This is the first episode of The Art Biz with a guest who admits to not being interested in the art business. But don’t leave!

My conversation with Rebecca Welz centers around how she sees her art as part of the continuum, and how she encourages her students to think holistically about their careers. We invite you to do the same.

Your art is created in the studio. Your brand is created in the minds of others. Your brand exists in the minds of viewers, buyers, collectors, and gallerists.

Above all, knowing your brand (how you want to be perceived in the eyes of others), helps you make decisions. If opportunities aren’t aligned with your brand, you say No.

Plenty of online galleries will happily take your money in exchange for “exposure.” UGallery has a different model. They are paid on commission, so they do whatever they can to see that art sells.

This isn't a commercial for UGallery. Instead, I want you to be aware of people and companies who are working hard for artists and doing things the right way.

Will art sell when it's focused on the artist’s personal narrative? Sara Lee Hughes is deep into a body of narrative paintings with that is steeped in her personal story.

We discuss the genesis of this body of work (It’s a great story!), how Sara Lee focuses on the long game, how she keeps her ideas, and how she balances motherhood with her studio practice.

Whether you’re chasing the Instagram algorithm for reels, streaming live on YouTube, or pulling together a video bio for your website, it’s more valuable than ever to make good videos.

It hurts to admit that even bad videos play better on social media than a static photo, but as long as you’re going to the trouble to make a video, why not make it better?