Art + Audience

In this episode, Stacie sits down with surface pattern designer, children's book illustrator, and educator Mel Armstrong. Mel shares how she transitioned from software engineering into surface pattern design, how a search for gender-neutral fabric while pregnant sparked an entirely new path, and why persistence mattered more than overnight success. The conversation also explores Mel's accidental entry into children's book illustration, the beauty of building a global online community for creatives, and the business lessons she learned the hard way. This episode is a refreshing reminder that creative careers are often built step by step with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to keep going.
Today on Art + Audience:
From Software Engineer to Surface Pattern Designer: Mel shares how a search for gender-neutral fabric during pregnancy led her to discover Spoonflower and ultimately transition into surface pattern design.

Building a Creative Career Slowly: Mel discusses growing her creative work gradually while raising children and balancing client work before going all-in on illustration and licensing.

Accidental Children's Book Illustrator: A publisher discovered one of Mel's fabric designs and invited her to illustrate a book. Launching a children's book career that now includes more than a dozen titles.

Understanding Book Royalties: Mel explains how advances, royalties, and library lending programs contribute to income for children's book illustrators.

Creating a Global Creative Community: Mel talks about how teaching on Skillshare unexpectedly grew into a thriving online community for surface pattern designers.

Learning the Business Side the Hard Way: Mel reflects on one of her biggest early mistakes, mismanaging the business and tax side of her creative career, and why business knowledge is essential for artists.

 
Connect with Mel Armstrong:
Website: melarmstrong.com

YouTube: @melarmstrong

 
Connect with Stacie Bloomfield:
Subscribe, Rate, and Review: Art + Audience Podcast

Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com

Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart 

Facebook: @LeverageYourArt

Pinterest: pinterest.com/leverageyourart

Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561

Get Stacie's book: The Artist's Side Hustle

In this episode, Stacie talks with Ben Taylor Paladino about how he built a festive, product based art brand from his Dallas watercolor studio into a thriving multi stream business. Known for his greeting cards, frosted cups, tea towels, custom ornaments, and a mahjong tile collaboration that put him on the map, Taylor shares how taking a year off from Stanford during COVID led him to sell at a local farmers market. That experience taught him the most important skill of all, how to confidently sell his art even as an introvert. Stacie and Taylor also dive into his wholesale growth, his powerful Christmas market strategy, and the operational decisions that allow him to offer thousands of designs without being buried in inventory.
Today on Art + Audience:
From Side Hustle to Seven Figures: How Taylor turned watercolor paintings into a multi seven figure product based business starting at a Dallas farmers market during COVID.

The Power of In Person Selling: Why committing to a full year of markets helped him refine his designs, learn to sell as an introvert, and build a loyal customer base.

The Mahjong Moment: How his collaboration with Oh My Mahjong expanded his reach and positioned his brand in a fast growing niche.

Wholesale vs Retail Reality: Taylor breaks down his revenue streams and why Christmas markets like the Nutcracker Market drive major profit in just a few days.

Scaling Smart with 6500 SKUs: How printing paper goods in house and using a print to order model keeps inventory lean while offering thousands of designs.

 
Connect with Taylor Paladino:
Website: taylorpaladino.com

Instagram: @taylor.paladino

 
Connect with Stacie Bloomfield:
Subscribe, Rate, and Review: Art + Audience Podcast

Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com

Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart 

Facebook: @LeverageYourArt

Pinterest: pinterest.com/leverageyourart

Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561

Get Stacie's book: The Artist's Side Hustle

Today, Stacie chats with illustrator, content creator, and multi-hyphenate entrepreneur Jess Miller. Known for her brand partnerships with names like Adobe and Casetify, Jess shares how she's built a thriving creative business by combining social media savvy with her love of art. From licensing deals and royalty checks to viral videos and a new coloring book, Jess walks us through her income streams, her biggest lessons learned, and how she keeps her studio sacred and stylish. Whether you're an artist looking to explore content creation or a seasoned illustrator rethinking your pricing, this conversation is full of actionable advice, inspiration, and honest reflection.
Today on Art + Audience:
From Art to Income: Jess explains how she earns through licensing, royalties, content creation, and brand partnerships, and how these streams work together.

Building a Following Online: She shares how consistently showing up during the pandemic helped her grow from zero followers to a thriving online presence.

Charging What You're Worth: Jess reflects on early mistakes with pricing and how she now structures her rates for both artwork and content.

Studio Setup and Workflow: From tripods and extra phones to keeping her creative space kid-free, Jess offers a look behind the scenes of her daily process.

Sharing to Empower: Jess talks about why she shares her income breakdowns each year and how having multiple income streams gives her flexibility and stability.

 
Connect with Jess Miller:
Website: jessmillerdraws.com

Instagram: @jessmillerdraws

 
Connect with Stacie Bloomfield:
Subscribe, Rate, and Review: Art + Audience Podcast

Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com

Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart 

Facebook: @LeverageYourArt

Pinterest: pinterest.com/leverageyourart

Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561

Get Stacie's book: The Artist's Side Hustle

In this data-packed episode, Stacie sits down with Shannon McNab, a surface designer, educator, and the creator of the annual Surface Design Industry Survey. Drawing from six years of research and thousands of responses, Shannon shares real insights into income trends, shifts in licensing, and the evolving paths artists are taking in today's creative economy. This conversation is equal parts truth-telling and encouragement, giving artists a transparent look at what's possible and what's changing when building a sustainable creative business.
Today on Art + Audience:
Data Over Promises: Why artists need real numbers and clear benchmarks to make confident decisions in their creative careers.

Income Trends: A look at what's increasing and what's declining in artist income, with insights drawn from current industry data.

Part-Time Artists: Why more creatives are pursuing art alongside other work, and what the data reveals about the income potential of side hustles.

Top Earning Opportunities: The most profitable income streams for artists today and why some income paths are worth revisiting.

Print-on-Demand and Products: What is shifting in the world of POD and physical products, and how artists are adapting to these changes.

Longevity Pays Off: Why artists who stay committed for six years or more tend to see higher income and opportunity over time.




Connect with Shannon McNab:
Website: shannonmcnab.com

Instagram: @smcnabstudio

Download the 2025 Surface Design Industry Survey Report at sketchdesignrepeat.thrivecart.com/2025-surface-design-industry-survey/

 
Connect with Stacie Bloomfield:
Subscribe, Rate, and Review: Art + Audience Podcast

Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com

Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart 

Facebook: @ShopGingiber

Pinterest: pinterest.com/gingiber

Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561

Get Stacie's book: The Artist's Side Hustle

In this refreshingly honest episode, Stacie is joined by fine artist Vanessa Piche (pronounced "cliché") for a raw conversation about what it feels like to start over again. Vanessa opens up about her unexpected move from a thriving art career in Rhode Island to rural Indiana, and the challenges of rebuilding her audience from scratch in an increasingly unpredictable online landscape. Together, Stacie and Vanessa reflect on what's not working anymore in creative business. This episode is a candid exploration of transition, vulnerability, and resilience. If you've been feeling lost or like you're shouting into the digital void, this conversation is for you.
Today on Art + Audience:
Vanessa's Journey: From art markets and a brick-and-mortar shop in Rhode Island to life on a farm in Indiana with chickens, horses, and a whole new creative landscape.

Starting Over: What it really feels like to lose a built-in audience and begin again from zero, and why Vanessa isn't giving up.

The Online Shift: A candid look at why platforms like Instagram aren't working the way they used to, and how creators are scrambling to find what will work.

TikTok and Trust: The only place where Stacie and Vanessa are seeing any real organic growth, and how they're experimenting with it.

Return to In-Person: How in-person events might be the next pivot, and why some of the most meaningful connections (and repeat buyers) still happen face-to-face.




Connect with Vanessa Piche:
Website: vanessapiche.com

Instagram: @vanessapiche




Connect with Stacie Bloomfield:
Subscribe, Rate, and Review: Art + Audience Podcast

Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com

Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart 

Facebook: @ShopGingiber

Pinterest: pinterest.com/gingiber

Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561

Get Stacie's book: The Artist's Side Hustle