Alyson Stanfield, Author at Art Biz Success

Oil painting of group of people with same face peering into windows of house that is smaller than them | on Art Biz Success

The Art Biz ep. 131: Injecting Personal Narrative into Your Art with Sara Lee Hughes

Will art sell when it’s focused on the artist’s personal narrative? Sara Lee Hughes is deep into a body of narrative paintings with that is steeped in her personal story.

We discuss the genesis of this body of work (It’s a great story!), how Sara Lee focuses on the long game, how she keeps her ideas, and how she balances motherhood with her studio practice.

The Art Biz ep. 131: Injecting Personal Narrative into Your Art with Sara Lee Hughes Read

The Art Biz ep. 130: 4 Video Mistakes Artists Keep Making with Zach Wolfson

Whether you’re chasing the Instagram algorithm for reels, streaming live on YouTube, or pulling together a video bio for your website, it’s more valuable than ever to make good videos.

It hurts to admit that even bad videos play better on social media than a static photo, but as long as you’re going to the trouble to make a video, why not make it better?

The Art Biz ep. 130: 4 Video Mistakes Artists Keep Making with Zach Wolfson Read

Oil painting of young girl and boy digging in the sand on the beach | on Art Biz Success

The Art Biz ep. 129: Seeking Validation and Earning Credibility as an Artist

Artists crave validation by others. You want your work to be appreciated. This is perfectly normal. You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t.

All of that validation adds to your credibility and must begin in the studio. Ultimately, you need to understand that your work is valid by the mere fact it exists. Outside validation is more likely to come after you find self-validation.

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Work Differently to Facilitate a Breakthrough

The word “breakthrough” implies that something has to be destroyed so that something new can be created. Consider what you want to change: What needs to break?

Here are 6 ways to expedite your breakthrough, which all involve disrupting your routine or trying something different. Keep working and be open to possibilities throughout the process.

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Expanding your skillset to respond to opportunities with Detour (128)

Detour doesn’t want to be limited by what he currently knows, so he’s learning how to use new technologies to help him land complex opportunities. He isn’t afraid to discover that the best way to approach an artistic problem is something he hasn’t done before.

Big on presenting himself in the most professional light, he says, “You never know who is watching.”

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Maria Brito a light skinned woman with long dark brown hair stands by a portrait light

The Art Biz ep. 127: She’s the Link Between Artists, Galleries and Collectors with Maria Brito

Maria Brito is an advocate for democratizing the art world for artists, and for collectors who might be interested in buying art but aren’t yet ready to spend tens of thousands of dollars.

We talk about how she works with artists, galleries, and collectors and why she thinks there has never been a better time to be an artist.

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©Helen Klebesadel, The Watchers. Watercolor on paper, 22 x 30 inches. Used with permission.

Building an Art Business Is a Choice, Not a Sacrifice

Nobody said you had to be an artist.

It’s a choice you made. And whether or not if feels like you have control over what happens from here, you have control over a host of other choices that will contribute to or sink any chances of success.

Stop thinking of them as sacrifices. You’re pretty blessed.

Building an Art Business Is a Choice, Not a Sacrifice Read

artist Willie Cole with long dreadlocked hair and black shirt

Play tops work, connection tops solitude, and confidence tops fear with Willie Cole (126)

This is inspiration for when you feel like your art becomes work and there’s little to look forward to.

Willie talks about the faith he has in his practice as a result of being consistent throughout the years, why he prefers to approach his studio in the spirit of play, and how he uses visualization.

Play tops work, connection tops solitude, and confidence tops fear with Willie Cole (126) Read

acrylic painting of layered shapes in reds and yellows and blues artist Patrick Slattery | on Art Biz Success

Trust, verify, and secure artist opportunities

It’s thrilling when a new opportunity comes your way. You want to jump on it. But then the doubts creep in. There’s no reason to get cynical. Approach the opportunity from a place of trust because you never know what will come of it.

Then you must back up that trust by verifying it with research and written agreements.

Trust, verify, and secure artist opportunities Read

The Art Biz ep. 125: How to Legally Protect Your Creative Work with Kathryn Goldman

My conversation with intellectual property and internet law attorney Kathryn Goldman is a mini free workshop based on her Four Step Framework to help you identify, protect, monitor, and enforce your creative rights.

Do pay attention to late in the episode when Kathryn mentions the new FARE Contract, an opportunity for you to protect the future financial interests of your work.

The Art Biz ep. 125: How to Legally Protect Your Creative Work with Kathryn Goldman Read