As an encourager, Alicia wants artists to go for it. She doesn’t believe in even considering a plan B in case the art thing doesn’t work out. She encourages artists to “find your people” because she knows what it’s like to be an artist and misunderstood by those closest to you. She found support in an online community filled with people who were making things and talking about business.
Even if you’re not a jewelry artist, I know you will be inspired by Alicia’s desire to continually improve her circumstances and grow her business. You especially won’t want to miss her insights into finding the right balance in your online presence. As she says, “You don’t need a lot of followers to make a lot of sales.”
Highlights
“I was always plotting for the next thing.” (2:44)
Alicia’s transition from FIT to in-demand jewelry artist. (10:56)
Finding the people who share your passion. (19:05)
The origin story of Lingua Nigra (24:48)
Alicia’s forgiving etching and molding processes. (28:50)
What is considered costume jewelry? (33:31)
Alicia encourages ambitious artists to just get started. (37:30)
Taking the first step toward your next big thing. (42:05)
Finding a mentor, a support group, and the right sales outlets for your business. (48:50)
Growing your studio and your team to match your big ideas. (52:30)
A look at what’s coming up next for Alicia. (57:36)
Mentioned
Sign up for the next Artist Planning Sessions May 10-13, 2022
Join Optimize Your Online Marketing starting May 26, 2022
Resources
Guest Bio
Alicia Goodwin is a Chicago based jeweler who specializes in adding unique textures to her sculptural jewelry. A graduate of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology., Alicia applies her knowledge of ancient techniques like reticulation and acid etching to her more contemporary designs.
Her love of complex ancient ceremonial jewelry created with minimal tools such as fire, sand and beeswax led her to truly admire the work produced throughout Mesoamerica and the African diaspora—influencing her own brand, Lingua Nigra.
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/next-opp-goodwin-podcast
For more than a year, Sara has been using tools like journaling and the Enneagram to discover more about herself and explore where she wants her work to go, and now she's looking for more. She knows there's a deeper level of fulfillment beyond posting and looking for sales online, so she has stepped back and reassessed. You'll hear Sara mention her upcoming solo show, which is part of a challenge that I issue to students in my seasonal programs. We also discuss why her Instagram strategy has changed and what her new approaches for Instagram and marketing in general.
Highlights
“I fell in love with making art all over again.” (2:00)
The value of finding a dedicated space for your art. (7:11)
The difference between Sara’s maximum and minimal art. (10:18)
Sara’s success on Instagram took off and quickly became overwhelming. (12:20)
When app demands take over making artwork. (18:55)
The evolution of Sara’s work since pulling back from Instagram. (24:07)
The process of self discovery through journaling, meditating, and the Enneagram. (28:01)
Details of Sara’s latest 100-piece collection. (32:00)
How Sara would have handled her initial success and systems differently. (34:49)
Sara’s modified Instagram presence and increased in-person collaborations. (39:47)
Sara’s typical work week and why she starts work at 11 AM. (46:32)
Mentioned
Resources
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/growing-schroeder-podcast
Guest Bio
Sara Schroeder is an abstract painter using gestural movement, intuitive marks, and saturated colors to convey energy and emotion. Works on canvas and paper feature drips, swipes, scratching, and subtraction methods, which build upon one another to form abstractions of nature. She finds inspiration in the potent hues of tropical plant life and the subdued pastel motifs of the Art Deco period preserved in Miami. Identifying with Kandinsky’s belief that color influences the soul, Sara's process incorporates the psychology of color, intuition, and chance.
Integrating into her work what psychotherapist Carl Rogers called “unconditional positive regard”, she aims to inspire rich revelations and encounters of the human spirit. Her works are held nationally and around the world in hundreds of private collections.
You are not alone.
It may seem like you are at times because you do so much work by yourself in the studio, but the art ecosystem is enormous and you are not alone. There are so many good people who are advocating on behalf of and supporting artists in their businesses and careers. I want you to know about these resources so that you can tap into them. They’re waiting for you.
In this episode of The Art Biz, I’m talking with Louise Martorano, the Executive Director at RedLine Contemporary Art Center in Denver, Colorado. RedLine is a nonprofit whose mission is to foster “education and engagement between artists and communities to create positive social change.” In many ways, RedLine behaves like a traditional arts council. But they’re far from it. Louise and I discuss their artist-in-residence program, affordable studio space, and how they collaborate with other art organizations in the U.S. and beyond.
Highlights
The history and mission of RedLine Contemporary Art Center. (1:45)
The local and global need for artist career support. (7:46)
Visual arts coalitions fill in the gaps of an artist’s career. (11:23)
The staff, budget, and $22 million re-granting programs at RedLine. (19:15)
Details on residencies, applications, and juried interviews. (25:18)
Open studio doors increase opportunities for artists. (32:03)
Commission opportunities, stipends, and other program benefits. (33:58)
How to find artist support programs in your community. (37:19)
Group meetings and other expectations of artist residents. (41:01)
Auditing relationships and leveraging your community. (45:45)
Mentioned
Resources
First posted: artbizsuccess.com/advocate-martorano-podcast
Quotes
“Artists are really expected to be all the departments in their career.” — Louise Martorano
“Artists’ careers can live and die on the relationships they build and the opportunities they have.” — Louise Martorano
“We’re trying to link arms with each other in Colorado to see if we can create a more seamless journey for artists as they gain traction and opportunity in their careers.” — Louise Martorano
“Talking about your work is like exercising a muscle. The more you do it, the more refined your language is.” — Louise Martorano
“Artists need to reevaluate who they know and who they’re connected to and see how they can use those arteries of opportunity.” — Louise Martorano
Guest Bio
Louise Martorano is the Executive Director of RedLine, a non-profit contemporary art center and residency located in Denver, Colorado. RedLine's mission is to foster education and engagement between artists and communities to create positive social change. Under Martorano’s leadership, RedLine has received the Denver Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts (2014 and 2015), the Greenway Foundation’s “Partner in Change” award, acknowledged by Denver Public Schools for excellence in community engagement, and has presented and organized over 100 exhibitions over the past 10 years.
Martorano holds a B.A. from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.H. from the University of Colorado, Denver with a focus in Contemporary Art History & Music. In 2017, she was awarded a Livingston Fellowship from the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation for promising nonprofit leaders who hold significant leadership roles in Colorado.