The Art Biz

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/  

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/  

Artistic creativity can make marketing feel scattered. A strong brand identity is essential before diving into design elements. Discover the importance of brand kits, which streamline decisions and build trust with collectors. Alyson emphasizes that artists aren't always the best designers and highlights the continuing value of tactile materials. Learn how to create memorable connections through consistent branding, ultimately turning followers into buyers. Transform your approach and make your artistic presence unforgettable!

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/