

The Art Biz
Alyson Stanfield
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 1, 2024 • 12min
Beyond Motivation: Deadlines and Accountability Drive Action (ep. 198)
Explore how deadlines and accountability are essential for artists seeking to break free from procrastination. Discover the host's personal experiences and practical strategies for creating structured plans. Learn the benefits of setting attainable milestones and forming accountability networks, including coaches and community groups. Embrace actionable steps to maintain momentum in your creative journey and rise above obstacles with external support.

Jul 25, 2024 • 41min
Dealing with Rejection with Megan Wimberley (ep. 197)
host: Alyson Stanfield In order for the art ecosystem to work, many rejections must be handed out. That means to have a successful art business and career, you must learn to deal with rejection. More to the point, in order to be successful in life, you have to learn to deal with rejection, regardless of your vocation. In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Megan Wimberley, who wants to help you move past rejection. As both an artist and a founder of the Cowgirl Artists of America organization, she has experienced both sides of the process. The good news about rejection is that you are not alone. Every artist who wants to attain a higher level of accomplishment must deal with rejection. The bad news is … well … You’ve been rejected. And that feels awful. But you can’t let it stop you. Megan outlines a framework for dealing with rejection, including the importance of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and professionalism—all in the service of elevating and protecting your reputation. 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/wimberley-rejection. ⭐️ Connect with Megan and see more of her art: meganwimberley.com 🤠 Check out Cowgirl Artists of America. 📆 Our planning workshop for shows and sales is coming up. I’m going to lead you through the steps that will help you make an action plan for improving your shows and venues and make more sales. Don’t leave it to fate. Don’t wait for things to happen to you. Make a plan that will give you control over your future. Depending on when you listen to this, you can either get on the wait list or sign up and prepare to make that success plan. Either way, find all of the details at artbizsuccess.com/makeaplan 🎧 RELATED EPISODES 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) Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Christa Forrest (ep. 91) ⛰️ 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/

Jul 18, 2024 • 48min
Using Her Superpower and Biomaterials with Kelly M O'Brien (ep. 196)
What do we do about all of the art materials that are harming you and the planet? Kelly O’Brien has taken this concern to heart and completely changed how she makes work. She grows and uses biomaterials for her sculpture. Host Alyson Stanfield talks with Kelly about: 🔸 What biomaterials are and how they show up in Kelly’s new work. 🔸 The aesthetics of biomaterials. 🔸 Why Kelly isn’t concerned about the work lasting forever. 🔸 What you can do to incorporate more sustainable sources in your work. Kelly also discusses her recent solo exhibition and why community interaction is a key piece of her process, and how she funds her non-commercial practice. [ For some background, listen to this interview with Kelly: Returning to Grad School for an MFA — episode 85. ] 🎧 RELATED EPISODES These conversations center around the artists’ studio practices. Creative Placemaking and Public Art with Lynn Basa (ep. 26) Focusing on the Art, Not the Art Business with Rebecca Welz (ep. 134) Play Tops Work, Connection Tops Solitude, and Confidence Tops Fear with Willie Cole (ep. 126) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/biomaterials-obrien ⭐️ Connect with Kelly and see more of her art: KellyOBrien.art 🔶 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/

Jul 11, 2024 • 42min
Selling Directly to Collectors at Open Studios with Jeff Schaller (ep. 195)
Host Alyson Stanfield is joined by Jeff Schaller, who started an open studio tour in Pennsylvania at the height of the recession. It is still growing and supporting the participating artists. As he’ll tell you, Jeff is an artist first and foremost. Somehow he has created this other job for himself because he believes that artists can do well by connecting directly with collectors who visit them in their studios. Jeff and Alyson talk about: What it takes to put on a studio tour Which artists do well in studio tours Why it’s important to do plenty of marketing yourself and not rely solely on the organizer of a studio tour His marketing strategies, costs, and lots more. There are, of course, ramifications around opening your studio to visitors, supporters, and strangers, but that’s for another episode. 🎧 RELATED EPISODES Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (ep. 157) Self Sales, Open Studios, and Relationships with Interior Designers with Carol MacConnell (ep. 171) Reaching the Other 99% for Your Art Business with Adele Sypesteyn (ep. 163) Increasing Art Sales with Online Events with Patricia Griffin (ep. 97) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit ArtBizSuccess.com/schaller-countytour ⭐️ Connect with Jeff and see more of his art: https://jeffschaller.com ⭐️ Connect with the County Studio Tour: https://www.countystudiotour.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/

Jun 27, 2024 • 15min
How to Be a Guest on The Art Biz (ep. 194)
Learn valuable tips on pitching your story to be a guest on a podcast like The Art Biz. Discover the importance of preparation, highlighting unique business lessons, and showcasing your speaking skills with previous podcast appearances. Alyson Stanfield provides a fill-in-the-blanks form for easy pitching. Share your successes, struggles, or unique connections to attract more fans, followers, and collectors.

Jun 20, 2024 • 36min
Smart Strategies for Artist Income Growth with Monique Carr (ep. 193)
Artist Monique Carr shares insights on doubling her income with art biz strategies. Topics incl. email list growth, Black Friday sale success, and embracing online teaching. She balances passion with financial success, time management tips, and promoting evergreen courses.

Jun 13, 2024 • 41min
Thriving as an Artist While Remaining True to Your Rural Roots with Tracey Hewitt (ep. 192)
Artist Tracey Hewitt from the Australian bush talks about embracing creativity, navigating rural life, and balancing obligations. She discusses claiming the identity of an artist, utilizing Instagram for sales, and overcoming imposter syndrome. Tracey's journey includes teaching art, life coaching, and managing various income streams while staying true to herself creatively.

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.