Do It For the Process: For The Artists by Emily Jeffords

I graduated from art school with zero clue how to sell a painting. None. So I went to the library, checked out this huge book on the creative industry, and started reading IRS tax codes as if they'd somehow explain my life to me. They, in fact, did not. 

What actually worked was slower and messier than that. I kept following whatever felt good, whatever sold, whatever made me a little bit happier, and years later those breadcrumbs turned into an actual path. 

That's what this episode is about. And it's also day one of Studio Growth Week, seven free days to help you grow your art business before the rest of the year gets busier. 

 Studio Growth Week (free): www.emilyjeffordslearn.com

Save your seat for the live workshop, Artist's Path to Success, Sept 15 at noon EST

Learn more about The Collective! 200+ lessons made for artists, 500 creatives already in there, plus monthly workshops, a book club, and genuinely good vibes.

To be clear, I did not step into a sustainable and profitable studio. No, no, no. Far from it. Welcome to a bit of my origin story. The season in my life when I was quite literally without options, I chose to rely on my art. And it worked. 

I've been talking quite a lot recently with people online about the notion that artists are starving and how that, quite literally, does not make sense. We're all out here making it and doing our best, and many of us are doing quite well! 

Part of the work I get to do is encourage and empower other artists to grow their studios through Making Art Work. Doors are open now!

Making Art Work is your companion to growing your own studio and undoing SO MANY of the limiting beliefs we are handed as artists. Painters can make money. Poets can make money. Photographers can make money. Designers and ceramicists and dancers and writers and weavers and… CREATIVITY IS INCREDIBLY abundant (when you know how to grow your studio).

Making Art Work opens 3.26 -- join the 9-week masterclass designed to help you grow your studio into a sustainable and profitable career. 

Share The Work is happening NOW! Join the live workshops each day at noon. Free classes, worksheets, and getting your heart and mind ready for GROWTH. 

Hot Take: Burnout is NOT a Rite of Passage. Artists do not need to experience burnout in order to create good work or grow a successful business, but so many of us do. Sadly. 

But many of us don’t know that until we experience it.

 

So learn from me instead!

In 2021, I had my BEST year in business ever ever ever. Like wow. But I also went into complete and total burnout (nervous system shutdown and all). The things that brought me out of that overwhelming space were mostly energetic shifts:
1. Progress is Quiet and Slow. It’s OK for things to take time. I can be gentle and productive. 👏👏
2. I MUST feel rewarded for my energy. This sometimes means $, sometimes means fun, or freedom, or making an impact… feeling like your work is giving abundantly is everything.
3. Space to PLAY. Artists need to feel free and light and whimsical. Care for yourself. Release some pressure every now and then. Perfectionism is so heavy to hold.
4. Say NO to things that don’t excite you. There’s nothing heroic about bypassing your boundaries. We’re doing things purely out of obligation.

If you’d like a little bit more of an energetic boost, please join me in Share the Work later this month! It’s a four-day FREE course. We’ll be talking live over zoom about growing a sustainable creative business & enjoyingggg this work.

Spoiler alert: YES. Of course we should make money! Don't get me ryled up again! I believe so firmly in Creative's ability to create energy around their work, sustain their physical needs, and support their dreams -- with their ART. 

Now let's discuss how, why, and HOW. ;) 

In this episode, I'm sharing three more fundamental habits that should be part of the way you see the world as a professional artist and creative person. Settle in, this is a good one. 

 

Get the Goal Setting Workbook + a notebook, tune in, and enjoy.

 

Also, join me on zoom Jan 9th at noon est for a live discussion about your dreams and goals! RSVP (or get the replay) for the Goal Setting WORKSHOP HERE.

Hi Artists, I'm so glad to be in 2026. Wow. What a ride 2025 was for all of us -- if you're here and excited about your creative work and feeling ready for the year, ENJOY IT! If you need a little extra nourishment and encouragement to keep going, you're not alone, and I hope this podcast can offer that to you. 

 

Today's episode it one of the VERY sweetest I've ever recorded. 

3 Habits (mindset shifts) that will sustain you through the year ahead, I am CERTAIN.

 

Get the Goal Setting Workbook + a notebook, tune in, and enjoy.

 

Also, join me on zoom Jan 7th or 9th at noon est for a live discussion about your dreams and goals! RSVP for the Goal Setting WORKSHOP HERE.