In this episode of Creative Money ATX, I sit down with Natalie Earhart and Zach Zulch, the co-founders of Almost Real Things (ART) — a for-profit arts organization based in Austin that supports local creatives through a mix of events, exhibitions, and their signature magazine. Natalie also serves as Editor-in-Chief and a contributing writer, while Zach brings a complementary skill set that helps drive the organization’s vision.

We start with Natalie’s and Zach’s personal journeys — how their relationships with art began, how they describe what they do, and the story of how Almost Real Things was born. They share the early inspirations, the evolution of the magazine, and what it’s like running a creative business day-to-day.

We also get into the financial side of things: how ART functions as a for-profit, what revenue streams they’ve developed, and what experiments haven’t worked out. Natalie and Zach open up about the realities of sustaining an arts business in Austin — from barriers local artists face to their own strategic goals for 2025.

Studio 2324 

Elevate Grant 

Nexus Grant

Trail Conservancy 

Touch The Art 

Jason Webb watercolor artist 

Ellen Nelson 

Hanger Art Studio 

Prospect New Orleans

Prospect 6 

Joey Cruz 

24 Diner 

Magnolia Cafe

Saps 

Texas Thrift 

 Armadillo Christmas

Where to find Almost Real Things 

https://almostrealthings.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostrealthings/

Find me, Bri Landry

Instagram @creative_moneyatx

https://www.creativemoneyatx.com/

If you liked the show please share, rate, and review.

In this episode of Creative Money ATX, we talk with Austin-based figure painter Marcella Colavecchio. Marcella shares how her first job out of college—working at a bank—shaped her thoughtful financial mindset. She also reflects on her experience growing up with Italian immigrant parents and the journey that led her to Austin. Tune in for a compelling conversation about art, money, and finding your place in a creative city.

This episode with Marcella was recorded in the summer of 2024 and some of the events might have already passed, but please check out the galleries mentioned. 

• Highland Collective 
• Good Dad 
• Get your shit together online 
• Dazed and Confucius Pennylane and David 
• Jenny Saville british based figurative painter 
• Robin Frenchesca Williams  
• Little Deli 
• 1301 Gallery Audio Summer 
• Mothership Studios 
• Anya Tish Gallery Houston 
• Commerce Gallery Lockheart 

Where to find Marcella 

https://marcellacolavecchio.com/

Instagram @marcellaispainting

Find me, Bri Landry

Instagram @creative_moneyatx

https://www.creativemoneyatx.com/

If you liked the show please share, rate, and review.

In this episode of Creative Money ATX, I sit down with abstract painter Ashley Marie Richiez. Ashley shares insights into the financial realities of her painting practice, including the costs of her studio and the challenges of shipping large-scale art pieces. Whether you're an artist navigating similar logistics or an admirer curious about the behind-the-scenes of an art career, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.


The Artist Way - Book 

The Cathedral - location 

American Frame 

Agave Print  

Print Space - Drop Shipping Printing 

$2,000 Shipping the art 

$20,000 worth of art 

Popular canvas sizes 
30 in X 40 

36 X 48 

Year of art

$49,000 before expenses 

$20,000 profit 

Studio rent 
$500 a month 

Tools 
Quickbooks
Turbo Tax 
Square Space 
Stripe 
Paypal 
Square for an invoice 
Zelle

Esco Bros Transportation  - shipping art
Sugarlift - Gallery
Megan Parker - @movingaltars
Maja dlugolecka - @maijkah
Fabrik - vegan restaurant 

Where to Find Ashley Marie 

https://ashleymarierichiez.com/ 

Instagram @ashleymarierichiez

Find me, Bri Landry

Instagram @creative_moneyatx

https://www.creativemoneyatx.com/

If you liked the show please share, rate, and review.

In this episode, I sit down with Coka Treviño to explore the work of Big Medium, a cornerstone organization in Austin's creative community. We delve into the challenges they faced in 2024, including a fire in their new building, the loss of significant grant funding from the city, and a major change in leadership. Despite these hurdles, Big Medium continues to empower local artists through, events like the EAST and WEST studio tours. Coka shares how the organization is adapting and how artists can still benefit from its support. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the ups and downs of Austin’s art scene!

• Texas Biennial art show - this year in Huston 86 artists 
• East Austin Studio Tours 
• The history of redlining in Austin 
• Tito's Prize 
• Losing a lot of support like from Austin city grants 
• Harry Ransom Center 

Find Coca and Big Medium 

• Bigmedium.org 
• theprojecto.org 
• Instagram bigmediumaustin
• Instagram theprojectoatx

Find me, Bri Landry

Instagram @creative_moneyatx

https://www.creativemoneyatx.com/

If you liked the show please share, rate, and review.

In this episode, I sit down with Thomas Cook to discuss the inspiring connection between hiking, nature, and art. Thomas shares how his artistic journey began at a high school dedicated to the arts, which provided him with a strong foundation for college and his current art practice today. Tune in to hear how Thomas’s love for the outdoors influences his creativity and how his experiences can inspire your own artistic pursuits.

• Savannah College of Art and Design 
• Appalachian Trail 
• Vermont Long Trail 
• Wild Basin Reserve by St. Edwards Residency
• Most expensive piece 2X6 $2,000 
• Overheard - rent at Bolm Studio 
• Jerry’s 
• 2023 $8,000
• Central Machine Works 26 pieces 30X30in 
• East Austin Studio Tours 
• Martha Wells - book 
• Love Supreme Pizza 
• Silver Metal 
• Annalise Gratovich  Print work 
• Via Boley Painter 
• Christopher Paul Dean Artist  

Find Thomas Cook 

• Instagram @Thomascook_art 
• Cara - Thomascookart 
• https://thomascookart.com

Find me, Bri Landry

Instagram @creative_moneyatx

https://www.creativemoneyatx.com/

If you liked the show please share, rate, and review.

In this episode I talk to Ann Flemings an abstract painter about how she started in fine art and stayed there. We talk about the studio space Austin has to offer, and what it takes to be an artist, and parent. Come take a listen!

References 

• Canopy Ann’s Room 215 Building 1 
• Neill-Cochran House Museum | Open reception Jan. 25th showing by Ann Flemings 
• Laguna Gloria 
• 3X5 canvas in the back of her car 
• Bolm Studios at the time was $100 month for rent 
• North Cross Mall 
• Austin Visual Arts Association
• Canopy, rent at the time was $800 month 
• Highland Collective
• Most expensive piece she has sold is about $5,000 
• Overhead $20,000 a year 
• Kristy Battani’s podcast 
• Jerry Saltz art critic 
• Affordable Healthcare Act 
• Artwork Archive 
• Alex Boeschenstein - photographer
• Kevin Ivester, Ivester Gallery 
• Austin Creative Reuse Center
• Canvas Place for framing 
• Brian Rutenberg
• Asti Restaurant on Duval 

Find me, Bri Landry

Instagram @creative_moneyatx

https://www.creativemoneyatx.com/

If you liked the show please share, rate, and review.

Lizelle Villapando owns a popular shop on South Congress where tourists and locals can find prints, originals, tees, and more. We talk about how she got started and how they survived covid.

Small Business Advise

• Be conscious of burnout. Treat yourself like one of your employees. You wouldn't ask them to work seven days a week, so you shouldn't either. 
• Don't cut corners. Make sure you pay taxes right and hire a CPA. 
• Work smarter not harder. 
• Try to think a little more with math and less with feelings.

How to get into Paper Work 

• Reach out for some time to pitch your art 
• Typically the shop will want to stock 20+ prints at first 
• 12X16 prints sell well
• For the first quarter the artist gets 80% of sales 
• If your print's do well after the first quarter it's a 50/50 split on sales  

References 

• Overhead, rent, followed by payroll which is close to 30% 
• They received help from their landlord and an SBA grant during covid 
• South by Southwest 
• Regretsy 
• Kerbey Lane 
• Magnolia Cafe
• Austin Pasta 
• Uncommon Objects 
• South Congress Books on Kerbey Lane 
• Frans 
• Hey Cupcake 
• Mighty Cone 
• Castle Hill 
• Shady Grove 
• Spread and Co. 
• Boldin Creek Cafe
• Sap's 
• Thai Fresh
• Hill County Weavers  

Find Paper Work

Instagram @Paper_Work_ATX 

Find me, Bri Landry

Instagram @creative_moneyatx

https://www.creativemoneyatx.com/

If you liked the show please share, rate, and review.

In this episode I talk to Jenn from Maridad Studio about her very sexy watercolor paintings. Jenn paints personified foods and drinks in a unique and attractive way. She is a full time artists with a background in fine arts and has a lot to share on how she makes a living here in Austin.

References 

• Sass N Strut 
• 2324 Studio
• Almost Real Things
• Philosophize This - Podcast   
• Basil Moon on Instagram 
• PHEEBEE - Austin artist 
• Marcella Colavecchio - Austin artist  
• Meow Wolf 
• Portland KinkFest
• Highland Collective   

Find Maridad Studio

Instagram @maridad.studio
https://www.maridad.studio/

Find me, Bri Landry

Instagram @creative_moneyatx

https://www.creativemoneyatx.com/

If you liked the show please share, rate, and review.

Surprise! Bonus content! This episode is a special addition that I recorded last year at Good Dad Studio during EAST. I met up with Rachel LaRue Allen who does really lovely watercolor landscapes on wood canvas. We look at the art, talk to artists in their studio, and have a good time. I should point out that Good Dad Studio was brand new and I kept calling it Good Daddy Studio. So, enjoy that happy accident. 

This episode is a one time example of what you will have access to as a Patreon member. I talk to artists while they work and we have a casual conversation about whatever comes up. The next Studio Time will be with a Plain Air painter. We talked about the outdoor painting practice while in the middle of a field off Lake Travis.

Find Rachel
Instagram @rachellaruecreative 
https://www.rachellarueallen.com/

Find me, Bri Landry

Instagram @creative_moneyatx

https://www.creativemoneyatx.com/

If you liked the show please share, rate, and review.

In this episode I talk to painter and engineer, Mike Clark in his studio at Good Dad Studio. We discuss the benefits of having a stable job, and what it means to be an artist first. Mike's art explores the confines of a corporate job and how he finds freedom in his art.

References

• Square inch way of pricing his art 
• Civil engineer 
• Inspired minds art center in Buda
• 11x14 and 9x12 prints sells well 
• Prints charge $20 - $30 
• Best year $5,000
• 180 ~ square feet $520 with a studio mate $6 a square foot 
• Picked up art after kids were out of the house 
• Good Dad studio every second Saturday 
• Ala Prema Richard Smith book about oil painting 
• Raul Campos Mexican artist 
• Marcella Colavecchio 
• Cyprus Grill

 
Find Mike Clark
Instagram @Clarksart
https://www.clarksartstudio.com/about  

Find me, Bri Landry

Instagram @creative_moneyatx

https://www.creativemoneyatx.com/

If you liked the show please share, rate, and review.