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Join MURAL MONEY BOOTCAMP starting May 1st! In this week’s episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I break down what actually wins a mural job when you’re not the only artist being considered.Because it’s rarely about price.It’s about how you show up, how clearly you position yourself, and how easy you make it for the client to say yes.I walk through real situations where I was up against other artists and what made the difference. This includes getting in front of the client, presenting ideas on the spot, and putting in extra effort where it counts.If you’ve ever felt stuck competing with other artists or unsure how to stand out in an RFP or bid situation, this episode will shift how you approach it.

Join MURAL MONEY BOOTCAMP starting May 1st! This episode of the Artist Academy Podcast breaks down the stages every artist goes through while building a career, based on both my own experience and what I’ve seen coaching artists over the years.It starts with the early phase of uncertainty and self-doubt, where you’re figuring things out and questioning if this is even possible. Then comes the stage where work starts coming in, but everything feels messy, overwhelming, and you realize you’ve been undercharging and overcommitting.From there, it often leads into burnout, caused by saying yes to everything, people-pleasing, and not knowing how to manage your time or boundaries. Eventually, if you stick with it, you move into a stage where you’re more confident, more selective, and finally in control of your schedule, pricing, and energy.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, second-guessed yourself, or wondered if you’re doing this “right,” this episode will help you understand where you are and what to expect next.

This week on the Artist Academy Podcast, I sit down with photographer and business coach Scott Proposki to talk about what really drives success as a creative. Scott has worked with brands like National Geographic and the White House, but this conversation focuses on what made that possible behind the scenes. We get into why talent alone isn’t enough, how most artists hold themselves back without realizing it, and what actually helps you get consistent work. From outreach to positioning to thinking differently, this is a practical breakdown of what works. If you’re trying to grow but feel stuck or inconsistent, this episode will give you a clearer direction on what to focus on next.

This week on the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m walking through a simple question that can change everything when you’re scared to go all in on your art career: what’s the worst that could actually happen? I’m breaking down the biggest fears artists have around money, pricing, clients, skill level, and stability—and sharing how I’ve handled those same fears in my own business. We’ll look at what those “worst case scenarios” actually look like in real life (hint: most of them are fixable), and how to handle them with a plan instead of panic. If you’ve been stuck in the “but what if…” loop, this episode will help you move forward with more clarity, confidence, and a solid game plan.

This week on the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m talking with Colorado-based artist Samuel Popovich. He has built an incredible business around his hilarious, character-filled frog paintings and is sharing exactly how he did it. We talk about how he developed his unique style, how he taught himself to paint through YouTube and experimentation, and how he turned a playful idea into artwork people genuinely collect. We also get into the business side of it all, from selling prints and originals to using Instagram, ManyChat, and email marketing to create successful print drops. If you’ve ever wanted to build a stronger art business or sell more prints, this episode will leave you inspired and full of ideas.

This week on the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m sharing the uncomfortable truth about marketing yourself as an artist—posting online, talking on camera, networking, pitching, and doing all the awkward things that actually lead to opportunities. If showing up feels uncomfortable, you’re not alone. A lot of artists struggle with putting themselves out there, promoting their work, or being the face of their business. In this episode, I talk about why that feeling is so common and why it shouldn’t stop you from sharing what you create. We’ll also talk about why trying hard isn’t something to be embarrassed about, why even posts that seem to flop can still reach the right people, and why letting yourself be seen is often the key to getting hired. The truth is, the thing that feels the most cringe is often the exact thing that moves your art career forward. www.artistacademy.com

This week on the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m diving into a topic artists keep asking about lately—AI. I decided to put three of the most talked-about platforms—ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and MidJourney—to the test and see how they actually perform when used inside a real mural workflow. In this episode, I’m sharing how I use AI in my own mural business to create faster mockups, refine concepts, generate references, and save time without letting it replace my creativity. If you’ve been curious about using AI as an artist, this is my honest breakdown of what each platform does best, where each one falls short, and how to use them in a way that still feels ethical and true to your work.www.artistacademy.com  

This week on the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m bringing back a highly requested 2020 interview with wildlife artist Carla Grace — and the lessons are just as relevant today.Carla breaks down how she slowly built her career into full-time art by focusing on technical mastery first, then letting demand and pricing follow. We discuss her acrylic layering technique, collaborating ethically on reference images, and learning to detach emotionally so you can operate professionally.On the business side, we talk about cultivating a premium collector experience from first inquiry to final delivery, choosing exclusivity over prints, managing commissions strategically, and the hard-earned confidence that came from finishing a life-sized painting that tested her limits.This conversation is proof that strong art careers aren’t rushed — they’re built deliberately.

This week’s episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m giving you the honest talk I wish someone had given me earlier. We’re covering the habits that quietly hold artists back—like hiding behind tools, blaming the algorithm, or constantly switching directions before giving anything a real shot.I break down why obsessing over your weak spots can keep you from becoming known for your strengths, why marketing isn’t optional if you want paid opportunities, and why someone less talented might be earning more simply because they show up consistently. We’ll also talk about the discomfort of being seen online, the discipline it takes to stick with something long enough to see real progress, and how investing in quality—whether that’s materials, education, or mentorship—can fast-track your growth.This episode might sting a little, but if you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building traction, it’s exactly what you need.

This week’s episode of the Artist Academy Podcast is for my fellow Type B artists… and it might make a Type A listener clutch their planner.  After hosting a mural meetup in Costa Rica, I realized just how differently artists operate—some plan every detail, and some (hi, it’s me) make decisions in real time, right there on the wall.I’m sharing the “Type B” habits that keep my mural business moving: staying flexible when clients change their minds, why my contract protects my creative freedom, how I handle deposits (or don’t), and the systems I do use so I can still wing it without chaos. If you’ve ever felt “too messy” or “not organized enough” to run a real art business—this one’s for you.

In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m sharing one of the biggest shifts that’s changed the way I run my creative business: batching.From sketching and painting to marketing, admin, and even studio cleanups, batching has helped me stay consistent, protect my energy, and actually get the things done that artists tend to put off. I’m breaking down what I batch weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly, with real examples of how grouping similar tasks together saves time, mental energy, and decision fatigue.We’ll talk about why constantly jumping between different headspaces doesn’t work, how to batch creative work without killing your creative flow, and how batching content, promotions, and business tasks can make your life feel lighter instead of more overwhelming.This episode will help you simplify your process, stay focused, and finally clear some space on your to-do list.

As we enter the month of love, I have a little Valentine’s present for you — join Artist Academy for just $1! Whether we’re selling ourselves on a dating app or selling our art on social media, at the end of the day we’re all people connecting with other people who might want what we have to offer. In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I break down the surprising similarities between dating and marketing your art—first impressions, confidence, response time, storytelling, and knowing when something simply isn’t the right fit. I share practical advice on presenting your work online, responding to inquiries clearly and quickly, and telling stories that make your art memorable. At its core, this episode is about confidence, self-respect, and connection. We’re not marketing to algorithms—we’re connecting with people. If you’re ready to show up with more clarity and trust in your art business, this one’s for you.Click HERE to join

In this episode of the Artist Academy podcast, I have a conversation with artist and educator Josie Lewis about what it really takes to build a sustainable art career over the long term.We talk about balancing large-scale commissions, selling work online, and teaching—while navigating fear, failure, focus, and constant decision-making. Josie shares why there’s no magic formula for success, how action creates clarity, and why learning to be okay with getting it wrong is part of staying in the game as an artist.This episode also explores social media as a tool, intentional pricing, adapting when styles or trends shift, and trusting what Josie calls the “living path”—taking the next step before everything feels certain.At its core, this conversation is about resilience, hope, and making art in a world that often feels heavy, while still building something sustainable and real.

In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m sitting down with Patrick Walgamott, an Artist Academy student who recently quit his day job to become a full-time artist.I’ve watched Patrick’s journey for years — from getting back into painting through pet portraits to slowly building income through murals, commissions, and paint parties while working a physically demanding job. Like so many artists, he thought it would happen faster… and like most of us, it took longer than expected.We talk about what finally pushed him to take the leap, how he handled the fear around money and stability, and why consistency and local marketing played a huge role in making it work. Patrick shares real numbers, real doubts, and the mindset shift that helped him commit fully — even without everything perfectly lined up.If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to quit your day job, this episode will help you see what’s actually possible when you decide to go all in.

In this episode of the Artist Academy podcast, I sit down with Lennon Bone, founder of Stop the Starving Artist, to talk about why connecting with people matters more than perfect content or clever marketing.We explore how storytelling, values, and real human experience help audiences connect with art, why fear of judgment keeps artists stuck, and how reframing marketing as an exchange—rather than manipulation—can change everything. If you’ve ever struggled with sharing your story or felt uncomfortable selling your work, this conversation will help you approach both with more clarity and confidence.