She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be Every Month with Kelly Pelfrey (#162)

Sep 7, 2023

Kelly Pelfrey shares how she exceeded her goal of replacing her teaching salary by quadrupling her income. She discusses her income sources, including commissions and small painting releases. The podcast also explores various income streams for artists, such as print sales and selling art for TV screens. The hosts emphasize the importance of finding a method that aligns with one's own schedule and preferences for releasing and promoting artwork. They also provide advice for artists interested in starting commissions.

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Introduction

00:00 • 3min

From Art Education to Full-Time Artist: Kelly's Journey

02:37 • 4min

Exploring various income streams in the art business

06:21 • 2min

The Art of Framing your TV

07:59 • 15min

Discussing Commissions, Create Opportunities Challenge, and Small Painting Releases

23:28 • 6min

Releasing and Promoting Artwork

29:04 • 17min

Email Marketing and Social Media Strategy

46:19 • 5min

Advice for Artists Wanting to Start Commissions

51:37 • 4min

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.