The Art Biz

Carol MacConnell has built a strong business foundation over her long art career. I was particularly interested in talking with her about how she works with interior designers. You’ll hear us discuss: Carol’s income streams, 30% of which comes from working with interior designers and the vast majority through open studio events. How she, as an artist who is legally deaf, navigates conversations. How she segments and uses her list of 2,000 interior designers and 2,000 other subscribers. What the working relationship with interior designers is like. You’ll also hear me plead my case for contracts that spell out the details of a relationship with anyone who sells your art. My favorite thing about this conversation is that Carol doesn’t get anxious about missing out on [whatever]. She is focused on getting the work done and being authentic about what is going on rather than fussing over the algorithms and other mind traps. 🎧 RELATED EPISODES Following Her Curiosity and Making New Connections After 60 with Jan McCarthy (ep. 158) 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) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/macconnell-designers ⭐️ Connect with Carol and see more of her art: https://carolmacconnell.com   🔶 Sponsored by my new program, ESTABLISH YOURSELF: Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 a year-long training program full of tools and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. https://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 this podcast, the speaker discusses the importance of verbs in taking action and building a successful art business. They emphasize the significance of even the tiniest steps and introduce the concept of dedicating sacred time in the studio and necessary time in the office. The chapter explores key verbs for artists to embrace in order to succeed in their artistic careers, including understanding and connecting with the artistic community, navigating the art world, and avoiding negative influences that hinder growth. It also highlights the importance of being intensely curious and conducting thorough research as well as the significance of completing projects in the art industry.

In this episode I talk with David Sandum who was driven to take up art personally and then professionally after being hospitalized with depression in 2001. His journey through depression led him to the works of Vincent Van Gogh and Edvard Munch—finding solace and a deep connection with their expression of raw emotions. We discuss how art continues to be a lifeline in his struggle with depression and his memoir, I’ll Run Till the Sun Goes Down: A Memoir About Depression & Discovering Art. David and I touch on the tension between making art for yourself and surviving in a commercial market, and, related, why he chose to focus on a series of Auschwitz paintings over seemingly more market-friendly paintings of beaches. We also talk about how he organized a community of artists on what was then Twitter to begin an annual international exhibition and fundraiser that has been going on since 2010. The Twitter Art Exhibit has evolved into the Postcard Art Exhibit, which accurately reflects its contents. Heads up that you’ll hear David abbreviate it repeatedly—and understandably—as PAE. 🎧 RELATED EPISODES The Art Biz ep. 168: Impacting Artists First in a Curatorial Project Focusing on Empathy with Nanci Hersh The Art Biz ep. 112: Leaning Into Creativity in Times of Pain with Rich Simmons The Art Biz ep. 52: Making Art While Grieving Loss with Jan Heaton 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/sandum-mental-health ⭐️ Connect with David and see more of his art: https://www.davidsandum.com 🔶 Sponsored by my new program, ESTABLISH YOURSELF: Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 a coaching group for strategies, support, and accountability inside a community of artists who get you. https://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 this episode of The Art Biz I talk with Nanci Hersh about an exhibition she organized with 25 artists from multiple states and countries. The show used the central theme of tears to explore empathy, compassion, and understanding within a sacred space—a metaphorical chapel. She says, as artists “we are so fortunate that we can use our art to make sense of life experiences.” Nanci and I discuss: The ripple effect of art when it impacts the artist first. The training she received to facilitate uncomfortable conversations. The benefits of taking on such a big project and why it’s important that it aligned with her values. How the exhibition was paid for and ideas she has for improving funding options in the future. How she stayed organized. The importance of clear lines of communication, accepting help, and practicing gratitude.   ⭐️ ABOUT NANCI HERSH Nanci Hersh is a contemporary artist whose work is informed by the experiences, relationships, and places in her life. Her two-dimensional work, as well as her sculptures and installations, are at the intersection of personal narrative, art-making, and community engagement—exploring the grace, beauty and fragility of our lives. Nanci is also a curator, illustrator, educator, arts advocate, and former Executive Director of the Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education. She has one foot in Pennsylvania and the other in Delaware. 🎧 RELATED EPISODES The Art Biz ep. 160: Overcoming Anxiety about Making Art World Connections with Heather Beardsley The Art Biz ep. 146: Remember The Many Opportunities We Have Because We’re Online with Barbara Muir The Art Biz ep. 30: Multi-State Multi-Year Multi-Artist Art Project with Marilyn Artus The Art Biz ep. 64: Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan   📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/empathy-hersh   🔶 Sponsored by The Art Biz Accelerator 🔶 a coaching group for strategies, support, and accountability inside a community of artists who get you. https://artbizsuccess.com/accelerator   ⛰️ 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/

This podcast episode discusses the mindset and process behind having a sale of artwork. It covers different strategies for promoting and selling art, including discounts and bonuses. Tips for a successful art sale are provided, such as keeping it simple and sticking to a schedule. Opportunities for training in email marketing strategies and support from the ArtBiz Accelerator Coaching Group are also mentioned.

In this episode, Bri Larson and I talk about her decision to raise her prices and how she overcame the mindset that her art needed to be affordable. We also discuss: The value of her artist community—how they have supported her growth as an artist and her journey into motherhood. How she has been able to maintain a studio practice with a baby, including how she structures her days around the baby’s schedule. What kind of work she would give to a studio assistant and how she’ll know when to hire. The decision to focus on organic reach v. paid advertising online. Bri’s #1 piece of advice for would-be artist-parents.   🎧 RELATED EPISODES Juggling parenthood also came up in these episodes: The Art Biz ep. 162: She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be Every Month with Kelly Pelfrey The Art Biz ep. 84: Money Mindset Breakthrough Secrets with Lea K. Tawd The Art Biz ep. 131: Injecting Personal Narrative into Your Art with Sara Lee Hughes   📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/larson-raising-prices ⭐️ Connect with Bri and see more of her art: https://brilarson.com   🔶 Sponsored by The Art Biz Accelerator 🔶 a coaching group for strategies, support, and accountability inside a community of artists who get you. https://artbizsuccess.com/accelerator   ⛰️ 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/

There’s no neat way to explain what success is because it’s different for every artist. I hope this episode is the start of an ongoing conversation on the subject. 💡HIGHLIGHTS Success for artists might include income (sales), exhibitions, leadership roles, achievements, collections, and studio production. A few of the diverse stories of success from artist-guests of The Art Biz. The importance of aligning the goals for your art and expectations of yourself with how you want your life to be. Success requires you to be nimble—to adapt to changing circumstances and be open to risks and failures. My best advice: Success doesn’t happen all at once. It’s the result of small wins, each of which must be acknowledged in order to stay motivated and focused on your vision. 📖 To read the complete transcript, see featured artists, and comment about the topic of success, visit artbizsuccess.com/feel-successful   🔶 Sponsored by The Art Biz Accelerator 🔶 a coaching group to support you as you follow your vision and take successful steps along the way. https://artbizsuccess.com/accelerator 🔶 Sponsored by the Create Opportunities Challenge 🔶 a 3-month program this fall to help you find and improve venues for showing, selling, and/or teaching art. It’s about being intentional rather than waiting for an email in your inbox. Find out more and see if it’s for you https://artbizsuccess.com/opportunities   🎧 MENTIONED EPISODES Lessons from a Wildly Successful Pop-up Art Gallery Event with Mai Wyn Schantz (ep. 109) Overcoming Anxiety about Making Art World Connections with Heather Beardsley (ep. 160) Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (ep. 157) 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) Guaranteeing an Effective Project with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (ep. 121)   ⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.   ~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~ This is a special 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/

Sally Hirst was born to teach. Fortunately, she was also born an artist. Like most of us, she adapted to the new reality that she was faced with at the beginning of the pandemic. Well, actually, she did more than adapt. She thrived. She took the challenge head on and has been thriving ever since. Sally and I discuss what her income sources looked like before Covid and look like now. Specifically, we talk about her teaching: The teaching platform she uses and why she chose it The skills she had to acquire in order to teach online Her video recording setup What her teaching schedule looks like in terms of what is pre-recorded and what is live. How she attracts new students. Sally reveals how Brexit has impacted her goals—especially where she shows and sells her art. And I wondered: How does Sally manage to maintain her studio practice with her busy teaching schedule? 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/hirst-teaching ⭐️ Connect with Sally, see more of her art, and find out about her art courses: sallyhirst.co.uk ✴️ NOW AVAILABLE: THE MONEY PLAN You do have some control (plenty, actually) over how much money you earn, and it starts with getting real about your current situation and the vision. you have. The Money Plan is my success workshop for accelerating your income and it’s now available on demand. In it, I lead you through a series of steps where you identify your income sources and set goals for how you will earn more from them. You’ll be able to clearly see which are worth your time and attention. The Money Plan gives you a realistic, though hopeful and challenging, blueprint for increasing your income in the future. It’s a plan that only you could make with a tool that you will be able to reuse at every point in your art business. Learn more and enroll now at artbizsuccess.com/moneyplan 🎧 RELATED EPISODES and POSTS My Money Odyssey (ep. 161) How Do Artists Make Money (ep. 159) Creating a Monthly Report for Your Art Business (ep. 74) ⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.

Adele Sypesteyn, an artist with four decades of experience selling her art, shares her journey transitioning from galleries to a strategic approach. She discusses targeting interior designers, teaching art to children online, testing the market, starting a successful YouTube channel, and shifting income streams.

Kelly Pelfrey shares how she exceeded her goal of replacing her teaching salary by quadrupling her income. She discusses her income sources, including commissions and small painting releases. The podcast also explores various income streams for artists, such as print sales and selling art for TV screens. The hosts emphasize the importance of finding a method that aligns with one's own schedule and preferences for releasing and promoting artwork. They also provide advice for artists interested in starting commissions.