Why Every Artist Needs a Brand Kit (239)
The Art Biz
host: Alyson Stanfield Artists thrive on creative expression, but that same impulse can scatter your marketing. Without consistency, collectors are left confused about who you are and what you stand for. In this solo episode, I share why identity comes before design, what goes into a brand kit, and how it saves time while building trust. Your next collector is just one connection away. Make it a memorable one. ✨ HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 When artists relied on printed packets 02:40 Why tactile marketing materials still matter today 05:40 The tough love: artists aren’t designers (and why that...
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You Don’t Need a Gallery, You Need Conscious Connections (238)
The Art Biz
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 thriving art career are conscious connections. These are intentional relationships that open doors, create opportunities, and sustain you for the long run. In this solo episode, host Alyson Stanfield explains what conscious connections are, why they matter more than ever, the barriers that hold artists back, and how to start cultivating your own unique network with a list that only you could create. 00:00 Why waiting to be discovered is not...
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Remove Barriers to Buying Your Art (237)
The Art Biz
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 extra click, unanswered question, or missing price is a barrier that can cost you the sale. In this solo episode, I talk about how you can take charge of the buying process—because while you can’t control the economy or trends, you can control how easy it is for people to pay you. Key Ideas Collectors don’t just buy art—they buy into the artist. Relationships matter, but clarity in the buying process is...
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Clean Your Email List to Improve Deliverability and Engagement (236)
The Art Biz
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 Stanfield walks you through why and how to clean your email list. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about improving deliverability rates, boosting engagement, and building trust with the people who are actually listening. If you want to email with more confidence—and stop second-guessing who’s on the other end—this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE Why list hygiene is essential for deliverability and visibility How neglecting your...
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When the Art Sales Stop: 6 Areas to Investigate (235)
The Art Biz
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 Biz, host Alyson Stanfield walks you through six insight areas to investigate when your art isn’t selling like it used to—or like you believe it should. These aren’t quick fixes, but reflective prompts that can lead to real clarity and intentional next steps. Whether you're feeling stuck, confused, or just curious about how to improve your results, this episode will help you pause, reflect, and reassess—with empathy and a practical...
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Discerning Your Direction as an Artist with Marianne Lettieri (234)
The Art Biz
Sculptor and installation artist Marianne Lettieri creates intricate, meditative work from salvaged and domestic materials. In this episode, she shares her journey from marketing to art, and how she has centered her practice around intention, discernment, and clarity—rather than urgency or trends. She talks with host Alyson Stanfield about how she defines success, the importance of showing up in the studio (even if it’s just to sweep the floor), and why research, ritual, and creative constraint are essential to her process. HIGHLIGHTS 01:50 – Marianne’s career shift from PR to...
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It's Not Your Job to Worry About Adding to the Noise (233)
The Art Biz
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 “noise” online. In this solo episode, host Alyson Stanfield unpacks that fear and explain why it’s often a mask for perfectionism. You'll hear why your content doesn’t need to be perfect, polished, or viral—it just needs to be true. She also shares mindset shifts to help you move from performance to presence, broadcasting to connection, and perfection to permission. Whether you're struggling to post, over-editing everything, or...
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Strategic Growth, Collector Relationships, and Costly Lessons with James Corwin (232)
The Art Biz
Wildlife artist James Corwin has built a thriving art business by putting his originals first—and building everything else around them. In this episode of The Art Biz, he talks with host Alyson Stanfield about how he strategically developed multiple income streams through prints, commissions, and galleries, all while prioritizing his painting time. James shares the mindset shift that helped him focus, the failures that taught him the most, and why nurturing collector relationships is a cornerstone of his success. His perspective as both an artist and gallery owner offers valuable insight for...
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What You're Not Doing: 7 Mistakes Artists Make (231)
The Art Biz
The biggest mistakes artists make aren’t about doing the wrong things—they’re about doing nothing at all. Avoidance. Waiting. Hoping something will change on its own. In this solo episode, host Alyson Stanfield revisits and reframes one of her most popular articles, updated with a decade of insight and experience. These are not dramatic failures, but subtle patterns of inaction that can quietly keep your art business stuck. Alyson shares 7 common mistakes, grouped into 3 themes: Mindset. Connection. Structure. Each is paired with a powerful inquiry to help you take honest inventory—and...
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Creating Artist-Centered Opportunities with Jennifer Steck (230)
The Art Biz
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. Seeing a gap in what was available for artists to sell their work, Jennifer founded Artburst Studios, an online gallery that’s part pop-up show and part community hub for artists. She had zero experience running a gallery, but that didn’t stop her. Armed with curiosity, a clear vision, and plenty of determination, Jennifer (at the time of this recording) has helped over 80 artists sell more than $174,000 of art in just a few years. In this...
info_outlinehost: 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 thriving art career are conscious connections. These are intentional relationships that open doors, create opportunities, and sustain you for the long run.
In this solo episode, host Alyson Stanfield explains what conscious connections are, why they matter more than ever, the barriers that hold artists back, and how to start cultivating your own unique network with a list that only you could create.
00:00 Why waiting to be discovered is not a strategy
01:00 August solo series leading to the Followers to Collectors workshop (see other episodes below)
02:20 The changing art ecosystem — what has and hasn’t changed
02:50 Defining conscious connections
03:30 Quick scenarios that show conscious connections in action
04:50 Why connections matter: resources, opportunities, momentum, knowledge, sales, collaboration
07:10 Conscious connections are the lifeblood of your career
07:30 Barriers: fear, logistics, and avoidance
09:00 The importance of focusing on others, not just yourself
09:10 Four buckets of connections: supporters, sellers & venues, influencers, peripheral potential
11:20 Conscious connections aren’t optional — they are foundational
11:50 One small action to nurture a connection this week
12:30 Invitation to the Followers to Collectors workshop (Sept 9–10)
📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/conscious-connections
🎧 MENTIONED
These are the other solo episodes (so far) leading up to the Followers to Collectors workshop.
When the Art Sales Stop: 6 Areas to Investigate (235)
Clean Your Email List to Improve Deliverability and Engagement (236)
Remove Barriers to Buying Your Art (237)
🎧 RELATED EPISODES
In these episodes, guests talk about the conscious connections that have helped them succeed with a specific project.
Multiply Your Audience and Expand Your Show’s Impact with Jill Powers (27)
Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (64)
Collaborating on Your Art Business with Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin (86)
A Collaboration Between 2 Artists that Led to Creative Growth (183)
📥 RESOURCES
Planning Workshop:
Followers to Collectors – September 9–10
Essentials for Artist Success:
Ongoing coaching, support, and training
⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~
This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/