
The Art Biz
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.
Latest episodes

May 30, 2024 • 46min
Beyond Comparison and Jealousy with Jason Kotecki (ep. 191)
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/

May 23, 2024 • 44min
The Joy in Artist Community and Paring Back Obligations with Ali Cavanaugh (ep. 190)
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/

May 16, 2024 • 50min
Reinventing Your Art Career with Ali Cavanaugh (ep. 189)
Artist Ali Cavanaugh shares her journey of reclaiming artistic control by leaving galleries, transitioning from oil to watercolor, utilizing early blogging for success, and making intentional moves for growth. She discusses strategic shifts, selling directly on Instagram, and thriving in the art world despite physical location. The podcast explores her evolution, decision-making methods, and future transformations.

May 9, 2024 • 43min
Proving It's Possible to be an Artist and Mother with Elizabeth LeMaster (ep. 188)
Artist-mother Elizabeth LeMaster discusses balancing art and family life, selling art to a focused audience, adapting art practices around motherhood, productivity systems, and future plans. She shares her journey of intertwining motherhood and art, finding peace in painting, managing tasks efficiently, and building relationships in the art business.

May 2, 2024 • 54min
How to Guarantee that People Remember You with Skip Hill (ep. 187)
Guest Skip Hill discusses creating a system for following up with collectors and important relationships. Alyson Stanfield walks Skip through steps to nurture relationships, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, strategic planning, and utilizing tools and technology for efficiency and growth.

Apr 25, 2024 • 14min
The Career Journey of Growth-Minded Artists (ep. 186)
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/

Apr 18, 2024 • 41min
Leaning Into Her Roots and Community Art with Marilyn Fontaine (ep. 185)
Marilyn Fontaine, a multidisciplinary artist in East London, discusses her feminine-themed work and integrating community history. Topics include studio rituals, embracing rejection, and letting go. She emphasizes building a network, securing funding, and the importance of community engagement. The conversation touches on digital artwork ownership, seeking a museum for a migration collection, and navigating artistic growth. The episode explores collaborations, grant applications, and balancing spiritual faith with artistic challenges.

26 snips
Apr 4, 2024 • 10min
How Your Art Makes People Feel (ep. 184)
Explore the emotional impact of art and how it connects with viewers. Understand the importance of evoking feelings and building relationships with buyers. Learn how to nurture genuine connections through workshops and mailing lists.

Mar 28, 2024 • 41min
A Collaboration Between 2 Artists that Led to Creative Growth (ep. 183)
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/

25 snips
Mar 21, 2024 • 9min
Rethinking Mailing Lists for Artists (ep. 182)
Discover the intricacies of artist mailing lists, including the importance of building genuine connections, differentiating between email, VIP, and online follower lists, and optimizing engagement and growth. Learn valuable insights on maximizing your marketing asset for artistic success.