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
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: September, 2021

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/

Sep 30, 2021
Whenever you have multiple styles or subjects, you probably also have multiple audiences. This can also mean that you're essentially running multiple businesses. I'd never tell you not to do this, though I'd be tempted, because experimentation and play are such important parts of your life as an artist. But I will always caution you about the extra work involved. Today we're examining the work and reward that comes with working in multiple styles. In my conversation with Robin Maria Pedrero you’ll hear about the three different styles and subjects she paints. Robin has a very full art business, and she has joined the podcast to share her story about how she juggles her various styles of art and diverse audiences for her work. Highlights
  • Robin’s evolution into the artist she is today. (1:30)

  • Trying new things, making mistakes and moving forward. (7:05)

  • More styles means more audiences and more effort. How does Robin juggle it all? (13:34)

  • Track your inventory with tools that work. (16:49)

  • Robin’s approach to marketing on social media. (18:23)

  • Managing multiple Facebook groups and social media sites means creating more content, but Robin has a system for all of it. (26:36)

  • Robin’s tools for staying so productive with such a long to-do list. (31:09)

  • Lessons learned for successful print on demand. (35:45)

  • Robin’s simple approach to bookkeeping and connecting with buyers. (39:11)

  • The tools, assistance and move that are keeping Robin moving forward. (43:04)

  • A snapshot of Robin’s typical day. (45:39)

  • Providing excellent customer service is a major part of what the best artists do. (48:12)

  • Paper planner or electronic task list, and all Robin uses Artwork Archive for. (50:38)

  • What’s coming next in Robin’s very full art business. (52:45)

Mentioned

Resources

 

Guest Bio

Robin Maria Pedrero is an award-winning artist with work in museum permanent collections in Florida, Greece, public, corporate and private collections. Her abstract paintings are defined by layers of translucent color and overlapping forms, while her whimsical nature work, the paintings she calls “Joy Bringers,” is characterized by bold color and texture. Robin has had solo exhibitions at the Orlando Museum of Art and Lake County Museum of Art. More recently, Tamara Day of HGTV’s Bargain Mansion, has selected Pedrero’s artwork for that show. Pedrero creates from her studios in Frisco and McKinney Texas.

First posted: artbizsuccess.com/multiple-styles-pedrero-podcast

Sep 16, 2021
Does the thought of expanding your mailing list give you a headache? Do you constantly push tending your mailing list to the back burner because it feels like the least productive or enjoyable task on your lengthy to-do list? Your mailing list is your art business’s #1 marketing asset, but it’s absolutely useless if you aren’t using it and intent on growing it. Too many artists neglect their mailing lists simply because they don’t know the real power that it holds.

In this solo episode, you’ll hear a new definition for your mailing list that just might inspire you to give it your full attention again. You’ll learn about the five groups of people that need to be included in your list and how you should treat each of them. You will also hear about the upcoming Grow Your List program — our final program for 2021 that is designed to help you create a reliable system to attract new people to your list and nurture them in ways that can make a major difference in your art biz success.

Highlights

  • How important is your mailing list, really? (1:30)

  • Questions to ask yourself about your mailing list. (2:24)

  • Broadening your definition of a mailing list to include everyone you know. (3:12)

  • The five groups of people that need to be on your list. (4:44)

  • The hardest part about growing your mailing list — and what to do about it. (8:47)

  • How not to grow your mailing list, and what to do instead. (9:49)

  • Finding the fuel that will power the growth of your list. (14:24)

Resources

Quotes

  • “When clients aren’t getting good results I can often trace it back to the fact that they’re neglecting their lists.” — Alyson Stanfield

  • “Your mailing list is the number one asset in your art business, but only if you continue to develop it.” — Alyson Stanfield

  • “You have to treat everyone on your list well.” — Alyson Stanfield

  • “It’s not easy to get people on your email list right now, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.” — Alyson Stanfield

  • “Stop looking for shortcuts. Start doing the hard — and much more interesting — work of caring about people and connecting with them authentically.” — Alyson Stanfield

 

First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/people-on-your-list/

Grow your mailing list: https://artbizsuccess.com/growyourlist

Sep 9, 2021
Why do we make things so difficult for ourselves sometimes? We don't mean to. It's our nature to appreciate simple solutions that we can quickly grasp and execute.

I think we unnecessarily complicate our businesses because we lose focus. We get distracted by social media posts and emails. The next great invention makes it to our line of vision and we suddenly wonder how we ever did without it. And during this month while we're working on improving productivity, it's even more tempting to search for solutions outside of ourselves.

But the truth is, you probably already have everything you need to simplify your to-do list and increase your productivity. To help unpack this idea, I’m joined on this episode of The Art Biz by Amelia Furman, who says that her to-do list was out of control before she took charge and started eliminating obligations from her life. She tells us why simplifying has become a way of life for her; what exactly she has simplified; and how she schedules her days, weeks, months and even her year in a way that is more productive than ever.

Highlights

  • Amelia shares her artist's journey. (2:19)

  • The breaking point that revealed that Amelia’s to-do list was out of control. (4:53)

  • For Amelia, making big changes starts with a deliberate start to every day. (9:58)

  • Why is simplifying so important? (13:29)

  • Focusing on one goal or one word each year can help you recall what matters most. (15:05)

  • Setting boundaries and saying no helps Amelia reach her main goals. (22:00)

  • Doubling her gross income doesn’t mean that Amelia is doing more of everything. (24:17)

  • How to schedule your time in more productive ways. (26:08)

  • What does your ideal day look like? What about an ideal week or month? (29:45)

  • Bullet journaling, calendaring and planning your life. (35:32)

  • How to create a loose monthly flow that allows you to meet your goals. (37:38)

  • Simplifying, eliminating and focusing have increased Amelia’s productivity. (40:18)

  • The value of participating in a business owners group. (42:00)

  • Amelia’s advice for simplifying a complicated artist's life. (45:26)

  • A look at what is coming up next for Amelia. (46:30)

Mentioned

Resources

 

Quotes

  • “A to-do list can help you get all the things done, which is awesome until it’s the end all be all. Then it’s not awesome anymore.” — Amelia Furman

  • “Organizing what needed to happen for that day only really helped to focus in and start this journey toward simplicity.” — Amelia Furman

  • “Now I’m not saying yes to things just because I can do them. I’m saying yes to things based on my goal.” — Amelia Furman

  • “So much of this is being honest with myself about how much time something actually takes.” — Amelia Furman

  • “I have no further plan beyond each day, and that really helps me stay focused on that day and simplifies it so much in my mind.” — Amelia Furman

  • “Be brave and start taking stuff out.” — Amelia Furman

About My Guest

Amelia Furman grew up in rural, central Pennsylvania amidst pastoral scenes of farms, fields, and forests, and now calls Colorado home. Nature has captured her attention for as long as she can remember. Visual arts were also a dominant force in Amelia’s life from an early age. After graduating with a degree in visual art from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2003, Amelia began to explore how she could use paint to express her love of the natural world.

Amelia’s background in printmaking and illustration has heavily influenced the direction of her work. She works in a combination of paper collage, text and thin layers of acrylic paint. Using a selection of documents, vintage images, handwritten text, and symbols associated with the painted image, Amelia reminds the viewer that places and objects have many layers of meaning, memory, and beauty.

First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/simplifying-furman-podcast

Make a plan for your art business: https://artbizsuccess.com/planningsessions

Sep 2, 2021
Welcome to the 100th episode of The Art Biz! In this milestone episode, the tables are turned as I become the guest of host Cynthia Morris. Cynthia was one of the first guests on my second attempt at this podcast, and I have learned so much from her wit and wisdom. In our conversation, Cynthia is set on helping me not only celebrate this important milestone but also reflect on just how far this podcast has come and what it took to get it where it is today.

More than just a self-congratulatory episode, together we discuss the value of acknowledging your progress, however imperfect it may be. We share what it takes to do the work, create the content, and develop the tenacity that results in milestones worth celebrating.

Highlights

  • Why should you take time to celebrate milestones? (0:07)

  • Alyson reflects on the progress she has achieved at this milestone podcast episode 100. (2:16)

  • Fumbling your way toward success means just doing it! (6:04)

  • What helps Alyson maintain consistency in her content? (9:06)

  • The value of taking full responsibility for your commitments. (12:55)

  • Overcoming the challenges that might be holding you back. (16:32)

  • The systems that make podcasting a seamless part of Alyson’s life. (19:46)

  • Celebrating progress starts with reflecting on where you might be otherwise. (24:55)

  • The tools that Alyson uses to organize and produce this podcast. (27:23)

  • Celebrating milestones, developing key qualities and recognizing your progress. (32:41)

Mentioned

Resources

 

Quotes

  • “When we don't acknowledge the milestones, when we don't pause to savor and appreciate and see what we did that brought us there, we really lose out on a lot of the benefits that we've accrued in the course of making our way to that milestone.” — Cynthia Morris

  • “Every milestone shows you that you are making progress.” — Alyson Stanfield

  • “We've seen so many people sit on the sidelines of things because they haven't figured out the right way or the perfect way. And then they never do anything.” — Cynthia Morris

  • Your plan is going to be imperfect and you just may have to change it.” — Alyson Stanfield

  • “When you promise something to people you’re promising something to yourself.” — Alyson Stanfield

  • “You can’t make more money if you’re doing all the things that you’re not good at.” — Alyson Stanfield

  • “The more artists that I talk with, the more artists I'm able to help and the better advice or consulting or coaching I can give.” — Alyson Stanfield

  • “You’re not really living unless you’re learning.” — Cynthia Morris

About the Guest Host

Cynthia Morris helps writers, artists and entrepreneurs make their big dreams a powerful reality. Cynthia is a certified coach, teacher, author and artist. In 1999, she founded Original Impulse, a boutique coaching company that empowers creative people to focus, follow through and finish projects that matter.

The author of The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book, Cynthia has published seven e-books on writing and creative travel as well as the Paris historical novel, Chasing Sylvia Beach. She is a watercolor artist and visual journal keeper who uses art as a way to express joy and consistently access inspiration.

Follow Cynthia on Instagram.

First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/celebrating-achievements-podcast

Build your well-greased art biz machine: https://artbizsystem.com

 

1