Building an art career with intention doesn’t always start with a plan. Sometimes it starts with a gut feeling that something isn’t working.

That was true for Noelle Phares, who left behind a structured science career to follow her creative instincts—eventually leading to a solo museum exhibition and a thriving, self-directed art business.

In this episode (part 1 of 2), host Alyson Stanfield talks to Noelle about how she transitioned from environmental data science into full-time painting, and how her rigorous research background continues to shape her studio practice.

The conversation centers around 2024 solo show Tracking Time at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art—how it came together, what she learned from the proposal process, and why she approaches every exhibition as a fully developed project. She also shares her mindset around selling art, connecting with collectors, and painting for impact.

This conversation is rich with insight about:

• Leaving a traditional career to follow a creative calling.
• The research process behind Tracking Time and why Noelle selected 7 distinct locations along the Colorado River.
• Working with museums and curators while maintaining your artistic voice.
• Designing exhibitions that tell cohesive, layered stories.
• Balancing environmental messaging with visual beauty to draw people in.
• Creating work that connects with buyers and retains meaning.

Noelle's blend of structure, vision, and heart makes this an inspiring listen for any artist seeking to step into a more intentional, expansive chapter.

Stay tuned for part 2, where we’ll dive into how she structures her business, manages a team, markets her work, and approaches gallery relationships.

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

These episodes feature artists discussing their museum shows:

Portrait Project and Museum Exhibition with Lisa Kovvuri (ep. 11)

Series, Catalogs, and Museum Shows with Susan Abbott (ep. 176)

Overcoming Anxiety about Making Art World Connections with Heather Beardsley (ep. 160)

📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/

⭐️ Connect with Noelle and see more of her art: https://noellephares.com

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