The Art Biz

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

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The daily work of running an art business always feels urgent. The strategic work doesn't. So it waits. But postponing that deeper evaluation isn't ok...

The Art Business Self-Assessment Every Artist Should Do (260)

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

My Art Business Assessment — Used with Every Client 50% In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield introduces the 3-zone framework s...

Do You Have the Art Business You Actually Want? (259)

11 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most artists didn't design their art business — they drifted into it. In this solo episode, Art Biz host Alyson Stanfield invites you to slow down l...

Stop Being Busy, Start Being Strategic (258)

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Being busy is boring. In episode 258 of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield makes the case that most artists are so deep in execution mode that they ne...

When You Want to Sell More Original Art (257)

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Selling products — giclées, pillows, aprons, notebooks — made sense when you started. But if you've been asking how to sell more original art and...

Healing Your Money Allergy with Hannah Cole (256)

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Artist and tax advisor Hannah Cole knows firsthand how shame can poison an artist's relationship with money. When her dad's accountant asked "When are...

Building Community Through Art: The Lights Out Model (255)

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel Sipe and Karlë Woods didn't set out to start an arts organization. They just wanted to talk to artists during the pandemic. Four years later, ...

Art World Gatekeeping Forces Artists to Compete with Damien Davis (254)

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Damien Davis is a visual artist and writer who questions the art world's power structures from an artist's perspective. In this conversation with host...

Practicing Steady Confidence as an Artist (253)

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Host Alyson Stanfield reveals an uncomfortable truth in this solo episode: the problem isn't that you don't know enough. The real challenge is buildin...

Stop Waiting for Opportunities and Start Shaping Them with Ebony Iman Dallas (252)

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield In this coaching-style episode, host Alyson Stanfield coaches Ebony Iman Dallas through the challenges of building a sustainabl...

Beyond Information: Why Artists Need Frameworks (251)

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when you realize the way you've been working isn't sustainable? When you've built something successful but it's costing you sleep, peace ...

From Relief to Revenue: 5 Years into Her Art Business with Dawn Trimble (250)

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield In 2020, Dawn Trimble was laid off from her interior design job during the pandemic while navigating a divorce—and she felt r...

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

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield Alicia Bailey and Melinda Laz are part of a four-artist collaborative group in Denver that's been working together for years be...

Being the Artist I Want My Son to See with Stephanie Brown (248)

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In part one of this conversation (episode 247), Stephanie Brown shared how she strategically funded her education and built her early career foundatio...

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

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Too many artists graduate from art school with crushing debt and then spend years figuring out how to make money while trying to maintain a studio pra...

Are You Undermining Your Art's Value? (246)

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your art doesn't exist in a vacuum. Where and how you show your work shapes how people perceive its value before they even look closely at the piece i...

Strategic Networking and Visibility Beyond Art World Centers with La Vaughn Belle (245)

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield La Vaughn Belle is a visual artist based in St. Croix whose interdisciplinary practice explores colonial histories and Caribbea...

Mutual Respect Between Artists and Galleries with Katherine Hébert (244)

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Working with a gallery means putting your art, reputation, and trust in someone else's hands. That relationship can be transformative (or tense) depen...

What to Do With 400 Paintings: Artist Legacy and Economic Reality with Alissa Quart (243)

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When Alissa Quart's 90-year-old mother received a terminal diagnosis, she faced a daunting question: what to do with 400 paintings created over three ...

Community, Kinship, and Career Stability with Malene Barnett (242)

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield Artist and activist Malene Barnett joins host Alyson Stanfield to unpack how she balances a multidisciplinary practice while de...

Maybe It's Time to Rethink Pinterest with Hayley Price (241)

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield Pinterest isn't just for recipes and home décor—it's one of the most underutilized marketing tools for artists. In this epis...

Entrepreneurial Fatigue, Market Uncertainty, and the Case for Slowing Down with Katie Hunt (240)

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Host Alyson Stanfield talks with Katie Hunt about the findings from her 2025 State of the Product Industry survey. While Katie's audience includes pro...

Why Every Artist Needs a Brand Kit (239)

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield Artists thrive on creative expression, but that same impulse can scatter your marketing. Without consistency, collectors are le...

You Don't Need a Gallery, You Need Conscious Connections (238)

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield Waiting to be discovered isn't a strategy. A gallery might help, but it won't solve everything. What you really need to build a...

Remove Barriers to Buying Your Art (237)

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield   When someone is ready to buy your art, the last thing you want to do is make them go on a treasure hunt. Every extr...

Clean Your Email List to Improve Deliverability and Engagement (236)

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most artists focus on growing their email list—but what if the real power comes from trimming it? In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson S...

When the Art Sales Stop: 6 Areas to Investigate (235)

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You've shown up. You've posted, emailed, exhibited, maybe even launched something. And yet... the sales aren't coming. In this solo episode of The Art...

Discerning Your Direction as an Artist with Marianne Lettieri (234)

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sculptor and installation artist Marianne Lettieri creates intricate, meditative work from salvaged and domestic materials. In this episode, she share...

It's Not Your Job to Worry About Adding to the Noise (233)

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Thoughtful artists often hesitate to share their work publicly—not because they're lazy or unclear, but because they don't want to contribute to the...

Strategic Growth, Collector Relationships, and Costly Lessons with James Corwin (232)

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wildlife artist James Corwin has built a thriving art business by putting his originals first—and building everything else around them. In this epis...

What You're Not Doing: 7 Mistakes Artists Make (231)

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The biggest mistakes artists make aren't about doing the wrong things—they're about doing nothing at all. Avoidance. Waiting. Hoping something will ...

Creating Artist-Centered Opportunities with Jennifer Steck (230)

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A retired police captain turned artist, Jennifer Steck realized she didn't have to wait for opportunities to come to her—she could create them. Seei...

The Awesome Responsibility of Titling Your Art with Fran Gardner (229)

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if titling your art is actually part of your creative practice? One that helps you better understand your work, connect with your audience, and p...

22 Tactics to Thoughtfully Invite People to Visit Your Art Website (228)

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's easy to assume that people will visit your artist website once it's built. But websites don't always attract attention on their own. You have to ...

Married to a Single Art Project Forever with Michelle Fung (227)

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What does it take to stick with one creative project for more than a decade—and still feel inspired by it? Michelle Fung has been immersed in The Wo...

What Galleries Want: Preparing Your Art and Yourself (226)

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Getting gallery representation isn't just about having great work—it's about preparation, professionalism, and relationships. At Gabba Gallery in Lo...

What a Commitment to Audience Building Means to Noelle Phares (225)

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Building a sustainable art business requires more than just making good work. It requires showing up consistently, connecting with the right people, a...

Beauty, Rigorous Research, and Purpose with Noelle Phares (224)

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Building an art career with intention doesn't always start with a plan. Sometimes it starts with a gut feeling that something isn't working. That was ...

The Investing Artist: Art, Real Estate, and Legacy with Mary Erickson (223)

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield It's easy to think that being a full-time artist means struggling financially. But painter Mary Erickson is proof that with dis...

What Artists Need to Know About SEO with Meg Casebolt (222)

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You work hard on your art. You want people to discover it. But if you're relying entirely on social media to be found, you're building on shaky ground...

Comprehensive Guide for Writing an Effective Artist Statement (221)

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Writing about your art isn't easy—but it's one of the most important things you can do to clarify your vision and connect with others. In this solo ...

Safeguarding Your Art Career with Ruby Lopez Harper of CERF+ (220)

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Guest: Ruby Lopez Harper, Executive Director of CERF+ In this episode of The Art Biz, Ruby Lopez Harper, executive director for CERF+ (the Craft Emerg...

The Artist's Guide to Confident Decision-Making (219)

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As an artist, you have the freedom to shape your career—but with that freedom comes the challenge of making decisions that align with your goals and...

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

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Building an art business takes more than just talent—it takes determination, adaptability, and a willingness to keep going, even when success feels ...

Community Liaison, Translator, and Glass Painter with Samra Bashir (217)

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Art has a unique ability to transcend language, evoke emotion, and bring people together across cultural divides. This idea is embodied in the work of...

The 4 Core Beliefs That Lead to Art Business Success (ep. 216)

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield If you've followed my work, you've likely noticed some recurring themes—guiding principles that shape the way I advise artist...

Enoughness, Astrology, and the Artist's Path with Bonnie Gillespie (215)

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every artist's journey is unique—what works for one won't necessarily work for another. Personal preferences, life circumstances, and individual per...

You'll Regret What You Don't Take Action on Today (ep. 214)

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of The Art Biz with host Alyson Stanfield focuses on the power of commitment and taking action toward your goals. Explore how to align yo...

Relying on Intermittent Daily Practices for Creative Progress with Helen Hiebert (ep. 213)

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Host Alyson Stanfield discusses the benefits and strategies of a daily creative practice with Helen Hiebert, who constructs installations, sculptures,...

Bravery, Luck, and Persistence with Debbie Mueller (ep. 212)

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Debbie Mueller talks with host Alyson Stanfield about how she has cultivated resilience and bravery as an artist, from finding her community to embrac...

Fostering Clarity and Confidence Through Writing with Samantha Clark (ep. 211)

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From sketchbook notes and letters, to authoring her own exhibition catalogues and eventually publishing a memoir, to her thoughtful weekly Substack ne...

Writing on Substack Can Be Integral to Your Creative Process with Ann Miller (ep. 210)

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is for you if you enjoy writing or aspire to do more of it. Host Alyson Stanfield interviews Ann Miller, who has found a powerful way to ...

The Art Biz Unfiltered: Dealer Michael Findlay on Collectors, Curiosity, and Changes (ep. 209)

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Peek inside the elite art world. Host Alyson Stanfield speaks with Michael Findlay, a long-time art dealer and author of the new memoir, Portrait of t...

Advice for Anyone Who Wants to Help the Artist in Their Life (ep. 208)

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is a letter I wrote in 2017 to help a concerned father support his introverted artist son. I wanted to help him—and anyone else who wants to he...

Artist Contracts, Studio Loans, and Collaboration with Virginia Broersma (ep. 207)

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield Artist and advocate Virginia Broersma talks with me about her efforts to support fellow artists through practical resources. Vi...

Creating Demand for Your Art: Why It Matters and How to Start (ep. 206)

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Host Alyson Stanfield delves into the necessity of creating demand for your artwork in order to achieve a certain level of success. She discusses the ...

The Internet Might Be Ruining Artists' Livelihoods with William Deresiewicz

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A deep discussion about the significant impact of the internet on the arts economy and the evolving role of artists in today's market that is ruled by...

Establishing Yourself in a New Art Community with Joan Chamberlain (ep. 204)

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Host Alyson Stanfield talks with artist Joan Chamberlain, whose creative journey has taken many twists and turns. Joan shares her story, from her earl...

Technology Is Your Colleague in the Studio with Iris Scott (ep. 203)

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Host Alyson Stanfield talks with Iris Scott, a talented artist who has had tremendous success on social media. A large portion of the discussion was d...

Adapting through Curiosity and Connection with Debra Disman (ep. 202)

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Debra about her dynamic journey as an artist and entrepreneur....

Finding Your Artist Voice through Mentorship with Julie deBoer (ep. 201)

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield chats with artist Julie deBoer, founder of Mastrius, a mentorship platform for artists. Julie sh...

What it means to be fulfilled as an artist (ep. 200)

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield In the 200th episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield explores the deeper motivations behind artists' desires for more rec...

Producing a Monthly Digital Magazine with Alyson Sheldrake (ep. 199)

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with author and artist Alyson Sheldrake. Every month for ten years, Alyson Sheldrake has p...

Beyond Motivation: Deadlines and Accountability Drive Action (ep. 198)

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Future plans, deadlines, and accountability are a necessary part of your success. Host Alyson Stanfield of Art Biz Success explains how artists can ge...

Dealing with Rejection with Megan Wimberley (ep. 197)

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield In order for the art ecosystem to work, many rejections must be handed out. That means to have a successful art business and ca...

Using Her Superpower and Biomaterials with Kelly M O'Brien (ep. 196)

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What do we do about all of the art materials that are harming you and the planet? Kelly O'Brien has taken this concern to heart and completely changed...

Selling Directly to Collectors at Open Studios with Jeff Schaller (ep. 195)

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Host Alyson Stanfield is joined by Jeff Schaller, who started an open studio tour in Pennsylvania at the height of the recession. It is still growing ...

How to Be a Guest on The Art Biz (ep. 194)

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Host: Alyson Stanfield If you've ever thought about sharing your artist story on a podcast—or pitching to anyone for publicity—this episode is for...

Smart Strategies for Artist Income Growth with Monique Carr (ep. 193)

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's possible to make more money and find a little more peace of mind by making a few tweaks in how you approach your art business. In this episode of...

Thriving as an Artist While Remaining True to Your Rural Roots with Tracey Hewitt (ep. 192)

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield Originally from a large metropolitan area, Tracey Hewitt married a rancher and, like Lisa Douglas in Green Acres, said goodbye ...

Beyond Comparison and Jealousy with Jason Kotecki (ep. 191)

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What "game" are you playing in your art business and in life? Artist-writer-speaker Jason Kotecki makes the point that you have a unique game plan to ...

The Joy in Artist Community and Paring Back Obligations with Ali Cavanaugh (ep. 190)

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield It might help (but isn't necessary) to start this episode by listening to episode 189, which is an encore of a 2019 interview I...

Reinventing Your Art Career with Ali Cavanaugh (ep. 189)

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield In 2014, Ali Cavanaugh had 11 galleries representing her work throughout the U.S. and even overseas. It was all she could do to...

Proving It's Possible to be an Artist and Mother with Elizabeth LeMaster (ep. 188)

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield Elizabeth LeMaster, my guest for this episode of The Art Biz, has, like so many of us, more to balance than her studio practice...

How to Guarantee that People Remember You with Skip Hill (ep. 187)

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield My utter bliss is to help artists make business systems that streamline their lives so they can spend more time in the studio. ...

The Career Journey of Growth-Minded Artists (ep. 186)

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield I want to talk about something that I think gets in the way of how you think about what a successful art business is or can be....

Leaning Into Her Roots and Community Art with Marilyn Fontaine (ep. 185)

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

host: Alyson Stanfield Some artists are fine working by themselves in their studios. Other artists need to move their art beyond the studio walls and ...

How Your Art Makes People Feel (ep. 184)

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Host: Alyson B. Stanfield For so long, I asked artists Why they make art. Some artists have a Why. For other artists, being asked why they make art ...

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

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Host: Alyson B. Stanfield In this episode of The Art Biz I talk with Lori Sokoluk and Susan Purney Mark, who met in my coaching group many years ago a...

Rethinking Mailing Lists for Artists (ep. 182)

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Host: Alyson B. Stanfield Your list is something unique to you and your career. No one has this same list. No one makes art like you do; no one knows ...

Spotlighting Artists Who Bloom Later in Life with Janice Mason Steeves (#181)

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Host: Alyson Stanfield, Art Biz Success My guest is Janice Mason Steeves, author of Bloom: On Becoming An Artist Later in Life. Which, as I say in ou...

Affirmations for Artists (ep. 180)

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I believe in the power of daily affirmations. I first used them a number of years ago to increase my income and it worked. I increased my income 40% t...

Virtual Assistance for Your Social Media and Websites with Artist VA Hallie Edlund (ep. 179).

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you're like a lot of the artist-clients that I work with at Art Biz Success, you would love someone to help you with social media. Or your website....

Every Artist Is Designed Differently and What It Means with Jahje Ives (#178)

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I have something a little different for you. I want to share a tool I found a number of years ago that helps me in life and in my bus...

Why You Should Raise Prices of Your Art and How to Do It (#177)

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Two things are clear when it comes to pricing your art. 1️⃣ It's a struggle for most artists. 2️⃣ There's a good chance that your prices are ...

Series, Catalogs, and Museum Shows with Susan Abbott (#176)

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I like to say that your art isn't complete until someone else experiences it. Until you're standing in front of it and talking about it with people wh...

Why I Want Partnerships with Art Galleries Evita Tezeno (#175)

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

So many artists are down on their galleries and considering leaving them. There are absolutely many reasons not to stick with your gallery, but that's...

Presenting Yourself Professionally on Your Artist Website with Jessica Burko (#174)

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your artist website is your portfolio these days. It's usually the first place people go to get a full picture of you and your art. They might initial...

Starting Your Art Career (#173)

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode isn't for artists who want to dabble and keep art as a hobby. I so respect your desire to enter and exit the studio whenever you feel lik...

Stop Incessantly Feeding the Social Media Algorithms with Kamal X (#172)

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

My guest for this episode of The Art Biz is Kamal X. Kamal recently released his book, Black Astronaut, which is a collection of photographs he starte...

Self Sales, Open Studios, and Relationships with Interior Designers with Carol MacConnell (#171)

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Carol MacConnell has built a strong business foundation over her long art career. I was particularly interested in talking with her about how she work...

7 Essential Verbs for Artists to Embrace (#170)

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we learned when diagramming sentences in 4th grade, verbs are where the action is. No verb, no action. The first iteration of my newsletter for art...

Leaning Into Art to Battle Depression with David Sandum (#169)

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I talk with David Sandum who was driven to take up art personally and then professionally after being hospitalized with depression in ...

Impacting Artists First in a Curatorial Project Focusing on Empathy with Nanci Hersh (#168)

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Art Biz I talk with Nanci Hersh about an exhibition she organized with 25 artists from multiple states and countries. The show ...

How to Have a Sale of Your Art and Feel Good About It (#167)

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dare you have a sale of your art? I acknowledge that having a sale of original work might be unpalatable. It feels as if you are cheapening the work y...

Raising Prices on Your Art, Valuing Community, and Balancing Motherhood with Bri Larson (#166)

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Bri Larson and I talk about her decision to raise her prices and how she overcame the mindset that her art needed to be affordable. W...

How to Feel Like a Successful Artist (#165)

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There's no neat way to explain what success is because it's different for every artist. I hope this episode is the start of an ongoing conversation on...

Maintaining Your Studio Practice with a Busy Teaching Schedule with Sally Hirst (#164)

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sally Hirst was born to teach. Fortunately, she was also born an artist. Like most of us, she adapted to the new reality that she was faced with at th...

Leaving Gallery Representation to Reach More Art Buyers with Adele Sypesteyn (remix) (#63)

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is a remix of episode 36 from 2019. It is such an inspiring interview that I wanted more people to hear it. Adele Sypesteyn has been maki...

She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be Every Month with Kelly Pelfrey (#162)

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lately, I've been diving into money on The Art Biz. As much as I do NOT want to talk about money, I know it's necessary. I also know it's more necessa...