The art biz blog features articles and solo podcast episodes that have substantial articles to accompany them. To reach podcast episodes only, visit The Art Biz page.
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Clean-line, stylized, illustrated Southwestern desert landscape in yellow and brown featuring cacti and rock formations in the foreground of a large mountain peak under a sun or moon

The obvious salespeople you’re not using (270)

You spend a lot of energy chasing new buyers and collectors. But some of your best advocates are already in your life, and they’re ready to help.

In this episode, find out who they are, why they genuinely want to help sell your art, and how to make it easy for them to do it — physically and digitally — without feeling like you’re begging.

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Glass art by Hildegard Pax

Do you have too many income sources in your art business? (269)

There are many ways to make money as an artist, but adding more income sources doesn’t necessarily lead to more income. Each one requires time, energy, research, marketing, and systems.

In this episode, I clarify the difference between an income source and an income stream, examine the real cost of diversification, and offer questions to help you decide whether a source deserves a place in your art business—or needs to go.

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Textural contemporary abstract painting in shades of yellow, gold, and silver.

How curiosity and research deepen your studio practice (268)

Research isn’t only an academic exercise — it’s a commitment to following your curiosity, and it’s inseparable from making strong work.

In this episode of The Art Biz, I make the case that the artists who build enduring careers are the ones who keep asking questions: about their subjects, their materials, and anything else that attracts them. Here’s what that looks like in practice, and why it matters even beyond the studio.

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Collage-style painting of a tan and red dilapidated brick building with weathered green shutters and a palm-like plant growing from the roof.

How much time will your art career take? (267)

The artists who ask me “how much time?” are usually the ones still deciding whether they’re in. How much time should you spend on business versus making art, and how long before any of it pays off?

In this episode of The Art Biz I answer both truthfully — including a number you might not want to hear — and offer a better question to ask yourself instead, one that has less to do with hours and everything to do with commitment.

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Still life painting of a bowl of vibrant oranges, a detailed Portuguese tile with a blue and orange pattern, a small blue and white bird, and a solitary skeleton key hanging on a nail

Making a living from your art (266)

Making a living from your art requires more than talent and desire. It demands financial clarity, the right mindset, and a community of artists who pull you forward. It means committing to your studio practice above all else, embracing structure, and showing up for marketing consistently.

If you’re considering taking the leap, here’s what that actually looks like.

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Christie Marks oil and acrylic painting of a large pink and white lotus flower with dramatic, dripping rich colors like magenta, turquoise, and yellow in the water’s reflection

Use the attraction method for art venues before you make the ask (265)

So many artists reach out to venues too soon — before the relationship exists and before the venue has any reason to say yes.

Introducing the attraction method for building visibility with a space manager/director/curator long before you make an ask. It removes the awkwardness and allows you time to ensure a good fit. When the time comes to ask for a show, you’re not a stranger.

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