The Art Biz

• Strategic Growth, Collector Relationships, and Costly Lessons with James Corwin (232)

  Wildlife artist James Corwin has built a thriving art business by putting his originals first—and building everything else around them. In this episode of The Art Biz, he talks with host Alyson Stanfield about how he strategically developed multiple income streams through prints, commissions, and galleries, all while prioritizing his painting time. James shares the mindset shift that helped him focus, the failures that taught him the most, and why nurturing collector relationships is a cornerstone of his success. His perspective as both an artist and gallery owner offers valuable insight for anyone seeking representation—or thinking about opening their own space. Plus, he reveals how he handles marketing, team-building, and staying connected to buyers in a way that’s rare, but powerful. Highlights 02:00 – James’s start and finding his niche 07:00 – Focusing the business and saying no 13:00 – Early business experience and multiple revenue streams 20:00 – Print systems, marketing, and building a team 23:00 – Strategic growth and personal planning 28:00 – How James actually plans and thinks while painting 31:00 – Major failures: financial loss and Aspen gallery stress 36:00 – Representing artists and running a gallery 39:00 – Advice on gallery representation 43:00 – Building collector relationships 48:00 – Teaching, online academy, and omnipresence 52:00 – Business books/podcasts and what’s next 🎧 RELATED EPISODES These episodes discuss multiple income streams for the artists: Expanding Your Skillset to Respond to Opportunities with Detour (ep. 128) Juggling Multiple Art Styles and Audiences with Robin Maria Pedrero (ep. 103) Beyond Comparison and Jealousy with Jason Kotecki (ep. 191) Transform Your Creative Ideas into Multiple Income Streams: Helen Hiebert (ep. 18) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/growth-corwin ⭐️ Connect with James and see more of his art: https://jamescorwin.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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• What You're Not Doing: 7 Mistakes Artists Make (231)

  The biggest mistakes artists make aren’t about doing the wrong things—they’re about doing nothing at all. Avoidance. Waiting. Hoping something will change on its own. In this solo episode, host Alyson Stanfield revisits and reframes one of her most popular articles, updated with a decade of insight and experience. These are not dramatic failures, but subtle patterns of inaction that can quietly keep your art business stuck. Alyson shares 7 common mistakes, grouped into 3 themes: Mindset. Connection. Structure. Each is paired with a powerful inquiry to help you take honest inventory—and move forward with more awareness. HIGHLIGHTS 03:00 What do you want from your art? 05:00 There’s no magical moment when you feel ready. 06:45 Real artists don’t have to promote their work? 08:00 There are doors you don’t even know exist. 10:55 Templates, contracts, follow-up—none of it is optional. 12:50 Your art might be amazing, but does the presentation match? 15:00 These aren’t failures—they’re invitations. 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/biggest-mistakes-artists-make/ 🔶 My Essentials for Artist Success comprehensive biz-building program can give you the guidance and support for correcting (or avoiding) all of these mistakes. See Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 ⛰️ 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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• Creating Artist-Centered Opportunities with Jennifer Steck (230)

  A retired police captain turned artist, Jennifer Steck realized she didn’t have to wait for opportunities to come to her—she could create them. Seeing a gap in what was available for artists to sell their work, Jennifer founded Artburst Studios, an online gallery that’s part pop-up show and part community hub for artists. She had zero experience running a gallery, but that didn’t stop her. Armed with curiosity, a clear vision, and plenty of determination, Jennifer (at the time of this recording) has helped over 80 artists sell more than $174,000 of art in just a few years. In this episode, she shares how a simple idea (and a lot of spreadsheets!) grew into a platform connecting artists with buyers and each other. In this conversation, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Jennifer about: Her “aha” moment as a new artist that inspired an artist-centered online gallery. The key qualities Jennifer looks for (like clarity, consistency, and an active practice) when reviewing an artist’s online presence—and what might make her pass. Why community and collaboration are baked into the Artburst model, and how they benefit every artist involved. Strategies for overcoming artists’ reluctance to promote their work and engage their audiences. How fear, perfectionism, and overthinking can sabotage art sales—and ways to avoid these common pitfalls. ⌛️ HIGHLIGHTS 00:35 Meet Jennifer Steck – From police captain to artist entrepreneur. 06:00 The “aha” moment – How a Facebook art auction sparked the idea for Artburst Studios. 10:30 Running a virtual art show – Artburst’s short pop-up exhibitions and the importance of artists actively promoting their work. 13:45 Emphasizing community – Encouraging artists to support one another and provide great experiences for their buyers. 16:00 Choosing the right artists – What Jennifer looks for online (and the red flags that make her say “no thanks”). 22:10 Personal touch in sales – How Artburst handles sales and gets artists directly connected with their buyers. 26:30 Why artists resist marketing – Understanding the stigma around self-promotion and how Jennifer helps artists move past it. 35:00 Conquering common mindset blocks – Tackling fear of exposure, perfectionism, and “analysis paralysis” that can hold artists back. 40:00 Looking ahead – Jennifer’s plans to launch the Artburst Boutique for smaller, more frequent art shows. 44:00 Final encouragement – An open invitation for artists to get involved, and why showing up (like attending shows) is so important before seeking opportunities. 🎧 RELATED EPISODES Not All Online Galleries are Created Equal with Alex Farkas (ep. 132) Presenting Yourself Professionally on Your Artist Website with Jessica Burko (ep. 174) Selling Directly to Collectors at Open Studios with Jeff Schaller (ep. 195) 📖 To read and see more visit https://artbizsuccess.com/artburst-steck ⭐️ Connect with Jennifer and see what she’s up to at ArtburstStudios.com and see her art at JenniferSteck.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 ! ~ ~ At Art Biz Success and on this show, we believe in DEI. 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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• The Awesome Responsibility of Titling Your Art with Fran Gardner (229)

  What if titling your art is actually part of your creative practice? One that helps you better understand your work, connect with your audience, and prepare your art for life beyond the studio? That’s the beautiful perspective offered by artist and writing consultant Fran Gardner. In this episode, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Fran to explore the idea that titles aren’t just labels—they’re bridges. They link your creative intention to the viewer’s experience and give your work a voice when you’re not there to speak for it. Fran shares her own turning point with titling, walks us through her thoughtful process, and explains why she believes writing—especially titling—is part of every professional artist’s responsibility. 00:00 – Why titling your artwork is an act of creative responsibility 03:45 – The emotional and symbolic power a title carries 07:50 – Fran’s turning point: when numbering her work wasn’t enough 13:55 – A step-by-step process for discovering the right title 20:50 – How titling deepens your understanding of your own work 24:00 – Balancing personal expression with professional presentation 32:10 – The essential role of writing in every artist’s practice 40:15 – Titles as bridges between the art, the artist, and the audience 📖 To read more, find links, and connect with Alyson, see The Art Biz ep. 229.   ⭐️ Read about Fran, grab her book, and see more of her art: https://frangardnerart.com   🆓 🖨️ Writing and talking about your art can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re staring at a blank screen. That’s where Studio to Spotlight comes in. This free download includes 28 thoughtful prompts designed to get you writing, reflecting, and sharing more confidently about your work. Download From Studio to Spotlight.   🔶 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.   🎧 RELATED EPISODES You can’t go wrong with these additional episodes about writing for expanding your creativity and your art business: Fostering Clarity and Confidence Through Writing with Samantha Clark (211) Writing on Substack Can Be Integral to Your Creative Process with Ann Balaam Miller (210) Guidelines for Your Artist Statement (50) ⛰️ 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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• 22 Tactics to Thoughtfully Invite People to Visit Your Art Website (228)

  It’s easy to assume that people will visit your artist website once it’s built. But websites don’t always attract attention on their own. You have to give people reasons to show up. In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield shares 11 simple, low-effort strategies to guide more people to your site—plus a way to download the full list of 22 ideas. These are real, artist-friendly actions that work in the background of your art business to increase traffic over time. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why waiting for people to discover your website isn’t a strategy 11 proven ways to increase site traffic—most of them free How small tweaks to your emails and profiles can make a big impact Why showing up in community spaces can lead people back to your site Where to get the full download with all 22 ideas   🎧 RELATED EPISODES Presenting Yourself Professionally on Your Artist Website with Jessica Burko (174) Technology Is Your Colleague in the Studio with Iris Scott (ep. 203) What Artists Need to Know About SEO with Meg Casebolt (222) 📖 To read more and get the other 11 tips and the download, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/website-traffic   🔶 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.

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