The Business of Art Podcast Mark McKenna

Fine Art Podcast

 

Krystii’s Links

https://krystiimelaine.com

https://www.facebook.com/krystiimelainefineart

https://instagram.com/https://www.instagram.com/krystii.melaine

 

Workshop August 2024

https://boothmuseum.org/booth-art-academy/

 

Summary

Krystii Melaine, an Australian-born wildlife and portrait artist, shares her journey from being a fashion designer to pursuing her lifelong passion for painting. She emphasizes the importance of building skills as an artist and finding one's own voice. Krystii discusses the challenges of being an artist and the need for constant improvement and reinvention. She advises aspiring artists to dedicate time to their craft, even if it's just small studies, and to be critical of their work. Krystii also talks about her recent shift in focus to painting large-scale canvases that reflect her own experiences and ideas. Krystii shares her experience of transitioning from wildlife art to creating large-scale Western art and abstracts. She discusses the importance of taking risks and following your artistic vision, even if it means going against the norm. Krystii also talks about the challenges faced by women artists in the industry and the need for women to be assertive and proactive in pursuing opportunities. She emphasizes the importance of being reliable, easy to work with, and treating art as a business. Overall, Krystii's journey serves as an inspiration for artists looking to push their boundaries and achieve success.

 

Takeaways

Build your skills as an artist and find your own voice

Dedicate time to your craft and be critical of your work

Constantly strive for improvement and reinvention

Start small and gradually work your way up

Paint what truly inspires you and reflects your own experiences

Challenge yourself and don't be afraid to take risks 

Take risks and follow your artistic vision, even if it means going against the norm.

Women artists need to be assertive and proactive in pursuing opportunities.

Be reliable, easy to work with, and treat art as a business.

Networking and building relationships with other artists and galleries is crucial for success.

Persistence and perseverance are key in the art world.

 

Key words

artist, painting, fashion designer, wildlife art, portrait art, traditional realism, art market, art, career transition, taking risks, artistic vision, Western art, abstract art, artist challenges, women artists, assertiveness, art opportunities, art business, artist entrepreneur 


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FINE ART PODCAST

RICHIE’S LINKS

https://www.richiecarterfinearts.com https://www.instagram.com/richiecarterfinearts/ https://www.facebook.com/richard.d.carter.9

BOOK REFERENCE

“Steal Like an Artist” – by Austin Kleon

MARK'S PHOTOSHOP COURSE

https://thebusinessof-art.teachable.com/p/photoshop-for-artists/

SUMMARY

Richie Carter, a young artist from Montana, shares his journey and experiences in the art world. He grew up in a rural community and developed a love for creating things from a young age. He pursued a BFA in painting from the University of Montana, where he faced challenges with the post-modern conceptually based art approach. Despite the difficulties, he persevered and continued to paint, eventually finding inspiration in plein air painting and the landscapes of Paris. Richie has studied with artists like John Poon, Maggie Siner, and Daniel Keys, who have influenced his artistic development. The conversation covers three main themes: the generosity of artists in sharing knowledge, the importance of painting from life, and the process of selling artwork. The guests emphasize the willingness of artists to share information and shortcuts they have learned throughout their careers. They encourage artists to start locally and show their work in their own communities. The conversation also explores the benefits of painting from life, whether it's landscapes or live portrait models, as it teaches valuable lessons and keeps artists humble. Lastly, the guests discuss the process of selling artwork, highlighting the importance of starting small and building a foundation in the local community. In this conversation, Mark and Richie discuss the importance of finding one's own artistic voice and not being afraid to be influenced by other artists. They emphasize the need to explore and experiment with different styles and techniques, while also staying true to oneself. They share personal experiences of discovering their own voices as artists and offer advice for those starting out. Richie also talks about his upcoming art show and workshops.

TAKEAWAYS


Follow opportunities that present themselves, as they can have a significant impact on your career.


Be kind and compassionate to yourself as an artist.


There are multiple paths to success in the art world, including university education and workshops.


Learning the fundamentals of drawing, value, color, and atmospheric perspective is essential.


Find inspiration in nature and the places that resonate with you.


Building relationships with other artists can lead to valuable learning experiences and friendships. Artists are

generous in sharing information and shortcuts they have learned throughout their careers.


Painting from life, whether it's landscapes or live portrait models, teaches valuable lessons and keeps artists

humble.


Starting small and showing artwork in the local community is a great way to begin selling artwork.


Emulate and learn from artists you admire, but find your own voice and develop your own techniques. Don't

be afraid to be influenced by other artists, but also find your own artistic voice.


Experiment with different styles and techniques to discover what resonates with you.


Personal growth as an artist comes from pushing through challenging periods and embracing the process.


Building an online presence and networking with galleries can help get your work seen.


Teaching workshops can be a valuable way to share knowledge and connect with other artists.

KEY WORDS

Richie Carter, artist journey, creativity, painting, realism, art education, artist challenges, plein air painting, Paris, art workshops, John Poon, Maggie Siner, Daniel Keys, generosity, artists sharing knowledge, painting from life, selling artwork, art community, artistic voice, artistic exploration, artistic experimentation, personal growth, art show




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FINE ARTIST PODCAST

SUMMARY

Mark McKenna, a Western artist, shares his journey into the art world and his love for painting animals. He discusses how he initially considered a career as a dentist but was encouraged by a mentor to pursue art. Mark emphasizes the importance of painting what you love and painting consistently. He also talks about the significance of framing and the business side of being an artist. Mark shares his experience as a teacher and the influence of mentors like Greg Beecham. He mentions his upcoming online content and his involvement with galleries and art shows.

MARK'S LINKS

https://markmckennastudios.com

Facebook.com/markmckennastudios

Instagram.com/markmckennastudios

MARK'S PHOTOSHOP COURSE

https://thebusinessof-art.teachable.com/p/photoshop-for-artists/

TAKEAWAYS


Follow your passion and paint what you love.


Consistency is key in developing your skills as an artist.


Invest in quality framing to enhance your artwork.


Learn about the business side of being an artist, including marketing and record-keeping.


Mentors play a crucial role in an artist's growth and development.


Teaching and attending workshops can provide valuable learning experiences.


Balance family life and art by having a supportive partner.


Stay updated on upcoming shows and events to connect with art collectors.


Create online content to reach a wider audience and share your artistic process.

KEY WORDS

Mark McKenna, Mark McKenna Studios, The Business of Art, Western art, painting, animal art, art career, art mentor, art education, artist workshops, art business, framing art, online art courses, art galleries, art shows




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SUMMARY

Dave Santillanes, a landscape artist, shares his journey from being a graphic designer to becoming a full- time artist. He emphasizes the importance of painting outdoors and the impact it had on his work. Dave discusses the challenges of balancing a day job with his passion for art and offers advice for aspiring artists. He also explains his creative process, which involves starting with plein air studies and then developing larger studio pieces. In this conversation, artist Dave Santillanes discusses his approach to painting, including the importance of creating smaller studies before tackling larger pieces. He also talks about the challenges of maintaining freshness and brevity in larger paintings and shares his preferred tools and materials. Santillanes emphasizes the significance of shadows in creating atmosphere and offers advice for artists looking to market their work and build relationships with collectors. He encourages artists to embrace the journey and focus on the quality of their work.

DAVE’S LINKS

https://dasanti.com

https://www.facebook.com/dave.santillanes

https://www.instagram.com/davesantillanes.art

MARK'S PHOTOSHOP COURSE

https://thebusinessof-art.teachable.com/p/photoshop-for-artists/

TAKEAWAYS


Embrace the journey and understand that becoming a successful artist takes time and dedication.


If you have to work a day job, make sure it's not soul-crushing and allows you to maintain your

passion for art.


Start with plein air studies to capture the essence of a scene and then develop larger studio pieces.


Photos can be a helpful reference, but it's important to analyze color and values from plein air studies.


Having a supportive family can play a crucial role in nurturing a passion for art. Creating smaller studies before tackling larger paintings can help solve color issues and save time and energy.


Maintaining freshness and brevity in larger paintings can be challenging, but it's important to find the right balance.


Shadows play a crucial role in creating atmosphere in paintings, and studying shadows can greatly improve an artist's work.


Social media and participating in shows can be effective ways to market artwork and connect with collectors.


The art career is a journey, and it's important to enjoy the process and focus on the quality of the work.

KEY WORDS

Dave Santillanes, landscape artist, Artist journey, graphic design, full-time artist, painting outdoors, balancing your day job, creative process, painting, art studies, challenges as an artist, atmospheric perspective, art tools, art materials, marketing your art, art collectors, art galleries, art shows




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FINE ART PODCAST

SUMMARY

In this episode, Mark interviews artist Brent Cotton about his journey as an artist and his unique approach to painting. Brent shares how he was influenced by his grandmother, who was an accomplished artist, and how he started his artistic career by taking workshops and experimenting with different mediums. He discusses the importance of plein air painting and how it has shaped his style. Brent also talks about the challenges of working from photographs and the importance of pushing oneself as an artist. The conversation explores the importance of connecting with nature as an artist and the need to recharge creatively. It also delves into the process of marketing and selling artwork, including the role of galleries and the impact of social media. The conversation concludes with advice for beginners, emphasizing the importance of finding the right galleries, staying true to one's artistic vision, and balancing artistic integrity with financial considerations. Brent Cotton discusses his passion for creating uplifting and spiritual art that brings beauty and solace to viewers. He emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's artistic vision and finding joy in the creative process. Brent also shares his preferred palette and tools, including a limited color palette and the use of palette knives. He highlights the significance of lightfastness and permanence in choosing paints. While he currently does not teach workshops, he occasionally conducts classes for collectors and is open to the idea of teaching in the future.

BRENT’S LINKS

http://www.cottonfinearts.com/index.html https://www.instagram.com/cottonbrent https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cotton-Fine-Art/297899140234009

MARK'S PHOTOSHOP COURSE

https://thebusinessof-art.teachable.com/p/photoshop-for-artists/

TAKEAWAYS


The importance of mentorship and learning from other artists


The value of plein air painting in capturing mood and atmosphere


The challenges of working from photographs and the need for artistic interpretation


The importance of pushing oneself as an artist and trying new subjects and styles Connecting with nature is valuable for artists to recharge creatively and add authenticity to their work.


Marketing and selling artwork can be done through galleries, national shows, and social media.


Finding the right galleries and building relationships with them is important for artists.


It is crucial for artists to stay true to their artistic vision and not chase trends.


Balancing artistic integrity with financial considerations can be challenging but necessary.


Beginners should visit galleries, do their research, and not be afraid of rejection. Creating art that is uplifting and spiritual can bring beauty and solace to viewers.


Staying true to one's artistic vision and finding joy in the creative process is essential.


Using a limited color palette and palette knives can create interesting textures and effects in

paintings.


Considering lightfastness and permanence when choosing paints ensures the longevity of artwork.


Brent Cotton occasionally conducts classes for collectors and is open to the idea of teaching in the future.



KEY WORDS

Fine artist, artist, journey, oil painting, painting, plein air, creativity, recharge, authenticity, marketing, selling, art galleries, social media, trends, balance, artistic integrity, art, painting, spirituality, beauty, palette, tools, color lightfastness, color permanence, art workshops, art show, art shows




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Fine Art Podcast

SUMMARY
Dustin Van Wechel left a successful career in advertising to pursue his passion for fine art. He has earned numerous distinctions and has been featured in leading art publications. Dustin's journey began in his late 20s, and he started his career as a wildlife artist. He initially worked with pastels before transitioning to oils. He emphasizes the importance of painting from life and constantly learning and improving as an artist. Dustin's process involves creating thumbnail sketches to develop composition and narrative before starting a painting. Dustin Van Wechel discusses his process of creating wildlife paintings, including the importance of solving problems before starting a painting, using reference photos and sketches, and constructing animals using Photoshop. He also shares his approach to marketing his work, including writing press releases, establishing a brand, and using social media. He advises artists to avoid comparing themselves to others and to live below their means. Dustin also mentions upcoming workshops and shows he will be participating in.


DUSTIN'S LINKS

http://dustinvanwechel.com/

https://www.instagram.com/vanwechelart/

https://www.facebook.com/dustin.vanwechel/



MARK'S PHOTOSHOP COURSE

https://thebusinessof-art.teachable.com/p/photoshop-for-artists/

TAKEAWAYS
• Transitioning from a day job to a full-time artist requires sacrifice, dedication, and financial planning.
• Painting from life is crucial for developing skills and capturing the essence of the subject.
• Being a professional artist requires discipline and meeting commitments.
• The process of creating art can be challenging and not always enjoyable, but the
passion for the craft keeps artists going.
• Developing a strong composition and narrative is essential for creating impactful artwork. Solve problems before starting a painting to avoid difficulties on the canvas
• Use reference photos and sketches to guide the composition
• Construct animals using Photoshop by combining different elements
• Write press releases and send them to media outlets to promote your work
• Establish a consistent brand across different marketing channels
• Live below your means and have tight control over the pricing of your work
• Participate in workshops and shows to expand your market and network


KEY WORDS
Dustin Van Wechel, career transition, fine art, fine artist journey, fine artist, wildlife art, pastels, oil painting, painting from life, composition, narrative art, wildlife painting, problem-solving, reference photos, sketches, Photoshop, art marketing, press releases, brand, art pricing, art workshops, art shows


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