Libsyn Directory

It’s Not Too Late: Practical Tips for Growing Your Art Career with Kristin Cooney

Release Date: 11/25/2025

What Are You Actually Trying to Grow? (Instagram Strategy for Artists: Part Two)

Behind the Brush with Kelly Pelfrey

Instagram can be inspiring… and also a time-sucking, dopamine-fueled hamster wheel (Kelly’s words plus a few rodent metaphors). In this solo episode, Kelly shares what she genuinely enjoys about Instagram, what frustrates her as an artist and business owner, and what’s shifted on the platform since 2020. She breaks down what Instagram rewards right now (like saves, shares, and meaningful engagement), why gorgeous art still stops the scroll, and how storytelling + carousels create a “gallery experience” that keeps people lingering. You’ll also hear Kelly’s simple...

Studio to Shared Spaces: Getting Your Art Into Hospitals, Businesses & Galleries with Andrea Lane

Behind the Brush with Kelly Pelfrey

In this episode, Kelly sits down with Louisiana artist Andrea Lane Ainsworth, whose textured coastal abstracts and soft, color-driven mixed media pieces are made to bring peace into real spaces—homes, businesses, and even hospital recovery and postpartum rooms. Andrea shares how her work landed at West Jefferson Medical Center, plus practical ways artists can approach hospitals, galleries, and local businesses (spoiler: in-person beats email more often than not). They also talk about Instagram, how Andrea balances cohesion with consistency, and then go somewhere unexpectedly...

Beautiful Art Still Stops the Scroll (Instagram Strategy for Artists)

Behind the Brush with Kelly Pelfrey

What It’s Really Like to Be a Mural Artist: Pricing, Clients, and Process (with Marian Pouch)

Behind the Brush with Kelly Pelfrey

In this episode of Behind the Brush, Kelly sits down with mural artist Marian Pouch, who turned a personal home project into a thriving custom mural business over the last decade. Marian shares what mural work is really like—from scheduling around family life and travel, to working in clients’ homes (yes, it can get awkward), to navigating renovation chaos like missing lights or plumbing issues She explains how she prices murals on a per-project basis, why wall paint outperforms acrylics in durability, and how she organizes client communication. Marian also discusses her evolving...

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of My Art Business in 2025

Behind the Brush with Kelly Pelfrey

In this New Year episode of Behind the Brush, Kelly Pelfrey pulls back the curtain on her art business with an honest reflection she calls The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. She shares what worked well in her studio and business, what she won’t repeat, and what felt messy but necessary for growth. From creating over 150 paintings and launching a podcast to navigating overbooking, cash-flow stress, and holiday fulfillment challenges, Kelly shares real lessons artists rarely talk about. This episode isn’t about perfection—it’s about discernment. Kelly invites listeners to reflect on...

How to Brain Dump, Reflect & Set a Clear Creative Intention for the New Year

Behind the Brush with Kelly Pelfrey

In this short and reflective episode of Behind the Brush, Kelly Pelfrey invites artists into the quiet, often-overlooked space between Christmas and the New Year. She shares why this “in-between week” is the perfect time to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the heart behind your creative work. Kelly walks listeners through a gentle reflection process—brain dumping ideas, praying or daydreaming through possibilities, and choosing one meaningful, doable intention for the months ahead. She also vulnerably shares her own creative intention for 2026 and encourages artists not to...

Finding Stillness at Christmas: A Short Reflection for Artists

Behind the Brush with Kelly Pelfrey

In this short and gentle Christmas-week episode of Behind the Brush, Kelly Pelfrey offers a pause—an invitation to breathe, reflect, and notice the beauty tucked inside the season’s chaos. She reminds artists that Christmas is a story of God stepping into ordinary, messy life and that creativity echoes that same light-bringing presence. Kelly shares gratitude for the first 18 episodes of the podcast and for the community of artists walking this journey together. This episode is less about strategy and more about stillness, encouragement, and remembering that creating beauty is...

Why Every Artist Should Sign Up for a Workshop or Retreat in 2026

Behind the Brush with Kelly Pelfrey

In this solo episode of Behind the Brush, Kelly Pelfrey shares her second must-do recommendation for artists in 2026: sign up for a workshop or retreat. Drawing from her recent , Kelly walks through what it’s really like to participate—from feeling like a beginner again to finding rhythm, clarity, and creative momentum. She explains why getting out of your studio, learning from a live instructor, and creating alongside other artists leads to deeper growth than working alone. This episode is an encouraging reminder that you don’t have to be “ready” to invest in...

The Power of Creative Community: Inside Fallon Peper’s Plein Air Retreats

Behind the Brush with Kelly Pelfrey

Artist and retreat host Fallon Peper joins Behind the Brush to share how she went from burned-out first-grade teacher to full-time artist and creator of Field & Flow plein air retreats. Fallon tells the story of leaving the classroom without a plan, interning and working in Charleston galleries, and slowly stepping into her painting practice. She explains how retreats were born from her need for community, and why housing artists together, feeding them well, and removing logistical concerns create powerful growth. Kelly and Fallon unpack the value of workshops, organic...

How to Price Your Art in 2026

Behind the Brush with Kelly Pelfrey

Learn how to set fair, confident pricing for your artwork with strategies that honor both your creative effort and market demand. In this episode, Kelly breaks down real examples from working artists and addresses common insecurities that make pricing feel intimidating. You’ll discover how to use Instagram and peer comparisons for market research, establish a baseline that fits your career stage, and avoid undervaluing your work. Kelly also explores how demand shapes pricing, why small test releases matter, and the importance of setting a minimum price you won’t dip below. Through...

More Episodes

Meet self-taught artist Kristin Cooney, who made the unexpected leap from dentistry to painting. Drawing inspiration from vintage photographs of glamorous women, Kristin transforms historical moments into joyful coastal scenes, florals, and abstracts. She shares the creative process behind her vibrant work and the surprising parallels between art and dentistry—especially value contrast.

Kristin also offers practical advice on the business of art, from shipping large paintings through UPS and Shopify to rebuilding her audience after a hacked Instagram account. She highlights the power of email marketing, creating quality prints, and generating passive income. Her story encourages artists of any age to keep learning, stay curious, and pursue their passion with confidence.

Listen in to learn more :

(04:09) The Impact of Color Inspiration

(06:58) Developing a Business From Instagram Art

(11:36) Building Website Skills With Shopify

(28:20) Embracing Creativity at Any Age

(33:25) Strategic Print Release Planning

(42:41) Appreciate Your Progress as an Artist

Resources –

Connect with Kristin Cooney

https://kristincooneystudio.com/

Connect with Kelly on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/behindthebrush_kellypelfrey

KP Art Collective - http://kpartcollective.com/

https://kellypelfrey.com/

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