The Art Biz

By Alyson Stanfield

Looking for art career inspiration and ideas while you're working in the studio or schlepping your art across the country? Alyson Stanfield helps you be a more productive artist, a more empowered arti... more

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How many episodes does The Art Biz have?

The podcast currently has 279 episodes available.

Best of The Art Biz

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: Stop complicating your art marketing plan (275)
In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield makes the case that a marketing plan doesn't have to be a spreadsheet full of self-imposed deadlines. She argues for routines over rigid plans, walks through three distinct ways she sees artists approach their marketing, and reframes marketing as something bigger than self-promotion. If you've ever built a plan and abandoned it by week two, this episode is the reset you need. Alyson reveals: Why routines stick when spreadsheets don't The three profiles most artists fall into — and why even the best one isn't ideal What marketing actually includes beyond self-promotion The foundation work that makes promotion pay off Why 30% more structure is enough to count as a win The two kinds of plans every working artist needs Read more, get links, and see featured artists * ~ * YOUR ART MARKETING PLAN IS SEPTEMBER 10 * ~ * Get your plan at https://artbizsuccess.com/yamp Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
August 20, 202615min
Number 2: Even when life is heavy, your art business still needs you (276)
Artists are a sensitive lot, and that sensitivity is what makes the work possible. It also makes everything else land harder. It's easier to get tripped up by news headlines, family illness, and travel. In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield argues that it's more important than ever to keep making art. She also talks about what to do when you must keep the business humming so that it's there for you on the other side of the current obstacles. She reveals: Why not making art isn't the answer Five reasons to keep up the work in the studio, even when it seems unimportant Why it's much harder to restart a business you've stepped away from The underlying machine that keeps a business almost on autopilot Read the companion post ~ * YOUR ART MARKETING PLAN IS SEPTEMBER 10 * ~ * Get your plan at https://artbizsuccess.com/yamp Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
August 27, 202619min
Number 3: Will you be ready if your art goes viral? with Jenny McCarty (277)
When the redesign of the 2026 national parks pass became a flashpoint, watercolor artist and ecologist Jenny McCarty noticed the uproar in her community — and used her art to do something about it. What happened next landed her on Last Week Tonight, raised nearly $30,000 for parks conservation, and added thousands of names to her email list. On this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Jenny about what she built ahead of time to take advantage of the spotlight. Jenny reveals: The Instagram exchange that told her a sticker could be something bigger Why going viral would have landed nowhere without her business systems The partnership that let her keep the project alive when she couldn't do it alone Why every collaboration in her business now starts with a contract What the numbers told her about where her time was actually worth spending Get all links on the companion post Follow Jenny: https://www.thesageleafstudio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sage_leaf_studio/ . . . ✦ THE NEXT OPENING ✦ . . . small group coaching applications September only. Get the details and apply at https://artbizsuccess.com/next Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.
September 17, 202642min
Number 4: It's Not Your Job to Worry About Adding to the Noise (233)
Thoughtful artists often hesitate to share their work publicly—not because they're lazy or unclear, but because they don't want to contribute to the "noise" online. In this solo episode, host Alyson Stanfield unpacks that fear and explain why it's often a mask for perfectionism. You'll hear why your content doesn't need to be perfect, polished, or viral—it just needs to be true. She also shares mindset shifts to help you move from performance to presence, broadcasting to connection, and perfection to permission. Whether you're struggling to post, over-editing everything, or just trying to trust your voice again, this episode is here to remind you: you're not the noise. You're the signal. [00:00] Workshop intro: From Followers to Collectors [01:45] The fear of adding to the noise [03:20] You're not the noise—you're the signal [04:50] Where "quality over quantity" falls apart [06:30] Some of your best content might be the quickest [07:15] When perfectionism poses as professionalism [08:10] What quality really looks like (hint: not polished) [09:25] You can't control who sees it—just share [10:40] Shifting from performance to presence [11:35] Final encouragement: show up with trust [12:15] Workshop + Essentials invitation [13:00] Closing thanks + where to find more 🎧 RELATED EPISODES These episodes also have an emphasis on mindset: 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) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and see our featured artists, visit artbizsuccess.com/noise 🎯 Ready to make a plan that actually supports your art business? Join me for the Followers to Collectors planning workshop on September 9-10, where we'll map out how your audience moves from discovering your art to feeling confident buying it. You can sign up or get on the waitlist here. Or join Essentials for Artist Success today to get access to this workshop plus ongoing support, live coaching, and two additional planning workshops throughout the year. Details at artbizsuccess.com/essentials. ⛰️ 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/
July 24, 202514min
Number 5: Creating Artist-Centered Opportunities with Jennifer Steck (230)
A retired police captain turned artist, Jennifer Steck realized she didn't have to wait for opportunities to come to her—she could create them. Seeing a gap in what was available for artists to sell their work, Jennifer founded Artburst Studios, an online gallery that's part pop-up show and part community hub for artists. She had zero experience running a gallery, but that didn't stop her. Armed with curiosity, a clear vision, and plenty of determination, Jennifer (at the time of this recording) has helped over 80 artists sell more than $174,000 of art in just a few years. In this episode, she shares how a simple idea (and a lot of spreadsheets!) grew into a platform connecting artists with buyers and each other. In this conversation, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Jennifer about: Her "aha" moment as a new artist that inspired an artist-centered online gallery. The key qualities Jennifer looks for (like clarity, consistency, and an active practice) when reviewing an artist's online presence—and what might make her pass. Why community and collaboration are baked into the Artburst model, and how they benefit every artist involved. Strategies for overcoming artists' reluctance to promote their work and engage their audiences. How fear, perfectionism, and overthinking can sabotage art sales—and ways to avoid these common pitfalls. ⌛️ HIGHLIGHTS 00:35 Meet Jennifer Steck – From police captain to artist entrepreneur. 06:00 The "aha" moment – How a Facebook art auction sparked the idea for Artburst Studios. 10:30 Running a virtual art show – Artburst's short pop-up exhibitions and the importance of artists actively promoting their work. 13:45 Emphasizing community – Encouraging artists to support one another and provide great experiences for their buyers. 16:00 Choosing the right artists – What Jennifer looks for online (and the red flags that make her say "no thanks"). 22:10 Personal touch in sales – How Artburst handles sales and gets artists directly connected with their buyers. 26:30 Why artists resist marketing – Understanding the stigma around self-promotion and how Jennifer helps artists move past it. 35:00 Conquering common mindset blocks – Tackling fear of exposure, perfectionism, and "analysis paralysis" that can hold artists back. 40:00 Looking ahead – Jennifer's plans to launch the Artburst Boutique for smaller, more frequent art shows. 44:00 Final encouragement – An open invitation for artists to get involved, and why showing up (like attending shows) is so important before seeking opportunities. 🎧 RELATED EPISODES Not All Online Galleries are Created Equal with Alex Farkas (ep. 132) Presenting Yourself Professionally on Your Artist Website with Jessica Burko (ep. 174) Selling Directly to Collectors at Open Studios with Jeff Schaller (ep. 195) 📖 To read and see more visit https://artbizsuccess.com/artburst-steck ⭐️ Connect with Jennifer and see what she's up to at ArtburstStudios.com and see her art at JenniferSteck.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 ! ~ ~ At Art Biz Success and on this show, we believe in DEI. 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/
June 26, 202549min