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Ep. 10: Finding Clarity: Sandra Mejia on Narrowing Your Creative Focus

Art + Audience

Release Date: 09/17/2024

Ep. 35: Justice for Artists: How Daniel Lachman Helps Creatives Fight Art Theft show art Ep. 35: Justice for Artists: How Daniel Lachman Helps Creatives Fight Art Theft

Art + Audience

In this powerful episode, Stacie talks with Daniel Lachman, founder of Justice for Artists, about the heartbreaking and unfortunately common experience of having your artwork stolen. Daniel shares his journey from viral t-shirt success to fighting counterfeiters, and how he turned a personal struggle into a full-blown mission to help other artists get the justice (and compensation) they deserve. If you've ever hesitated to share your work for fear it might be ripped off, or if you're unsure what to do when it happens, this episode is essential for you. Daniel pulls back the curtain on...

info_outline Ep. 34: Why Laura Holley Only Draws Melbourne—and Why It Totally Works show art Ep. 34: Why Laura Holley Only Draws Melbourne—and Why It Totally Works

Art + Audience

In this episode, Stacie chats with Melbourne-based artist Laura Holley of Lawz Drawz. Laura has built a thriving art business by focusing on one very specific niche: drawing the best bits of Melbourne. From pubs to murals to wildly popular calendars, Laura’s story is a testament to the power of embracing what you love, trusting your instincts, and building community around your art. They dive into how niching down to one city has become Laura's superpower, how a simple calendar project sparked a loyal cult following called "Pub Club," and how her background in event planning has helped her...

info_outline Ep. 33: How Georgia Norton Lodge Turned $35 House Sketches Into a Million-Dollar Art Business show art Ep. 33: How Georgia Norton Lodge Turned $35 House Sketches Into a Million-Dollar Art Business

Art + Audience

In this episode, Stacie sits down with Australian artist and entrepreneur Georgia Norton Lodge to explore the winding road from drawing houses as a side hustle to running multiple thriving businesses. Georgia shares how transparency, pricing strategy, creative pivots, and an unshakeable community-first mindset have helped her build a million-dollar business. Whether you're drawing houses or dreaming big, Georgia brings both the tough love and encouragement creatives need to hear. Today on Art + Audience: The Accidental Beginning: How a botched book cover project sparked a booming business...

info_outline Ep. 32: Why Diversification Is the Key to Surviving as a Creative Entrepreneur with Sophie Timms show art Ep. 32: Why Diversification Is the Key to Surviving as a Creative Entrepreneur with Sophie Timms

Art + Audience

Today, Stacie sits down with UK-based embroidery artist and educator Sophie Timms, founder of Mindful Mantra Embroidery and the Bloom Embroidery Academy. Sophie shares her inspiring journey from studying law to building a thriving creative business with multiple income streams, including a high-retention membership of nearly 200 embroidery enthusiasts. Whether you're dreaming of making a living from your art or already on your way, this episode is packed with wisdom about following your intuition, building a community, and crafting a business that supports your life.   Today on Art +...

info_outline Ep. 31: Creative Growth Tips for Artists: Crockpot Ideas, Side Projects, and Sustainable Success with Andy J. Pizza show art Ep. 31: Creative Growth Tips for Artists: Crockpot Ideas, Side Projects, and Sustainable Success with Andy J. Pizza

Art + Audience

In the second half of this rich and wide-ranging conversation, Stacie and Andy unpack the often unseen tension between creative expression and strategic thinking. They dive into what it means to be a “whole-brain” artist, someone who thrives in both creative exploration and structured planning, and why that's not a contradiction but a powerful gift. Andy shares his love for storytelling structure, the metaphor of crockpots for creative timing, and the concept of having a “main band” and a “side band” to stay creatively flexible. Meanwhile, Stacie gets real about balancing artistry...

info_outline Ep. 30: Andy J. Pizza on How to Build a Creative Career as a Neurodivergent Artist show art Ep. 30: Andy J. Pizza on How to Build a Creative Career as a Neurodivergent Artist

Art + Audience

In this first part of a powerful two-part conversation, Stacie sits down with the creative and deeply introspective Andy J. Pizza, illustrator, speaker, and host of the beloved Creative Pep Talk podcast. They dive headfirst into the personal side of creativity, exploring how neurodivergence, mental health, and family background shape the way we show up in our art. Andy and Stacie share candid moments about their diagnoses (ADHD and OCD), how their creative rhythms differ from traditional productivity models, and why embracing your authentic self is the first step to making art that truly...

info_outline Ep. 29: Is Leverage Your Art Worth It? Alumni Share Their Honest Results show art Ep. 29: Is Leverage Your Art Worth It? Alumni Share Their Honest Results

Art + Audience

In this special episode, Stacie brings together a panel of alumni from her signature program, Leverage Your Art. These artists, from illustrators to surface pattern designers to product-based business owners, share their honest experiences, big “aha” moments, and how the course helped them grow thriving creative businesses. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your art career, this conversation is packed with encouragement, practical advice, and powerful stories from artists who have walked the path before you. Today on Art + Audience: “Does this work for me?”:...

info_outline Ep. 28: What No One Tells You About Licensing: Juliana Tipton on Boundaries, Burnout, and Creative Joy show art Ep. 28: What No One Tells You About Licensing: Juliana Tipton on Boundaries, Burnout, and Creative Joy

Art + Audience

In this enlightening episode, Stacie sits down with surface pattern designer Juliana Tipton to talk about launching a creative career in your 40s, navigating art licensing, and staying grounded through the highs and lows of the design world. From graphic design and higher education to licensing with top retailers like Target and Barnes & Noble, Juliana shares how she pivoted careers, learned to trust her gut, and built a successful business centered around authenticity and perseverance.   Today on Art + Audience: Juliana’s Unconventional Start: How she launched her surface design...

info_outline Ep. 27: Carrie Cantwell on Building Confidence, Facing Rejection, and Finding Your Voice show art Ep. 27: Carrie Cantwell on Building Confidence, Facing Rejection, and Finding Your Voice

Art + Audience

In this inspiring episode, Stacie chats with Carrie Cantwell, a graphic designer turned licensed artist, Skillshare top teacher, podcast host, and creative coach. Carrie opens up about her transformative journey from the high-pressure world of film graphics to finding her artistic voice through art licensing. Her story is one of courage, reinvention, and learning to lean into the things that come naturally. Together, Stacie and Carrie dive deep into the realities of self-doubt, the power of creative bravery, and the freedom that comes with not needing external validation. Today on Art +...

info_outline Ep. 26: How I Built Two Creative Businesses That Generate $5 Million a Year show art Ep. 26: How I Built Two Creative Businesses That Generate $5 Million a Year

Art + Audience

In this episode, Stacie reveals the system behind her two creative companies generating a combined $5 million in annual revenue: the STAR Productivity Method. Drawing from humble beginnings at her dining room table to leading a powerhouse team, Stacie shares the weekly rhythm that has guided her journey. Whether you're a side hustler or full-time creative, this episode provides an actionable framework to gain clarity, stay focused, and make meaningful progress even with limited time. Today on Art + Audience: The Origins of the STAR Cycle: How Stacie developed the method during her early side...

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More Episodes

Today, Stacie sits down with Sandra Mejia, a Colombian-born, Canadian-based illustrator and pattern designer. Sandra shares her incredible journey of leaving a corporate career, pursuing her creative passions, and learning important lessons along the way. They discuss the challenges artists face when starting a business, the importance of focusing on one thing before expanding, and how artists can regain focus after trying to do too much. Sandra’s story is a testament to the power of taking risks, listening to your body, and building a sustainable business without burning out.



Today on Art + Audience:

  • Sandra’s Journey from Corporate to Creative: Sandra describes how she left her stable job in Colombia to pursue art, selling everything she owned and moving to Argentina to find her creative path.

  • The Danger of Doing Too Much: Sandra shares how she started her business by creating too many products at once, which led to exhaustion and a lack of focus. Stacie relates, emphasizing how starting small with one product is often more effective.

  • Finding Focus After a Creative Leap: After moving to Canada, Sandra learned the value of narrowing her focus. She discusses how limiting her product offerings and honing her skills led to more success.

  • The Importance of Strategy Over “Hope Marketing”: Stacie and Sandra both agree that hope marketing—creating products and hoping they sell without a clear strategy—can be a trap for new artists. Instead, they advise focusing on one signature product or service and building from there.

  • When to Shift and Pivot: Sandra talks about learning when to let go of products that aren’t selling and redirect energy toward what works, rather than stubbornly sticking with a failing approach.



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