The Art Biz

• The Strategic Artist: Zero Debt Art Degrees with Stephanie Brown (247)

  Too many artists graduate from art school with crushing debt and then spend years figuring out how to make money while trying to maintain a studio practice. Stephanie Brown did the opposite. She graduated from a private art school debt-free, secured a fully funded MFA, and has been treating her art career like a business from day one. In this conversation with host Alyson Stanfield, Stephanie breaks down exactly how she did it, and why being strategic about money doesn't make you any less of an artist. 🔦 HIGHLIGHTS 02:00 Why interactive art transforms viewers into participants and creates lasting memory points—and how Stephanie intentionally studied education theory to understand this 06:40 How she graduated from a private art school (SCAD) debt-free by maximizing scholarships and strategically taking general education classes at community college 09:40 Why she only applied to fully funded MFA programs and what made University of Michigan's program worth it 16:30 The best advice Stephanie received about graduate school: only go when you know what you want to say to the world as an artist 23:10 How watching her mother's creative side hustles shaped her belief that artists can make money from their work 24:40 The rules she set for herself (one residency, two exhibitions per year) to ensure she could always say "I'm an exhibiting artist" 31:10 Why working from home during the pandemic was the unlock that gave Stephanie energy and time for serious studio practice 33:20 The transferable skills from her art practice (managing budgets up to $50,000) that landed her higher-paying jobs in project management and business operations 🚀 YOUR ACTION Create your own non-negotiable parameters for your art practice. Stephanie's are at least one residency and two exhibitions per year. What would your rules be? 🎧 RELATED EPISODES She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be with Kelly Pelfrey (162) Being an Artist with Geoffrey Gorman (124) Starting Your Art Career (173) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/debt-free-brown ⭐️ Connect with Stephanie and see more of her art: https://stephaniebphotos.com 🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶  full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention. ⛰️ 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/  

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• Are You Undermining Your Art's Value? (246)

  Your art doesn't exist in a vacuum. Where and how you show your work shapes how people perceive its value before they even look closely at the piece itself. The venue, the lighting, the labels, the other work nearby—all of it sends signals about whether your art should be taken seriously. In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield explores what falls within your control and what doesn't, and why understanding that difference can transform how collectors see you and your work. She encourages you to vet opportunities before committing, establish non-negotiables to establish for yourself, and move strategically toward increasingly prestigious venues rather than staying comfortable with familiar options. Whether you're just starting out or you've been showing for years, you'll learn how to raise your standards and make choices that honor the work you've put into your art. HIGHLIGHTS 00:30 A gallery story that reveals how presentation can undermine even the most exquisite artwork 02:50 Joshua Bell's subway experiment and what it reveals about context over content 04:20 What you can't control after committing: organizers' behavior, placement, promotion, and who else is in the show 06:00 The power of vetting opportunities before you say yes: research methods and setting non-negotiables 09:00 Moving strategically to increasingly prestigious venues rather than staying comfortable 11:40 Being selective even when starting out: choosing the best option available at your career stage 🚀 YOUR ACTION Audit your current opportunities through this lens. For each place you're showing or planning to show, ask yourself: Does this venue's reputation support my prices and goals? Will being here make collectors take me more seriously? What can I control about how my work is presented? And if you can't control key elements, is this opportunity still worth it? 🎧 RELATED EPISODES Seeking Validation and Earning Credibility as an Artist (129) How One Curator Works with Artists at a Regional Art Center with Collin Parson (116) Lessons from a Wildly Successful Pop-up Art Gallery Event with Mai Wyn Schantz (109) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/undermining-value 🔶 Context shapes perception. It's why galleries are selective about their roster and why collectors pay attention to provenance. If you want to command higher prices, context matters enormously. In Elevate Your Art, Alyson covers numerous strategies for increasing the perceived value of your work and being strategic about where and how you show. This is just one of them. The live session on November 18th, with on demand training available afterward. Visit artbizsuccess.com/elevate for all the details. ⛰️ 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/  

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• Strategic Networking and Visibility Beyond Art World Centers with La Vaughn Belle (245)

  host: Alyson Stanfield La Vaughn Belle is a visual artist based in St. Croix whose interdisciplinary practice explores colonial histories and Caribbean identity. Host Alyson Stanfield talks with La Vaughn about building a thriving art career outside traditional art centers through strategic networking, intentional collaboration, and the bold decision to hire a publicist for her monument project I Am Queen Mary. La Vaughn reveals How she built strategic networks that expanded her reach beyond her local community Why collaboration with people outside her discipline opened unexpected doors The power of consistent newsletter practice and following up with genuine curiosity How she hired a publicist for her monument project and landed coverage in The New York Times, Guardian, and Time Magazine Why separating your work (obra) from your career (carrera) requires different strategies How dedicating 20 studio hours per week transformed her practice HIGHLIGHTS 01:30 How living in the Caribbean has shaped La Vaughn's cosmopolitan perspective as an artist 06:40 How La Vaughn's work explores colonial histories through material remnants and storm metaphors 09:00 The three key practices La Vaughn built to develop her reputation outside St. Croix 10:30 What La Vaughn looks for in collaboration and how working with non-artists sharpens her practice 17:00 How people find La Vaughn for collaborations and the importance of a strong website 20:10 La Vaughn's consistent newsletter practice and how she asks permission to add people to her list 23:40 Why La Vaughn's friend insisted she hire a publicist and how she overcame her resistance 26:30 Describing the two-and-a-half-story sculpture that combined coral stones and a reimagined Huey P. Newton image 33:30 How La Vaughn dove into her practice after the media attention died down 38:40 Using affirmations and strategic positioning to attract the right gallerist 43:20 The difference between obra (work) and carrera (career) that La Vaughn learned in Cuba 46:40 Why committing to 20 studio hours per week is essential for competing at an international level 🚀 YOUR ACTION Pick one relationship you already have—maybe someone who expressed interest in your work, a curator you met once, or an artist in a different discipline—and reach out this week. Not with an ask, but with genuine curiosity. Invite them for a coffee chat or Zoom conversation and see where it takes you. 🔶 Map out your follower's full journey from discovery to purchase: Follower —> Fan —>Buyer —> Collector. Learn how people find your art, engage with it, build trust over time, and buy when they're ready. $97 (podcast listeners can save $20 with promo code PODCAST20) Sign up now at ArtBizSuccess.com/f2c 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/visibility-belle ⭐️ Connect with La Vaughn and see more of her art: https://www.lavaughnbelle.com/ 🎧 RELATED EPISODES Boldly Reaching Out to Art World Influencers with Laurence de Valmy (108) Lessons from a Wildly Successful Pop-up Art Gallery Event with Mai Wyn Schantz (109) Overcoming Anxiety about Making Art World Connections with Heather Beardsley (160) ⛰️ 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/  

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• Mutual Respect Between Artists and Galleries with Katherine Hébert (244)

  Working with a gallery means putting your art, reputation, and trust in someone else's hands. That relationship can be transformative (or tense) depending on how it's managed on either side. In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Katherine Hébert, founder of Gallery Fuel, which helps small and mid-size galleries strengthen their businesses. Katherine has seen both sides of the artist–gallery dynamic and knows what helps these relationships thrive: communication, transparency, and mutual respect. You'll hear: What mutual respect between artists and galleries looks like. How to establish trust early in the relationship. Why open communication prevents power imbalances throughout the evolution of the relationship. What "trust signals" artists send through professionalism and follow-through. The role of regular check-ins and collaborative planning. HIGHLIGHTS 00:40 Katherine shares her journey from art history to founding Gallery Fuel. 05:00 Why she focuses on small and mid-size "Main Street" galleries. 07:00 What genuine trust between artists and galleries means, and how to establish it through clear communication. 11:10 How galleries can assess fit before signing artists. 13:00 The professionalism cues (or "trust signals") artists send to galleries. 15:40 Empowering artists to ask questions and clarify expectations. 20:00 Why regular communication and quarterly check-ins matter. 28:20 Contracts as a foundation for mutual respect and protection. 34:00 How younger collectors are changing the gallery landscape. 41:40 Creative experiences galleries can offer to build connection. 46:20 Alyson's closing thoughts: take what you've learned and put it into action. 🚀 YOUR ACTION Reach out to one of your professional contacts this week—whether it's a gallerist, curator, or collector. Share a quick update, ask a question, or simply check in. Every thoughtful message builds the trust that keeps relationships strong. 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/respect-hebert ⭐️ Connect with Katherine: https://galleryfuel.com 🎧 RELATED EPISODES Qualities Galleries Are Looking For in Their Artists with Jeremy Tessmer (123) The Investing Artist: Art, Real Estate, and Legacy with Mary Erickson (19) Why I Want Partnerships with Art Galleries with Evita Tezeno (175) What Galleries Want: Preparing Your Art and Yourself with Gabba Gallery (226) 🔶 Map out your follower's full journey from discovery to purchase: Follower —> Fan —>Buyer —> Collector. Learn how people find your art, engage with it, build trust over time, and buy when they're ready. $97 (podcast listeners can save $20 with promo code PODCAST20) Sign up now at ArtBizSuccess.com/f2c ⛰️ 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/  

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• What to Do With 400 Paintings: Artist Legacy and Economic Reality with Alissa Quart (243)

  When Alissa Quart's 90-year-old mother received a terminal diagnosis, she faced a daunting question: what to do with 400 paintings created over three decades. Her solution was unconventional, distributing the work directly to neighbors, friends, and anyone who wanted to live with her mother's art. The story she shares with host Alyson Stanfield touches on something much larger: what artists actually need to sustain their practice and how we think about legacy when the traditional art world isn't an option. You'll learn: How to approach inventorying and distributing an artist's work when they can no longer do it themselves Why affordable housing is critical infrastructure for artists and what happens when creative communities are priced out The legal and economic barriers that prevent cities from supporting working artists How one New York Times article elevated an artist's work in ways decades of painting couldn't When to stop building an artist's legacy and how to set boundaries around the work HIGHLIGHTS 01:30 Barbara Quart's journey from East Village bohemian to 30 years of daily painting  05:40 The horror story that sparked a mission to honor her mother's wishes 08:20 Looking for external validation through local gallery shows in the Berkshires 10:40 The circumstances that allowed 30 years of sustained art practice 12:50 Why artists need community, not just queen bees but worker ants too 14:40 Legal barriers that restrict housing developments for artists 17:00 How art production creates billions in economic activity 23:10 Starting with an inventory and creating a catalog system 26:30 Women who inherit their husband's art and sacrifice their own lives 29:20 The art destruction party where artists let go of their work 34:10 How one piece in the New York Times changed everything 38:10 Barbara started painting again after the article's positive response 42:00 Collective joy and questioning the myth of individualism 44:00 The promise that consciousness can persist beyond the hand that picked up the brush 🎧 RELATED EPISODES Spotlighting Artists Who Bloom Later in Life with Janice Mason Steves (181) Proactively Planning Your Art Legacy with Heather K. Powers (143) Confronting Your Professional Legacy with David Paul Bayles (15) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/quart-legacy ⭐️ Connect with Alissa: https://alissaquart.com Learn more about and support the Economic Hardship Reporting Project: https://economichardship.org Follow Barbara Quart's art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbaraquartpainter/ 🔶 Map out your follower's full journey from discovery to purchase: Follower —> Fan —>Buyer —> Collector. Learn how people find your art, engage with it, build trust over time, and buy when they're ready. $97 (podcast listeners can save $20 with promo code PODCAST20) Sign up now at ArtBizSuccess.com/f2c ⛰️ 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/  

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