beginning Archives

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

The Strategic Artist: Zero Debt Art Degrees with Stephanie Brown (247)

Graduating from art school debt-free seems impossible, but photographer Stephanie Brown did exactly that—and then secured a fully funded MFA. In this episode, she breaks down the strategic decisions that made it possible, from maximizing scholarships to taking community college classes.

She also shares how she’s built a sustainable art career by treating it like a business from day one, leveraging transferable skills, and setting non-negotiable rules for her practice.

The Strategic Artist: Zero Debt Art Degrees with Stephanie Brown (247) Read

Starting your art career (173)

This is for anyone who is serious about building and living the life of an artist.This episode is also for you if other artists ask for your advice about how they can do what you have done.

I cover: Why devotion to the work has to come first, when you can call yourself an artist, why you shouldn’t be devoted to 1 medium, and the first 6 practical business steps.

Starting your art career (173) Read

Jessica Burko encaustic and found drawers

How to feel like a successful artist (165)

No two artists have the same path to success—or even define success in the same way.

In order to feel successful, break down your success into smaller increments that are achievable, stay tuned in to your life circumstances, embrace failures that allow you to course correct toward a direction that’s more aligned with who you are now, and celebrate—even for a brief moment—your accomplishments, regardless of how big or small.

How to feel like a successful artist (165) Read

Acrylic painting Carlos Schmitt | on Art Biz Success

The Art Biz ep. 139: Your Decision Filter

We all have a trusted process for making decisions, whether or not we’re aware of it. In this episode, I’m going to reveal something that has helped me enormously when making decisions.

But, first, I want to share my list of 8 criteria you might consider before making a decision about whether or not to steer your art business in a certain direction.

The Art Biz ep. 139: Your Decision Filter Read

Wood sculpture quilt by Laura Petrovich Cheney | on Art Biz Success

What your failures are teaching you with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (95)

Failure is necessary for growth. If you are succeeding at everything, there is no way you’re learning and growing.

Laura talks about a few failures she has learned from, why it’s helpful to have a little bit of time and space before examining failures, and the shame that gets in the way of sharing failure with others. We also discuss the inevitable comparisons with other artists that arise when you fail and see only their successes.

What your failures are teaching you with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (95) Read

How do you know you’re an artist? with James Holmes (88)

At what point do you get to call yourself an artist? What do you need to have achieved in order to earn that title?

It’s not an easy question to answer. James Holmes shares the 3 clear criteria he created before he could call himself an artist, the why behind each of them, and the moment in which he was able to mark them off the list and assume the artist mantle.

How do you know you’re an artist? with James Holmes (88) Read

Introduce yourself confidently as an artist (65)

it can be difficult to introduce yourself as an artist when you are in the process of becoming. You must summon your courage and present yourself as you want others to see you.

“I’m an artist” doesn’t seem to roll off the tongue easily for some people. And yet it’s critical to be able to say those words with confidence. You must summon your courage and present yourself as you want others to see you.

Introduce yourself confidently as an artist (65) Read

How to name your art business (56)

One of the first steps an artist makes when turning professional is to decide on an art business name, and many new artists make this more complicated than it should be.

Allow me to bottom line this entire article: If you are a fine artist, your first choice is to always use your given name for marketing your original art.

And yet you might resist this. Read and listen to find out why I’m right.

How to name your art business (56) Read