The Art Biz
Looking for art career inspiration and ideas while you’re working in the studio or schlepping your art across the country? Alyson Stanfield helps you be a more productive artist, a more empowered artist, and a more successful artist.
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5 Lists every artist should keep (282)
10/29/2026
5 Lists every artist should keep (282)
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield goes beyond the to-do list and shares five lists every artist should keep: good ideas, absolute no’s, things others could do, 10 to 30 minute tasks, and what you’ve done. She explains what belongs on each one and why the done list is the one to start with. She shares where she keeps hers, because a list is no good if it can’t be found and revised. Alyson reveals: Why the to-do list is only the beginning The list for dreams that could turn into projects someday How the absolute no’s list can turn into a business policy What to reach for in a spare 10 minutes The list that gives you credit, and the joy of writing tasks down just to cross them out Where each of her lists lives, and why digital is her go-to for forever-keeping < to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Want your art to be found online? New SEO rules with Meg Casebolt (281)
10/15/2026
Want your art to be found online? New SEO rules with Meg Casebolt (281)
Search has changed, and Google’s AI summary now bypasses your website to answer most questions before anyone clicks. SEO expert Meg Casebolt returns to The Art Biz to update what she shared in episode 222. Artists can respond to the search evolution by considering these three levels on their site: their name and bio, their art, and individual images. Host Alyson Stanfield puts it to the test with a live search. Meg reveals: Why the decision now happens on the search page What AI tools say when someone searches your name The question that shows when a tool would recommend you Why a bio in your footer works harder than it looks Where poetry still belongs in your art descriptions Read more, and watch the video on the to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Sincerely, someone who cares with Heidi Fahrenbacher (280)
10/08/2026
Sincerely, someone who cares with Heidi Fahrenbacher (280)
Ceramic artist Heidi Fahrenbacher opened her mailbox in 2021 to an anonymous letter saying she'd price herself out of business. Well, she's still in business, and her income has grown about 10% every year since. In this episode of The Art Biz, Heidi talks with host Alyson Stanfield about noticing what isn't working, doing something about it, and the discomfort that comes with the territory. Heidi reveals: Why she burned her business to the ground and rebuilt it What two anonymous letters couldn't change How overproducing became a coping mechanism The work she refuses to wholesale Why she thinks artists should do less Read more and get links on the About Alyson Stanfield Since 2002, Alyson Stanfield has been helping emerging and established visual artists find the right opportunities, gain recognition for their work, and refine strategies for sales through and group coaching. She brings experience as an art historian, curator, museum educator, and arts writer to her consulting work. to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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This monthly review keeps your art business honest (279)
10/01/2026
This monthly review keeps your art business honest (279)
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield explains why she won't tell an artist how to fix slumping sales until she knows their goals and their numbers. She names the fears that keep artists from looking at their data, then lays out a simple monthly or quarterly check-in. It covers the high-level numbers worth tracking, from revenue and email to website traffic, and how to get curious about what they reveal. Alyson shares: Why she refuses to prescribe a fix before knowing what an artist wants The fears that keep artists ignoring their numbers until tax time Why even good numbers can be scary How often to check your numbers, based on how active your business is The two numbers she asks about first when sales are down Why tracking too much isn’t helpful to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Be alert to signals you need to change course (278)
09/24/2026
Be alert to signals you need to change course (278)
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield makes the case that comfort is the most dangerous place to be in your art business. If you keep doing things the same way, you are bound to miss out on opportunities as things in how we show and sell art are changing so rapidly. She walks through three signals worth paying attention to: The results signal :: that something familiar has stopped working The joy signal :: that something is messing with your happiness The external signal :: that a moment is emerging and worth paying attention to She mentions the external signal that Jenny McCarty paid attention to and took her art viral in . And the joy signal that moved Ali Cavanaugh to remove her work from 10 of her 11 galleries in . Alyson also shares her own recent pivot away from group teaching toward strategic consulting after tuning into the results and joy signals. to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Will you be ready if your art goes viral? with Jenny McCarty (277)
09/17/2026
Will you be ready if your art goes viral? with Jenny McCarty (277)
When the redesign of the 2026 national parks pass became a flashpoint, watercolor artist and ecologist Jenny McCarty noticed the uproar in her community — and used her art to do something about it. What happened next landed her on Last Week Tonight, raised nearly $30,000 for parks conservation, and added thousands of names to her email list. On this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Jenny about what she built ahead of time to take advantage of the spotlight. Jenny reveals: The Instagram exchange that told her a sticker could be something bigger Why going viral would have landed nowhere without her business systems The partnership that let her keep the project alive when she couldn't do it alone Why every collaboration in her business now starts with a contract What the numbers told her about where her time was actually worth spending Follow Jenny: . . . ✦ THE NEXT OPENING ✦ . . . small group coaching applications September only. Get the details and apply at to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Even when life is heavy, your art business still needs you (276)
08/27/2026
Even when life is heavy, your art business still needs you (276)
Artists are a sensitive lot, and that sensitivity is what makes the work possible. It also makes everything else land harder. It’s easier to get tripped up by news headlines, family illness, and travel. In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield argues that it’s more important than ever to keep making art. She also talks about what to do when you must keep the business humming so that it’s there for you on the other side of the current obstacles. She reveals: Why not making art isn’t the answer Five reasons to keep up the work in the studio, even when it seems unimportant Why it’s much harder to restart a business you've stepped away from The underlying machine that keeps a business almost on autopilot ~ * YOUR ART MARKETING PLAN IS SEPTEMBER 10 * ~ * Get your plan at to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Stop complicating your art marketing plan (275)
08/20/2026
Stop complicating your art marketing plan (275)
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield makes the case that a marketing plan doesn't have to be a spreadsheet full of self-imposed deadlines. She argues for routines over rigid plans, walks through three distinct ways she sees artists approach their marketing, and reframes marketing as something bigger than self-promotion. If you've ever built a plan and abandoned it by week two, this episode is the reset you need. Alyson reveals: Why routines stick when spreadsheets don't The three profiles most artists fall into — and why even the best one isn't ideal What marketing actually includes beyond self-promotion The foundation work that makes promotion pay off Why 30% more structure is enough to count as a win The two kinds of plans every working artist needs * ~ * YOUR ART MARKETING PLAN IS SEPTEMBER 10 * ~ * Get your plan at to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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The third path for artists that we aren't talking about (274)
08/13/2026
The third path for artists that we aren't talking about (274)
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield names three paths a serious artist can take — and makes the case for the one no one talks about. After more than two decades of teaching online, she's changing how she works with artists, shifting from multi-month courses to coaching groups and private consulting. She also announces The Third Path, a new group for artists staying in the work on their own terms. Alyson reveals: Why "ambitious" doesn't describe every serious artist What's changing at Art Biz Success after more than 20 years teaching online courses The three paths a serious artist can take Why the third path has never been modeled What The Third Path group is — and what it isn't Who it's for and how to get on the list *~ * THE THIRD PATH BEGINS IN OCTOBER * ~* if you’re interested in figuring it out with a group of other artists. Watch your inbox for her short set of questions. to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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You know what to do but you're not doing it: ADHD and your art business with Georgie Coote (273)
08/06/2026
You know what to do but you're not doing it: ADHD and your art business with Georgie Coote (273)
Many artists know exactly what they need to do to move their careers forward. They just aren't doing it. In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Georgie Coote, a National Board certified health and wellness coach who specializes in ADHD in adults, about what's often underneath that gap and why standard productivity advice tends to fail the people who need it most. Georgie reveals: Why so many artists know exactly what to do and don't do it The pattern behind late-in-life ADHD diagnoses in women What most productivity advice gets wrong for ADHD brains The difference between ADHD and ordinary overwhelm Where strategies fail and what helps instead . . . ✦ THE NEXT OPENING ✦ . . . small group coaching begins September 1. Get the details and apply at to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Only listen to this if you're an ambitious artist (272)
07/23/2026
Only listen to this if you're an ambitious artist (272)
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield makes the case that waiting isn't ambition — it's longing. She unpacks why so many artists organize their careers around a big break that rarely comes, names the three kinds of openings available to every artist, and offers a simple five-step cycle for building real momentum on your own terms. She covers: Why waiting has no relationship with ambition Why hustling isn't the alternative most artists think it is The 3 kinds of openings, and the one most underused What "building a career on someone else's schedule" actually costs you The 5 A's that turn intention into follow-through Why doing this alone is exhausting and often uninspired The Next Opening is a small coaching group for ambitious artists who are done waiting for the big break and ready to make their next move. A year of aiming, acting, assessing, adjusting, and doing it again, with support and accountability. Application only. Next cohort starts in September. to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Why nobody came to your art show (271)
07/02/2026
Why nobody came to your art show (271)
You worked hard to get your art on those walls. So when only a handful of people show up to the opening, it stings. In this episode, Alyson Stanfield looks at the most common reasons your supporters stayed home — and what you can do differently before your next show. In this episode: Why the 5-10 days before a show are too late to fix most attendance problems How a cold list can cost you the people most likely to show up Why you can't rely on the venue to bring people to your exhibition Why one or two social media posts won't cut it The power of a personal invitation and letting people know why the show matters to you Why sending one email isn't enough, and why your supporters will thank you for the reminder July 9 workshop: to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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The obvious salespeople you're not using (270)
06/25/2026
The obvious salespeople you're not using (270)
Host Alyson Stanfield makes the case that your best salespeople are already in your life, just waiting to be asked to help. This episode isn't just for artists with collectors. If anyone has ever responded enthusiastically to your work, it applies to you. Alyson reveals: Who counts as a potential advocate Why these people genuinely want to help Why the relationship has to come first How to make it easy with tools whether they are tangible, in-person events, or digital tools When and how to make the ask, and what it doesn’t look like If the follow-up is a weak link for you, join Alyson for . Read more, get links, and see featured artists on . to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Do you have too many income sources in your art business? (269)
06/18/2026
Do you have too many income sources in your art business? (269)
There are many ways for artists to make money, but more income sources don’t always lead to more income. In this episode, host Alyson Stanfield looks at the difference between an income source and an income stream—and why that distinction matters when you’re deciding what belongs in your art business. You’ll also hear about: Why adding a new income source can mean building a separate business The time, energy, marketing, and systems each source requires Why so-called passive income is a myth How to evaluate profitability, potential, and return on your time Questions to help you decide whether to add, keep, or let go of an income source The goal isn’t to have as many income sources as possible. It’s to understand what each one requires and decide whether it deserves a place in your art business. Read more and get links and resources on . to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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How curiosity and research deepen your studio practice (268)
06/11/2026
How curiosity and research deepen your studio practice (268)
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield makes the case that research is not an academic exercise. And it’s not separate from your art practice, but part of it. She encourages you to think of it as leading with curiosity, which strengthens the work and builds confidence. Alyson draws on her background as an art historian and her own current investigation into timelines to show what this actually looks like in practice. Alyson reveals: Why "I've always been drawn to this" isn't a good enough answer, and what happens when you push past it The difference between work that is beautiful and work that is about something Why you mustn’t research to find the right or best answer, and why you cannot rely on Google and AI for a true research practice How a serious inquiry practice changes your artist statement, collector conversations, and confidence in the work What it means to make curiosity a practice rather than a phase you move through before a project begins Read more and get links and resources on to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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How much time will your art career take? (267)
06/04/2026
How much time will your art career take? (267)
Every artist wants to know "how much time?" How much time on the business side, how much time making the work, and how long before any of it pays off. In this episode of The Art Biz host Alyson Stanfield gives straight answers to the two questions that matter — including a number you might not want to hear — and offer a better question to ask yourself instead. She covers: Why "how much time?" is the wrong question, and what to ask yourself instead The difference between your daily time and the longer stretch it takes to establish yourself Why willingness and commitment matter more than the number of hours you have How much of your working time goes to business and marketing when you're serious about income Why more success means more business, not less The timeframe to expect for the hard work to pay off and why steady work matters most Read more and get links and resources on to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Making a living from your art (266)
05/21/2026
Making a living from your art (266)
Making a living from your art takes more than passion and talent. In this solo episode, Alyson Stanfield walks through the real considerations — from committing to your studio practice to making friends with marketing — for artists who are serious about turning their practice into a livelihood. It starts with a question worth considering: is this really for you? In this episode, Alyson covers: Why marketing your art too early can undermine everything you're working toward The financial math many artists avoid, and why ignoring it is not an option The old stories that hold you back and what it means to let them go Why your artist community is a valuable asset The difference between being busy and being productive Structure is what makes creative freedom possible Why you need to make friends with marketing. Read more and get links and resources on to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Use the attraction method for art venues before you make the ask (265)
04/30/2026
Use the attraction method for art venues before you make the ask (265)
Venues aren't looking for artists who need them, they're looking for artists who are ready. Host Alyson Stanfield introduces the attraction method: a way of building genuine relationships with venues long before you ever make an ask. For alternative venues, the timeline from first contact to a yes can be weeks instead of years. In this episode, Alyson covers: Why readiness is more than finished work, and what signals to a venue that you're prepared How alternative venues operate on an entirely different timeline than galleries The research and in-person visit steps that show a space you're worth talking to What separates "Can I show my art here?" from an opener that actually starts a conversation Why consistent, genuine presence means venues sometimes do the asking before you do MENTIONED RELATED EPISODES to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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The artists who don't wait to be chosen (264)
04/23/2026
The artists who don't wait to be chosen (264)
You don't need a gallery to put your work in front of people. You don’t need to wait for the next juried show application just for the promise to compete with a hoard of other artists. In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield makes the case that waiting for gallery representation — or cycling through the same juried shows — keeps artists from the kind of visibility they could be creating themselves. This is a practical, imagination-expanding episode for artists who are ready to take control. In this episode, Alyson shares: Why "white walls" can be a metaphor for playing it too safe Three real art shows she attended that will stretch what you think is possible The lesson a hotel show taught her about personal invitations The difference between announcing, commanding, and inviting, and when to use each for promoting your show RESOURCES MENTIONED on-demand workshop (263) ? (article) BEYOND WHITE WALLS :: May 7 Workshop Your next exhibition space is closer than you think. Join Alyson on May 7 for Beyond White Walls, a 70-minute live workshop on finding and approaching non-traditional venues for your work. Registration is $37 and includes email templates, a companion guide, and the recording. Details at to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Why the Lone Artist Mindset Keeps You Small (263)
04/16/2026
Why the Lone Artist Mindset Keeps You Small (263)
In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield explores why collaboration is often the missing piece in an artist’s growth. While working alone feels easier, it can quietly limit what’s possible. This episode makes the case for thinking bigger by asking a simple but powerful question: Who else belongs in your work? Alyson shares: Two powerful examples of artist collaborations and how they reached audiences that the artists couldn’t have reached on their own How collaborations build accountability, momentum, and deeper work Why it’s important that your work be part of the larger dialogue What to look out for when collaborating RELATED EPISODES ON COLLABORATING (262) (183) (27) (30) (64) (86) (126) (128) to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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This Artist Turned Six Partnerships Into a Sold-Out Gallery Show with Meredith Nemirov (262)
04/09/2026
This Artist Turned Six Partnerships Into a Sold-Out Gallery Show with Meredith Nemirov (262)
Artist Meredith Nemirov joins host Alyson Stanfield to walk through how she built a rare sold-out show — not by luck, but by design. Starting with a short proposal to a national nonprofit before she ever approached her gallery, Meredith assembled six collaborators, two opening nights, and a donation structure that gave everyone a reason to say yes. Meredith reveals: Why she approached a national nonprofit before she walked into her own gallery The three options she gave American Rivers for the collaboration How the gallery staff went far beyond hanging the work, and why it mattered The missed opportunity she'd handle differently next time How having people depending on her changed what happened in the studio to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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What are you waiting for? The real costs of postponing strategic work in your art business (261)
03/26/2026
What are you waiting for? The real costs of postponing strategic work in your art business (261)
The daily work of running an art business always feels urgent. The strategic work doesn't. So it waits. But postponing that deeper evaluation isn't okay. In this solo episode, host Alyson Stanfield names five specific costs that accumulate when the strategic work keeps getting pushed to next month, next quarter, next year. In this episode: Why tactical delays and strategic delays are two different problems The question Alyson asks every client when a deadline feels far away What it means to leave money on the table, and why it's such an easy cost to ignore How unresolved strategic questions become a constant tax on your attention Why execution without direction is just activity What happens psychologically every day you don't begin the work you've been putting off Resources & links (258) (259) (260) to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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The Art Business Self-Assessment Every Artist Should Do (260)
03/19/2026
The Art Business Self-Assessment Every Artist Should Do (260)
My Art Business Assessment — Used with Every Client 50% In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield introduces the 3-zone framework she uses with every private client to assess where an art business actually stands. It's the same structure at the heart of the Art Business Reset workshop, and this episode is your chance to walk through it on your own. Alyson covers: The question she asks before any strategy conversation The 3 zones that account for everything you do to build your art business outside of making the work: Outreach, Presence, and Systems The breakdown of what each zone covers and questions to ask for your assessment Why you can’t neglect in-person networking and follow-up Mentioned (259) (258) to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Do You Have the Art Business You Actually Want? (259)
03/11/2026
Do You Have the Art Business You Actually Want? (259)
Most artists didn't design their art business — they drifted into it. In this solo episode, Art Biz host Alyson Stanfield invites you to slow down long enough to ask a question most artists never take time to ask: if you were starting fresh today, would you build it this way? In this episode, Alyson covers: Why most artists are running a business they drifted into rather than designed — and why that matters What a business model actually is (and why you already have one whether you designed it or not) The difference between examining your business and evaluating it, and why the order matters The foundational question she asks every new private client before anything else The six areas to examine when you're ready to take honest stock of what you've built Mentioned (258) (257) (251) to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term art career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Stop Being Busy, Start Being Strategic (258)
03/05/2026
Stop Being Busy, Start Being Strategic (258)
Being busy is boring. In episode 258 of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield makes the case that most artists are so deep in execution mode that they never step back to evaluate, redirect, or ask whether any of it is actually working. This episode draws a clear line between working IN your art business and working ON it, and explains why both matter, but one gets almost all of the attention. IN THIS EPISODE Why execution without direction is just activity, and what it costs you. The side-by-side difference between IN and ON work across four common artist tasks The two failure modes: too much IN (reactive, no filter) and too much ON (perfect systems, no execution) What working ON your business actually looks like in practice, including the questions to ask Why multi-year plans have lost their usefulness, and what to hold onto instead QUESTIONS TO ASK IN YOUR “ON” TIME What is actually working — and why? Is this still where I want to go — and why? What on my to-do list no longer serves me? What has the best potential for a long-term payoff? Where am I playing it too safe? How can I enjoy my art business even more? to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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When You Want to Sell More Original Art (257)
02/26/2026
When You Want to Sell More Original Art (257)
Selling products — giclées, pillows, aprons, notebooks — made sense when you started. But if you've been asking how to sell more original art and not getting traction, something may need to shift. Host Alyson Stanfield draws on her background as a museum curator and educator to explore what actually gets in the way and what to do about it. In this episode: Why the pivot to products is understandable, and when it starts working against you The fear that drives you away from leading with originals What collectors are actually buying when they choose to live with original art The screen equalization problem: why your $4,000 painting and your $40 print look identical online (and what to do about it) Two tactics for selling more original art Check out to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Healing Your Money Allergy with Hannah Cole (256)
02/12/2026
Healing Your Money Allergy with Hannah Cole (256)
Artist and tax advisor Hannah Cole knows firsthand how shame can poison an artist's relationship with money. When her dad's accountant asked "When are you gonna get a real job?" instead of helping her understand quarterly taxes, she experienced the dismissal that makes so many artists avoid financial conversations altogether. In this episode, host Alyson Stanfield and Hannah explore why artists develop allergies to money talk and what it takes to build confidence with your numbers. Hannah reveals: Why "when are you gonna get a real job?" creates a lasting money allergy How believing money corrupts prevents you from advocating for fair pay Her ritual for making bookkeeping feel like self-care instead of dread Why you must have a separate bank account for your art biz What losing 20 years of art in a hurricane revealed about capitalism and grief Connect with Hannah: to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Building Community Through Art: The Lights Out Model (255)
01/29/2026
Building Community Through Art: The Lights Out Model (255)
Daniel Sipe and Karlë Woods didn't set out to start an arts organization. They just wanted to talk to artists during the pandemic. Four years later, Lights Out has produced 95 artist documentaries, thrown 18 popup exhibitions across Maine, and built a funding model that includes everything from $10 monthly donors to six-figure state contracts. Their story, shared with host Alyson Stanfield, offers a masterclass in starting before you're ready, investing in what matters (yes, including marketing), and building something sustainable through collaboration rather than competition. They reveal: Why a power outage became the best thing that could have happened at their first art show The $800 investment that felt reckless at the time but proved essential to their credibility How they turned what could be seen as competition into their superpower The state contract that nearly bankrupted them before it saved them The simplest way artists can support arts organizations in their communities Connect with Lights Out to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Art World Gatekeeping Forces Artists to Compete with Damien Davis (254)
01/22/2026
Art World Gatekeeping Forces Artists to Compete with Damien Davis (254)
Damien Davis is a visual artist and writer who questions the art world's power structures from an artist's perspective. In this conversation with host Alyson Stanfield, he exposes the gatekeeping mechanisms—from application fees to institutional approval—that keep artists competing for artificially scarce opportunities instead of recognizing the abundance they could create together. Damien reveals: How learning business skills like grant writing and fundraising allowed him to stop waiting for gatekeepers and reclaim his studio practice Why he defines a successful artist as simply someone who keeps making art, regardless of galleries or institutional validation How barriers like application fees serve to keep artists competing for resources that should be abundant Why people at the center of the art ecosystem benefit from keeping artists in perpetual competition with each other How his writing exposes exploitation directly while his colorful sculptures draw viewers into uncomfortable conversations about erased histories Connect with Damien: to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you’d make a good guest on The Art Biz? The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
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Practicing Steady Confidence as an Artist (253)
01/08/2026
Practicing Steady Confidence as an Artist (253)
Host Alyson Stanfield reveals an uncomfortable truth in this solo episode: the problem isn't that you don't know enough. The real challenge is building the confidence to act on what you already know. After 23 years of teaching artists, Alyson has realized she's been contributing to information overwhelm when what artists actually need are practices that build steady confidence. In this episode, you'll discover: The five major confidence killers that derail your plans Six practical confidence-building practices you can start today Why your January plans typically fade by February How to close the gap between planning and execution The difference between accumulating knowledge and trusting yourself HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Alyson reflects on episode 251 and her realization about information overwhelm 01:00 The real problem isn't lack of knowledge—it's information overload 02:00 What typically happens to January plans by February 03:10 Three things that kill confidence: doubt, false beliefs, and comparison 04:10 How perfectionism is actually procrastination in disguise 05:30 The inner critic voices that keep you stuck 06:30 Learning from outside critics versus harsh feedback 07:20 Six practices for building steady confidence 13:00 The gap between planning and working your plan 14:30 Practice steady confidence this season SUGGESTED ACTION This week, start one confidence-building practice. Choose the one that resonates most: begin a daily wins list, create your "loved" file, write one affirmation, or commit to one self-care practice. You don't need to do all of them at once. Pick one and practice it consistently. RELATED EPISODES (251) (96) (24) To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit 🔶 For the first time, Essentials is available as a single season option—four months focused entirely on building steady confidence. Running through April, you'll get weekly practices, community support, and access to all learning modules when you need them. The planning workshop gives you the plan. The season gives you the practices to meet your goals. Learn more: The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes. HOW TO BE A GUEST Think you have a story to share with other artists here on The Art Biz. Take the first step ~~~~>
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