Alyson Stanfield, Author at Art Biz Success

The Strategic Artist: Zero Debt Art Degrees with Stephanie Brown (247)

Graduating from art school debt-free seems impossible, but photographer Stephanie Brown did exactly that—and then secured a fully funded MFA. In this episode, she breaks down the strategic decisions that made it possible, from maximizing scholarships to taking community college classes.

She also shares how she’s built a sustainable art career by treating it like a business from day one, leveraging transferable skills, and setting non-negotiable rules for her practice.

The Strategic Artist: Zero Debt Art Degrees with Stephanie Brown (247) Read

Are You Undermining Your Art’s Value? (246)

Where and how you show your art sends signals about its value before anyone looks closely at the work itself. Context shapes perception through venue choices, lighting, labels, and more.

Learn what you can control, what you can’t, and how to be strategic about exhibition opportunities to build credibility and command higher prices.

Are You Undermining Your Art’s Value? (246) Read

Strategic Networking and Visibility Beyond Art World Centers with La Vaughn Belle (245)

La Vaughn Belle has built a thriving art career from St. Croix through strategic networking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and bold moves like hiring a publicist for her monument project I Am Queen Mary.

She shares how consistent newsletter practice, working with non-artists, and dedicating twenty hours per week to studio time transformed her visibility and opened doors she didn’t know existed. Her approach proves you can build a sustainable career from anywhere.

Strategic Networking and Visibility Beyond Art World Centers with La Vaughn Belle (245) Read

Mutual Respect Between Artists and Galleries with Katherine Hébert (244)

Trust between artists and galleries doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through clear communication, honest conversations, and shared goals. This episode explores what makes artist-gallery partnerships truly work, from the “dating period” before representation to quarterly check-ins that keep relationships strong.

Discover why contracts are a must, how to ask for what you need without feeling pushy, and what galleries wish artists understood about the work they do every day.

Mutual Respect Between Artists and Galleries with Katherine Hébert (244) Read

What to Do With 400 Paintings: Artist Legacy and Economic Reality with Alissa Quart (243)

When Alissa Quart’s mother received a terminal diagnosis, she faced 400 paintings and no plan for their future. Her approach was unconventional: distributing the work directly to neighbors and friends.

This conversation explores what artists need to sustain their practice, why affordable housing matters for creative communities, and how to honor an artist’s legacy without sacrificing your own life in the process.

What to Do With 400 Paintings: Artist Legacy and Economic Reality with Alissa Quart (243) Read

Community, Kinship, and Career Stability with Malene Barnett (242)

Artist and activist Malene Barnett draws from her Caribbean and West African heritage
to guide her multidisciplinary practice.

In this conversation, she shares how she balances clay, textiles, and other mediums
while trusting the creative process. Malene also talks about designing work that holds memory, the role of community and kinship, and why artists should share their process as a way to connect.

Community, Kinship, and Career Stability with Malene Barnett (242) Read

Maybe It’s Time to Rethink Pinterest with Hayley Price (241)

Pinterest isn’t just for recipes and home décor. It’s one of the most overlooked platforms for artists to grow their visibility and drive steady traffic to their websites. Time to revisit!

Hayley and I discuss how Pinterest works differently than social media, why pins can bring results years later, and simple ways you can start using it today without adding more overwhelm to your already busy schedule.

Maybe It’s Time to Rethink Pinterest with Hayley Price (241) Read

Entrepreneurial Fatigue, Market Uncertainty, and the Case for Slowing Down with Katie Hunt (240)

Katie Hunt returns to share what she’s seeing across the creative business landscape through her 2025 State of the Product Industry survey. We talk about the uncertainty many are feeling, the impact of shifting tariffs, and why some makers are stepping away from their businesses altogether.

Our conversation touches on marketing habits, emotional fatigue, and the deeper support that’s helping creative entrepreneurs make more grounded and sustainable decisions over time.

Entrepreneurial Fatigue, Market Uncertainty, and the Case for Slowing Down with Katie Hunt (240) Read

Why Every Artist Needs a Brand Kit (239)

As an artist, you thrive on creative expression, but that same impulse can sabotage your marketing. Without a system, your materials end up scattered and confusing for collectors.

The solution isn’t more design tricks. I t’s a brand kit rooted in your identity. In this episode, I explain why identity comes before design, and how a brand kit can build trust while saving you time and energy.

Why Every Artist Needs a Brand Kit (239) Read

You Don’t Need a Gallery, You Need Conscious Connections (238)

Waiting to be discovered is not a strategy. You don’t need a gallery to succeed, you need conscious connections. These intentional relationships expand your reach, bring new opportunities, and sustain your career.

Learn what conscious connections are, why they matter more than ever, and how to start cultivating your own unique network—the one only you can build.

You Don’t Need a Gallery, You Need Conscious Connections (238) Read