2021 was a wild year for both of us! In today’s episode we take a look back at the past year, share our wins, and some big lessons (good and bad) that we learned along the way. Plus, to celebrate, we have a big announcement for our listeners at the end of the episode!

There are some things and challenges only other artists may understand! Friends and family mean well but they don’t necessarily have the same vocabulary that other artists do when you are looking for feedback on your work. In today’s episode we talk about the benefits of in person art critiques, the community that can bring, and the elements to be cautious of when entering a new group of creatives.

As a career minded artist, you need to establish where you are so you can take action toward where you want to go! On today’s episode we share a preview of a Level Up Artist Community exclusive resource, the Creative Business Path. This resource is helpful no matter what stage of your art career you are in and will provide clarity on what you need to do to Level Up your art business!

Need to create a lot of artwork with a cohesive style in a short period of time? In today’s episode we discuss the many benefits of the batch art making process and how it can be used as a tool to evolve your creative work flow!

Feel “out of the loop” with the art world in your area? Let’s change that. No matter if you are new to an area or if you are starting to dive back into your creative practice after taking a break, it is never too late to start building your artist network! In today’s episode we share our top tips for growing your network, both in person and virtually, with industry professionals and other artists!

Creating a cohesive series is the goal for many visual artists. In today’s episode we talk about the process of creating a cohesive series, when is the right time to challenge yourself, and the factors you need to consider as you are planning ahead.

Behind the scenes from Jackie’s Studio! In today’s episode we cover everything from how creative spaces influence the work that you make, the important role that having workstations can play in your creative space, hitting creative blocks with paintings, setting annual goals, and how you can use the creative process as your therapy toward personal understanding.

Behind the scenes from Adriana’s Studio! In today’s episode we bring you into the candid conversations that happen over coffee in our art studio. We cover everything from brainstorming an art reality show, finding structure within the inevitable creative drift, the many hats you need to wear as a career minded artist, the importance of finding magic within the creative process.

Enjoying the process is a huge component of the creative journey. In today’s episode we talk about celebrating the little milestones, why it is important, and ways you can use this momentum to keep pushing your forward.

Are you considering leaving your corporate day job to become a full time artist? On today we talk to Adriana about her story transition moment of discovering calling, making art a priority again, planning ahead to leave her corporate job and what it is like today being a full time abstract painter today.

Balancing a day job with a creative practice is something they don’t cover in art school. In today’s episode Jackie shares her transition story on recreating a creative community after leaving art school and transitioning from the employee to business owner mindset.

We have all seen art products in our everyday lives, but they are often not discussed by creatives. So how do you know if art products are the right fit for your business? In today’s episode we talk about what art products are, how to make them, benefits of having them, as well as the creative and business decisions that you need to consider along the way.

An artist website and email newsletter are two non-negotiable elements for a career minded artist. On this episode we cover why they are important for the future of your business, what things to consider when choosing your provider, and how to start making content for them today.

These two platforms can be a big hurdle for many creatives but once they are in place, they are the tool that will allow you to build a relationship with your target audience and grow your business in a scalable way.

In addition to mastering your craft, a huge hurdle for creatives is getting their work in front of the right people. On today’s episode we share 14 practical marketing tips that you can implement in just a few minutes to save you time and streamline your marketing and content creation. No matter what stage of your business you are on, if you take action on these tips you will feel the positive ripples in your marketing plan!

On this special episode we interview artist Jane Cheek about seeking new opportunities and keeping the momentum going in the art business.

Show applications can be a difficult part of selling your work, and you don’t always know why you aren’t getting into the shows when you apply. This discussion is great for artists who want to make sure that they put their best foot forward in show and event applications. Whether you are new to doing shows or have been exhibiting for a while, we discuss strategies to improve your show applications and get tips from folks that review applications.

This episode is a recording of a live panel Jackie and Adriana hosted in partnership with Triangle Artworks based in North Carolina.

From flattery to threats, as entrepreneurs we get a wide range of unsolicited emails in our inboxes. But how can you tell if it is real or not? In today’s episode we share a handful of emails that were either spam or a scam. We share how to detect the red flags and resources that are available to back up your decision to click the delete button. Ease your mind and learn about the differences between spam, scam, and real email inquiries!

In today’s episode, we explore the mindset around marketing yourself as an artist, why it is important, and the 4 non-negotiable marketing avenues that every artist needs to have. After all, your artwork can be amazing but if no one sees it it is nearly impossible to grow an audience of collectors and fans.

Success looks different for everyone. From exhibitions and the number of paintings created, to recognition milestones and your online presence, no creative career is the same as another. On today’s episode we explore 10 ways in which creatives define their success.

Fear, your inner mean girl, self limiting beliefs -- whatever you want to call it, they are all an inevitable part of the creative process. On this episode we discuss signs of when fear is taking the wheel, what it may be saying, and what to do about it.