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 of luck—though her version of luck is decidedly hard-earned.

Whether you’re just starting out as an artist or looking for inspiration to take your next bold step, Debbie’s story is a reminder that bravery, persistence, and the willingness to embrace new opportunities can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

01:38 Discovering a Passion for Painting 06:01 Balancing Medicine and Art 08:28 The Role of Luck and Hard Work 15:46 Resources and Inspirations 21:09 The Importance of Community 28:54 Teaching and Personal Growth 30:23 Setting Goals and Looking Ahead 37:15 Conclusion and Bravery Challenge

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

These episodes touch on rejection and resilience:

Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (ep. 114)

What Your Failures Are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (ep. 95)

Are You Playing It Too Safe in Your Art Business? (ep. 92)

Dealing with Rejection with Megan Wimberley (ep. 197)

📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/mueller-bravery

⭐️ Connect with Debbie Mueller and see more of her art: https://debbiemuellerart.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/

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, the value of opening conversations, and how she maintains a writing schedule alongside her work in the studio.

They also delve into the practicalities of living and working in a remote location and how artists can view marketing not as a chore but as an opportunity to build meaningful connections.

00:43 Meet Samantha Clark: Visual Artist, Writer, and Author

02:23 Samantha's Artistic Journey and Writing Integration

04:22 Living and Creating on Orkney Island

10:43 Balancing Art, Writing, and Mentoring

15:28 The Power of Writing for the Creative Practice

27:26 Weekly Writing Routine

28:39 Newsletter Content and Process

30:47 Why Samantha Transitioned to Substack

35:33 Monetizing and Community Building

43:08 Samantha’s Writing Schedule

47:39 Looking Forward to 2025

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

Writing on Substack Can Be Integral to Your Creative Process with Ann Balaam Miller (210)

Imperfect Journaling for Artists with Cynthia Morris (51)

Guidelines for Your Artist Statement (50)

Publishing a How To Book for Artists with Carol McIntyre (37)

📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/clark-writing

⭐️ Connect with Samantha, subscribe to her Substack, The Lifeboat, and see more of her art: https://www.samanthaclark.net/

🔶 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/

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 integral to her process, helping her manage projects, organize thoughts, and extend her teaching. By offering free content to build community, and exploring paid options, Ann balances creativity with income generation.

01:14 Ann's Art Journey

02:22 Diversifying Income Streams

05:31 Teaching and Workshops

07:42 Starting a Substack

13:05 Writing Process and Tools

21:59 Monetizing Substack

25:42 Advice for Artists Who Are Considering Substack

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

Imperfect Journaling for Artists with Cynthia Morris (ep. 51)

Guidelines for Your Artist Statement (ep. 50)

Publishing a How To Book for Artists with Carol McIntyre (ep. 37)

📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/substack-miller

⭐️ Connect with Ann Balaam Miller, subscribe to her Getting Inky Substack, and see more of her art: https://pennib.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/

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, in-person art experiences and the qualities that make a great art collector. He also reflects on changes in the relationship between dealers and artists over the decades and the impact of modern technology on art collecting and appreciation.

01:36 Michael's Early Art Experiences

08:07 Art Education and Its Impact

17:41 The Role of Curiosity in Art Collecting

27:14 Modern Art Collecting Challenges

29:54 Michael's Career and Gallery Work

39:45 Andy Warhol Stories

45:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

Qualities Galleries Are Looking For in Their Artists with Jeremy Tessmer (ep. 123)

Secrets from Copying a Masterpiece with Lilianne Milgrom (ep. 87)

Focusing on the Art, Not the Art Business with Rebecca Welz (ep. 134)

📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/findlay-memoir

✅ While you’re there, click on the graphic to download a copy of my Comprehensive Exhibitions Checklist + Timeline—totally free with opt in.

⭐️ Connect with Michael Findlay: https://michaelfindlay.com

⛰️ 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/

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 Dear Loved One 01:33 Insight 1: Accept Me as I Am 02:34 Insight 2: Respect the Way I Work 03:32 Insight 3: Acknowledge the Difficulties 04:41 Insight 4: Ask About My Goals 05:32 Insight 5: Offer Help 06:48 Insight 6: Support Me 08:01 Insight 7: Just Love Me

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

How to Feel Like a Successful Artist (ep. 165)

Being an Artist with Geoffrey Gorman (ep. 124)

How Do You Know When You’re an Artist? with James Holmes (ep. 88)

📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/advice-for-helping-artists/

🔶 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

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 studio space. Virginia's work highlights the importance of collaboration, transparency, and empowering artists to navigate their careers confidently.

00:22 Meet Virginia Broersma
01:16 Virginia's Recent Projects and Initiatives
02:15 The Evolution of Virginia's Career
03:49 The Artist's Office: Supporting Artists
06:03 Navigating Opportunities and Challenges
07:36 Balancing Art and Administrative Work
08:41 Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Studio Time
24:57 The Artist Contract and Studio Loan Program
34:57 Encouraging Artist Collaboration and Networking

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

How to Legally Protect Your Creative Work with Kathryn Goldman (ep. 125)

Artist as Problem Solver with Michael Gadlin (ep. 93)

Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (ep. 114)

📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/broersma-contracts

⭐️ Connect with Virginia and see more of her art: https://virginiabroersma.com

🟪 I have a short webinar that would be a great resource for helping you to increase the perceived value of your work.

It’s called How to Ask for More Money for Your Art. It's only $20. And the reason that I make it so affordable is because it's fundamental. I created How to Ask for More Money for Your Art because I noticed so many artists were sabotaging their work.

If you need to increase the perceived value of your art, check it out.

⛰️ 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 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 instability while emphasizing the importance of community support as artists navigate this changing landscape. Bill offers valuable insights on adapting to new opportunities in the digital era, helping artists feel less alone in their journeys.

00:54 The Reality of Being an Artist Today
03:43 The Economics of Art in the Digital Age
07:04 The Challenges of Self-Promotion
18:33 The Evolution of the Artist's Role
23:49 The Fourth Paradigm: Producer
25:05 The Professional vs. The Bohemian
26:19 Financial Realities and Transparency in the Arts
27:39 The Cost of Being an Artist
31:25 Community and Collaboration Among Artists
33:55 The Role of Cities in Supporting Artists
38:07 Defining What It Means to Be an Artist
42:43 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be with Kelly Pelfrey (ep. 162)

Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (ep. 157)

Self Sales, Open Studios, and Relationships with Interior Designers with Carol MacConnell (ep. 171)

📖 To read more, see images, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/death-of-the-artist

⭐️ Connect with William Deresiewicz and read his articles and books: https://williamderesiewicz.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/