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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Abstract acrylic painting by Gail Salzman of a combination of large geometric blocks and curved, organic elements in earth tones of olive green and ochre contrasted with softer tones of peaches and tans.

The artists who don’t wait to be chosen (264)

Waiting for gallery representation or other opportunities to cross your path is a common theme I see among artists, but it’s not a good strategy.

In this episode, I make the case for taking control of where and how your work is seen, with real examples of artists who showed up in unexpected places and made it work. If you’ve been cycling through juried shows or hoping a gallery will find you, this one is worth your time.

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Save the date announcement from Chester County, Pennsylvania Studio Tour.

How to write an art show invitation: announcing, commanding, or inviting?

An art show invitation has two jobs: give people everything they need to know about the event, and use a tone that makes them actually want to come.

Here’s how to decide between announcing, commanding, and inviting, what to include when space is tight versus when it isn’t, and the common mistakes artists make on their announcements and invitations.

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Marie Bender Still life painting of a black crow perched on a dish surrounded by rocks, a pitcher of rocks, nuts, pears and floral elements

Why the lone artist mindset keeps you small (263)

Going it alone feels easier. No coordination, no compromise, no communication overhead. But the artists building the careers you admire are rarely doing it alone.

In this solo episode, I make the case for collaboration as a strategic habit, not a one-time favor. I shares real-world examples, explain what makes them work, and offer a question to ask the next time you’re planning a show or a new body of work.

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Jan Thomas California hills

Thriving as an artist in a rural market

Artists in rural markets often find it difficult to get support and locate opportunities that are close to them, much less sell their art.

How do you navigate your rural market?

What do you do differently than artists in metropolitan areas?

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Miwa Gardner emotive watercolor portrait of a woman surrounded by birds and with vine-like markings on her face. The subject is wearing a high-necked garment adorned with intricate gold filigree patterns.

What are you waiting for? The real costs of postponing strategic work in your art business (261)

The daily work of running an art business — making art, posting, responding, shipping — always feels urgent. The strategic work doesn’t. So it waits. But postponing that deeper evaluation isn’t neutral.

There are five specific costs that accumulate when you keep the strategic work on the back burner, quarter after quarter. None of them announce themselves. And that’s precisely what makes them so damaging.

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Cindy Rassche ceramic model of a boat

The art business self-assessment every artists should do (260)

Before you can decide what to do next in your art business, you need to know what you actually have. In episode 260 of The Art Biz, I walk through the three-zone framework I use with every private client: Outreach, Presence, and Systems.

It’s a structured self-assessment that gives you a clear, honest picture of where your business stands, so you can stop guessing and start making decisions that actually move things forward.

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