This week’s episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m giving you the honest talk I wish someone had given me earlier. We’re covering the habits that quietly hold artists back—like hiding behind tools, blaming the algorithm, or constantly switching directions before giving anything a real shot.

I break down why obsessing over your weak spots can keep you from becoming known for your strengths, why marketing isn’t optional if you want paid opportunities, and why someone less talented might be earning more simply because they show up consistently. We’ll also talk about the discomfort of being seen online, the discipline it takes to stick with something long enough to see real progress, and how investing in quality—whether that’s materials, education, or mentorship—can fast-track your growth.

This episode might sting a little, but if you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building traction, it’s exactly what you need.

This week’s episode of the Artist Academy Podcast is for my fellow Type B artists… and it might make a Type A listener clutch their planner.  

After hosting a mural meetup in Costa Rica, I realized just how differently artists operate—some plan every detail, and some (hi, it’s me) make decisions in real time, right there on the wall.

I’m sharing the “Type B” habits that keep my mural business moving: staying flexible when clients change their minds, why my contract protects my creative freedom, how I handle deposits (or don’t), and the systems I do use so I can still wing it without chaos. If you’ve ever felt “too messy” or “not organized enough” to run a real art business—this one’s for you.

In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m sharing one of the biggest shifts that’s changed the way I run my creative business: batching.

From sketching and painting to marketing, admin, and even studio cleanups, batching has helped me stay consistent, protect my energy, and actually get the things done that artists tend to put off. I’m breaking down what I batch weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly, with real examples of how grouping similar tasks together saves time, mental energy, and decision fatigue.

We’ll talk about why constantly jumping between different headspaces doesn’t work, how to batch creative work without killing your creative flow, and how batching content, promotions, and business tasks can make your life feel lighter instead of more overwhelming.

This episode will help you simplify your process, stay focused, and finally clear some space on your to-do list.

As we enter the month of love, I have a little Valentine’s present for you — join Artist Academy for just $1!

Whether we’re selling ourselves on a dating app or selling our art on social media, at the end of the day we’re all people connecting with other people who might want what we have to offer.

In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I break down the surprising similarities between dating and marketing your art—first impressions, confidence, response time, storytelling, and knowing when something simply isn’t the right fit. I share practical advice on presenting your work online, responding to inquiries clearly and quickly, and telling stories that make your art memorable.

At its core, this episode is about confidence, self-respect, and connection. We’re not marketing to algorithms—we’re connecting with people. If you’re ready to show up with more clarity and trust in your art business, this one’s for you.

Click HERE to join

In this episode of the Artist Academy podcast, I have a conversation with artist and educator Josie Lewis about what it really takes to build a sustainable art career over the long term.

We talk about balancing large-scale commissions, selling work online, and teaching—while navigating fear, failure, focus, and constant decision-making. Josie shares why there’s no magic formula for success, how action creates clarity, and why learning to be okay with getting it wrong is part of staying in the game as an artist.

This episode also explores social media as a tool, intentional pricing, adapting when styles or trends shift, and trusting what Josie calls the “living path”—taking the next step before everything feels certain.

At its core, this conversation is about resilience, hope, and making art in a world that often feels heavy, while still building something sustainable and real.

In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m sitting down with Patrick Walgamott, an Artist Academy student who recently quit his day job to become a full-time artist.

I’ve watched Patrick’s journey for years — from getting back into painting through pet portraits to slowly building income through murals, commissions, and paint parties while working a physically demanding job. Like so many artists, he thought it would happen faster… and like most of us, it took longer than expected.

We talk about what finally pushed him to take the leap, how he handled the fear around money and stability, and why consistency and local marketing played a huge role in making it work. Patrick shares real numbers, real doubts, and the mindset shift that helped him commit fully — even without everything perfectly lined up.

If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to quit your day job, this episode will help you see what’s actually possible when you decide to go all in.

In this episode of the Artist Academy podcast, I sit down with Lennon Bone, founder of Stop the Starving Artist, to talk about why connecting with people matters more than perfect content or clever marketing.

We explore how storytelling, values, and real human experience help audiences connect with art, why fear of judgment keeps artists stuck, and how reframing marketing as an exchange—rather than manipulation—can change everything. If you’ve ever struggled with sharing your story or felt uncomfortable selling your work, this conversation will help you approach both with more clarity and confidence.

This is the last week to join Mural Money Bootcamp!

If you want a breakdown of my profit/expenses and a look into my Quickbooks, join us next week inside the Artist Academy Facebook group for a video walkthrough of exactly how I calculate my taxes, how much I spent on supplies, hiring, etc.

Join Mural Money Bootcamp

Let’s start the new year with a goal… what’s yours? In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m talking about setting big, exciting goals for the year ahead—and more importantly, how to break them down so they actually feel doable instead of overwhelming.
I share how I think about long-term income goals for artists, why I like working in phases, and what really moves the needle when it comes to hitting big numbers.

Let’s Talk Goals as a Muralist…
Instead of one massive, intimidating number, I like to think in stages:

$20K – Year 1

$50K – Year 2

$100K – Year 3

Take your big, almost-out-of-reach yearly goal and divide it into three for the first 100 days.

Money goals are fun… but action goals get results.

My Action Goals for the First 100 Days

Create something every single day

Share my creations, life, and process 4x per week

Publish 1 podcast episode per week

Apply to 4 art calls

Pitch 4 mural ideas to walls or businesses

How Do I Keep Myself Motivated?

Motivating audio in my ears

Challenges to keep me moving

And most importantly… a plan

Clarity creates momentum.

We begin the 31-Day Challenge on January 1st!

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In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m kicking off one of my favorite traditions of the year—the 31 Day Challenge—and inviting you to join me. For the eighth year in a row, I’m sharing why committing to daily creation and sharing from January 1–31 can completely change your momentum as an artist.

I walk you through what the challenge is, why it works, and how it blends creativity, marketing, and habit-building into one simple daily practice. I also share what I’m doing for this year’s challenge, why I finally decided to stop putting it off, and how this practice has shaped everything from my confidence to my career—including leading to my book, Mural Money.

We talk about choosing the right project, keeping it manageable, using tools (including AI) to reduce friction, and why creating something every day helps you find your style, grow your audience, and trust yourself more deeply as an artist.

I also share how the 31 Day Challenge pairs perfectly with my Mural Money Bootcamp, starting January 1, designed to help artists build momentum and land mural clients in the first 100 days of the year.

If you’re craving motivation, clarity, creativity, and a strong start to the new year, this episode is your invitation to show up, create daily, and start 2026 with intention.

Artist mentioned: Summer Paradiso