Alyson Stanfield, Author at Art Biz Success

What You’re Not Doing: 7 Mistakes Artists Make

Over the past decade, my thinking about artists’ mistakes has evolved. Most aren’t dramatic failures—they’re quiet habits of avoidance. In this updated post, I group the seven biggest mistakes into three themes: mindset, connection, and structure. Each includes a reflection to help you take honest inventory.

These aren’t fatal flaws—they’re invitations to shift. Awareness is the first step toward momentum in your art career.

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Creating Artist-Centered Opportunities with Jennifer Steck (230)

After a career in law enforcement, Jennifer Steck turned to painting—and quickly saw what was missing in the art world. So she built it.

Artburst Studios is part pop-up show, part connection hub, and fully focused on supporting working artists. With just 22 total days of sales over three years, it has helped more than 80 artists sell over $174,000 of art—all while fostering visibility, relationships, and mutual support.

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The Awesome Responsibility of Titling Your Art with Fran Gardner (229)

Titling your art is more than a finishing touch—it’s a meaningful step in your creative process. In this episode, artist and writing consultant Fran Gardner shares how naming your work gives it independence, reveals deeper insights, and strengthens the connection between artist and viewer.

Discover why titling matters, what it can teach you about your work, and how to approach it with intention and care. A thoughtful conversation every artist should hear.

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22 Tactics to Thoughtfully Invite People to Visit Your Art Website (228)

Your website won’t attract visitors just because it’s pretty. You have to invite them—gently, consistently, and with purpose.

In this solo episode, I share 11 smart, doable tactics to get more eyes on your art (plus a link to download all 22). No sleazy tricks—just thoughtful ways to guide people to your digital doorstep and keep your work from staying hidden in the corners of the internet.

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Married to a Single Art Project Forever with Michelle Fung (227)

Big ideas take time. This episode looks at how one artist has stayed connected to a single, evolving creative project for over a decade—by following joy, embracing personal obsessions, and giving herself permission to revisit old fascinations.

You’ll hear how a vivid dream sparked an expansive interdisciplinary project, and how clarity, planning, personal obsession, and embracing multiple mediums can fuel momentum—even when the work feels overwhelming or the payoff isn’t immediately clear.

Married to a Single Art Project Forever with Michelle Fung (227) Read

What Galleries Want: Preparing Your Art and Yourself (226)

This episode offers a candid look at how LA’s Gabba Gallery operates and what artists should know before submitting their work. Learn what signals professionalism, how first impressions are formed, and why clear communication matters.

You’ll hear about the inner workings of artist selection, the importance of preparation, and what strengthens long-term relationships between artists and galleries—shared from the perspective of those managing shows, reviewing submissions, and running the business every day.

What Galleries Want: Preparing Your Art and Yourself (226) Read

What a Commitment to Audience-Building Means to Noelle Phares (225)

Noelle Phares built her thriving art business by staying fiercely committed to audience-building.

In this episode (a continuation of episode 224), she shares how she nurtured that audience from the start, why she still prioritizes direct connections over gallery exclusivity, and the systems she put in place to stay focused on making her art. Listen for a masterclass in running an art career with vision, strategy, and heart.

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Beauty, Rigorous Research, and Purpose with Noelle Phares (224)

After leaving a career in science, Noelle Phares brought the same research-driven mindset to her art practice. In this episode, we talk about how she structured her early projects, the story behind her museum exhibition Tracking Time, and what she learned working with curators and institutions.

This is part one of a 2-part conversation about clarity, purpose, and building an art career that reflects your deepest values.

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The Investing Artist: Art, Real Estate, and Legacy with Mary Erickson (223)

Mary Erickson built a thriving art business with heart, discipline, and financial savvy.

In this encore episode, she shares how she transitioned from a frame shop job to full-time artist, sold 500 watercolors, built strong gallery relationships, and began investing in real estate—all through the income from her art. Her story is a powerful reminder that financial freedom as an artist comes from focus, follow-through, and treating your art like a business.

I was immediately impressed with Mary’s business savvy, as I know you will be. Her art sales have paid for her lifestyle, which is comfortable and adventurous, but far from extravagant. She is a discerning investor and wise with her finances.

Mary says she paints so that she can buy real estate so that she can collect art–paintings by other artists. You’ll hear all about it in the latest episode of the Art Biz Podcast. You’ll also hear about:

How she started selling and why she believes being involved in your community is key to an artist’s success.
How she keeps up with the 8 different galleries that represent her.
Mary’s legacy project: High Ridge Gardens, a bird sanctuary and artist retreat on her property, which she will leave with a funded endowment.

And you’ll learn the one finance book Mary recommends you read (if you only read one).

I hope you’re inspired by this conversation with Mary Erickson. Click on continue reading to listen in.

The Investing Artist: Art, Real Estate, and Legacy with Mary Erickson (223) Read

What Artists Need to Know About SEO with Meg Casebolt (222)

SEO might not light your creative fire, but getting more eyes on your art definitely will. This episode is about improving your online visibility so people can actually find your work.

You’ll learn how search engines work, the simple steps you can take to help people discover your art, and which metrics to track to know if your efforts are paying off. Stop relying on algorithms and start showing up with intention.

What Artists Need to Know About SEO with Meg Casebolt (222) Read