The Art Biz

Writing about your art isn't easy—but it's one of the most important things you can do to clarify your vision and connect with others. In this solo episode of The Art Biz , host Alyson Stanfield walks you through a comprehensive guide to writing an effective artist statement that truly reflects your work. You'll hear why artist statements still matter, how to approach the writing process without g...

Guest: Ruby Lopez Harper, Executive Director of CERF+ In this episode of The Art Biz , Ruby Lopez Harper, executive director for CERF+ (the Craft Emergency Relief Fund) joins host Alyson Stanfield to discuss the vital work CERF+ does to support artists before, during, and after emergencies. As CERF+ celebrates its 40th anniversary, Ruby shares the history of the organization, its spirit of mutual...

As an artist, you have the freedom to shape your career—but with that freedom comes the challenge of making decisions that align with your goals and values. Decision-making can feel overwhelming, especially when every opportunity seems promising. In this solo episode of The Art Biz , host Alyson Stanfield breaks down the Artist's Decision-Making Framework to help you prioritize what truly matters....

Building an art business takes more than just talent—it takes determination, adaptability, and a willingness to keep going, even when success feels out of reach. Stella and Gemma Stevens, the artists behind Two Faced Twins, know this firsthand. Their work—bold, colorful, and joyful—now has a dedicated following, but their path wasn't always easy. For two years, the Stevens twins struggled to sell...

Art has a unique ability to transcend language, evoke emotion, and bring people together across cultural divides. This idea is embodied in the work of Samra Bashir, whose glass paintings celebrate the rich traditions of South Asian and Islamic art while inviting a broader audience into their intricate beauty. Samra's journey as an artist began as a personal escape—something she turned to during ch...

host: Alyson Stanfield If you've followed my work, you've likely noticed some recurring themes—guiding principles that shape the way I advise artists. These aren't just casual suggestions; they are the foundation of everything I do. In this episode of The Art Biz , I'm sharing the four core beliefs that define my approach and help artists build sustainable, thriving careers. You'll hear why your a...

Every artist's journey is unique—what works for one won't necessarily work for another. Personal preferences, life circumstances, and individual personalities all shape how artists navigate their creative careers. In this episode of The Art Biz , host Alyson Stanfield welcomes astrologer and coach Bonnie Gillespie to explore how artists can work with their natural wiring instead of against it. The...

This episode of The Art Biz with host Alyson Stanfield focuses on the power of commitment and taking action toward your goals. Explore how to align your schedule with your values, overcome hesitation, and stop waiting for the "perfect time." With practical strategies like inquiry-based reflection and small, intentional steps, you'll discover how to move forward confidently. Whether it's honing you...

Host Alyson Stanfield discusses the benefits and strategies of a daily creative practice with Helen Hiebert, who constructs installations, sculptures, films, artists' books, and works in paper using handmade paper as her primary medium. This conversation acknowledges the value of a daily practice, but Helen is a strong advocate for what she calls "intermittent daily practices." If sticking to a da...

Debbie Mueller talks with host Alyson Stanfield about how she has cultivated resilience and bravery as an artist, from finding her community to embracing opportunities that might initially feel intimidating. She also discusses how she's navigated challenges like rejection and the balancing act of art and life. Debbie credits her successes not just to hard work and persistence but to a little bit o...

From sketchbook notes and letters, to authoring her own exhibition catalogues and eventually publishing a memoir, to her thoughtful weekly Substack newsletter, The Lifeboat, Samantha Clark reflects on how writing fosters clarity and confidence for herself and the artists she mentors. In a conversation with host Alyson Stanfield, Samantha discusses how writing can deepen one's creative practice, th...

This episode is for you if you enjoy writing or aspire to do more of it. Host Alyson Stanfield interviews Ann Miller, who has found a powerful way to merge her creative passions with her love for writing while growing her audience. Using Substack, she refines ideas for books, shares insights into calligraphy and design, and engages her audience with educational content. Substack has become integra...

Peek inside the elite art world. Host Alyson Stanfield speaks with Michael Findlay, a long-time art dealer and author of the new memoir, Portrait of the Art Dealer as a Young Man: New York in the Sixties. They discuss his extensive career, insights into the evolving art market, and memorable stories, including an amusing anecdote about Andy Warhol. Findlay emphasizes the importance of immersive, i...

This is a letter I wrote in 2017 to help a concerned father support his introverted artist son. I wanted to help him—and anyone else who wants to help an artist—understand the struggles of artists and how they can be most helpful. My 7 pieces of advice (outlined in the timestamps below) isn't given lightly and is based on decades of experience working with artists. host: Alyson Stanfield 00:44 Dea...

host: Alyson Stanfield Artist and advocate Virginia Broersma talks with me about her efforts to support fellow artists through practical resources. Virginia shares how she founded The Artist's Office to help artists manage administrative tasks and created The Artist's Contract, a free tool for artist protections. We also explore her Studio Loan program, which connects artists needing temporary stu...

Host Alyson Stanfield delves into the necessity of creating demand for your artwork in order to achieve a certain level of success. She discusses the balance between ambition and practicality in the art market and offers five essential tips to assess and cultivate demand effectively. Alyson stresses the importance of setting realistic expectations, refining your unique artistic voice, and nurturin...

A deep discussion about the significant impact of the internet on the arts economy and the evolving role of artists in today's market that is ruled by the internet. Host Alyson Stanfield talks with William Deresiewicz, author of The Death of the Artist: How Creators are Struggling to Survive in the Age of Billionaires and Big Tech . Bill discuss the challenges of discoverability and financial inst...

Host Alyson Stanfield talks with artist Joan Chamberlain, whose creative journey has taken many twists and turns. Joan shares her story, from her early days as a botanical artist and licensed illustrator to her time as a product developer and dentist. Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Joan reflects on how moving has impacted her art, her lifestyle, and her happiness. Joan discusses: How attending Alys...

Host Alyson Stanfield talks with Iris Scott, a talented artist who has had tremendous success on social media. A large portion of the discussion was driven by questions from her dedicated followers. Iris shares how the social media landscape has evolved since the early days of her art career and how she adapts to those changes today, including her approach to TikTok and paid advertising. The insig...

host: Alyson Stanfield In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Debra about her dynamic journey as an artist and entrepreneur. Debra reflects on her career that spans teaching, studio work, decorative painting, and involvement with various communities. She shares the challenges she faced navigating the competitive art world, her time running Artifactory decorative painting...

In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield chats with artist Julie deBoer, founder of Mastrius, a mentorship platform for artists. Julie shares her journey of discovering her unique style with the help of a mentor, and how she resisted what was coming out of her until she began understanding where it came from. She discusses the challenges of working with galleries, transitioning to sol...

host: Alyson Stanfield In the 200th episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield explores the deeper motivations behind artists' desires for more recognition and sales. She emphasizes the importance of pursuing true fulfillment in art, beyond external validation and social media metrics. Alyson shares her personal journey of prioritizing happiness over career stability and discusses various forms...

In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with author and artist Alyson Sheldrake. Every month for ten years, Alyson Sheldrake has published Snapshot!, an extensive digital magazine that promotes her work, her husband's photography, and local businesses. The most recent edition was 128 pages! In her words, Snapshot! covers art, photography, books, reviews, events, interviews, res...

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 accountabi...

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...