The Artist Entrepreneur Podcast

Catherine is back with a new solo episode where she answers more of your art business related questions. So many of you have reached out over the last few weeks and months with questions about your art career so it was only natural to address them in a podcast episode. Today, four of your most common questions about business, marketing, creativity and so much more will be answered! Thank you to everyone who takes the time to send a note, it’s been an absolute pleasure to get to know you and your journey. It’s because of your support, engagement and encouragements that this podcast is still going strong after 2.5 years! So please, do continue sharing the podcast with your friends and sending your feedback, it means more than you think. This is the last episode recorded in 2022, we will be taking a break for the holidays and start recording new episodes in January so stay tuned for new content in the new year! Conversation Highlights: The grass isn’t greener for other artists and that’s a fact You don’t have to do it all, you have to do what works for you and your business What you need to get started selling your work PLUS: Some updates on what I’ve been doing and how my businesses are going. Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!

Welcome to a brand new episode of The Artist Entrepreneur Podcast! On today’s episode, Catherine gives an update on how she’s been doing, her time away and the decisions she’s recently made to continue enjoying her entrepreneurial journey. We then move on and meet Christine O’Donnell,  Owner and Director of Beacon Gallery in Boston’s South End. Christine’s story is fascinating: she spent 12 years working and teaching in France, Hong Kong, and Singapore before returning to her hometown of Boston to follow her passion for the arts. During today’s interview, Catherine and Christine discuss how it is to start a new business without any “contacts” in the industry, being a woman in the arts, and how artists can build solid and valuable relationships with galleries. Conversation Highlights: Why Christine decided to open a brick and mortar gallery and not only go online How the pandemic gave her the opportunity to restructure her business What she appreciates from artists she represents. PLUS: The gallery-artist relationship is a partnership, not a parent-child relationship Links and resources:  Website: https://beacongallery.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beacongallery/ Working with art galleries? Your Qs answered by a gallerist: https://youtu.be/YNk1TWvS00c One Year After Beeple, the NFT Has Changed Artists. Has It Changed Art?: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/03/arts/design/nft-art-beeple.html  Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!

The podcast is back! On today’s episode, Catherine gives an update on her new side-business and continues sharing what she’s been learning, or rather, what she’s been reminding herself through this exciting new journey. Then, we move on and meet Ryan Claytor, the Coordinator of the Comic Art and Graphic Novel Minor and Assistant Professor at Michigan State University where he teaches Comics Studio courses. His most recent book, "A Hunter's Tale", is a comic Claytor illustrated using his late grandfather's poem about empathy as a script. During today’s interview, Catherine and Ryan discuss how his most recent comic book was launched via a wildly successful crowdfunding campaign, fully funding its first day and finishing well beyond its initial goal. They also talk about how and why he wanted to teach his students how to sell and market their work. The nuggets of wisdom Ryan shares about successfully showing up in your art business throughout the episode are priceless! Conversation Highlights: Why marketing and selling your art doesn’t have to be hard. How it all starts with community. What you can do to ensure that your own crowdfunding campaign is successful. PLUS: If you want to make art, you should make money with your art! Links and resources:  Website:          www.ElephantEater.com and ahunterstale.com Patreon:          www.patreon.com/RyanClaytor  Instagram:     https://www.instagram.com/coinopcarnival/ Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!

On today’s episode, Catherine starts by giving an update on her life and new business venture. She also shares three things she learned when she launched last month. After her update, she is joined by Jessica Poundstone, an artist living in Portland, Oregon. In her words, Jessica believes art is part of a self-care practice that changes the way we see, think & feel — and ultimately changes us! Her highest hope is that her work — which is primarily about exploring how color can make us feel — will be a continuous source of joy, playfulness, and meaning for her collectors. During the interview, Jessica and Catherine talk about her artist journey and how she was able to go from part-time to full-time artist last year, how her perception of email marketing has changed and other interesting topics such as licensing your art and so much more!  Conversation Highlights: Going full-time as a professional artist doesn’t have to be an “all or nothing” approach. The importance of setting boundaries and having a self-care routine to thrive as you are growing your art business. Why every artist needs an email list. PLUS: Give yourself a little creative honeymoon! Links and resources: Jessica Poundstone:Website: www.jessicapoundstone.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessicapoundstone Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/poundstone Catherine’s new flower business:Website: www.montfleur.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montfleur.flowers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Montfleur.flowers Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!  

On today’s episode, Catherine interviews Camilla Sironi, author and entrepreneur based in Quebec, Canada. Born in Italy to a French mother and an Italian father, Camilla has been avidly cultivating her passion for literature since childhood. Founder of a communication agency with a social vocation and mother of two young children, she published her first novel, Yet, I am here, in 2020 and will publish her second book later this year. Besides adult fiction, Camilla also writes poetry and children's stories. During the interview, Camilla and Catherine talk about what it means to become a professional creative, carving time for creativity when you have a busy schedule, and the necessary grace we all need to give ourselves as we embark on new creative endeavours.  Conversation Highlights: Why thinking about your audience when creating is important as you go from hobbyist to professional. How, as an entrepreneur, you get to decide how you “use” your time. What Camilla does to stay accountable, make sure she takes advantage of her creative time, and… push through resistance! PLUS: The importance of giving yourself the opportunity to be imperfect and vulnerable. Links and resources: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CamillaSironiauteure Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cami_sironi/  Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!  

On today’s episode, we meet Gwyneth Leech, a visual artist living and working in New York City. Her focus is the visual drama of construction sites in Midtown Manhattan, where she is recording the incremental yet rapid building process as the city undergoes major physical and demographic changes. Leech's fascination with construction sites as subject matter dates to 2015, when a 40-story building began to go up in front of her studio window on West 39th Street. She was losing a view she loved, but she decided to give this unwelcome change her full attention and made scores of drawings and paintings as the new building rose past her13th floor workspace and blocked the view. During the interview, Gwyneth and Catherine talk about the niche she carved for herself, her wonderful career as an independent artist and the unexpected group of collectors that now purchase her art. Conversation Highlights: Why Gwyneth turned an unfortunate event into an opportunity How she was able to work with a group of collectors that even galleries can’t get a hold of Why the know-like-trust factors are so important to understand the long sales cycles in the art world PLUS: If you can’t get them to come see your work, take the work to them! Links and resources: Website: www.gwynethleech.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwynethleech/ The Monolith documentary: https://www.gwynethleech.com/documentary Interview in Modern Steel Construction Magazine: https://lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=728374&article_id=4156445&view=articleBrowser&ver=html5 Podcast: https://www.aisc.org/modernsteel/resources/field-notes-podcasts/ Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!

Here we are, new year, new episodes! After a brief break, Catherine is back with new guests and new topics, but the conversational tone you are all used to stays the same! On today’s episode we meet Heather Hancock, a Chicago-based mixed media artist who works with glass. Her art is inspired by how people are engaged by information in the natural and built worlds. Heather celebrates 15 years as a professional artist after working for over a decade in the health care system. On today’s episode, we talk about the challenges of going from a full-time job to a full-time artist-entrepreneur, the process of connecting and working with art consultants and how Heather has carved a great niche for her art. Conversation Highlights: How Heather connects and conveys her work with art consultants How commissions can help an artist explore and grow Why setting up systems for follow-ups has helped her grow her business PLUS: The importance of knowing what you are interested in creating for your clients Links and resources: Website: https://heatherhancock.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherhancock.art.studio/ Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!  

This is episode 40! Thank you so much for your amazing support over the last 18 months. When I started on this podcasting journey, I never thought I would reach 40 episodes. It’s because of your support and encouragement that I’ve been able to do this. So please, do continue sharing the podcast with your friends and sending me your feedback, it means more than you think. Today, I’m doing something I haven’t done for a while, and that is a solo episode! On this episode, I’m answering 8 of your most burning questions on topics related to artist-entrepreneur mindset, sales strategies, and tips to take action on in your business. This is the last episode recorded in 2021, I will be taking a break for the Holidays and start recording new episodes in January so stay tuned for new content in February 2022! Conversation Highlights: Why you need to start training people to buy from you How and why you need to set boundaries with your clients What are the keys to a successful relationship with your gallery PLUS: What your next steps should be as you are starting to plan for the New Year, and so much more! Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!

On today’s episode we meet Roxy Prima and Phoebe Cornog, the co-founders of Pandr Design Co., a San Diego-based mural company. Their mission is to create designs that not only enhance their clients’ brand image, but that will also increase their staying power. Over the years, Roxy and Phoebe have painted over 225 murals all across the United States and in a few countries as well! Phoebe and Roxy are well seasoned artist-entrepreneurs who have learned many important lessons along their entrepreneurial journey and the best part is that they are very transparent about it. In today’s episode, we talk about the pressure of creating work for clients, charging for your services in a sustainable way, the importance of having contracts and how demonstrating leadership is so important to gain your client’s confidence. Conversation Highlights: Why it’s important to value yourself and your work if you want your clients to do the same How to set boundaries in your business so your clients don’t make your like difficult How to know if it’s time to raise your prices PLUS: It’s ok to pitch your work! Links and resources: Website: https://www.pandrdesignco.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pandrdesignco/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Walls-Transform-Geometrics-Techniques/dp/1635862779 Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!

My guest today is visual artist from Madison (Wisconsin) is Rae Senarighi / AKA the Transpainter. Rae likes to describe himself as your average non-binary cancer survivor inspiring self-compassion, activism and gender resilience via unapologetic portraiture and typography. Rae champions storytelling through art, working to create accurate and celebratory representation of the transgender and non-binary community in the fine art world and beyond. Rae’s work has been featured internationally through media and news outlets, including Netflix. While listening to the episode, you’ll soon discover that there is nothing average about Rae who is on a mission to spread self-acceptance and love. On today’s episode, we discuss Rae’s personal and professional journey and also how concepts such as self love and acceptance can be part of any artist’s entrepreneurial journey. Conversation Highlights: Why you need to chose authenticity over ego in your work and business How getting clear on your vision and then letting go of it is key to creating amazing opportunities How to get over negativity that comes up when comparing yourself to others PLUS: Are you treating your art practice with respect? Links and resources: Website: www.transpainter.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transpainter/ Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!

Our guest today is Aga Pindera, Head of the Research Center at the Muzeum Sztuki in Łódź where she explores cultural policies, history, and the organization of art institutions, including grassroots and independent initiatives. She has curated several international group exhibitions including at the Venice Biennale. Today, we discuss together the role of curators, exhibitions, and museums in general and Aga shares with us the story behind the museum she currently works in as well as the most recent exhibition she co-curated called “The Avant-Garde Museum” exhibition on view at the Muzeum Sztuki until the end of February 2022. Aga’s and the Museum Sztuki’s stories are absolutely fascinating! This is a great episode if you’ve ever wanted to know more about curators’ role in the art world. Conversation Highlights: How curators can act as a mediator between artists and the public Why building a strong network can lead to great opportunities for your career How artists and curators can collaborate together PLUS: Art history lessons from one of the oldest museums of modern art in the world! Links and resources: Website: https://msl.org.pl/en/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muzeumsztuki/ Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!  

Our guest today is David duChemin, a best-selling author, photographer, and a bit of a firebrand where the creative life is concerned. David spent the last fifteen years travelling the world as a humanitarian photographer, and leading creativity workshops. Drawing on a previous twelve-year career in comedy, David has great wisdom to share on the importance of consistently building and engaging with your audience as an integral part of your marketing plan. Catherine and David discuss the ups and downs of being a creative, the importance for artists to understand and do their own marketing and how vulnerability and empathy are key to authentic and successful marketing.  Conversation Highlights: How to make your marketing a gift for your audience What you can do to market your work if you don’t enjoy writing Why social media is good, but not as good as email marketing PLUS: What’s the opportunity that you are missing? Links and resources: DavidduChemin.com theaudienceacademy.com ABeautifulAnarchy.com mycontactsheet.com Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!

My guest today has been an active studio artist for over twenty years. Chris McAdoo is also the Director of Strategy and Engagement for the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, home to the first official ETSY Maker City. As you will discover, it’s following a life-changing event that Chris learned the art of the pivot. Our conversation covers topics that are familiar to the podcast but that we’ve never really discussed in such depth. Chris and I talk about defining your WHY and your values as an artist and the importance of deciding what we want to be but, more importantly, what we don’t want to be. Conversation Highlights: How getting clear on your WHY makes your marketing much easier to execute What it means to define your values and act on those values The importance of developing partnerships and asking for help in your life and business PLUS: Why you should have no room for the starving artist myth in your life. Links and resources: Website: https://chrismcadoo.com/ https://themakercity.org/ https://knoxec.com/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/chrisvmcadoo_art https://www.instagram.com/knoxec/ Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!

Anne Tochka is a visual artist based in Cape Cod. Before becoming a full-time painter, she attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. She now brings this training to her current work, using brush strokes and color to describe the complex beauty in her surrounding world. Anne is the perfect guest to talk to about how you can go from very resistant when it comes to promoting yourself to finding strategies that fit your style, are authentic to who you are, and… that actually work! Anne was so gracious during the interview sharing what has worked and not worked in her art journey and how artists can and should get over their fear of marketing. Conversation Highlights: How narrowing down your business’ focus facilitates your marketing What you can do about the voice of resistance that says you can’t promote yourself Why you need to be ready to invest in yourself before asking your clients to invest in your art PLUS: A bunch of great nuggets of wisdom to help you promote your art! Links and resources: Website: https://www.annetochka.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annetochka_studio/ Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!

As an artist and business owner, Jason Pickleman has been bridging the gap between fine art and commercial art his entire career. He has created a body of work both conceptual and popular, applying media as varied as neon, offset printing, silkscreen, collage, and photography. On the other hand, Pickleman’s studio, the JNL graphic design, specializes in the creation of graphic ephemera of unique cultural significance such as exhibition catalogues and brand logos. On today’s episode of The Artist Entrepreneur Podcast, Catherine and Jason discuss how to build an art career with a long term, slow and steady, vision as well as great work ethic. An insightful episode filled with nuggets of wisdom for artists who juggle multiple projects or stream of income in their business. Conversation Highlights: How being creative is similar to being an athlete Why it’s so important to “put in the time” without any expectation of outcome How to tend to your art career as if it was a garden PLUS: Jason shares his one secret to a happy fulfilling art career! Links and resources: Website: http://pickleman.art/ https://www.jnldesign.com/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/pickleman.art/ https://www.instagram.com/jasonpickleman/ Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!

Kim McNeil likes to say that in another life, she would have been a wildlife biologist. She eventually decided that painting wildlife was more her style. Like many artists, Kim began painting as a child. During this interview, she shared how for almost twenty years, she didn’t so much as look at a sheet of drawing paper. But, after searching for an outlet to manage the trauma caused by several painful life events, she went back to the one thing that felt most natural to her: art. Many people, especially outside the art world, think that being an artist is smooth sailing. That isn’t exactly how things happen for many. Hopefully, today’s episode will encourage you to prioritize your mental health because, without a healthy mind, it’s almost impossible to have a healthy art business.   Conversation Highlights: Why it’s ok if you are not a full-time artist (yet) How social media can become a source of stress, and what you can do about it Why you are responsible for creating your own “mental health toolbox” PLUS: There is nothing wrong with you, you deserve to be healthy! Links and resources: Website: https://kimmcneil.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmcneilart/ Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!

This is what we call a feel-good episode! Susan Rodgerson has an education in Fine Arts, but that’s all she will say about herself because she prefers talking about Artists for Humanity, an idea that started as a small and temporary side project. Because of her persistence and dedication, AFH grew over time, from a few participants and a 500 square feet studio to over 300 participants and a 10,000 square feet location that provides under-resourced teens the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in art and design. So many nuggets of wisdom are shared in this episode that will inspire artist-entrepreneurs from all walks of life. Enthusiasm, love, and benevolence describe well the overall tone of this episode. This episode is supported by Wireframe, a podcast all about creativity and design. Check it out here: https://link.chtbl.com/wireframe?sid=podcast.theartistentrepreneurpodcast or on your favorite podcast app. My thanks to Wireframe for their support of The Artist Entrepreneur podcast. Conversation Highlights: How a small project with no budget grew and became a success. How Susan felt as an artist becoming an entrepreneur. How to get bigger companies interested in your projects. PLUS: Build, learn, invest! Then build, learn, invest… Links and resources: Website: https://afhboston.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afhboston/ Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!

Our guest today is not your average attorney. Far from it! Seth Kaplowitz has a very impressive background as legal counsel and commercial advisor to a wide range of businesses, and not only in the US but internationally as well. Seth founded Kaplowitz Firm in 2012 in order to bring his practical and legal experience directly to businesses and entrepreneurs and to foster an environment where clients would be treated more like partners than customers. Since Seth’s practice is focused on working with lifestyle brands, creatives, and design professionals, he was the perfect guest to talk about all the important legal aspects to consider when growing your art business. Together, Catherine and Seth demystify the client-attorney relationship and why it is so important to protect your artist brand… Even if you think you can’t afford it. Actually, you can’t afford to not listen to this episode! This episode is supported by Wireframe, a podcast all about creativity and design. Check it out here: https://link.chtbl.com/wireframe?sid=podcast.theartistentrepreneurpodcast or on your favorite podcast app. My thanks to Wireframe for their support of The Artist Entrepreneur podcast! Conversation Highlights: Why you should always consider a contract with a client. What you can lose by not consulting an attorney. Which factors influence royalties. PLUS: If you don’t do it for yourself, do it for your legacy! Links and resources: Website: https://www.kaplowitzfirm.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaplowitzfirm/ Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!

Our guest today is a Musician and Educator, hailing from just outside New York City. Connor Frost toured extensively both as a solo act and with his band and started an education company to help emerging musicians write and release their first album. Catherine and Connor discuss throughout this episode the similarities between what it takes to become a successful musician and a successful visual artist. They also talk candidly about the mindset and habits artists from any discipline need to develop to pursue a professional career. Starting with these words: “Art is meant to be shared. Get it out there!”   This episode is supported by Wireframe, a podcast all about creativity and design. Check it out here: https://link.chtbl.com/wireframe?sid=podcast.theartistentrepreneurpodcast or on your favorite podcast app. My thanks to Wireframe for their support of The Artist Entrepreneur podcast!   Conversation Highlights: What are the roots of perfectionism (and how you can manage them) Why you need to be humble about your career. What kind of habits you should develop to support your creativity. Who can become your worst enemy. PLUS: “The Key to Success is to Start Before You’re Ready!” (Marie Forleo)   Links and resources: Website: http://www.connorfrost.com/juststart http://www.connorfrost.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/connorlfrost Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!

Our guest today is Christina Ioannou, a Zurich, London, and Athens-based multilingual PR professional. With a background in Communication & Mass Media and Art Administration & Cultural Policy, Christina always knew she was going to have a career that would impact the arts. Today, she specializes in creating strategic communication solutions for artists and art organizations. During the interview, she had quite a few tips to share that artists from all walks of life can act upon when it comes to building their online brand and growing their visibility. While PR is a professional specialty, Catherine and Christina discuss how artists can get started doing some of the work themselves to get more exposure for their work. Conversation Highlights: What a PR firm does, and what PR really is. How you can start building a PR network. Why you should start locally, with small steps. How to prepare for a press interview. PLUS: How to work on your messaging to tell a good story! Links and resources: Website: https://www.ccicomms.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccicomms/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristinaIoannu   Don’t forget to follow Catherine and The Artist Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter to get updates, advice, and free resources!