Art Crush

Paula Telizyn and Fi Marks
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Visual Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Art Crush with Fi Marks (UK) and Paula Telizyn (Canada) is the art business podcast for contemporary artists, painters, and visual creatives navigating the modern art world. From bypassing traditional art gallery gatekeepers and hosting independent art shows to pricing fine art, finding your visual style, and overcoming imposter syndrome, Fi and Paula deliver punchy, unfiltered creative advice every week. Whether you’re an emerging painter, self-taught artist, or running a full-time studio practice, subscribe for actionable art marketing strategies, mindset shifts, and artist insights.

  1. 4d ago

    Why Unsolicited Art DMs Fail (And How to Actually Market Your Art) | Art Crush

    Are you sending unsolicited pictures of your artwork to other artists or gallery owners without any context? In Season 3, Episode 35 of Art Crush, Fi Marks and Paula Telizyn dive into one of the most widespread—yet ineffective—marketing habits visual artists fall into: the "spray and pray" social media DM. Fi and Paula unpack why sending context-free artwork asking for validation or attention fails to build an art business. They explore how effective art marketing requires intentionality, answering the fundamental question: Why should someone give you their time, attention, or money? Beyond marketing tactics, this episode delves deep into mindset shifts, the power of active choices, eliminating unnecessary busyness, and taking bold risks in your creative life instead of floating passively. KEY TAKEAWAYS & TOPICS COVERED: The "Context-Free" DM Trap: Why sending unprompted art photos alienates potential supporters and how to fix your approach. The Buyer's Perspective: Asking "What’s in it for them?" to make your art posts, newsletters, and emails effective. The Power of Intentionality: Defining your "Why" in your studio practice, website, and social media strategy. Overcoming Passive "Busyness": Shifting from reacting to your day to actively making conscious life and career choices. Stepping Into the Discomfort: Why growth requires leaving your comfort zone, taking big creative risks, and refusing to settle. CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Introduction & Existing vs. Thriving in the Art World 00:42 – Ineffective Marketing: Receiving Random Art DMs 02:49 – Why Context & Clear Communication Matter in Art Marketing 04:51 – The Power of the "Why" Question for Your Art Business 07:54 – What’s in it for the Audience? Shifting Perspective 09:53 – Existing vs. Living: Stop Letting Busyness Dictate Your Life 11:39 – Life is a Choice: Taking Control of Your Responses & Priorities 18:04 – Building Clarity in Your Brand & Personal Communication 22:15 – A Real-World Example of How Context Drives Results RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: Art Crush Website: artcrush.co.uk The 51% Collective: thefiftyonepercent.com Fi Marks: fimarks-art.co.uk Paula Telizyn: paulatelizyn.com Enjoyed this episode? Hit follow on Spotify, rate us 5 stars, and share this episode with an artist friend! ___ Art Crush with Fi Marks (UK) and Paula Telizyn (Canada) is the art business podcast for contemporary artists, painters, and visual creatives navigating the modern art world. Two artists. Two continents. Infinite perspectives. From bypassing traditional art gallery gatekeepers and hosting independent art shows to pricing fine art, finding your visual style, and overcoming imposter syndrome, Fi and Paula deliver punchy, unfiltered creative advice every week. Whether you’re an emerging painter, self-taught artist, or running a full-time studio practice, subscribe for actionable art marketing strategies, creative mindset shifts, and artist community insights. Connect & Learn More: Fi Marks: fimarks-art.co.uk Paula Telizyn: paulatelizyn.com The 51% Collective: thefiftyonepercent.com

  2. Sep 26

    When the Client Hates Your Art: Navigating Commissions, Pricing, & Rejection | Art Crush

    What happens when you pour your time and talent into a custom commission, only for the client to say, "I don't like it"? In Season 3, Episode 34 of Art Crush, hosts Paula Telizyn and Fi Marks dive into the tricky, sometimes emotionally fraught world of art commissions. From navigating endless revision requests to dealing with flat-out rejections, Paula and Fi share their personal experiences and hard-earned business boundaries. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a new artist terrified of sharing your work, this episode is packed with candid advice on protecting your time, your income, and your peace of mind. In this episode, we discuss: Handling Rejection: How to not take it personally when a client doesn't connect with a commissioned piece. The "Disconnect Point": How physical acts like varnishing or framing can help you emotionally detach from a finished painting so you can let it go. Managing Expectations: Why clear communication and setting firm boundaries from day one are crucial to a successful project. Pricing Your Work: Why you should be charging 25% to 50% more for commissions than off-the-peg art, and why taking money upfront is non-negotiable. Owning Your Expertise: Reminding yourself that you are the expert being hired—and why you shouldn't let non-artists dictate your creative process. Tune in for an honest conversation about the business of art, overcoming the fear of criticism, and learning how to confidently navigate client relationships. --- About Art Crush: Hosted by artists Fi Marks and Paula Telizyn, Art Crush is your unfiltered look into the realities, struggles, and triumphs of running an art business. We tackle everything from deconstructing colonialism in the art world to mastering the modern hustle, delivering punchy, thought-provoking episodes designed to shake up your creativity. Listen and subscribe! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and your favourite podcast platforms. Connect with the hosts: Check out The 51% at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefiftyonepercent.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Fi Marks' art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.fimarks-art.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Paula Telizyn's art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.PaulaTelizyn.com⁠ Catch up on the official Art Crush website at www.artcrush.co.uk

  3. Sep 19

    How to Host Your Own Art Show & Connect with Buyers | Art Crush

    In this episode of Art Crush, hosts Fi Marks and Paula Telizyn break down the crucial lessons learned from organizing an independent artist-run exhibition. As they prepare for their upcoming "Wild Within" show in Derby, Fi shares her recent experiences taking full control of a space alongside three other artists, treating it as a successful dry run. They discuss why artists must stop waiting for traditional gallery approval and instead step up to create their own welcoming, engaging, and unexpected art events. In this episode, we cover: The Power of Presentation: The hosts discuss their strategy of wearing luxurious velvet at shows to project the image of successful, powerful creatives. This intentional wardrobe choice helps artists feel confident and signals to visitors that they are approachable members of the exhibition. Mastering the Meet-and-Greet: Fi explains the importance of welcoming guests like a restaurant host, offering them water, and providing seating to encourage "slow looking". Removing the awkwardness of a traditional gallery visit makes attendees much more likely to connect with the art and the artist. Investing in Photography: Trying to take your own photos during an opening night means you cannot properly engage with your guests. Hiring a professional photographer ensures you capture dynamic images of visitors interacting with the artwork, which is vital for marketing future shows. The Post-Show Deconstruction: Removing emotional reactions after a show and treating the outcomes purely as data helps artists figure out what to improve for their next event. Asking attendees how they found out about the exhibition provides essential marketing insights that you can carry forward. Making "Unexpected" Art: Traditional galleries often act as gatekeepers, pushing artists to create safe, commercial pieces that are guaranteed to sell. Fi and Paula champion creating bold, unique art that forces viewers to take a second look, even if it defies conventional expectations. Tune in to learn why forming a collective can empower your art business, and check the show notes for links to the fifty one percent collective and the hosts' individual websites. --- About Art Crush: Hosted by artists Fi Marks and Paula Telizyn, Art Crush is your unfiltered look into the realities, struggles, and triumphs of running an art business. We tackle everything from deconstructing colonialism in the art world to mastering the modern hustle, delivering punchy, thought-provoking episodes designed to shake up your creativity. Listen and subscribe! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and your favourite podcast platforms. Connect with the hosts: Check out The 51% at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefiftyonepercent.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Fi Marks' art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.fimarks-art.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Paula Telizyn's art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.PaulaTelizyn.com⁠

  4. Sep 14

    Prepping "The Wild Within" at Artcore Gallery Derby | Art Crush

    Welcome to a special episode of Art Crush! Hosts Paula Telizyn and Fi Marks are joined by guest artists Jela Prancic (Toronto) and Susan Gardner (Leicestershire) to discuss the final preparations for their highly anticipated 51% Collective exhibition. If you are an art lover in Derby, a regular at the Artcore Gallery, or a woman navigating your own creative business, this episode offers a beautifully candid behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a collaborative art show from the ground up. The group discusses the complex logistics of planning an international show, from figuring out how to safely transport mixed-media pieces from Canada in tubes to overcoming local mobility challenges. Most importantly, this episode celebrates the incredible power of women artists supporting one another. The collective shares how leaning into each other's unique strengths—whether that’s digital mockups, sourcing local gallery furniture, or handling marketing—made this exhibition possible. They also challenge traditional gallery norms, discussing why artists should take control of their own curation, lighting, and framing choices. Join us in person! "The Wild Within" opens at the incredibly supportive Artcore Gallery in Derby. The opening night is October 23rd from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM UK time. Come enjoy some nibbles, meet the artists, and experience the inaugural show of the 51% Collective! International Logistics: How Jela is preparing to travel from Toronto with her artwork in tubes. Overcoming Obstacles: Susan discusses navigating exhibition prep and curation while dealing with mobility issues. Breaking the Rules: Why the collective decided to mix framed and unframed pieces, challenging traditional gallery expectations. Community Support: A shoutout to the Artcore Gallery team in Derby for their unmatched enthusiasm and partnership. --- About Art Crush: Hosted by artists Fi Marks and Paula Telizyn, Art Crush is your unfiltered look into the realities, struggles, and triumphs of running an art business. We tackle everything from deconstructing colonialism in the art world to mastering the modern hustle, delivering punchy, thought-provoking episodes designed to shake up your creativity. Listen and subscribe! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and your favourite podcast platforms. Connect with the hosts: Check out The 51% at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefiftyonepercent.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Fi Marks' art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.fimarks-art.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Paula Telizyn's art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.PaulaTelizyn.com

  5. Sep 4

    Why Professional Visual Artists Must Claim Their Success | Art Crush

    What does a professional visual artist actually look like? In Season 3, Episode 31 of Art Crush, hosts Fi Marks and Paula Telizyn tackle the pervasive and damaging myths that surround the creative life. From the societal expectation of wacky outfits to the romanticized—and toxic—tropes of the "starving" or "tortured" artist, the public is full of preconceived notions about what it means to create art for a living. Fi and Paula candidly discuss how personal style impacts your art business, and why you do not need to choose between being a true creative and a sharp entrepreneur. It is time to ditch the "starving artist" label permanently, stop waiting for a seat at the establishment's table, and build your own damn table. Key Takeaways The Power of Personal Branding: How your clothing and presentation act as a bridge or a barrier in the professional art world. Killing the "Starving Artist" Trope: Why struggling for survival actually suppresses creativity, and why we must drop the word "starving" from our vocabulary. Business vs. Creativity: Dispelling the myth that you cannot run a successful, profitable art business while leading an authentic creative life. Overcoming Sexism in the Arts: Unpacking historical biases and why women artists must stop looking for external validation to be successful. Building Your Own Table: Rejecting outdated rules and forging your own path to success and visibility. Upcoming Exhibition: The Wild Within Join The 51% collective (Fi Marks, Paula Telizyn, Jela Prancic, and Susan Gardner) for their upcoming show, The Wild Within, opening Friday, October 23rd at Artcore Gallery in Derby, UK! Subscribe to Art Crush so you don't miss our upcoming September episodes, where we will be building this exhibition in public and sharing exactly what it takes to put a major show together. --- About Art Crush: Hosted by artists Fi Marks and Paula Telizyn, Art Crush is your unfiltered look into the realities, struggles, and triumphs of running an art business. We tackle everything from deconstructing colonialism in the art world to mastering the modern hustle, delivering punchy, thought-provoking episodes designed to shake up your creativity. Listen and subscribe! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and your favourite podcast platforms. Connect with the hosts: Check out The 51% at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefiftyonepercent.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Fi Marks' art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.fimarks-art.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Paula Telizyn's art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.PaulaTelizyn.com

  6. Aug 29

    Is Your Art Style Really Yours? Unpacking Taste, Trends, and the Algorithm | Art Crush

    In this special 1-year anniversary episode of Art Crush, Fi and Paula dive deep into a provocative question: Do you actually like the art you think you like? From the omnipresence of Van Gogh's Starry Night on aprons to the endless, echoing scroll of the Pinterest algorithm, it is incredibly easy to lose your unique creative voice to what is popular, comfortable, or trending. Today, we are unpacking how marketing, societal comfort zones, and social media subconsciously shape our artistic tastes—and how those hidden influences might be holding you back from discovering what you are truly meant to create. Whether you are fighting the pressure to paint hyper-realistically or just trying to figure out your distinct style, this episode is a call to embrace your creative wildness. What we cover in this episode: How familiarity, marketing, and the public domain dictate what society considers "great" art. Why you need to step outside your digital bubble—and look beyond your immediate surroundings—to find genuine inspiration. How to release the pressure of conforming to popular styles and instead lean into the techniques and subjects that actually work for you. We reflect on how our childhood bedroom posters (from Star Trek to the Pre-Raphaelites) shaped our early identities as artists. Thank you to all our listeners for an incredible first year of Art Crush! If you are a woman navigating the professional art world, this episode will challenge you to look beyond the trends, get wildly curious, and reclaim your authentic aesthetic. We want to hear from you! Leave a comment and let us know: What kind of art did you hang on your walls growing up, and how has it influenced the artist you are today? Listen to Art Crush every Saturday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Google, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts. --- About Art Crush: Hosted by artists Fi Marks and Paula Telizyn, Art Crush is your unfiltered look into the realities, struggles, and triumphs of running an art business. We tackle everything from deconstructing colonialism in the art world to mastering the modern hustle, delivering punchy, thought-provoking episodes designed to shake up your creativity. Listen and subscribe! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and your favourite podcast platforms. Connect with the hosts: Check out The 51% at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefiftyonepercent.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Fi Marks' art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.fimarks-art.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Paula Telizyn's art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.PaulaTelizyn.com

  7. Aug 22

    Stop Saying Yes to the Wrong Art Shows: Finding Your Why & Owning Your Worth | Art Crush

    Are you tired of saying "yes" to every opportunity, only to realize your art is sitting next to scary blue plastic chairs in a space where it just doesn't belong? In Season 3, Episode 29 of Art Crush, hosts F Marks and Paula Telizyn dive deep into the importance of hitting pause on the hustle to find your true "why" as an artist. For many women, societal conditioning and people-pleasing tendencies can lead to a scattered art career filled with compromises. Fi and Paula discuss how to break that cycle by making intentional, informed choices about where your art belongs—and where it absolutely doesn't. Whether you want to sell high-end pieces in curated international galleries or simply make art for the joy of it without the pressure of sales, this episode will help you define your path without judgment. We also explore the concept of the Ideal Collector Avatar (ICA) and why stepping out of your comfort zone is the secret to leveling up your art business. In this episode, we cover: Why stopping to investigate your "why" is the most important step in building an intentional art career. How to stop people-pleasing and confidently turn down the wrong shows, cafes, and galleries. Why matching your art's price point to the right environment is critical for sales. How to identify your Ideal Collector Avatar and figure out exactly where they shop. Why doing the scary things—like exhibiting internationally or raising your prices—is the only way to grow. Plus, hear the latest updates on our upcoming inaugural collective show at Artcore Gallery in Derby this October! --- About Art Crush: Hosted by artists Fi Marks and Paula Telizyn, Art Crush is your unfiltered look into the realities, struggles, and triumphs of running an art business. We tackle everything from deconstructing colonialism in the art world to mastering the modern hustle, delivering punchy, thought-provoking episodes designed to shake up your creativity. Listen and subscribe! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and your favourite podcast platforms. Connect with the hosts: Check out The 51% at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefiftyonepercent.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Fi Marks' art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.fimarks-art.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Paula Telizyn's art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.PaulaTelizyn.com

  8. Aug 14

    Overcoming Ego and Owning Your Art Business | Art Crush

    Do you shrink back when someone compliments your art? Have you ever worried that being proud of your work makes you "arrogant" or "egotistical"? In Season 3, Episode 28 of Art Crush, hosts and visual artists Fi Marks and Paula Telizyn dive deep into the messy intersection of confidence and ego. For women navigating the art world—especially women over 40—societal conditioning often teaches us to stay small, be invisible, and prioritize everyone else. But what happens to your art business and the wider creative community when you refuse to take up space? Fi and Paula unpack the critical differences between toxic ego (hyper-individualism and arrogance) and genuine creative confidence (community-building and self-belief). They discuss the unique hurdles female artists face, why claiming your worth is essential, and how downplaying your skills actually harms other creators. In this episode, we cover: Why believing in your artistic skill isn't arrogant—and how to tell the difference. How societal expectations train women to vanish, and how to actively unlearn this to become visible in your art career. How underpricing your work and hiding your pride negatively impacts the wider visual artist community. A practical step to help you step back, view your art as a whole, and build authentic pride in your creative journey. Why you need to start saying, "I am doing the best work of my life," without fear of judgment. Whether you are painting landscapes, exploring abstracts, or building a thriving art business, this episode is your permission slip to step into your power. You can be incredibly proud of your accomplishments without being an ass! Listen now and start taking up the space you deserve. Perfect for: Visual artists, female creatives, women in business, and anyone working to overcome imposter syndrome in their creative practice. --- About Art Crush: Hosted by artists Fi Marks and Paula Telizyn, Art Crush is your unfiltered look into the realities, struggles, and triumphs of running an art business. We tackle everything from deconstructing colonialism in the art world to mastering the modern hustle, delivering punchy, thought-provoking episodes designed to shake up your creativity. Listen and subscribe! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and your favourite podcast platforms. Connect with the hosts: Check out The 51% at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefiftyonepercent.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Fi Marks' art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.fimarks-art.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Paula Telizyn's art at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.PaulaTelizyn.com

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About

Art Crush with Fi Marks (UK) and Paula Telizyn (Canada) is the art business podcast for contemporary artists, painters, and visual creatives navigating the modern art world. From bypassing traditional art gallery gatekeepers and hosting independent art shows to pricing fine art, finding your visual style, and overcoming imposter syndrome, Fi and Paula deliver punchy, unfiltered creative advice every week. Whether you’re an emerging painter, self-taught artist, or running a full-time studio practice, subscribe for actionable art marketing strategies, mindset shifts, and artist insights.

Information

  • Creator
    Paula Telizyn and Fi Marks
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Paula Telizyn and Fi Marks
  • Show Website
    Art Crush