Alyson Stanfield, Author at Art Biz Success

When You Want to Sell More Original Art (257)

Selling products—giclées, pillows, notebooks—can be a smart move for many artists. But if you’ve been asking yourself how to sell more of your original art, something might need to shift.

This episode draws on a background in museum work to explore what actually gets in the way of selling originals, why the mindset piece matters as much as the tactics, and two practical moves that help you lead with what matters most.

When You Want to Sell More Original Art (257) Read

Healing Your Money Allergy with Hannah Cole (256)

When an accountant asked Hannah Cole “When are you gonna get a real job?” instead of explaining quarterly taxes, it planted the seed of shame that many artists carry around money.

This conversation explores why artists develop allergies to financial conversations, how negative beliefs about wealth prevent fair compensation, and two practical strategies for building confidence with your numbers.

Healing Your Money Allergy with Hannah Cole (256) Read

Building Community Through Art: The Lights Out Model (255)

What started as weekly artist video interviews during the pandemic became a statewide arts organization with popup exhibitions, state contracts, and a sustainable funding model.

Daniel Sipe and Karlë Woods share how they built Lights Out from scratch with no money, no connections, and a willingness to take risks—plus why they invested in track lighting and marketing before almost anything else.

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Art World Gatekeeping Forces Artists to Compete with Damien Davis (254)

What if the scarcity you’re experiencing isn’t real? Visual artist, educator, and writer Damien Davis exposes the gatekeeping mechanisms—from application fees to institutional approval—that keep artists competing instead of collaborating.

He shares why learning business skills helped him bypass permission structures, redefines what success actually means, and explains why artists talking to each other threatens the people who benefit from keeping you isolated.

Art World Gatekeeping Forces Artists to Compete with Damien Davis (254) Read

Memory project art installation artist Christine Aaron strips of printed paper hanging from ceiling | on Art Biz Success

Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (114)

You’re going to make mistakes. You will absolutely make the “wrong” decisions from time to time. And you’re going to be rejected from shows and opportunities.

You’ll become more and more resilient every time you take a risk that doesn’t work out as you had intended. You’ll bounce back. And you’ll be stronger for it in the long run. Promise. Listen to how this plays out for Christine Aaron.

Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (114) Read

Practicing Steady Confidence as an Artist (253)

After 23 years teaching artists, I realized something uncomfortable: I’ve been contributing to information overwhelm. The problem isn’t that you don’t know enough—it’s building confidence to act on what you already know.

This episode reveals the confidence killers that derail your plans and six practical ways to build the steady foundation you need to keep showing up for your art business.

Practicing Steady Confidence as an Artist (253) Read

Stop Waiting for Opportunities and Start Shaping Them with Ebony Iman Dallas (252)

What does it look like to move from waiting for opportunities to actively creating them? Topics include building systems around everything that’s been living in your head, shifting from marketing events to sharing yoru art, creating a VIP outreach list, and why fear of rejection keeps dreams small.

Ebony agreed to a live coaching conversation where we dig into where she’s stuck and map out strategies to move forward.

Stop Waiting for Opportunities and Start Shaping Them with Ebony Iman Dallas (252) Read

Beyond Information: Why Artists Need Frameworks (251)

I get brutally honest about anxiety, sleepless nights, and an identity crisis: Who am I if not a teacher creating content?

I reflect on information overload and why artists don’t need more lessons—you need frameworks, filters, and boundaries. A vulnerable look at what happens when you realize something fundamental needs to change.

Beyond Information: Why Artists Need Frameworks (251) Read

From Relief to Revenue: 5 Years into Her Art Business with Dawn Trimble (250)

In 2020, Dawn Trimble was laid off during the pandemic while going through a divorce—and felt relief. That moment of freedom became a turning point. Within months, she launched her first collection, which sold out in days.

Dawn talks about building multiple revenue streams as a watercolor artist, what she brought from her design background into her business, and why the most important thing any artist can do is simply start.

From Relief to Revenue: 5 Years into Her Art Business with Dawn Trimble (250) Read

Artist Friendships that Lead to Collaborative Exhibitions and Opportunities (249)

Four Denver artists turned casual friendship into strategic collaboration. Their approach reveals how artists can work together successfully, from writing proposals and managing group dynamics to keeping egos in check.

The conversation covers practical systems for staying organized, why trust matters more than perfection, and how collaborative skills strengthen every part of an art career.

Artist Friendships that Lead to Collaborative Exhibitions and Opportunities (249) Read

Alyson Stanfield

Consider 44 possible reasons why your art isn't selling.