Future plans, deadlines, and accountability are a necessary part of your success.

Host Alyson Stanfield of Art Biz Success explains how artists can get stuck in cycles of procrastination without a structured calendar filled with exciting commitments.

Alyson shares practical examples from her own life as well as from her experience with students and clients, and details how deadlines and accountability partners, including coaches and community groups, can help maintain momentum.

Key takeaways include the importance of setting attainable milestones, self-review processes, and embracing external support systems to drive progress and achieve creative goals.

00:33 Why plans, deadlines, and accountability matter

01:56 Personal experience and motivation

04:59 The role of deadlines in achieving goals

06:43 The power of accountability

08:47 Practical steps to implement accountability

10:26 Embrace deadlines and accountability: What are your first steps?

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

These artists have taken on big projects that motivated them for months and even years:

Leaning Into Art to Battle Depression with David Sandum (ep. 169)

Multi-State Multi-Year Multi-Artist Art Project with Marilyn Artus (ep. 30)

Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (ep. 64)

Impacting Artists First in a Curatorial Project Focusing on Empathy with Nanci Hersh (ep. 168)

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

👉 I give you a process for honoring your commitments in my planning workshops, which I lead 3x a year to help you make a plan for the upcoming season and beyond. AND to make sure that you aren’t over-committed—that you have just the right level of challenging projects and space for creativity and self-care.

🔶 The next workshop is coming up, and you can save a little when you sign up early. So you want to be sure to be on the notification list. Go to artbizsuccess.com/makeaplan to add your name to that list or sign up now if registration is available when you visit.

⛰️ 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/

host: Alyson Stanfield

In order for the art ecosystem to work, many rejections must be handed out. That means to have a successful art business and career, you must learn to deal with rejection.

More to the point, in order to be successful in life, you have to learn to deal with rejection, regardless of your vocation.

In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Megan Wimberley, who wants to help you move past rejection. As both an artist and a founder of the Cowgirl Artists of America organization, she has experienced both sides of the process.

The good news about rejection is that you are not alone. Every artist who wants to attain a higher level of accomplishment must deal with rejection.

The bad news is … well … You’ve been rejected. And that feels awful. But you can’t let it stop you.

Megan outlines a framework for dealing with rejection, including the importance of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and professionalism—all in the service of elevating and protecting your reputation.

📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/wimberley-rejection.

⭐️ Connect with Megan and see more of her art: meganwimberley.com

🤠 Check out Cowgirl Artists of America.

📆 Our planning workshop for shows and sales is coming up. I’m going to lead you through the steps that will help you make an action plan for improving your shows and venues and make more sales. Don’t leave it to fate. Don’t wait for things to happen to you. Make a plan that will give you control over your future.

Depending on when you listen to this, you can either get on the wait list or sign up and prepare to make that success plan.

Either way, find all of the details at artbizsuccess.com/makeaplan

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (ep. 114)

What Your Failures Are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (ep. 95)

Are You Playing It Too Safe in Your Art Business? (ep. 92)

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Christa Forrest (ep. 91)

⛰️ 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/

What do we do about all of the art materials that are harming you and the planet? Kelly O’Brien has taken this concern to heart and completely changed how she makes work.

She grows and uses biomaterials for her sculpture.

Host Alyson Stanfield talks with Kelly about:

🔸 What biomaterials are and how they show up in Kelly’s new work.

🔸 The aesthetics of biomaterials.

🔸 Why Kelly isn’t concerned about the work lasting forever.

🔸 What you can do to incorporate more sustainable sources in your work.

Kelly also discusses her recent solo exhibition and why community interaction is a key piece of her process, and how she funds her non-commercial practice.

[ For some background, listen to this interview with Kelly: Returning to Grad School for an MFA — episode 85. ]

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

These conversations center around the artists’ studio practices.

Creative Placemaking and Public Art with Lynn Basa (ep. 26)

Focusing on the Art, Not the Art Business with Rebecca Welz (ep. 134)

Play Tops Work, Connection Tops Solitude, and Confidence Tops Fear with Willie Cole (ep. 126)

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

⭐️ Connect with Kelly and see more of her art: KellyOBrien.art

🔶 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/

Host Alyson Stanfield is joined by Jeff Schaller, who started an open studio tour in Pennsylvania at the height of the recession. It is still growing and supporting the participating artists.

As he’ll tell you, Jeff is an artist first and foremost. Somehow he has created this other job for himself because he believes that artists can do well by connecting directly with collectors who visit them in their studios.

Jeff and Alyson talk about:

• What it takes to put on a studio tour
• Which artists do well in studio tours
• Why it’s important to do plenty of marketing yourself and not rely solely on the organizer of a studio tour
• His marketing strategies, costs, and lots more.

There are, of course, ramifications around opening your studio to visitors, supporters, and strangers, but that’s for another episode.

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (ep. 157)

Self Sales, Open Studios, and Relationships with Interior Designers with Carol MacConnell (ep. 171)

Reaching the Other 99% for Your Art Business with Adele Sypesteyn (ep. 163)

Increasing Art Sales with Online Events with Patricia Griffin (ep. 97)

📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit ArtBizSuccess.com/schaller-countytour

⭐️ Connect with Jeff and see more of his art: https://jeffschaller.com

⭐️ Connect with the County Studio Tour: https://www.countystudiotour.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/

Host: Alyson Stanfield

If you've ever thought about sharing your artist story on a podcast—or pitching to anyone for publicity—this episode is for you. Join host Alyson Stanfield as she dives into the value of being a guest on The Art Biz and provides solid tips for pitching your art to any podcast for maximum publicity. (This information can also be adapted for any pitch you make for any reason.)

Every artist has a unique journey, and sharing it can attract more fans, followers, and collectors. Alyson provides straightforward advice on how to craft your approach to make it compelling and irresistible to podcast hosts—or at least get them to pay attention and not roll their eyes at another bumbled pitch.

You'll learn these five key elements of a successful pitch.

1. Do Your Homework: Listen to episodes of The Art Biz and read the blog to understand what Alyson's looking for. (Same for anyone else you’re pitching to.)
2. Research: Show respect for the host and their work by demonstrating your knowledge and appreciation.
3. Focus on Your Unique Business Lesson: Highlight the business insights you can share with the audience.
4. Prove Your Speaking Skills: Include links to any previous podcast appearances or video interviews.
5. Submit a Strong Pitch: Alyson makes this easy by providing a fill-in-the-blanks form for your pitches.

Alyson also shares examples of the variety of stories that resonate with her audience. Whether it’s your successes, struggles, or unique ways of connecting with your community, your story has the power to inspire others.

Tune in to discover how to pitch your artist story effectively and increase your chances of being featured on The Art Biz or other programs.

📣 Pitch your story for The Art Biz

🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube @ Alyson Stanfield. Direct Link

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

These artists submitted successful pitches to be on this show.

She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be with Kelly Pelfrey (ep. 162)

Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (ep. 157)

The Key to Success on Social Media with Cathy Nichols (ep. 154)

An Unusual Path to Finding Art Commissions with Leisa Collins  (ep. 110)

Secrets from Copying a Masterpiece with Lilianne Milgrom (ep. 87)

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

🔶 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/

It’s possible to make more money and find a little more peace of mind by making a few tweaks in how you approach your art business.

In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Monique Carr about how she has done it.

When she reached out to Alyson a couple of years ago for a private coaching partnership, Monique was aiming for doing half the work, making twice the money, and having fun in whatever she did.

She’s not quite at the twice the money part, but things have definitely improved—like increasing her email list by about 250% in two years. Embracing online teaching at the beginning of Covid has been a game-changer.

In this conversation, Monique shares her income streams, how she uses her email list, and how she was motivated to do a Black Friday sale after working on her money plan with me and noticing that her gallery sales were down for the year.

Monique takes action without complaining—figuring out what needs to be done and doing it. You’ll be inspired by her story.

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

These episodes are money-focused:

The Investing Artist: Art, Real Estate, and Legacy with Mary Erickson (ep. 19)

She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be with Kelly Pelfrey (ep. 162)

Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (ep. 157)

My Money Odyssey and the Evolution of Art Biz Success (ep. 161)

How Do Artists Make Money? (ep. 159)

📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/growth-carr

⭐️ Connect with Monique and see more of her art: moniquecarr.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/

host: Alyson Stanfield

Originally from a large metropolitan area, Tracey Hewitt married a rancher and, like Lisa Douglas in Green Acres, said goodbye to city life.

But she never said goodbye to her art.

Host Alyson Stanfield wanted to talk with Tracey because every encounter she has ever had with her as a member of our Art Biz Connection community has been positive. Tracey is funny, warm, and generous. And she knows how to live life to its fullest.

Tracey helps run the family cattle business in the Australian bush, which takes up a good hunk of her time.

Aside from her duties on the ranch, Tracey is and always has been an artist, though the label of “artist” wasn’t easy for her to adopt—a hurdle many artists must overcome.

[ See How Do You Know When You’re an Artist? with James Holmes ]

Today, through her teaching and life coaching practices, Tracey helps other artists get comfortable with their creativity and, if they like, with calling themselves artists. You’ll be inspired by her optimism.

💁‍♀️ There are 4 ways that I can support you in your art business: 1️⃣ art-marketing training in my Essentials course 2️⃣ a community that provides structure to your days 3️⃣ higher level artist group coaching, and 4️⃣ private consulting.

Find details: https://artbizsuccess.com/work-with-me/

📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/optimism-hewitt

⭐️ Connect with Tracey and see more of her art: https://traceyhewitt.com/

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

These episodes feature other artist-teachers.

Maintaining Your Studio Practice with a Busy Teaching Schedule with Sally Hirst ****(ep. 164)

Using Patreon as a Teaching Platform with Kimberly Santini (ep. 156)

Making a Living as a Teaching Artist with Elizabeth St. Hilaire (ep. 4)

The Joy in Artist Community and Paring Back Obligations with Ali Cavanaugh (ep. 190)

⛰️ 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/

What “game” are you playing in your art business and in life?

Artist-writer-speaker Jason Kotecki makes the point that you have a unique game plan to follow—one that can’t be compared to another artist or online personality.

In a conversation with host Alyson Stanfield, Jason shares his experience of overcoming comparison and jealousy, emphasizing the importance of focusing on your unique talents and contributions. He talks about the pivotal moment in a Philadelphia ballroom that led him to merge his art with his speaking engagements and how this fusion has shaped his career.

The discussion covers practical steps artists can take to combat comparison, and the benefits of having a “talent stack” to differentiate yourself. Jason also delves into his income streams, his collaborative work with his wife, Kim, and upcoming events like Wondernite.

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

⭐️ Connect with Jason and see more of his art: EscapeAdulthood.com

💁‍♀️ There are 4 ways that I can support you in your art business: 1️⃣ art-marketing training in my Essentials course 2️⃣ a community that provides structure to your days 3️⃣ higher level artist group coaching, and 4️⃣ private consulting.

Find details: ArtBizSuccess.com/work-with-me

🔄 Related Episodes

6 Ways to Be [Even] Happier About Running Your Art Business (ep. 155)

Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (ep. 114)

What Your Failures Are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (ep. 95)

Are You Playing It Too Safe in Your Art Business? (ep. 92)

⛰️ 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/

host: Alyson Stanfield

It might help (but isn’t necessary) to start this episode by listening to episode 189, which is an encore of a 2019 interview I did with Ali Cavanaugh when she was making big changes in her work life.

In this episode, Ali and I catch up with all that has transpired in the last 5 years. We discuss:

• Her booming Patreon community that gives her so much joy.
• How she has pared back on the demands for her art and the boundaries she put in place to allow her to do that.
• The recent release of the Ali Cavanaugh Portrait Colors Set from Golden Artist Colors.
• The upcoming retrospective of her work, made possible because she has withheld prized pieces from sale to keep in her private collection.

Ali is incredibly generous. As you’ll hear, she is utterly devoted to her patrons and the success of her students.

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

Maintaining Your Studio Practice with a Busy Teaching Schedule with Sally Hirst (ep. 164)

Leaving Gallery Representation to Reach More Art Buyers with Adele Sypesteyn (remix) (ep. 163)

Using Patreon as a Teaching Platform with Kimberly Santini (ep. 156)

📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/joy-cavanaugh

⭐️ Connect with Ali and see more of her art: alicavanaugh.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/

host: Alyson Stanfield

In 2014, Ali Cavanaugh had 11 galleries representing her work throughout the U.S. and even overseas. It was all she could do to paint fast enough to supply these galleries with new work. What a great problem to have! But it was still a problem.

Then she started asking for it to be returned to her. She was rethinking her art and what her business model looked like.

She worked hard to get to that point, the way things were going no longer worked well for her. She decided to take control and be very deliberate about her next moves.

This episode is an encore of the inspiration-packed interview I did with Ali Cavanaugh back in 2019 in episode 33. I’ll be sharing a new interview with Ali next week, but I thought it would be fun to be reminded of where she was 5 years ago when we first talked. In this interview, Ali and I discuss how she made a deliberate decision to take control of her art career. She left 10 of her galleries and the stress caused by having to supply so many venues.

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

Self Sales, Open Studios, and Relationships with Interior Designers with Carol MacConnell (ep. 171)

Leaving Gallery Representation to Reach More Art Buyers with Adele Sypesteyn (remix) (ep. 163)

She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will Be Every Month with Kelly Pelfrey (ep. 162)

📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/ali-cavanaugh-encore

⭐️ Connect with Ali and see more of her art: AliCavanaugh.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/