In today's conversation, Kelly sits down with New Jersey artist Katherine Husek—a warm, wise, and joy-filled creative who's building a "second life" as an artist in a full season of caregiving, motherhood, and now… becoming a grandma. Katherine shares the heart behind her newest coastal, nostalgia-rooted mixed media pieces (think fish, crabs, lobsters, vintage papers, and color that just makes you smile), plus what's actually working for her right now with Instagram, commissions, and staying creatively consistent when life is busy.

This episode is full of practical encouragement—especially if you've ever felt stuck between "I love Instagram" and "Instagram makes me want to throw my phone into the sea"

Listen in to learn more :

1. [0:01:32] Second-Life Artist & Special-Needs Mom in a New Season

2. [0:03:31] Working in Seasons: Holiday Commissions & the 28 February Flowers Challenge

3. [0:08:32] Love–Hate with Instagram and the Push to Grow an Email List

4. [0:12:30] Coastal Nostalgia: Vintage Papers, Sea Creatures, and Story-Driven Mixed Media

5. [0:28:49] "Just Keep Painting": Embrace Mistakes, Evolving Style, and Keep Learning

Connect with Cathering

https://kpartcollective.com/collections/catherine-husek

Connect with Kelly on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/behindthebrush_kellypelfrey KP Art Collective - http://kpartcollective.com/

https://kellypelfrey.com/

Instagram can be inspiring… and also a time-sucking, dopamine-fueled hamster wheel (Kelly's words plus a few rodent metaphors). In this solo episode, Kelly shares what she genuinely enjoys about Instagram, what frustrates her as an artist and business owner, and what's shifted on the platform since 2020. She breaks down what Instagram rewards right now (like saves, shares, and meaningful engagement), why gorgeous art still stops the scroll, and how storytelling + carousels create a "gallery experience" that keeps people lingering. You'll also hear Kelly's simple posting rhythm for 2026—including her Friday small-painting sales strategy.

Listen in to learn more :

[0:00:02] Intentional Instagram Goals, Not Hamster-Wheel Posting

[0:02:30] Pick One Primary "Fruit" to Grow with Instagram

[0:06:40] Building a Simple System for Consistent Posting

[0:12:10] Stories as Your Low-Pressure Connection Powerhouse

[0:14:20] DMs: The Quiet Engine of Relationships and Sales

Connect with Kelly on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/behindthebrush_kellypelfrey KP Art Collective - http://kpartcollective.com/

https://kellypelfrey.com/

In this episode, Kelly sits down with Louisiana artist Andrea Lane Ainsworth, whose textured coastal abstracts and soft, color-driven mixed media pieces are made to bring peace into real spaces—homes, businesses, and even hospital recovery and postpartum rooms. Andrea shares how her work landed at West Jefferson Medical Center, plus practical ways artists can approach hospitals, galleries, and local businesses (spoiler: in-person beats email more often than not). They also talk about Instagram, how Andrea balances cohesion with consistency, and then go somewhere unexpectedly helpful: how Andrea uses ChatGPT/AI for marketing, captions, email setup, tech troubleshooting, and even decision-making before investing in programs or services. It's an inspiring conversation full of doable ideas, especially if you want your art to be seen (and purchased) outside the scroll.

Listen in to learn more :

[11:31] Placing Art in Healing Spaces [13:18] Value of In-Person Connection [20:51]Integrating AI for Artistic Business [27:11] Encouragement for Artists

Connect with Andrea

https://andrealane.art/

Connect with Kelly on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/behindthebrush_kellypelfrey KP Art Collective - http://kpartcollective.com/

https://kellypelfrey.com/

Instagram can be inspiring… and also a time-sucking, dopamine-fueled hamster wheel (Kelly's words plus a few rodent metaphors). In this solo episode, Kelly shares what she genuinely enjoys about Instagram, what frustrates her as an artist and business owner, and what's shifted on the platform since 2020. She breaks down what Instagram rewards right now (like saves, shares, and meaningful engagement), why gorgeous art still stops the scroll, and how storytelling + carousels create a "gallery experience" that keeps people lingering. You'll also hear Kelly's simple posting rhythm for 2026—including her Friday small-painting sales strategy.

Listen in to learn more :

00:00 — Instagram: Love it or hate it? 06:10 — The real problem: time management + dopamine loops 14:45 — Instagram isn't what it used to be (and that's okay) 21:30 — The strategy that still works: carousels + storytelling 32:20 — Kelly's 2026 posting rhythm + Friday sales plan

Connect with Kelly on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/behindthebrush_kellypelfrey KP Art Collective - http://kpartcollective.com/

https://kellypelfrey.com/

In this episode of Behind the Brush, Kelly sits down with mural artist Marian Pouch, who turned a personal home project into a thriving custom mural business over the last decade. Marian shares what mural work is really like—from scheduling around family life and travel, to working in clients' homes (yes, it can get awkward), to navigating renovation chaos like missing lights or plumbing issues She explains how she prices murals on a per-project basis, why wall paint outperforms acrylics in durability, and how she organizes client communication. Marian also discusses her evolving relationship with Instagram and concludes with practical, confidence-boosting advice for artists.

Listen in to learn more :

• [00:02] - The Muralist's Journey: Building a Career from Passion

• [06:09] - Work-Life Balance for Creative Professionals

• [13:57] - Transparent Pricing and Project Management

• [24:49] - Building Relationships and Personal Connections in Art

• [45:26] - Navigating Social Media as an Artist

Connect with Marian

https://www.marianpouchart.com https://www.instagram.com/marianpouch

Connect with Kelly on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/behindthebrush_kellypelfrey KP Art Collective - http://kpartcollective.com/

https://kellypelfrey.com/

In this New Year episode of Behind the Brush, Kelly Pelfrey pulls back the curtain on her art business with an honest reflection she calls The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. She shares what worked well in her studio and business, what she won't repeat, and what felt messy but necessary for growth. From creating over 150 paintings and launching a podcast to navigating overbooking, cash-flow stress, and holiday fulfillment challenges, Kelly shares real lessons artists rarely talk about. This episode isn't about perfection—it's about discernment. Kelly invites listeners to reflect on their year with clarity, learn from what bore fruit, make minor adjustments where needed, and enter the new year with wisdom, intention, and grace. Listen in to learn more :

• (02:45) How to evaluate your year using "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly."
• (07:30) Why celebrating creative output matters (even when it feels uncomfortable)
• (18:10) The hidden cost of overbooking and saying yes too often
• (33:40) Lessons learned from holiday products, shipping stress, and fulfillment mistakes
• (47:20) Simple reflection questions that help you move forward without burnout

Connect with Kelly on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/behindthebrush_kellypelfrey KP Art Collective - http://kpartcollective.com/

https://kellypelfrey.com/

In this short and reflective episode of Behind the Brush, Kelly Pelfrey invites artists into the quiet, often-overlooked space between Christmas and the New Year.

She shares why this "in-between week" is the perfect time to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the heart behind your creative work. Kelly walks listeners through a gentle reflection process—brain dumping ideas, praying or daydreaming through possibilities, and choosing one meaningful, doable intention for the months ahead.

She also vulnerably shares her own creative intention for 2026 and encourages artists not to rush clarity but to honor the season. This episode is about listening, aligning, and stepping forward with intention.

Listen in to learn more :

• (01:20) Why the week between Christmas and New Year matters more than we realize

• (04:10) How a simple brain dump helps clarify creative direction

• (09:30) Choosing one meaningful, doable intention instead of chasing everything

• (14:45) Different types of intentions artists can set: financial, creative, rhythm, or mindset

• (20:40) Why honoring inspiration—even when it feels risky—matters for long-term growth

Download the worksheet –Click Here!

Connect with Kelly on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/behindthebrush_kellypelfrey KP Art Collective - http://kpartcollective.com/

https://kellypelfrey.com/

In this short and gentle Christmas-week episode of Behind the Brush, Kelly Pelfrey offers a pause—an invitation to breathe, reflect, and notice the beauty tucked inside the season's chaos. She reminds artists that Christmas is a story of God stepping into ordinary, messy life and that creativity echoes that same light-bringing presence. Kelly shares gratitude for the first 18 episodes of the podcast and for the community of artists walking this journey together. This episode is less about strategy and more about stillness, encouragement, and remembering that creating beauty is both a gift and a calling. Merry Christmas, friends.

Listen in to learn more :

(01:10) It's okay to pause during busy seasons (02:05) Creativity reflects God's presence with us (03:10) Art brings light, even in ordinary days (04:15) Gratitude for community and shared journeys (05:05) Enter the new year with peace and hope

Connect with Kelly on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/behindthebrush_kellypelfrey KP Art Collective - http://kpartcollective.com/

https://kellypelfrey.com/

In this solo episode of Behind the Brush, Kelly Pelfrey shares her second must-do recommendation for artists in 2026: sign up for a workshop or retreat. Drawing from her recent plein air retreat experience, Kelly walks through what it's really like to participate—from feeling like a beginner again to finding rhythm, clarity, and creative momentum. She explains why getting out of your studio, learning from a live instructor, and creating alongside other artists leads to deeper growth than working alone. This episode is an encouraging reminder that you don't have to be "ready" to invest in your art—you get ready by showing up.

Listen in to learn more :

(02:10) Why workshops should be a 2026 non-negotiable (06:45) Feeling uncomfortable means you're learning. (12:30) How community accelerates artistic growth (18:20) The power of live feedback and critique (24:40) Why investing in yourself pays off creatively and professionall.y

Resources –

Amazon Easel https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pochade+box

Strada Easel https://www.stradaeasel.com/products/strada-mid

Connect with Kelly on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/behindthebrush_kellypelfrey KP Art Collective - http://kpartcollective.com/

https://kellypelfrey.com/

Artist and retreat host Fallon Peper joins Behind the Brush to share how she went from burned-out first-grade teacher to full-time artist and creator of Field & Flow plein air retreats. Fallon tells the story of leaving the classroom without a plan, interning and working in Charleston galleries, and slowly stepping into her painting practice. She explains how retreats were born from her need for community, and why housing artists together, feeding them well, and removing logistical concerns create powerful growth. Kelly and Fallon unpack the value of workshops, organic networking, and painting alongside others, while offering practical encouragement for artists who feel alone, undertrained, or nervous to invest in a retreat.

Listen in to learn more :

(06:30) From Burnout to Brave Pivot (18:40) Internships, Galleries, and Organic Connections (36:10) Why Plein Air Retreats Change Artists (56:20) Community Over Comparison (01:03:30 Say Yes, Then Figure It Out.

Resources –

Connect with Fallon

Website - www.fallonfineart.com

Linen Panels https://www.amazon.com/Centurion-Deluxe-Primed-Linen-3-Pack/dp/B0049V2VIK

Kemper Tool

https://www.amazon.com/Kemper-4336842105-Wipe-Out-Tool/dp/B0001VNQRC

Connect with Kelly on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/behindthebrush_kellypelfrey KP Art Collective - http://kpartcollective.com/

https://kellypelfrey.com/