collaboration Archives

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

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

The Art Biz ep. 155: 6 Ways to Be [Even] Happier About Running Your Art Business

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.

The Art Biz ep. 155: 6 Ways to Be [Even] Happier About Running Your Art Business Read

The Art Biz ep. 128: Expanding Your Skillset to Respond to Opportunities with Detour

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.”

The Art Biz ep. 128: Expanding Your Skillset to Respond to Opportunities with Detour Read

artist Willie Cole with long dreadlocked hair and black shirt

The Art Biz ep. 126: Play Tops Work, Connection Tops Solitude, and Confidence Tops Fear with Willie Cole

This is inspiration for when you feel like your art becomes work and there’s little to look forward to.

Willie talks about the faith he has in his practice as a result of being consistent throughout the years, why he prefers to approach his studio in the spirit of play, and how he uses visualization.

The Art Biz ep. 126: Play Tops Work, Connection Tops Solitude, and Confidence Tops Fear with Willie Cole 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

The Art Biz ep. 64: Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan

At the intersection of craftivism and the world of campaign finance is Eve Jacobs-Carnahan. Eve is taking the historical practice of knitting circles and re-envisioning them as modern craftivist assemblies.

While bringing artists together to craft the building blocks of a characteristic state capitol building, she’s also leading conversations about changing the role of money in election campaigns. But the impact that Eve is going to make with this work is going to extend far beyond the current election cycle. In fact, it has very little to do with it.

Kicking off in early 2020, *Knit Democracy Together* combines interested organizations, knitting circles, and conversation about election finance reform. The result will be a 5’x3′ knitted sculpture of a state capitol building that Eve hopes to exhibit in multiple venues.

The pandemic has certainly had an effect on Eve’s plans, but it hasn’t stopped her.

In this episode of the Art Biz Podcast, she shares details about how she has had to reimagine the previously scheduled in-person knitting circles, funding and exhibiting the project, and the art of knitting as a daring act of social activism.

The Art Biz ep. 64: Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan Read

The Art Biz ep. 9: How Two Artists Self-Published and Are Promoting a Successful Book Together

As an author, I know it’s not easy to write a book. It’s hard enough to do it on your own, but what if you have a partner?

I was intrigued to learn how Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin came together to write their new book Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts, and Conversations.

It’s a gorgeous tome that has quickly become the go-to resource for anyone who wants to know anything about cold wax. (We were talking 2nd printing already!)

In this episode we discuss:

How Rebecca, in Wisconsin, and Jerry, in the Bay Area, collaborated long distance.
How they funded the book’s production.
How they divided the writing process.
How they are marketing (successfully!) Cold Wax Medium.

I also asked them to share advice for other artists who might be interested in writing a book.

Please enjoy this behind-the-scenes peek at how this book has become a hit.

LISTEN NOW…

The Art Biz ep. 9: How Two Artists Self-Published and Are Promoting a Successful Book Together Read

Friendsourcing for a Successful Gallery Opening

Guest blogger Marcia Crumley shares her first solo exhibition last November in Boston was a spectacular success. She’s a bit of a control freak, so letting go of certain things was very challenging at first, particularly when those tasks involved the art itself. But as the opening date grew closer and the to-do list kept getting longer, Marcia realized that accepting help from others was the only way to get it all done.

Friendsourcing for a Successful Gallery Opening Read

Tips for Working with an Accountability Partner in Your Art Marketing

Most artists work alone and flourish in their silence without interruptions. This is critical for the creative process. But when it comes to building a business, know this: You will make better progress in art marketing and business planning by joining up with an equally ambitious accountability partner.

Tips for Working with an Accountability Partner in Your Art Marketing Read

collaboration

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