Behind the Brush with Kelly Pelfrey

In this final episode of Behind the Brush , Kelly delivers on one last promise, sharing her go-to shipping strategies for artists before closing the chapter on the podcast ( for now ). First, she walks through the exact systems she uses to ship artwork efficiently and beautifully, including hiring help, packaging with intention, and avoiding costly shipping mistakes. These are the practical tips s...

In this episode of Behind the Brush , I sit down with artist Pam Wingard, whose work is full of bold color, movement, and a deep sense of place.   We talk about how travel has shaped her art from painting along the coast of Italy to soaking in the light of the south of France, and how those experiences show up in her work not as literal scenes, but as memory and emotion. Pam also shares how her st...

  In this episode of Behind the Brush , I'm joined by artist Lauri Prins, a Minnesota-based painter known for her timeless sailboats, gardens, and classic blue-and-white pieces. We dive into Lauri's journey from graphic design and decorative painting back to fine art and how a simple 30-day sketchbook challenge helped her rebuild confidence, find her rhythm again, and loosen up her style in ways s...

In this casual, behind-the-scenes episode of Behind the Brush, I'm taking a moment to reflect on the first few months of the year—what worked, what didn't, and what I'm adjusting moving forward.  I'm sharing honestly about a full (maybe too full) schedule, how I'm navigating commissions alongside creative work, and the systems that are actually helping me stay afloat right now. We'll also talk abo...

In this episode of Behind the Brush , Kelly sits down with abstract expressionist Emily Pullin to discuss what it really takes to grow as an artist over time. Emily shares how she went from painting dog portraits to creating layered, emotion-driven mixed-media work, and the unexpected commission that helped unlock her abstract style. They talk about balancing a full life ( teaching, motherhood, an...

In this episode of Behind the Brush , Kelly sits down with artist Elizabeth Alice to discuss what it really takes to turn creativity into a sustainable, full-time career. Elizabeth shares her journey from drawing her first commissioned poster in second grade to building a thriving art business with multiple income streams. After starting in fashion and running a custom illustration business, she e...

In this episode of Behind the Brush , Kelly shares how acrylic paint became her go-to medium—from her earliest art classes to the way she uses it now in her professional work. She discusses why acrylics have worked well across different seasons of life, especially during motherhood, and how they've supported both her creativity and her business. If you already paint with acrylics, or you're curiou...

In this episode of Behind the Brush , Kelly sits down with South Carolina artist Kelsey Nichols , whose creative journey has taken more than one beautiful turn. Before building her art business, Kelsey was one of the youngest Lily Pulitzer store owners in the company's history. After years in retail, motherhood, and a life-altering season following her daughter's traumatic brain injury, she found...

At the end of last week's episode, Stephen Walker left us with one powerful line: "Treat your art like a business." But how do you do that… without becoming robotic, rigid, or disconnected from the very joy that made you start creating in the first place? In this episode, I'm breaking down what it actually means to run your art practice like a busines s — and why doing so doesn't drain the soul ou...

Steven Walker is the rare combination of serious skill and zero pretension—and he's been making a full-time art career work for over 20 years. Represented by six galleries and known for his disciplined, light-filled work, Steven shares what actually sustains longevity in this industry. We talk about going all-in on painting, building a studio rhythm that works alongside family life, and why refusi...

In this short but powerful episode, Kelly dives into Daily Painting by Carol Marine , a book first published in 2014 that still offers timeless advice for artists today. The core idea is simple but transformative: paint small and paint often. Kelly explores how a consistent small-painting practice can remove pressure, rebuild confidence, and accelerate both creative and professional growth. Whethe...

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 yo...

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 engageme...

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...

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 engageme...

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...

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,...

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 t...

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 pod...

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, l...

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 c...

Learn how to set fair, confident pricing for your artwork with strategies that honor both your creative effort and market demand. In this episode, Kelly breaks down real examples from working artists and addresses common insecurities that make pricing feel intimidating. You'll discover how to use Instagram and peer comparisons for market research, establish a baseline that fits your career stage,...

 Meet self-taught artist Kristin Cooney, who made the unexpected leap from dentistry to painting. Drawing inspiration from vintage photographs of glamorous women, Kristin transforms historical moments into joyful coastal scenes, florals, and abstracts. She shares the creative process behind her vibrant work and the surprising parallels between art and dentist ry—especially value contrast. Kristin...

Feeling like you're not good enough as an artist? You're not alone—and that doubt might be your greatest teacher. In this episode of Behind the Brush , Kelly Pelfrey opens up about overcoming comparison, from social media envy to measuring herself against masters like Monet and Sargent. She reveals how embracing individuality unlocks creativity and purpose. Kelly reminds us that art isn't a compet...

How do you turn personal loss into purpose? In this episode of Behind the Brush , artist Kendall Blanchard shares her inspiring journey from the bayous of Louisiana to recognition across Alabama.  After losing her father, Kendall found healing through art, evolving from teacher to full-time artist and collaborating with brands like Society Social. She discusses using Instagram to build authentic p...