Info

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.
RSS Feed
2024
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2023
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
April
March
February
January


2022
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2021
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2020
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
August
July
June
May
April
March
February


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
March
January


2016
December
October
September
August
July


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: August, 2019

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. https://ArtBizSuccess.com/podcasts/

Aug 29, 2019
In this bonus episode of the Art Biz Podcast, host Alyson Stanfield explores the word Success as it pertains to your art career and business. It’s a messy journey full of twists and turns. 

Alyson talks about: 

  • Why she hasn't been feeling successful lately.
  • What makes her feel successful.
  • The 3 ways most artists define success, and what each definition overlooks.
  • Stopping the comparisons. Artists are more creative than that.
  • Why we must start embracing success in much smaller increments.
  • Jeff Haden’s view that "The happier you are, the more successful you are."
  • What it means for you that success is repeatable and predictable.

Join the conversation using #ArtBizSuccess or tagging @alysonstanfield on Instagram.

RESOURCES

The Motivation Myth by Jeff Haden

The Summer Day by Mary Oliver

What makes you feel successful? Read the comments here.

How to Be More Successful and Lucky

The Art Career Success System

Aug 1, 2019
When I heard Sean VanderVliet mention the word “legacy,” I knew I had to talk with him. He thinks big and I like that. Check out episode 15 and  episode 19 for more on legacy.

Sean is the artist behind Fenway Clayworks based here in Denver, Colorado, and in just a few years he has created a brand and a buzz around his functional pottery. A number of Denver’s finest restaurants commission Sean for their signature dinnerware.

He wasn’t always a ceramic artist. For a number of years Sean worked in tech startups and even, with partners, started his own niche business for rock climbers. He has been able to translate the lessons he learned in those positions to his career as an artist.

Sean says that people work with him because they see his passion. Although 60% of his current business is from commissions, he makes work in his style. If you want something with a flower or aspen tree on it, look elsewhere. 

He enjoys immensely the collaboration with chefs and others, but he is also clear that not everyone is a customer. This is just one of the numerous business lessons in Sean’s story that are applicable regardless of the type of work you do.

After hearing his vision, you may want to start looking out for a Fenway Clayworks in your neighborhood. 

Our topics of discussion include: 

  • Sean’s background and how his childhood community influenced the work he does today.
  • Why he left his corporate job to be “part of something small” and how working at other companies has served him in his pottery business.
  • The business model he operates and the breakdown of his income streams - 60% wholesale dinnerware to restaurants in the Denver community, 20% wholesale to retailers, 20% direct retail sales.
  • How Sean’s confidence has grown, which has allowed for more success in his business. 
  • His commitment to his own design style. 
  • How Sean plans to scale his business and hire help to support his growth.
  • The role he’s assigned to social media and email (and Instagram as “the perfect platform for potters”).
  • Why he believes that people choose to work with him over other artists.
  • Sean’s dedication to educating and explaining his process and how this translates to pricing. And his realization that “not everyone is a customer, and that’s okay.” 
  • What’s next for Sean and his plan for an “experiential retail” space. 

Follow Sean on Instagram.

Music by Wildermiss

To leave a comment, see images, and read more, click here

** This episode of the podcast is sponsored by the Art Biz Mastermind Workshops. Join us live in Seattle on September 28-29, 2019. See http://artbizmastermind.com **

 

1