The Art Biz

In this enlightening discussion, Trudy Rice, an Australian artist known for her stunning flora and fauna art, reveals her innovative strategies for growing her audience. Trudy shares how cross-promotion through 'shouting out' other brands has transformed her Instagram and email lists. She emphasizes the power of community engagement and the use of platforms like Ampjar. Trudy also discusses her transition into homewares, diversification of income streams, and creative resilience shaped by the pandemic, offering valuable insights for artists seeking growth.

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.

Discover how to define and measure success in your art business beyond mere numbers. Learn the importance of confronting financial figures to catalyze personal and professional growth. Get tips on what to include in your monthly reports, such as tracking connections and different promotional strategies. Uncover valuable insights from your data to enhance your art journey and redefine fulfillment. This journey emphasizes authenticity and the impact of community engagement on your success.

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.

Explore a fresh perspective on goal-setting for artists that prioritizes action over traditional methods. Discover how taking control of your creative process can lead to greater empowerment. Learn about project-centered planning that not only drives individual progress but also fosters community engagement. Embrace the idea that while you can't control outcomes, you can fully invest in your art and make impactful decisions each day. This inspires a more fulfilling approach to your art business.

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