The Artist Business Plan

In this episode of The Artist Business Plan we sit down with illustrator Alex Eckman-Lawn. A self proclaimed "giant dork" he advises us to follow all your passions and let your creativity bloom! He illustrates for many clients from bands to book covers and still works on his own projects. "Its like I have two careers they’re just both art.” A truly inspirational artrepreneur! He let's us know his best networking tips, spoiler, you have to be yourself!Guest: Alex Eckman-Lawn is a Philadelphia-born illustrator who received his BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts. His work has appeared in comic books, on album covers, book covers, music videos, T-shirts, and gig posters. In addition, he spends his time creating multi-layered, hand-cut paper collages, using everything from his original digital paintings to imagery from old medical texts. These works have most recently been on display at SCOPE Miami Beach, Art on Paper NY, and more, and have been featured in publications such as Hi-Fructose, Juxtapoz Magazine, and The Observer. https://www.alexeckmanlawn.com/For more information on applying to The Superfair as well as recordings of this and all of our past podcasts, just visit www.thesuperfair.comIG: @thesuperfair, @theartistbusinessplanIG: @alexeckmanlawnHosted and Executive Produced by James Miille and Alexander MitowExecutive Producer/Producer : Kelsey SusinoWritten by: Kelsey Susino, Alexander Mitow, and James MiilleAudio Edited by: Federico Soler Fernandez

In this episode of The Artist Business Plan we sit down with artist Jessica Matier and discuss how to keep consistent with all the social media apps out there! As an abstract painter, being in the flow state of creating her art is really inspirational to her. In this way she disciplines herself to paint every day and gives some tips about how to handle TikTok, IG, and FB process videos to get more followers! We also discuss pricing art for inclusivity, tips on creating habits, and algorithm hacks. Get your feed ready, this is not one to miss!Guest: Jessica Matier is a New Jersey based artist who attended Parsons School of Design for illustration. Years later, after raising a family, she departed from traditional watercolor and collage practices in pursuit of a mixed media approach to abstract painting. The images she creates are gestural emotive landscapes and forms intended to create a hyperconscious experience. https://www.jessicamatier.com/For more information on applying to The Superfair as well as recordings of this and all of our past podcasts, just visit www.thesuperfair.comIG: @thesuperfair, @theartistbusinessplanIG: @jessicamatierHosted and Executive Produced by James Miille and Alexander MitowExecutive Producer/Producer : Kelsey SusinoWritten by: Kelsey Susino, Alexander Mitow, and James MiilleAudio Edited by: Federico Soler Fernandez

In this episode of The Artist Business Plan we sit down with Mari Robeson, an artist, author and interior designer. We discuss how to find your perfect niche as an artist, and the ways to capitalize on your innate uniqueness! You need to be excited about what you're creating as the number one rule is, the energy you put into your work is paramount. We break down a successful business model: know, like, trust. Your buyers need to know you, like you, and trust you! That's how to build a client base. “If you do something that you’re really excited about, that’s unique to you, you can do that for the rest of your life.”- Mari RobesonGuest: Mari Robeson is an artist, author, interior & textile designer. For many years she designed for international brands such as Pottery Barn & Williams Sonoma as a textile and product designer. She’s designed homes for celebrities and diplomats, as well as beautiful restaurants and building her own homes. Mari also has her own podcast for artists, Love Lou Lou, started in memory of her sister. She writes and illustrates for a local shelter magazine and has also written and illustrated her own book, Charming & Pretty - The Art of Home.https://www.marirobesonhome.com/For more information on applying to The Superfair as well as recordings of this and all of our past podcasts, just visit www.thesuperfair.comIG: @thesuperfair, @theartistbusinessplanIG: @marirdesignHosted and Executive Produced by James Miille and Alexander MitowExecutive Producer/Producer : Kelsey SusinoWritten by: Kelsey Susino, Alexander Mitow, and James MiilleAudio Edited by: Federico Soler Fernandez

In this episode of The Artist Business Plan we sit down with artist advisor, Carolyn Edlund. Carolyn flips a lot of the concerns artists may have about growing their careers as a business into positive opportunities for full artistic expression. She teaches us to use tools you learn from the “survival” or day job and bring those lessons to sell your art to your art business. Then we dive deep into the ins and outs of a successful website including: uncluttered information, pictures of your gorgeous portfolio EVERYWHERE, price transparency, an FAQ page, and more!! Make it easy for people to buy your art. Grab your notepad and take some notes, then get out there and make it happen!"Know what you want so you can create a roadmap to get there.”- Carolyn EdlundGuest: Carolyn Edlund is the founder of ArtsyShark.com, a top ten art business blog publishing artist portfolio features and articles on art marketing, sales and business topics. She is also the former Executive Director of the Arts Business Institute, a non-profit that offers creative business solutions to artists and craftspeople. She is also the Sales and Events Director for The Clark Hulings Fund for Visual Artists, dedicated to helping artists build strong, sustainable businesses.  Her background includes 20 years of experience running a production studio and selling her collection in the wholesale marketplace.https://www.artsyshark.com/For more information on applying to The Superfair as well as recordings of this and all of our past podcasts, just visit www.thesuperfair.comIG: @thesuperfair, @theartistbusinessplanIG: @artsy_sharkHosted and Executive Produced by James Miille and Alexander MitowExecutive Producer/Producer : Kelsey SusinoWritten by: Kelsey Susino, Alexander Mitow, and James MiilleAudio Edited by: Federico Soler Fernandez

In this episode of The Artist Business Plan we sit down with artist Elisa Valenti. She paints beautiful full figured female bodies. The varying flesh tones used in her signature variation on cubism make her women come to life on canvas; each figure seem as if it could be any woman and indeed many of her viewers see themselves in her work. We were having such a great conversation we made her episode two parts!In part two we really dig into Instagram strategy; how you can cultivate what you love and make it work for you. If IG is your thing, put effort into it! You need to ask for the sale and IG is a great place to practice that. Check the analytics and see what people respond to. We dive into art fairs and forging relationships, finding mentors, and more. Remember, confidence is the most important thing."Find value in all the little things that every day add and add and add and add to your practice."- Elisa ValentiGuest: Elisa Valenti is an unapologetically body-positive and contemporary figurative artist living and working in Queens, New York. Elisa is a self-taught painter. She studied fine arts and art history at the High School of Art & Design and holds her Doctorate of Pharmacy from St. John's University. She has been featured by Create! Magazine, Canvas and Crumpets, and OprahComplex and she previously exhibited with Superfine Art Fair in New York.https://www.elisavalentistudio.com/For more information on applying to The Superfair as well as recordings of this and all of our past podcasts, just visit www.thesuperfair.comIG: @thesuperfair, @theartistbusinessplanIG: @elisavalentistudioHosted and Executive Produced by James Miille and Alexander MitowExecutive Producer/Producer : Kelsey SusinoWritten by: Kelsey Susino, Alexander Mitow, and James MiilleAudio Edited by: Federico Soler Fernandez

In this episode of The Artist Business Plan we sit down with artist Elisa Valenti. She paints beautiful full figured female bodies. The varying flesh tones used in her signature variation on cubism make her women come to life on canvas; each figure seem as if it could be any woman and indeed many of her viewers see themselves in her work. We were having such a great conversation we made her episode two parts!In part one we discuss how doing creative things has always been part of her personality and we dive deep into her career path that led her to be an artist. She reminds us, sometimes you can forget about your plan when all the pieces line up for you. Your career doesn't need to happen a perfect way, there are so many paths, all valid. Elisa, a huge proponent of unapologetic self love, tells us about her radical self worthiness in her art and her art business. "Be the person you are because people want YOU."Guest: Elisa Valenti is an unapologetically body-positive and contemporary figurative artist living and working in Queens, New York. Elisa is a self-taught painter. She studied fine arts and art history at the High School of Art & Design and holds her Doctorate of Pharmacy from St. John's University. She has been featured by Create! Magazine, Canvas and Crumpets, and OprahComplex and she previously exhibited with Superfine Art Fair in New York.https://www.elisavalentistudio.com/For more information on applying to The Superfair as well as recordings of this and all of our past podcasts, just visit www.thesuperfair.comIG: @thesuperfair, @theartistbusinessplanIG: @elisavalentistudioHosted and Executive Produced by James Miille and Alexander MitowExecutive Producer/Producer : Kelsey SusinoWritten by: Kelsey Susino, Alexander Mitow, and James MiilleAudio Edited by: Federico Soler Fernandez

In this episode of The Artist Business Plan we sit down with Matthew McMurry, co-founder and creative director of Treason Gallery in Seattle. He brings insights from his progressive, contemporary gallery to help you "smartists" learn the difference between a large following that's just for show, and a following that you can monetize! Followers don't always translate to monetary success, which is why we work on our artist business plan! As a gallerist, Matt also gives the inside dirt on working with a gallery and making the gallery work for you. Tips for collectors and artists alike."Treat working with a gallery as a relationship that works until it doesn't for you."- Matt McMurryGuest: Matthew McMurry is the co-founder and creative director of Treason Gallery in Seattle, one of the region’s leading galleries with an emphasis on street and contemporary artists. In 2018, Matthew started Ultraviolet Arts, a creative agency focusing on aligning new construction with bespoke art programing. Matthew has curated over 80 exhibitions in Seattle, New York City, Miami, and Hong Kong, and his curatorial vision has been recognized and featured in a number of publications including The Seattle Times, Juxtapoz Magazine, and Arrested Motion.https://treasongallery.com/For more information on applying to The Superfair as well as recordings of this and all of our past podcasts, just visit www.thesuperfair.comIG: @thesuperfair, @theartistbusinessplanIG: @treasongalleryHosted and Executive Produced by James Miille and Alexander MitowExecutive Producer/Producer : Kelsey SusinoWritten by: Kelsey Susino, Alexander Mitow, and James MiilleAudio Edited by: Federico Soler Fernandez

In this episode of the Artist Business Plan we sit down with entrepreneur turned "artrepreneur" Shawn Kolodny. Shawn takes us through his history of entrepreneurship in night life and startups to remind all you business artists that "art is basically running a startup!" If you schedule your time, schedule out the time for production, marketing, sales management, outreach, and relationship management, your art business will become plausible and real. Because if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. "If you look at the most successful artists today they’ve built businesses." Schedule your time like a business and make plans!"You can make it a little bit of a ways doing it halfway, what would happen if you did it the full way?"- Shawn KolodnyGuest: Shawn Kolodny is an American artist, living and working in New York City and Miami, Florida. Drawing from a life spent amongst substance, addiction and materialism, as the owner and operator of New York City’s most prominent nightclubs, his work confronts the infinite cycle of fake fulfillment shaped by modern society’s addiction to ego, using the most sought-after brands and the most addictive drugs as a visual medium. Kolodny received his Bachelor of Industrial Design from Syracuse University in 1994 and his MBA from Stern School of Business in 2010.https://www.shawnkolodny.com/For more information on applying to The Superfair as well as recordings of this and all of our past podcasts, just visit www.thesuperfair.comIG: @thesuperfair, @theartistbusinessplanIG: @kolodny_ Hosted and Executive Produced by James Miille and Alexander MitowExecutive Producer/Producer : Kelsey SusinoWritten by: Kelsey Susino, Alexander Mitow, and James MiilleAudio Edited by: Federico Soler Fernandez

In this episode of the Artist Business Plan we sit down with self-taught Nigerian painter, Abi Salami to discuss breaking through perfectionism and learning to play and experiment while finding your style as an artist. She reminds us that you NEED to write your personalized artist business plan to achieve next level sales. Abi gives the insider scoop on art fairs, join 'em or ditch 'em, and how to best utilize your booth at an art fair to make those relationships and build your clientele. Abi also shares her secrets of how to personalize her relationships with her buyers and give them more insight into her amazing personality, which YOU can do too!Guest: Abi Salami is a Nigerian painter based in Dallas. She has exhibited in museums across the U.S. including the Women’s Museum of Art in Dallas and the African American Museum of Art in Dallas, as well as with us at our own Superfine Art Fair. She is currently featured in Saatchi Art’s 2020 Rising Stars Under 35. Abi allows her subconscious to inform her paintings while using symbols to explore memory, mental health, race, specifically with the aim of destigmatizing mental health in African communities.https://www.abisalami.com/For more information on applying to The Superfair as well as recordings of this and all of our past podcasts, just visit www.thesuperfair.comIG: @thesuperfair, @theartistbusinessplanIG: @abi.m.salamiHosted and Executive Produced by James Miille and Alexander MitowExecutive Producer/ Producer: Kelsey SusinoWritten by: Kelsey Susino, James Miille, and Alexander MitowAudio Edited by: Federico Soler Fernandez

Grab your notepad and pen because in this episode of The Artist Business Plan we sit down with Danielle Glosser, master artist advisor and owner of Client Raiser, for some intense advice bombs for emerging artists. Danielle decided to start her own business to bring her main skill of networking to help some "solopreneurs" with their sales! She gives a breakdown of her 3 steps she gives her client's to help articulate their work so they can market their businesses based on their individual goals. We also get an inside look at her Inventory Assessment process with 25 items to take into account to accomplish goals and solidify your artist business plan. Remember to use the people around you, stay consistent, and be active in your business and investments. If you're going to do something really go for it. Dig deep and think about what your dream, this episode will give you everything you need to go make it happen!Guest: Danielle Glosser is the Founder and Principal of Client Raiser, a business dedicated to helping artists increase their client volume and visibility of their art. Danielle garnered her expertise through years of working in nonprofit and government sectors on social justice issues.These professional opportunities, coupled with her personal belief that the arts are central to igniting conversation and enhancing human understanding, moved her to help artists with the business elements of their practice so they can more fruitfully share their work with the world. Danielle is also a member of ArtTable, a leadership organization for women in the visual arts.https://www.clientraiser.com/For more information on applying to The Superfair as well as recordings of this and all of our past podcasts, just visit www.thesuperfair.comIG: @thesuperfair, @theartistbusinessplanIG: @clientraiserHosted and Executive Produced by James Miille and Alexander MitowExecutive Producer/ Producer: Kelsey SusinoWritten by: Kelsey Susino, James Miille, and Alexander MitowAudio Edited by: Federico Soler Fernandez