The Art Biz

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/

Explore how your art's value is influenced by presentation and context. Learn from a gallery story that shows how a torn label can diminish even the finest work. Discover why venue choice matters, and how Joshua Bell's subway experiment highlights audience perception. Gain insights on vetting opportunities and setting non-negotiables for your art. Elevate your standards by aiming for progressively prestigious showcases, ensuring your work receives the respect it deserves.

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/

Alissa Quart, Executive Director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project and author, shares her journey of managing her mother's extensive art collection after a terminal diagnosis. She creatively distributed 400 paintings directly to the community, emphasizing the importance of connection over traditional gallery routes. The conversation delves into the vital infrastructure artists need, the legal barriers hindering their work, and the emotional complexity of curating an artist's legacy. Alissa provides insights on community support and the impact of recognition on an artist's life.

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/

Hayley Price, an artist, gallerist, and coach who founded The Scouted Studio, dives into the power of Pinterest as a marketing tool for artists. She reveals how old pins can drive traffic for years, comparing Pinterest’s search engine capabilities to social media. Price shares strategies for linking blog content to pins, creating multiple pins from a single post, and optimizing content for better visibility. She also discusses using Pinterest for creative inspiration, storytelling, and engaging potential buyers, making it a vital part of an artist’s marketing arsenal.

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/