Advertise on podcast: Do It For the Process: For The Artists by Emily Jeffords

Most artists get stuck in one of three places. Pricing (you're either guessing or dreading the question). Product (you've got one thing to sell and nowhere to go from there). Or visibility (nobody's finding the work, no matter how good it is). I'm talking through all three today, including the real story behind a licensing deal I did and how one painting turned into several different ways for someone to actually own it. We're mid-week in Studio Growth Week, so if you're just now finding this, jump in. There's still time!  Studio Growth Week (free): www.emilyjeffordslearn.com Save your seat for the live workshop, Artist's Path to Success, Sept 15 at noon EST Learn more about The Collective! 200+ lessons made for artists, 500 creatives already in there, plus monthly workshops, a book club, and genuinely good vibes.

I graduated from art school with zero clue how to sell a painting. None. So I went to the library, checked out this huge book on the creative industry, and started reading IRS tax codes as if they'd somehow explain my life to me. They, in fact, did not.  What actually worked was slower and messier than that. I kept following whatever felt good, whatever sold, whatever made me a little bit happier, and years later those breadcrumbs turned into an actual path.  That's what this episode is about. And it's also day one of Studio Growth Week, seven free days to help you grow your art business before the rest of the year gets busier.   Studio Growth Week (free): www.emilyjeffordslearn.com Save your seat for the live workshop, Artist's Path to Success, Sept 15 at noon EST Learn more about The Collective! 200+ lessons made for artists, 500 creatives already in there, plus monthly workshops, a book club, and genuinely good vibes.

To be clear, I did not step into a sustainable and profitable studio. No, no, no. Far from it. Welcome to a bit of my origin story. The season in my life when I was quite literally without options, I chose to rely on my art. And it worked.  I've been talking quite a lot recently with people online about the notion that artists are starving and how that, quite literally, does not make sense. We're all out here making it and doing our best, and many of us are doing quite well!  Part of the work I get to do is encourage and empower other artists to grow their studios through Making Art Work. Doors are open now! Making Art Work is your companion to growing your own studio and undoing SO MANY of the limiting beliefs we are handed as artists. Painters can make money. Poets can make money. Photographers can make money. Designers and ceramicists and dancers and writers and weavers and… CREATIVITY IS INCREDIBLY abundant (when you know how to grow your studio).

Making Art Work opens 3.26 -- join the 9-week masterclass designed to help you grow your studio into a sustainable and profitable career.  Share The Work is happening NOW! Join the live workshops each day at noon. Free classes, worksheets, and getting your heart and mind ready for GROWTH.  Hot Take: Burnout is NOT a Rite of Passage. Artists do not need to experience burnout in order to create good work or grow a successful business, but so many of us do. Sadly.  But many of us don’t know that until we experience it.   So learn from me instead! In 2021, I had my BEST year in business ever ever ever. Like wow. But I also went into complete and total burnout (nervous system shutdown and all). The things that brought me out of that overwhelming space were mostly energetic shifts: 1. Progress is Quiet and Slow. It’s OK for things to take time. I can be gentle and productive. 👏👏 2. I MUST feel rewarded for my energy. This sometimes means $, sometimes means fun, or freedom, or making an impact… feeling like your work is giving abundantly is everything. 3. Space to PLAY. Artists need to feel free and light and whimsical. Care for yourself. Release some pressure every now and then. Perfectionism is so heavy to hold. 4. Say NO to things that don’t excite you. There’s nothing heroic about bypassing your boundaries. We’re doing things purely out of obligation. If you’d like a little bit more of an energetic boost, please join me in Share the Work later this month! It’s a four-day FREE course. We’ll be talking live over zoom about growing a sustainable creative business & enjoyingggg this work.

Spoiler alert: YES. Of course we should make money! Don't get me ryled up again! I believe so firmly in Creative's ability to create energy around their work, sustain their physical needs, and support their dreams -- with their ART.  Now let's discuss how, why, and HOW. ;)  In this episode, I'm sharing three more fundamental habits that should be part of the way you see the world as a professional artist and creative person. Settle in, this is a good one.    Get the Goal Setting Workbook + a notebook, tune in, and enjoy.   Also, join me on zoom Jan 9th at noon est for a live discussion about your dreams and goals! RSVP (or get the replay) for the Goal Setting WORKSHOP HERE.

Hi Artists, I'm so glad to be in 2026. Wow. What a ride 2025 was for all of us -- if you're here and excited about your creative work and feeling ready for the year, ENJOY IT! If you need a little extra nourishment and encouragement to keep going, you're not alone, and I hope this podcast can offer that to you.    Today's episode it one of the VERY sweetest I've ever recorded.  3 Habits (mindset shifts) that will sustain you through the year ahead, I am CERTAIN.   Get the Goal Setting Workbook + a notebook, tune in, and enjoy.   Also, join me on zoom Jan 7th or 9th at noon est for a live discussion about your dreams and goals! RSVP for the Goal Setting WORKSHOP HERE.

Today's episode is SO Practical -- welcome to the start of the HOLIDAY SEASON!! If you haven't listened to part 1 and 2, it's VERY important for this episode so start there!  Get your free Creative Stability Workbook here Meet me for a weekend of learning and connecting in Atlanta, GA Nov 8-9 at the new Making Art Work LIVE event! All the details here + Use "PODCASTLOVE" for $150 off! And Join The Collective!! This is THE monthly membership for Artists and Creatives of all kinds. It is full of tools, community, and coaching to support your art business in every season.

Today's episode is SO Practical -- welcome to the start of the HOLIDAY SEASON!! If you haven't listened to part 1, it's VERY important for this episode so start there!  Get your free Creative Stability Workbook here Meet me for a weekend of learning and connecting in Atlanta, GA Nov 8-9 at the new Making Art Work LIVE event! All the details here + Use "PODCASTLOVE" for $150 off! And Join The Collective!! This is THE monthly membership for Artists and Creatives of all kinds. It is full of tools, community, and coaching to support your art business in every season.

Today's episode is SO Practical -- welcome to the start of the HOLIDAY SEASON!! September through early December is the BEST time of year for most small businesses' sales. People are getting cozy, hosting gatherings, and planning for holiday gifting. This is your moment to go big if you want to. Get your free Creative Stability Workbook here Meet me for a weekend of learning and connecting in Atlanta, GA Nov 8-9 at the new Making Art Work LIVE event! All the details here + Use "PODCASTLOVE" for $150 off! And Join The Collective!! This is THE monthly membership for Artists and Creatives of all kinds. It is full of tools, community, and coaching to support your art business in every season.

September through early December is the BEST time of year for most small businesses' sales. People are getting cozy, hosting gatherings, and planning for holiday gifting. This is your moment to go big if you want to. AUTUMN: Symbolizes: Completion, launch, celebration Energy state: Harvesting, sharing, releasing So how can you use the energy of this season to your advantage? Let's discuss!  Get your free Creative Stability Workbook here Meet me for a weekend of learning and connecting in Atlanta, GA Nov 8-9 at the new Making Art Work LIVE event! All the details here + Use "PODCASTLOVE" for $150 off! And Join The Collective!! This is THE monthly membership for Artists and Creatives of all kinds. It is full of tools, community, and coaching to support your art business in every season.

If your art business has felt a little quiet, uncertain, or unpredictable lately, let me tell you: you are not alone. The economy is feeling uncertain, the energy in the world is even more so. And Artists are often feeling it all -- and we still need to make SALES! Let's discuss.  In this episode is part one of a longer conversation and is a grounded guide to selling your art in every season (literally and metaphorically). We’ll talk about the internal seasons we all cycle through—winter (rest), spring (inspiration), summer (creation), and autumn (harvest)—and how understanding those rhythms can transform the way you run your creative business. You’ll get practical insights and encouragement whether you’re gearing up for a launch, deep in the studio, or resting between collections. Get your free Creative Stability Workbook here And Join The Collective for just $10!! This is THE monthly membership for Artists and Creatives of all kinds. It is full of tools, community, and coaching to support your art business in every season

In this heartfelt solo episode, I’m sharing a little life update from inside my creative world. From painting on the porch in the spring sunshine to opening up commissions for the first time in years, this season feels full of growth, return, and reconnection. I’ll walk you through what it’s been like working through The Artist’s Way, what’s blooming inside the Making Art Work masterclass (we’re on Week 7!), and a peek behind the scenes as I plan the first-ever Making Art Work Live event this fall. If you’ve been feeling a pull to return to your creative self, slow down, or simply hear from someone walking the path beside you—you’re in the right place.   If this episode resonates, follow the show and leave a review—it helps more creatives find their way here. 💛   Get info on the MAKING ART WORK Live Event! I can't wait to see you in real life! https://www.emilyjeffordslearn.com/maw-live

Instagram has changed yet AGAIN -- but this time it's for the better. But it is VERY different.  But first, let me formally invite you to join me at MAKING ART WORK live and in person!  Two full days together in Atlanta, Georgia  September 27th-28th AND November 8th-9th A dedicated time to be in person, focused on your business and your creativity, with me and a beautiful group of new Artistic friends!  All the details HERE ok, now... Let's talk about growing your reach on Instagram in 2025 — but without the pressure, burnout, or gross algorithm-hacking vibes. I’ll walk you through what’s actually changed on the platform this year, what still works, and how to show up in ways that feel aligned, sustainable, and rooted in your creative process. Whether you’re building a collector base, preparing for a launch, or just trying to get more eyes on your art, these strategies will help you expand with intention. If this episode supports your creative journey, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a quick rating or review, and share it with a friend or fellow artist. Your support helps this show grow — and I’m so grateful you’re here.

Watch Share The Work Get the FREE workbook I reference here Making Art Work open March 13-20 Share your work in The Creatives Club  Your artist brand is more than a logo or color palette—it’s what makes your work instantly recognizable, deeply resonant, and naturally sellable. But how do you define your brand in a way that feels authentic and attracts the right collectors? In this episode, we’re breaking down the essentials of building a strong artist brand that helps you share your work confidently and grow a thriving creative business. What you’ll learn: ✔ What an artist brand really is (and why it matters for selling your work) ✔ How to clarify your unique visual & emotional brand identity ✔ Why consistency is more important than having a “perfect” aesthetic ✔ How a strong brand makes marketing & selling your art easier ✔ Practical steps to refine your brand and connect with the right audience Your brand is already taking shape—it’s in the way you create, the stories you tell, and the experience your art offers. This episode will help you refine and strengthen it so your collectors feel drawn to your work the moment they see it. Listen now and start creating an artist brand that truly reflects YOU.

Join Share The Work (a FREE workshop and workbooks - I'm going live each day at noon eastern time!) Making Art Work open March 13-20 Share your work in The Creatives Club    One of the most confusing (and frustrating) parts of selling your creative work? Finding the collectors, buyers, customers, students, or clients who truly connect with what you create. If this feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. But here’s something I need you to know: ✨ ART IS NOT HARD TO SELL. ✨ I know, I know—you’ve probably heard otherwise. Maybe you’ve even felt it yourself. But the idea that selling art is an uphill battle? It’s simply not true. The key is understanding why people buy art in the first place. Art isn’t a necessity like tires or groceries—it’s something we choose. Something we feel drawn to. Your buyers aren’t just making a purchase; they’re investing in meaning, self-expression, and the energy your work brings into their lives. 💡 In this episode, we’re diving into: ✔️ Why people buy art (and why it’s not about convincing them) ✔️ The emotional connection that turns viewers into collectors ✔️ How art creates belonging, identity, and a sense of home Selling your work isn’t about pushing—it’s about finding the people who are already looking for what you create. And trust me, they’re out there. Let’s talk about how to reach them. 🎙️