What You're Not Doing: 7 Mistakes Artists Make (231)

The biggest mistakes artists make aren’t about doing the wrong things—they’re about doing nothing at all. Avoidance. Waiting. Hoping something will change on its own. In this solo episode, host Alyson Stanfield revisits and reframes one of her most popular articles, updated with a decade of insight and experience. These are not dramatic failures, but subtle patterns of inaction that can quietly keep your art business stuck. Alyson shares 7 common mistakes, grouped into 3 themes: Mindset. Connection. Structure. Each is paired with a powerful inquiry to help you take honest inventory—and move forward with more awareness. HIGHLIGHTS 03:00 What do you want from your art? 05:00 There’s no magical moment when you feel ready. 06:45 Real artists don’t have to promote their work? 08:00 There are doors you don’t even know exist. 10:55 Templates, contracts, follow-up—none of it is optional. 12:50 Your art might be amazing, but does the presentation match? 15:00 These aren’t failures—they’re invitations. 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/biggest-mistakes-artists-make/ 🔶 My Essentials for Artist Success comprehensive biz-building program can give you the guidance and support for correcting (or avoiding) all of these mistakes. See Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 ⛰️ 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/

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/

What if titling your art is actually part of your creative practice? One that helps you better understand your work, connect with your audience, and prepare your art for life beyond the studio? That’s the beautiful perspective offered by artist and writing consultant Fran Gardner. In this episode, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Fran to explore the idea that titles aren’t just labels—they’re bridges. They link your creative intention to the viewer’s experience and give your work a voice when you’re not there to speak for it. Fran shares her own turning point with titling, walks us through her thoughtful process, and explains why she believes writing—especially titling—is part of every professional artist’s responsibility. 00:00 – Why titling your artwork is an act of creative responsibility 03:45 – The emotional and symbolic power a title carries 07:50 – Fran’s turning point: when numbering her work wasn’t enough 13:55 – A step-by-step process for discovering the right title 20:50 – How titling deepens your understanding of your own work 24:00 – Balancing personal expression with professional presentation 32:10 – The essential role of writing in every artist’s practice 40:15 – Titles as bridges between the art, the artist, and the audience 📖 To read more, find links, and connect with Alyson, see The Art Biz ep. 229.   ⭐️ Read about Fran, grab her book, and see more of her art: https://frangardnerart.com   🆓 🖨️ Writing and talking about your art can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re staring at a blank screen. That’s where Studio to Spotlight comes in. This free download includes 28 thoughtful prompts designed to get you writing, reflecting, and sharing more confidently about your work. Download From Studio to Spotlight.   🔶 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.   🎧 RELATED EPISODES You can’t go wrong with these additional episodes about writing for expanding your creativity and your art business: Fostering Clarity and Confidence Through Writing with Samantha Clark (211) Writing on Substack Can Be Integral to Your Creative Process with Ann Balaam Miller (210) Guidelines for Your Artist Statement (50) ⛰️ 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 easy to assume that people will visit your artist website once it’s built. But websites don’t always attract attention on their own. You have to give people reasons to show up. In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield shares 11 simple, low-effort strategies to guide more people to your site—plus a way to download the full list of 22 ideas. These are real, artist-friendly actions that work in the background of your art business to increase traffic over time. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why waiting for people to discover your website isn’t a strategy 11 proven ways to increase site traffic—most of them free How small tweaks to your emails and profiles can make a big impact Why showing up in community spaces can lead people back to your site Where to get the full download with all 22 ideas   🎧 RELATED EPISODES Presenting Yourself Professionally on Your Artist Website with Jessica Burko (174) Technology Is Your Colleague in the Studio with Iris Scott (ep. 203) What Artists Need to Know About SEO with Meg Casebolt (222) 📖 To read more and get the other 11 tips and the download, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/website-traffic   🔶 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.

What does it take to stick with one creative project for more than a decade—and still feel inspired by it? Michelle Fung has been immersed in The World of 2084 since 2015. What began as a vivid dream in a coffee shop became a sprawling, interdisciplinary art project imagining five futuristic nations and their cultural, ecological, and political identities. In this conversation with host Alyson Stanfield, Michelle shares how she builds these imagined worlds through woodcut painting, animation, books, and research—and how her commitment hasn’t wavered in 10 years. She talks openly about the tension between conceptual satisfaction and selling work, and how she uses long-term planning to stay focused. You’ll also hear how she transitioned from printmaking to a unique “woodcut painting” process that honors her love of carving and visual storytelling—and how she separates money-making projects from money-burning ones without losing joy. 🎧 In this episode, we discuss: How a dream became a decades-long project What it means to “marry” your work for life Why she created a new medium to reflect her evolving passion How she approaches long-term planning (including 10-year and annual plans) The relationship between emotional commitment and financial sustainability 🎧 RELATED EPISODES These episodes feature artists who have taken on big or multi-year projects. 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 artbizsuccess.com/forever-fung ⭐️ Connect with Michelle and see more of her art: https://michelleksfung.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/

Getting gallery representation isn’t just about having great work—it’s about preparation, professionalism, and relationships. At Gabba Gallery in Los Angeles, those values are at the heart of how things run. For more than a decade, owner and director Jason Ostro has led the gallery’s mission to elevate emerging and mid-career artists, while curator and manager Elena Jacobson makes sure every show runs smoothly. Together, they bring a practical and deeply human perspective to the artist-gallery partnership. In this conversation, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Jason and Elena about: How they collaborate and divide responsibilities at Gabba Gallery. The qualities they look for in artists and what makes someone a strong fit. Common mistakes artists make when submitting or working with galleries. Why proper preparation makes a big difference in working with an artist (or not). How Gabba’s 50/50 commission model works and what artists should know about gallery finances. Why relationships, networking, and trust are just as important as talent. Whether you’re actively seeking gallery representation or want to better understand the dynamics behind the scenes, this episode offers honest insight into what it takes to succeed. Takeaway: Showing your work in a gallery isn’t a handoff—it’s a partnership. The more you understand the gallery’s role, the stronger your relationship (and opportunities) will be. 🎧 RELATED EPISODES and POSTS Qualities Galleries Are Looking For in Their Artists with Jeremy Tessmer (ep. 123) Why Artists Should Embrace Galleries (article for some perspective) The Investing Artist: Art, Real Estate, and Legacy with Mary Erickson (ep. 19) — how she juggles 7 or 8 galleries The Art Biz Unfiltered: Dealer Michael Findlay on Collectors, Curiosity, and Changes (ep. 209) — longtime NY gallerist on his memoir Why I Want Partnerships with Art Galleries with Evita Tezeno (ep. 175) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/gabba-gallery ⭐️ Connect with Elena and Jason and read about the artists they represent at https://gabbagallery.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/

Building a sustainable art business requires more than just making good work. It requires showing up consistently, connecting with the right people, and staying true to a long-term vision—even when that means setting difficult boundaries. In this conversation, Noelle Phares returns to talk with host Alyson Stanfield about the structures she’s put in place to support her thriving art career. From smart use of assistants and art festivals to strategic decisions around galleries and commissions, Noelle has built her success by staying fiercely committed to audience building. Here’s what’s ahead: How Noelle balances artistic independence with professional growth. Why she made audience-building a priority early on—and how she continues to nurture it. The systems and support team she’s built to stay focused on creating. Setting boundaries with galleries and protecting her studio sales. The importance of maintaining multiple price points and income streams. Noelle’s approach is a masterclass in running an art business with vision, strategy, and heart. 🎧 RELATED EPISODES These episodes highlight business systems for artists: Tools to Shape Up Your Art Business with Jennifer Printz (ep. 79) Systems to Effectively Manage a Dizzying Increase in Your Art Business with Betty Franks (ep. 80) How to Squeeze More Time from Your Busy Calendar (ep. 152) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/phares-parttwo ⭐️ Connect with Noelle and see more of her art: https://noellephares.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/

Building an art career with intention doesn’t always start with a plan. Sometimes it starts with a gut feeling that something isn’t working. That was true for Noelle Phares, who left behind a structured science career to follow her creative instincts—eventually leading to a solo museum exhibition and a thriving, self-directed art business. In this episode (part 1 of 2), host Alyson Stanfield talks to Noelle about how she transitioned from environmental data science into full-time painting, and how her rigorous research background continues to shape her studio practice. The conversation centers around 2024 solo show Tracking Time at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art—how it came together, what she learned from the proposal process, and why she approaches every exhibition as a fully developed project. She also shares her mindset around selling art, connecting with collectors, and painting for impact. This conversation is rich with insight about: Leaving a traditional career to follow a creative calling. The research process behind Tracking Time and why Noelle selected 7 distinct locations along the Colorado River. Working with museums and curators while maintaining your artistic voice. Designing exhibitions that tell cohesive, layered stories. Balancing environmental messaging with visual beauty to draw people in. Creating work that connects with buyers and retains meaning. Noelle's blend of structure, vision, and heart makes this an inspiring listen for any artist seeking to step into a more intentional, expansive chapter. Stay tuned for part 2, where we’ll dive into how she structures her business, manages a team, markets her work, and approaches gallery relationships. 🎧 RELATED EPISODES These episodes feature artists discussing their museum shows: Portrait Project and Museum Exhibition with Lisa Kovvuri (ep. 11) Series, Catalogs, and Museum Shows with Susan Abbott (ep. 176) Overcoming Anxiety about Making Art World Connections with Heather Beardsley (ep. 160) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/ ⭐️ Connect with Noelle and see more of her art: https://noellephares.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 It’s easy to think that being a full-time artist means struggling financially. But painter Mary Erickson is proof that with discipline, long-term thinking, and a deep love of both art and business, it’s possible to build a creative life that’s both fulfilling and financially secure. In this conversation, recorded several years ago and lightly edited for re-release, Mary shares how she transitioned from painting before and after work at a frame shop to selling 500 watercolors, managing 8 gallery relationships, and investing in real estate—all while keeping her commitment to living simply and giving back. In this episode, Mary and I discuss: Why she says she paints to buy real estate so she can collect art How she used her job at a frame shop as a launchpad for her career What it took to sell her first 500 watercolors Her entry into the print market (and her rules for doing it smartly) Why she sees her galleries as partners, not just sales channels How she built a bird sanctuary and artist retreat through her art income The financial discipline and mindset that has served her all along the way This episode is a must-listen if you're an artist who wants to make smart business moves without sacrificing your creative soul. 🎧 RELATED EPISODES Check out these episodes that also focus on galleries or working with galleries: Leaving Gallery Representation to Reach More Art Buyers with Adele Sypesteyn (ep. 163) Qualities Galleries Are Looking For in Their Artists with Jeremy Tessmer (ep. 123) The Art Biz Unfiltered: Dealer Michael Findlay on Collectors, Curiosity, and Changes (ep. 209) Why I Want Partnerships with Art Galleries with Evita Tezeno (ep. 175) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/investing-artist-podcast/ ⭐️ Connect with Mary and see more of her art: https://maryericksonart.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/

You work hard on your art. You want people to discover it. But if you’re relying entirely on social media to be found, you're building on shaky ground. Search engines like Google, YouTube, and even Pinterest remain powerful tools for helping people find you and your art—but only if you’re strategic about how you show up there. In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield talks with her go-to SEO coach, Meg Casebolt, about what artists need to know about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and how to take ownership of your content online. Meg helped Alyson make sense of 20+ years of blog content and gave her the confidence to be more intentional moving forward. She breaks SEO down in a way that’s accessible and artist-friendly—even if it’s not your favorite thing to think about. We discuss: The two things you must own online (spoiler: Instagram isn’t one of them) How search engines work and what they’re really looking for Where and how to use keywords on your site and images What alt text is (and how to write it) Whether blogging is still relevant in 2025 Analytics to pay attention to—and how often to check them Your Action Step Take just one small step to improve your online presence. Update alt text, rewrite a product description, or add relevant keywords to a page. Share your progress with me on Instagram @alysonstanfield and use #artbizsuccess. 🔶 Want help building a better content structure? 🔶 Join me inside Essentials for Artist Success, where we’re about to kick off The Artist’s Content Compass workshop. You'll get the tools and support to make your content work harder—without burning out. 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/casebolt-seo ⭐️ Connect with Meg, find her podcasts, and learn about Content Love Lab: https://loveatfirstsearch.com/ 🎧 RELATED EPISODES These episodes feature stories about artists’ success online: Presenting Yourself Professionally on Your Artist Website with Jessica Burko (174) The Key to Success on Social Media with Cathy Nichols (ep. 154) Stop Incessantly Feeding the Social Media Algorithms with Kamal X ****(ep. 172) Technology Is Your Colleague in the Studio with Iris Scott (ep. 203) ⛰️ 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/