️ Connect with Julie and see more of her art: https://juliedeboerart.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and processes you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
In the 200th episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield explores the deeper motivations behind artists' desires for more recognition and sales.
She emphasizes the importance of pursuing true fulfillment in art, beyond external validation and social media metrics.
Alyson shares her personal journey of prioritizing happiness over career stability and discusses various forms of fulfillment for artists, such as making their best work, gaining gallery representation, and receiving positive feedback. She encourages artists to exhibit their work in public more frequently and to engage with their audience to find deeper meaning and joy.
00:00 Our Desire for MORE 01:23 Personal Journey: Finding Happiness 02:16 Milestone Reflection: 200th Episode 02:39 True Fulfillment as an Artist 04:53 The Importance of External Validation 05:49 The Role of Exhibitions and Shows 07:38 Art as Communication and Connection 08:55 Commitment to Showing Your Art 09:34 Conclusion: Celebrating the Journey
📖 To read more, see photos of me with some of my guests, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/fulfillment
👉 I give you a process for honoring your commitments in my planning workshops, which I lead 3x a year to help you make a plan for the upcoming season and beyond. AND to make sure that you aren’t over-committed—that you have just the right level of challenging projects and space for creativity and self-care.
🔶 The next workshop is coming up, and you can save a little when you sign up early. So you want to be sure to be on the notification list. Go to artbizsuccess.com/makeaplan to add your name to that list or sign up now if registration is available when you visit.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with author and artist Alyson Sheldrake.
Every month for ten years, Alyson Sheldrake has published Snapshot!, an extensive digital magazine that promotes her work, her husband’s photography, and local businesses. The most recent edition was 128 pages!
In her words, Snapshot! covers art, photography, books, reviews, events, interviews, rescue dogs, authors, and news about the beautiful Algarve in Portugal. That’s a lot of territory, and, as you’ll see, she has plenty of story ideas for future content.
Writing, designing, and publishing the magazine is not a grind for Alyson. She loves doing it, referring to it as “The newsletter that thinks it’s a magazine.” It’s a comfortable way to market for her that just so happens to reach about 17,000 people with each edition.
Key takeaway: through the magazine, Alyson promotes others who, in turn, help promote the magazine and her art.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/sheldrake-magazine
⭐️ Connect with Alyson and subscribe to her free Snapshot! magazine: https://alysonsheldrake.com
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Other artist-authors who have been my guests:
Secrets from Copying a Masterpiece with Lilianne Milgrom (ep. 87)
Publishing a How To Book for Artists with Carol McIntyre (ep. 37)
How Two Artists Self-Published and Are Promoting a Successful Book Together (ep. 9)
Beyond Comparison and Jealousy with Jason Kotecki (ep. 191)
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Future plans, deadlines, and accountability are a necessary part of your success.
Host Alyson Stanfield of Art Biz Success explains how artists can get stuck in cycles of procrastination without a structured calendar filled with exciting commitments.
Alyson shares practical examples from her own life as well as from her experience with students and clients, and details how deadlines and accountability partners, including coaches and community groups, can help maintain momentum.
Key takeaways include the importance of setting attainable milestones, self-review processes, and embracing external support systems to drive progress and achieve creative goals.
00:33 Why plans, deadlines, and accountability matter
01:56 Personal experience and motivation
04:59 The role of deadlines in achieving goals
06:43 The power of accountability
08:47 Practical steps to implement accountability
10:26 Embrace deadlines and accountability: What are your first steps?
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These artists have taken on big projects that motivated them for months and even years:
Leaning Into Art to Battle Depression with David Sandum (ep. 169)
Multi-State Multi-Year Multi-Artist Art Project with Marilyn Artus (ep. 30)
Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (ep. 64)
Impacting Artists First in a Curatorial Project Focusing on Empathy with Nanci Hersh (ep. 168)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/deadlines-accountability
👉 I give you a process for honoring your commitments in my planning workshops, which I lead 3x a year to help you make a plan for the upcoming season and beyond. AND to make sure that you aren’t over-committed—that you have just the right level of challenging projects and space for creativity and self-care.
🔶 The next workshop is coming up, and you can save a little when you sign up early. So you want to be sure to be on the notification list. Go to artbizsuccess.com/makeaplan to add your name to that list or sign up now if registration is available when you visit.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
In order for the art ecosystem to work, many rejections must be handed out. That means to have a successful art business and career, you must learn to deal with rejection.
More to the point, in order to be successful in life, you have to learn to deal with rejection, regardless of your vocation.
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Megan Wimberley, who wants to help you move past rejection. As both an artist and a founder of the Cowgirl Artists of America organization, she has experienced both sides of the process.
The good news about rejection is that you are not alone. Every artist who wants to attain a higher level of accomplishment must deal with rejection.
The bad news is … well … You’ve been rejected. And that feels awful. But you can’t let it stop you.
Megan outlines a framework for dealing with rejection, including the importance of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and professionalism—all in the service of elevating and protecting your reputation.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/wimberley-rejection.
⭐️ Connect with Megan and see more of her art: meganwimberley.com
🤠 Check out Cowgirl Artists of America.
📆 Our planning workshop for shows and sales is coming up. I’m going to lead you through the steps that will help you make an action plan for improving your shows and venues and make more sales. Don’t leave it to fate. Don’t wait for things to happen to you. Make a plan that will give you control over your future.
Depending on when you listen to this, you can either get on the wait list or sign up and prepare to make that success plan.
Either way, find all of the details at artbizsuccess.com/makeaplan
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (ep. 114)
What Your Failures Are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (ep. 95)
Are You Playing It Too Safe in Your Art Business? (ep. 92)
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Christa Forrest (ep. 91)
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
What do we do about all of the art materials that are harming you and the planet? Kelly O’Brien has taken this concern to heart and completely changed how she makes work.
She grows and uses biomaterials for her sculpture.
Host Alyson Stanfield talks with Kelly about:
🔸 What biomaterials are and how they show up in Kelly’s new work.
🔸 The aesthetics of biomaterials.
🔸 Why Kelly isn’t concerned about the work lasting forever.
🔸 What you can do to incorporate more sustainable sources in your work.
Kelly also discusses her recent solo exhibition and why community interaction is a key piece of her process, and how she funds her non-commercial practice.
[ For some background, listen to this interview with Kelly: Returning to Grad School for an MFA — episode 85. ]
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These conversations center around the artists’ studio practices.
Creative Placemaking and Public Art with Lynn Basa (ep. 26)
Focusing on the Art, Not the Art Business with Rebecca Welz (ep. 134)
Play Tops Work, Connection Tops Solitude, and Confidence Tops Fear with Willie Cole (ep. 126)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/biomaterials-obrien
⭐️ Connect with Kelly and see more of her art: KellyOBrien.art
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Host Alyson Stanfield is joined by Jeff Schaller, who started an open studio tour in Pennsylvania at the height of the recession. It is still growing and supporting the participating artists.
As he’ll tell you, Jeff is an artist first and foremost. Somehow he has created this other job for himself because he believes that artists can do well by connecting directly with collectors who visit them in their studios.
Jeff and Alyson talk about:
- What it takes to put on a studio tour
- Which artists do well in studio tours
- Why it’s important to do plenty of marketing yourself and not rely solely on the organizer of a studio tour
- His marketing strategies, costs, and lots more.
There are, of course, ramifications around opening your studio to visitors, supporters, and strangers, but that’s for another episode.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (ep. 157)
Self Sales, Open Studios, and Relationships with Interior Designers with Carol MacConnell (ep. 171)
Reaching the Other 99% for Your Art Business with Adele Sypesteyn (ep. 163)
Increasing Art Sales with Online Events with Patricia Griffin (ep. 97)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit ArtBizSuccess.com/schaller-countytour
⭐️ Connect with Jeff and see more of his art: https://jeffschaller.com
⭐️ Connect with the County Studio Tour: https://www.countystudiotour.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Host: Alyson Stanfield
If you've ever thought about sharing your artist story on a podcast—or pitching to anyone for publicity—this episode is for you. Join host Alyson Stanfield as she dives into the value of being a guest on The Art Biz and provides solid tips for pitching your art to any podcast for maximum publicity. (This information can also be adapted for any pitch you make for any reason.)
Every artist has a unique journey, and sharing it can attract more fans, followers, and collectors. Alyson provides straightforward advice on how to craft your approach to make it compelling and irresistible to podcast hosts—or at least get them to pay attention and not roll their eyes at another bumbled pitch.
You'll learn these five key elements of a successful pitch.
- Do Your Homework: Listen to episodes of The Art Biz and read the blog to understand what Alyson's looking for. (Same for anyone else you’re pitching to.)
- Research: Show respect for the host and their work by demonstrating your knowledge and appreciation.
- Focus on Your Unique Business Lesson: Highlight the business insights you can share with the audience.
- Prove Your Speaking Skills: Include links to any previous podcast appearances or video interviews.
- Submit a Strong Pitch: Alyson makes this easy by providing a fill-in-the-blanks form for your pitches.
Alyson also shares examples of the variety of stories that resonate with her audience. Whether it’s your successes, struggles, or unique ways of connecting with your community, your story has the power to inspire others.
Tune in to discover how to pitch your artist story effectively and increase your chances of being featured on The Art Biz or other programs.
📣 Pitch your story for The Art Biz
🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube @ Alyson Stanfield. Direct Link
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These artists submitted successful pitches to be on this show.
She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be with Kelly Pelfrey (ep. 162)
Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (ep. 157)
The Key to Success on Social Media with Cathy Nichols (ep. 154)
An Unusual Path to Finding Art Commissions with Leisa Collins (ep. 110)
Secrets from Copying a Masterpiece with Lilianne Milgrom (ep. 87)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/guest-theartbiz
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
It’s possible to make more money and find a little more peace of mind by making a few tweaks in how you approach your art business.
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Monique Carr about how she has done it.
When she reached out to Alyson a couple of years ago for a private coaching partnership, Monique was aiming for doing half the work, making twice the money, and having fun in whatever she did.
She’s not quite at the twice the money part, but things have definitely improved—like increasing her email list by about 250% in two years. Embracing online teaching at the beginning of Covid has been a game-changer.
In this conversation, Monique shares her income streams, how she uses her email list, and how she was motivated to do a Black Friday sale after working on her money plan with me and noticing that her gallery sales were down for the year.
Monique takes action without complaining—figuring out what needs to be done and doing it. You’ll be inspired by her story.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These episodes are money-focused:
The Investing Artist: Art, Real Estate, and Legacy with Mary Erickson (ep. 19)
She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be with Kelly Pelfrey (ep. 162)
Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (ep. 157)
My Money Odyssey and the Evolution of Art Biz Success (ep. 161)
How Do Artists Make Money? (ep. 159)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/growth-carr
⭐️ Connect with Monique and see more of her art: moniquecarr.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
Originally from a large metropolitan area, Tracey Hewitt married a rancher and, like Lisa Douglas in Green Acres, said goodbye to city life.
But she never said goodbye to her art.
Host Alyson Stanfield wanted to talk with Tracey because every encounter she has ever had with her as a member of our Art Biz Connection community has been positive. Tracey is funny, warm, and generous. And she knows how to live life to its fullest.
Tracey helps run the family cattle business in the Australian bush, which takes up a good hunk of her time.
Aside from her duties on the ranch, Tracey is and always has been an artist, though the label of “artist” wasn’t easy for her to adopt—a hurdle many artists must overcome.
[ See How Do You Know When You’re an Artist? with James Holmes ]
Today, through her teaching and life coaching practices, Tracey helps other artists get comfortable with their creativity and, if they like, with calling themselves artists. You’ll be inspired by her optimism.
💁♀️ There are 4 ways that I can support you in your art business: 1️⃣ art-marketing training in my Essentials course 2️⃣ a community that provides structure to your days 3️⃣ higher level artist group coaching, and 4️⃣ private consulting.
Find details: https://artbizsuccess.com/work-with-me/
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/optimism-hewitt
⭐️ Connect with Tracey and see more of her art: https://traceyhewitt.com/
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These episodes feature other artist-teachers.
Maintaining Your Studio Practice with a Busy Teaching Schedule with Sally Hirst ****(ep. 164)
Using Patreon as a Teaching Platform with Kimberly Santini (ep. 156)
Making a Living as a Teaching Artist with Elizabeth St. Hilaire (ep. 4)
The Joy in Artist Community and Paring Back Obligations with Ali Cavanaugh (ep. 190)
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
What “game” are you playing in your art business and in life?
Artist-writer-speaker Jason Kotecki makes the point that you have a unique game plan to follow—one that can’t be compared to another artist or online personality.
In a conversation with host Alyson Stanfield, Jason shares his experience of overcoming comparison and jealousy, emphasizing the importance of focusing on your unique talents and contributions. He talks about the pivotal moment in a Philadelphia ballroom that led him to merge his art with his speaking engagements and how this fusion has shaped his career.
The discussion covers practical steps artists can take to combat comparison, and the benefits of having a “talent stack” to differentiate yourself. Jason also delves into his income streams, his collaborative work with his wife, Kim, and upcoming events like Wondernite.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/kotecki-comparison
⭐️ Connect with Jason and see more of his art: EscapeAdulthood.com
💁♀️ There are 4 ways that I can support you in your art business: 1️⃣ art-marketing training in my Essentials course 2️⃣ a community that provides structure to your days 3️⃣ higher level artist group coaching, and 4️⃣ private consulting.
Find details: ArtBizSuccess.com/work-with-me
🔄 Related Episodes
6 Ways to Be [Even] Happier About Running Your Art Business (ep. 155)
Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (ep. 114)
What Your Failures Are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (ep. 95)
Are You Playing It Too Safe in Your Art Business? (ep. 92)
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
It might help (but isn’t necessary) to start this episode by listening to episode 189, which is an encore of a 2019 interview I did with Ali Cavanaugh when she was making big changes in her work life.
In this episode, Ali and I catch up with all that has transpired in the last 5 years. We discuss:
- Her booming Patreon community that gives her so much joy.
- How she has pared back on the demands for her art and the boundaries she put in place to allow her to do that.
- The recent release of the Ali Cavanaugh Portrait Colors Set from Golden Artist Colors.
- The upcoming retrospective of her work, made possible because she has withheld prized pieces from sale to keep in her private collection.
Ali is incredibly generous. As you’ll hear, she is utterly devoted to her patrons and the success of her students.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Maintaining Your Studio Practice with a Busy Teaching Schedule with Sally Hirst (ep. 164)
Leaving Gallery Representation to Reach More Art Buyers with Adele Sypesteyn (remix) (ep. 163)
Using Patreon as a Teaching Platform with Kimberly Santini (ep. 156)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/joy-cavanaugh
⭐️ Connect with Ali and see more of her art: alicavanaugh.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
In 2014, Ali Cavanaugh had 11 galleries representing her work throughout the U.S. and even overseas. It was all she could do to paint fast enough to supply these galleries with new work. What a great problem to have! But it was still a problem.
Then she started asking for it to be returned to her. She was rethinking her art and what her business model looked like.
She worked hard to get to that point, the way things were going no longer worked well for her. She decided to take control and be very deliberate about her next moves.
This episode is an encore of the inspiration-packed interview I did with Ali Cavanaugh back in 2019 in episode 33. I’ll be sharing a new interview with Ali next week, but I thought it would be fun to be reminded of where she was 5 years ago when we first talked. In this interview, Ali and I discuss how she made a deliberate decision to take control of her art career. She left 10 of her galleries and the stress caused by having to supply so many venues.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Self Sales, Open Studios, and Relationships with Interior Designers with Carol MacConnell (ep. 171)
Leaving Gallery Representation to Reach More Art Buyers with Adele Sypesteyn (remix) (ep. 163)
She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will Be Every Month with Kelly Pelfrey (ep. 162)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/ali-cavanaugh-encore
⭐️ Connect with Ali and see more of her art: AliCavanaugh.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
Elizabeth LeMaster, my guest for this episode of The Art Biz, has, like so many of us, more to balance than her studio practice and business. She has a family. A young family. A big family. A growing family.
How do you find time for working on your art when you have 6 kids under the age of 8? 😳
Elizabeth and I talk about how she has done it because she wanted to share her tips with all artist-mothers out there. She is also very honest about the bumps along the road.
Here’s my special Mothers’ Day Conversation with Elizabeth LeMaster.
HIGHLIGHTS
06:12 Selling her art through a focused audience and relatively small subscriber base 10:06 Adapting art practices around motherhood 15:44 Strategic systems for productivity 19:51 Embracing the artist's life while parenting 36:28 Elizabeth’s Artisan Christmas magazine 40:32 Elizabeth’s future plans
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Raising Prices on Your Art, Valuing Community, and Balancing Motherhood with Bri Larson (ep. 166)
She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be Every Month with Kelly Pelfrey (ep. 162)
Running an Artist Residency Alongside a Studio Practice with Shannon Amidon (ep. 151)
Injecting Personal Narrative into Your Art with Sara Lee Hughes (ep. 131)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/motherhood-lemaster
⭐️ Connect with Elizabeth and see more of her art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemasterartistique/
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
Elizabeth LeMaster, my guest for this episode of The Art Biz, has, like so many of us, more to balance than her studio practice and business. She has a family. A young family. A big family. A growing family.
How do you find time for working on your art when you have 6 kids under the age of 8? 😳
Elizabeth and I talk about how she has done it because she wanted to share her tips with all artist-mothers out there. She is also very honest about the bumps along the road.
Here’s my special Mothers’ Day Conversation with Elizabeth LeMaster.
HIGHLIGHTS
06:12 Selling her art through a focused audience and relatively small subscriber base 10:06 Adapting art practices around motherhood 15:44 Strategic systems for productivity 19:51 Embracing the artist's life while parenting 36:28 Elizabeth’s Artisan Christmas magazine 40:32 Elizabeth’s future plans
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Raising Prices on Your Art, Valuing Community, and Balancing Motherhood with Bri Larson (ep. 166)
She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be Every Month with Kelly Pelfrey (ep. 162)
Running an Artist Residency Alongside a Studio Practice with Shannon Amidon (ep. 151)
Injecting Personal Narrative into Your Art with Sara Lee Hughes (ep. 131)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/motherhood-lemaster
⭐️ Connect with Elizabeth and see more of her art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemasterartistique/
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
My utter bliss is to help artists make business systems that streamline their lives so they can spend more time in the studio. So when Skip Hill said he needed a system for following up with his collectors and important relationships, I knew I wanted to help.
In this encore episode of The Art Biz, I walk Skip through the steps to create a plan for nurturing his relationships.
We go through these steps to create his plan:
- What do you want to happen?
- By when does it need to happen? Or … How frequently does it need to happen?
- What do you need to have/acquire/learn to make that happen? And/Or what tools and technology will you use for the process?
- Who do you need to enlist to help?
- What are the exact steps needed to make this system hum?
The steps in that last question provides the fuel. Miss a step, and your system crashes.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Tools to Shape Up Your Art Business with Jennifer Printz (ep. 79)
Systems to Effectively Manage a Dizzying Increase in Your Art Business with Betty Franks (ep. 80)
How to Squeeze More Time from Your Busy Calendar (ep. 152)
📖 To read the exact steps we created for Skip, see images, and leave a comment, visit
https://artbizsuccess.com/skip-hill-encore
⭐️ Connect with Skip and see more of his art: SkipHillArt.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention. Current focus: Cultivating Connections and Collectors.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
I want to talk about something that I think gets in the way of how you think about what a successful art business is or can be.
I want to help you reframe your daily decisions, actions, and results (or lack thereof)—to embrace the volatility of an artist life. To understand that there will be highs and lows, and that just comes along with the territory.
One of the most-used business metaphors is the ladder of success, which is problematic for two reasons:
- Nobody reaches the top of anything in life by going straight up.
- What happens when you get to the top?
I have a different vision. Your art career is a circle consisting of 3 areas:
Inspiration+Research, Studio Practice, and Business+Marketing.
You’re a sphere (okay, a ping pong ball) bouncing back and forth from one area to the next as you grow your art career.
Let me explain …
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Calculating Risks in Your Art Business with Leah Smithson (ep. 94)
What Your Failures Are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (ep. 95)
Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (ep. 114)
How to Feel Like a Successful Artist (ep. 165)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/growth-minded-artists
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
host: Alyson Stanfield
Some artists are fine working by themselves in their studios. Other artists need to move their art beyond the studio walls and into the public in order to be fulfilled.
My guest for this episode is Marilyn Fontaine, a multidisciplinary artist who lives and works in East London. Her work is spiritual with a strong foothold in feminine themes.
She has begun marrying that work to the history of the local community—in particular, the stories of those who share her Afro-Caribbean roots.
Marilyn and I talk about the work she does within her community, including how it is funded and why her growing network is essential.
We also discuss:
- Her ritual upon entering the studio for a day’s work, which is always a favorite topic of mine.
- Why she’s leaning into rejection and learning to be curious about negative reactions that some people have to her work.
- How she is learning to let go—to not hold too tight to the idea that she wants something so badly—and to allow it to come by creating that space.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Injecting Personal Narrative Into Your Art with Sara Lee Hughes (ep. 131)
Committed to Telling Native Stories Through Her Art and Activism with Danielle SeeWalker (ep. 153)
How Your Art Makes People Feel (ep. 184)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/community-fontaine
⭐️ Connect with Marilyn and see more of her art: https://marilynfontaineart.weebly.com/
🔶 Please join me for THE PEOPLE PLAN 🔶 a planning workshop to identify, establish, and nurture stronger relationships with buyers, collectors, curators, students, gallerists, and more. May 7-9, 2024. https://artbizsuccess.com/peopleplan
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Host: Alyson B. Stanfield
For so long, I asked artists Why they make art.
Some artists have a Why.
For other artists, being asked why they make art is unfruitful—even debilitating. They feel unworthy if they can’t come up with a good Why.
A better strategy is to focus on the people who will be viewing, talking about, and living with your art.
How does your art make people feel?
Bernadette Jiwa says, "People don't buy why you do something. They buy how it makes them feel." If you think about it, this, ironically, leads to your Why: Connection.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Episodes that focus on your relationships:
Following Her Curiosity and Making New Connections After 60 with Jan McCarthy (ep. 158)
Being Seen—Networking for Artists (ep. 148)
How to Guarantee that People Remember You with Skip Hill (ep. 147)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/make-them-feel/
🔶 Please join me for THE PEOPLE PLAN 🔶 a planning workshop to identify, establish, and nurture stronger relationships with buyers, collectors, curators, students, gallerists, and more. May 7-9, 2024. https://artbizsuccess.com/peopleplan
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Host: Alyson B. Stanfield
In this episode of The Art Biz I talk with Lori Sokoluk and Susan Purney Mark, who met in my coaching group many years ago and started a collaboration during the pandemic.
When I teach about collaboration, I’m usually talking about an exhibition or event. Lori and Susan took it to the next level and collaborated on the artwork itself—resulting in a two-person exhibition that recently closed.
I wanted to know what the artmaking process was like when you’re presented with someone else’s marks on the canvas. I think you’ll enjoy hearing about it and what they discovered during the process
We also discussed:
- The parameters of the collaboration.
- The challenges they faced, such as Lori’s physical limitations.
- How they titled the pieces together (a fascinating theme and process).
- How they divided up the business stuff.
- How the exhibition was organized.
- How it has affected their individual work.
- The advice they share with any artist who is open to collaboration.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Here are a few more episodes about collaboration:
Multiply Your Audience and Expand Your Show’s Impact with Jill Powers (ep. 27)
Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (ep. 64)
Play Tops Work, Connection Tops Solitude, and Confidence Tops Fear with Willie Cole (ep. 126)
Expanding Your Skillset to Respond to Opportunities with Detour (ep. 128)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/sokoluk-mark
⭐️ Connect with Lori and Susan and see more of their art:
https://lorisokoluk.com
https://susanpm.com
🔶 Please join me for THE PEOPLE PLAN 🔶 a planning workshop to identify, establish, and nurture stronger relationships with buyers, collectors, curators, students, gallerists, and more. May 7-9, 2024. https://artbizsuccess.com/peopleplan
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Host: Alyson B. Stanfield
Your list is something unique to you and your career. No one has this same list. No one makes art like you do; no one knows the same people as you do; and no one has the exact vision that you have. Nobody! Your list is almost worthless to anyone else, yet it’s invaluable to you.
It is the primary tool you use to share your art with the world. It’s your #1 marketing asset, but worthless if you’re not using it.
The definition of a mailing list isn’t as clear cut as it sounds.
I have a philosophy around this 2-word phrase that we frequently take for granted:
You don’t have a single list. You have multiple lists.
I use the term mailing list as an umbrella term, but, in truth, you have three lists that I define as follows:
1️⃣ Your email list
2️⃣ Your VIP list
3️⃣ Your online followers
In this episode, I describe the difference among them and why you need to remember all of them when you’re thinking about your mailing list.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Self Sales, Open Studios, and Relationships with Interior Designers with Carol MacConnell (ep. 171)
She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be Every Month with Kelly Pelfrey (ep. 162)
Following Her Curiosity and Making New Connections After 60 with Jan McCarthy (ep. 158)
📖 To read more, see images, download the transcript + mailing list assessment mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/your-lists
🔶 Put your mailing list to better use in THE PEOPLE PLAN 🔶 a planning workshop to identify, establish, and nurture stronger relationships with your lists. May 7-9, 2024. https://artbizsuccess.com/peopleplan
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Host: Alyson Stanfield, Art Biz Success
My guest is Janice Mason Steeves, author of Bloom: On Becoming An Artist Later in Life. Which, as I say in our interview, is “a lovely mix of insights from a questionnaire, gentle guidance from someone who teaches and leads artist workshops all over the world, and wisdom from academics, professionals, and spiritual advisors.”
Janice has been in my orbit for a long time and I have been dying to talk with her about this book, the seeds of which she mentioned to me about 4 years ago. It’s a book that needed to be written and proves that we have a lot more to talk about this topic.
But let’s kick off the conversation.
Janice will share her background and the realization that the students in her workshops tended to be in the 60 to 80 age groups. This piqued her curiosity about taking up art later in life.
We spend the first half of our conversation talking about how the book came to be. Then we discuss the advantages, benefits and challenges of becoming an artist after age 60.
I, of course, want to know about how artists over 60 approach the business of art, but that’s not Janice’s concern. (And I have some experience that perhaps will lead to a different episode.)
🎧 RELATED EPISODESThese are episodes with other artist-authors >>
Secrets from Copying a Masterpiece with Lilianne Milgrom (ep. 87)
Publishing a How To Book for Artists with Carol McIntyre (ep. 37)
How Two Artists Self-Published and Are Promoting a Successful Book Together (ep. 9)
Mentioned: How Do You Know You’re an Artist? with James Holmes (ep. 181)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/bloom-steeves.
⭐️ Connect with Janice and see more of her art: https://janicemasonsteeves.com
If you want to learn about or improve your art marketing skills, 🔶check out my Essentials program. 🔶 It’s for beginning and emerging artists as well as artists who just need a reboot. artbizsuccess.com/essentials
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
I believe in the power of daily affirmations. I first used them a number of years ago to increase my income and it worked. I increased my income 40% that year. And while I am not now as dedicated to reciting them daily, I know should be! I attribute the majority of my success back then to these affirmations.
What possessed me to stop? 🤷♀️ I do not believe that reciting affirmations alone will move the needle. You must have the commitment to your goals in the first place and take appropriate action to move forward. I encourage you to try them as a proven business accelerator tool. It can’t hurt! I read through these affirmations slowly. Then I take a break and repeat them. Use what lands for you—changing the wording to make them your own.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Raising Prices on Your Art, Valuing Community, and Balancing Motherhood with Bri Larson (ep. 166)
6 Ways to Be [Even] Happier About Running Your Art Business (ep. 155)
Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (ep. 114)
What Your Failures Are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (ep. 95)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/affirmations
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
If you’re like a lot of the artist-clients that I work with at Art Biz Success, you would love someone to help you with social media. Or your website. Or maybe anything else to help lighten the load.
Having any kind of help sounds like a dream. It may seem like an impossible dream. You might be looking for someone like my guest for this episode of The Art Biz: Hallie Edlund, a virtual assistant for artists.
We discuss how she started doing this work and how she helps artists with social media and their websites.
We touch upon how she uses A.I. and her advice for using it in your art business.
And you know I couldn’t resist asking how she stays organized. Her system of keeping everything for her clients in Gmail folders left me with my mouth hanging open, which luckily you can’t witness on a podcast.
Hallie has a new Instagram course for artists and generously shares two tips for that platform near the end of our conversation.
If you’re looking to hire someone to help with your art business, I suggest checking out the related episodes and articles posted below as well.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES & ARTICLES
How to Hire Someone to Help with Your Art Business
Let It Go: Delegating Responsibility
Someone Else Could – What To Delegate in Your Art Business
Trusting Another Artist to Help You Run Your Art Business with Angela Fehr and Robin Edmundson (ep. 104)
How to Work Successfully (and Sanely) with a Relative with Trudy Rice (ep. 105)
Learning How to Be a Boss with Ali Manning (ep. 106)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit
📧 To inquire about working with Hallie, please email her.
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
In this episode, I have something a little different for you.
I want to share a tool I found a number of years ago that helps me in life and in my business. And it’s helped many of my clients.
It’s a life map, of sorts, called Human Design.
Jahje Ives is an artist and a Human Design coach and guide. While I have worked with Human Design guides in the past, Jahje is the first artist I have met in this realm.
I wanted her insights as to how knowing your Human Design could help with your art and art business.
To get the most out of it, you have to have a little woo in you. As Jahje says, you might need to put on your tinfoil hat.
She’s going to tell you what Human Design is, cover the 5 different types of designs and what each would mean for an artist. Human Design has taught me that there are no two people alike. We are each unique in our gifts and our approach to life and business.
What works for one artist might not be just a bad idea for another—it could also be a huge waste of time. Or even damaging.
Since learning Human Design, I’ve changed much of my approach to teaching and coaching. I’ve started tuning in to the differences among artists—differences that they were born with—so that I can meet them where they will be able to thrive.
This episode probably isn’t for everyone, but if you’re open to the journey, please continue to listen. Maybe something will ring true. Here’s my conversation with Jahje Ives.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (ep. 114)
What Your Failures Are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (ep. 95)
Are You Playing It Too Safe in Your Art Business? (ep. 92)
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Christa Forrest (ep. 91)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/human-design-ives
⭐️ Connect with Jahje and see more of her art: https://jahjeives.com
🔶 Sponsored by The Art Biz Accelerator 🔶 a coaching group for strategies, support, and accountability inside a community of artists who get you. https://artbizsuccess.com/accelerator
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Two things are clear when it comes to pricing your art.
1️⃣ It’s a struggle for most artists.
2️⃣ There’s a good chance that your prices are too low.
There are 5 reasons to raise your prices:
🔸 You’ve done the math and realized you aren’t paying yourself.
🔸 Your pricing has become uneven over time.
🔸 The cost of your materials has increased.
🔸 You can’t keep up with the demand for your art.
🔸 You start selling through galleries.
I cover all of these in this episode and then tell you HOW to raise your prices.
🆓 GUIDE FOR PRICING YOUR ART
Info and download > http://howtopriceyourart.com/
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Raising prices can mess with your mindset. These episodes might help:
Raising Prices on Your Art, Valuing Community, and Balancing Motherhood with Bri Larson (ep. 166)
6 Ways to Be [Even] Happier About Running Your Art Business (ep. 155)
Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (ep. 114)
What Your Failures Are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (ep. 95)
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Christa Forrest (ep. 91)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/raise-prices/.
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my new program, ESTABLISH YOURSELF: Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 a training program full of tools and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
I like to say that your art isn’t complete until someone else experiences it. Until you’re standing in front of it and talking about it with people who are interested.
In real life. Digital-only viewing doesn’t count.
Every person who sees your work brings themselves and their background to your work—adding new layers of meaning to your original intention.
My guest for this episode is Susan Abbott, and she recognizes the importance of getting her work out of the studio and in front of people.
We cover a lot of ground in our conversation, but there are 3 themes:
- The value of working in series, with special attention given to the series of paintings that came from her pilgrimage on The Camino.
- Creating a catalog of your art and what it can do for you.
- Getting a museum solo exhibition and why that’s important to her.
We also discuss how Susan lost 14,000 instagram followers and rebuilt her account to where it is today (~46,000 at the time of this recording).
See if you can pick up on why it pays to dress nicely when visiting gallery.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Overcoming Anxiety about Making Art World Connections with Heather Beardsley (ep. 160)
Putting Artists First in Curatorial Projects with Melissa Messina (ep. 136)
Portrait Project and Museum Exhibition with Lisa Kovvuri (ep. 11)
A Married Life in Art: Sam Woolcott and Poe Dismuke (ep. 8)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/series-abbott
⭐️ Connect with Susan and see more of her art: https://susanabbott.com
🔶 Sponsored by The Art Biz Accelerator 🔶 a coaching group for strategies, support, and accountability inside a community of artists who get you. https://artbizsuccess.com/accelerator
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
So many artists are down on their galleries and considering leaving them.
There are absolutely many reasons not to stick with your gallery, but that’s a different episode.
I wanted to share the story of an artist who is thrilled with her gallery.
My guest for this episode is Evita Tezeno—an artist who has grand ambitions for herself. Not content with the status quo, Evita aims for recognition by prestigious honors like the Guggenheim Fellowship and the MacArthur Fellowship, the so called “genius” grant.
She knows she can’t get there by herself. She needs strong gallery representation and a team of people behind her, and she’ll tell you why.
💬 EVITA TEZENO QUOTES
“I had this dream that an angel came to my door and gave me a blueprint of another style.”
“This dream was right on target.”
“[After Denzel Washington bought 8 pieces in 2019] I was able to get another studio and I have never worked for anyone again.”
“The gallery now has me working larger. I love working larger. I love it.”
“I consider myself a visual storyteller.”
“[My life coach] has gotten me to dream bigger than I ever thought that I could dream.”
“I want more museum collections and I want my work also to be known, not only nationally or regionally, but internationally…. So we are reaching toward the sky or the heavens.”
“The art career that you dream of or you envision does not come easy. You have to struggle. You have to go through necessary pains to get to where you want to be.”
🎧 RELATED CONTENT
Leaving Gallery Representation to Reach More Art Buyers with Adele Sypesteyn (ep. 163)
Qualities Galleries Are Looking For in Their Artists with Jeremy Tessmer (ep. 123)
Why Artists Should Embrace Galleries (article)
The Investing Artist: Art, Real Estate, and Legacy with Mary Erickson (ep. 19)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/tezeno-galleries
⭐️ Connect with Evita Tezeno and see more of her art: https://evitatezeno.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my new program, ESTABLISH YOURSELF: Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 a training program full of tools and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Your artist website is your portfolio these days. It’s usually the first place people go to get a full picture of you and your art. They might initially find you on Instagram and scroll through the images there, but when their interest is piqued and they want to know more, they’ll click that almighty link in your bio.
Your website is the 1 piece of virtual real estate that you have 100% control over. You select what people see and define how they will navigate the experience.
Are you ready for them?
In this episode of The Art Biz, I have a very focused conversation with Jessica Burko about artist websites.
[ We’re focused on your professional presentation this season in Establish Yourself: Essentials for Artist Success ]
Jessica and I discuss:
- Her philosophy about artist websites.
- What artist websites should and should not include.
- How artist websites can be organized for a better viewer experience.
- How you can use Instagram and Pinterest to organize portfolios of work.
- Why one of your jobs is to educate people.
She says, “What gets people to be very interested in your work, to buy your work or hire you or show your work, and to really tell them the breadth of what you do and to show them all the different aspects of your arts career, your arts business, yourself as an artist” is your website. It’s a much more appropriate place to do that than Instagram.
💁🏼♀️ My bonus tip is to check the footer on your website to see that it has the current copyright date in it. Some websites adjust automatically to a new year, but others do not. Make sure yours is current.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
How to Name Your Art Business (ep. 56)
How to Feel Like a Successful Artist (ep. 165)
Introduce Yourself Confidently as an Artist (ep. 65)
Starting Your Art Career (ep. 173)
What Your Failures Are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (ep. 95)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/websites-burko
⭐️ Connect with Jessica and see more of her art: https://jessicaburko.com
🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my new program, ESTABLISH YOURSELF: Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 a training program full of tools and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
This episode isn’t for artists who want to dabble and keep art as a hobby. I so respect your desire to enter and exit the studio whenever you feel like it, but this isn’t for you.
This isn’t even for artists who want to set up a side hustle of selling art here and there to make some extra cash. Again, I respect the fact that you want or need to do that, but what I share here isn’t for you.
This is for anyone who is serious about building and living the life of an artist.
This episode is also for you if other artists ask for your advice about how they can do what you have done. (All you have to do is send them here.)
I cover:
- Why devotion to the work has to come above everything else in your artist life.
- When you can call yourself an artist.
- Why you shouldn’t be devoted to 1 medium.
- The first 6 practical business steps:
- Decide on your professional name.
- Decide on your business structure.
- Register your business.
- Get a tax ID number.
- Gat a sales tax license.
- Separate your business and personal finances.
🔶 Just starting your art career? Please see my new program, ESTABLISH YOURSELF: Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 a training program full of tools and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers. YourArtistLife.com
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
How to Name Your Art Business (ep. 56)
Your Decision Filter (ep. 139)
Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (ep. 114)
How to Feel Like a Successful Artist (ep. 165)
📖 To read the transcript of this episode, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/starting-art-career
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
My guest for this episode of The Art Biz is Kamal X.
Kamal recently released his book, Black Astronaut, which is a collection of photographs he started after the murder of George Floyd. It was, as you recall, the height of Covid and like many, Kamal was hesitant to travel and be in crowds.
But, as he said, he knew he had to risk it all because the moment was bigger than him.
In our conversation, you’ll hear about how and why Kamal learned photography and how he approaches his subjects on the street.
What I enjoyed most about talking with Kamal is his message. Through photography, he learns about himself, and he shares his positivity through his words and deeds.
He says, “Remember you are the light and you can create and visualize something bigger for yourself.” And he encourages you to be true to yourself and avoid making art for the algorithms.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These are great episodes for positive inspiration.
7 Essential Verbs for Artists to Embrace (ep. 170)
How to Feel Like a Successful Artist (ep. 165)
Following Her Curiosity and Making New Connections After 60 with Jan McCarthy (ep. 158)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/kamalx
⭐️ Connect with Kamal X and see more of his art: https://www.instagram.com/iamkamalx/
🔶 Sponsored by my new program, ESTABLISH YOURSELF: Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 a year-long training program full of tools and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers. https://artbizsuccess.com/essentials
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Carol MacConnell has built a strong business foundation over her long art career. I was particularly interested in talking with her about how she works with interior designers.
You’ll hear us discuss:
- Carol’s income streams, 30% of which comes from working with interior designers and the vast majority through open studio events.
- How she, as an artist who is legally deaf, navigates conversations.
- How she segments and uses her list of 2,000 interior designers and 2,000 other subscribers.
- What the working relationship with interior designers is like.
You’ll also hear me plead my case for contracts that spell out the details of a relationship with anyone who sells your art.
My favorite thing about this conversation is that Carol doesn’t get anxious about missing out on [whatever]. She is focused on getting the work done and being authentic about what is going on rather than fussing over the algorithms and other mind traps.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Following Her Curiosity and Making New Connections After 60 with Jan McCarthy (ep. 158)
She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be with Kelly Pelfrey (ep. 162)
Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (ep. 157)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/macconnell-designers
⭐️ Connect with Carol and see more of her art: https://carolmacconnell.com
🔶 Sponsored by my new program, ESTABLISH YOURSELF: Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 a year-long training program full of tools and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility.
https://artbizsuccess.com/essentials
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
As we learned when diagramming sentences in 4th grade, verbs are where the action is. No verb, no action.
The first iteration of my newsletter for artists back in 2002 included a specific art business action at the end of each issue.
My book, I’d Rather Be in the Studio, is broken down into 16 “actions” rather than chapters.
I’m all about action, but am no longer interested in it in the form of obsessive hyper-productivity. I’ll leave that to the bro motivators out there. Action at all costs isn’t healthy.
But action—even the tiniest step—moves the needle.
Look back on how your confidence as an artist has grown over as a result not only of reading about something or hearing about it, but of doing it. Making more art. Having more shows. Submitting to more opportunities.
With this in mind, I got to thinking about a few verbs to live by that you might not normally associate with your art career.
Listen to hear why I selected these 7 verbs and see if they resonate with you: Devote, Begin, Understand, Connect, Avoid, Investigate, Finish.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Ep 165: How to Feel Like a Successful Artist
Ep. 160: Overcoming Anxiety about Making Art World Connections with Heather Beardsley
Ep. 150: How to Project Confidence Even When You’re Not Feeling It
📖 To read a full transcript, find resources mentioned, see featured artists, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/essential-verbs-for-artists/
🔶 Sponsored by my new program, ESTABLISH YOURSELF: Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 a year-long training program full of tools and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility.
https://artbizsuccess.com/essentials
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
In this episode I talk with David Sandum who was driven to take up art personally and then professionally after being hospitalized with depression in 2001.
His journey through depression led him to the works of Vincent Van Gogh and Edvard Munch—finding solace and a deep connection with their expression of raw emotions.
We discuss how art continues to be a lifeline in his struggle with depression and his memoir, I’ll Run Till the Sun Goes Down: A Memoir About Depression & Discovering Art.
David and I touch on the tension between making art for yourself and surviving in a commercial market, and, related, why he chose to focus on a series of Auschwitz paintings over seemingly more market-friendly paintings of beaches.
We also talk about how he organized a community of artists on what was then Twitter to begin an annual international exhibition and fundraiser that has been going on since 2010. The Twitter Art Exhibit has evolved into the Postcard Art Exhibit, which accurately reflects its contents.
Heads up that you’ll hear David abbreviate it repeatedly—and understandably—as PAE.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
The Art Biz ep. 168: Impacting Artists First in a Curatorial Project Focusing on Empathy with Nanci Hersh
The Art Biz ep. 112: Leaning Into Creativity in Times of Pain with Rich Simmons
The Art Biz ep. 52: Making Art While Grieving Loss with Jan Heaton
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/sandum-mental-health
⭐️ Connect with David and see more of his art: https://www.davidsandum.com
🔶 Sponsored by my new program, ESTABLISH YOURSELF: Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 a coaching group for strategies, support, and accountability inside a community of artists who get you. https://artbizsuccess.com/essentials
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
In this episode of The Art Biz I talk with Nanci Hersh about an exhibition she organized with 25 artists from multiple states and countries.
The show used the central theme of tears to explore empathy, compassion, and understanding within a sacred space—a metaphorical chapel. She says, as artists “we are so fortunate that we can use our art to make sense of life experiences.”
Nanci and I discuss:
- The ripple effect of art when it impacts the artist first.
- The training she received to facilitate uncomfortable conversations.
- The benefits of taking on such a big project and why it’s important that it aligned with her values.
- How the exhibition was paid for and ideas she has for improving funding options in the future.
- How she stayed organized.
- The importance of clear lines of communication, accepting help, and practicing gratitude.
⭐️ ABOUT NANCI HERSH
Nanci Hersh is a contemporary artist whose work is informed by the experiences, relationships, and places in her life. Her two-dimensional work, as well as her sculptures and installations, are at the intersection of personal narrative, art-making, and community engagement—exploring the grace, beauty and fragility of our lives.
Nanci is also a curator, illustrator, educator, arts advocate, and former Executive Director of the Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education. She has one foot in Pennsylvania and the other in Delaware.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
The Art Biz ep. 160: Overcoming Anxiety about Making Art World Connections with Heather Beardsley
The Art Biz ep. 146: Remember The Many Opportunities We Have Because We’re Online with Barbara Muir
The Art Biz ep. 30: Multi-State Multi-Year Multi-Artist Art Project with Marilyn Artus
The Art Biz ep. 64: Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/empathy-hersh
🔶 Sponsored by The Art Biz Accelerator 🔶 a coaching group for strategies, support, and accountability inside a community of artists who get you. https://artbizsuccess.com/accelerator
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Dare you have a sale of your art?
I acknowledge that having a sale of original work might be unpalatable. It feels as if you are cheapening the work you put so much effort into. I get it.
In just the last episode of The Art Biz (#166), I talked with Bri Larson about the mindset around raising prices and why it was important to do so.
In this episode of The Art Biz I discuss the psychology and process around having a sale of your art or any products that you might sell. Products such as calendars, note cards, books, catalogs, or print
I cover 6 options for structuring a sale, although, as you’ll see, promotion is probably a better word because not all of the options are about offering a discount.
I also outline additional steps to take around your sale.
Stick with me to the end and I'll share 3 mistakes you don’t want to make when having a sale of your art.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/
🔶 Sponsored by The Art Biz Accelerator 🔶 a coaching group for strategies, support, and accountability inside a community of artists who get you. https://artbizsuccess.com/accelerator
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
In this episode, Bri Larson and I talk about her decision to raise her prices and how she overcame the mindset that her art needed to be affordable.
We also discuss:
- The value of her artist community—how they have supported her growth as an artist and her journey into motherhood.
- How she has been able to maintain a studio practice with a baby, including how she structures her days around the baby’s schedule.
- What kind of work she would give to a studio assistant and how she’ll know when to hire.
- The decision to focus on organic reach v. paid advertising online.
- Bri’s #1 piece of advice for would-be artist-parents.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Juggling parenthood also came up in these episodes:
The Art Biz ep. 162: She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be Every Month with Kelly Pelfrey
The Art Biz ep. 84: Money Mindset Breakthrough Secrets with Lea K. Tawd
The Art Biz ep. 131: Injecting Personal Narrative into Your Art with Sara Lee Hughes
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit
https://artbizsuccess.com/larson-raising-prices
⭐️ Connect with Bri and see more of her art: https://brilarson.com
🔶 Sponsored by The Art Biz Accelerator 🔶 a coaching group for strategies, support, and accountability inside a community of artists who get you. https://artbizsuccess.com/accelerator
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
There’s no neat way to explain what success is because it’s different for every artist. I hope this episode is the start of an ongoing conversation on the subject.
💡HIGHLIGHTS
- Success for artists might include income (sales), exhibitions, leadership roles, achievements, collections, and studio production.
- A few of the diverse stories of success from artist-guests of The Art Biz.
- The importance of aligning the goals for your art and expectations of yourself with how you want your life to be.
- Success requires you to be nimble—to adapt to changing circumstances and be open to risks and failures.
- My best advice: Success doesn’t happen all at once. It’s the result of small wins, each of which must be acknowledged in order to stay motivated and focused on your vision.
📖 To read the complete transcript, see featured artists, and comment about the topic of success, visit artbizsuccess.com/feel-successful
🔶 Sponsored by The Art Biz Accelerator 🔶 a coaching group to support you as you follow your vision and take successful steps along the way. https://artbizsuccess.com/accelerator
🔶 Sponsored by the Create Opportunities Challenge 🔶 a 3-month program this fall to help you find and improve venues for showing, selling, and/or teaching art. It’s about being intentional rather than waiting for an email in your inbox. Find out more and see if it’s for you https://artbizsuccess.com/opportunities
🎧 MENTIONED EPISODES
- Lessons from a Wildly Successful Pop-up Art Gallery Event with Mai Wyn Schantz (ep. 109)
- Overcoming Anxiety about Making Art World Connections with Heather Beardsley (ep. 160)
- Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (ep. 157)
- Play Tops Work, Connection Tops Solitude, and Confidence Tops Fear with Willie Cole (ep 126)
- Expanding Your Skillset to Respond to Opportunities with Detour (ep. 128)
- Guaranteeing an Effective Project with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (ep. 121)
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is a special invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Sally Hirst was born to teach.
Fortunately, she was also born an artist.
Like most of us, she adapted to the new reality that she was faced with at the beginning of the pandemic. Well, actually, she did more than adapt. She thrived. She took the challenge head on and has been thriving ever since.
Sally and I discuss what her income sources looked like before Covid and look like now. Specifically, we talk about her teaching:
- The teaching platform she uses and why she chose it
- The skills she had to acquire in order to teach online
- Her video recording setup
- What her teaching schedule looks like in terms of what is pre-recorded and what is live.
- How she attracts new students.
Sally reveals how Brexit has impacted her goals—especially where she shows and sells her art.
And I wondered: How does Sally manage to maintain her studio practice with her busy teaching schedule?
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/hirst-teaching
⭐️ Connect with Sally, see more of her art, and find out about her art courses: sallyhirst.co.uk
✴️ NOW AVAILABLE: THE MONEY PLAN
You do have some control (plenty, actually) over how much money you earn, and it starts with getting real about your current situation and the vision. you have.
The Money Plan is my success workshop for accelerating your income and it’s now available on demand. In it, I lead you through a series of steps where you identify your income sources and set goals for how you will earn more from them. You’ll be able to clearly see which are worth your time and attention.
The Money Plan gives you a realistic, though hopeful and challenging, blueprint for increasing your income in the future. It’s a plan that only you could make with a tool that you will be able to reuse at every point in your art business.
Learn more and enroll now at artbizsuccess.com/moneyplan
🎧 RELATED EPISODES and POSTS
My Money Odyssey (ep. 161)
How Do Artists Make Money (ep. 159)
Creating a Monthly Report for Your Art Business (ep. 74)
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
This episode is a remix of episode 36 from 2019. It is such an inspiring interview that I wanted more people to hear it.
Adele Sypesteyn has been making a living from her art for four decades. Listen in as she takes us through her journey of selling her art, from the traditional process of applying to galleries to a more strategic approach that involved teaching herself about business and pivoting in the face of economic downturns. Adele also shares how she transitioned from galleries to the antique show in Round Top, Texas, where she made excellent connections with hundreds of interior designers.
Adele discussed testing a new concept for teaching art to children and shares her approach to teaching herself about business, especially during the recession. You'll hear about how she embraced the concept of viewing her art as a product, combining creativity with research to make her work more marketable.
Finally, Adele shares how she has adapted her income streams, shifting from relying on galleries to events and online classes. She talks about how she used YouTube as a lead magnet to grow her business and shares her strategy of going out where people are to learn what they want and need from her art.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Reinventing Your Art Career with Ali Cavanaugh (ep. 33)
Qualities Galleries Are Looking For in Their Artists with Jeremy Tessmer (ep. 123)
Leaving Behind What is Safe with Jan R. Carson (ep. 23)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/sypesteyn-leaving-galleries
⭐️ Connect with Adele and see more of her art: https://adelesypesteynstudio.com
🔶 Sponsored by the Create Opportunities Challenge 🔶 a 3-month program this fall to help you find and improve venues for showing, selling, and/or teaching art. It’s about being intentional rather than waiting for an email in your inbox. Find out more and see if it’s for you https://artbizsuccess.com/opportunities =
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is a special invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Lately, I’ve been diving into money on The Art Biz. As much as I do NOT want to talk about money, I know it’s necessary. I also know it’s more necessary for some artists to make money from their work than for others.
If you’re lucky enough to have outside support for your art business—even if it’s from a day job—count your blessings. Because the pressure on the work is real when you don’t have that extra source of income, which is why I will continue to bring up the topic of money.
Let’s continue the conversation in this episode.
Kelly Pelfrey’s goal in 2020 was to replace her $50,000 teaching salary, but she quadrupled that. Her income has allowed her husband to leave his job to focus on his doctorate, feel comfortable about taking maternity leave, and save for college for her children.
Kelly shares her income sources, which are dominated by sales of commissions, followed distantly by releases of small paintings. She also sells art for TV screens, has a monthly print release, and a coffee table book.
Kelly obviously has the pulse of her best collectors. Her work is strong for sure, but I also believe that people are buying into Kelly’s joy and optimism. When you hear her and detect that in her voice, I think you’ll know what I mean.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/pelfrey-commissions
⭐️ Connect with Kelly and see more of her art: kellypelfrey.com
✴️ COMING UP: THE MONEY PLAN
If you aren’t clear about where your money is coming from, I strongly encourage you to figure it out. It’s only with that clarity that you can plan properly for the future. I can help with that.
Soon after the release of this episode I’ll be leading The Money Plan artist success workshop. Seating at the live sessions of the workshop—where you can ask questions and interact with other artist-planners—will be limited, and there will also be a replay available. But if you want to attend live, you need to get on the interest list. You can hit pause right now and go to artbizsuccess.com/moneyplan to make sure you don’t miss it.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES and POSTS
My Money Odyssey (ep. 161)
How Do Artists Make Money (ep. 159)
Creating a Monthly Report for Your Art Business (ep. 74)
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
In this episode, I’m doing something different and sharing my money odyssey from an interview with Parker Stevenson of The Bottom Line podcast by Evolved Finance.
I reveal:
- How my dad taught me to balance my checkbook (and how it was quite different from my mother’s suggestion).
- How I learned to ask for money by collecting money for charities as a little girl.
- That I set the curve in my accounting classes at the University of Wyoming.
- How I gamed the system to get cash because I knew the checks I was writing would take 8 days to process.
- How little money I had when I quit my museum job to start my business.
- How I came up with the income accelerator for artists, which I teach in The Money Plan success workshop and Create Opportunities.
⭐️ ABOUT The Bottom Line by Evolved Finance
The Bottom Line by Evolved Finance explores the financial journeys of some of the most successful educators, thought leaders, influencers, and service providers in the online space. Each week, Parker Stevenson sits down with a current Evolved Finance client to talk about their relationship with money and how their mindset has changed as their business has grown.
Parker is the Chief Business Officer at Evolved Finance, an accounting firm that specializes in helping online entrepreneurs to build more profitable and financially stable online businesses. They do all of the bookkeeping for Art Biz Success and I just love how professional their whole operation is.
They don’t just do the books, they also go to great lengths to educate their clients.
📖 Read more, see featured artists, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment
🎧 RELATED EPISODES and POSTS
How Do Artists Make Money (ep. 159)
Is Being Too Cheap Hurting Your Art Business?
Creating a Monthly Report for Your Art Business (ep. 74)
🔶 Sponsored by The Money Plan 🔶 a success workshop for accelerating your income.
https://artbizsuccess.com/moneyplan
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Heather Beardsley’s art has been influenced by extensive travel and residencies in diverse cultures. This started with her year in Vienna as a Fulbright Scholar and then continued for several years until the pandemic shut down her residency in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Like everyone else, Heather had to pivot upon returning to the U.S. She used the downtime to her advantage by getting organized and shaping her career path.
In our conversation in this episode of The Art Biz, you’ll hear how she managed to transform her social anxiety into opportunities—realizing that real growth could only happen when she overcame the urge to play it safe by sticking to open call entries.
Heather has learned to navigate the complex art world with intention while connecting with institutions and curators to propel her career.
She shares her experiences of the following:
- Securing exhibition fees, grants, and residencies while managing expectations.
- The importance of being organized and ready for opportunities.
- Using Microsoft OneNote to organize opportunities and deadlines.
- Building authentic relationships within the art world where so much can seem transactional.
You’ll also hear about Heather’s current solo show at the Chrysler Museum of Art and how it came about.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/beardsley-artworld-connections
⭐️ Connect with Heather and see more of her art: https://heatherbeardsley.com
✴️ COMING UP: THE MONEY PLAN
If you aren’t clear about where your money is coming from, I strongly encourage you to figure it out. It’s only with that clarity that you can plan properly for the future. I can help with that.
Soon after the release of this episode I’ll be leading The Money Plan artist success workshop. Seating at the live sessions of the workshop—where you can ask questions and interact with other artist-planners—will be limited, and there will also be a replay available. But if you want to attend live, you need to get on the interest list. You can hit pause right now and go to artbizsuccess.com/moneyplan to make sure you don’t miss it.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These episodes have exhibition venues as a primary focus:
- Putting Artists First in Curatorial Projects with Melissa Messina (ep. 136)
- A Married Life in Art: Sam Woolcott and Poe Dismuke (ep. 8)
- Portrait Project and Museum Exhibition with Lisa Kovvuri (ep. 11)
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
In this episode, I want to start a conversation about one of those things that can get in the way of feeling successful: Money.
In particular, I want to dive into income sources for artists.
Where does the money come from?
I discuss:
- Why you might want to branch out and sell more than originals.
- How to categorize your income sources so that you can better understand the possibilities.
- How to analyze where the money has come from in the past so you can plan for the future.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, including the 3 videos 🎥 that will help you visualize this process, visit
https://artbizsuccess.com/podcast-money-plan
✴️ COMING UP: THE MONEY PLAN
If you aren’t clear about where your money is coming from, I strongly encourage you to figure it out. It’s only with that clarity that you can plan properly for the future. I can help with that.
Soon after the release of this episode I’ll be leading The Money Plan artist success workshop. Seating at the live sessions of the workshop—where you can ask questions and interact with other artist-planners—will be limited, and there will also be a replay available. But if you want to attend live, you need to get on the interest list. You can hit pause right now and go to artbizsuccess.com/moneyplan to make sure you don’t miss it.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
In this episode, I talk with Jan McCarthy, who wants you to know that there is plenty of life to live after 50. And even 60.
She describes herself as a maker because, in her eyes, that term encompasses more than the word “artist.”
Jan has started businesses, founded organizations, designed interiors, organized fundraisers, dinner parties, retreats, and workshops, and made plenty of products and art.
Jan and I discuss:
- The creativity workshops she has organized for corporations.
- How she has brought together monthly mastermind meetings of women, and why a casual dinner party was the best format for them.
- Why her project Art for the Heart is important for her as someone who has lived with heart disease for more than 25 years.
- How she makes connections with interior designers, what the best social media platforms are for designers, and some of their concerns.
- How she gets such great photos of herself.
While I’m in the midst of discussing multiple income sources on this podcast and on YouTube, I don’t think Jan thinks of her efforts in terms of income sources. She just follows the themes that interest her. If they turn into income sources, well, that’s fine, too.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit
https://artbizsuccess.com/curiosity-mccarthy
⭐️ Connect with Jan, see her art and products: https://janmccarthy.com
✴️ COMING UP: THE MONEY PLAN
If you aren’t clear about where your money is coming from, I strongly encourage you to figure it out. It’s only with that clarity that you can plan properly for the future. I can help with that.
Soon after the release of this episode I’ll be leading The Money Plan artist success workshop. Seating at the live sessions of the workshop—where you can ask questions and interact with other artist-planners—will be limited, and there will also be a replay available. But if you want to attend live, you need to get on the interest list. You can hit pause right now and go to artbizsuccess.com/moneyplan to make sure you don’t miss it.
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
In this episode, I talk with Sarah Becktel about her sources of income and how she has increased her income by 25% in the last 3 years by being very deliberate about where and how she shows her work.
Sarah does sell through galleries, but she has recently increased her self-sales by 400% by focusing on 3 specific types of indoor shows every year. She breaks them down as follows:
- One indoor art fair, which she considers her solo exhibition for the year
- Two fine art and craft shows
- One curated and juried holiday market
You’ll hear Sarah discuss the difference among these, including their costs and the type of work she brings to each.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/self-sales-becktel
⭐️ Connect with Sarah, see more of her art, and read about her Preparing for Art Fairs and Markets workshop: https://sarahbecktel.com
✴️ COMING UP: THE MONEY PLAN
If you aren’t clear about where your money is coming from, I strongly encourage you to figure it out. It’s only with that clarity that you can plan properly for the future. I can help with that.
Soon after the release of this episode I’ll be leading The Money Plan artist success workshop. Seating at the live sessions of the workshop—where you can ask questions and interact with other artist-planners—will be limited, and there will also be a replay available. But if you want to attend live, you need to get on the interest list. You can hit pause right now and go to artbizsuccess.com/moneyplan to make sure you don’t miss it.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These episodes have exhibition venues as a primary focus:
- Not All Online Galleries are Created Equal with Alex Farkas (ep 132)
- Seeking Validation and Earning Credibility as an Artist (ep 129)
- She's the Link Between Artists, Galleries, and Collectors with Maria Brito (ep 127)
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
In this episode, I talk with Kimberly Santini about a variety of topics, including how she used Covid as a sabbatical to figure out what she really wanted from her art.
We also touched on her dedication to blogging and why she continues the habit after so many artists have given up or neglected their blogs.
The bulk of our conversation focused on how Kim uses Patreon to teach and build a community of artists.
We discuss:
- What she charges for her Patreon patron tiers.
- What each tier receives for their patronage.
- What her workflow is like.
- Why it’s important that what she shares on Patreon is closely aligned with what she is doing in the studio.
- How she differentiates the content for patrons from the content she creates for her blog, newsletter, YouTube, and social media.
✴️ COMING UP: THE MONEY PLAN
If you aren’t clear about where your money is coming from, I strongly encourage you to figure it out. It’s only with that clarity that you can plan properly for the future. I can help with that.
Soon after the release of this episode I’ll be leading The Money Plan artist success workshop. Seating at the live sessions of the workshop—where you can ask questions and interact with other artist-planners—will be limited, and there will also be a replay available. But if you want to attend live, you need to get on the interest list. You can hit pause right now and go to artbizsuccess.com/moneyplan to make sure you don’t miss it.
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
These episodes have teaching as a primary focus:
- Making a Living as a Teaching Artist with Elizabeth St. Hilaire (ep 4)
- Collaborating on Your Art Business with Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin (ep 86)
- Gaining Marketing Skills Quickly by Leading a Creativity Challenge with Kristen O’Neill (ep 145)
- The Key to Success on Social Media with Cathy Nichols (ep 154)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/santini-patreon
⭐️ Connect with Kim and see more of her art: https://kimberlysantini.com
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
I can say with confidence that artists who happily embrace their role as CEO of their businesses do better than artists who fight it and wish they didn’t have to deal with the grind. Wishing won’t make it go away. It only makes you more frustrated, anxious, or resentful.
This doesn’t mean that you need to fake joy whenever you’re paying bills.
It means that you accept that it comes with the territory. You rise to the challenge because you know it’s a necessary step toward achieving your goals.
There are ways to be happier about running a profitable art business, but first you must decide that you want a business on top of making work in the studio.
Not every artist should turn their art into a business. But if you choose to go the route of earning money from your art, do it wholeheartedly.
You can be pouty and grumble about all of the hard work necessary for something you said you wanted. Or you can find ways to enjoy the journey.
How would you rather go through life?
💡 IDEAS
In this episode I expand on these 6 ideas to make you happier about running your art business.
- Go complaint-free.
- Raise your prices.
- Collaborate more often.
- Find your (artist) people.
- Encourage someone else.
- Get your art and yourself out of the studio.
💵 CHECK OUT THE MONEY PLAN
September 2023 live success workshop to help you earn more income.
Get your name on the interest list!
https://artbizsuccess.com/moneyplan
✴️ FIND YOUR ARTIST PEOPLE
If you have been missing that community of artists, but haven’t found your people, we’d love to have you join us. See what we’re all about and dive in today. ArtBizConnection.com
🎧 RELATED and MENTIONED EPISODES
Multiply Your Audience and Expand Your Show’s Impact with Jill Powers (ep 27)
Collaborating on Your Art Business with Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin (ep 86)
Play Tops Work, Connection Tops Solitude, and Confidence Tops Fear with Willie Cole (ep 126)
Putting Artists First in Curatorial Projects with Melissa Messina (ep 136)
Being Seen—Networking for Artists (ep 148)
Committed to Telling Native Stories Through Her Art and Activism with Danielle SeeWalker (ep 153)
📖 To read more, see featured artists, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/be-happier
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
While not everyone will be interested in your art, you can choose to focus on those who genuinely love your work. To embrace what is rather than wishing for it to be different.
In this episode Cathy Nichols went from 5,000 to 107,000 Instagram followers in 3 years by researching who they were and why they were following her. She shares valuable insights about how she continues to grow her art business with joy and authenticity.
We discuss:
- How Cathy researched who her followers were.
- What she started doing differently to grow her audience.
- How her teaching offerings changed as a result of what she learned.
- What’s coming up next for Cathy.
✴️ BONUS FOR LISTENERS
Tired of trying to figure out the strategies for growing your art business all by yourself? Please join my coaching community, the Art Biz Accelerator. When you are one of the first 5 new people to sign up and mention you heard about it on episode 154 of The Art Biz, you will receive a bonus, private consultation with me.
All of the details are here: https://artbizsuccess.com/accelerator
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
Growing Beyond Being an Instagram Artist with Sara Schroeder (#119)
Growing Your Art Business on Instagram with Jeanne Rosier Smith (#67)
Who Are The People On Your List and What Are They Doing There? (#102)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/nichols-audience
⭐️ Connect with Cathy and see more of her art: https://cathynichols.com
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
In this episode, I talk with Danielle SeeWalker, a Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
Native American stories are too frequently told from an historical perspective, but Danielle and other contemporary Indigenous artists want you to know that they’re still here. They never left. We just silenced them for too long after stealing their land.
Danielle has beautiful stories to tell, from which we can all learn. And she’s dealing with the same stuff as other artists: balancing motherhood with her art and activism. We discuss:
- The symbolism in her work that came from a dream.
- The many hats she wears.
- The variety of art forms she works with.
- How she decides which projects to take on.
- How the rest of us can serve as allies for Indigenous people around the globe.
One lovely takeaway from this interview is that Danielle doesn’t separate her art from her life. Everything is connected.
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/seewalker-native-stories
⭐️ Connect with Danielle and see more of her art: https://seewalker.com
🔶 Sponsored by The Art Biz Accelerator 🔶 a coaching group for strategies, support, and accountability inside a community of artists who get you. https://artbizsuccess.com/accelerator
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes, which was stolen from them after many broken promises and treaties.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
Every artist I have ever worked with would like to squeeze more time from their busy calendars. After all, you are overflowing with ideas. You’ll never have time to make everything you want to make, and that is incredibly frustrating. In this episode I share 8 tips for time management along with 2 truths to consider.
💡 HIGHLIGHTS
2 Truths about Time Management
- Time management is a lie. Instead, focus on self-management.
- The important stuff always gets done.
8 Tips for Time Management
- Make time for planning and use the brain dump when overwhelm creeps in.
- Understand your natural rhythms, and adjust your schedule to optimize your most productive hours.
- Honor your calendar and block out uninterrupted time for critical tasks.
- Turn repeated tasks into systems to eliminate decision-making.
- Group similar tasks together to save time and energy.
- Stop multitasking because it adds up to 25% more time to complete tasks.
- Automate everything possible, including follow-up for your subscribers.
- Learn to say No to invitations and opportunities that don’t align with your long-term goals.
📖 Read full transcript, find resources, see featured artists and related episodes, and leave a comment
💬 MENTIONED
(affiliate links)
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
Organize Your Art Biz
Grow Your List
🧡 Sponsored by the Art Biz Accelerator a coaching group to support and remind you that you’re part of a global artist community.
Artist residencies, in whatever form they take, are invaluable to an artist’s growth. But there are barriers to doing residencies—primarily the time commitment and cost.
In this episode, I talk with Shannon Amidon, an artist who has created a residency especially for artists who might be parents or caretakers and can’t commit to a month or more that some residencies require.
In my research on artist residencies, I have discovered how helpful it is when the residency involves some kind of travel, during which you are slowly transitioning away from your daily life and toward a different mental and emotional space that opens up your creativity. The longer the travel, the better. Another plus is that the residency environment contrasts with your familiar surroundings.
Shannon’s residency is The Verdancy Project and while it’s easy driving distance from Portland, Oregon, it’s far enough out that you step into a new world. It’s especially for artists who want to be close to nature. As you will hear, it provides an experience distinctly different from the one most artists are used to. We discuss:
- How The Verdancy Project is set up
- What the facilities are like
- What she looks for in her artists
- Some of the mistakes artists make on their applications
- How she learned the nuts and bolts of managing an artist residency
Shannon also reveals how she manages to run the residency while maintaining the commitment to her studio practice.
To read more, see images, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/amidon-residency
Connect with Shannon and see more of her art: https://shannonamidon.com
Get more info about The Verdancy Project: https://verdancyproject.com
Related: The Traveling Artist: Residencies with Amy Clay (#149)
https://artbizsuccess.com/amy-clay-residencies/
Sponsored by The Art Biz Accelerator * a coaching group to support and remind you that you’re part of a global artist community. https://artbizsuccess.com/accelerator
There's no getting around the fact that you need confidence in your at and in sharing it with others. It's also true that you will be plagued by doubt and fear at points throughout your art career.
It might be helpful to know you are not alone. It happens to everyone, and you're going to be okay.
In the meantime, you have to get through the days. In this episode I talk about 6 tips to help you project confidence while you're trying to regain it.
- Load up on experience.
- Spiff up.
- Work on the outside.
- Visualize the situation.
- Try the charm offensive.
- Never belittle your work. Never apologize.
To read a transcript of this episode, get links, see my featured artists, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/project-confidence
Sponsored by Magnetic You, a program to help you create or freshen up your marketing materials and improve your professional presentation. Start now: https://artbizsuccess.com/magnetic
If you are an artist who loves to travel and explore new places, this episode is for you.
I’ve been wanting to dig into the subject of artist residencies for a long time now. Fate put me in touch with Amy Clay.
In this episode, Amy and I talk about her life as a professional artist-in-residence. She’s gone anywhere from 4 to 6 months at a time, stringing together one artist residency after another to fulfill her lust for travel and build what she calls her visual library.
We discuss:
- How this lifestyle started for her
- The various formats of artist residencies
- What she looks for in a location
- How residencies have made her feel part of a global artist community.
To read more, see images, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/amy-clay-residencies
Sponsored by The Art Biz Accelerator, a coaching group to support and remind you that you’re part of a global artist community. https://artbizsuccess.com/accelerator
Meeting people and building relationships is the most important thing you can do for your art career, especially when your goal is to be a full-time artist. This means you have to get out of the studio and socialize.
In this solo episode, I discuss:
- Why everyone you meet is a potential buyer, collector, friend or fan.
- Where you can network, and why you shouldn’t bother with artist organizations that aren’t a good fit.
- There are many art worlds. You have to decide where to build your relationships.
- Why it’s critical to network in real life, not only online.
- Why it’s important to be authentic and genuinely interested in people.
I leave you with a challenge of meeting 1 new person a month. If it’s true that everyone knows about 150 people, imagine the potential from 12 new people a year.
To read the transcript, see featured artists, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/being-seen
Sponsored by The PEOPLE PLAN: A Success Workshop to Establish Strategic Connections for Your Art Biz. https://artbizsuccess.com/peopleplan
My utter bliss is to help artists make business systems that streamline their lives so they can spend more time in the studio. So when Skip Hill said he needed a system for following up with his collectors and important relationships, I knew I wanted to help.
In this episode of The Art Biz, I walk Skip through the steps to create a plan for nurturing his relationships.
We go through these steps to create his plan:
- What do you want to happen?
- By when does it need to happen? Or … How frequently does it need to happen?
- What do you need to have/acquire/learn to make that happen? And/Or what tools and technology will you use for the process?
- Who do you need to enlist to help?
- What are the exact steps needed to make this system hum?
The steps in that last question provides the fuel. Miss a step, and your system crashes.
To read the exact steps we created for Skip, see images, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/skip-hill-systems
Sponsored by The PEOPLE PLAN: A Success Workshop to Establish Strategic Connections for Your Art Biz. https://artbizsuccess.com/peopleplan
Before the internet, artists were completely dependent on others to show and sell their work. We need to take a moment every now and then to be grateful for having the world at our fingertips. For being able to instantly send images of our art out into the world. For friends around the globe we would never have met 30 years ago.
In this episode, I talk with artist Barbara Muir, who is unabashedly happy about being online. She reminds us of all the good things that happen because we are so connected. Key topics:
- A brief rundown of the opportunities that have come Barbara’s way through her blog.
- Commitment to a blogging habit—now boasting more than 3,000 entries.
- Her practice of making a daily list of 6 things.
- The sweet ritual of leaving nightly letters to her husband.
To see images, full show notes, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/muir-online-podcast
Want to make sure you stay connected online and off? Check out The PEOPLE PLAN: A Success Workshop to Establish Strategic Connections for Your Art Biz. https://artbizsuccess.com/peopleplan
In this episode of The Art Biz, I’m joined by Kristen O’Neill, a team member of mine and an accomplished artist who recently created a 30-day daily art lesson challenge for her online followers. But in the end, it may have been more of a challenge for her than it was for the participants. Kristen and I discuss what she hoped to get from this challenge, how she organized it, how much of it was planned ahead, and what her workflow was like—including all of the platforms she used to share the content—and most importantly, what she would do differently if she were to do it again.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/challenge-oneill-podcast
Highlights
- Details of Kristen’s 30-Day Art Challenge and what she hoped to get out of it. (1:29)
- How Kristen shared the challenge while honoring her email list expectations. (6:10)
- Creating and organizing a workflow that worked all month long. (10:42)
- The time commitment and unexpected challenges behind the challenge. (16:35)
- Lessons learned from the challenges of this challenge. (22:25)
- Staying motivated and accountable throughout a challenge. (27:52)
- Tracking the participation, success, and results of the challenge. (30:15)
- The value of Pinterest for artists. (38:30)
- What Kristen would do differently next time. (41:07)
This Week’s Action
Your assignment this week is to consider how you are stretching yourself in and out of the studio these days.
Mentioned
- ArtBizConnection.com
- Kristen on Instagram
- Kristen O’Neil Art
Related Episodes
- Art Biz Podcast Episode 78: How to Increase Your Productivity with Art Business Systems
Quotes
- “I’m always looking for different opportunities and ways to reach out to more students and interact with more painters.” — Kristen O’Neill
- “It’s really important to honor what you say you’re going to do with your list.” — Kristen O’Neill
- “I picked up lessons more quickly than had I done the same amount of work spread over a longer period of time.” — Kristen O’Neill
- “If you haven’t figured out your system ahead of time, it’s going to be harder than it needs to be.” — Kristen O’Neill
- “Often we spend so much time guessing what is the right way to do something, and we could put that energy into just doing it.” — Kristen O’Neill
About My Guest
Kristen O’Neill paints the essence of landscapes based on real locations, including those from recent collaborations with long-distance hikers. Her Oregon Coast Trail series was featured in a solo exhibition at the Grants Pass Museum of Art.
Kristen graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and now lives in Southern Oregon where she has become passionate about teaching art. She teaches both online and in-person, leads a field trip program that has taught art history to thousands of 5th graders, and is an Artist Mentor for Alyson Stanfield’s community since 2018.
With nobody going anywhere in the spring of 2020, I contacted artist friends Lisa Call and Janice McDonald to see if they wanted to gather regularly to discuss art documentaries. Our little “club,” such as it is, was in business.
To date, we have met 57 times to discuss the art documentaries together. It’s important that we are reminded we’re part of something bigger than ourselves and what goes on behind the closed doors of our studios.
In this solo episode I talk about why we do this as a group, where you can find art documentaries, how we stay organized, why it's important to diversify our selections, and how our conversations work. At the end I mention some of my favorite films.
Read the “almost” transcript, find all of the links, and leave a comment
Highlights
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed was nominated for an Oscar this year. (1:24)
We need to be reminded that we’re part of a global art world. (2:57)
What art history has taught me. (3:42)
Why do this in a group? (4:52)
Where to find art documentaries. (5:38)
Why Kanopy is our top resource for art documentaries. (7:19)
Our 2 lists for art documentaries. (9:24)
Why diversity is important to us. (11:16)
How our regular conversations work. (13:14)
Good v. Bad documentaries—there is always something to be learned. (15:17)
Some recommended art documentaries to start with. (17:19)
Mentioned
All films are linked on the accompanying post
Lisa Call
Janice McDonald
The Art Biz Accelerator
Artnet’s list of top museum shows for 2022 and 2023
Four years ago on a beautiful January day in Colorado, I attended an art destruction party. Two artists were slowing down in their production and wanted to ensure that subpar work wasn’t left for family to deal with. Nor did they want their names associated with that work. Although I’ve been imploring artists for decades to get rid of work they think isn’t of the highest quality, it was still difficult to smash that first pot and tear that first watercolor.
In this episode of The Art Biz I talk with Heather K. Powers, an artist and professional organizer. She and I wanted to start a dialogue about planning for your legacy. It’s a tough conversation because it means confronting your mortality. This conversation is especially important for artists, who make things that take up physical space. How do you categorize those things? What kind of records need to be kept? And what, if anything, should be destroyed, reworked, or donated. These are difficult questions and will vary from artist to artist, but it is such an important part of planning your art legacy. My conversation with Heather can help you get started.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/death-powers-podcast
Highlights
- Normalizing conversations about your death and legacy. (2:10)
- Heather’s coaching process includes getting more comfortable talking about death. (6:48)
- What do you value in your legacy? How can artists better prepare their legacy for after death? (10:28)
- Finding the value of clutter requires understanding and compassion. (15:27)
- Destroying the artwork that you don’t want to be known for. (19:19)
- Define the value of each level of your work so you can better process it. (24:55)
- Tools and resources to help document your art. (32:32)
This Week’s Action
Your assignment this week is to start thinking about your legacy. Eventually you will need to prioritize the tasks necessary, but you can’t do it all at once. Take one of these steps: Sign up for Artwork Archive, update your inventory, finally recycle that work you don’t want to show up under your name, have a conversation with your family about your wishes, or declutter a space.
Mentioned
- ArtBizAccelerator.com
- Swedish Death Cleaning
- Clutter Is Good For You (NY Times)
- CERF+: The Artist’s Safety Net
- Richard Misrach: Never the Same video on Art21
- Artwork Archive
- Heather’s website
- Heather on Instagram
Related Episodes
- The Art Biz ep. 10: Creative Organizing with Heather K. Powers
- The Art Biz ep. 15: Confronting Your Professional Legacy with David Paul Bayles
- The Art Biz ep. 19: The Investing Artist: Art, Real Estate, and Legacy with Mary Erickson
- The Art Biz ep. 31: Building a Legacy Brand and Destination with Sean VanderVliet
Quotes
- “Death is a normal part of life, but the more we put off thinking or talking about it the more uncomfortable it becomes.” — Heather K. Powers
- “We can take into our own hands what is important to us as a generation and pass it on to the next generation.” — Heather K. Powers
- “What do you value in your legacy? And what do you perceive might be of value to others? Those things are often not in alignment.” — Heather K. Powers
- “Start early and keep good records. It doesn’t have to be that complicated.” — Heather K. Powers
- “When we get rid of work one way or another, we make space for new work to come in.” — Heather K. Powers
About My Guest
With a BFA in Fiber from Savannah College of Art and Design, Heather Powers has had a productive career as a textile designer—collaborating on worldwide projects in various capacities.
In 2010, she launched her design and professional organizing business. Her work as an organizer places her among artists, craftspeople, and collectors, which gives her an intimate understanding of how individuals retain use and live with material culture.
In 2021, Heather graduated with an MFA in Critical Craft. She continues to research textile history, weave, and use natural dye techniques in which her work investigates memory, place, and identity themes through discarded vintage ephemera and materials.
Please visit her website to find out how she works with her clients in person and online and follow her on Instagram @hkpowerstudio.
The vast majority of the marketing we do is passive. We send emails, post to social media, and broadcast podcast episodes. Then we wait and hope for positive results.
For better results, activate your marketing by thinking of all the ways you can communicate on a personal level. Yes, active marketing requires more work, but I promise you’ll get better results and enjoy it more.
In this solo episode, I walk you through how you can activate your marketing for 5 art business scenarios.
Read the "almost" transcript, find links, see featured artists and leave a comment
Highlights
- Personal note about your kindness the last couple of weeks. (0:00)
- Your list is more than people who have opted in for your emails. (3:04)
- Ensure you’re not wasting time on social media. (5:11)
- Action: Create a reliable content calendar for a framework that provides direction. (6:36)
- Improve exhibition and sales venues. (7:09)
- Action: Make a spreadsheet to track potential venues. (7:30)
- Receive more benefit from your exhibitions. (8:33)
- Boost relations with your galleries. (11:03)
- Do you teach? Fill your classes and workshops. (14:06)
- We need both passive and active marketing. (15:38)
- Please email me your questions and concerns: alyson@artbizsuccess.com (16:13)
Mentioned
Grow Your List on-demand learning program at Art Biz Success
Creating a Content Calendar short $30 workshop at Art Biz Success
Create Opportunities on-demand learning program at Art Biz Success
Elizabeth St. Hilaire on sending cookies to her gallery
Dancing Deer Baking Company for sending baked goods in he mail
We’ve spent many months worried about inflation and a possible recession that may not ever happen. It would be terrific if we didn’t have to concern ourselves with such things, but the economy affects everyone’s business in one way or another.
Today’s guest on The Art Biz is Elaine Grogan Luttrull of Minerva Financial Arts, a company devoted to building financial literacy and empowerment in creative individuals through education and coaching. We recorded this episode several months ago when the economic landscape seemed a little bleaker than it does now. This is a lesson in economics and how your art business is affected by the larger economy. We define and discuss inflation, recession, the Consumer Price Index, and Gross Domestic Product. We talk about your revenue mix, why selling lower-priced items might not be the way to go right now, bundling, and raising your rates and prices.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/economy-luttrull-podcast
Highlights
- Defining inflation and its effect on every aspect of pricing. (1:50)
- What exactly is a recession and what role do rising interest rates play? (5:35)
- The impact of these economic factors on artists. (12:48)
- Combating uncertainty with effective business strategies. (15:32)
- Your target client in times of economic uncertainty. (20:05)
- Opportunities that are presented in challenging times. (24:16)
- Consider potentially terrible ideas to get to the good ones. (33:03)
- Seven strategies for artists to use during inflation and recession. (33:04)
This Week’s Action
Your first action for the week is to look at your expenses and see where you might be able to save. I suggest keeping a list of all ongoing subscriptions as well as regular expenses and reviewing it every so often.
Your second action is to check out Elaine’s $15 course on inflation and recession by following the link below.
Mentioned
- ArtBizAccelerator.com
- Elaine’s course on Inflation and the Recession
- Heather Robinson art
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Quotes
- “Inflation is not always a pleasant topic. It’s scary, it takes up our brain space, and it’s a distraction from what we really need to be doing creatively in our businesses.” — Elaine Luttrull
- “All of the strategies we typically think about for coping with the uncertainty of the arts are suddenly being impacted too.” — Elaine Luttrull
- “Think carefully. Do your research and talk to peers about how things feel in the art market right now.” — Elaine Luttrull
- “When the market is doing interesting things is the moment to really focus on the community aspect.” — Elaine Luttrull
- “Anything we can do to reassess and tighten our spending without compromising quality or making our lives harder is a really good strategy right now.” — Elaine Luttrull
- “Artists are better than pretty much anyone else at navigating uncertainty, so we’ll navigate all of this as well and keep making really incredible work too.” — Elaine Luttrull
About My Guest
Elaine Grogan Luttrull, CPA-PFS, AFC® (she/her) is the founder of Minerva Financial Arts, a company devoted to building financial literacy and empowerment in creative individuals through education and coaching. Her workshops and presentations have been featured nationally by groups that support the arts, a variety of state and regional arts councils and commissions, and colleges and universities where creative students thrive.
Elaine spent 10 years in academia, teaching at the Columbus College of Art & Design and serving as the Department Head for Business & Entrepreneurship from 2014-2018. Before that, Elaine served as the Director of Financial Analysis for The Juilliard School and in the Transaction Advisory Services practice of Ernst & Young in New York. Elaine is the author of Arts & Numbers (Agate, B2 2013), and she contributes regularly to industry guides, including those from the Center for Cultural Innovation and the Joan Mitchell Foundation. She also serves on the boards of the Short North Alliance and Healing Broken Circles.
The sales process is rarely discussed in artist circles. We often think of sales as a single step. Either someone buys your art or they don’t. There’s’ so much more to it. Yet, many of us think of sales as a dirty word, which is a bit ridiculous if we want to grow our businesses and careers. Artists need to adopt a new mindset surrounding sales in order to be successful.
My guest on this episode of The Art Biz is Miriam Schulman, artist and founder of the Inspiration Place, where she helps other artists learn how to profit from their passion or become better artists. Miriam is the author of Artpreneur: The Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Sustainable Living from Your Creativity. In this conversation, Miriam and I review her Artpreneur Sales Playbook and 10-step sales process.
Highlights
- Miriam’s struggle with sales, despite her background in finance. (3:30)
- The evolution from general sales and marketing to effective art sales. (6:56)
- Curating your valuable contacts list. (9:05)
- The importance of mindset in sales success. (12:30)
- Developing a confident belief in the value of your art. (14:47)
- The first 5 steps of selling your art. (21:05)
- Body language, previewing the process, and establishing the decision maker. (27:37)
- Sell with stories, not facts, and selling happy endings. (33:10)
- Overcoming objections with the right language. (40:07)
- Close the sale by asking for it. (42:45)
This Week’s Action
This week’s action has two parts. Part 1 is to download the free chapter of Artpreneur at schulmanart.com/believe.
Part 2 is to write out Miriam’s 10 steps in the sales process and post them somewhere so you’re reminded that it is a process. You need to be invested in the steps of the process in order for it to work.
Mentioned
- ArtBizAccelerator.com
- Free chapter of Miriam’s book
- The Inspiration Place podcast
- Miriam on Instagram
- The Cone Sisters
- Dr. Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Quotes
- “Once I started making the connection between sales in general and selling for art and understood that there wasn't a difference, I became a student of marketing and sales, and that has made all the difference.” — Miriam Schulman
- “Marketing 101 is investing in human relationships.” — Miriam Schulman
- “My art, going out into people’s homes, became ambassadors for me.” — Miriam Schulman
- “Mindset is everything. Mindset trumps talent.” — Miriam Schulman
- “Overcoming objections is about having compassion for the buyer and knowing where they are coming from.” — Miriam Schulman
About My Guest
Miriam Schulman is an artist and founder of The Inspiration Place, where she helps other artists learn how to profit from their passion or become better artists. She’s helped thousands of artists around the world develop their skill sets and create more time and freedom to do what they love. Her art and story have been featured in major publications including Forbes, The New York Times, Art of Man, Art Journaling magazine, What Women Create as well as featured on NBC’s “Parenthood” and the Amazon series “Hunters” with Al Pacino. Schulman’s forthcoming book with HarperCollins Leadership Artpreneur is scheduled to be released on January 31, 2023.
First posted: ArtBizSuccess.com/sales-schulman-podcast
Your Decision Filter: 8 Considerations for Making Decisions for Your Art Business
With host Alyson Stanfield
Read the “almost” full transcript, see featured artists, and leave a comment:
https://artbizsuccess.com/marketing-mix
~ 8 CONSIDERATIONS ~
- You understand WHY you are doing it. (3:04)
- You are willing to devote the time and energy to it. (3:32)
- You enjoy it or are excited about starting. (7:09)
- You have the systems in place to support it. (7:40)
- You are already doing it and are seeing results. (9:15)
- It plays to your strengths. (10:10)
- It has potential for the biggest long-term pay-off. (12:07)
- It has the potential for the biggest immediate pay-off. (13:26)
How Human Design has helped me make decisions. (15:07)
~ MENTIONED ~
Please join me in the Art Biz Accelerator coaching group and community: https://artbizaccelerator.com
Human Design resource: https://jovianarchive.com
~ ABOUT ~
Alyson Stanfield is the host of the Art Biz Podcast, founder of Art Biz Success, leader of the Art Biz Connection community of artists, and author of I’d Rather Be in the Studio: The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion.
https://artbizsuccess.com
There are so many ways you can sell your art and so many different avenues for earning money from your talents. I’ve highlighted a wide variety of options for earning money from your art on The Art Biz podcast, but today’s conversation is a first. I’m joined by Katie Hunt, the founder of Proof to Product, to learn more about wholesaling. She has helped thousands of brands get their products on the shelves of large retailers like Target, Nordstrom, The Container Store, and Starbucks, as well as independent boutiques around the world.
In this episode, Katie shares basic basic information about wholesaling your art. What is it? Who is it for? Who is it not for? What’s the difference between wholesaling and retailing? Where does licensing fit in? Katie is a wealth of information, and generously gives four considerations for wholesaling. And stay with me to the end of our conversation, where Katie reveals the four things she takes into account when making business decisions.
Highlights
- Key differences between wholesaling and retailing. (4:20)
- The importance of selling in larger quantities at a lower price in wholesale. (6:53)
- How is licensing different than wholesaling? (12:20)
- What type of artists are a good fit for wholesaling? (13:41)
- Focusing on one revenue stream at a time — before wholesaling. (17:58)
- Foundational checkpoint number one — Is your product line strong? (20:20)
- Are your sales tools in place? (26:20)
- Outreach and marketing — detailing your artwork and your terms and conditions. (29:18)
- Step number four — solidifying your operations and systems. (31:07)
- Handling criticism and rejection when wholesaling. (32:38)
- Paper Camp and other resources for artists considering wholesale. (35:52)
- 4 considerations Katie bases every decision on. (40:50)
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/hunt-wholesaling-podcast
This Week’s Assignment
This week’s assignment has 2 options. Option 1 is to review Katie’s 4 considerations for wholesaling to decide whether or not it’s a direction you want to go. If you want to see those again in a list, visit this episode at artbizpodcast.com. Katie’s format is so straightforward and she is clear that wholesaling isn’t right for everyone. If you know that wholesaling isn’t for you, go for option 2, which is to write out her list of considerations for making business decisions and keep it nearby. Adjust it to your needs and revisit it often to stay on track.
Mentioned
- ArtBizAccelerator.com
- Art Biz Podcast Episode 16 with Maria Brophy
- Proof to Product free class
- Labs
- Paper Camp
- Proof to Product Podcast
- Katie on Instagram
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Quotes
- “There are so many ways we can sell our art, and each one requires a different foundation.” — Katie Hunt
- “With wholesale, we’re talking about a very different system of the sales process, the marketing process, even the fulfillment process.” — Katie Hunt
- “Artists don’t have to wholesale everything they make. They can create a special segment of their product line that is for wholesale.” — Katie Hunt
- “Before you take the plunge into wholesaling, you need to know you have an audience.” — Katie Hunt
- “The more we experience with the pitching process and putting ourselves, our art and our talents out there, the stronger we become.” — Katie Hunt
About My Guest
Katie Hunt is the founder of Proof to Product, the host of a podcast with the same title, and a business strategist who supports product-based business owners. She has helped thousands of brands get their products on the shelves of large retailers like Target, Nordstrom, The Container Store, and Starbucks, as well as independent boutiques around the world. Katie’s work has been featured in Forbes, New York Times, Entrepreneur as well as dozens of business podcasts. She brings experience, education and a love of learning into her programs. Her strengths lie in connecting people & bringing ideas to life – brainstorming, making a plan and implementing.
This episode is a solo episode in which Alyson Stanfield, of Art Biz Success, reveals the details of the new Art Biz Accelerator program.
It was recorded during an info session for members of the Art Biz Connection community and includes:
- 3 Success Workshops during the year
- Open office hours with Alyson
- The Salon, a group for discussing art ideas and happenings in the art world
- Full membership in the Art Biz Connection community
- Additional training as needed
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/podcast-accelerator
A video, complete with slides and the PDF download of all the information is available at artbizaccelerator.com right now.
And if you’re listening to this later in the year, chances are good that much will still be applicable.
Putting Artists First in Curatorial Projects with Melissa Messina
Today’s conversation on The Art Biz is packed with tips and insider info. In my conversation with independent curator Melissa Messina, we discuss what an independent curator does, how Melissa finds and works with artists, and what happens during a studio visit to an artist she is (or might be) working with. You won’t want to miss the insights she shares about common mistakes she sees artists making, as well as how to correct them. Above all, Melissa shares the empowering reminder that the artist is at the center of all a curator, a museum, or a gallery does.
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/curator-messina-podcast
Highlights
- “I think that curator gene has always been in me.” (1:55)
- Melissa’s work as an independent curator. (5:32)
- How does a curator find their artists? (9:00)
- The importance of your network. (14:37)
- Insights from the details of Melissa’s standard project. (18:46)
- Scheduling projects and finding funding with fellowships. (23:55)
- Curating an artist's estate is the joy of Melissa’s life. (26:53)
- What piquesMelissa’s interest in the artists she encounters? (32:01)
- The cities, websites, publications, and galleries where Melissa looks for artists. (35:00)
- Working with galleries as an independent curator. (38:04)
- The role that studio visits play in a curator-artist relationship. (40:54)
- What curators are looking for from a studio visit. (48:51)
- Correcting the mistakes that too many artists make. (50:54)
This Week’s Assignment
Research my guest Melissa Messina and start following her on social media. Then start researching independent curators in your area and start following them. Consider inviting them into your studio for a low-stress visit—and don’t forget to offer them a drink.
Mentioned
- ArtBizAccelerator.com
- Brooklyn Museum
- Art Papers
- Hyperallergic
- Valerie Cassel Oliver
- Tyson Scholars of American Art Program at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
- Melissa Messina
- Melissa Messina on Instagram
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Quotes
- “I’m constantly making calculations to see where an exhibition or project might percolate out of my experiences and relationships.” — Melissa Messina
- “Your network is everything.” — Melissa Messina
- “There are some really good artists with bad attitudes, and I would much rather give the opportunity to someone who is a joy to work with.” — Melissa Messina
- “I think artists would do better to let go of their expectations in a studio visit.” — Melissa Messina
- “Without the artist and their work, there wouldn’t be anything for us to do.” — Melissa Messina
About My Guest
Melissa Messina is a nationally recognized arts professional who has developed thought-provoking exhibitions, dynamic site-responsive projects and engaging educational public programming both independently and in leadership positions at museums and non-profit arts organizations. For 20 years, her work with regional, national, and international artists has been presented in the U.S. in Atlanta, Kansas City, Miami, New York, New Orleans, Richmond, Savannah, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Bermuda, France, and Hong Kong. She has lectured extensively and published widely, and her research has been funded by Creative Time and The Andy Warhol Foundation, as well as by fellowships at Emory University’s Stuart A. Rose Library, Atlanta, GA, and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR.
In addition to serving select public and private clients, she is the curator of the Mildred Thompson Estate. She has also recently served as guest curator at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Spelman College Museum of Fine Art, the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, and the New Orleans Museum of Art, and was the co-curator of the 2018 and 2020 Bermuda Biennials. In 2017, she co-created Magnetic Fields: Expanding American Abstraction, 1960s to Today, an intergenerational exhibition highlighting 21 Black female abstract practitioners that traveled from Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City to The National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C.
Alyson Stanfield walks you through her thoughts on reviewing your year.
There are 3 reasons to bother reviewing your year: (1) To honor life, (2) to remind yourself of what you have accomplished, and (3) to prepare for the New Year. Look at the year holistically in terms of personal, art, learning, and business.
Your written account of the year will be something you can return to in the future as a reminder of what you accomplished, what you experienced, what you learned, who and what you encountered, and more.
Mentioned
The Artist's Annual Review
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Today’s conversation is a first. In this episode of The Art Biz I talk with Rebecca Welz, an artist who claims she’s not all that interested in the art business. But Rebecca, with her many accomplishments, still had plenty of wisdom to share. Our discussion centers around how she sees her art as part of the continuum, and how she encourages her students at Pratt Institute to think holistically about their careers. We discuss meditation, biomimicry, her projects in Guyana and Guatemala with her students, why she’s uninterested in the art business, and what she thinks artists would benefit from focusing on instead.
Highlights
- “It’s like drawing in space.” Rebecca’s sculpture and gallery representation. (2:44)
- Teaching art students and exploring the unknown through meditation. (6:22)
- Thinking is the most important part of the creative process. (11:15)
- Finding art inspiration in Guyana and Guatemala. (17:04)
- Biomimicry—innovation inspired by nature. (22:10)
- The importance of experiencing inspiration from cultures outside your own. (25:35)
- Taking a holistic approach to your art. (31:13)
- Rebecca isn’t all that interested in the art business. Here’s why. (36:24)
This Week’s Assignment
Consider how your work is connected to forces outside itself. How is it connected to art history and to other artists? Think of all the people who make your art possible. Who made your supplies? Not the companies, but the people behind the companies. Who gathered natural pigments or precious metals? Who mixed the paints, spun the yarn, stretched the canvas, stocked the paper, or assembled the camera?
Who are the people supporting your efforts?
Mentioned
- ArtBizAccelerator.com
- June Kelly Gallery
- Pratt Institute
- Patricia Johnson, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
- Jay Harman: The Shark’s Paintbrush
- Biomimicry: AskNature.org
- Rebecca Welz
- Rebecca on Instagram
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Quotes
- “Meditation gives me a lot of peace and equanimity and helps me deal with being a human on the planet.” — Rebecca Welz
- “Good artwork comes from that place of the unknown.” — Rebecca Welz
- “I can’t just focus on my art career because there are so many other things that I’m interested in.” — Rebecca Welz
- “How are you tapping into your own continuum and how’s that working for you?” — Rebecca Welz
About My Guest
Rebecca Welz makes steel sculptures inspired by natural wonders and ecological processes that combine to give us biodiversity. She is represented by June Kelly Gallery in New York City, where she has had numerous solo exhibitions. She has also shown at Grace Borgenicht Gallery and Bernice Steinbaum Gallery, also in New York.
Rebecca’s sculptures have been in solo and group exhibitions in venues such as the Oakland Museum of California, the Heckscher Museum of Art (Huntington, NY), Butters Gallery (Portland, OR), the SciArt Center (Easton, PA), the Cherrystone Gallery (Wellfleet, MA), and Sculpturesite Gallery (San Francisco, CA). Her work can also be found in private and corporate collections, including those of Goldman Sachs, Pfizer, Merck, Prudential Life Insurance Corporation, and Sabre Corporation.
Not too long ago, artists didn’t have to worry about things like their brands. But in an increasingly competitive market, and the noisy online space, we will do better when we know where we fit. Your art is created in the studio, while your brand is created in the minds of viewers, buyers, collectors, gallerists, and curators.
When you know your brand, you know how you want to be perceived in the eyes of others. Your brand helps you make decisions. If opportunities aren’t aligned with your brand, you say no. My guest for this episode of The Art Biz is Alexandra Squire. She has a clear, intentional artist brand, and knew from the get-go what she wanted her business and career to look like. She hired professionals to help her pull together a branded identity to present her work to the world, and it has paid off. Alexandra and I talk about her decisions, marketing, and how she finds time for her painting and business while raising three young girls.
Highlights
- Alexandra’s long and winding road to becoming an artist. (3:25)
- “I looked at myself as a brand.” (7:09)
- Marketing yourself effectively. (11:26)
- Hiring professional help for your photography. (14:03)
- Your brand exists in the eye of the viewer. (18:42)
- Making the trade offs that pay off. (22:16)
- The moment when you identify your artist brand. (26:20)
- How Alexandra shows and sells her work. (28:15)
- Keeping an artist’s schedule while raising a family. (33:38)
This Week’s Assignment
Consider your artist brand. In particular, think about and even write in your journal about this one question: How do you want to be perceived in the minds of others? If you want to take it to the next step, consider whether your social media, newsletter, website, marketing material, and exhibition venues are aligned with how you want to be perceived.
Mentioned
- ArtBizAccelerator.com
- https://www.alexandrasquireart.com/
- https://www.instagram.com/alexandrasquireart/
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Quotes
- “I decided from the beginning I wanted to be a certain type of artist.” — Alexandra Squire
- “You have to present yourself in a certain way, and that’s how people will view you.” — Alexandra Squire
- “I turned down a bunch of opportunities that I felt didn’t best reflect my brand.” — Alexandra Squire
About My Guest
Alexandra Squire is an abstract painter defined by the pairing of vibrant colors and muted tones to create simple yet deceivingly complex works. She focuses on blending and layering to make pieces that are rich in color and depth with unexpected palettes. Her paintings serve as a metaphor for life in that they depict the multitude of ways in which our experiences meld together. Alexandra’s work has been exhibited nationally, and her paintings are a part of private and corporate collections throughout the United States.
Anyone can open up a gallery—real or virtual—and start selling art. I mean anyone. You don’t have to hold a degree or pass a test. You don’t have to have ethics or morals or know anything at all about art. But I am impressed by what UGallery is doing and the services they have been providing artists and clients since 2006. Everything about them feels different.
On this episode of The Art Biz, I’m joined by Alex Farkas, founder of UGallery.com. Their business model is different from others in that online space. They know art. They curate the work so there aren’t thousands of random artists competing for eyeballs. UGallery is paid on commission, so they only make money if art sells.They invest in marketing to help sell more art. They are looking for relationships with their artists and nurture their artists to help them sell better online. The focus of UGallery is on painting, but you should listen to their story even if you are not a painter because you need to know that there are people and companies out there who are on your side and doing things the right way.
Highlights
-
The beginnings of the UGallery journey. (2:53)
-
Storytelling to promote UGallery artists and their work. (4:39)
-
Curating art on the website in non-traditional ways. (7:19)
-
The process of finding and connecting with artists. (11:05)
-
Working with artists to help them succeed. (16:10)
-
What is selling at UGallery? (19:09)
-
Finding and marketing to clients. (20:36)
-
Artist to customer—the order fulfillment process. (23:09)
-
Maintaining ecommerce platforms and client relationships. (28:00)
-
Mistakes that many artists make when applying to UGallery. (33:55)
-
Tips for a better online presentation and ecommerce platform. (36:22)
-
What’s coming next for UGallery. (38:30)
This Week’s Assignment
- Assess where you show and sell your art. Consider what venues you are (and aren’t) working for and why? How can you find more of the right places? What venues aren’t working for you and why? Make a plan to move on from those.
Mentioned
- ArtBizAccelerator.com
- UGallery.com
- New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA)
- What is Your Art Business Costing You?
- Are your online art marketplaces profitable for you?
- Ensuring a Profitable Art Business (Episode 96)
- Advocating for Artists in Their Communities with Louise Martorano (Episode 118)
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Quotes
- “It’s important that we find ways to combine the old school aspects of a gallery with the new school aspects of the technology that we use.” — Alex Farkas
- “We see this as a partnership. We don’t succeed unless the artists succeed.” — Alex Farkas
- “Part of the relationship is making sure that artists understand if they put the time and money in upfront, it comes back out later.” — Alex Farkas
- “Think about what you’re trying to accomplish and what your goal is, and then work from there.” — Alex Farkas
About My Guest
Alex Farkas is the Gallery Director of UGallery. His love of art traces back to his hometown, Jerome, a tiny arts community in northern Arizona. Alex grew up creating sculptures in his uncle's woodworking studio and learning about the art business in his mother's gallery. He co-founded UGallery in 2006 with the goal of helping emerging artists connect with patrons. As one of the first ever online art galleries, UGallery significantly improved the opportunities available for artists. The gallery has been featured in the New York Times, Vogue, and Art in America. He currently lives, and UGallery is based, in San Francisco.
The photographer Sally Mann has said that it never occurred to her to look outside of her home, family, and immediate vicinity to find inspiration. So many artists feel they need to travel to exotic locations to find their inspiration, never exploring what is right in front of them or what they encounter in their daily lives.
In this episode of The Art Biz I talk with Sara Lee Hughes, an artist who is deep into a body of narrative paintings with recognizable imagery that is steeped in her personal story—going so far as to include her self-portraits in many of them. We talk about making such personal work and whether there is a market for such work. Sara Lee says her ultimate intention is that she gets under your skin. That when viewing her paintings, you start to question your actions and might find yourself reflecting on the encounter weeks later. We discuss the genesis of this body of work, how she is looking at her art in terms of the long game rather than seeking quick gratification, how she keeps her ideas, and how she has created a discipline that balances motherhood with her studio practice.
Highlights
- Waiting, Father Daughter Dance, and other pieces inspired by Sara Lee’s life. (1:55)
- The family letters that have helped Sara Lee navigate her true self. (6:57)
- Sara Lee’s 12-ft superhero cape and what it represents. (9:05)
- Painting from experiences results in sincerity. (11:15)
- Asking yourself questions can lead to your next inspiration. (14:55)
- Sara Lee’s decision to use her own face in her paintings. (18:19)
- The value of painting the part of your history that isn’t talked about. (21:32)
- There are parts of your story that anyone can relate to. (25:17)
- Using a list—rather than a sketchbook—to keep your ideas. (27:04)
- Does personal work sell? (30:20)
- The evolution of Sara Lee’s approach to her art business. (32:39)
- Finding time for the most important work. (34:32)
Mentioned
- Saraleehughes.com
- Sara Lee on Instagram
- Sally Mann
- Moleskine Cahier notebook
- Episode 72 with Dawn Williams Boyd
- William Kentridge
- Bo Bartlett
The Art Biz Connection
Systematize Your Art Biz for Business Efficiency
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Quotes
- “These tossed-off sketches are seeds for the work that I’ve done in the last five years.” — Sara Lee
- “When I paint from my own experience, there’s a sincerity in my paintings.” — Sara Lee
- “All of my work is my personal experience, so who better to use than myself? — Sara Lee
- “My intention is to resonate with you through the works that have inspired me to be an artist.” — Sara Lee
About My Guest
Sara Lee is a narrative painter living and working in Lockhart, Texas. Her representational narratives are influenced by growing up in the south during the 1970’s and 80’s with divorced parents and operate as metaphors for discovery, other-ness, identity, connection, balance and truth. As a body of work, they highlight moments, memories and ideas that mark a journey of navigation through the differences between her gay father, straight mother and the socio-cultural norms of the era and those proceeding. In her work she is most interested in exploring and sharing the connection she had with her father before his death of AIDS, the profound guidance it had on her life, and how this personal experience fits into our country’s broader social and cultural heritage.
Sara Lee studied classical drawing and painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where she earned a certificate in painting and printmaking. She earned her MFA in painting from Pratt Institute. Sustaining herself through scenic painting and teaching, her work brought her back to Lockhart, Texas where she has lived since 2008.
There is no denying the importance of video these days. Whether you're chasing the Instagram algorithm for reels, streaming live on YouTube, or pulling together a video bio for your website, it's more valuable than ever to make good videos. My guest on The Art Biz is Zach Wolfson, a filmmaker who has seen all kinds of artists' videos—the good, the bad, and the cringy. He has joined me to discuss four of the most common mistakes he sees artists making with their videos, and he also shares simple tips that will greatly improve your videos with just a little bit of tweaking. It’s definitely worth the effort because, as he says, it is so important to leave behind a legacy that extends beyond your artwork.
Highlights
- Zach’s career in filmmaking led to teaching artists how to make mini art videos. (1:50)
- Horizontal or vertical filming—which does Zach prefer? (5:50)
- Mistakes artists make when editing transitions in videos. (7:38)
- Overproducing filters, text, and other distracting elements. (10:52)
- Slowing down to capture the perfect shots. (13:53)
- The best POV in your art films. (17:52)
- Tips for overcoming your fear of the camera. (20:15)
- Does Zach recommend time-lapse videos? (23:34)
- The importance of sharing your story in your videos. (27:31)
- Leaving the legacy of your art through videos. (32:55)
Mentioned
- Colorado Creative Industries
- Beyond the Gallery series
- Making Mini Art Videos workshop
- Zach Wolfson on Instagram
The Art Biz Connection
The Wildly Productive Get Organized Challenge for Your Art Biz
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Quotes
- “Too many elements can be overwhelming for both you when making the video as well as for the people watching it.”— Zach
- “Just record for longer than you think you should. Your future self will thank you for it.” — Zach
- “Your videos themselves don’t need to be art because your art is art.” — Zach
- “If you can find ways to include yourself in your videos, it will attach you more to your art so people can connect with you.” — Zach
- “Let us into your world and be able to see you in the context of your space.” — Zach
- “People aren’t following you because of how well crafted your videos are. They’re following you because of your art.” — Zach
About My Guest
Zach Wolfson is a filmmaker who helps artists make simple art videos to market their art. He is dedicated to empowering artists, and believes everyone can make “mini” art videos that document your journey with ease and joy.
Zach’s greatest passion has always been working directly with artists. He has shared the stories of dozens of artists through his video series, Beyond the Gallery, and taught hundreds more through his blog, in-person training, and now inside his membership community, Ready to Record.
In addition to his work with artists, Zach has made videos sharing human-centered stories for galleries, museums, and companies that include Adobe, Discovery, and Sony.
Artists crave validation by others. You want your work to be appreciated. Being validated by others helps build confidence and shows us we’re on the right path. But are you looking for validation in the right places?
In this solo episode of The Art Biz, I address validation and earning credibility—where you are probably seeking it, where you might want to look for it instead, and what it really means about your art. Ultimately, validation only comes from within, and others are more likely to pay attention knowing that you value your own work. I want to help you realize the various ways it is possible to earn credibility for your art, many of which you will see that you are already doing.
Highlights
- Defining validation, self-validation, and credibility. (2:02)
- The wrong places to turn for self-validation. (3:40)
- The ultimate expression of validation for an artist. (5:15)
- Non-social media examples of validation in the art world. (6:43)
- The pinnacle of exhibition venues—the art museum. (9:45)
- The value of writing about speaking about your work. (10:55)
- Seeking validation from the media on a broader level. (11:45)
- Achieving a higher level of self validation. (14:08)
Mentioned
- Episode 123 Qualities Galleries Are Looking For in Their Artists with Jeremy Tessmer
- Episode 124 Being an Artist with Geoffrey Gorman
- Episode 118 Advocating for Artists in Their Communities with Louise Martorano
- Episode 116 How One Curator Works with Artists at a Regional Art Center with Collin Parson
- Episode 63 Pitching Your Story to My Podcast, or Anyone Else’s
- Episode 110 An Unusual Path to Finding Art Commissions with Leisa Collins
- Episode 87 Secrets from Copying a Masterpiece with Liliane Milgrom
- “Stop Seeking Validation from Others” by Sherry Gaba in Psychology Today
- Tony Oursler
The Art Biz Connection
The Wildly Productive Get Organized Challenge for Your Art Biz
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Detour travels to communities all over to paint socially impactful murals, but he also works on canvas, and in music, installation and sculpture. How does he do it all, and do it all by himself?
In this episode of The Art Biz, I talked with Detour about his various income streams from prints and murals to corporate sponsorships and grants. He is adamant that he doesn't want to be limited by what he currently knows, so he's always learning how to use new technologies that will help him land complex opportunities. He's not afraid to admit that the best way to approach an artistic problem is probably something he hasn't done before. And Detour is big on collaboration and presenting himself in the most professional light because, as he says, you never know who is watching. Be sure to listen for the questions he asks himself before agreeing to take on new work. This is an inspiring conversation that you won’t want to miss.
Highlights
- Carving out new and alternative paths in the art world. (5:00)
- Merging your career skills with your creative opportunities. (9:09)
- How Detour found his artist voice while creating interactive art ‘for the people.’ (11:40)
- Detour’s active and passive income streams. (17:22)
- Planning for sporadic paychecks in advance. (22:15)
- How Detour’s MBA has benefitted his artist endeavors. (25:38)
- The importance of building relationships with everyone in your artist community. (28:09)
- Collaborating with other artists to add value to your work. (32:24)
- Questions to ask when considering—or turning down—opportunities. (34:53)
- A look at Detour’s typical week. (37:05)
- Finding fun and balance in the work of every day. (40:18)
- Why is it important to be an artist who helps other artists? (44:44)
Mentioned
- Detour’s book, Be The Artist
- Hiero Veiga
- IamDetour.com
- @Detour303 on Instagram
- I Am Detour on YouTube
The Art Biz Connection
The Wildly Productive Get Organized Challenge for Your Art Biz
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Quotes
- “I want to make sure when I’m presented with an opportunity to solve an idea creatively, I’m not limited by what I’m used to doing.” — Detour
- “You never know what will work until you throw something out there and it sticks.” — Detour
- “When you do art you never know exactly who’s looking at it.” — Detour
- “Everything I do in life is related to art making and sharing.” — Detour
Guest Bio
Thomas Evans, a.k.a. Detour, is an all-around creative specializing in large scale public art, interactive visuals, portraiture, immersive spaces, and creative directing. His focus is to create work where art and innovation meet. A born collaborator and “military brat,” Detour pulls from every conceivable experience that shapes his landscapes and perspectives. Explaining Detour’s work is no easy task, as ongoing experimentations in visual art, music, and interactive technologies have his practice continually expanding. With his ever-evolving approach to art, Detour’s focus is on expanding customary views of creativity and challenging fine-art paradigms by mixing traditional mediums with new approaches—all the while opening up the creative process from that of a singular artist to one that thrives on multi-layered collaboration and viewer participation.
There is no single success formula that works for every artist, but every artist needs some sense of order in their business and life so that they’re ready to respond to opportunities that come along. My guest for this episode is Maria Brito, award-winning New York-based contemporary art advisor, curator and the bestselling author of How Creativity Rules The World. A Harvard graduate, originally from Venezuela, Brito has been selected by Complex Magazine as one of the 20 Power Players in the Art World. She has also been named by ARTnews as one of the visionaries who gets to shape the art world.
Maria has worked to demystify the art world for people who might be otherwise intimidated to enter a gallery, and is an advocate for democratizing the art world for artists and collectors who might be interested in buying art but are not ready to spend tens of thousands of dollars. Maria shares how she works with artists, galleries, and collectors and why she thinks there has never been a better time to be an artist. You won’t want to miss her tips about Instagram and why you can’t afford to ignore this valuable platform.
Highlights
- Maria’s career was born from what is missing in the art world. (2:35)
- Democratizing and demystifying the art world. (6:29)
- Making your own rules when using the free marketing tools of Instagram. (12:32)
- There is more than one right way to be an artist. (16:06)
- Maria’s daily interactions with artists. (19:20)
- How does Maria decide which artist offerings to pursue? (24:22)
- The role that a curated Instagram feed plays in discovering artists. (30:24)
- Additional online details that attract Maria to an artist. (35:27)
- A look into Maria’s new book How Creativity Rules the World. (40:15)
- Curiosity and the original artist's mind. (46:36)
Mentioned
- Alma Woodsey Thomas
- Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report 2022
- SPRING/BREAK Art Show
- MariaBrito.com
- @MariaBrito_NY on Instagram
The Art Biz Connection
The Wildly Productive Get Organized Challenge for Your Art Biz
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Quotes
- “One of the things that helped me succeed was that I was so interested in portraying artists in a different light.” — Maria Brito
- “We have to acknowledge that, for the most part, these buckets of technology have definitely helped us democratize and streamline and find clients and find collectors that otherwise would be impossible.” — Maria Brito
- “There hasn’t been a better time in history to be an artist.” — Maria Brito
- Being able to have control over how you present your message is just a gift.” — Maria Brito
- “Artists have to treat their Instagram account as their own gallery.” — Maria Brito
- “The point of being curious is to find more opportunities.” — Maria Brito
Guest Bio
Maria Brito is an award-winning New York-based contemporary art advisor, curator and the bestselling author of How Creativity Rules The World. A Harvard graduate, originally from Venezuela, Brito has been selected by Complex Magazine as one of the 20 Power Players in the Art World she was named by ARTnews as one of the visionaries who gets to shape the art world. She has written for publications such as Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Elle, Forbes, Artnet, Cultured Magazine, Departures, and more. In 2019, she launched “Jumpstart”, an online program on creativity that has been taken by over 1000 people ranging from artists to entrepreneurs.
There is no single success formula that works for every artist, but every artist needs some sense of order in their business and life so that they’re ready to respond to opportunities that come along. My guest for this episode is Maria Brito, award-winning New York-based contemporary art advisor, curator and the bestselling author of How Creativity Rules The World. A Harvard graduate, originally from Venezuela, Brito has been selected by Complex Magazine as one of the 20 Power Players in the Art World. She has also been named by ARTnews as one of the visionaries who gets to shape the art world.
Maria has worked to demystify the art world for people who might be otherwise intimidated to enter a gallery, and is an advocate for democratizing the art world for artists and collectors who might be interested in buying art but are not ready to spend tens of thousands of dollars. Maria shares how she works with artists, galleries, and collectors and why she thinks there has never been a better time to be an artist. You won’t want to miss her tips about Instagram and why you can’t afford to ignore this valuable platform.
Highlights
- Maria’s career was born from what is missing in the art world. (2:35)
- Democratizing and demystifying the art world. (6:29)
- Making your own rules when using the free marketing tools of Instagram. (12:32)
- There is more than one right way to be an artist. (16:06)
- Maria’s daily interactions with artists. (19:20)
- How does Maria decide which artist offerings to pursue? (24:22)
- The role that a curated Instagram feed plays in discovering artists. (30:24)
- Additional online details that attract Maria to an artist. (35:27)
- A look into Maria’s new book How Creativity Rules the World. (40:15)
- Curiosity and the original artist's mind. (46:36)
Mentioned
- Alma Woodsey Thomas
- Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report 2022
- SPRING/BREAK Art Show
- MariaBrito.com
- @MariaBrito_NY on Instagram
The Art Biz Connection
The Wildly Productive Get Organized Challenge for Your Art Biz
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Quotes
- “One of the things that helped me succeed was that I was so interested in portraying artists in a different light.” — Maria Brito
- “We have to acknowledge that, for the most part, these buckets of technology have definitely helped us democratize and streamline and find clients and find collectors that otherwise would be impossible.” — Maria Brito
- “There hasn’t been a better time in history to be an artist.” — Maria Brito
- Being able to have control over how you present your message is just a gift.” — Maria Brito
- “Artists have to treat their Instagram account as their own gallery.” — Maria Brito
- “The point of being curious is to find more opportunities.” — Maria Brito
Guest Bio
Maria Brito is an award-winning New York-based contemporary art advisor, curator and the bestselling author of How Creativity Rules The World. A Harvard graduate, originally from Venezuela, Brito has been selected by Complex Magazine as one of the 20 Power Players in the Art World she was named by ARTnews as one of the visionaries who gets to shape the art world. She has written for publications such as Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Elle, Forbes, Artnet, Cultured Magazine, Departures, and more. In 2019, she launched “Jumpstart”, an online program on creativity that has been taken by over 1000 people ranging from artists to entrepreneurs.
There’s always plenty to be learned from artists who have been making a go of it for decades. Just think about how much has changed in 30 years! In this episode of The Art Biz, my guest is Willie Cole, a self-described perceptual engineer with an impressive list of collaborations under his belt and even more in the works. Together we talk about the faith he has in his work as a result of being consistent throughout the years. And why he says work is a bad word and prefers to approach his studio in the spirit of play.
We discussed his art and why he challenges people to perceive recognizable objects, like shoes and musical instruments, in new ways. You’ll hear how one of his Instagram posts—where he mocked up his art as if to appear on the cover of Vogue—led to collaborations with major fashion brands. Such opportunities continue coming his way, which might be the result of his faith in his practice. Spoiler: Visualizing success plays a role.
Highlights
- Willie calls himself a perceptual engineer, but what exactly does that mean? (3:12)
- The importance (if any) of showing the materials Willie uses to create his work, including 75 cut up guitars. (5:35)
- “Planning makes it feel too much like a job.” How Willie approaches his work instead. (11:02)
- A peek inside Willie’s studio. (13:58)
- Work is a bad word, but play can make your business better every day. (15:55)
- Staying in a playful mindset in every stage of production. (19:15)
- The value of improvisation and the value of not knowing everything. (21:08)
- Willie feels like the luckiest business person in America. (23:40)
- The business minded people that make up Willie’s team and insights into his collaborations. (25:36)
- Propelling yourself forward in spite of your fears. (35:24)
- The difference between fashion industry collaborations and gallery relationships. (37:51)
- The music on Willie’s current playlist and what is coming up next in his work. (40:28)
Mentioned
- Willie’s collaboration with Tod’s
- Willie’s collaboration with Comme des Garçons
- Armando Cabral
- Money Good by Megan Thee Stallion
- Joan Amatrading concert on YouTube
- Vogue covers by Black artists
The Art Biz Connection
The Wildly Productive Get Organized Challenge for Your Art Biz
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Guest Bio
Willie Cole calls himself a perceptual engineer. Whether he is using the symbolism of a steam iron or the shapes of high fashion shoes and recognizable music instruments, he challenges how we look at things. While he has had solo exhibitions at esteemed institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, Miami Art Museum, and Montclair Art Museum, Willie embraces nontraditional avenues for his work, such as collaborations with major fashion brands. He is represented by Alexander and Bonin Gallery in New York, Maus Contemporary Gallery (Alabama), Gavlak Gallery (Los Angeles/Florida), and Kavi Gupta Gallery (Chicago). Willie lives and works in New Jersey.
There’s always plenty to be learned from artists who have been making a go of it for decades. Just think about how much has changed in 30 years! In this episode of The Art Biz, my guest is Willie Cole, a self-described perceptual engineer with an impressive list of collaborations under his belt and even more in the works. Together we talk about the faith he has in his work as a result of being consistent throughout the years. And why he says work is a bad word and prefers to approach his studio in the spirit of play.
We discussed his art and why he challenges people to perceive recognizable objects, like shoes and musical instruments, in new ways. You’ll hear how one of his Instagram posts—where he mocked up his art as if to appear on the cover of Vogue—led to collaborations with major fashion brands. Such opportunities continue coming his way, which might be the result of his faith in his practice. Spoiler: Visualizing success plays a role.
Highlights
- Willie calls himself a perceptual engineer, but what exactly does that mean? (3:12)
- The importance (if any) of showing the materials Willie uses to create his work, including 75 cut up guitars. (5:35)
- “Planning makes it feel too much like a job.” How Willie approaches his work instead. (11:02)
- A peek inside Willie’s studio. (13:58)
- Work is a bad word, but play can make your business better every day. (15:55)
- Staying in a playful mindset in every stage of production. (19:15)
- The value of improvisation and the value of not knowing everything. (21:08)
- Willie feels like the luckiest business person in America. (23:40)
- The business minded people that make up Willie’s team and insights into his collaborations. (25:36)
- Propelling yourself forward in spite of your fears. (35:24)
- The difference between fashion industry collaborations and gallery relationships. (37:51)
- The music on Willie’s current playlist and what is coming up next in his work. (40:28)
Mentioned
- Willie’s collaboration with Tod’s
- Willie’s collaboration with Comme des Garçons
- Armando Cabral
- Money Good by Megan Thee Stallion
- Joan Amatrading concert on YouTube
- Vogue covers by Black artists
The Art Biz Connection
The Wildly Productive Get Organized Challenge for Your Art Biz
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Guest Bio
Willie Cole calls himself a perceptual engineer. Whether he is using the symbolism of a steam iron or the shapes of high fashion shoes and recognizable music instruments, he challenges how we look at things. While he has had solo exhibitions at esteemed institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, Miami Art Museum, and Montclair Art Museum, Willie embraces nontraditional avenues for his work, such as collaborations with major fashion brands. He is represented by Alexander and Bonin Gallery in New York, Maus Contemporary Gallery (Alabama), Gavlak Gallery (Los Angeles/Florida), and Kavi Gupta Gallery (Chicago). Willie lives and works in New Jersey.
I can’t resist legal cases about art, from thefts and forgeries to copyright infringement to gallery dealers and so-called experts who end up in front of a judge for defrauding collectors. While most artists will never see the inside of a courtroom, you might be concerned with copyright infringement or receive unsettling news that someone is using your creative work without your permission. Every artist (you) should know the basics for protecting their art. In this episode of The Art Biz, I am joined by Kathryn Goldman, an intellectual property and internet law attorney who helps creative professionals protect their work so they can profit from it. She is the founder of The Creative Law Center website and membership program, which offers understandable information, actionable strategies, and easy to use tools for the development of creative businesses. Our conversation focuses around Kathryn’s Four Step Framework to help you identify, protect, monitor, and enforce your creative rights.
Highlights
- Kathryn is an intellectual property attorney who helps creative professionals protect their copyrights, trademarks and brilliant business ideas. (2:45)
- The four step framework that helps artists know what, when and how to take action. (4:45)
- Copyright 101- identify the rights that a copyright protects and what is not covered. (7:13)
- Protect your artwork with a copyright registration. (12:25)
- Filing in small claims court for infringement can result in $15,000 payout. (15:33)
- Trademarks are source identifiers that protect against consumer confusion. (18:31)
- Keith Haring, Banksy, and other famous artist trademarks. (21:00)
- Does an artist need to register a copyright for every single thing they make? (30:35)
- Protection is the combination of copyright, trademark, and contract. (33:05)
- FARE contracts keep the right to control a piece in the hands of the artist. (35:09)
- Artists with a secondary market stand to benefit greatly from a FARE contract. (39:10)
- Monitoring your work to determine if it’s been stolen is up to you (and your tribe). (41:30)
- How I handled copyright infringement of my writing. (46:24)
- The ladder of enforcement offers options for reaction when someone is stealing your work. (49:55)
- The recipe for registering your most valuable work is essential. (57:07)
- Kathryn’s upcoming programs and workshops. (59:05)
Mentioned
- Copyright Claims Board
- Google Alerts
- FARE Contract
- Kathryn Goldman’s Creative Law Center
The Art Biz Connection
Grow Your List
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Quotes
- “I like it when artists understand when they need to take action, what action they need to take, and how to do it effectively and efficiently.” — Kathryn Goldman
- “The right to control those kinds of changes to the art comes from the copyright.” — Kathryn Goldman
- “A lot of working artists have trademarks, especially those who are building a business on licensing their art.” — Kathryn Goldman
- “Copyright is not as strong as trademark, and trademark is not as strong as a good contract.” — Kathryn Goldman
- “With this combination of tools, I think we really are going to start seeing some interesting things happen with contracts in the art world.” — Kathryn Goldman
- “The best infringement protection is going to be your tribe.” — Kathryn Goldman
Guest Bio
Kathryn Goldman is an intellectual property and internet law attorney who helps creative professionals protect their work so they can profit from it. She believes sustainable businesses are built on properly protected creative assets. Kathryn runs the Creative Law Center website and membership program. The Creative Law Center provides innovative creatives with the affordable business and legal resources they need when evolving from artist to entrepreneur. The Creative Law Center offers understandable information, actionable strategies, and easy to use tools for the development of creative businesses. Kathryn practices law in Baltimore, Maryland.
An artist’s best resource is another artist. And to really know what a real artist’s life looks like on a daily basis, you have to study and talk to those artists. You can read their biographies, watch their videos, and listen to them on podcasts, including this one. In this episode of The Art Biz, I talk with Geoffrey Gorman about what it’s like to be a working artist, an identity he came to later in life and has sustained for nearly two decades. Geoffrey and I discuss his background as a furniture maker, gallery dealer, and artist consultant and how each role has contributed to his life as an artist. He also reveals how he approaches his work, where he finds inspiration, his take on how the art world is changing, and his advice to artists in the rapidly-evolving market.
Highlights
- “You can make something from anything.” The evolution of Geoffrey’s process. (2:35)
- Journeying back into the arts after a 30-year break. (8:45)
- Geoffrey’s timeline from furniture maker to gallery dealer, artist coach to full-time artist. (11:08)
- What does being an artist look like in Geoffrey’s material-driven world? (16:02)
- Carving a whale and honoring the passing of time. (23:21)
- Tactics for increasing your credibility as an artist. (28:02)
- Evolving with the demands of a constantly changing art world. (31:16)
- Navigating your relationships with dealers. (36:02)
- Feedback worth soliciting as an artist. (38:55)
- The importance of connections as a small business owner. (43:00)
- How can artists utilize social media to find collectors and curators? (48:00)
- A look at where Geoffrey is putting his efforts next. (50:22)
Mentioned
- Geoffrey Gorman
- Geoffrey on Instagram
- Lewallen Galleries
- Allan Houser Estate
- Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily, Italy
The Art Biz Connection
Optimize Your Online Marketing
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Quotes
- “I realized I had to create this world that I was producing.” — Geoffrey Gorman
- “You are the number one expert about your work in the world.” — Geoffrey Gorman
- “A lot of old benchmarks are now gone for artists.” — Geoffrey Gorman
- “There are so many opportunities for us as artists out there.” — Geoffrey Gorman
- “Your best resource is another artist.” — Geoffrey Gorman
Guest Bio
Geoffrey Gorman was born in Paris, France, but eventually moved to and grew up on an old horse farm in the countryside near Baltimore, Maryland. The dilapidated architecture and abandoned quarries of his childhood influence and inspire the found material sculptures the artist creates today. Gorman has worked as a contemporary furniture designer, gallery dealer, curator, and art consultant before becoming a full-time professional artist. He has exhibited nationally and internationally, including in China and South Korea. Gorman’s work is in public and private collections, including the Racine Art Museum and the University of Colorado.
If you have ever wanted to shoot the breeze with a gallerist, you will want to pay close attention to this episode of The Art Biz. I’m joined today by Jeremy Tessmer, the gallery director at Sullivan Goss Gallery in Santa Barbara, California. In our conversation, Jeremy shares his views of artist’s professionalism, what he thinks of online platforms, and how he taught himself art history (and why that was important to him).
Jeremy describes Sullivan Goss as an on-ramp for collectors and artists—one that connects their roster of local, regional, national, and international artists. You’ll hear him discuss 3 qualities that he looks for in artists, two of which are non-negotiable, and how he views the artists in his gallery as a family. He says that “dealers should have some sense of responsibility for the well-being of their artists,” and, as you listen to our conversation, you’ll understand why that has become so important to him.
Highlights
- The niche that the Sullivan Goss Gallery fills and Jeremy’s role within it. (2:37)
- Sullivan Goss is an on-ramp gallery with the aim of expanding the art world. (7:49)
- The different art world need to become more aware of each other. (10:05)
- Jeremy’s journey from writer and tech specialist to art gallerist. (14:04)
- Is it important for artists to be steeped in art history? (23:34)
- Overcoming the anxiety of influence to connect with other artists. (26:21)
- The 3 qualities Jeremy looks for in the artists he represents. (33:30)
- The responsibility a gallery has for nurturing its artists’ careers. (36:10)
- The value of understanding the long game and defining your real interest in an artist’s career. (41:11)
- Things an artist should never say or do to gain the attention of a gallerist. (46:18)
Mentioned
- Sullivan Goss Gallery
- Alfred Stieglitz’s Gallery- An American Place
- Milton Avery exhibition at The Wadsworth Atheneum
- David Zwirner’s Platform
- Harold Bloom’s Anxiety of Influence
- Susan McDonnell Art
- Sullivan Goss on Instagram @sullivangoss
- Jeremy Tessmer Arts on Instagram @jeremyarts
The Art Biz Connection
Optimize Your Online Marketing
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Guest Bio
Jeremy Tessmer is the Gallery Director and Curator of vintage American art at Sullivan Goss. He has been with the firm almost 20 years, working in every area of the business, including: curation, sales, marketing, and design of everything from exhibition spaces to internal databases and processes. He has special knowledge of the American Modern movement, especially as it occurred on the West Coast. He has also been heavily involved with the gallery’s publication program, helping to produce nineteen books and numerous catalogs, including those on local artists Ray Strong and Hank Pitcher.
The resources you have for art business and career development are endless. In that respect, you are incredibly fortunate compared to artists of the past who had so little to help them make a go of it. And there is a downside. There are so many choices to grow as a professional artist that it’s difficult to decide where to spend your time and money.
How do you decide? How do you know when to invest, and when to save your money?
Let’s pretend you are my coaching client and you’re debating adding something to your calendar. I caution all students and clients to be judicious about adding more to their already full schedules.
This episode is focused on the questions I’d ask to help you decide whether or not a program is right for you. These include ...
What do you want to get from this program?
Is this program a shiny distraction?
Are you in a place to receive the guidance?
Do you respect the presenters, teachers, or leaders?
How is this program different?
Are you willing to devote the time to the lessons and homework?
See featured artists, read, and leave a comment >> TRANSCRIPT+POST
MENTIONED
Optimize Your Online Marketing
The Art Biz Connection membership community
Tom Kuegler's LinkedIn Sprint
We usually start a long-term project with a specific goal or set of expectations in mind. Rarely does the project turn out the way we thought it would. More often than not, it’s better than we had imagined. But before we can get to that point of admitting that the change might have actually led to an improvement in the original plan, we have to struggle, to question our assumptions or to ask for more help or more money. We recognize we can’t continue working in the same fashion as before, and often we are forced to adjust to outside forces, like a worldwide pandemic. In this episode of The Art Biz, I’m joined again by Eve Jacobs-Carnahan. She was a podcast guest over a year ago and has come back to offer an update on her project, Knit Democracy Together, which was developed to discuss the U.S. electoral system within the context of knitting circles.
Today Eve is sharing a look at how such a long-term project evolves. She outlines the 5 indicators she is using to measure effectiveness, and even if you don’t have an art project focused on making a social impact, these indicators will be useful for appraising the successful reach of your exhibition, event, program, or teaching.
Highlights
- “It all took on a new significance.” Eve’s project changed after the 2020 election. (4:27)
- The reasons behind improvements in the knitting circle. (8:11)
- The mindset shift that created positive changes to the project format. (10:02)
- Eve’s preparation helped secure her fellowship. (11:41)
- Collaboration changes and letting go of tight control over the project. (13:28)
- The topics that the project covers now are not the same as the initial intended ones. (19:25)
- 5 indicators to measure effectiveness in any project. (24:44)
- Applying these tools to measure other areas of success. (31:40)
- A look at what’s coming next for Eve. (36:40)
- The evolution of Eve’s expanded exhibition. (39:11)
Mentioned
- The Art Biz ep. 64: Knit Democracy Together (first interview with Eve)
- Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering book
- National Arts Strategies Creative Community Fellows
- New England Foundation for the Arts Public Art Grants
- LBJ speech introducing Voting Rights Act in 1965
- Eve Jacobs-Carnahan
- Knit Democracy Together
The Art Biz Connection
Join Optimize Your Online Marketing starting May 26, 2022
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Quotes
- “I have definitely let go of some control, and that’s been good.” — Eve Jacobs-Carnahan
- “I realized that I wasn’t going to be as effective by myself.” — Eve Jacobs-Carnahan
- “I’m talking about what people can do to help strengthen the system so we don’t have chaos, all while knitting.” — Eve Jacobs-Carnahan
- “Change can happen step by step, stitch by stitch and with many people working together.” — Eve Jacobs-Carnahan
- “Artists who want to do social impact work definitely can be using these tools.” — Eve Jacobs-Carnahan
- “Think about the people you know, think about your relationships with them, and be willing to ask for help.” — Eve Jacobs-Carnahan
Guest Bio
Eve Jacobs-Carnahan makes mixed media knitted sculpture exploring democracy. She uses the comforting quality of yarn and the charming attraction of birds to tell allegorical stories.
Eve’s work appears in Astounding Knits! 101 Spectacular Knitted Creations and Daring Feats by Lela Nargi and garnered First Place in National Fiber Directions 2015 at the Wichita Center for the Arts. She was named a Creative Community Fellow: New England by National Arts Strategies in 2021.
Eve knit away stress while earning a B.A. in History with Honors from Swarthmore College and a J.D. from the University of Chicago. She lives in Vermont.
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/effective-projects-carnahan-podcast
Some artists just know what they want, and some know what they don’t want. My guest for this episode has a lot of clarity about both. On this episode of The Art Biz, I’m talking with Alicia Goodwin, who worked as a jewelry designer for a number of individuals and companies before transitioning to her own full time jewelry business, Lingua Nigra. As an encourager, Alicia wants artists to go for it. She doesn’t believe in even considering a plan B in case the art thing doesn’t work out. She encourages artists to “find your people” because she knows what it’s like to be an artist and misunderstood by those closest to you. She found support in an online community filled with people who were making things and talking about business.
Even if you’re not a jewelry artist, I know you will be inspired by Alicia’s desire to continually improve her circumstances and grow her business. You especially won’t want to miss her insights into finding the right balance in your online presence. As she says, “You don’t need a lot of followers to make a lot of sales.”
Highlights
- “I was always plotting for the next thing.” (2:44)
- Alicia’s transition from FIT to in-demand jewelry artist. (10:56)
- Finding the people who share your passion. (19:05)
- The origin story of Lingua Nigra (24:48)
- Alicia’s forgiving etching and molding processes. (28:50)
- What is considered costume jewelry? (33:31)
- Alicia encourages ambitious artists to just get started. (37:30)
- Taking the first step toward your next big thing. (42:05)
- Finding a mentor, a support group, and the right sales outlets for your business. (48:50)
- Growing your studio and your team to match your big ideas. (52:30)
- A look at what’s coming up next for Alicia. (57:36)
Mentioned
- Lingua Nigra
- Fashion Institute of Technology
- Roxanne Assoulin (was Lee Angel)
- Stella & Dot
- Housing Works
- National Museum of African American History & Culture
Sign up for the next Artist Planning Sessions May 10-13, 2022
Join Optimize Your Online Marketing starting May 26, 2022
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Guest Bio
Alicia Goodwin is a Chicago based jeweler who specializes in adding unique textures to her sculptural jewelry. A graduate of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology., Alicia applies her knowledge of ancient techniques like reticulation and acid etching to her more contemporary designs.
Her love of complex ancient ceremonial jewelry created with minimal tools such as fire, sand and beeswax led her to truly admire the work produced throughout Mesoamerica and the African diaspora—influencing her own brand, Lingua Nigra.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/next-opp-goodwin-podcast
Have you ever experienced success in any area and then realized it wasn’t exactly what you wanted after all? My guest today experienced unexpected and surprising growth as her Instagram following quickly grew from 10,000 followers to over 70,000 followers in just a few years. In this episode of The Art Biz, I’m talking to Sara Schroeder. We talk about the creative way that she overcame her fear of selling and what she wishes she had known to do differently while in the throes of that success. For more than a year, Sara has been using tools like journaling and the Enneagram to discover more about herself and explore where she wants her work to go, and now she's looking for more. She knows there's a deeper level of fulfillment beyond posting and looking for sales online, so she has stepped back and reassessed. You'll hear Sara mention her upcoming solo show, which is part of a challenge that I issue to students in my seasonal programs. We also discuss why her Instagram strategy has changed and what her new approaches for Instagram and marketing in general.
Highlights
- “I fell in love with making art all over again.” (2:00)
- The value of finding a dedicated space for your art. (7:11)
- The difference between Sara’s maximum and minimal art. (10:18)
- Sara’s success on Instagram took off and quickly became overwhelming. (12:20)
- When app demands take over making artwork. (18:55)
- The evolution of Sara’s work since pulling back from Instagram. (24:07)
- The process of self discovery through journaling, meditating, and the Enneagram. (28:01)
- Details of Sara’s latest 100-piece collection. (32:00)
- How Sara would have handled her initial success and systems differently. (34:49)
- Sara’s modified Instagram presence and increased in-person collaborations. (39:47)
- Sara’s typical work week and why she starts work at 11 AM. (46:32)
Mentioned
- Lisa Congdon’s illustration classes
- Andy J. Pizza
- Art:21
- Enneagram
- Natalie Goldberg’s Freewriting
- Artist Planning Sessions
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/growing-schroeder-podcast
Guest Bio
Sara Schroeder is an abstract painter using gestural movement, intuitive marks, and saturated colors to convey energy and emotion. Works on canvas and paper feature drips, swipes, scratching, and subtraction methods, which build upon one another to form abstractions of nature. She finds inspiration in the potent hues of tropical plant life and the subdued pastel motifs of the Art Deco period preserved in Miami. Identifying with Kandinsky’s belief that color influences the soul, Sara's process incorporates the psychology of color, intuition, and chance.
Integrating into her work what psychotherapist Carl Rogers called “unconditional positive regard”, she aims to inspire rich revelations and encounters of the human spirit. Her works are held nationally and around the world in hundreds of private collections.
You are not alone.
It may seem like you are at times because you do so much work by yourself in the studio, but the art ecosystem is enormous and you are not alone. There are so many good people who are advocating on behalf of and supporting artists in their businesses and careers. I want you to know about these resources so that you can tap into them. They’re waiting for you.
In this episode of The Art Biz, I’m talking with Louise Martorano, the Executive Director at RedLine Contemporary Art Center in Denver, Colorado. RedLine is a nonprofit whose mission is to foster “education and engagement between artists and communities to create positive social change.” In many ways, RedLine behaves like a traditional arts council. But they’re far from it. Louise and I discuss their artist-in-residence program, affordable studio space, and how they collaborate with other art organizations in the U.S. and beyond.
Highlights
- The history and mission of RedLine Contemporary Art Center. (1:45)
- The local and global need for artist career support. (7:46)
- Visual arts coalitions fill in the gaps of an artist’s career. (11:23)
- The staff, budget, and $22 million re-granting programs at RedLine. (19:15)
- Details on residencies, applications, and juried interviews. (25:18)
- Open studio doors increase opportunities for artists. (32:03)
- Commission opportunities, stipends, and other program benefits. (33:58)
- How to find artist support programs in your community. (37:19)
- Group meetings and other expectations of artist residents. (41:01)
- Auditing relationships and leveraging your community. (45:45)
Mentioned
- RedLine Contemporary Art
- Redline Art on Instagram
- Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition
- Kansas City Artists Coalition
- Chicago Artists Coalition
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/advocate-martorano-podcast
Quotes
- “Artists are really expected to be all the departments in their career.” — Louise Martorano
- “Artists’ careers can live and die on the relationships they build and the opportunities they have.” — Louise Martorano
- “We’re trying to link arms with each other in Colorado to see if we can create a more seamless journey for artists as they gain traction and opportunity in their careers.” — Louise Martorano
- “Talking about your work is like exercising a muscle. The more you do it, the more refined your language is.” — Louise Martorano
- “Artists need to reevaluate who they know and who they’re connected to and see how they can use those arteries of opportunity.” — Louise Martorano
Guest Bio
Louise Martorano is the Executive Director of RedLine, a non-profit contemporary art center and residency located in Denver, Colorado. RedLine's mission is to foster education and engagement between artists and communities to create positive social change. Under Martorano’s leadership, RedLine has received the Denver Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts (2014 and 2015), the Greenway Foundation’s “Partner in Change” award, acknowledged by Denver Public Schools for excellence in community engagement, and has presented and organized over 100 exhibitions over the past 10 years.
Martorano holds a B.A. from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.H. from the University of Colorado, Denver with a focus in Contemporary Art History & Music. In 2017, she was awarded a Livingston Fellowship from the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation for promising nonprofit leaders who hold significant leadership roles in Colorado.
Artists need writers. They are a critical part of the art ecosystem. Look back on any art movement from the past century in the U.S. and you’ll find a writer behind its day in the spotlight. My guest for this episode of The Art Biz is artist and writer Philip Hartigan. As you’ll hear, he’s not quite sure what order those labels should be in. In some respects, the writing came first, but the art has always been there. We talk about his writing life, the role that blogging has had for him, and how he came to be a correspondent for Hyperallergic online art magazine. You’ll also hear about how writing has helped him make inroads into the art world. My hope is that you will consider writing more about not just your art, but about other artists’ work, possibly for publication and definitely for connections within your art community. First posted: artbizsuccess.com/art-reviewer-hartigan-podcast
Highlights
- James Joyce, literature and Philip’s journey as an artist. (1:54)
- The subtle narrative of Philip’s current work and his gradual return to painting. (7:19)
- How did Philip get into writing about art for publication? (10:13)
- Overcoming disdain for a personal art blog in favor of clarity. (13:24)
- Writing for an online publication and becoming an online correspondent. (18:25)
- Creating meaningful connections through writing. (24:45)
- The value of blogging in an Instagram world. (30:18)
- Finding your why behind writing about your art. (39:00)
- What is on the horizon for Philip? (42:20)
Mentioned
- Philip’s blog
- Philip’s website
- Philip on Instagram
- Hyperallergic
- James Joyce’s Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man
- An Art Mediation from U.S. Catholic Magazine
- Time Out online magazine
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection artist membership
Guest Bio
Philip Hartigan is a UK-born artist and writer who now lives, works, and teaches in the USA.
Hartigan’s art explores half-remembered moments from a childhood in an English mining town. His choice of materials depends on the emotional state he has arrived at after thinking about these stories. But whether it’s oil painting, intaglio printmaking, or sculpture, he aims to either tell a story in visual art or look for universally-recognized symbols for memory, loss, tragedy. Hartigan has lived for short and long periods in France, Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Holland.
Members of the general public enjoy their visits to art centers and museums without much thought as to how the art got into those spaces in the first place. Who decides on what to show and when to show it? Who decides what works to put next to one another and where to put a nail in the wall or a pedestal on the floor? Or even what color to paint the walls? All of these decisions, and more, fall under the purview of curators and exhibition directors in those non-profit spaces. In this episode of The Art Biz I talk with Collin Parson, the Director of Galleries and Curator at the Arvada Center for Arts and Humanities in the Denver suburb of Arvada, Colorado. Collin reveals how the exhibition process works at their venue: his timeline, rotating gallery spaces, and the decision makers at the organization. We also discuss how he selects artists for shows, what makes an artist easy and fun to work with, and why it’s important that artists keep him informed. Be sure to pay attention to some of the big mistakes he sees artists making. Highlights
- Collin’s background of artists and his work as a curator. (1:30)
- Curating a massive space and Collin’s approach to rotating exhibitions. (10:50)
- Scheduling artists into a gallery’s calendar isn’t as simple as it seems. (19:15)
- Why Collin generally doesn’t accept exhibit proposals. (22:52)
- What makes an artist fun to collaborate with? (26:48)
- What Collin wishes every artist would do—and not do. (33:03)
- Studio visits and what curators expect from artists. (38:25)
- Finding inspiration for the most memorable shows. (45:35)
- Details about juried shows and artist rosters. (48:55)
- Balancing curating exhibits, making art, and a personal life. (55:03)
Mentioned
- Collin Parson
- Charles Parson
- Arvada Center Galleries and Exhibitions
- Meow Wolf in Denver
- Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
- Steve Farland’s warrior chair-sculptures
Resources
- artbizsuccess.com/curator-parson-podcast
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Art Biz Connection community
Guest Bio
Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Collin Parson currently serves as the Director of Galleries and Curator for the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities in Arvada, Colorado and is a former member at the historic Pirate: Contemporary Art cooperative and past artist-in-residence at RedLine Denver. An arts administrator, artist, curator, and designer he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Design and Technology with emphasis in Lighting and Scene Design from the University of Colorado at Boulder and his Master in Arts in Visual Culture and Arts Administration from Regis University in Denver. His creative work involves the control of light and color to create vivid geometric light and space works. He has had the privilege of jurying many arts festivals and exhibitions and has received numerous awards and recognition for his curatorial projects. He was awarded 100 Colorado Creatives by Westword magazine in 2013 and featured in many television and print productions. Parson is the son of Colorado sculptor Charles Parson, whose experience with the regions arts community helped Collin long before his professional career began. Growing up in a family of artists, Collin is proud to be continuing the educational and creative traditions.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/curator-parson-podcast
For too long I have been noticing artists posting things like this on social media: ‘Fresh off the easel! What do you think?’ or ‘I'm experimenting with . Let me know what you think!’ What do I think? Do you really want to know what I think?
In this solo episode of The Art Biz I want to talk about feedback. When you ask people ‘what do you think’ you are asking for their feedback, whether it’s intentional or not. We are often too quick to ask for feedback, and we ask for it in ways that can be more damaging than anything. In this episode, I’ll share what I’ve learned from wise women and from paying attention to my students and clients. I’ll give you tips on the right way to ask for feedback—in the right environment and with specificity. I’ll also share with you how to handle unsolicited advice and the best way to offer advice to others, all so that you can get better feedback when you are seeking to improve.
Highlights
- The best time and way to ask for feedback. (1:36)
- 4 criteria to meet before asking for feedback. (2:25)
- You don’t really need feedback from everyone else. (5:35)
- When feedback actually becomes necessary in order to improve. (7:45)
- Asking for feedback from the right people. (9:15)
- How to ask for feedback with specificity. (11:14)
- The right way to offer feedback to others. (12:38)
- How to respond to feedback graciously. (14:33)
Resources
- artbizsuccess.com/feedback
- Art Biz Connection
Mentioned
- Stumbling Toward Genius podcast with Cynthia Morris
- Playing Big: Practical Advice for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead by Tara Mohr
- The Art Biz Episode #61 — The Value of Critique Groups for Artists with Patirica Miranda
Quotes
- “We’re often too quick to ask for feedback, and we ask for it in ways that are damaging.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “You shouldn’t care what everyone thinks.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “You need time to figure out what you think about your art before you ask others what they think about it.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “At some point, feedback is necessary when you want to improve, but you have to set up the parameters.”— Alyson Stanfield
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/feedback
Risk is scary. Rejection stinks. Resilience seems elusive. When I think of these three R words, the word practice comes to mind. Taking one step at a time over and over again because we know it is the only way to make big progress. In order to embrace risk, we have to practice. We step into it, try it on, and, almost always, discover that it isn’t as bad as the soundtrack we were playing in our heads. Rejection is also a practice. We build up emotional muscles after receiving disappointing news. After years of accumulated rejections, we begin to understand that they are rarely, if ever, personal. And finally, resilience is something we have to work at. We were born resilient, but, over the years, life beat us up. But rejections give us courage muscles we never had before. And, because we paid attention, we pick up on a number of tools that help us become more resilient.
My guest for this episode of The Art Biz is Christine Aaron. You’ll hear how she embraces risk and has come to understand the role of rejection in her art career. She also shares the tools she relies on to act with resilience, to get back in the studio and do it all over again.
Highlights
- The unusual motivation behind Christine’s first watercolor class selection. (2:08)
- Taking risks and challenging yourself in a rewarding art career. (5:31)
- Refining your art by sharing it with and soliciting critique from others. (12:45)
- Identifying your safe zone and moving beyond it. (21:45)
- Taking on the work that pushes you out of your comfort zone. (25:12)
- Name the risks to work your way through the potential rejection. (32:57)
- What rejection really means about the work that you’re doing. (39:46)
- Honing your resilience skills amid rejection. (40:35)
- Stop comparing yourself to other artists and remember how far you’ve come. (45:45)
- Reflecting on your work, your processes, and your improvement. (47:06)
- The risks that Christine is going to take in 2022. (48:00)
Mentioned
- Christine Aaron
- Christine Aaron Art on Instagram
- Weaving as Metaphor by Sheila Hicks
- B. Avery Syrig
- Patricia Miranda: CritLab
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art free report
- Create Opportunities for Your Art
Quotes
- “There’s not one of us that hasn’t experienced disappointment and loss in life.” — Christine Aaron
- “I make work ultimately because I want it to resonate with someone else. And the only way to do that is to get it out there.” — Christine Aaron
- “Think beyond what you can imagine now and know that you’ll have the ability to get the resources you need to do it.” — Christine Aaron
- “Every artist I know gets way, way more rejections than they get acceptances. But nobody is talking about that.” — Christine Aaron
Guest Bio
Christine Aaron is a conceptual and material-focused artist. Her work is exhibited nationally and internationally. Aaron received an artist’s grant from ArtsWestchester — New York State Council on The Arts, a Surface Design Association grant, and a residency and grant from Vermont Studio Center. She presents talks at The International Encaustic Conference in Provincetown, MA, received awards in printmaking and mixed media, and had a solo exhibit of The Memory Project at California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks.
Aaron holds a BS in education from Cornell University and a Masters in Social Work from Hunter College. She lives and maintains a studio in New Rochelle, NY.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/rejection-aaron-podcast
Why is it so hard for us to take care of ourselves? We all get busy. We feel a sense of urgency to keep up and do more. But if we're honest, we realize that very little is really urgent. Still, all of this hustle means we neglect habits and routines that will keep us well and give us energy for work in and out of the studio. And it's even harder when you're also responsible for caring for others. Whether you're a parent with growing children or an adult with aging parents, caregiving can take a lot out of you. It's hard to spend time on yourself when you're maxed out on so many levels. It's no wonder that self-care takes a backseat to other priorities.
On this episode of The Art Biz, I’m joined by Shimoda Donna Emmanuel. Shimoda has been the caregiver in her family, primarily for her mother Izola who recently passed after living with Alzheimer's, but also for an ailing sister. In 2020, Shimoda wrote Sacred Stitches: The Art of Care Giving, which has tips for stitching yourself together when caring for someone with Alzheimer's, but can also be useful to other caregiving roles. Together Shimoda and I talk about her routine, how she keeps her home to maintain a high vibration, tools she uses to de-stress and to stay calm, and how gratitudes and "the rage dance" fit into her self-care routine.
Highlights
- The fiber collages, jewelry, circles of love and sacred stitches of Shimoda’s work. (2:13)
- Shimoda wrote Sacred Stitches during the pandemic while caring for her mother. (7:29)
- Key tips for de-stressing as a caregiver artist. (14:20)
- How to keep your energy high so you can stay positive and productive. (24:52)
- Spring cleaning takes on a new meaning with self-care. (28:40)
- Finding a support group that can give you the support you need. (31:16)
- Handling emotions might mean screaming, crying and doing a rage dance. (34:51)
- How to cultivate a space that helps you destress. (36:30)
- Making time for sleep and watching your diet. (40:45)
- ‘Let this be easy’- Shimoda’s mantra for hectic days. (46:05)
- A peek at what Shimoda is looking forward to in the New Year, and where her name came from. (49:10)
Mentioned
- Sacred Stitches: The Art of Care Giving - Tips for Stitching Yourself Together When Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's by Shimoda Donna Emanuel
- Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
- Mama Gena’s School of Womanly Arts
- CaringKind in NYC
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- Artist Planning Sessions
- Create Opportunities for Your Art
Quotes
- “I’ve got to take care of myself. The caregiver has to take care of themselves.” — Shimoda Donna Emanuel
- “I’ve got to keep my energy high and keep my vibration high. That’s what’s most important to me.” — Shimoda Donna Emanuel
- “It’s just not good to hold it all in. I can get through emotions quicker if I just let myself deal with the feelings.” — Shimoda Donna Emanuel
Guest Bio
Shimoda Donna Emanuel is a mixed media artist living in Harlem, N.Y. Shimoda Accessories has a range of work that includes intuitive jewelry & fiber art. Her art has been on HGTV as well as the covers of Essence magazine and other publications. Her art is available for purchase at The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
As a caregiver of her sister and her 97-year young mom with Alzheimer’s, Shimoda wrote Sacred Stitches: The Art of Caregiving. This colorful book offers tips for other caregivers. She found solutions that worked for her with creative exercises, rituals, and more.
Shimoda also published Sacred Stitches: Fiber Art Dolls for the Soul and Sacred Stitches, an inspirational 25-piece card deck.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/caregiving-shimoda-podcast
We need art. Some of us need it more than others, and for some of us, it's as necessary as the air we breathe. My guest on this episode of The Art Biz is Rich Simmons, a London-based artist who insists that art saved his life. Rich is not an art therapist, but he is an advocate for the therapy of an art practice. He knows from first-hand experience that art heals.
Rich has struggled with depression and was eventually diagnosed with Aspergers. The realization that making art could make him feel better was life-changing, and he wanted other people to know about this. In 2008 he started Art Is The Cure to inspire people to turn to creativity in times of pain. Art has given his life purpose. In our conversation, you’ll hear that Rich has many balls up in the air. He makes murals, gives workshops, sells prints, has recently entered the NFT market, and is starting a podcast. And that is just scratching the surface of his inspiring ambitions.
Highlights
- “I was thrown into the deep end.” Rich’s unusual entry into the art world. (2:51)
- Rich started on his artistic path at a very young age by trading art with his grandfather. (7:57)
- Discovering art as a form of creative therapy amidst personal turmoil. (11:49)
- The act of creative release has expanded Rich’s spectrum and allows him to make better art. (17:44)
- Art Is The Cure gave Rich the purpose he needed to move forward. (24:50)
- How to channel your negative energy in a way that affects change. (33:48)
- Finding inspiration, community and movement, and what to do when art is the source of your stress. (36:50)
- Rich’s income stream and his approach to creating a continual stream of potential clients. (41:50)
Mentioned
- Rich Simmons
- Rich on Instagram
- Art Is The Cure
- Art Is The Cure on Instagram
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- Artist Planning Sessions
- Free e-course: The Artist’s Annual Review
- Create Opportunities for Your Art
Quotes
- “I want to give back to art because art saved my life.” — Rich Simmons
- “I like to say yes to opportunities no matter what it is and try to figure out how to do it.” — Rich Simmons
- “I realized I had found my own version of art therapy, and I needed to help other people discover their own version of art therapy.” — Rich Simmons
- “An artist’s job is not only to be a storyteller but to evoke emotions.” — Rich Simmons
- “I couldn't be an inspiration for people if I wasn’t looking after myself.” — Rich Simmons
- “You can be the messenger about how powerful art can be.” — Rich Simmons
Guest Bio
Rich Simmons is an Urban Pop artist who has exhibited all over the world. Simmons' work explores the intersections of visual culture, spanning pop art, comic books, the Renaissance, contemporary fashion, sexuality and beyond.
Simmons' bold use of color, intricately detailed hand-cut stencils, sense of humor and thought-provoking narratives running through his work are proving Rich is both an innovator and highly collectible artist.
Simmons is also the creator and founder of Art Is The Cure, a vInspired award-winning organization promoting art therapy and has run workshops and talks around the world.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/cure-simmons-podcast
There is an urgency to making the work and getting it out there so that you can find the people who respond to it, but it becomes much harder to accomplish much of anything if your body aches from the physically demanding work you do, or your shoulders are tense from hunkering over the computer all afternoon, or you're living on caffeine and wine, or especially if you aren’t sleeping. If you want to improve your productivity, and your health, then it’s time to focus on your self-care. What are you doing to take care of yourself? To keep up your energy, maintain a positive mindset, balance out the hours in the studio and on the computer? Is balance even necessary when you’re doing what you love?
In this episode of The Art Biz, I talk with Maria Coryell-Martin, a busy mom with a thriving art career and companion business that supports her family. With all that she has going on, Maria makes time for almost daily swims and cold, open water, healthy eating, and plenty of sleep. Listen to hear how she does it.
Highlights
- Maria’s expeditionary art combines her passions for science, art and education. (2:20)
- The motivation behind splitting Maria’s two artist endeavors. (4:57)
- An income breakdown from Art Toolkit and Expeditionary Art. (7:44)
- Maria’s art takes her all over the world. (10:31)
- “I want to be a capable, useful person in the field.” (14:39)
- How Maria successfully solicits funds for her expeditions. (17:17)
- Self-care is the rock for Maria’s sanity. (19:25)
- The physical aspect of making art requires taking care of your body. (24:06)
- A typical day for Maria starts with getting enough sleep and swimming in the ocean. (28:21)
- Monitoring energy levels, controlling what you’re eating, responding to stress. (35:15)
- Setting boundaries around your time and energy. (40:57)
- Getting the help you need so you can do your best work. (42:45)
- The simple first steps for starting self-care today. (46:00)
Mentioned
- Bon Appetit Lentil Burgers
- Cooper Island Black Guillemot Research
- Maria Coryell Martin’s Expeditionary Art
- Art Toolkit
- @ExpeditionaryArt
- @ArtToolkit
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- Artist Planning Sessions
- Free e-course: The Artist’s Annual Review
Quotes
- “Ask for what you need. You may not get it, but at least you’ll learn something.” — Maria Coryell Martin
- “I’ve developed tools and habits over my life that are my rock for my sanity.” — Maria Coryell Martin
- “Work is like a river. You dip your toes in and do what you can and then you take your toes out and it keeps flowing.” — Maria Coryell Martin
- “Mistakes are part of everything you do, but you’ve just got to move forward and let mistakes happen.” — Maria Coryell Martin
Guest Bio
Maria Coryell-Martin is an expeditionary artist following the tradition of traveling artists as naturalists and educators. She graduated from Carleton College in 2004 and received a Thomas J. Watson fellowship to explore remote regions through art from 2004-2005.
Since then Maria has worked with scientists, local communities, and travelers in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and the Antarctic Peninsula. In the field, Coryell-Martin sketches with ink and watercolor, and collects multimedia recordings to build her palette of place, a record of experience, climate, and color. This led her to create the wildly popular Art Toolkit.
This work became the basis for exhibits of large-scale studio and field paintings, as well as multimedia presentations and hands-on workshops for audiences of all ages to promote observation, scientific inquiry, and environmental awareness.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/self-care-martin-podcast
Lots of artists make a good living, or at least a significant part of their income, from commissions. The standard commission process is something we don’t question, but what would happen if you turned the whole commission process on its head? In this episode I talk with Leisa Collins, who started her art business by targeting people whose homes she wanted to paint. After a few failed attempts at marketing her work, her career as a house portraitist took off. To date she has painted more than 2,500 house portraits and has a waiting list for commissions. She no longer has to send direct mail, which you’ll hear about, but maintains that the personal relationships with clients are paramount.
Leisa shares her quest across the country to paint a house in all 50 states, that following up with prospects results in 85% more sales for her, and how she has partnered with realtors to provide closing gifts for their clients.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/commissions-collins-podcast
Highlights
- “I exchanged my art for everything.” Leisa’s adventurous art journey. (2:17)
- Combining a love of art with architecture and advertising it in effective ways. (4:36)
- The details of direct mailings that lead to collectors. (9:45)
- Hand selecting the demographic you want to work with. (13:05)
- The business process and price range of Leisa’s non-traditional approach to commissioned art. (16:10)
- Selecting, photographing and painting houses in all 50 states. (22:26)
- Creating 250 pieces a year means Leisa gets two or three new clients a week—and has to keep careful track of them all. (30:50)
- Selecting images, marketing and selling a book. (36:50)
- The importance of following up with prospective clientes—without being too pushy. (39:31)
- The details of Leisa’s spreadsheets help her maintain a personal relationship with her clients. (45:10)
- Creating relationships with clients through realtor closing gifts and phone calls. (48:51)
- A look at what is coming up next in Leisa’s very busy holiday schedule. (53:25)
Mentioned
- Episode 68: Procedures for Art Commissions with Sema Martin
- Leisa Collins
- Leisa on Instagram
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- Artist Planning Sessions
- Free e-course: 31 People Who Can Help Sell Your Art
Quotes
- “I could choose my demographic very carefully by looking at the house.” — Leisa Collins
- “I now get tons of commissions every week because they told their neighbor… by now it's just word of mouth.” — Leisa Collins
- “I get quite a few commissions coming in every single week. I get two or three new clients a week.” — Leisa Collins
- “If you love what you’re doing, it’s not so much like work.” — Leisa Collins
Guest Bio
Leisa Collins, a native of New Zealand, has carved a niche for herself as an acclaimed architectural artist.Eventually settling in the United States, Leisa became interested in the people and cultures that defined architecture throughout the country’s history. She was inspired to drive from coast to coast, creating original paintings of homes in every state. She selected 650 of these works of art—as well as the fascinating stories behind many of them—to share with readers in her new book, Hand-Painted Homes: An Architectural Artist’s Pen and Watercolor Journey Across America (May 2021). This coffee table book explores architectural styles in all fifty states, plus the nation’s capital.
In 2013, Leisa established the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award to pay tribute to exceptional individuals committed to saving and restoring old buildings across the country. Her work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Huffington Post and Los Angeles Times.
So many art venues shut down during the pandemic, and I'm sure many of the people that ran those venues mourn for not only what might have been, but also the fact that there wasn't an opportunity for closure. My guest for this episode of The Art Biz is Mai Wyn Schantz, an artist who was also a gallerist when she closed her space at the beginning of COVID. She hated to lose the relationships she had built over the years as the gallerist. She needed closure and she was determined to do right by her artists.
As soon as she felt it was safe, Mai Win organized a pop-up farewell exhibition with her artists. Her goal was to break even, which as you'll hear was far too conservative of a goal because she hit it out of the park, mostly because of the relationships she had nurtured throughout the years. Together we discuss the timing of the pop-up, the details for pulling it off, including the space she worked with, and what she learned from the experience. She reveals at least three things that she will do differently next time, and will inspire you to consider a pop-up gallery for your next art sales event.
Highlights
- Mai Wyn’s journey to finding her space in galleries. (1:42)
- Acting as a gallerist when you feel like an imposter. (6:11)
- The impact of an artist's experience on Mai Wyn’s gallery experience. (8:58)
- Reflections on the decision to close her gallery. (11:55)
- Celebrating the closure the proper way with a pop-up gallery. (16:16)
- Artist requirements for participation in the event. (25:42)
- How to promote a pop-up event across your network. (27:08)
- Handling inventory and sales in a pop-up gallery. (30:10)
- Playing the part of the hostess means hiring the right kind of help. (32:50)
- Lessons learned from this hugely successful pop-up. (42:51)
- Exceeding sales expectations by 1000%. (49:00)
- The relationships that make artists and gallerists succeed. (50:26)
- Mai Wyn gets real about what’s up next for her as a reborn artist. (52:22)
Mentioned
- Mai Wyn Fine Art
- Mai Wyn on Instagram
- Space Gallery in Denver
- O’Sullivan Gallery at Regis University
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- Grow Your List program at Art Biz Success
- Free e-course: 31 People Who Can Help Sell Your Art
Guest Bio
Landscape and wildlife painter Mai Wyn Schantz developed a love of nature at an early age canoeing the lake country of the upper Midwest with her father. Since her introduction to the art world in 1999, Schantz has exhibited steadily, including solo and group exhibitions at commercial galleries, art centers and museums notably the Museum of Wisconsin Art, Yellowstone Art Museum and Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities in Colorado. Beyond the studio, she remains an avid hiker spending her down time exploring trails along the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies with her husband and young daughter.
First posted: https://artbizsuccess/pop-up-schantz-podcast
People. You need them. You need people to buy your art, people to show your art, people to attend your shows, people to write about your work and let's face it. You need people to support you emotionally along the way. You need other artists around who get you. It's in these friendships that you will find understanding as well as ideas that challenge you to be a better artist. The relationships you nurture can sustain you, but you'll never know to what extent until you start taking them seriously, until you believe with all of your soul that you can't do this on your own. But what do you do if you move to a new place and don't know anyone, or if you're just getting started? Where do you begin? In this episode of The Art Biz, I talk with Laurence de Valmy about how she has used her bonus talent as a writer to make connections in all areas of the art world. It started with the thought that there were people out there who knew more about how to be an artist than she did. She trusted that she could learn from them. Even if you aren't a writer, you'll be inspired by her boldness and creativity. Here's my conversation with Laurence de Valmy.
Highlights
- “This is the place to take the leap.” Laurence reflects on her artist journey. (2:32)
- Have you ever Googled ‘how to be an artist’? The birth of The Curious Frenchy blog. (5:42)
- Laurence’s publishing schedule is shaped by the artists she meets. (8:14)
- How to more effectively learn from others while promoting their work. (9:52)
- What was it like interviewing Henry Matisse’s granddaughter? (13:40)
- Embracing the value of personal relationships with people. (15:30)
- Opportunities that have come to Laurence as a result of her blog connections. (17:05)
- How Laurence leverages and promotes blog content on social media. (21:17)
- The difference that one-on-one relationships can make in your business. (23:29)
- Tools for organizing your connections and contacts. (25:58)
- A look at Laurence’s typical workday and schedule. (27:57)
- How to meet people when you move to a new location. (31:32)
- Simplifying the sharing of content on social media (32:29)
- Laurence’s advice for artists who are intimidated about reaching out to form new connections. (34:08)
- A look at what’s coming up next for Laurence. (36:16)
Mentioned
- Sophie Matisse
- Dominique Lévy of Lévy-Gorvy Gallery
- Allan Gorman
- French Quarter Magazine
- Femmes d'Art
- Unik Magazine
- Laurence de Valmy
- Laurence on Instagram
- The Curious Frenchy
- The Curious Frenchy on Instagram
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- Grow Your List program at Art Biz Success
- Free e-course: 31 People Who Can Help Sell Your Art
Quotes
- “All I knew was that I didn’t know. And so I had to learn a new job and in order to do so, I started to connect with other artists.” — Laurence de Valmy
- “I quickly realized that’s how things happen. It’s through the people you know.” — Laurence de Valmy
- “People work with people that they like.” — Laurence de Valmy
- “The worst that can happen is that nothing happened. It’s as simple as that.” — Laurence de Valmy
- “If you are prepared, you will know what to say.” — Laurence de Valmy
Guest Bio
Laurence de Valmy invites us to reflect on the links between artists through times and the relationship between art and social media today. In her POST paintings, she revisits art history through imagined Instagram feeds of the past. Her recent work explores the place of hashtags in our communication. Laurence is French American and lives in the U.S. She writes about art on her blog The Curious Frenchy and for art publications.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/reaching-out-devalmy-podcast
We’re all about the quest for more followers, more likes, more shares, more views, and more comments these days. It feels good when more people respond to your art because art is a form of communication. It’s the means you use to share your ideas and your soul with the world. But that self-expression isn’t meaningful until other people respond. Until they comment, share, and start a dialogue with you about it. And when you put the work out there and don’t get the appropriate number of expected likes or comments, you are unfulfilled.
It’s not fair that the social media algorithms have so much control over who sees your art. But are we really so subject to social media giants? I believe we are taking huge risks by relying on mass communication to complete the circle of communication. We know for a fact that art must be experienced in person in order to be fully appreciated. So why do we insist on online validation?
In this solo episode of The Art Biz I want to talk about what really works for moving the needle with your art. It’s a secret shared by my highest level clients, only it’s not really such a secret. But I can guarantee that it will help you stand out in an over-saturated digital space.
Highlights
- The not-so-secret secret that moved the needle with your art. (2:18)
- The most important information you can share is whispered one-on-one. (3:12)
- Examining the anatomy of a whisper. (5:14)
- 4 ways to effectively connect on a more personal level. (6:19)
- Where should you begin when your time is so limited? (9:58)
- What you can expect to gain from one-on-one interactions. (10:55)
Resources
- Complete transcript, images, and listener comments
- Program: Grow Your List
- Workshop: Designing a 5-Star Customer Experience
Mentioned
- Art Biz Episode #47- Using Real Mail to Delight
Quotes
- “We are taking huge risks by relying on mass communication to complete the circle of communication.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “The most important information you can share is whispered one-on-one.” — Steve Cranford
- “Personalizing the relationship you have with buyers, students, and collectors will make you feel better because it feels more authentic.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “Stop relying on broadcasting for all of your marketing.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “You’ll feel better about your marketing when you value individual relationships.” — Alyson Stanfield
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/whisper
Grow your mailing list: https://artbizsuccess.com/growyourlist
It takes a great deal of effort to find the right person to help with your art business, so you want to get it right. That means you need to find a way to retain good team members. You want them to take ownership in your business and pride in the work they do on your behalf. You may not be thinking about this from the beginning of the relationship with a new team member because you're so focused on getting the help you need fast. But you absolutely should be thinking about it: How do I keep good people on my team? In this episode of The Art Biz, I talk with Ali Manning about the responsibilities she feels as the person in charge of her business, including the responsibilities she has to team members. We discuss her membership-based business model, the dynamics between team members, how she hires, when and why she hires employees instead of contractors, and how she keeps team members happy. We also get into the hiring mistakes that both of us have made in the past—freely admitting that it was our fault, not the employees.
Highlights
- The ah-ha moment in Ali’s art journey. (2:45)
- How does Ali make money in her art business? (6:25)
- Running a business with 1,500 members requires the help of several assistants. (10:15)
- The key difference between employees and contracted help. (12:27)
- Bringing your team together regularly starts with a weekly meeting and the right technology. (15:09)
- You might be surprised at where you can find the right help. (19:07)
- Hiring mistakes and how to correct them quickly. (24:15)
- Tests and onboarding processes that can smooth out the new hire process. (28:56)
- Clearly defined business processes and procedures will help your team members succeed. (31:35)
- Your assistant can’t actually read your mind, but taking these steps can help them out. (34:06)
- Keeping your employees—and keeping them happy. (38:46)
- A peek at Ali’s upcoming launch. (42:41)
Mentioned
- Kolbe A Index
- Loom
- Asana
- Upwork
- The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- Grow Your List program at Art Biz Success
- Free e-course: 31 People Who Can Help Sell Your Art
Quotes
- “From a business standpoint, I want to be able to offer my help a secure job. It’s important to me that they’re invested.” — Ali Manning
- “With as many moving parts as I keep in my brain, it’s no wonder that I needed some help with this stuff.” — Ali Manning
- “It’s important to slow down, take a step back and really think about what you want and how you would like your assistant to do it.” — Ali Manning
Guest Bio
Ali Manning creates bindings that showcase the stitching and the handcrafted nature of books. Her mixed media books are inspired by the forests of New England and the gardens of her home country England.
Working from her studio in a converted textile mill in Massachusetts, Ali has taught thousands of students via her blog, Vintage Page Designs, in person and with her latest online adventure, The Handmade Book Club. Teaching others to express their creativity through handmade books is her greatest joy. She believes that anyone can create a handmade book and it shouldn’t require expensive tools or equipment. Ali's work has been featured in Somerset Studio, Take Ten, Paper Crafts Magazine and Cloth, Paper, Scissors.
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/being-boss-podcast
In order to have a successful working relationship with anyone, you need guiding ground rules. You need employee policies and agreements, and boundaries have to be established, especially when you’re working with family. It can feel unnecessary to enact these formal arrangements with those close to us, and yet it's even more important to have them when you’re navigating the relationships that mean the most. In this episode of The Art Biz, I talk with Trudy Rice about her working relationship with a family member. Trudy reflects on what her business was like before her sister Jenny started helping her, the specific tasks that Jenny is responsible for, and how they structure their business partnership to make sure each is happy and fulfilled. Highlights
- The point at which Trudy realized she needed help in her art business. (2:20)
- Why hiring her sister was a perfect fit for Trudy. (6:17)
- Writing a job description for a relative—or any employee—is an essential first step. (9:00)
- Establishing an appropriate pay rate to compensate for the skills your new hire brings to your business. (11:48)
- Structuring a typical week when you’re scheduling more than just yourself. (15:20)
- Maintaining your voice when someone else is writing your social media posts. (21:24)
- Communicating effectively in between weekly meetings. (24:01)
- What Trudy wishes she had known before hiring her sister as her assistant. (28:25)
- Identifying the areas that would allow you to accomplish more if you turned them over to someone else. (32:24)
- Trudy’s advice to anyone that is considering hiring help. (34:54)
- A look at what is coming up next in Trudy’s studio. (37:18)
Mentioned
- Loomly
- Asana
- Creative Market
Resources
- Show notes, images, and listener comments
- Grow Your List program at Art Biz Success
- Free e-course: 31 People Who Can Help Sell Your Art
Guest Bio
Artist and entrepreneur Trudy Rice has been a professional artist for more than 10 years. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Trudy has a diverse business consisting of original artworks on paper, paintings, commissions, large projects, wallpaper, and linen homewares. Her artworks are inspired by our natural world, particularly flora and fauna. Her works on paper and paintings are created with mindful observation, the initial drawings are etched in the very sun and water from which the original specimens are found.
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/working-with-relatives-podcast
It can be very difficult to hire someone to help with your business, but if you want your business to grow, there comes a point at which you must hire to support that growth. And the wisdom is to hire before you think you can afford it. In this episode I talk with Angela Fehr and Robin Edmundson. Angela has been building a thriving business teaching heart-led watercolor, along with a community of artists to support one another on that journey. She knew she needed help, but she wasn't prepared to struggle to find that help. She was content in setting her intention and being open. Enter Robin—Angela’s student as well as a member of my former Inner Circle program for artists. In our conversation you'll hear how Angela has handled building a team and how Robin has been able to support her in this process. We talk about the technology they use, how they communicate with one another, and how they work with other team members who have since come on board.
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/fehr-edmundson-podcast
Highlights
- Angela and Robin both focus on watercolor and Angela’s teaching offers regular lightbulb moments. (1:43)
- How has Angela’s approach to watercolor grown her art teaching business? (4:45)
- Building a thriving business while raising families and connecting in the artist community. (9:09)
- At what point do you know it’s time to get help? (11:15)
- Finding the best fit—from both Robin and Angela’s perspective. (13:25)
- Learning how to hire correctly while trusting and protecting your values. (16:22)
- Finding assistants that have the skill set you might be lacking. (19:35)
- Building a support staff as your art business needs expand. (24:13)
- A typical week in this thriving art business. (29:32)
- The first step of a journey might be a boring one, but it can lead to a great adventure. (32:18)
- Email support, tech support, and everything you might want to hire an assistant to do for you. (34:54)
- The policies and procedures that keep a sustainable business running smoothly. (39:18)
- What are the rewards and challenges of supporting another artist? (43:32)
Mentioned
- Angela Fehr
- Angela on YouTube
- Angela on Instagram
- Robin Edmundson
- Robin on Instagram
Resources
- Grow Your List program at Art Biz Success
- Free e-course: 31 People Who Can Help Sell Your Art
Guest Bios
Angela Fehr first picked up a watercolor brush as a shy teenager newly returned to Canada. During her teen years she’d lived in a remote village in Papua New Guinea, and the solitude had cemented a passion for art that she was excited to pursue. She quickly realized that watercolor was a perfect fit, and along the way, realized that she wanted something more for her paintings than simply to copy what she could see with her eyes. Angela aims to show her heart in her paintings, to pair the beauty of the world with a loose, intuitive, heart-led style.
She launched her first online course in November of 2013, with the goal of teaching technique and empowerment to help painters become their own favorite artist. Angela shares her home in northern British Columbia with her husband and three teens. The beauty of the Peace River and northern Rocky Mountain region serves as the main source of inspiration for her paintings.
Robin Edmundson paints everyday rural things in new ways with bold and unusual colors, using simplified shapes and lines to emphasize the patterns and rhythms of rural life. Robin grew up in northern Indiana in an old farmhouse on a property full of old farm buildings. Her early goal was to learn as many languages as she could. In college, she quickly found Linguistics and earned a Ph.D. in that field. She taught in various capacities at Indiana University for twenty-seven years. Always looking for creative outlets to balance her academic life, she learned to dye and weave and became an award winning fiber artist.
In 2011 she began blogging about rural life in southern Indiana. It took her a while to realize that she was still searching for a language that could express some things she wanted to say about life in rural southern Indiana. Imagine her surprise when she finally figured out that the language she was looking for was one of paint, color and line instead of words. Nothing makes her happier than to communicate through her paintings her deep love and respect for the unruly places and people of rural Indiana.
Whenever you have multiple styles or subjects, you probably also have multiple audiences. This can also mean that you're essentially running multiple businesses. I'd never tell you not to do this, though I'd be tempted, because experimentation and play are such important parts of your life as an artist. But I will always caution you about the extra work involved. Today we're examining the work and reward that comes with working in multiple styles. In my conversation with Robin Maria Pedrero you’ll hear about the three different styles and subjects she paints. Robin has a very full art business, and she has joined the podcast to share her story about how she juggles her various styles of art and diverse audiences for her work. Highlights * Robin’s evolution into the artist she is today. (1:30) * Trying new things, making mistakes and moving forward. (7:05) * More styles means more audiences and more effort. How does Robin juggle it all? (13:34) * Track your inventory with tools that work. (16:49) * Robin’s approach to marketing on social media. (18:23) * Managing multiple Facebook groups and social media sites means creating more content, but Robin has a system for all of it. (26:36) * Robin’s tools for staying so productive with such a long to-do list. (31:09) * Lessons learned for successful print on demand. (35:45) * Robin’s simple approach to bookkeeping and connecting with buyers. (39:11) * The tools, assistance and move that are keeping Robin moving forward. (43:04) * A snapshot of Robin’s typical day. (45:39) * Providing excellent customer service is a major part of what the best artists do. (48:12) * Paper planner or electronic task list, and all Robin uses Artwork Archive for. (50:38) * What’s coming next in Robin’s very full art business. (52:45)
Mentioned
- Robin Maria Pedrero
- Robin’s Instagram
- Robert Brackman
- Café Tu Tu Tangos
- HGTV and DIY Networks star Tamara Day
- Mary Mirabel
Resources
- Complete transcript, images, and listener comments
- Grow Your List program at Art Biz Success
- Free e-course: 31 People Who Can Help Sell Your Art
Guest Bio
Robin Maria Pedrero is an award-winning artist with work in museum permanent collections in Florida, Greece, public, corporate and private collections. Her abstract paintings are defined by layers of translucent color and overlapping forms, while her whimsical nature work, the paintings she calls “Joy Bringers,” is characterized by bold color and texture. Robin has had solo exhibitions at the Orlando Museum of Art and Lake County Museum of Art. More recently, Tamara Day of HGTV’s Bargain Mansion, has selected Pedrero’s artwork for that show. Pedrero creates from her studios in Frisco and McKinney Texas.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/multiple-styles-pedrero-podcast
Does the thought of expanding your mailing list give you a headache? Do you constantly push tending your mailing list to the back burner because it feels like the least productive or enjoyable task on your lengthy to-do list? Your mailing list is your art business’s #1 marketing asset, but it’s absolutely useless if you aren’t using it and intent on growing it. Too many artists neglect their mailing lists simply because they don’t know the real power that it holds. In this solo episode, you’ll hear a new definition for your mailing list that just might inspire you to give it your full attention again. You’ll learn about the five groups of people that need to be included in your list and how you should treat each of them. You will also hear about the upcoming Grow Your List program — our final program for 2021 that is designed to help you create a reliable system to attract new people to your list and nurture them in ways that can make a major difference in your art biz success.
Highlights
- How important is your mailing list, really? (1:30)
- Questions to ask yourself about your mailing list. (2:24)
- Broadening your definition of a mailing list to include everyone you know. (3:12)
- The five groups of people that need to be on your list. (4:44)
- The hardest part about growing your mailing list — and what to do about it. (8:47)
- How not to grow your mailing list, and what to do instead. (9:49)
- Finding the fuel that will power the growth of your list. (14:24)
Resources
- Complete transcript, images, and listener comments
- Grow Your List program at Art Biz Success
- Free e-course: 31 People Who Can Help Sell Your Art
Quotes
- “When clients aren’t getting good results I can often trace it back to the fact that they’re neglecting their lists.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “Your mailing list is the number one asset in your art business, but only if you continue to develop it.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “You have to treat everyone on your list well.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “It’s not easy to get people on your email list right now, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “Stop looking for shortcuts. Start doing the hard — and much more interesting — work of caring about people and connecting with them authentically.” — Alyson Stanfield
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/people-on-your-list/
Grow your mailing list: https://artbizsuccess.com/growyourlist
Why do we make things so difficult for ourselves sometimes? We don't mean to. It's our nature to appreciate simple solutions that we can quickly grasp and execute. I think we unnecessarily complicate our businesses because we lose focus. We get distracted by social media posts and emails. The next great invention makes it to our line of vision and we suddenly wonder how we ever did without it. And during this month while we're working on improving productivity, it's even more tempting to search for solutions outside of ourselves.
But the truth is, you probably already have everything you need to simplify your to-do list and increase your productivity. To help unpack this idea, I’m joined on this episode of The Art Biz by Amelia Furman, who says that her to-do list was out of control before she took charge and started eliminating obligations from her life. She tells us why simplifying has become a way of life for her; what exactly she has simplified; and how she schedules her days, weeks, months and even her year in a way that is more productive than ever.
Highlights
- Amelia shares her artist's journey. (2:19)
- The breaking point that revealed that Amelia’s to-do list was out of control. (4:53)
- For Amelia, making big changes starts with a deliberate start to every day. (9:58)
- Why is simplifying so important? (13:29)
- Focusing on one goal or one word each year can help you recall what matters most. (15:05)
- Setting boundaries and saying no helps Amelia reach her main goals. (22:00)
- Doubling her gross income doesn’t mean that Amelia is doing more of everything. (24:17)
- How to schedule your time in more productive ways. (26:08)
- What does your ideal day look like? What about an ideal week or month? (29:45)
- Bullet journaling, calendaring and planning your life. (35:32)
- How to create a loose monthly flow that allows you to meet your goals. (37:38)
- Simplifying, eliminating and focusing have increased Amelia’s productivity. (40:18)
- The value of participating in a business owners group. (42:00)
- Amelia’s advice for simplifying a complicated artist's life. (45:26)
- A look at what is coming up next for Amelia. (46:30)
Mentioned
- Bullet Journaling
- The Originals by Adam Grant
- Amelia Furman
- Amelia Furman on Instagram
Resources
- Complete transcript, images, and listener comments
- Artist Planning Sessions
- Free e-course: 31 People Who Can Help Sell Your Art
Quotes
- “A to-do list can help you get all the things done, which is awesome until it’s the end all be all. Then it’s not awesome anymore.” — Amelia Furman
- “Organizing what needed to happen for that day only really helped to focus in and start this journey toward simplicity.” — Amelia Furman
- “Now I’m not saying yes to things just because I can do them. I’m saying yes to things based on my goal.” — Amelia Furman
- “So much of this is being honest with myself about how much time something actually takes.” — Amelia Furman
- “I have no further plan beyond each day, and that really helps me stay focused on that day and simplifies it so much in my mind.” — Amelia Furman
- “Be brave and start taking stuff out.” — Amelia Furman
About My Guest
Amelia Furman grew up in rural, central Pennsylvania amidst pastoral scenes of farms, fields, and forests, and now calls Colorado home. Nature has captured her attention for as long as she can remember. Visual arts were also a dominant force in Amelia’s life from an early age. After graduating with a degree in visual art from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2003, Amelia began to explore how she could use paint to express her love of the natural world.
Amelia’s background in printmaking and illustration has heavily influenced the direction of her work. She works in a combination of paper collage, text and thin layers of acrylic paint. Using a selection of documents, vintage images, handwritten text, and symbols associated with the painted image, Amelia reminds the viewer that places and objects have many layers of meaning, memory, and beauty.
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/simplifying-furman-podcast
Make a plan for your art business: https://artbizsuccess.com/planningsessions
Welcome to the 100th episode of The Art Biz! In this milestone episode, the tables are turned as I become the guest of host Cynthia Morris. Cynthia was one of the first guests on my second attempt at this podcast, and I have learned so much from her wit and wisdom. In our conversation, Cynthia is set on helping me not only celebrate this important milestone but also reflect on just how far this podcast has come and what it took to get it where it is today. More than just a self-congratulatory episode, together we discuss the value of acknowledging your progress, however imperfect it may be. We share what it takes to do the work, create the content, and develop the tenacity that results in milestones worth celebrating.
Highlights
- Why should you take time to celebrate milestones? (0:07)
- Alyson reflects on the progress she has achieved at this milestone podcast episode 100. (2:16)
- Fumbling your way toward success means just doing it! (6:04)
- What helps Alyson maintain consistency in her content? (9:06)
- The value of taking full responsibility for your commitments. (12:55)
- Overcoming the challenges that might be holding you back. (16:32)
- The systems that make podcasting a seamless part of Alyson’s life. (19:46)
- Celebrating progress starts with reflecting on where you might be otherwise. (24:55)
- The tools that Alyson uses to organize and produce this podcast. (27:23)
- Celebrating milestones, developing key qualities and recognizing your progress. (32:41)
Mentioned
- Donald Miller’s Business Made Simple Podcast
- Cynthia Morris’s Stumbling Toward Genius Podcast
- Notion app
- Descript audio and video editing
- Podfly podcast production
Resources
- Show notes, featured artists, and listener comments
- Artist Planning Sessions
- Free e-course: 31 People Who Can Help Sell Your Art
Quotes
- “When we don't acknowledge the milestones, when we don't pause to savor and appreciate and see what we did that brought us there, we really lose out on a lot of the benefits that we've accrued in the course of making our way to that milestone.” — Cynthia Morris
- “Every milestone shows you that you are making progress.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “We've seen so many people sit on the sidelines of things because they haven't figured out the right way or the perfect way. And then they never do anything.” — Cynthia Morris
- Your plan is going to be imperfect and you just may have to change it.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “When you promise something to people you’re promising something to yourself.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “You can’t make more money if you’re doing all the things that you’re not good at.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “The more artists that I talk with, the more artists I'm able to help and the better advice or consulting or coaching I can give.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “You’re not really living unless you’re learning.” — Cynthia Morris
About the Guest Host
Cynthia Morris helps writers, artists and entrepreneurs make their big dreams a powerful reality. Cynthia is a certified coach, teacher, author and artist. In 1999, she founded Original Impulse, a boutique coaching company that empowers creative people to focus, follow through and finish projects that matter.
The author of The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book, Cynthia has published seven e-books on writing and creative travel as well as the Paris historical novel, Chasing Sylvia Beach. She is a watercolor artist and visual journal keeper who uses art as a way to express joy and consistently access inspiration.
Follow Cynthia on Instagram.
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/celebrating-achievements-podcast
Build your well-greased art biz machine: https://artbizsystem.com
What can you do if your art business isn’t profitable? When you’ve trimmed business expenses as far as you can, the only other thing you can do to be profitable is to increase your income. Your goal as the CEO of your art business should be to increase income and lower expenses while also increasing joy and lowering your frustration level. In this solo episode, you will learn about the income-accelerating plan that shapes a realistic strategy for increasing your income. This four-step process is what you need to begin to more easily visualize a more profitable future. If you’re ready to dramatically up level your business IQ by gaining insights into where your income came from, where it can come from, and how you can make it happen, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Highlights
- You cannot be content to just break even in your art business. (:10)
- The value of creating an income-accelerating plan. (1:20)
- How can you make a plan for more money when you don’t know if anyone will buy your art? (2:35)
- Step 1- Figure out where your income has been coming from. (3:38)
- Step 2- Analyze the numbers and what they can tell you. (6:32)
- Step 3- Set your next income goal. (7:25)
- Step 4- Make a plan that will allow you to achieve your new income goal. (8:51)
- Join the Artist Planning Sessions to get real about the work you can realistically commit to. (9:35)
- What other artists are saying about the income-accelerating process. (10:57)
Resources
- Complete transcript, images, and listener comments
- Artist Planning Sessions
- Free e-course: 31 People Who Can Help Sell Your Art
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
Quotes
- “Don’t be content to break even when running an art business.” — Alyson Stanfield
- "You need money to survive and shouldn’t be ashamed to admit it.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “One of the best things you can do to improve your chances of success in any area is to create a plan.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “You make a plan because you’re the CEO of your art business and that’s what CEOs do.” — Alyson Stanfield
- While you don’t have any control over results, you do have control over the actions you take (or don’t take) to get the results.” — Alyson Stanfield
Being profitable as an artist doesn't necessarily mean you need to do more. Sometimes it's about doing less by being discerning about what you take on and where you invest your energy. This is extremely difficult to do when you are trying to show and sell your art. You want to do more. To add new income streams and the latest marketing platforms. The ads and social media posts want you to do more.
But more is exhausting.
My guest for this episode knows how to get what she wants without doing more. Jill Soukup, who has been a student and client of mine over the past decade, is dedicated to becoming a better artist. She methodically improves her work to make sure that her career, her business, and her life are what she wants them to be.
In this conversation, Jill and I discuss how and where she sells her work, how teaching fits in with her income plan, how she makes sure she remains profitable, and why it's important for her to keep things simple.
Highlights
- Jill’s transition to full-time artist and where she shows and sells her art today. (1:51)
- The inspiration behind Jill’s Western-themed art. (5:56)
- Selling on Instagram is changing the dynamics of Jill’s work. (8:39)
- Logistics of selling prints and giving customers what they want. (11:34)
- You have to spend money to make money. (15:25)
- The strategies that allow Jill to get work done without working harder. (19:31)
- For Jill, doing less has resulted in even more success in her art business. (23:47)
- Dedication to your craft and honing your skills is the hallmark of an exceptional artist. (29:10)
- Teaching, raising prices, and decreasing her painting output keeps Jill’s income steady. (30:45)
- Bookkeeping details and how Jill knows she is profitable. (37:24)
- Why is simplifying so important in Jill’s business — and life? (40:56)
- Insights from Jill’s typical work day and what she's working toward now. (46:14)
Mentioned
- Jill Soukup
- Jill on Instagram
- Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale
- Ranchlands
- Later social media scheduling
Resources
- Complete transcript, images, and listener comments
- Artist Planning Sessions
- Free e-course: 31 People Who Can Help Sell Your Art
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
Quotes
- “As artists we ebb and flow in our process and what we’re producing.” — Jill Soukup
- “This experience is teaching me to dig deeper and to see things that I wasn’t seeing before.” — Jill Soukup
- “At that point I recognized that I was so overwhelmed. I wasn’t making any decisions because I had too many decisions to make.” — Jill Soukup
- “At that moment I realized what really was important to me, and that all of the other things on my list were not even necessary.” — Jill Soukup
- “Everything I chose to do had to meet one of my three goals and it just simplified everything. And it was such a beautiful thing.” — Jill Soukup
About My Guest
Jill Soukup was born in Buffalo, New York. Shortly thereafter, her family moved to Colorado, where she still resides. Jill’s affinity for horses as a young girl resulted in countless drawings and studies of them, which made for a strong drawing foundation. As a teen, she started a pet-portrait business, acquired jobs painting murals, and designed logos for local organizations. Jill graduated from Colorado State University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Fine Art. There, she received awards for illustration and design and worked as an illustrator and designer for the university. She initially pursued a career in graphic design while continuing to paint part time. After 11 years as a designer, she made the switch to full-time painting. Her work continues to gain recognition as she receives awards, appears in national publications, and shows in important juried and one-woman exhibitions.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/online-events-griffin-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
Sometimes you just need to throw out the old models for doing business and try something totally new. Maybe you're bored with business as usual. Maybe the results aren't as profitable as they were in the past. Or maybe you are no longer enjoying the same old way of doing business. It's okay to go off-script.
In this episode, I talk with ceramic artist Patricia Griffin. If you visit her website during certain times of the year, you won't see anything for sale because she has sold out. Zero inventory. What you will see are items she has sold and an opportunity to get on her list so you don't miss a chance to purchase the next time her shop opens.
Patricia and I discuss what she refers to as events — the 3- or 4-times a year sales of her ceramics that sell out within hours and have led to a dramatic increase in income. She'll describe the philosophy behind them, the promotional timeline, the collaborations to help raise money for nonprofits, and how the events are a valuable tool for her to cultivate relationships with buyers and potential buyers.
Highlights
- The book that changed the course of Patricia’s artistic life. (2:04)
- Patricia’s cautious first step into selling her art. (6:35)
- A visual description of Patricia’s functional stoneware. (8:52)
- An overview of Patricia’s sales philosophy and the online sales events that bring in more orders than she can quickly fill. (11:20)
- The learning curve that comes with selling art in a non-traditional way. (15:46)
- Cultivating a studio friends list allows Patricia to connect with interested buyers. (17:47)
- Timing sales events and refining the sales process. (21:50)
- How many pieces does Patricia have ready to go when her events go live? (26:25)
- The benefit of connecting your Instagram feed to your sales website. (27:14)
- Marketing for sales events and what launch day looks like for Patricia. (28:53)
- Collaborating with a non-profit does not have to mean donating your work for free. (33:05)
- Hosting online events, for Patricia, has resulted in a dramatic increase in sales and skills. (34:43)
- Stories of creating connections and increasing loyalty with buyers. (36:20)
- How to create the deadlines that will result in increased sales. (39:16)
- The success of Patricia’s most recent online event — by the numbers. (41:04)
- Which social media platform brings in the greatest number of customers? (43:18)
- How does Patricia balance the need to produce art for her soul and the need to produce art for her business? (46:07)
Mentioned
- Patricia Griffin Ceramics
- Patricia on Instagram
- The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
- The Artist’s Way
- Ayumi Horie
- Shopify
Resources
- Complete transcript featured artists and listener comments
- Artist Planning Sessions
- Free e-course: 31 People Who Can Help Sell Your Art
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
Quotes
- “I like the association with the people who are buying my art through online sales. I don’t know that doing it another way would cultivate the same kind of relationships that I have now.” — Patricia Griffin
- “Some of these people had been on my email list for years and maybe just purchased something for the first time.” — Patricia Griffin
- “Hosting online events has been really beneficial, not only to my business but also to my skills.” — Patricia Griffin
- “I don’t think I would have had those commissions if it wasn’t for the online events.” — Patricia Griffin
- “I’ve really felt the pull to do something else and get back to some of the experimenting that I like to do.” — Patricia Griffin
- “I’m continually walking that tight line between the need to produce art in my soul and the need to produce art in my business hat.” — Patricia Griffin
About My Guest
Patricia Griffin is a potter-artist in the seaside community of Cambria on California's central coast. She makes functional ceramics that are hand-thrown and hand-built and etched with designs that look like woodcuts. Griffin’s work is sold primarily through shopping events held three to four times a year on her website.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/online-events-griffin-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
You’re most likely listening to this podcast because you are in the art business. It’s more than a hobby to you. It’s your professional line of work. In this episode I want to talk about profitability—what it takes not just to make and sell art, but to also make money and to ensure that you have a positive net income in your art business. As the CEO of your art business there are things you—and only you—need to be doing to make sure that you are running your business in the most profitable and productive way possible. From running the numbers in your books to delegating the menial tasks that someone else can do so that you can focus on making art, I offer six different ways that you can ensure profitability in your art business.
Highlights
- Getting serious about making money out of your art business—not your art hobby. (0:01)
- Yes, you really are the CEO of your art business. What exactly does that mean? (1:42)
- Art business CEOs know when and how to ask for help. (3:53)
- CEOs do what they do best and they delegate the rest. (4:43)
- Do you know exactly how you are spending money in your art business? (5:30)
- What you will learn from analyzing your profit and loss statements. (6:37)
- 3 evolving art business trends you need to be aware of. (9:23)
- A look at the upcoming and inspiring episodes on the Art Biz Podcast. (12:02)
Mentioned
- IRS Hobby Loss Rules
- 31 People Who Can Help You Sell Your Art
- What Is Your Art Business Costing You? (links to Liz Crane post)
- Ripping Through the Veils of Illusion Around Online Art Marketplaces by Liz Crane
- Art Biz Podcast Episode 18 with Helen Hebert
Resources
- Complete transcript, featured artists, and listener comments
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/ceo
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
Failure. We all fear it, especially in our art businesses. But failure is necessary for growth. If you are succeeding at everything, there is no way you're learning and growing.
My guest today is ambitious and knows what she wants, and she is not afraid to fail.
In our interview, you'll hear about Laura Petrovich-Cheney’s philosophy that failure is the result of not listening to your instinct and not doing your best. Laura talks about a few failures she has learned from, why it's helpful to have a little bit of time and space between examining failures, and the shame that gets in the way of sharing failures with other artists. We also discuss the inevitable comparisons with other artists that arise when you fail and see only their successes.
Highlights
- Laura Petrovich-Cheney shares the artist journey that led her to embrace failure. (1:40)
- Defining failure as a lack of listening to your intuition and not trying your best. (4:30)
- The difference between failures and mistakes. (6:14)
- The most productive timeline for examining your failures so you can learn from them. (11:45)
- Success comes from learning to do something better. (15:05)
- Compare rejection and failure — which one comes from within? (16:49)
- At what point should you define an experience as a failure? (19:47)
- Throw yourself a pity party, then let go and move on. (22:23)
- Should you share your failures with other artists? (25:42)
- Trying again, and again, and again, and knowing what to do better next time. (29:17)
- Laura shares the lessons she has learned from failing so successfully. (32:43)
- The benefit of asking others for help. (37:58)
- What is currently holding Laura’s attention in her studio? (39:05)
Mentioned
- MacDowell Fellowships
- Bemis Center Artist Residencies
- Wolf Kahn
- Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Fellowships
- Laura Petrovich-Cheney
- Laura’s Instagram
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
Quotes
- "Failure is primarily a lack of listening to your intuition.” — Laura Petrovich-Cheney
- “If you really tried your best and you were only capable of a mediocre performance, that’s still your best.” — Laura Petrovich-Cheney
- “Failing to learn from an experience is another failure.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “In the failure, you learn how to do something better. And that sometimes is a bigger success.” — Laura Petrovich-Cheney
- “Listening to your intuition and honoring who you are is so important to being successful.” — Laura Petrovich-Cheney
About My Guest
Laura Petrovich-Cheney’s work is a profound assessment of contemporary issues merging with traditional folk art practices, quilting, woodworking and her repurposed materials with environmental issues of climate change. In all of the artist’s recent sculpture, a dialogue exists between environmental and individual concerns. Much of Laura’s work is feminist in nature, incorporating traditional women’s arts such as needlework and quilting, which are then transformed through found materials. Laura’s work has been published in several national and international publications including television, books, magazines, podcasts and NPR.
Laura was born in Philadelphia and raised in Haddonfield, New Jersey. For twenty years, she has lived in Asbury Park, New Jersey. She earned her BA in Fine Arts and English Literature at Dickinson College. Laura also has an MS degree in Fashion Design from Drexel University and an MFA in Studio Arts from Moore College of Art and Design.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/failure-cheney-podcast
Build your well-greased art biz machine: https://artbizsystem.com
Music by https://wildermiss.com
There is no such thing as the artist's path. Look at the careers of 50 artists side-by-side and you'll see 50 different paths. And probably none of them happened exactly as planned. In this episode I talk with Leah Smithson about her path, which kicked into gear after her father suffered a massive stroke and she began researching how creativity works in the brain. Leah's interest in learning has led to her untraditional portrait paintings, line of jewelry, public art, and murals. You'll also hear about how she embraces technology and has been teaching herself augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR).
Leah and I discuss how she decides which risks to take on and which projects to get involved with, how she schedules her week, and how her well-meaning husband cajoled her into co-hosting a podcast with him. Leah has taken many risks in her art career, and I love her point of view — you'll never know until you try. You can decide to take a risk because even if it doesn't turn out as you'd hope — even if it's a disaster — you'll be glad you did it anyway, it's something that fits with your goals.
If you’ve ever considered which step to take next or which opportunities are right for your art business, you need to listen to this advice from an artist who has failed and continues to experience success.
Highlights
- Leah Smithson shares her art and the family experience that led her to focus more on her own creativity. (1:19)
- Unpacking the effects of art and creativity on the brain. (5:05)
- The evolution of Leah’s art in the face of emotion and self-expression. (6:46)
- Income streams and impact that Covid-19 had on Leah’s work. (10:55)
- Taking calculated risks in art and tuning in to what you want for your art business. (14:52)
- Learning from Leah’s failures. (17:10)
- How to identify the right opportunities for your art business. (22:08)
- The role of research in Leah’s art. (27:55)
- Creating digital art experiences with AR and VR. (31:43)
- Leah’s typical work week balances studio work, social media, podcasting and community projects. (36:37)
Mentioned
- Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
- Vessel: Art as a Doorway Podcast
- Leah Smithson
- Leah Smithson on Instagram
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
Quotes
- "The faster you get it out there, the quicker you can make progress." — Leah Smithson
- “I try to balance an educated decision with being tuned in to what I really want to do, so even if it doesn’t go well at least it was because it was something I wanted to do.” — Leah Smithson
- “Even when I fail I can still be happy with the decision I made.” — Leah Smithson
- “I’ve learned that the next time I take a risk, it needs to be something that I really want to do. And even if it’s a disaster, I’m happy I did it anyway.” — Leah Smithson
About My Guest
Having moved around as a kid, Leah Smithson's style comes from a patchwork of influences from classical painting to cyberpunk. Through her murals, painting, NFT CryptoArt, and sculpture she often uses nature and portraiture to express the complexities of being human. She’s not afraid to take up new technology.
Leah was born in Tennessee. She has lived in Atlanta, the Bay Area of Northern California, and now calls L.A. home. She co-hosts the Vessel: Art as a Doorway podcast with her husband.
Many artists take risks in their businesses and in their art without even thinking about it. They are hard-wired to experiment and stretch the boundaries of what is possible. Artists are innate problem solvers.
My guest for this episode is one of those artists. The list of what Michael Gadlin has done (legally) to earn a living as a working artist for more than 20 years is impressive. He sells originals, consults, teaches, designs, builds websites, and even hosted a show on public television. He has also sat on boards and committees in his local Denver art community.
Michael was gifted with what seems to be an endless supply of energy. I came at him with one topic and his mind connects it to numerous other experiences. The result is a wide-ranging interview. Michael waxes philosophically about the life of an artist, and you won’t want to miss his take on the lessons he learned from other working artists, the artist's collaboration with viewers, gallery representation, why it's important to be part of a community, and much more.
Highlights
- Michael Gadlin reflects on his journey as an artist and the key role of mentors along the way. (1:32)
- The lessons Michael learned from reaching his first major studio goal. (6:28)
- The payoff that comes with showing interest in every opportunity that crosses your path. (9:34)
- Michael describes his approach to both figurative and non-representational art. (12:23)
- Experimenting, problem solving creatively, and collaborating with the art community. (18:55)
- You cannot be a one-person band and succeed in your art business. (27:00)
- Figuring out who you are as an artist (beyond the art that you make). (29:20)
- What does it mean to be an integral part of the art community? (31:24)
- Positioning yourself in the places that will allow you to shape the decisions that are being made in your community. (37:28)
- When can you truly consider yourself an artist? (43:18)
- Creating a legacy with your art and with your life. (46:01)
- Constant hustling — Micheal shares his multiple income streams. (47:36)
- Staying organized and getting things done starts with finding the right tools. (52:13)
Mentioned
- Pratt Institute
- Art Students League of Denver
- Blue Silo Studios
- Darrell Anderson
- Aliki McCain
- Michael Gadlin
- Contemporary Vision on Instagram
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
About My Guest
Michael Gadlin began his art education at the Art Students League of Denver, followed by Metropolitan State University, Denver, and New York’s prestigious Pratt Institute of Art & Design in Brooklyn. He was awarded a residency at La Napoule Art Foundation in France. Gadlin sits on the board of directors at both Denver’s MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) and PlatteForum, an artist’s residency in the city. He has won numerous awards throughout his career as an artist, including the youngest artist ever to win Best of Show at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. Gadlin’s work now hangs in the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art’s permanent collection among other city and government collections.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/problem-solver-gadlin-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
Are you afraid to take risks in your art business? Do you spend your time playing it safe and sticking with what is comfortable and familiar in order to avoid facing the fear of the unknown? If so, you’re not alone. We are hard-wired for the protection that will keep us safe, but avoiding risks can also keep you small when you give up the power of decision-making. Avoiding risks can hold you back from becoming the artist you are meant to be in the world. In this solo episode, I will introduce our theme for the month — taking risks — and explore why taking risks is a critical step to growing your art business. Listen as I highlight the indicators that you are limiting yourself in your art business, the questions you need to ask yourself when facing new (and potentially risky) opportunities, and the simple steps you can take today to start moving toward the risk that just might bring the next level of success that you’ve been dreaming about.
Highlights
- Transition from managing your mindset to taking risks in your art business. (00:07)
- Are you allowing your built-in sensor to impede your growth? (1:24)
- Challenge yourself to grow by getting a little more uncomfortable. (3:58)
- Growth demands risks, especially in your art business. (6:12)
- Simple first steps that will knock you out of your comfort zone. (7:48)
- Questions to ask yourself when facing a tough risk-taking decision. (10:22)
- Upcoming podcast episodes that will inspire you to take meaningful risks. (11:56)
Mentioned
- Multi-State Multi-Year Multi-Artist Art Project with Marilyn Artus (#30)
- Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (#64)
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
Quotes
- “You’re not likely to take risks without the proper mindset.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “I challenge you to get a little uncomfortable with your art, with your marketing and in your life.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “Growth demands risks. Don’t even think about moving up a level without being prepared to face the little risks.” — Alyson Stanfield
Who do you think you are? If that thought has ever crossed your mind, this episode is for you. My guest is corporate-world-turned-full-time-artist Christa Forrest, and our topic is one that most of us experience at some point in our art careers and businesses: Imposter Syndrome.
Christa is a big advocate for "fake it til you make it," but that doesn't mean that she doesn't have doubts and insecurities. In this episode, you'll hear how Christa developed thick skin by showing her work at art festivals, why she is laser focused on building her email list, and how she overcomes feelings of inadequacy in her art practice.
Highlights
- Christa Forrest describes the process of turning women into goddesses, and leaving her corporate job. (2:20)
- Building an art business while preparing to quit your full-time job. (6:05)
- Christa shares the income streams that allowed her to focus solely on her art. (10:56)
- The tipping point — pinpointing your focus and selling your work. (13:23)
- How to develop the thick skin that is required of serious artists. (17:29)
- Tips for creating an online presence that makes more money. (21:05)
- Imposter syndrome — what it means and where it’s most likely to appear in an artist’s world. (24:08)
- Tools that will help you find the courage to fake it til you make it. (30:05)
- Is imposter syndrome keeping you from making — and meeting — your goals? (33:42)
- Overcoming the moment when imposter syndrome takes over. (41:44)
- The support system that helps Christa stay grounded amidst her weaknesses. (44:14)
- A look at what is keeping Christa’s attention in the studio now. (45:51)
Mentioned
- Creative Soul Art
- Christa Forrest on Instagram
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
Quotes
-
“I had to figure out what I have to offer and what problem do I have to solve out there before I started my actual business.” — Christa Forrest
-
“It was really important to me at that time to be able to say ‘I’m an artist’.” — Christa Forrest
-
“If I can build my email list, I know I can build my income.” — Christa Forrest
-
“Failure is the only way we get better. We hardly ever learn from successes.” — Alyson Stanfield
About My Guest
Christa Forrest is an artist specializing in pastel, oil, acrylic and mixed media art. After spending 20 years in a finance career, she decided to follow her true passion and become a full-time artist. Christa spends her time sharing her passion with others, teaching others to be creative and exploring the world's landscape, recreating it onto canvas. Her work is a combination of realism, exploration, experimentation and pure fun.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/imposter-syndrome-forrest-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
Elitism in the art world is not an easy topic to tackle—it’s something that I even grapple with. To help make sense of these complex issues, I’ve invited Megan Auman back to the podcast. Megan and I talk about what exactly the art world is and dive into problems that occur when entire groups of people are excluded from the art world (or art worlds, I believe). Elitism in this art world, the art world that is written about in newspaper reviews and whose artists are shown in museums and sold at auction is rampant, and that can be a real problem. Or is it? In our conversation Megan and I unpack the many layers of elitism in the art world, from the traditional artist models that need to be permanently retired to the concern that too many artists are undervaluing and underpricing their work. There is a lot that needs to change, and this conversation is the perfect starting point for any artist who is interested in exploring and contributing to this difficult dialogue.
Highlights
- Megan Auman shares the studio practice that evolved from her childhood artmaking. (2:19)
- ‘This is the story that we’re not paying attention to.’ Is elitism running rampant in the art world? (4:52)
- Megan defines the elite art world (with a capital A) and the inclusive artworld for the rest of us. (8:58)
- The definition of art from 50 years ago just isn’t cutting it by today’s standards. (15:29)
- A look at the many levels of elitism in the art world, and what exactly is wrong with all of them. (17:12)
- What effect does the democratization of the art world have on the monetary value of an artist’s work? (23:54)
- The importance of valuing what you make enough to be paid for that value. (25:54)
- The basis of gender inequality in the art world. (27:45)
- Defining elitism in the art world, why it’s worth ranting against, and what we can do about it. (28:40)
- Reaching the point that you can confidently call yourself an artist and make your art truly accessible (not affordable). (35:00)
- If anyone could be an artist, how can we differentiate the makers of the world and value what those makers make? (41:36)
Mentioned
-
Guardian interview with Robin Wall Kimmerer
-
The Straits Times Singapore Survey
- Episode 39: Our Stuff Matters with Megan Auman
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
Quotes
- “When I talk about elitism in the art world, it’s not actually the art world that I inhabit.” — Megan Auman
-
“There is this level of gatekeeping that happens and it’s a problem because only certain, very specific kinds of people get paid and supported in making their art.” — Megan Auman
-
“It’s a matter of whether or not you believe that what you’re doing has enough value that you should be paid for that value.” — Megan Auman
-
“What I want is for more people to claim what they do as art, and for us as a culture to value that art. Meaning that we put our money where our mouth is.” — Megan Auman
-
“Calling yourself an artist does not preclude you from also spending money on other people’s art. — Megan Auman
About My Guest
Megan Auman is an artist, metalsmith, teacher, writer, and business coach. She designs jewelry that is simultaneously bold and easy to wear. Though trained as a metalsmith, Megan draws endless inspiration from textiles and fashion, seeking to recreate the ease and fluidity of fiber and textiles in metal. She works predominantly in steel, forming each element and link by hand from wire, then torch welding each joint. Other welded metals, including silver and bronze, are sometimes used to add variety and contrast to her designs. Megan received a BFA in metals from Syracuse University and an MFA in metals and jewelry from Kent State University. While studying at Kent, she developed a love for working with steel and torch welding, which led to the development of her current line.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/elitism-auman-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
Appearances shouldn’t matter, but we all know they do. We only have seconds to make a good first impression because, like it or not, people start forming an opinion of you from the moment they see you or your art, hear your voice or read something you’ve written. As much as I would love to focus solely on the presentation of my client’s work, I can’t avoid addressing the equally important aspect of the professional appearance of the artist themselves. You are your brand, and with the ever-increasing emphasis to be seen on video and social media, it’s not only important that you look your best, it’s critical that you feel your best. Looking your best can help with feeling your best, and my guest today knows how to make sure that happens. Brooke Harker has been working with artists over the past year as the organizer of Saturday Night Live Art Shows. You’ll hear how, after some traumatic events, Brooke regained confidence with other people and in front of the camera with the help of a makeup lesson and a whole lot of interior work as well.
Highlights
- ‘I make cityscapes that are portals into other worlds.’ Brooke Harker shares her work and updates from Saturday Night Live Art Shows. (2:27)
- Face your fear of the camera by focusing on the fun. (7:16)
- Looking confident as an artist does not start with emphasizing your looks. (11:50)
- Making a 180-degree shift by focusing on the internal first. (16:09)
- ‘See yourself as a beautiful piece of art — you are a blank canvas.’ (21:52)
- Brooke shares the routine that helps her feel prepared for anything. (24:16)
- Refocusing your attention on others starts with taking care of yourself. (29:10)
- The benefits of being seen as an artist, and sharing rather than hiding. (32:00)
- Telling your story is shaping the future of art history. (36:30)
- Finding the courage to take the first step to feeling your best inside and out. (37:35)
- Everyone sees you and hears you, so figure out how to own it. (40:55)
Mentioned
- Samina Malik Makeup & Image Design
- Episode 62: Facebook Live Group Art Shows with Brooke Harker
- 11-year old Bhavna Dubey on Saturday Night Live Art Shows
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
Quotes
- “I had a sense of purpose that was bigger than, ‘how do I feel and what’s comfortable for me?’” — Brooke Harker
- “If a person says, ‘I’ll do it when I feel comfortable, I’ll do it when I feel confident, then they might not do it. You’ve just got to do it anyway.” — Brooke Harker
- “It’s definitely possible to be in a very low place and shift to a higher energy, more positive place. We get to choose which place we’re in.” — Brooke Harker
- “See yourself as a beautiful piece of art — you are a blank canvas.” — Samina Malik
- “There’s a clarity that comes with sharing that doesn’t come with hiding.” — Brooke Harker
About My Guest
Brooke Harker is a contemporary artist based in Los Angeles, California. Her lively paintings of cities and coastal scenes are characterized by energetic brushstrokes in ink and thick oil paint applied with palette knives. These vibrant depictions of daily life capture a sense of motion and highlight moments of synchronicity. Harker calls herself a historian of the ordinary. Her paintings are a collaboration with all of the people who’ve contributed to a place over time: architects, engineers, city workers who’ve placed street signs and pedestrians whose colorful fashion landed in view at the perfect moment. All of their individual actions brought together one moment, fated to be captured on canvas. Follow Brooke on Instagram: @brookeharker.
First posted: http://artbizsuccess.com/see-yourself-harker-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
At what point do you get to call yourself an artist? What do you need to have achieved in order to earn that title? It's not an easy question to answer, and too many of my clients think they need to be working as a full-time artist before they can officially assume the title. Until that point, they are teachers, marketing agents, engineers, and doctors. However, there is no magic point when someone else is officially going to bestow the title of artist upon you. To help you determine what makes you an official artist, I’m joined today by abstract painter James Holmes. James is sharing three criteria that he created before he could call himself an artist, and he makes it clear that owning the title isn’t quite as complicated as it may seem.
Highlights
-
The horseback riding accident that set James on the artist path. (3:41)
-
Connections in the art world encouraged James to continue making art. (10:51)
-
The day job that doubles as James’s other passion. (12:10)
-
When is the right time to start professionalizing your art and calling yourself an artist? (14:31)
-
James’ initial response to being called an artist. (22:16)
-
Three criteria that James created before he would call himself an artist. (26:32)
-
How to be true to and satisfied with the work you make, even amidst criticism. (28:25)
-
The moment that James’s art was acknowledged by an established artist. (35:20)
-
Selling a piece to someone who doesn’t know you beyond your art. (39:10)
-
A look at the work that is keeping James busy now. (42:20)
Mentioned
- Denver Art Museum
- Cherokee Ranch & Castle
- Tony Ortega
- Lorenzo Chavez
- Angel Espino
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- MagneticYouArtist.com
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
Quotes
- “I had to figure out what being an artist means. When do I think I’ve achieved that?” — James Holmes
- “It was a lesson that was well learned. It turned out to take me to another level of my creativity.” — James Holmes
- “That night it all manifested because I believed in the art enough to exhibit it.” — James Holmes
About My Guest
James Holmes is a Denver-based visual artist. As an abstract painter James shared, "I paint from the inside out. I believe painting from the inside out allows me to outwardly communicate my inner life. Everything I internalize, the experiences I have, the people in my life, my hopes, dreams, and faith are all reflected from heart, mind, and soul through the prism of my intuitive lenses resulting in artistic expressions utilizing a variety of media." James maintains a studio in Denver’s Golden Triangle arts district, and exhibits at the Veterans Arts Council Gallery, Centura Health Healing Gallery, and other venues. James is a Trustee of the Denver Art Museum and Executive Director of the Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/artist-mindset-holmes-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
I get tons of podcast pitches, but none have been better than the one I recently received from Lilianne Milgrom. It was right on target. Lilianne had just finished writing a book, and, while I was skeptical, her pitch was perfect. I gave her book a go and could not put it down. It contained art history, intrigue, sex, and scandal. How could it not be fascinating? But my conversation today with Lilianne isn't only about the book. It's the story of how the book came to be — which is a lesson in itself — and has its roots in her decision to be a copyist at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, copying Courbet's scandalous painting, L'Origine du Monde (The Origin of the World). She learned valuable lessons, exercised her courage muscle, and became a better artist as a result. The experience led to the writing of the book that so engrossed me. Lilianne and I talk about all of that and how she juggles her art and writing. She also shares tips for pitching to podcasts, which are equally valuable for other media pitches.
Highlights
- Lilianne shares the timeline of her artist journey. (3:22)
- The difference between a consistent studio practice and making consistent work. (5:56)
- The premise and genesis of Lilianne’s book L'Origine. (9:15)
- A full list of Lilianne’s reasons not to become a copyist of this scandalous painting. (13:08)
- The fascinating rules for being a copyist at the Musée d’Orsay. (16:36)
- Overcoming the most uncomfortable aspects of this endeavor, including the unsolicited comments from museum visitors. (20:21)
- Main differences between male and female reactions to the painting. (25:43)
- The inspiration that comes from writing about your painting. (26:55)
- Turning a once-in-a-lifetime artist experience — and the painting that provided it — into a novel. (29:40)
- What makes a piece of art timeless and relevant? (35:13)
- If this artwork is shocking today, imagine how it was received in the 1800s. (40:20)
- Lilianne explains why her copy of L'Origine du Monde is not currently on display. (42:12)
- Lessons learned from interacting with such famous and controversial artwork. (43:38)
- What does Lilianne’s studio practice look like now? (46:43)
- The secret to pitching your idea in a way that gets results. (48:10)
Mentioned
- Lilianne Milgrom
- Musée d’Orsay
- L’Origine du Monde, the painting
- Find out more about the book and where to order a copy at Little French Girl Press
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- MagneticYouArtist.com
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Planning Sessions
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
Quotes
- “Writing is like painting with words.” — Lilianne Milgrom
- “This painting gave me the sense of empowerment, which at the beginning felt like an embarrassment, and it turned out to be this enormous feeling of liberation and empowerment.” — Lilianne Milgrom
- “This certainly changed my life. As far as my art, it's made me fairly fearless.” — Lilianne Milgrom
- “The written word and art, they can’t be separated because you’re going to need to express yourself.” — Lilianne Milgrom
About My Guest
Lilianne Milgrom was born in Paris, grew up in Australia, and currently resides in the United States. Milgrom holds two degrees from Melbourne University and an associate art degree from the Academy of Art in San Francisco. She exhibits her artwork around the world and is the recipient of multiple awards. In 2011, she became the first authorized copyist of Gustave Courbet's controversial painting L'Origine du Monde (The Origin of the World), which hangs in the Orsay Museum in Paris and draws over a million visitors a year. After rendering a near-identical copy of Courbet's masterpiece, she spent close to a decade researching and writing L'Origine.
Collaborations aren't for the faint of heart—especially for artists who are used to working alone and making decisions without having to get approval from another human being. But my guests today have figured out how to make it work. In this episode I talk with Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin about how their Cold Wax Academy got off the ground. They were my guests way back in episode 9 from 2017 when we discussed the publication of their book, Cold Wax Medium. Their collaboration has only deepened since that time, and in this interview you’ll find out what makes their combined efforts work so well.
Rebecca, Jerry, and I discuss the format of Cold Wax Academy, how they make decisions together, how they find new members, and what they would do differently with the benefit of hindsight. We also talk about one of my very favorite topics—systems—and the technology they use to keep their joint venture going.
Highlights
- Rebecca and Jerry reflect on the timeline of their collaboration. (2:37)
- Rebranding your business with the help of professionals. (6:18)
- Making the transition from live teaching to the online Cold Wax Academy. (11:04)
- Replacing income lost from cancelled live workshops. (12:37)
- The pandemic-induced “oh crap” moment that changed everything. (17:03)
- How to know when it’s time to hire help. (20:19)
- Collaborating with another person in every important aspect of your business. (24:08)
- Tools that maximize your communication efforts. (26:53)
- A high level overview of the offerings of Cold Wax Academy. (29:00)
- The key to making a paid membership work. (33:57)
- How to determine what content to offer for free and what to charge for. (37:58)
- Adjusting your offerings starts with knowing what your audience wants. (38:47)
- A look at the numbers of the Cold Wax Academy community. (43:37)
- Lessons learned from the timing and building of a business. (45:34)
- What’s coming up next for Cold Wax Academy. (49:42)
Mentioned
- Cold Wax Academy
- Rebecca Crowell
- Jerry McLaughlin Art
- Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations by Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin
- Episode #9: How Two Artists Self-Published and Are Promoting a Successful Book Together
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Planning Sessions
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/collaborating-coldwax-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
Quotes
- “We have this great collaboration and I couldn’t have known ahead of time how exciting it would be to develop this program.” — Rebecca Crowell
- “Hiring a third person has given us more energy to devote to the business itself.” — Jerry McLaughlin
- “What we produce is infinitely better because we’re both doing it together.” — Jerry McLaughlin
- “As we go we’re learning more and more about how to interact with people and how to involve members.” — Rebecca Crowell
About My Guests
Rebecca Crowell has been a professional artist for thirty years and is widely known for her innovative painting techniques involving cold wax medium and oils. She teaches these methods both in the US and internationally. Her work is handled by fine art galleries in Chicago, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Telluride, and Dublin, Ireland and is found in hundreds of private, public, and corporate collections. Rebecca holds an MFA in Painting and lives in rural west-central Wisconsin.
Jerry McLaughlin has been a working visual artist for twenty years and has exhibited at galleries throughout the U.S. His work is in collections around the world. An expert in all things cold wax, he focuses his major energies on painting, teaching, and writing. Trained as a pediatric intensive care physician, he also holds a certificate in adult education from the University of Washington. Jerry lives in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
This month we're exploring the topic of adjusting your approach, whether it’s making little tweaks, looking at new possibilities, or even turning your art business and career upside down. My guest today proves that making these adjustments can give us better results or maybe just make us happier. Kelly M. O'Brien has been selling a lot of work since 2015, in a way that surprised her at the time. And while she has continued that work, she has added new work—what she calls emerging work— since deciding to go back to graduate school in 2017 to earn her MFA.
With such great commercial success it seemed like an unusual time to return to grad school, but now that she has been out of school for over a year, Kelly is ready to talk about her decision to take that big step and what she learned in the process. Join our conversation as we talk about the ins and outs of juggling two very different art businesses, what her daily practice is like, and where her work is headed.
Highlights
- Kelly M. O’Brien shares her art path and the works that have gone viral. (1:49)
- Finding more meaning and depth in your art. (5:47)
- Changing the focus of her work resulted in Kelly creating two different practices. (8:08)
- Finding the right time and the right approach to return to graduate school. (11:51)
- The value of intentional planning sessions to help you grow as an artist. (17:15)
- The biggest benefits of returning to school. (20:02)
- How to determine if an MFA is right for your career. (23:45)
- Balancing money-making ventures with your education. (24:49)
- How to respond to the stigma surrounding serious artists who work to make money. (26:27)
- Changes in Kelly’s practice as a result of earning her MFA. (28:32)
- A look inside Kelly’s approach to her daily practice in the studio. (31:04)
- Learning a visual vocabulary that will shape the statement of your work. (34:47)
- Kelly shares an overview of what is holding her attention in her studio. (38:18)
Mentioned
- Artist Support Pledge
- Arts Council England
- Chuck Close
- Kelly M. O’Brien’s PaperJoy Studio
- Kelly M. O’Brien’s emerging work
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Planning Sessions
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
About My Guest
Kelly M. O’Brien is an American mixed-media sculptor who lives and works near Bristol, England. She completed a Master of Fine Art (Distinction) at Bath Spa University in 2019. Kelly is co-founder of A Gathering of Unasked Possibility, a collaborative project fostering active hope through creative practitioners, and runs PaperJoy Studio, offering bespoke paper art originals and hand-embellished prints for hospitality and important residential projects.
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/mfa-obrien-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
The idea of letting go of something that is safe but isn’t contributing to the life you want to live can be a very scary one. But my guest today has proven that cleaning out in order to follow your dreams just might be the best thing you could do for your art business. Lea K. Tawd did some of my favorite kind of cleaning out last year. She cleaned out obligations and associations that were taking her away from the work she was meant to do in this world, and the payoffs increase as her income streams multiply. She unlocked the secrets to a more abundant money mindset.
In our conversation Lea and I talked about what she eliminated in 2020 that allowed her to dive deeper into her creativity and step into her art business more fully. We discuss the book she wrote, how she structures her days as a mom with a 6-year-old who has to show up for the virtual classroom, and how she quickly replaced the income from an outside source she had been holding onto out of fear.
Highlights
- Lea K. Tawd shares her journey in art, motherhood, and self-care. (1:57)
- Getting back on track when you’re feeling off-centered. (6:02)
- Lea recounts the various income streams of her pre-pandemic artwork. (11:10)
- What happens when you stop doing the work that you are afraid to let go of? (14:40)
- How to clean out old obligations in order to turn your ideas into an income stream. (17:44)
- Creating spaces, rituals and schedules that will increase your energy. (21:19)
- Lea shares the ways that increasing her focus has also increased her income. (23:50)
- Advice for letting go of an income stream that you don’t love. (27:58)
- How to overcome a big, scary thing so that you can do the work you want to do most. (29:26)
- Cultivating the relationships that will support you through the hardest times. (33:17)
- Lea shares what is currently holding her attention in the studio. (34:27)
Mentioned
- Leak Arts
- Lea on Instagram
- Lea’s Reiki practice
- Printful
- Creativity Unstuck: A Toolbox for Making More Art by Lea K. Tawd
- Lea’s Moon Phase Calendar
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Planning Sessions
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
About My Guest
Lea K. Tawd is an author, mixed media artist and Reiki master teacher. She seeks out the beauty in every woman and uses that vision to create mixed media art that inspires and heals. The finished pieces are a Utopian vision of inner beauty manifested that serve as a reminder to take care of yourself, to find moments of peace, kindness, and self-love. Lea often paints directly on wood, so the wood grains help to inform the finished piece. As a Reiki Master Lea uses Reiki in the creation of her art and combines the two to help others find deep inner healing and recover their creativity in private sessions, workshops, and retreats.
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/money-breakthrough-tawd-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
This month we’re focusing on the benefits of cleaning out — from physical clutter to organizing your lives, eliminating obligations that are no longer serving you to slowing down enough to focus on what matters most, in your art business and in your life. Kelly Milukas has been through more in the last 10 years than anyone should have to endure, and yet she never lost hope and determination. Kelly and I scheduled our conversation to discuss her "life edit," which involved getting rid of what no longer served her. It quickly became apparent that ridding herself of stuff when she had to downsize her studio is something she had been preparing herself for in the many years leading up to that moment.
This conversation is about coming out on the other side of a long struggle stronger than you were previously. Join us as we celebrate the triumph of one artist's positive spirit, discover the tools she used to facilitate the process, and hear about the people she relied on along the way.
Highlights
- Kelly Milukas reflects on her journey from athletics to music and to art. (1:57)
- Kelly works with scientists and starts researching stem cells for a commission for a biopharmaceutical company. (8:30)
- A shift in health can create a shift in focus for any artist. (12:15)
- Embracing the tools that are available to you can help you get through anything. (16:52)
- Forging through the messy middle to come out stronger on the other side. (21:26)
- Can 17 seconds or a deeper breath change your mindset? (25:23)
- How to know when to power through and when to pull back. (28:55)
- The power of giving yourself permission to feel your biggest emotions. (32:48)
- Cleaning out physical objects to move your art business forward. (34:50)
- Creating an organized studio that works for you on any budget. (41:10)
- A look inside all that is keeping Kelly busy in her new studio. (45:00)
Mentioned
- Kelly Milukas on Instagram
- Sheng Zhen with Master Li (free virtual meditations every Wednesday)
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine
- “Keys to Cures” installation at Intarcia Therapeutics
- Albert Clayton Gaulden’s Sedona Intensive
- Libby Caldwell, Artist, Therapeutic/artistic journaling
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Planning Sessions
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/stronger-milukas-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
Spring is here in the Northern Hemisphere and it’s a perfect time to consider the aspects of your life that are weighing you down without contributing to your happiness and success. April is the month for cleaning out in the Art Biz Success community. In this episode, I’m highlighting some of my previous interviews with artists who have discussed cleaning out in one form or another, from removing physical items to cleaning out business ideas and strategies, modes of working, and even the venues where you show and sell your art. If you are ready to deep clean your art business, to release what isn’t serving you and banish all that is getting in the way of your productivity and creativity, then you won’t want to miss the insights and inspiration from these successful artists.
Highlights
- April is the month to focus on cleaning out your art business. (0:01)
- Is there one single best way to get organized? Heather Powers says no. (2:23)
- Tips to help you get started on cleaning out and organizing your spaces. (6:09)
- Redefining your relationship with things so that you can let go. (10:41)
- How to prepare your studio for a big move. (14:50)
- Take control of your business so that it works for you, even if it means emptying out your galleries. (19:16)
- Control your income by controlling your inventory. (23:29)
- Connecting with buyers outside of the galleries. (27:02)
- Releasing old work so you can focus on what is most meaningful. (28:21)
- Increasing your creativity begins with cleaning out the cobwebs. (34:32)
Mentioned
- Episode 36 — Reaching the Other 99% for Your Art Business with Adele Sypesteyn
- Episode 33 — Reinventing Your Art Career with Ali Cavanaugh
- Episode 23 — Leaving Behind What is Safe with Jan R. Carson
- Episode 10 — Creative Organizing with Heather K. Powers
- Episode 49 — A Year of Cleaning Out with Daryl D. Johnson
- Round Top Antiques Fair
- The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Resources
- Featured artists, comments, and full transcript
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
If you’re an intentional artist, you’re in the right place. In this episode, I'm wrapping up a month of talking about how systems can keep you organized and make you a more productive artist. Today’s solo episode focuses on the secret weapon of a successful art business — your art biz handbook. An art biz handbook is the number one way to organize every aspect of your business. If you’re looking for ways to stay on top of the never-ending tasks that every artist faces, this episode is for you. You’ll hear the step-by-step process that will keep you in control of every aspect of your schedule, how I have evolved systems that weren’t working for me, and the satisfaction, productivity, and control that you can come to expect from an art biz handbook that is working for you.
Highlights
- An overview of the value of a high-quality, clearly defined art business system. (0:01)
- Documenting your systems — why you need an art biz handbook. (2:07)
- Your system doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective. (4:56)
- Steps that will make your systems more reliable. (6:12)
- Practical examples of systems that have simplified processes in my art business. (9:01)
- How to prioritize the process of capturing your procedures. (10:11)
- Why your art biz handbook will never be finished. (12:35)
Mentioned
- Episode 68 — Procedures for Art Commissions with Sema Martin
- Episode 78 — How to Increase Your Productivity and Creativity with Art Business Systems
- Episode 79 — Tools to Shape Up Your Art Business with Jennifer Printz
- Episode 80 — Systems to Effectively Managed a Dizzying Increase in Your Art Business with Betty Franks
Resources
- Featured artists, comments, and full transcript
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/art-biz-procedures-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
Betty Franks loves her business and life as an artist. She just might have found the secret sauce — a healthy combination of passion for the work and a continuing curiosity about business and becoming a better CEO of your art business. Betty's art business has exploded over the last four years — by 440%. You can't have and sustain this kind of business growth if you don't have solid systems in place. At the time of this recording, Betty has over 120,000 Instagram followers and sells paintings almost as fast as she makes them. In this episode, we discuss the digital and analog systems that she depends on to support her growth. She generously shares her real numbers, the new postage system she just started using, her daily and weekly routines, and how she organizes all of the digital images of her paintings.
Highlights
- Betty Franks shares the moment she fell in love with mixed media and decided to start her art career. (2:20)
- How to find your own style and way of making art. (7:20)
- Staying organized through the process of handling a personal and business name change. (12:25)
- Betty shares her business goals that resulted in a 400% increase in sales. (18:20)
- A breakdown of Betty’s income streams and marketing tools. (21:03)
- How to know when it’s time to hire help for your art business. (28:13)
- Developing routines that stabilize your creative and practical routines. (31:10)
- Simple systems to help manage your inventory. (35:25)
- Building an email list that works for your business. (42:55)
- How to know when it’s time to make process changes for the better. (47:37)
- A look at what is keeping Betty’s attention in the studio. (52:24)
Mentioned
- Betty Franks Art
- Betty Franks on Instagram
- JCO’s Art Haus
- PirateShip.com
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
About My Guest
Betty Franks was born in Toronto, Canada and raised in San Jose, California. She is a self-taught abstract artist who started painting when she turned 50. Although it seems late in life to take up painting, the timing was just right for her. After a long career in customer service management, Franks was ready to unleash her creative side. Today her work focuses on her love of fields of flowers and flowers in general. She aims to share the emotion she feels about her subject.
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/managing-growth-franks-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
As much as every artist would love to focus only on the making, there is an equally important and opposite side of the artist brain that needs to be accessed — the organization side. It takes creativity and organization to successfully run an art business, and my guest today has learned how to embrace both. Not only is Jennifer Printz a practicing artist with an enviable record of exhibitions, but she's also an assistant professor at Florida International University in Miami. She has two full-time jobs. I've watched Jennifer whip her business into shape by getting organized and creating reliable systems.
In this episode, I talk with her about how she compartmentalizes her two jobs. We also discuss the planning process she uses, the digital and paper tools she relies on to stay organized, and why writing by hand is critical for her and her students.
Highlights
- Jennifer Printz reflects on the wide variety of her artwork and her work as a professor. (2:02)
- The importance of modeling art for Jennifer’s students and the lessons they are learning as a result. (5:53)
- Practical tips for separating your day job from your art business. (8:40)
- The value of taking time for an artist’s day, connecting with artists virtually, and creating physical space for your creativity. (11:33)
- Taking your art business beyond the plateau to the next level with coaching and positive feedback. (16:50)
- Planning out a quarter at a time to free up your mental space for creativity. (22:30)
- Day-to-day systems that will help you get and stay organized and productive. (27:21)
- Jennifer’s process around keeping an updated inventory of her pieces. (33:42)
- Strategic organization of all the moving parts of an exhibition. (38:29)
- Playing into your personality strengths to maximize your art business systems. (42:35)
- What is the first step to take when your systems are breaking down? (45:04)
- A look inside the works that are currently holding Jennifer’s studio attention. (47:12)
Mentioned
- Michael Hyatt’s Full Focus Planner
- Cynthia Morris
- Artwork Archive
- Chana Orloff
- IS Projects in Fort Lauderdale
- JenniferPrintz
- Jennifer Printz on Instagram
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
Quotes
- “When I hit a certain level of success I felt the need to get a more objective viewpoint to help me move to a new level of success.” — Jennifer Printz
- “If we’re always doing what we’ve always done and the results are what we always got, then it’s time to reevaluate.” — Jennifer Printz
- “It made sense to shift to a new system so I could put more effort into my creative practice.” — Jennifer Printz
- “In order to build strong relationships, in order to have a successful exhibition, I need to access other parts of me and not let the part of me that’s against organization get in the way.” — Jennifer Printz
About My Guest
Jennifer Printz unifies photography and drawing to make poetic works that reflect the unseen structures of the universe. In 2004 she was awarded a Puffin Foundation Grant, followed by a Dendo Fellowship in 2016. She has participated in regular residencies in the US, at the Frans Masereel Centre/Flemish Center for the Graphic Arts in Kasterlee, Belgium, St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, Valletta, Malta, and La Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris, France.
Jennifer is also an educator, teaching a wide range of two-dimensional media at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as courses on public art and professional practices. Currently, she is on the faculty of Florida International University in Miami.
First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/biz-tools-printz-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
If you’ve been listening to this podcast for any amount of time, you know that I am the queen of systems. There is a reason that my signature program is the Art Career Success SYSTEM. I have learned that when you take the time to put in place easily repeatable steps to do a certain task or implement a project, the rewards are endless. You free your mind and calendar for the more creative pursuits of the studio. You have a better-organized business and life. Your consistency increases, as does the trust that others have in you. Creating a streamlined art business system isn’t hard, it just takes dedicated time.
In this solo episode, I want to help you get started. I’m sharing three powerful benefits to implementing solid systems into your art business and five questions that you need to ask yourself when creating that better system. And to help you see that systems work, I’ll tell you about a few artists who have created systems that work. It worked for them, and I can promise the time you spend on your systems will be worth it as your creativity and productivity in your art business continue to increase.
Highlights
- The why behind effective art business systems. (0:01)
- Understanding the ecosystem and metasystems within your art business. (2:10)
- Three clear benefits of installing systems in your art business. (3:35)
- Five questions to ask yourself when implementing a new system. (5:50)
- How to clearly define what you want to see happen. (6:38)
- Clear timelines create clear results (7:01)
- What tools and technology do you need to acquire to create your system? (7:26)
- Who can assist you in meeting your goals? (8:13)
- What are the exact steps needed to make your system hum? (8:34)
- Upcoming podcast guest artists who have successfully implemented systems into their art business. (9:11)
- A homework assignment to get you started with your new system. (9:51)
- All that the Art Career Success System can offer your art business. (10:58)
Mentioned
- Episode #68 with Sema Martin
- Art Career Success System
- My Instagram @alysonstanfield
Resources
- Complete transcript featured artists and listener comments
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/organize-with-systems-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
I don't know anyone who doesn't think it would be great to attract more Instagram followers, more email list subscribers, and especially more sales. More makes our efforts feel worthwhile and validates them, but we're often stopped in our tracks when we begin to realize what we need to do in order to increase our numbers. We think we have to post more, research hashtags, invest in advertising, create a lead magnet, learn to write better copy, or forget about a restful night's sleep. It’s true that you probably do have to do some of those things in order to attract more followers and subscribers, but you might also benefit from being open to doing things a little differently to increase those numbers.
In this episode, I talk with Trudy Rice about how she has grown her Instagram and email list by cross-promoting other brands. Trudy uses a platform called Ampjar, but the underlying lesson is to find like-minded people and share each other's art, products, and services. Trudy refers to this as “shouting them out,” and in our conversation, she highlights what it takes to get set up with the service, and how it has impacted her success in a major way.
Highlights
- Trudy Rice details her Australian flora and fauna art, teaching, and other current projects. (2:13)
- Taking original prints and paintings to a homewares line. (4:28)
- Quantifying the growth of a successful art business through a variety of income streams. (6:18)
- The primary systems and marketing channels Trudy uses for her sales. (8:25)
- Details about the Ampjar mailing system and the karmic aspect to shout-outs. (11:37)
- The algorithms behind the Ampjar shout-out system. (13:57)
- How to systematically simplify the process of promoting your business. (17:39)
- Prompting other artists while promoting yourself. (21:16)
- The variety of brands that Trudy promotes through Ampjar. (22:18)
- How to connect with new and international audiences through shout-outs. (23:57)
- Tracking the success that has come by integrating new systems. (26:08)
- The importance of collaborating with other artists with any system that works. (29:23)
- How to do the work once and benefit from it over and over again. (30:17)
- Trudy shares her project and collaboration plans for 2021. (33:35)
Mentioned
- TrudyRice.com
- Trudy on Instagram
- Ampjar
- Shopify
- Loomly
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/karma-rice-podcast
Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community
Music by https://wildermiss.com
I live to track down art off the beaten path — traveling to out-of-the-way places to see works of art that delight and inspire, or even confound me. I found just such a piece last year when I traveled to the Midwest, and the success story of the artist behind the art is just as engaging as the piece itself. My guest for this episode is Romy Owens, an artist and curator who makes site-specific installations, as well as smaller objects, in reaction to place, community, and transformation. Last fall I had the opportunity to visit Under Her Wing was The Universe, her enormous public sculpture that was installed in 2020 in Enid, Oklahoma.
In this episode I talk with Romy about her commitment to raising $100,000 for that outdoor public sculpture and native prairie landscape as a gift to her hometown. As it turns out, $100,000 was just the beginning, and while it all worked out in the end, it wasn’t exactly easy getting there. Not only did Romy have to raise a lot more money than originally projected, she had to stand up to the naysayers in the community.
Romy is an artist that knows how to effectively measure success. Community collaboration, fundraising, overcoming controversy and yes, using spreadsheets are just a few of the topics that you won’t want to miss in this conversation.
Highlights
- Romy Owens shares the leap of faith she has taken with her art and with her community. (3:30)
- Conceiving the project Under Her Wing was the Universe. (9:55)
- Relationships that informed the piece and Alyson’s reaction to seeing it in person. (12:10)
- Naming the piece and finding value in all that is revealed in the universe. (16:06)
- Securing space for the project and making the connections that brought city approval. (20:04)
- Funding from the city and how Romy planned to cover the rest. (23:50)
- Launching a GoFundMe fundraiser. (26:40)
- Meeting tight deadlines and overcoming obstacles along the way. (28:26)
- Overcome your fear of hearing “no” when raising funds. (30:33)
- Handling the controversy that comes with creating interesting art. (33:02)
- Key collaborators and supporters in creating a piece of this scale. (36:27)
- Keeping track of your progress with a system that actually works. (41:09)
- Measuring success and setting goals in specific and meaningful ways. (43:24)
- Ideas for generating interest in your art. (49:32)
Mentioned
- Romy Owens
- Under Her Wing Was the Universe
- The Pursuit of Art by Martin Gayford
- City of Enid, Oklahoma
Resources
- Full show notes including photos and listener comments
- How to Price Your Art
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
About My Guest
Romy Owens is an artist and curator living in Enid, Oklahoma. She makes site-specific installations, as well as smaller objects, in reaction to place, community, and transformation. Her curatorial work attends to a similar focus. Both Owens' artistic and curatorial practices are presently centered around community art designed to impact social change, using art as a method to broaden our understanding of specific issues.
What is something special you can do for your subscribers and collectors when your shows and large events are canceled because of a pandemic? Give them a private viewing experience, of course. This week, my guest is Simonne Roy, a contemporary American impressionist painter grounded in the plein air painting tradition. For years, Simonne has been inviting VIPs into her home, which she had transformed into a gallery, for a one-night party. The money and effort she invested in the event resulted in good sales and relationships. Each year's success built on that of previous years.
When Covid struck, her hopes for a successful home gallery show in 2020 were dashed, until, like many scrappy entrepreneurs, Simonne found a different way to make it happen. She decided to hold the VIP appreciation without the party.
In this episode, you'll hear how Simonne gave people a private experience that few people get to have with art, which she calls the Quiet Gallery Experience. If she measured its success by the amount of sales only, she could have counted it a success. But sales were almost secondary because Simonne measures her success by the goodwill she created with her subscribers and collectors.
Listen closely to hear what she did to set the stage and make it special, what she would do differently next time, and how she netted the same amount of money from the participation of fewer people.
Highlights
- Simonne Roy shares the journey that led to her art business and her current income sources. (2:28)
- Transforming a house into an intimate, personalized home gallery. (7:10)
- The inspiration that saved Simonne’s gallery experience during Covid. (13:42)
- How can greater vulnerability result in more meaningful connections? (20:05)
- Scheduling a full day of showings and Simonne’s goal for each visitor. (21:51)
- Preparing any space for a full gallery experience. (25:22)
- Results from the gallery included sales, a teaching offer and increased connections. (29:29)
- Reducing overhead for an event can still result in positive net sales. (34:10)
- Marketing an event and creating a thoughtful gift for your customers. (36:14)
- Simonne shares the lessons she learned for next time. (38:11)
- A peek at what is holding Simonne’s attention in the studio now. (38:34)
Mentioned
- Simonne Roy
- Simonne Roy on Instagram
- Marcher jusqu'au soir by Lydie Salvayre
Resources
- Photos and full show notes
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
About My Guest
Simonne Roy describes herself as a contemporary American impressionist painter grounded in the plein air landscape painting tradition. She is also a Francophile, and has lived in France for extended periods over the years—adding quintessential French subjects such as pastries, breads, and cheeses to her nature-inspired paintings.
A lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, Roy lives in Lewisburg, where she maintains her studio and home gallery.
What is success? How do you measure it? What story do the numbers tell? Confronting numbers can be intimidating, but it is an essential step to growing both yourself and your business. It forces you to be realistic about where you are, including your weaknesses, and it challenges you to make up for any lost ground.
This month we are looking into measuring success and today I want to share with you the tracking procedure that has helped grow my business by up to 40% every single year. I’ll share ideas to help get you started on your own monthly business report, highlight some of the fun and surprising areas you need to track (beyond just the sales) and tell you how to download a copy of a monthly report for your art business.
The numbers definitely won’t tell the whole story, but if you’re looking for an effective and telling way to measure your efforts, your satisfaction, and your success, this is the place to start.
Highlights
- What numbers should you use to measure your success? (0:01)
- How I learned the true value of being authentic in my business. (1:26)
- The importance of confronting numbers when you’re ready to grow yourself and your business. (3:37)
- The number one thing to include in your monthly business report. (5:12)
- Report the monthly numbers and then find insights in them. (5:38)
- The value of making cool connections every month. (6:53)
- The most productive and enjoyable approaches to promoting and sharing your art each month. (8:30)
- Upcoming interviews that will elaborate on the theme of measuring success. (10:22)
- How to download and customize your own monthly art report. (11:58)
Mentioned
- Episode 32 — Success Is Complicated
- Episode 71 — Goals for Artists
- Episode 17 — Transform Your Creative Ideas into Multiple Income Streams with Helen Hiebert
Resources
- Featured artists and full transcript
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
We all seek success (whatever it means to us individually) but aren’t always prepared to deal with it when it comes along. And that’s okay, because as you’ll hear in this episode, you will learn how to deal with unexpected success if it’s something you really want. My guest is Lisa Goren, an artist whose work took a surprise U-turn when the pandemic hit last year, and she went for it.
Lisa Goren works in watercolor to show an unfamiliar landscape in a new light. By using vibrant colors and taking risks with different surfaces, she makes the viewer reevaluate their understanding of both the landscapes and their beliefs in the potential of the medium. Her works create questions about the nature of abstraction and our planet as many of her pieces are representations of unfamiliar, threatened terrains. More recently, Lisa has begun painting animals who had started showing up in unusual places during the pandemic.
In our conversation, Lisa shares the artist residencies and serious work reflecting climate change that she was making before Covid hit. But when she was no longer able to travel to photograph and paint the wildlife and melting ice around Antarctica she turned her attention to the delightful animals that were visiting museums, aquariums and towns. Lisa shares her success dilemman: the new work was taking off and taking over. Her new journey is to regain control over where the work is headed while being open to whatever the future holds.
Highlights
- Lisa Goren details the path — and thick skin — that led to her successful art business. (2:25)
- Painting ice, bones, and deep blue colors in Antarctica, Alaska, and Iceland. (6:04)
- The importance of creating artist support groups in your art business journey. (9:07)
- Lisa reflects on the plans she had for 2020, how the pandemic changed it all, and the pivoting point that led to a new success. (12:17)
- Inspiration can come from anywhere, including free roaming penguins in museums. (17:47)
- Creating and pricing high-demand art that you didn’t intend to sell. (19:45)
- Responding to a call for art during the pandemic created additional interest in Lisa’s work from The Washington Post. (22:16)
- Handling the “problem” of success and why you might consider selling low-priced originals instead of prints. (26:45)
- Making connections with buyers and offering hope through art. (31:24)
- How to adjust your pricing to better control your schedule. (33:33)
- Lisa details the assignment that led to her return to painting penguins. (34:41)
- Transitioning from the artist you may be known as to the artist that you currently are. (36:54)
- Lisa details her marketing channels, how she connects with the photographers that inspire her work, and whether she replaced her lost income in 2020. (40:31)
- If the pandemic ended tomorrow, would Lisa continue painting animals? (45:24)
Mentioned
- Lisa Goren Paintings
- Washington Post article
- Shedd Aquarium
- Expeditionary Art (Maria Coryell-Martin)
Resources
- Photos and full show notes
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Art Biz Success Planning Sessions
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
About My Guest
Lisa Goren was born in California and raised in NYC, and yet she has dreamed of Polar landscapes since she was in her teens. Her first trip took her to Antarctica where she was inspired and captivated by the landscape. Her watercolors show an unfamiliar landscape in a new light. By using vibrant colors and taking risks with different surfaces, she makes the viewer reevaluate their understanding of both these landscapes and their beliefs in the potential of the medium.
Taking charge of your art business isn’t only about bookkeeping, inventory and promoting your art effectively. Taking charge of your art business is about assuming 100% responsibility for your actions — all of your actions, especially in your studio. We all want to increase our productivity and creativity in this new year, and my guest today has mastered the art of doing exactly that by planning ahead. Dawn Williams Boyd makes figurative textile paintings that reveal stories—not always pretty ones—about the American experience. Dawn’s work has an unapologetic socially activist message that speaks volumes about the Black experience and this country’s politics.
In today’s social and political climate, there aren’t enough hours in the day for Dawn to convey all of the messages she wants to share in her art. She has to carefully plan the body of work she is going to make throughout the year. She takes charge of her production for the entire year.
In our conversation, Dawn and I discuss her process for plotting out which pieces she will make each year. We also talk about why now is not the time to make art that matches the couch, conversations she wants people to have around her work, and how she makes the valuable connections that are helping her reach her most ambitious goals.
Highlights
- Dawn Williams Boyd responds to her daughter’s statement that she is a righteous badass. (3:45)
- Art that represents the effect of the history of the United States on the African American community, created by an African American woman. (6:14)
- What interested Dawn most in her Art History class is reflected in her own work. (9:30)
- Dawn reflects on the big plans that she had for exhibiting her work in 2020. (12:47)
- The good things that can happen when you have nowhere to go and no one to see your work. (16:06)
- “The List” and how it influences Dawn’s productivity and creativity every year. (18:02)
- Now is not the time to make art that matches the couch. Dawn explains the opportunity of artists to use their voice to influence others. (21:32)
- A look inside Dawn’s notebook, including the details, fabrics, facts and titles that drive her work. (26:15)
- Questions that Dawn asks herself in the planning stage of each new piece. (31:10)
- The criteria that guides Dawn’s ability to set goals and plan her work out a year in advance. (34:10)
- Dawn reflects on her 2020 goals, the pieces that she actually created and how she is constantly preparing for what is coming next. (36:50)
- What kind of conversations does Dawn want people to have around her work? (43:50)
- Understanding the worldwide problems that are depicted in the imagery in Dawn’s piece, All Through the Night: America’s Homeless. (48:03)
- The overarching business and career goals that guide Dawn’s work every single day. (53:10)
- How can an ambitious artist ensure that their art is being viewed by the right people? (57:08)
- A peek into all that is in store for Dawn in 2021. (59:00)
Mentioned
- Dawn Williams Boyd
- Faith Ringgold
- Tulsa Race Massacre
Resources
- Photos and full show notes
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Art Biz Success Planning Sessions
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
About My Guest
Artist Dawn Williams Boyd makes figurative textile paintings that reveal stories—not always pretty ones—about the American experience. Her latest series, The Trump Era, specifically focuses on xenophobia and immigration, but her work has also explored feminine sexuality, the Black American experience, as well as forgotten moments from American history.
I teach setting goals for artists. It’s the first lesson in the Art Biz Accelerator. So it may come as a surprise when you hear that this is the year that I want you to stop setting SMART goals for your art business. Far more important than setting any goal is actually doing the work. In this solo episode, I’ll tell you how to set more empowering goals that will help you take charge of your art business. 2020 was a year of great loss of so many aspects of the art business. Venues were closed, live workshops were canceled, and many businesses suffered major losses. Regardless of these disappointments, so much of these results were never in your control in the first place.
Today I want to focus on what IS in your control. You have control over your art. You get to choose how you will spend the next 24 hours. You can choose how you will invest in your business and you are in control of so much more.
As you enter this new year I want you to consider setting a new kind of goal that may just be smarter than any goal you’ve set before. And it all starts with taking total responsibility for all of the things that are in your control.
Highlights
- New year, new goals. But what is really in your control? (0:01)
- The best goals for your art business may not be all that SMART after all. (1:24)
- A new approach to setting goals for your art business. (2:48)
- You can’t control outcomes, but you can still take charge. (4:21)
- Empower yourself by taking total responsibility in these areas. (8:06)
- How to connect with others to increase motivation, creativity, and support. (8:24)
- The importance of owning your life, your decisions and your career. (9:30)
- The value of project-centred planning rather than goal-centred planning. (10:39)
- A peek inside all of the offerings of the Art Biz Community. (11:12)
Mentioned
- The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Jack Canfield
Resources
- Featured artists and full transcript
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Art Biz Success Planning Sessions
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
Balance. The holy grail of every entrepreneurial artist’s quest. What does a balanced artist’s life look like? And what happens when you actually achieve balance? As much as I love the idea of being whisked away by my latest all-consuming project, I also know what it feels like to be out of balance. I much prefer being in charge of my time and my life, and that’s why I loved this conversation with Chris Maynard. Chris turns feathers into intricate art. Working with delicate tools, he carves into feathers to create images of the very creatures that shed them. His unique feather sculptures are recognized by art collectors, bird lovers, and a variety of people from around the world.
In this episode, I talked with Chris about finding balance in life as well as in making and marketing art. He shares the secret behind his seemingly successful quest for balance, how he approaches requests for commissioned pieces, and the systems that he uses to stay on top of it all.
Balance may seem elusive, and, yet, we all need it in order to be our most creative and successful selves. Whether you’re currently searching for balance in your work or have already homed in on what the perfect balance means to you, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Highlights
-
Chris Maynard explains the inspiration behind his unique artwork of carving feathers. (3:39)
-
Details about the seven galleries that represent Chris’s work. (6:55)
-
Chris’s income streams, including commissioned work, prints, and his book. (7:30)
-
Why balance is important to Chris. (11:00)
-
How Chris balances commission requests with his own creative license. (12:45)
-
Maintaining relationships with galleries while accepting commissions. (15:47)
-
Balancing commissioned pieces, for Chris, means working on one at a time. (18:04)
-
Dancing, movement, and leaving work undone are all part of Chris’s typical work week. (23:55)
-
Systems for staying on top of commissioned pieces and communications. (27:04)
-
Finding the balance between making and marketing art. (29:28)
-
Which marketing channels have brought Chris the most sales? (31:33)
-
Balancing the marketing and the making of art starts with a feeling. (38:11)
-
Chris shares the details and collaboration of his current piece. (41:03)
Mentioned
- Featherfolio
- Feathers: Form and Function by Chris Maynard
- Chris Maynard on Instagram
- Chris’s newsletter
- Chris’s blog
Resources
- Photos and full show notes
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Art Biz Success Planning Sessions
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
About My Guest
Oregon artist Chris Maynard combines his strong backgrounds in biology and ecology to pay homage to nature through the plumage of birds — using feathers acquired from legal sources such as zoos and private aviaries all naturally shed by birds. Working with delicate tools, he carves into feathers to create images of the very creatures that shed them, inventing poetic and playful compositions of birds in flight. His unique feather sculptures are recognized by art collectors, bird lovers, and a wide and interesting variety of people from around the world.
I don’t believe in making art for a market, I believe in making art from your soul and then finding the right audience for it. But sometimes we are lucky enough to make the art we want, then tweak it just a bit so we can broaden our audience. My guest today has found a way to do just that. Ashley Lucas (aka Lady Lucas) is an artist whose work features smartly dressed animals and other sweet anthropomorphic characters. She has illustrated numerous children’s books, coloring books, and other cute projects. By placing her characters in the local townscape Ashley has increased the appeal of her work to a specific audience that continues to grow.
In today’s conversation, I talked with Ashley about how she came up with the idea to tap into people’s love of a specific location and how she leverages it for her prints, products, and commissioned work.
We also discuss how she connected with a community even before moving there, how she juggles her life as an artist with that as a mother of a two-year-old, and which social media platform offers the greatest return for her work (it's not Instagram).
Even if you don't "do" cute or illustrations or location-specific art, you'll want to listen to ideas for connecting to new communities.
Highlights
- Ashley Lucas describes the inspiration behind her characters. (2:22)
- How COVID-19 and motherhood have affected Ashley’s income streams. (6:22)
- Juggling a growing art business and a busy two-year-old. (9:18)
- The value that community connections bring to your art business. (13:18)
- Distinguishing between prints and commissioned pieces and how to price each. (19:01)
- Customizing standard city pieces without redrawing each one. (21:41)
- How Ashley connected with her new community before moving there. (25:25)
- How the pandemic has made a strong online presence more important than ever. (28:21)
- Marketing through TikTok and exploring current culture. (31:20)
- Curating email lists for artists and for promoting products. (34:13)
- Which social media platform generates the most work for Ashley? (35:25)
- Ashley’s strategy for promoting her web stores. (37:14)
- The key to making your art appealing to buyers. (40:28)
- A look at Ashley’s next project and the future of Lady Lucas. (43:00)
Mentioned
- Episode 21- Creating Opportunities for Your Art Career with Meg Black
- Lady Lucas
- Linzer Lane
- Ashley Lucas on Instagram
- Ashley Lucas on TikTok
- Willem de Kooning
Resources
- Photos and full show notes
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Art Biz Success Planning Sessions
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
By now you may have picked up on the fact that I am a sucker for a reliable system. My signature program is called the Art Business Success System for a reason — systems work. They provide you with a framework that, once in place, you can return to repeatedly and update to match where you are at any given moment in your art business. I love figuring out systems, maybe even more than I love following them because systems are always there to support my progress. And my guest today has proven that a clearly defined system can take your art business to the next level. Sema Martin is a full-time artist living in the French Riviera. She currently has a four-month waiting list for her pet portraits, which is due in part to the flawless 8-step system that she has developed that keeps her organized and keeps her customers satisfied.
In our conversation, Sema shares the system that she has in place for her commission-based business. We walk through the eight stages of commissioning work from her, which are clearly outlined on her website. We discuss how she standardized her sizes, how she makes it easy for clients to buy from her by offering multiple currencies, and how social media serves a dual purpose to both promote her work and to share her progress with clients. You’ll hear how she stays organized and at the end of this episode you can find out how to get a copy of her system spreadsheet.
Highlights
- Sema shares the journey that led her to becoming a full-time commissioned artist. (2:11)
- Income streams and the percentages of Sema’s income that comes from commissions. (5:50)
- Developing the stages of the commission process, starting with sizing the art. (7:32)
- What should be included in your pricing? (12:15)
- A comparison of Squarespace and MailChimp. (14:18)
- Contact forms and how to make sure you have proper communication with clients. (16:03)
- The importance of collecting money before you start drawing. (20:46)
- Handling a waiting list and details of a payment plan. (22:09)
- Guidance for helping customers choose the details of the piece. (26:54)
- Sema’s workflow and how she works in the drawing zone. (30:03)
- How many social media posts should highlight your current piece? (34:24)
- Final approval ensures that the customer is happy before the piece is shipped. (37:00)
- Mounting, packing and delivery of the final piece and how each step ensures you will have happy customers. (37:56)
- The bonus stage and how many customers take advantage of it. (42:08)
- How do people find Sema? She maintains a focus on SEO that really pays off. (43:52)
- Staying organized and implementing the systems that will keep you straight. (46:11)
- A glimpse inside Sema’s current project. (49:06)
Mentioned
- Sema Martin
- Art is My Career — How to Start an Art Business by Sema Martin
- Guide for Photographing Your Pet
- Sema Martin on Instagram
Resources
- Photos and full show notes
- Art Career Success System
- Art Biz Success Community
- Art Biz Success Planning Sessions
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
So many artists have benefitted from Instagram — it’s a topic that comes up frequently in these interviews, but it’s been difficult to pinpoint one key lesson to devote an entire episode to, until now. Jeanne Rosier Smith made a conscious decision to focus on using Instagram to grow her following and expand her art business and it has definitely paid off. Jeanne has been focused and deliberate in her use of the platform while also allowing a great deal of flexibility in the process. Jeanne paints seascapes and landscapes with pastels and works with the abstract underlying designs beneath the realistic images she paints, seeing just how far she needs to go in order to maintain realism while still leaving something to the imagination. She loves pastel because the rich, pure pigments allow vibrations of color and visual mixing impossible to capture with any other medium.
In our conversation, Jeanne shares the strategies that she has used for the past three years to build a following of more than 37,000 and reach the six-figure mark in sales for each of those three years. She shares how she maintains good relationships with her eight galleries, even while selling on Instagram, and why she doesn’t schedule posts in advance.
Highlights
- Jeanne shares her personal art history and passion for pastels. (2:08)
- The instant feedback and fun factor that has made an Instagram strategy the right choice for Jeanne. (5:48)
- Steps that will take your Instagram account to the next level. (7:45)
- Connecting with collectors starts with sharing your inspiration. (11:56)
- The frequency of your posts needs to reflect your growth goals. (14:15)
- Which content results in the greatest connection, followers, and sales? (15:49)
- Is the ROI worth the effort of maintaining an Instagram account? (20:41)
- Maintaining a good relationship with galleries while growing on Instagram. (25:22)
- Marketing opportunities that will result in sales. (28:42)
- A look inside Jeanne’s personal collection. (33:45)
- Do your posts need to be scheduled in advance?? (34:45)
- A successful hashtag strategy starts with thinking like a collector. (40:09)
- Is there a best time of day to post on Instagram? (44:46)
- A peek at what Jeanne is currently working on. (45:51)
Mentioned
- Jeanne Rosier Smith
- Jeanne Rosier Smith on Instagram
- Instagram for Artists
- Artists Helping Artists Podcast
- Gallery 31
- Artist Support Pledge
- Loriann Signori
- Marc Hanson
Resources
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
Blogging may seem like an art form of years gone by, replaced entirely by the quick and simple posts of Facebook or Instagram, but my guest today has proved that nurturing a blog can be one of the most beneficial and rewarding outlets that an artist can pursue, both personally and professionally. Lisa Call dove headfirst into the blogging world years ago and created such an excellent blog that I have referenced it many times both on my website and in the first three editions of my book. Unfortunately, her blog went up in flames before I could mention it in my fourth edition, but that major set back hasn’t stopped Lisa from continuing to create what I consider one of the best corners of the art blogging world. Lisa makes textile-based art and uses hand dyed fabric to create large abstract compositions. She uses her blog not for marketing her work but as a place where she can share her opinions about art and learn more about herself and her work. In fact, Lisa credits her blog as the single greatest factor in her success as an artist.
In our conversation, she shares the benefits of blogging and why she decided to revive her blog after all those posts disappeared. We also go over some of the steps she’s taking to republish old posts and how her blog has led her to opportunities that she otherwise never would have imagined. Of course, blogging isn’t for everyone, but if you enjoy writing and sharing insights about your life as an artist, this is an episode you are going to want to listen to.
Highlights
- Lisa shares the evolution of her textile-based abstract compositions. (2:21)
- Why blog? Lisa offers insights into the value of blogging as a way to unite the artist community, share opinions and increase marketing. (4:08)
- Structuring blog posts in a meaningful way. (8:40)
- Recovering a broken website, republising missing posts, and discovering yourself along the way. (10:10)
- Lisa’s method for categorizing her current blog posts. (19:00)
- Defining your purpose in blogging and setting boundaries within your posts. (24:53)
- Details of the Make Big Art blog and juggling the ins and outs of SEO for two blogs. (27:25)
- The benefits and accountability that come with blogging about art. (33:50)
- How to find the balance between blogging, Facebook posts and email lists. (35:30)
- Lisa’s advice for successfully blogging about your art. (40:06)
- A glimpse inside Lisa’s current project. (44:32)
Mentioned
- Lisa Call
- Lisa’s Blog
- Make Big Art Blog
- Lisa Call on Instagram
- Online Workshops
Resources
- Art Biz Success Community
- Intro and outro music by Wildermiss
Introducing yourself as an artist is a topic I never could have dreamed up while I was working in art museums. It wouldn’t have occurred to me that artists would have a hard time introducing themselves. It seems like all you have to do is say, “I’m an artist” and the conversation opens wide. But what I’ve learned in the years since working in the museum bubble is that it isn’t always that easy to say “I’m an artist”. Then, when the words finally do come out, what do you say after that? If you’ve found yourself struggling to confidently introduce yourself as an artist, know that you are not alone. A well-crafted introduction should seem effortless but it also has the potential to change the course of a conversation and connect you with people who can have a great impact on your work.
Let’s examine why introducing yourself as an artist can be such a struggle, why you should care about confidently introducing yourself as an artist, and what you can do today to master the art of introducing yourself as an artist.
Highlights
-
Why is introducing yourself as an artist so difficult? (1:34)
-
Why you should care about introducing yourself as an artist. (4:38)
-
Take advantage of introductions as a starting point (6:26)
-
Tips for refining your informal introduction. (7:37)
-
What your informal introduction isn’t going to do for you. (10:17)
-
Where to go next — preparing powerful yet natural follow-up statements. (11:35)
Mentioned
- ArtBizConnection.com
Resources
-
Art Biz Success
-
Intro and outro music provided by Wildermiss
At the intersection of craftivism and the world of campaign finance is Eve Jacobs-Carnahan. Eve is taking the historical practice of knitting circles and re-envisioning them as modern craftivist assemblies. While bringing artists together to craft the building blocks of a characteristic state capitol building, she’s also leading conversations about changing the role of money in election campaigns. But the impact that Eve is going to make with this work is going to extend far beyond the current election cycle, in fact, it has very little to do with it. Kicking off in early 2020, Knit Democracy Together combines interested organizations, knitting circles, and conversation about election finance reform. The result will be a 5 foot by 3 foot knitted sculpture of a state capitol building that Eve hopes to exhibit in multiple venues.
The pandemic has certainly had an effect on Eve’s plans, but it hasn’t stopped her. In our conversation, she shares details about reimagining in-person knitting circles, funding and exhibiting the project, and the art of knitting as a daring act of social activism. Eve explains the stereotypes that she has to push against when using a domestic handcraft to increase social activism and the goals she has for this unique and powerful project.
Highlights
- Eve shares the objectives and the vision behind Knit Democracy Together. (2:43)
- The effect of COVID-19 on Eve’s plan for in-person knitting circles. (7:11)
- How Eve found people to participate in the project. (10:26)
- Details about the yarn and the sculpture dimensions. (14:48)
- The campaign funding message that Eve is working to increase awareness about. (17:26)
- Funding the project and what Eve learned from each declined request. (25:07)
- Questions surrounding the exhibition stage of the project. (27:07)
- Understanding knitting as a daring act of social activism. (28:37)
- How Eve is leading a group project while remaining politically neutral. (32:27)
- Collaborating in a community project just might mean letting go of total control. (34:33)
- Steps that will move the Knit Democracy Together project to the next level. (41:10)
Mentioned
- Knit Democracy Together
- Art Biz Success Community
- Katharine Cobey
- Cat Mazza’s Nike Blanket Petition
- Eve Jacobs-Carnahan
- Eve Jacobs-Carnahan on Instagram
Resources
- Art Biz Success
- Intro and outro music provided by Wildermiss
Quotes
- “People are cynical about elections, but there are ways to improve the system rather than throwing the whole thing out.”
- “We are a community made up of all these different people, but together we can do something bigger.”
- “The goal of all of this is to get people to care more and be able to participate in the election process more than before.”
- “A lot of knitted art is activist art. It’s a tool for social action.”
- “You have to push against stereotypes when you use any textile art, especially with knitting.”
About My Guest
Eve Jacobs-Carnahan makes knitted sculpture. Using the comforting qualities of knitting she explores human interactions with nature, democracy, and society.
Eve’s work has been exhibited throughout the United States, receiving regional and national awards. Her work appears in Lela Nargi’s survey of knitted art, Astounding Knits! 101 Spectacular Knitted Creations and Daring Feats. She loves the notion of knitting as a daring act. When not engaged in such audacious pursuits, she can be found digging in her garden or cross-country skiing through the woods. Both activities put her in touch with the plants and birds that appear in her sculptures.
Eve majored in history at Swarthmore College, and knit several sweaters along the way. While earning a law degree at the University of Chicago she could often be found taking a study break at the Art Institute of Chicago. She lives in Vermont.
I'm not crazy about the word "pitch" but I'm going with it. I use it in the sense that you are making an argument for something. You're making an argument that I should pay attention to who you are and the art you make. I'm more likely to pay attention to your art if you have a compelling story than if you ask me to buy, buy, buy.
What I share in this special bonus episode will not only help you get on the Art Biz Podcast, but will also serve you when you pitch to other podcasts, bloggers, writers, and publications.
The more interviews you do and the more experience you get, the better you become at telling your story. You will also grow your audience and maybe even sell some art or attract new students and social media followers. You never know who is listening.
5 STEPS FOR PITCHING YOUR STORY TO THIS PODCAST
- Listen to the podcast. Remember I am looking for visual artists who have a dedicated studio practice and a business lesson to share.
- Research. Show me that you know who I am and what I’m trying to do here.
- Get clear on the business lesson you have to share with my listeners. Make it easy for me to envision the story and say Yes.
- If you have been a guest on other podcasts or shared your story in a video, share that link with me.
- I’ve made it easy for you. There’s a form to complete on this page. https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program for artists, the Art Career Success System.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will address repeatedly throughout your art business and career—like rewriting your artist statement, submitting exhibition proposals, developing content, and nurturing your connections.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation that will last throughout your career.
Please join our community of ambitious artists. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 63).
CONNECT WITH ALYSON
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess #ArtBizNow
Fun isn't a word used very often when we think of marketing or business tasks. Still, it's one of the criteria I suggest considering when you're thinking about whether to add something to your busy schedule. When lockdown started, Brooke Harker threw her fears about doing live video out the window and created Saturday Night Live Art Shows—because she thought it would be fun. It started with just her, but quickly grew to a core of regular artists, with new ones added each week.
I wanted to talk with her about it because these weekly events are open to any artist who wants to show off their art or, perhaps, the art that you collect. In fact, as you'll learn, the rules are, well, ... What rules? This could be a great way for you to connect, practice your video (because imperfections are encouraged), and maybe even sell some art.
Brooke Harker is a contemporary artist based in Los Angeles, California. Her lively paintings of cities and coastal scenes are characterized by energetic brushstrokes in ink and thick oil paint applied with palette knives. These vibrant depictions of daily life capture a sense of motion and highlight moments of synchronicity.
Harker calls herself a historian of the ordinary. Her paintings are a collaboration with all of the people who’ve contributed to a place over time: architects, engineers, city workers who’ve placed street signs and pedestrians whose colorful fashion landed in view at the perfect moment. All of their individual actions brought together one moment, fated to be captured on canvas. Follow Brooke on Instagram: @brookeharker.
Read more about the Saturday Night Live Art Shows and how you can participate. Find them on Facebook and Instagram.
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program for artists, the Art Career Success System.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will address repeatedly throughout your art business and career—like rewriting your artist statement, submitting exhibition proposals, developing content, and nurturing your connections.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation that will last throughout your career.
Please join our community of ambitious artists. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 62).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
Just a mention of the word critique can bring back painful memories for some artists. Or downright fear from those who have never participated in a professional critique. Artists who have been part of formal and ongoing critique groups find them invaluable to their creative development.
In the latest episode of the podcast, I talk with Patricia Miranda, founder of The Crit Lab. She's been leading 7 separate critique groups in 3 states and has recently taken them online.
We discussed:
- Why artists need critical feedback and at one point they should ask for it.
- The format of a day-long critique session.
- Patricia's contention that art is a verb, not an object.
- Artists would benefit from thinking about engagement more than intent.
This is a deep and philosophical discussion that is different from my other episodes. I encourage you to listen more than once.
See Patricia's art: https://patriciamiranda.com
Read about The Crit Lab: https://thecritlab.com
Follow Patricia on Instagram: https://instagram.com/patriciasuzannemiranda
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program for artists, the Art Career Success System.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will address repeatedly throughout your art business and career—like rewriting your artist statement, submitting exhibition proposals, developing content, and nurturing your connections.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation that will last throughout your career.
Please join our community of ambitious artists. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 61).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizNow #ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
Thank you for listening.
I'm a planner, and I like helping artists plan. I'm good at it! If you've taken any of my courses, or even read my book, you anticipate that there will be at least one plan involved. This is one of the special episodes I'm adding since Covid hit—a topic that will help you stay in control of your art business.
In talking with my students and clients, I realize how devastating this year has been. Truth be told, I didn't really have to talk with them to know that their plans had been dashed, but it helps to understand the extent.
The pandemic has wreaked havoc on everyone's plans. Canceled shows and travel. Shuttered studios and exhibition spaces. And the kids! Suddenly the kids are at home and you are tasked with the awesome responsibility of their education. You're on Zoom all of the time, so that brief sigh of relief you felt for not having to get dressed and put on makeup was short-lived.
In the early days of the outbreak, I encouraged my clients and students to plan just 1 week at a time. We didn't know what was going to happen. How long things would be closed. I wanted them, again, to control what they could and not worry about months into the future.
We now know that Covid is going to be with us for the foreseeable future. The planner in me said, Okay! Time for a new plan!
So I developed a short program to help you do this. Read about Reclaim Your Year at
ArtBizNow.com.
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program for artists, the Art Career Success System.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will address repeatedly throughout your art business and career—like rewriting your artist statement, submitting exhibition proposals, developing content, and nurturing your connections.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation that will last throughout your career.
Please join our community of ambitious artists. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 60).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
Four and a half years ago I hired the best assistant I have ever had at Art Biz Success. She has been loyal, prompt, and 200% dependable. She was 21 years old at the time—about to turn 22—and had just graduated early from college.
After making many hiring mistakes in the past, I was determined to do it right this time
And I did. I hit the jackpot.
Mesa is moving on to new professional opportunities, but I wanted to give her a little surprise send-off. (Any typos are on me this week!)
In episode #59 of the Art Biz Podcast I tell you exactly how I hired the perfect person for my business at the time. I also give you the steps I put in place to make sure that we maintained a good relationship and that, above all, she enjoyed her position.
I touch on the hiring process, setting up an assistant for success, working together, and keeping her happy.
I also share my mistakes. I’m sure there are more that I’m unaware of, but I can tell you about those I know.
I get a little vulnerable and a lot sentimental. I’m sharing the story because I don’t know of a single artist who wouldn’t like a little more help with their business. Perhaps you’ll benefit from my experience.
I'm grateful that Mesa and I have dedicated so much energy to greasing our systems. All tasks are properly documented in our Notion app, and we've spent three weeks poring over them to make sure that someone else could take over the tasks.
THAT's why I love systems so much--because they help my business run (almost) on autopilot.
If your systems are broken or, worse, non-existent, I invite you to take a look at the Art Career Success System, an intensive program that guides you through the systems you need for a successful art business.
Whether you need to create an income plan, find new venues, write an artist statement, or improve your marketing, I've got you covered in the ACSS. See the individual courses, calls, and download a suggested syllabus at http://artcareersuccesssystem.com .
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 59).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
Why wouldn't you make it easier for people to buy art directly from you? That's what Lynn Goldstein thought. She built a shopping cart for her website earlier this year. And the sales rolled in immediately after the March launch.
To date, Lynn has sold 18 original paintings and about a dozen reproductions directly from her site, and I wanted to find out how.
It must be said that neither Lynn nor I are not experts in all of the options you have for shopping carts. I wanted to share Lynn's experience and, above all, her results.
Listen in if you're curious about how she did it.
See Lynn's art: https://lynngoldstein.com.
Follow her on Instagram: @lynngoldstein_art.
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program for artists, the Art Career Success System.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will address repeatedly throughout your art business and career—like rewriting your artist statement, submitting exhibition proposals, developing content, and nurturing your connections.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation that will last throughout your career.
Please join our community of ambitious artists. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com.
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com.
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 58).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield.
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
Adri Norris was born in Barbados and raised in New York and New Mexico. A former U.S. Marine, she says she was raised to be a leader—to help people and improve lives. Adri is on a mission to tell stories of women who have made history. She does so through her art, her teaching, and her speaking.
She is especially interested in shining a spotlight on women of color that have been overlooked in our history books.
In this episode of the podcast, I asked Adri about her work, her teaching, and her activism.
Less than one month ago, Adri was asked to design and direct the Black Lives Matter street mural in front of the Colorado State Capitol building. She selected the words Black Lives Matter Remember This Time for the mural. We discuss those words, as well as the symbolic colors she chose and how she involved community members in its making.
I also asked Adri what steps white artists can take to be helpful right now.
See Adri's art on her website: https://afrotriangledesigns.com/.
Support her work: Patreon or send a donation to Afro Triangle on Venmo.
Follow her on Instagram.
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program for artists, the Art Career Success System.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will address repeatedly throughout your art business and career—like rewriting your artist statement, submitting exhibition proposals, developing content, and nurturing your connections.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation that will last throughout your career.
Please join our community of ambitious artists. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com.
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com.
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 57).
Follow me on Instagram: @AlysonStanfield and Facebook: @ArtBizSuccess.
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
One of the first steps an artist makes when turning professional is to decide on an art business name, and many new artists make this more complicated than it should be. Allow me to bottom line this entire podcast episode: If you are a fine artist, your first choice is to always use your given name for marketing your original art.
I understand it isn't always this easy. There are sometimes reasons for not using your own name, including, as I've learned, reasons of physical and emotional safety.
Setting those very real concerns aside, the most frequent arguments against using given names for an art business are the following.
- My name is too common / Someone else already owns the URL with my name [And she’s a porno star!]
- My name is too hard to spell
- I sign my name as X on my paintings, but I want to be known as Y
I consider these objections one by one and give you tips for overcoming them in this episode of the Art Biz Podcast.
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program for artists, the Art Career Success System.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will address repeatedly throughout your art business and career—like rewriting your artist statement, submitting exhibition proposals, developing content, and nurturing your connections.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation that will last throughout your career.
Please join our community of ambitious artists. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 56).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
Sandra was born in Mexico City and received her BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1995. She uses lines, marks, patterns, and textures to speak metaphorically and poetically of things that make no reference to the physical world. Her art constructs a sensual surface that weaves a path between process and narrative, mark and meaning, intention and abstraction. When Covid-19 struck, Sandra wanted to make a difference. She started a twice-weekly Instagram Live program, Tap Into Your Creativity.
On it, Sandra interviews artists at home in their studios—hoping to inspire and to be a light amid all the darkness. The artists, in turn, agree to donate a 10"x10" painting to be auctioned to benefit Feeding America.
On this episode of the Art Biz Podcast, Alyson talks with Sandra about how she makes it happen.
See Sandra's art: https://sandrafeleart.com.
Follow her on Instagram and watch her show there: https://instagram.com/sandrafeleart.
Follow #armyofartists
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program for artists, the Art Career Success System.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will address repeatedly throughout your art business and career—like rewriting your artist statement, submitting exhibition proposals, developing content, and nurturing your connections.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation that will last throughout your career.
Please join our community of ambitious artists. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com.
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 55).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
This is a special episode of the Art Biz Podcast, which features my recent comments about #BlackLivesMatter on social media and to my students and subscribers. I don’t know where I’ll be going from here, but, as I said, I won’t be silent. And, what I know is that I’m not the person you should be listening to about this topic. However, I am the person who is happy to ask questions of those you should be listening to.
That said … I’m looking for new voices who would like to speak up on this podcast. I’d love to share this platform with you. Not just in this moment, but at any point in the future. You'll find my contact info below.
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 17 years working with artists.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and grow your art business. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com.
Read a complete transcript of this special episode, see featured artists, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 54).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
Born in California, raised in Mexico City, Carmen Mariscal had been living in Paris for many years when our paths crossed. She's been sheltering in place with her family in the north of France during Covid, but will soon be returning to London, where they resettled a couple of years ago. I've watched Carmen's career soar as she devoted herself to serious projects and exhibitions. Along the way, it's been my pleasure to guide her when she needs it.
Carmen has been working on Chez Nous, a large installation for a number of years, which was to be installed in March of 2020 near the high-trafficked area of the Louvre in Paris. It happened just in the nick of time—hours before shelter in place orders were given for France. But she couldn't have predicted what would happen next.
I had to share this story with you. It speaks to the power of art and the fact that you, once you put your art out into the world, have no control over how it's perceived—over what it comes to mean to others.
Please enjoy my conversation with Carmen Mariscal.
See Carmen's art: https://www.carmenmariscal.com/en/work
Read about Chez Nous: http://cheznousproject.com
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/car_mariscal/
"I think of you frequently when painting and thank my lucky stars that I worked my way through the Art Carer Success System and went from a sad, insecure artist who could not get into a group show to a confident one who is is invited to be in group and solo shows and even museum shows." - Susan McLaughlin
I can’t begin to tell you how much it means for me to read messages like this one from Susan. THIS is why I keep doing the work that I do after all of this time! So that I can be around long enough to see artists transform their work and their lives. To see them gain confidence in their purpose.
I’d love to work with you, too, in my Art Career Success System. This business training program is designed for serious artists who want to present themselves in the most professional light. It’s all on demand and you can begin immediately.
See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 53).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
For the past 11 years, Jan Heaton has been grieving at the same time she has had an active art career. First was the 10 years of her daughter's illness. Then, in 2019, her daughter's passing. I felt it was a good time to discuss the topic of grief since so many artists are grieving during Covid-19. Artists share grief over lost plans, opportunities, studio spaces, human connection, routines, and travel. And probably a lot more.
Born in Michigan, Jan Heaton is a watercolorist who calls Austin and Laguna Beach home. She has studied at Wayne State University, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the University of Texas - Austin. Heaton’s watercolors are abstract, but her creative process is inspired by the structure, color, and pattern of elements in nature that are often overlooked. Her work isolates details and exposes the viewer to an everyday object or place seen from a new viewpoint.
Jan is represented by the Davis Gallery in Austin, along with art dealers and galleries in San Antonio, Marble Falls, Houston, Atlanta, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco.
This is a huge topic and Jan wants to be very clear that she isn’t an expert on grief. I asked her to be on the show just to talk about her experience in hopes that it might be helpful—even if for only one person.
See Jan's art: http://janheaton.com/
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janheatonwatercolors/
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 17 years working with artists.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and get your business in shape. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode #52).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
On the Art Biz Podcast I usually talk with artists who have a studio practice and a business lesson to share. But I’ve been changing things up during Covid-19, as I’ve wanted to focus on what you can do now to stay in control of your art business. This control is important since there are so many things that are out of your hands. Join in this conversation using #ArtBizNow on Instagram.
This episode is a recent conversation that I had with Cynthia Morris on Facebook Live, and I thought it might work well as an audio-only version.
Cynthia and I talked about the types of journals we think are best for this process, why it’s important to write by hand before moving to the computer, a structure for your journaling process, and how to use prompts to get your ideas down.
Remember that we recorded this as a video conversation with one another. Some things might not translate. For example, we did show and tell about our journals. Luckily, you can easily access the accompanying video, along with images. Visit ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts and look for episode #51.
Connect with Cynthia at https://originalimpulse.com or follow her on Instagram @CynthiaMorris.
This episode is sponsored by my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 17 years working with artists.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and get your business in shape. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com.
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 51).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
In this episode I want to talk about a document you can revisit (or perhaps face for the first time) that gives you power (control) over how your art is perceived. Yes, I’m talking about your artist statement.
Don’t be scared! This is important. And if you don’t want to listen, you can read every word at YourArtistStatement.com.
This pandemic has caused so many people to be introspective. If you're one of them, you might want put this time to good use and work on your statement, regardless of whether you're updating it, rewriting it, or facing it for the first time.
There's no way around it if you want to show your art at a high level. When you want to become part of the critical discourse—to have others consider your work for venues, grants, residencies, and articles—you can't neglect writing your artist statement.
Highlights * My definition of an artist statement (3:00) * Why you need a statement (3:40) * Collecting words that contribute to your statement (6:40) * Journaling prompts for your statement (8:00) * Guidelines for artist statements and what tense to use (11:30) * The ultimate test for a successful artist statement (15:00) * How to write your first draft (16:55) * What to look for (and delete) in the editing process (17:50) * How and where to use your statement (22:10) * What to do when instructions don't match what you've heard here (24:44)
This episode is brought to you by my Art Career Success System. It’s a year-long business training program designed for serious, ambitious artists. When you do the work in the courses, you’ll have a strong foundation on which to build a successful art business.
You will also have an artist statement you can be proud of. That’s because the Art Career Success System is divided into 4 self-contained courses. In the one called Magnetic You, I walk you through a process for not only writing your artist statement, but also writing other marketing material you need and clarifying your visual branding. All of the lessons (about 40 per course) are bite-sized videos (usually under 10 minutes) that you can sneak into pockets of your busy day.
If, during this pandemic, you have the time to work on your art business or if you feel it’s important to make the time visit http://artcareersuccesssystem.com.
I need you to be part of the conversation. I need to hear from you! Please join me on Instagram using #ArtBizNow and bookmark ArtBizNow.com as a hub for art business resources during this crisis.
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
Join in the conversation #ArtBizNow
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com
All podcast episodes are posted at https://artbizsuccess.com/podcasts. You'll find a post with the complete transcript for this episode (#50) there.
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
Thank you for listening. I am grateful for your trust.
Daryl D. Johnson gathers inspiration for her paintings of clouds from kayaking, gardening, and motorcycling. The views are familiar, but the subtext is the underlying chi, the sweeping momentum. She was the first girl to take mechanical drawing in her high school, having to plead with the guidance counselor for permission to enroll. She likes to tell the story of her first day in class when Mr. Ruthizer took out a drawing implement and said, “This is a pencil. I am going to show you how to sharpen it." She knew immediately she was in the right class.
In this episode of the Art Biz Podcast, Alyson talks with Daryl about what she calls her year of cleaning, prompted by a decision to move from her longtime New Hampshire home to New Orleans.
Daryl talks about a life-changing event that led to a very different relationship with things. When you listen, you'll discover why the plan took an entire year to implement (it's brilliant).
You'll also find out how Daryl made a big wad of cash by selling things through carefully selected channels.
See Daryl's art: http://daryldjohnsonartist.com/artist/
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daryldjohnsonartist/
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 18 years working with artists.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and get your business in shape. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 49).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
During the Covid-19 outbreak, the Art Biz Podcast will focus on what you can do now to stay in control of your art business. Before you can even begin to think about business at a time like this, you might need to come to grips with the existential questions: Why make art at all? Why is it important to keep making art now?
In this episode, I share at least 5 reasons why it's important to keep making art now.
- Art is why you're here.
- Art encourages us to go within.
- Art reminds us that we are all connected.
- Art completes our humanity.
- We need you to tell the story.
I need you to be part of the conversation. I need to hear from you! Please join me on Instagram using #ArtBizNow and bookmark ArtBizNow.com as a hub for art business resources during this crisis.
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
Join in the conversation #ArtBizNow
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com
All podcast episodes are posted at https://artbizsuccess.com/podcasts. You'll find a post with the complete transcript for this episode (#48) there.
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 17 years working with artists.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and get your business in shape. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com.
During the Covid-19 outbreak, I am taking a break from the usual format. The Art Biz Podcast will focus on what you can do now to stay in control of your art business. This episode has a huge happiness factor because it's about using real mail: Why you should use it, who to send it to, and what to send.
I need you to be part of the conversation. I need to hear from you! Please join me on Instagram using #ArtBizNow and bookmark ArtBizNow.com as a hub for art business resources during this crisis.
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a year-long course and community that you can start immediately to help you stay focused during these uncertain times.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and get your business in shape. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com.
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
Join in the conversation #ArtBizNow
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com
All podcast episodes are posted at https://artbizsuccess.com/podcasts. You'll find a post with the complete transcript for this episode (#47) there.
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
For the foreseeable future, I’m dedicating the Art Biz Podcast to what you can do now to stay in control of your art business. It’s just going to be me talking. Episodes will be shorter and more frequent. There will be no music. No bells and whistles. My goal is respond to the situation quickly and to keep you going at the expense of a fancy, professionally engineered audio program. I hope you understand. I need you to be part of the conversation. I need to hear from you! Please join me on Instagram using #ArtBizNow and bookmark ArtBizNow.com as a hub for art business resources during this crisis.
So, staying in control of your art business. It sounds like a simple theme, but it’s profound.
So much of what is happening right now is beyond your control. You can’t control how many people get sick. You can’t control how fast the virus spreads. You can’t control what our leaders do (though you can vote and I strongly urge you to do that).
But you can control how you react. It’s critical for your well being that you pay attention to what is in your control. This is going to make you feel much more optimistic about the future, and give you fuel to carry on.
I want to begin this series by discussing how you spend your time every day, hour, and minute—even if you have kids at home.
In this episode, I discuss why having structure is so important right now and review 6 activities that you can schedule in order to stay in control of your art business.
This episode is sponsored by my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 17 years working with artists.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and get your business in shape. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com.
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
Join in the conversation #ArtBizNow
All podcast episodes are posted at https://artbizsuccess.com/podcasts. You'll find a post with the complete transcript for this episode (#46) there.
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
Cynthia Morris helps writers, artists and entrepreneurs make their big dreams a powerful reality. Cynthia is a certified coach, teacher, author and artist. In 1999, she founded Original Impulse, a boutique coaching company that empowers creative people to focus, follow through and finish projects that matter. The author of the The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book, Cynthia has published seven e-books on writing and creative travel as well as the Paris historical novel, Chasing Sylvia Beach. She is a watercolor artist and visual journal keeper who uses art as a way to express joy and consistently access inspiration.
Back in 2016 Alyson sat down with Cynthia to discuss an affliction many of their artist-clients suffer from: Impatience. Especially around making money.
This was the first episode in what became the Art Biz Podcast.
The conversation started with a consideration of the pitfalls of impatience, and quickly launched into a variety of topics that all have to do with what it takes to be a professional artist.
Visit Cynthia Morris: https://originalimpulse.com
Follow her on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cynthiamorris
Check out her podcast, Stumbling Toward Genius: https://www.originalimpulse.com/podcast/
This episode is sponsored by my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 17 years working with artists.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and get your business in shape. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com.
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: http://Wildermiss.com.
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 45).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
In 2014 then-promising artist Jennie Tucker received a challenge out of the blue from a friend: Paint my wedding. At my wedding. In front of all the guests. Most of the artists I know and love would have (1) laughed out loud thinking, Obviously she jests, or (2) run the other way. Fast.
Not Jennie. She accepted the challenge and rose to the occasion.
More interestingly, she found she really liked it.
Jennie, who was single at the time (read: freer), enjoyed traveling and painting at weddings. She liked interacting with guests and painting within the time and location constraints. She didn't mind people looking over her shoulder to see what was on the canvas.
She became an artist-performer of sorts, and the word spread.
Jennie found a niche for herself. Before long, she was in demand for other live events, like corporate parties and conferences.
The opportunities abounded, and every one of them happened by word of mouth and, eventually, as a result of her social media sharing.
There was no way she could accept all of the invitations that came her way. She had to start saying No.
In this latest episode of the Art Biz Podcast, I asked Jennie Tucker about the business side of live painting. We discuss the importance of contracts (and what to include in them), dealing with people and their many personality quirks, income streams, and her desire to help more artists start doing this work.
Jennie openly shares the challenges and a somewhat embarrassing story from a most memorable wedding.
See Jennie's art: https://www.jennielouart.com/.
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennielouart/.
See Jennie and her art along with episode 44 on the podcast: https://artbizsuccess.com/live-painting-podcast/.
This episode is sponsored by my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 17 years working with artists.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and get your business in shape. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com.
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: http://Wildermiss.com.
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 44).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
One of the most important lessons in my course, Magnetic You, involves meditating on your art. You read that right. Meditating on your art. ****I insist that art speaks when you give it the time and space to tell you its story. Then you have to capture that story in a journaling process. In the spring of 2018, Cathy Read worked her way through this course, and wrote pages and pages about a new body of work. Then she got an idea from another lesson in Magnetic You to leverage all of that writing she had done. It didn’t just stay in a notebook or in a file somewhere in the dark depths of her computer. Nooooo. She put it to work and turned her written stories into audio for an exhibition.
The leap Cathy took from written word to audio involves a different way of thinking. It’s much like how museums consider programming their shows. They don’t simply put up the art along with nearby labels. They have docents who lead tours, scholars who give presentations, activities to expand on a theme, and audio for telling stories.
In this episode, Cathy and I talk about how she created a process for this, how it worked out, and what she'd do differently next time.
See Cathy's art: https://cathyreadart.com/
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathyreadart.com
Find examples of Cathy's labels with QR codes along with episode 43 on the podcast site: https://artbizsuccess.com/audio-for-art-show-podcast.
This episode is sponsored by my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 17 years working with artists.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and get your business in shape. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com.
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: http://Wildermiss.com.
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 43).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
Art Biz Success has been around since 2002, but we have probably undergone more changes in our business in the last two years than in the previous ten years combined. In this episode I'm joined by team member Kristen O'Neill as we walk you through the biggest changes. They're all based on three major insights I had during a self-reflective process.
- I enjoy working live and in person. I like to travel and hold the energy of a large group throughout a workshop. This can be exhausting, but it also feeds me. And I think I’m good at creating an excellent experience for workshop participants. I learn more when I’m there in person. However, I don’t enjoy launching ads, emails, and promotions to try to fill a room and being on the hook for thousands of dollars to a venue.
To satisfy this part of me, I'm organizing half-day marketing plan workshops throughout the country in 2020. You can find out how to invite me to your city here: https://artbizsuccess.com/art-marketing-workshops. And see where my scheduled workshops are taking place here: https://artbizsuccess.com/marketing-workshop-registration.
- I enjoy helping ambitious artists who have a solid studio practice. I enjoy helping them shore up their foundation or review everything they have in place as they prepare for growth and are ready for a new phase in their artist journey.
My super power is helping artists create sustainable business systems that can support long-term growth. I do not enjoy working with wishy-washy artists who kinda sorta maybe think they might want to do something with their art. There are creativity coaches and therapists to help with that. It’s not my gift.
I've spent the better part of 2 decades perfecting the Art Career Success System and believe strongly that it can give you a strong business foundation. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com.
- I most enjoy working with artists who are more advanced in their careers. They have their foundation in place and are thinking beyond entry forms and juried shows. They’re carefully crafting their career course, and I’m good at helping them develop creative business strategies that can support their growth.
I also know that artists get further faster when they are part of a community of like-minded artists. For this reason, I have created small group virtual masterminds for artists who are focused on sales, teaching, or community projects. See https://artbizsuccess.com/artist-masterminds.
Thank you for letting me share this news with you. It means a lot that you're here and stick with me through the changes.
Find Kristen O'Neill at https://kristenoneillart.com/ and @kristenoneillart on Instagram.
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: http://Wildermiss.com.
Read the show extensive notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 42).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
Alison Nicholls leads Art Safaris in South Africa for National Geographic. The two back-to-back sessions sell out every year, and she loves teaching in this environment. Alison gives equal weight to her field sketches and studio work, and has begun to believe that the field sketches are almost more important.
She is a Signature member of Artists For Conservation and the Society of Animal Artists, a member of the Explorers Club, and an artist member of the Salmagundi Club.
In this episode of the Art Biz Podcast, Alyson talks with Alison about how the Art Safaris came about and how she uses social media, video, blogging, and her newsletter to attract students months in advance.
See Alison's art: https://artinspiredbyafrica.com/
Find out about the Art Safaris: https://artinspiredbyafrica.com/art-safaris/
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artinspiredbyafrica/
This episode is sponsored by my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 17 years working with artists.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and get your business in shape. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com.
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: http://Wildermiss.com.
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 41).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
Suzanne Gibbs is an artist and author based in Portland, Oregon. Two years ago, she entered my Art Biz Inner Circle and began taking full advantage of everything that was offered. As an aside, although we no longer offer the Inner Circle, we do continue to support artists through the Art Career Success System and our new artist masterminds.
But, no matter how hard we try, we can’t make you do the work, whether it's business or studio based.
What Suzanne wanted to share in this episode is critical to every artists' success.
We started talking about the idea of doing less (not more) in order to accomplish your goals, but it turned into a conversation about focusing more. Focusing on what matters, and nothing is more important to your professionalism as an artist than a consistent studio practice. Nothing!
Suzanne creates contemporary abstract portraits exploring the roles of women, in particular homemakers, in society. In 2013 she graduated from Claremont Graduate University’s MFA program. She received her MS in Communication from the University of Portland and a BFA in Design from Carnegie-Mellon University. She also studied drawing and painting at Napa Valley Community College and Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
Throughout her career, Suzanne has taught art and creativity workshops to students of all ages in schools, museums, private homes, and from her studio. Her work has been exhibited and collected nationally and internationally.
See Suzanne's art: https://suzannegibbs.com
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzannegibbsart
~~~
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected after more than 17 years working with artists. Why take time away from your work in the studio to create your own business systems when I have done it for you?
Become part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving while streamlining your business and marketing. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com
~~~
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: http://Wildermiss.com.
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 40).
~~~
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
Megan Auman is a designer and metalsmith who creates bold, wearable jewelry made from steel and recycled sterling silver sold in stores across the U.S. She is also a focused businesswoman who has helped many artists grow their businesses through her blog, courses, e-books, and consulting at Designing an MBA. That makes her a writer/author, instructor, and entrepreneur as well.
In this episode of the Art Biz Podcast, you’ll hear Megan and I talk about a manifesto she wrote back in 2012 titled Stuff Does Matter. Megan has some insight that will make you feel better about making more art.
You are not contributing to the landfills. What you do is critically important—it's the antidote to mass consumerism.
See Megan's work: http://meganauman.com
Read about her consulting: http://designinganmba.com
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganauman
In this episode, you'll hear a conversation about pricing and why it's critical to get your pricing right—especially not to undervalue your art.
If you're confused about pricing or if you'd just like to validate your price points, see my new pricing guide for artists, How to Price Your Art, at http://howtopriceyourart.com.
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 39).
Follow me on Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
If you have enjoyed this or other podcasts, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and comment on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!
Fiona Valentine is always on the lookout for wonderful landscapes, objects that tell stories and everyday moments just waiting to be shared. She divides her time between painting in her home studio in Melbourne and teaching. In 2019 she released her first online course explaining colour theory. Her Team Building Drawing Workshops help companies improve customer serve by increasing their team's innovation and creativity.
Fiona works in multiple mediums and is currently a guest writer for Australian Artist Magazine. Her facebook group The Confident Artist supports aspiring artists to build a creative habit and conquer the basics of painting, so they can make beautiful art.
In this episode of the Art Biz Podcast, Alyson talks with Fiona about the Lean Methodology she adapted to keep her studio organized.
See Fiona’s art: https://fionavalentine.com
Join The Confident Artist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theconfidentartist
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fionavalentineartist
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 17 years working with artists.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and get your business in shape. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com.
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss.
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 38).
Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
Early in her painting career, Carol A. McIntyre was surprised by the lack of easy-to-understand color theory classes. This motivated her to develop a simpler way to mix color which, in turn, would empower artists. Her full-color book, I Just Want to Paint: Mixing the Colors You Want, walks you through her color-mixing methodology.
Carol has helped over 3,500 painters see and mix color differently. She is an award-winning artist who is a signature member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America and holds associate memberships with the Oil Painters of America and the American Women Artists.
In this episode of the Art Biz Podcast, Alyson talks with Carol about the long process of publishing her book and the expenses, many of which were surprises.
See Carol’s art.
Find her book, I Just Want to Paint.
Follow her on Instagram.
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 17 years working with artists.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and get your business in shape. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com.
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss.
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 36)
Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
Adele Sypesteyn is a New Orleans-born artist whose architecturally influenced abstract work is distinguished by multiple layers of texture, color and pattern. She draws inspiration from her surroundings, particularly the weathered walls of New Orleans and elements of nature. Her abstract art combines warm textures with aged patinas and writings, and utilizes her unique technique developed over three decades as a practicing artist. Adele has been making a living from her art for 4 decades. But she never got too comfortable with income coming from a particular source. She paid attention to changes in the marketplace and economy. And she educated herself.
In this episode of the Art Biz Podcast, Alyson talks with Adele about the trail she blazed, including her decision to pull out of her galleries and focus on expanding her teaching practice into a major source of income.
See Adele’s art at https://AdeleSypesteynStudio.com and watch her instructional videos on her YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJoxxdEPmXegvzMSywE-L2Q
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 17 years working with artists.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and get your business in shape. See http://artcareersuccesssystem.com
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: http://wildermiss.com
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 36)
Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
Lorraine Glessner’s love of surface, pattern, mark-making, imagem and landscape has led her to combine disparate materials and processes such as silk, wood, wax, pyrography, rust, paper, and more in her work. Lorraine is a former Assistant Professor at Tyler School of Art, Temple University, artist mentor, workshop instructor and an award-winning artist. She holds an MFA from Tyler School of Art, Temple University, a BS from Philadelphia University, and an AAS in Computer Graphics from Moore College of Art & Design. She has a diverse art background with skills that include painting, sculpture, graphic design, interior design, textile design, photography, digital imaging and much more.
Since 2016, Lorraine has evolved from an assistant professor of art to running her own workshops and retreats.
Through the process, she has learned a great deal about teaching as a significant source of her income.
In this episode, you’ll hear Lorraine and Alyson talk about how she has set up her workshops and retreats, how she finds venues, the pros and cons of doing for-hire workshops, the tools she uses to stay organized, and how she balances teaching with her studio practice.
See Lorraine’s art at https://LorraineGlessner.net and find her on Instagram https://instagram.com/LorraineGlessner1
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program, the year-long Art Career Success System.
Whether your goal is to increase your income, expand your venues, become more articulate about your work, enhance your online reputation, or nurture your audience, the Art Career Success System gives you what you need. I purposely called it a System because the actions you take in the course are things that you will do repeatedly throughout your career. Your approach this year will be different from the approach you take next year or the year after. But when you follow the Art Career Success System, you can easily update it to reflect your changing needs.
Join us and get your business in shape. See ArtCareerSuccessSystem.com.
Music for the podcast is by Wildermiss: Wildermiss.com
Read the show notes, see photos, and leave a comment at ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts (episode 35)
Instagram @AlysonStanfield
Facebook @ArtBizSuccess
#ArtBizSuccess
~ This episode is sponsored by the Art Career Success System, a 1-year training program that gives you the time and space to build a strong and reliable business foundation for your art. See ArtCareerSuccessSystem.com ~ Living the artist’s life doesn’t necessarily flow with owning a business—with gaining valuable business skills that help you earn income from your creativity.
But every so often I come across artists who are just as interested in learning about business as they are in being an artist. And I feature them in my interviews on the podcast and blog.
Miriam Schulman is one of those artists. She discovered a gift secondary to her art—a curiosity about how the art business works. Combined with the fact that she loves to talk and ask questions, Miriam found her calling in her weekly podcast, The Inspiration Place.
But it was a lot of work to start, and it’s a lot of work to keep up. If you have ever considered starting a podcast or sharing your story on a podcast, this episode of the Art Biz Podcast is for you.
In this interview you’ll hear about:
- Miriam’s background in engineering and corporate finance and how she found the courage to transition to a full-time artist.
- How she promoted her work early on and why she still believes in using a brag book.
- The teaching spot she created called The Inspiration Place to collaborate with other artist teachers.
- What gave Miriam the idea to start a weekly podcast under The Inspiration Place umbrella and how she committed to making it happen a few months later.
- The production team and systems Miriam has behind her now and the coaches and mentors that have helped her along the way.
- Why she feels that podcasting is the perfect platform for her to share her voice and build her influence.
- Miriam’s decision to focus on business lessons and translating them as they pertain to artists specifically.
- Her automated process for inviting and booking guests and her advice for artists who pitch to be on her show.
- Why Miriam plans to keep podcasting every week and how it serves her in her business.
See Miriam's work: SchulmanArt.com
Follow her on Instagram: Instagram.com/schulmanart
Listen to the latest episode of The Inspiration Place Podcast: https://www.schulmanart.com/category/podcast/
You can leave a comment for Miriam or me along with this post at https://artbizsuccess.com/produce-podcast-schulman (episode 34).
Music is by Wildermiss.
In 2014, Ali Cavanaugh had 11 galleries representing her work throughout the U.S. and even overseas. It was all she could do to paint fast enough to supply these galleries with new work. What a great problem to have, right? But something wasn’t sitting right with Ali. So she asked each of the 11 galleries to return her work. One by one they sent back what few paintings remained in their inventories. She had begun to reconsider not just what her business model looked like, but the art itself. She decided to take control and be very deliberate about her next moves. In episode 33, you’ll hear about:
- Ali’s first steps as an artist and initial gallery representation.
- Why galleries weren’t interested in work behind glass.
- How Ali took 6 months to teach herself a new watercolor technique and why it was important to do this.
- How Ali used her blog to attract press coverage and interest from galleries.
- How Ali has expanded her audience using social media.
- Ali’s philosophy of the artist’s journey and micro-evolution.
- Why it’s critical to challenge yourself as an artist.
- Why Instagram is the perfect platform for getting affirmation for your work.
- The reason Ali pulled her art from galleries and what happened to those 25 pieces.
- How Ali began raising her prices and why art fairs were the best venue for the new prices.
- Ali’s monograph that was published by Unicorn Publishing in 2019.
- Details of Ali’s intention to renovate a property in the small town of St. Genevieve, Missouri.
- Ali’s upcoming plans for Patreon.
To be inspired by her work, visit AliCavanaugh.com and find her on Instagram @_alicavanaugh_
You can leave a comment for Ali or me along with this post at https://artbizsuccess.com/reinventing-cavanaugh-podcast (episode 33).
~+~+~ This episode is sponsored by the Art Career Success System, a year-long program and community that gives you a strong foundation for a sustainable art business. See https://artbizsuccess.com/acss ~+~+~
In this bonus episode of the Art Biz Podcast, host Alyson Stanfield explores the word Success as it pertains to your art career and business. It’s a messy journey full of twists and turns. Alyson talks about:
- Why she hasn't been feeling successful lately.
- What makes her feel successful.
- The 3 ways most artists define success, and what each definition overlooks.
- Stopping the comparisons. Artists are more creative than that.
- Why we must start embracing success in much smaller increments.
- Jeff Haden’s view that "The happier you are, the more successful you are."
- What it means for you that success is repeatable and predictable.
Join the conversation using #ArtBizSuccess or tagging @alysonstanfield on Instagram.
RESOURCES
The Motivation Myth by Jeff Haden
The Summer Day by Mary Oliver
What makes you feel successful? Read the comments here.
How to Be More Successful and Lucky
The Art Career Success System
When I heard Sean VanderVliet mention the word “legacy,” I knew I had to talk with him. He thinks big and I like that. Check out episode 15 and episode 19 for more on legacy. Sean is the artist behind Fenway Clayworks based here in Denver, Colorado, and in just a few years he has created a brand and a buzz around his functional pottery. A number of Denver’s finest restaurants commission Sean for their signature dinnerware.
He wasn’t always a ceramic artist. For a number of years Sean worked in tech startups and even, with partners, started his own niche business for rock climbers. He has been able to translate the lessons he learned in those positions to his career as an artist.
Sean says that people work with him because they see his passion. Although 60% of his current business is from commissions, he makes work in his style. If you want something with a flower or aspen tree on it, look elsewhere.
He enjoys immensely the collaboration with chefs and others, but he is also clear that not everyone is a customer. This is just one of the numerous business lessons in Sean’s story that are applicable regardless of the type of work you do.
After hearing his vision, you may want to start looking out for a Fenway Clayworks in your neighborhood.
Our topics of discussion include:
- Sean’s background and how his childhood community influenced the work he does today.
- Why he left his corporate job to be “part of something small” and how working at other companies has served him in his pottery business.
- The business model he operates and the breakdown of his income streams - 60% wholesale dinnerware to restaurants in the Denver community, 20% wholesale to retailers, 20% direct retail sales.
- How Sean’s confidence has grown, which has allowed for more success in his business.
- His commitment to his own design style.
- How Sean plans to scale his business and hire help to support his growth.
- The role he’s assigned to social media and email (and Instagram as “the perfect platform for potters”).
- Why he believes that people choose to work with him over other artists.
- Sean’s dedication to educating and explaining his process and how this translates to pricing. And his realization that “not everyone is a customer, and that’s okay.”
- What’s next for Sean and his plan for an “experiential retail” space.
Follow Sean on Instagram.
Music by Wildermiss.
To leave a comment, see images, and read more, click here.
This episode of the podcast is sponsored by the Art Biz Mastermind Workshops. Join us live in Seattle on September 28-29, 2019. See http://artbizmastermind.com
The fact that we are approaching the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the19th Amendment did not escape the attention of Oklahoma-based mixed media artist Marilyn Artus. For years, Marilyn had been wondering what art project she could possibly do that would be grand enough to match the significance of the occasion. She came up with one—Her Flag—and joins the show to talk about it. It includes collaborations with artists and public performances in each of the 36 states that passed the amendment. After more than a year on the road, Marilyn will complete the enormous flag. Marilyn talks about what inspires her to honor this occasion. She also shares how we can get involved.
In this interview, you will hear about:
● The research and passion that drove Marilyn into this ambitious project.
● Why it was important to Marilyn that the project be open to anyone who wants to celebrate, regardless of race or political affiliation.
● Why Marilyn knew if she wanted this project done, she needed to do it herself and not wait for anyone else.
● How Marilyn selected the 36 women artists in each state to work with.
● Why it was important to Marilyn that she pay the artists.
● The decision to make the flag at Rainbow Pennant, a business in Oklahoma that already employs women to make American Flags.
● A glimpse into the states Marilyn will travel to throughout her epic journey. She will start in Wisconsin in June to travel the path of ratification, and end her trip in Tennessee on August 18, 2020, the anniversary of the date on which the 19th Amendment was ratified.
● The physical details of the 18 x 26 ft flag, and how Marilyn plans to sew everything while she is on the road.
● The team Marilyn has hired to help her work on Her Flag, including one very important full-time project manager.
● The systems Marilyn used to keep their internal and external communication flow organized.
● The need for artists to not be so attached to their original idea that they miss out on something better.
● The decision to feature women of color and focus on women like Ida B. Wells, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Sojourner Truth.
● The part of the journey that is most uncomfortable for Marilyn, but why it’s important that she do it.
● Marilyn’s big dreams for the finished Her Flag.
Resources:
Blog post for notes and comments: https://artbizsuccess.com/artus-her-flag-podcast
Her Flag https://herflag.com
CaFÉ https://www.callforentry.org/
Basecamp https://basecamp.com
Book: Fresh Lipstick: Redressing Fashion and Feminism by Linda M. Scott https://www.freshlipstick.com/
Music: Wildermiss
Tampa Bay area artist Leslie Neumann had a real sweet deal going with Firebird Restaurants, until it stopped. She rose to meet the challenge and joins the show today to share her experience and provide a cautionary tale to others. Leslie talks about how she started working with Firebirds, and how she found a way to not only stay afloat but succeed when 50-60% of her income went away. She also talks about living frugally, playing to your strengths, and the planning and strategizing that went in to her one-woman show. In this interview, you will hear about:
● How Leslie got her gig with Firebirds Restaurants in the first place, and how she landed her deal with them from 2014 to2018.
● Why her time with them came to an end, and a lesson when there is a change.
● The role of her art consultant, and the pros and cons of them working so closely together.
● What her production schedule looked like while working with Firebirds including payment, deadlines and production.
● How she came to pick the 10-13 same paintings that were used and replicated over the past 4 years.
● How she survived Firebirds ending although it was on average 50-60 % of her income.
● The importance of living frugally and debt free.
● The one person show that Leslie put on in June of 2018, which made her a half of a year’s earnings in just one night.
● The mistake that Leslie made, and why she doesn’t want you to make it — stay in touch with your base no matter how busy you are.
● What she re-established that had gotten pushed aside and how she uses her newsletter and social media to stay in touch using a voice authentic to her own.
● Leslie’s strategy in the next year.
● Playing to her strengths of interfacing with people rather than doing business over the computer screen.
Resources:
Leslie Neumann http://leslieneumann.com Leslie’s Instagram https://instagram.com/leslieneumann
Firebirds restaurant locations https://firebirdsrestaurants.com/find-a-location/
Show notes and comments https://artbizsuccess.com/neumann-commissions-podcast
Quotes:
● “The production was like a puzzle, and I like that kind of stuff.”
● “What was appealing for me is that I got to paint every day.”
● “It always works out.”
● “Stay in touch with your base.”
● “Make the very best art you can and start planning for whatever it is that will provide income next.”
This episode is sponsored by the 10th anniversary edition of I’d Rather Be in the Studio: The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion. Get your copy at artbizsuccess.com/irbits
What would it be like to pack up your art supplies and live in an entirely new country? Today’s guest, Marcus McAllister, left the United States over 20 years ago to live in Paris, and has been making a living as an artist there for the past 17 years. In this episode, Marcus talks about his decision to live abroad, his sketchbooks, the sources of his income, and the importance of relationships. In this interview, you will hear about:
- How Marcus has been scrappy yet intentional about his business and career.
- His sketchbooks (and why he doesn’t even walk the dog without taking one with him).
- Marcus’s first memories of living on an Army base in Little Rock, Arkansas.
- How Marcus ended up in Paris and transitioned to a full time artist, and the transition within his career to getting there.
- The way Marcus overcame the language barrier and presented himself as an artist to find work.
- Why Marcus thinks it’s hard for artists to call themselves artists, and why it’s important for artists to own that title.
- The dedication Marcus has to always having a sketchbook on him, with over 100 now in his possession.
- The different sources of income Marcus has including original work, mentoring, and hosting workshops.
- How Marcus keeps his expenses minimal, and is open to be vulnerable and authentic when times are financially tough.
- The connection between creativity, struggle, and doubt.
- Marcus’s go-to marketing methods and how he promotes his shows.
- The important connections Marcus has made through his relationships over the years, and why he thinks all artists would benefit from spending more time cultivating relationships.
- How Marcus makes the initial contact when networking, and how he follows up and stays in touch.
- His tradition of Sunday teas in the studio and the importance of listening to your gut and knowing when it’s time to evolve and shift into something new.
- How working as an artist can involve a lot of solitude, and Marcus’s advice to artists who aren’t as gregarious as he is.
- Etiquette for networking at events as an artist, and why you shouldn’t be afraid to let those business cards fly.
Resources:
- Marcus McAllister http://www.marcusmcallister.com/
- Marcus’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ateliermarcus.mcallister/
- Video Interview with Cynthia Morris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz5P1Wqpl7o
- Marcus’s Journals on Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZOZ6jVWCT4
- Show notes and comments https://artbizsuccess.com/mcallister-paris-podcast
Jill Powers is a sculptor, installation artist and educator who creates art related to ecological issues. Jill discusses how her events educate, delight and challenge the viewer, and how she came to seek out unique collaborations with area businesses, organizations and experts. Jill also describes the many programs she has organized, and how she did it while balancing her own artistic commitments. You’ll hear about how she worked with dancers, scientists, and restaurants beyond gallery walls. In this interview, you will hear about:
- Jill’s background both in art and education, and her passion to create and teach in different settings.
- Two Colorado exhibitions: Plants and Insects in a Time of Change at the Firehouse Art Center in 2013 and Hold Fast: Seaweeds in a Time of Oceanic Change at the Dairy Art Center in 2016.
- The curatorial thesis of experiencing art that opens doors to the message.
- The actual work that was on view for each exhibit.
- The benefits of becoming involved in your community and collaboration beyond what seems possible.
- The clever way Jill’s exhibitions included everyone from dancers, to chefs and scientists.
- The film night she organized as part of a public program.
- The funding that took place in order to successfully run the exhibits.
- The obstacles she faced in pulling off both events with over 3 years of planning.
-
Her way of using volunteers and organizing systems to help her stay focused and on track.
-
What led her to recognize the value in involving others and making the art more meaningful.
- The immersive aspect of her exhibits including live samples of seaweed at a tasting station and using music to set the mood.
- Her advice for artists who may consider becoming more involved in their community, and why enthusiasm and personal connection is so impactful.
- A glimpse into what’s next for her in the future, including a book based on her teaching and life experiences.
Resources:
- Jill Powers https://jillpowers.com/
- Dairy Arts Center https://thedairy.org/
- Firehouse Art Center https://firehouseart.org/
- Seaweed exhibit article in the Denver Post https://www.denverpost.com/2016/02/22/boulder-artist-brings-seaweed-trend-to-plates-spas-and-restaurants/
- Show notes and comments https://artbizsuccess.com/powers-impact-podcast
Chicago painter, public artist, and creative placemaker Lynn Basa joins the show today. She discusses making the art you want to make and the varied ways that artists are intersecting with public life. Lynn, author of The Artist’s Guide to Public Art, also talks about the legacy she is creating with The Corner Project and how public art has changed over the years. In this interview, you will hear Lynn talk about:
- Her background as a studio artist and how it led to her interest in public art.
- Her time at the Seattle Arts Commission.
- The big jump of having her tapestries fabricated as rugs in Nepal, to then selling art to private collections, to finally teaching herself the business of finding customers.
- How the accessibility of art and availability of selling it online has changed the industry over recent years.
- What creative placemaking is, why it has gotten a bad rap, and how it is different from public art.
- Why she felt the need to go back to school in 2016 and get an MFA.
- What The Corner Project is, who funds it, the main mission of the space, and why she was inspired to start it.
- Some of the obstacles Lynn faced to build a coalition and organize a community in The Corner Project.
- What a typical meeting at The Corner Project looks like, her biggest challenges in running it, and what she wishes she would have known before starting it.
- Why an artist would be interested in creative placemaking, and who isn’t cut out for it.
- How her personal art has developed over time.
- The Chicago art scene and the way her community supports other artists.
- Her upcoming book, the second edition of The Artist’s Guide to Public Art.
- Getting better results by truly listening rather than by imposing your ideas — especially in local politics.
- How she learned how to pace herself and manage her time more effectively.
- Inspiration for artists on how they can be catalysts in their communities.
Resources:
The Artist’s Guide to Public Art
Lynn Basa
The Corner Project
I’d Rather Be in the Studio
Quotes:
“Art is a billion dollar business, and someone has to do it.”
“There is so much demand for art of all kinds.”
“Buying art isn’t a rich person’s hobby anymore.”
“I do think artists have a holistic way of looking at the world, and we need to recognize that.”
“Look around you, there are more resources than you think. “
This episode of the Art Biz Podcast is sponsored by our Art Career Success System, a year-long business training program for committed artists. See http://ArtCareerSuccessSystem.com
Missy Graff Ballone, artist and founder of Wellness for Makers, joins the show to discuss the importance of taking care of your most precious asset for making art: your body. She shares her own background as an artist, massage therapist and yoga instructor, and why she saw a need to provide resources that help artists take care of their bodies so they can make more art, and in turn, run their businesses. She also gives tools artists can use to get started in their new journey towards better health. In this interview, you will Missy hear talk about:
- Her background as an artist, massage therapist, and yoga instructor, and how all three are instrumental in her career today.
- How she blended her artistry and love of the body to motivate and empower artists through education, mindful living, and movement.
- Why she felt it important to teach artists accessible self-care to improve the longevity of their bodies, and ultimately their career.
- How it’s never too late to invest in yourself and focus on the key assets — your body and health!
- The importance of creating extra variety in your movements in the studio.
- How we can become more consciously aware of the patterns we create within our body, and the most common ailments artists typically endure.
- Some gentle techniques and tools that she finds important and effective.
- The theme of resilience and how it relates to wellness for artists.
Resources:
Wellness for Makers
Complete Wellness Kit
4 Weeks of Resilience
Quotes:
- “We can’t make art without a healthy body.”
- “An artist’s number one asset in their business isn’t their mailing list, it’s their body.”
- “Our body is our most important tool.”
- “Learning about the body is really empowering.”
- “I love the idea of resilience in the body.”
This episode of the Art Biz Podcast is sponsored by our Art Biz Mastermind Workshops, where we can accomplish more in two days than if you spent 6 months trying to figure it out yourself. See http://ArtBizMastermind.com
Gwen Fox, a professional artist, instructor, and coach, joins the show to talk about building confidence. We discuss the difference between a belief and a truth, silencing our inner critic, how to overcome setbacks and deal gracefully with unwanted commentary. Gwen shares some of her own affirmations and gives specific ways in which we can use goal setting and visualization to create a life we may have never even dreamt was possible. In this interview, you will Gwen hear talk about:
- What you can do when your confidence is dashed, and how perfectionism and negative self-talk doesn’t help.
- Why some people appear more confident than others, and where confidence doesn’t come from.
- Why it’s crucial to surround yourself with those that give you confidence.
- Gwen’s personal experience of an authority figure questioning her intellectual capabilities, and how she finally shed the belief of not being “smart enough” that plagued her for years.
- The difference between beliefs and truths, and how to acknowledge and then silence your inner critic.
- Why so many artists suffer from the imposter syndrome, and how to combat it.
- How the words you choose to describe yourself shape the entire creative process.
- Examples of affirmations that Gwen herself uses for success and confidence.
- How Gwen looks at failure and mistakes as learning lessons and highways to success.
- The two best words you could ever ask yourself: “what if”.
- The importance of using visualization, affirmations, and goal setting as tools to shape confidence and release your artistic voice into the world.
- Why Gwen fully believes we produce better art when we are kind to ourselves.
Resources:
Gwen Fox
Quotes:
- “Confidence is a mindset.”
- “Creating comes from your soul, and it’s where you reveal the deep, intimate side of yourself.”
- “Your creativity is what is so important. No one has your voice.”
- “What we feed ourselves mentally is what we bring about.”
- “The most important real estate in the world is the 6 inches between your ears.”
- “Know that failure is an event, it is not personal.”
This episode is brought to you by the Art Biz Inner Circle. This is a group of unapologetically ambitious artists that my team and I worked with for a year. We help our members with goals, mindset, business strategies, and focus. See – http://artbizinnercircle.com
One artist’s journey is never the same as another’s. Not only do you have to be creative in what you make, but also in how you get it out there, connect with the right people and situations, and create a sustainable living. There is no perfect blueprint on how to make money or create a sustainable career, but for Jan R. Carson, the focus is on the quality of the work. In this episode, she talks about her own journey from a production artist since 1999 making over 7,000 silk and stainless steel wire mobiles, to her decision to leave behind what had been a safe income to go after the art and life she wants for herself. She discusses the balance of both worlds and how she has made it work successfully over the years, the selection process for the shows she enters, the vulnerable side of transitioning to a fine artist, and advice for artists looking to take a risk and leave what is safe. In this interview, you will hear Jan talk about:
- The non-linear career path of professional artists, and why determination and vulnerability are two key characteristics.
- Her personal transition from a production artist to a fine artist over the last 10 years.
- More about Jan’s Moon-Lily Silk Mobiles, and what is involved with production and filling orders.
- The many hats she wears in navigating the construction of the mobiles, along with marketing, accounting, etc.
- Why she found it easier to retain and train people as employees rather than interns.
- What led her into production work and the retail business, and how it showed her that it was possible to make a living as a fine artist.
- Why she feels as though production art is tough for artists that want to explore and grow the different facets of their art.
- The point at which Jan knew she needed to begin shifting towards making her own art, and the steps she is taking towards balancing both production work and creation.
- Her commitment to letting her body make the work, and keeping her mind out of it.
- How she got the confidence in herself and her artwork to exhibit it, and what it felt like to put it out into the world.
- The important question artists need to ask themselves: What do I need to make? Not: How do I sell my art?
- The challenges of textile art, and connecting with the right people that will lead to sustainable income.
- The social component of being an artist, and how Jan navigates the world as a self-proclaimed shy homebody, to integrate her personal confidence more into her art.
- The importance of listening, connection, and staying open and present as an artist.
Resources:
Moon-Lily Mobiles
Five Years Out
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Many artists have a desire to open their own gallery, but few know how much work and thought actually goes into it. In today’s episode, artist and gallerist Tracy Miller shares her experience of running the Tracy Miller Gallery for the last 7 years. Tracy discusses the journey from Fine Artist, to working in a Gallery, then opening her own gallery in Manitou Springs, Colorado. She talks about what type of artists she chose to work with, why she chose the specific location of Manitou Springs, the style of Art of the New West, challenges she overcame when running the business, how to still paint and have time for your own art when running a business, and advice she would give to others looking to open their own gallery. Tracy also talks about her decision to close down her gallery and focus more on her own work as an artist. In this interview, you will hear Tracy talk about:
- Her background as a fine artist, and how her experience with wholesale helped her later with becoming well versed in retail.
- Her experience working 5 years at an art gallery in downtown Denver, and why she feels working at a gallery before opening one is crucial.
- How Tracy Miller Fine Art came to be in 1994, and then evolved into Tracy Miller Gallery in 2011.
- Why Tracy chose Manitou Springs, Colorado as the gallery location, and how the mix of tourists and locals was a smart choice for her business.
- Why 70% of her sales ship out of state, and the importance of running a good virtual business on social media and your website.
- The importance of maintaining studio hours when you are an artist-gallerist.
- What Art of the New West means stylistically, and how the wildlife, landscape and Western themes are brought to life in a contemporary and colorful manner.
- The vision that Tracy brought to curating a cohesive gallery that some say fits perfectly together like a jigsaw puzzle.
- How Tracy chose specific artists for her gallery, and why she recommends working with artists that have tested their art before, engage with their clients and fans, and are active in their own business.
- Why gallery owners should know the price points of not only the art in their region, but the city or community as a whole. Crunch the numbers, and know the numbers.
- The success principles of “acting as if” and getting involved with your local community to network.
- How the internet has changed the way gallerists and artists interact as a collaborative effort rather than separate entities.
- Overcoming major business challenges, including two fires, floods and road construction projects around her gallery.
- Why Tracy has decided to close the gallery.
- Why her profit margin was at least 10% higher than a normal profit margin for retail.
- The different types of galleries that artists can open, and the choice they have to feature only their work, or create a space featuring both themselves and others.
Resources:
Tracy Miller Fine Art
Tracy Miller Gallery - Facebook
Tracy Miller Fine Art - Instagram
Comment on this podcast
Quotes:
- “I wanted to bring the finest in this genre that I could to our region.”
- “Little did my artists know how long I stalked them!”
- “If you want to be financially successful and sell art, I knew I would have to pick people that had a following and a track record already.”
- “It’s a long term career, not a fast overnight career.”
- “Do your research and know your market.”
- “It comes down to a lot of organization and discipline to paint while you run a gallery.”
- “Never turn down the opportunity to promote yourself and meet new people.”
This episode is brought to you by the Art Biz Inner Circle. This is a group of unapologetically ambitious artists that my team and I worked with for a year. We help our members with goals, mindset, business strategies, and focus. See ArtBizInnerCircle.com
Artist Meg Black doesn’t wait for things to happen, she makes them happen. She has recently installed a major commission in the new edition of the town hall in Topsfield, MA, and is here to tell us all about the process from vision to reality. Meg shares with us how she got involved in the project, the research that went into it, and the hurdles she had to overcome in able to get it done both perfectly and on schedule. She now is a local celebrity due to her talent, and care for the community. Meg’s commissioned pieces are wins for the community, as they employ local vendors, and simultaneously showcase the beauty and romance of Topsfield.
In this interview, you will hear Meg talk about:
- The pivotal experience 20 years back where Meg was commissioned to do a painting for the Topsfield town library.
- The story behind the special preserved and protected road that was recommended by locals to Meg as a great subject to paint. Meg called upon her “galaxy of artists” and decided to leave some of the windy road landscape to the viewer’s imagination.
- How Meg’s idea of the Topsfield Town Hall addition project presented a challenge with no patron and no donor, and how she enlisted the perfect patron for this project.
- The “10 Million Dollar” problem of the town hall project, and the feeling that Meg had of not wanting the beauty of the piece to become tainted by community politics.
- The homework Meg did to fully understand and articulate the process of tax exemption when writing a letter to her potential donor.
- The interesting release schedule Meg activated for her installation, which kept the town aware of the work but not completely in the know about who the donor was.
- Meg’s dedication to seeing that the entirety of this project was kept local, including the printer, photographer, and the framer.
- How the sales of the prints are divided up both in labor and earnings.
- Why networking on LinkedIn is important for any artist looking for the next commercial opportunity.
- What we can expect next from Meg, and a peek into the new commission she is very excited about.
Resources:
ArtBizSuccess.com
Meg Black
Quotes:
- “I was afraid someone else would beat me to making the art. That’s what did it and got myself out there.” - Meg
- “We need to speak the language of lay people, especially when we ask them for big sums of money.” - Meg
- “When you find a donor for your artwork, the entity has to take care of that work and agree to take it on.” - Alyson
- “I probably put about 500 hours for that painting. I was waking up at 3:30am every day.” - Meg
- “Everything was in town.” - Meg
This episode is brought to you by the Art Biz Inner Circle. This is a group of unapologetically ambitious artists that my team and I work with for a year. We help our members with goals, mindset, business strategies, and focus. See ArtBizInnerCircle.com
Artists are so generous and I love to see them supporting one another. I’m blessed that I get to be the person who introduces them to one another in the groups I lead. After witnessing artist groups from the outside and within over nearly 3 decades, I’ve been thinking a lot about artist group dynamics. In this podcast, I share with you my thoughts on this topic. It’s just me talking, so it’s shorter than most of my episodes.
Here’s what I share:
- Four primary reasons to be part of an organized and well-run artist group.
- Four attributes to look for in an artist group that will match your goals and ambition.
Take notes because this could save you a lot of frustration when you’re trying to find your tribe.
This episode is brought to you by the Art Biz Inner Circle. This is a group of unapologetically ambitious artists that my team and I work with for a year. We help our members with goals, mindset, business strategies, and focus. See ArtBizInnerCircle.com
Mary Erickson’s art sales have paid for her lifestyle, which is comfortable and adventurous, but far from extravagant. She is a savvy investor and wise with her finances.
Mary says she paints so that she can buy real estate so that she can collect art - paintings by other artists. You’ll hear all about it in this episode. You’ll also hear about:
- How she started selling and why she believes being involved in your community is key to an artist’s success.
- How she keeps up with the 8 different galleries that represent her.
- Mary’s legacy project: High Ridge Gardens, a bird sanctuary and artist retreat on her property, which she will leave with a funded endowment.
I hope Mary’s story inspires you to become wise with your finances.
See Mary’s art at MaryEricksonArt.com
This episode is brought to you by the Art Career Success System: a step-by-step system to implement for growth no matter where you are in your art business. See ArtCareerSuccessSystem.com
Ten years ago, Helen Hiebert didn’t think of her art as a business. Her shift of mindset changed everything and she now makes her living as a working artist. Rather than feeling icky about having a “business,” she embraced it and learned to channel some of her creativity into making money from her talents.
In this episode of the Art Biz Podcast, Helen and I discuss:
- Her 5 income streams, and the percentage of income she receives from each
- How she approaches online content creation
- How her blog - The Sunday Paper - and podcast - Paper Talk - grew naturally from her life’s work to that point
See Helen’s art at HelenHiebertStudio.com and subscribe to her podcast, Paper Talk.
See images of what was discussed on the podcast and leave a comment at https://artbizblog.com/hh-income-streams-podcast.
This episode is brought to you by Art Biz Coach mastermind workshops that occur in various parts of the U.S. throughout the year. See ArtBizMastermind.com
Many artists have a dream of doing their work full-time without any idea of what that means or what it would take. Dianna Fritzler made it happen. Not just once, but twice. In this episode, Alyson talks with Dianna about the steps she took to make sure that her first year back as a full-time artist was going to be a successful one. She reveals:
- The moment when she decided that her art could no longer play a secondary role in her life.
- The steps she took immediately that set her on the path to making her dream come true.
- The income streams she tested and what has worked (and not worked) for her.
- The vision she and her husband have for his future full-time role in her business.
- The amount of time she spends on business v. in the studio.
- How she structures her day to be most productive.
See Dianna’s art at DFritzlerArt.com
This episode is brought to you by the Art Career Success System: a step-by-step system to implement for growth no matter where you are in your art business. See ArtCareerSuccessSystem.com
When you find yourself making excuses as to why you can’t get into the studio or why you don’t have time to write that newsletter or blog post, think of this conversation with Annie Salness. Almost 10 years ago, Annie had a stroke and, among other challenges, had to relearn how to paint with her non-dominant hand.
While many artists would have given up when faced with the trials Annie had, she met the challenge and continues to challenge herself.
This is the story of a true artist - an artist who has something to say and is committed to making sure her voice is heard … her art seen.
See Annie’s art at AnnieSalness.com
This episode is brought to you by Art Biz Coach mastermind workshops that occur in various parts of the U.S. throughout the year. See ArtBizMastermind.com
What will happen to all of your art and career records after you are gone? Will your family know what to do with them? Those were questions that David Paul Bayles had about his photographs and archives. And he had good reason to be concerned because they were valuable documents of a particular part of the country and culture.
See David’s work at DavidPaulBayles.com
This episode is brought to you by Big Table Art Retreats - exclusive artist mastermind retreats that occur in various parts of the U.S. throughout the year. See ArtBizMastermind.com