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Ep. 18 | Building a Sustainable Art Career With Crista Cloutier

Decoding the Flow

Release Date: 01/28/2026

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Summary

In this episode of Decoding the Flow, host Drica Lobo sits down with artist, educator, and mentor Crista Cloutier, founder of The Working Artist.

Crista shares her journey from artist to educator and reflects on what it truly takes to build a sustainable, long-term art career—one rooted in clarity, commitment, and strong studio practice rather than hustle or shortcuts.

Together, they explore the courage required to trust the creative process, the importance of defining success on your own terms, and the common traits Crista has observed in artists who thrive over time. The conversation also touches on ego, fear, community, and adapting to an ever-changing art world shaped by technology, social media, and new creative tools.

This episode is a grounded and honest look at what it really means to be a working artist today.

 

Key Takeaways

  • Building a sustainable art career requires clarity and long-term commitment

  • Artists must support their art practice before expecting it to support them

  • Courage is essential when choosing an artistic path

  • Success should be defined personally—not only financially

  • Strong communities help artists grow and stay accountable

  • Ego and fear often block creative progress

  • Adapting to change is necessary in today’s art world

  • Making good art remains the foundation of success

  • Fulfillment comes from alignment, not just sales

Sound Bites

“You have to do the work.”
“Art comes from the heart.”
“You can’t control other people.”

 

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to Crista Cloutier
01:37 Crista’s Journey from Artist to Educator
06:17 The Courage to Jump and Trust the Process
11:23 The Philosophy Behind The Working Artist
15:12 Common Traits of Successful Artists
18:54 Overcoming Ego and Fear
20:30 Adapting to Changes in the Art World
23:35 Finding Your Unique Path
26:04 The Importance of Making Good Art
27:57 Defining Success Beyond Sales
31:44 Advice for Aspiring Full-Time Artists
33:08 Navigating the Art Market
37:21 Building Your Brand as an Artist
39:44 The Power of Artist Communities
41:10 Owning Your Artistic Journey
45:37 Defining Success on Your Own Terms
46:53 Where to Find Crista Cloutier

About the Guest

Crista Cloutier is an artist, educator, and mentor dedicated to helping artists build sustainable, meaningful careers. She is the founder of The Working Artist, an internationally recognized program that supports artists in developing strong studio practices, clarity around success, and long-term commitment to their work. Through her teaching, Crista has guided artists around the world to define success on their own terms and stay connected to their creative path.

TheWorkingArtist.com | Instagram @cristacloutier

 

About the Host

Drica Lobo is a contemporary artist, author, and creative mentor based in California. Through her art, writing, and podcast Decoding the Flow, she explores creative consciousness, intuition, and what it means to build a sustainable, aligned creative life. Her work invites artists and collectors alike to reconnect with their inner creative power and live with intention, presence, and flow.

DricaLobo.com | Instagram @dricaloboart | @decodingtheflow

Get her book Decoding the Flow