One artist’s journey is never the same as another’s. Not only do you have to be creative in what you make, but also in how you get it out there, connect with the right people and situations, and create a sustainable living. There is no perfect blueprint on how to make money or create a sustainable career, but for Jan R. Carson, the focus is on the quality of the work. In this episode, she talks about her own journey from a production artist since 1999 making over 7,000 silk and stainless steel w...
Jan 24, 2019•45 min•Ep. 23
Many artists have a desire to open their own gallery, but few know how much work and thought actually goes into it. In today’s episode, artist and gallerist Tracy Miller shares her experience of running the Tracy Miller Gallery for the last 7 years. Tracy discusses the journey from Fine Artist, to working in a Gallery, then opening her own gallery in Manitou Springs, Colorado. She talks about what type of artists she chose to work with, why she chose the specific location of Manitou Springs, the...
Dec 20, 2018•39 min•Ep. 22
Artist Meg Black doesn’t wait for things to happen, she makes them happen. She has recently installed a major commission in the new edition of the town hall in Topsfield, MA, and is here to tell us all about the process from vision to reality. Meg shares with us how she got involved in the project, the research that went into it, and the hurdles she had to overcome in able to get it done both perfectly and on schedule. She now is a local celebrity due to her talent, and care for the community. M...
Nov 29, 2018•46 min•Ep. 21
Artists are so generous and I love to see them supporting one another. I’m blessed that I get to be the person who introduces them to one another in the groups I lead. After witnessing artist groups from the outside and within over nearly 3 decades, I’ve been thinking a lot about artist group dynamics. In this podcast, I share with you my thoughts on this topic. It’s just me talking, so it’s shorter than most of my episodes. Here’s what I share: Four primary reasons to be part of an organized an...
Nov 01, 2018•17 min•Ep. 20
Mary Erickson’s art sales have paid for her lifestyle, which is comfortable and adventurous, but far from extravagant. She is a savvy investor and wise with her finances. Mary says she paints so that she can buy real estate so that she can collect art - paintings by other artists. You’ll hear all about it in this episode. You’ll also hear about: How she started selling and why she believes being involved in your community is key to an artist’s success. How she keeps up with the 8 different galle...
Aug 16, 2018•55 min•Ep. 19
Ten years ago, Helen Hiebert didn’t think of her art as a business. Her shift of mindset changed everything and she now makes her living as a working artist. Rather than feeling icky about having a “business,” she embraced it and learned to channel some of her creativity into making money from her talents. In this episode of the Art Biz Podcast, Helen and I discuss: Her 5 income streams, and the percentage of income she receives from each How she approaches online content creation How her blog -...
Jul 19, 2018•52 min•Ep. 18
Many artists have a dream of doing their work full-time without any idea of what that means or what it would take. Dianna Fritzler made it happen. Not just once, but twice. In this episode, Alyson talks with Dianna about the steps she took to make sure that her first year back as a full-time artist was going to be a successful one. She reveals: The moment when she decided that her art could no longer play a secondary role in her life. The steps she took immediately that set her on the path to ma...
Jun 25, 2018•52 min•Ep. 17
When you find yourself making excuses as to why you can’t get into the studio or why you don’t have time to write that newsletter or blog post, think of this conversation with Annie Salness. Almost 10 years ago, Annie had a stroke and, among other challenges, had to relearn how to paint with her non-dominant hand. While many artists would have given up when faced with the trials Annie had, she met the challenge and continues to challenge herself. This is the story of a true artist - an artist wh...
May 17, 2018•53 min•Ep. 16
What will happen to all of your art and career records after you are gone? Will your family know what to do with them? Those were questions that David Paul Bayles had about his photographs and archives. And he had good reason to be concerned because they were valuable documents of a particular part of the country and culture. See David’s work at DavidPaulBayles.com *** This episode is brought to you by Big Table Art Retreats - exclusive artist mastermind retreats that occur in various parts of t...
Apr 19, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 15
How do you quantify quality in art? Alyson talks with artist Elaine Kehew who has set out to do just that. After receiving a negative review last year, Elaine is determined to improve the quality of her art and has developed 8 targets to measure her progress. See Elaine’s art at ElaineKehew.com . *** This episode is brought to you by Big Table Art Retreats - exclusive artist mastermind retreats that occur in various parts of the U.S. throughout the year. See ArtBizMastermind.com ***...
Mar 08, 2018•48 min•Ep. 14
Alyson talks with photographer and attorney Kiffanie Stahle about legal concerns for your art business. The way one artist protects his or her business will be very different from another artist. So much depends on your audience and goals. Kiffanie, who owns theartistsjd.com has developed the Creative Business Model Canvas to help you home in on legal priorities. Find it here: https://theartistsjd.com/need-business-plan/
Feb 08, 2018•35 min
Alyson talks with Maria Brophy about niche markets for artists - why they’re valuable and ideas for finding where you fit.
Dec 14, 2017•45 min•Ep. 13
Alyson talks with Debby Williams and Cynthia Morris about the accomplishments and struggles of Art Biz Inner Circle members - and what other artists can learn from them.
Nov 16, 2017•35 min•Ep. 12
Alyson talks with artist Lisa Kovvuri about a multi-year portrait project that resulted in a museum show.
Oct 17, 2017•34 min•Ep. 11
Alyson talks with Heather Powers of Creatively Organized Spaces about how she helps artists clear clutter and organize their workspaces.
Sep 21, 2017•41 min•Ep. 10
Alyson talks with artists Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin about writing their new book, Cold Wax Medium: Materials, Techniques, and Conversations.
Aug 24, 2017•43 min•Ep. 9
Alyson talks with artists Sam Woolcott and Poe Dismuke about owning a gallery together in Bisbee, Arizona, being married, and their museum exhibition.
Jul 27, 2017•40 min•Ep. 8
Alyson asks Claudia McClain, founder of McClain Insurance, about the special insurance needs for artists’ businesses.
Mar 02, 2017•31 min•Ep. 7
Alyson asks Cynthia Morris for tips for getting back into the studio after an exhibition opening, a vacation, a holiday, an illness, or family tragedy.
Jan 05, 2017•23 min•Ep. 6
Alyson talks with Cynthia Morris about why having too many ideas is detrimental to your success as an artist.
Dec 08, 2016•25 min•Ep. 5
Alyson talks with Elizabeth St. Hilaire about how she created a successful art career and became a full-time artist. Includes mention of multiple streams of income and her teaching models.
Oct 20, 2016•39 min•Ep. 4
Alyson talks with Michael Keen about why community is important for artists to thrive and to receive validation, inspiration, motivation, and constructive feedback.
Sep 29, 2016•44 min•Ep. 3
Alyson talks with Cynthia Morris about how to accomplish things in your art career and business that you don’t enjoy doing. Listen for discussion about being happy v. being satisfied with the work you do.
Aug 25, 2016•30 min•Ep. 2
Alyson talks with Cynthia Morris about impatience - how everything that is worth getting in life takes longer than you think it will. But it’s worth it when you’re committed to an artist’s life and career.
Jul 26, 2016•36 min•Ep. 1
