collaboration

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.

Why the lone artist mindset keeps you small (263) Read

This artist turned 5 partnerships into a sold-put gallery show with Meredith Nemirov (262)

Getting buy-in for an ambitious exhibition idea means giving people a reason to say yes before you walk in the door.

In this episode, Colorado artist Meredith Nemirov shares how she built a sold-out show by approaching a national nonprofit before she called her gallery, giving collaborators options rather than demands, and activating the show across multiple events. The result was six invested partners and a show that sold out by the end of the summer.

This artist turned 5 partnerships into a sold-put gallery show with Meredith Nemirov (262) Read

Melinda Laz and Alicia Bailey

Artist Friendships that Lead to Collaborative Exhibitions and Opportunities (249)

Four Denver artists turned casual friendship into strategic collaboration. Their approach reveals how artists can work together successfully, from writing proposals and managing group dynamics to keeping egos in check.

The conversation covers practical systems for staying organized, why trust matters more than perfection, and how collaborative skills strengthen every part of an art career.

Artist Friendships that Lead to Collaborative Exhibitions and Opportunities (249) Read

Stevens Two Faced Twins

From Two Years of Zero Sales to a Thriving Art Business with the Two Faced Twins (218)

Stella and Gemma Stevens, known as the Two Faced Twins, turned creative differences into a thriving art business. In this episode, they share how they pushed through two years of no sales, overcame a gallery robbery, built a loyal following, and expanded their brand—all while staying committed to their vision.

Their journey is a testament to determination, adaptability, and the power of persistence in the art business.

From Two Years of Zero Sales to a Thriving Art Business with the Two Faced Twins (218) Read

Susan Purney Mark and Lori Sokoluk

A Collaboration Between 2 Artists that Led to Creative Growth (ep. 183)

When I teach about collaboration, I’m usually talking about an exhibition or event. Lori Sokoluk and Susan Purney Mark took collaboration to the next level by collaborating on the artwork itself—resulting in a two-person exhibition.

We discuss finishing a piece on top of someone else’s marks, how they titled the pieces, how they divided up the work, how the exhibition was organized, and what they learned from the process that they’ll carry forward.

A Collaboration Between 2 Artists that Led to Creative Growth (ep. 183) Read

Nancy Hersh

The Art Biz ep. 168: Impacting Artists First in a Curatorial Project Focusing on Empathy with Nanci Hersh

It’s so much easier to make art by yourself and show it and sell it by yourself. And this approach works for many artists, but not for everyone.

In this episode I talk with Nanci Hersh about a big curatorial project that align with her values of connection and community. We discuss its benefits, what she’d do differently next time, and the ripple effect caused by impacting the artists first.

The Art Biz ep. 168: Impacting Artists First in a Curatorial Project Focusing on Empathy with Nanci Hersh Read

Acrylic painting by Jane Appleby

6 Ways to Be [Even] Happier About Running Your Art Business (155)

Artists who embrace their role as CEOs of their businesses fare better than those who resist it.

Wishing away the responsibilities only leads to frustration and anxiety.

When you decide to turn your art into a business, do it wholeheartedly—finding joy in the journey rather than grumbling about the hard work. It’s a matter of deciding how you want to navigate through life.

6 Ways to Be [Even] Happier About Running Your Art Business (155) Read

Photo of Thomas "Detour" Evans

Expanding your skillset to respond to opportunities with Detour (128)

Detour doesn’t want to be limited by what he currently knows, so he’s learning how to use new technologies to help him land complex opportunities. He isn’t afraid to discover that the best way to approach an artistic problem is something he hasn’t done before.

Big on presenting himself in the most professional light, he says, “You never know who is watching.”

Expanding your skillset to respond to opportunities with Detour (128) Read

The Art Biz ep. 86: Collaborating on Your Art Business with Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin

Collaborations aren’t for the faint of heart—especially for artists who are used to working alone and making decisions without having to get approval from another human being. But my guests for this episode of the Art Biz Podcast have figured out how to make it work.

Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin first collaborated on the publication of their book, Cold Wax Medium. Their collaboration has only deepened since that time, adding the Cold Wax Academy in 2020.

Rebecca, Jerry, and I discuss the format of Cold Wax Academy, how they make decisions together, how they find new members, and what they’d do differently with the benefit of hindsight. You’ll hear what makes their combined efforts work so well

We also talk about one of my favorite topics—systems—and the technology they use to keep their joint venture going.

The Art Biz ep. 86: Collaborating on Your Art Business with Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin Read

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