The Professional Artist Podcast: Art Business Transformations

The Professional Artist Association
  • 4.8 (43)
  • Visual Arts
  • Updated Biweekly

If you want to make it in the art world, talent is key - but so is mastering the business side. The Professional Artist Podcast is where fine artists and commerce meet. Co-hosts Miguel L. Mayher and Cristina Demiany guide visual artists through an audio gallery, exploring how to show and sell your art, land commissions, apply for artist grants, license your art, and much more. This is where your art career begins to grow. Miguel L. Mayher is the Director of Education at the Professional Artist Association. Previously, he worked with Google Arts & Culture, striking partnerships with national museums. He is also a Global Economic Symposium Young Fellow and a One Young World Ambassador. Cristina Demiany is a Senior Art Business Coach at the Professional Artist Association. She formerly served as Senior Program Manager at Sotheby’s Institute of Art and as Executive Director of the National Children’s Chorus. The Professional Artist Association is a global organization dedicated to providing real-world education for visual artists, including painters, sculptors, and fine art photographers.

  1. 23h ago

    Inside My $120K Art Business

    Free 4-Day Challenge for artists: https://professionalartist.com/free Join us live and online to make your next art show your best, design a paid workshop that's yours alone, or land your work in the right gallery. Register free.--- In this episode of The Professional Artist Podcast, illustrator, painter, and educator Francis Vallejo is featured by the Professional Artist Association (https://professionalartist.com/join), the world's fastest-growing global community for committed fine artists. Francis is an award-winning artist and Associate Professor of Illustration at the College for Creative Studies. Over the past two decades, he has built a six-figure creative business by combining multiple income streams, including original artwork, teaching, illustration, commissions, and publishing. In this episode, Francis shares exactly how he built a business generating more than $120,000 per year, why so many talented artists struggle to reach that level, and the mindset shift that transformed the way he approached his career. He also explains why artists should value their expertise like any other specialized profession and how diversifying income can create long-term stability. "Art, in my opinion, can be an extremely profitable pursuit.” — Francis Vallejo Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:38 A Pivotal Illustration Project 03:53 The Entrepreneurial Mindset and Building Momentum 05:42 From Broke in His 20s to Six Figures: The Income Breakdown 10:54 The Alaska Residency and the Accidental Printmaking Discovery 15:08 Why Talented Artists Stay Stuck : The Mindset Shift 17:20 Talking About Your Work as a Problem You Solve 18:43 Finding Community 21:28 Final Advice Connect with Francis Website: https://www.francisvallejo.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francisvallejoart/ Learn more about The Professional Artist Association: Mentoring: Apply to join 99 artists for unlimited 1:1 Coaching & Mentoring to grow your art income: https://professionalartist.com/apply Membership: Join 1,000+ committed artists around the world for less than $1, £ or € a day: https://professionalartist.com/join Free Letter: Join 50,000+ artists getting Free advice & inspiration every week: https://professionalartist.com/podcast/#join-free-artist-letter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalartistaccelerator Ready to take the next step in your art career? We are hosting a free 4-Day Challenge online to help artists like you get back on track. Whether that’s making your next art show your best ever, designing a paid art workshop that is uniquely yours, or getting your artwork into the next right-fit gallery… …this live, virtual, and interactive challenge will help get you get unstuck. Register to get a free pass here: https://professionalartist.com/free

    Inside My $120K Art Business

  2. Jul 28

    How Artists Get High-Paying Interior Design Commissions

    Free 4-Day Challenge for artists: https://professionalartist.com/free Join us live and online to make your next art show your best, design a paid workshop that's yours alone, or land your work in the right gallery. Register free. --- What does it actually take to build a career creating high-paying commissions for interior designers? In this episode of The Professional Artist Podcast, abstract painter Lara Scolari is featured by the Professional Artist Association (https://professionalartist.com/join), the world's fastest-growing global community for committed fine artists. Lara is an Australian abstract artist whose nature-inspired paintings are collected internationally across Australia, Asia, Europe, and the United States. Alongside her exhibition career, she has built a thriving commission business working with leading interior designers and has expanded her practice through licensing partnerships, including luxury rug collections. In this episode, Lara explains how artists can build relationships with interior designers, what a professional commission process looks like from inquiry to installation, and why preparation, consistency, and a polished presentation matter more than waiting for the perfect opportunity. "You've gotta put yourself out there. You've gotta back yourself. You have to take the risk that may not end in anything.” — Lara Scolari Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction01:38 Yellow Water Cruising05:00 Translating Paintings into Rugs and Licensing07:40 Building an International Exhibition Career10:16 Wendy's Bolt 10:48 How Greg Natale Walked Through the Door13:40 The Interior Designer Commission Process16:09 Where Designers Discover New Artists17:48  Snorkeling With Matisse18:55 Final advice Connect with Lara Website: https://larascolari.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larascolari/ Learn more about The Professional Artist Association: Mentoring: Apply to join 99 artists for unlimited 1:1 Coaching & Mentoring to grow your art income: https://professionalartist.com/apply Membership: Join 1,000+ committed artists around the world for less than $1, £ or € a day: https://professionalartist.com/join Free Letter: Join 50,000+ artists getting Free advice & inspiration every week: https://professionalartist.com/podcast/#join-free-artist-letter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalartistaccelerator Ready to take the next step in your art career? We are hosting a free 4-Day Challenge online to help artists like you get back on track. Whether that’s making your next art show your best ever, designing a paid art workshop that is uniquely yours, or getting your artwork into the next right-fit gallery… …this live, virtual, and interactive challenge will help get you get unstuck. Register to get a free pass here: https://professionalartist.com/free If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with another artist and leave us a review/comment. We read every single one.

    How Artists Get High-Paying Interior Design Commissions

  3. Jul 21

    The Money Mistake Most Artists Keep Making

    Free 4-Day Challenge for artists: https://professionalartist.com/free Join us live and online to make your next art show your best, design a paid workshop that's yours alone, or land your work in the right gallery. Register free.--- What's the biggest money mistake keeping artists from building a sustainable career? In this episode of The Professional Artist Podcast, sculptor and public artist Matt McConnell is featured by the Professional Artist Association (https://professionalartist.com/join), the world's fastest-growing global community for committed fine artists. For more than 25 years, Matt has built a career creating large-scale public art while learning the financial systems required to sustain a creative business. From budgeting complex commissions to pricing work with confidence, he's discovered that profitability starts long before a project begins. In this episode, Matt explains why undercharging is only part of the problem, how understanding your true costs changes the way you price your work, and how saying no to the wrong projects can ultimately make your business more profitable. " You have to decide that you are comfortable saying what something costs at risk of losing it” — Matt McConnell Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:41 Crescent 05:32 Pricing Large-Scale Projects Without Losing Money 11:16 Helix Series 13:10 The Psychology of Charging What You're Worth 17:55 Infinity 20:38 Why Budgeting Is the Most Important Skill an Artist Can Learn 23:38 Final thoughts Connect with Matt Website: https://www.mattmcconnell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcconnellstudios/ Learn more about The Professional Artist Association: Mentoring: Apply to join 99 artists for unlimited 1:1 Coaching & Mentoring to grow your art income: https://professionalartist.com/apply Membership: Join 1,000+ committed artists around the world for less than $1, £ or € a day: https://professionalartist.com/join Free Letter: Join 50,000+ artists getting Free advice & inspiration every week: https://professionalartist.com/podcast/#join-free-artist-letter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalartistaccelerator Ready to take the next step in your art career? We are hosting a free 4-Day Challenge online to help artists like you get back on track. Whether that’s making your next art show your best ever, designing a paid art workshop that is uniquely yours, or getting your artwork into the next right-fit gallery… …this live, virtual, and interactive challenge will help get you get unstuck. Register to get a free pass here: https://professionalartist.com/free If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with another artist and leave us a review/comment. We read every single one.

    The Money Mistake Most Artists Keep Making

  4. Jul 14

    The One Artist Skill AI Will Never Replace

    Free 4-Day Challenge for artists: https://professionalartist.com/free Join us live and online to make your next art show your best, design a paid workshop that's yours alone, or land your work in the right gallery. Register free.--- What happens when the creative industry changes faster than your career plan? In this episode of The Professional Artist Podcast, artist, illustrator, and educator Wouter Tulp is featured by the Professional Artist Association (https://professionalartist.com/join), the world’s fastest-growing global community for committed fine artists. Over several decades, Wouter has repeatedly adapted his career as the creative industry evolved. Rather than relying on one role or income source, he built a sustainable practice through illustration, education, personal work, and professional relationships. In this deep dive, Wouter shares how artists can protect their creative voice, build multiple income streams, and stay visible as AI and new technology reshape the industry. "Instead of learning a trick you can create a vision and you can tell a story, and I think that's something AI can never do.” — Wouter Tulp Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:38 Daily Gesture Drawing Practice 03:47 Pivoting the Career 08:54 AI and the Future of Creative Work 10:45 Balancing Client Work with Personal Painting 13:24 The Jazz Painting  14:49 What AI Can Never Replace  17:40 Native American Portrait Series 19:12 Letting Go of External Validation 21:00 Final thoughts Connect with Wouter Website: https://www.woutertulp.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woutertulp/ Learn more about The Professional Artist Association: Mentoring: Apply to join 99 artists for unlimited 1:1 Coaching & Mentoring to grow your art income: https://professionalartist.com/apply Membership: Join 1,000+ committed artists around the world for less than $1, £ or € a day: https://professionalartist.com/join Free Letter: Join 50,000+ artists getting Free advice & inspiration every week: https://professionalartist.com/podcast/#join-free-artist-letter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalartistaccelerator Ready to take the next step in your art career? We are hosting a free 4-Day Challenge online to help artists like you get back on track. Whether that’s making your next art show your best ever, designing a paid art workshop that is uniquely yours, or getting your artwork into the next right-fit gallery… …this live, virtual, and interactive challenge will help get you get unstuck. Register to get a free pass here: https://professionalartist.com/free If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with another artist and leave us a review/comment. We read every single one.

    The One Artist Skill AI Will Never Replace

  5. Jul 7

    How to Get Curators Interested in Your Art with Alia El-Bermani

    Free 4-Day Challenge for artists: https://professionalartist.com/free Join us live and online to make your next art show your best, design a paid workshop that's yours alone, or land your work in the right gallery. Register free.--- Do curators discover artists… or do artists create the opportunities to be discovered? In this episode of The Professional Artist Podcast, figurative painter Alia El-Bermani is featured by the Professional Artist Association (https://professionalartist.com/join), the world's fastest-growing global community for committed fine artists. Alia's work has been exhibited in museums and galleries across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Rather than waiting for opportunities to find her, she built a career by intentionally connecting with curators, staying in touch over time, and creating professional relationships that led to long-term collaborations. In this deep dive, Alia shares what it actually takes to get on a curator's radar, why rejection is often the beginning of new opportunities, and how thoughtful outreach can grow into long-term professional relationships that shape a career. “You need to continually find curators that will help support you and put you in places that you never even dreamed of.” — Alia El-Bermani Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:38 The Futures We Behold: Dreaming Beyond the Patriarchy 03:24 Income Streams and Studio Structure 06:38 Playing the Long Game: Career Advice to Her Younger Self 07:54 How to Get a Curator Into Your Studio 10:09 The First Outreach Email 11:10 Vessel: Grief, Loss, and the 2019 Solo Show 14:36 Applying for Grants 17:14 Hear Me: Community and Peer Support 18:27 Final Advice Connect with Alia Website: https://alia-fineart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliapainter/ Learn more about The Professional Artist Association: Mentoring: Apply to join 99 artists for unlimited 1:1 Coaching & Mentoring to grow your art income: https://professionalartist.com/apply Membership: Join 1,000+ committed artists around the world for less than $1, £ or € a day: https://professionalartist.com/join Free Letter: Join 50,000+ artists getting Free advice & inspiration every week: https://professionalartist.com/podcast/#join-free-artist-letter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalartistaccelerator Ready to take the next step in your art career? We are hosting a free 4-Day Challenge online to help artists like you get back on track. Whether that’s making your next art show your best ever, designing a paid art workshop that is uniquely yours, or getting your artwork into the next right-fit gallery… …this live, virtual, and interactive challenge will help get you get unstuck. Register to get a free pass here: https://professionalartist.com/free If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with another artist and leave us a review/comment. We read every single one.

    How to Get Curators Interested in Your Art with Alia El-Bermani

  6. Jun 30

    Building an Art Career Without Art School (What Actually Works)

    Free 4-Day Challenge for artists: https://professionalartist.com/free Join us live and online to make your next art show your best, design a paid workshop that's yours alone, or land your work in the right gallery. Register free. --- What if the biggest advantage in building an art career has nothing to do with art school? In this episode of The Professional Artist Podcast, geometric artist Nima Nabavi is featured by the Professional Artist Association (https://professionalartist.com/join), the world's fastest-growing global community for committed fine artists. Nima spent 15 years building businesses before becoming a full-time artist. Without a formal art education, he applied entrepreneurial thinking to his creative practice… ultimately building a career that includes sold-out exhibitions, museum acquisitions, and large-scale public installations. In this deep dive, Nima shares the unexpected business decision that helped launch his career, why talent alone rarely creates momentum, and how understanding business fundamentals gave him an advantage when approaching galleries and collectors. This episode offers a practical perspective on building an art career from the ground up… and why the skills that create opportunity often extend far beyond the studio. “The very beginning was the hardest part. And so if you can do anything to extend the lifespan of your career in the very beginning, I think there's a big payoff down the line.” — Nima Nabavi Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:38 Roswell 2223: Scale and Creative Freedom 04:22 From E-Commerce to Art: Finding the Practice 08:24 Posting the Work and Getting the First Show 11:02 Signal: The Museum Projection Piece 14:44 Pricing Strategy for a Sold-Out First Show 21:25 Noon : Collaborative Work with Jason Seif 24:24 Top lessons Connect with Nima Website: https://www.nimanabavi.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nimanothome/ Learn more about The Professional Artist Association: Mentoring: Apply to join 99 artists for unlimited 1:1 Coaching & Mentoring to grow your art income: https://professionalartist.com/apply Membership: Join 1,000+ committed artists around the world for less than $1, £ or € a day: https://professionalartist.com/join Free Letter: Join 50,000+ artists getting Free advice & inspiration every week: https://professionalartist.com/podcast/#join-free-artist-letter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalartistaccelerator Ready to take the next step in your art career? We are hosting a free 4-Day Challenge online to help artists like you get back on track. Whether that’s making your next art show your best ever, designing a paid art workshop that is uniquely yours, or getting your artwork into the next right-fit gallery… …this live, virtual, and interactive challenge will help get you get unstuck. Register to get a free pass here: https://professionalartist.com/free If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with another artist and leave us a review/comment. We read every single one.

    Building an Art Career Without Art School (What Actually Works)

  7. Jun 23

    How Artists Build Long-Term Gallery Careers

    Free 4-Day Challenge for artists: https://professionalartist.com/free Join us live and online to make your next art show your best, design a paid workshop that's yours alone, or land your work in the right gallery. Register free.-- How do artists build gallery relationships that last not just years… but decades? In this episode of The Professional Artist Podcast, painter Betsy Eby is featured by the Professional Artist Association (https://professionalartist.com/join), the world's fastest-growing global community for committed fine artists. Betsy began her career painting in her basement while working day jobs.  Today, she is represented by galleries across the United States and in London, with exhibition schedules booked years in advance. Her career has been built through long-term gallery partnerships, consistent exhibitions, and a deep commitment to her studio practice. In this deep dive Betsy shares what keeps galleries invested in an artist over the long term, why relying on a single gallery is rarely enough to build a sustainable career, and how artists can grow the business side of their practice without compromising the work itself. “ I was painting in my basement, I held various day jobs … and then a gallery picked me up in Seattle. Right now my exhibitions schedule is booked until 2029.” — Betsy Eby Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:44 Isles: Encaustic Process 05:01 Music, Health Crisis, and the Work's Evolution 10:04 Building a Career in Seattle 12:57 Sustaining Long-Term Gallery Relationships 13:53 Chromatic Frequencies: The Painting Process 16:00 Why Museums Matter 17:00 Working with Multiple Galleries 19:39 Scriabin's Mystic Chord: Grief and the Dark Palette 22:35 When to Leave the Day Job 24:39 The Red Paintings and Evolving Past Success 25:20 Final advice Connect with Betsy Website: https://www.betsyeby.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsyeby/?hl=es-la Learn more about The Professional Artist Association: Mentoring: Apply to join 99 artists for unlimited 1:1 Coaching & Mentoring to grow your art income: https://professionalartist.com/apply Membership: Join 1,000+ committed artists around the world for less than $1, £ or € a day: https://professionalartist.com/join Free Letter: Join 50,000+ artists getting Free advice & inspiration every week: https://professionalartist.com/podcast/#join-free-artist-letter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalartistaccelerator Ready to take the next step in your art career? We are hosting a free 4-Day Challenge online to help artists like you get back on track. Whether that’s making your next art show your best ever, designing a paid art workshop that is uniquely yours, or getting your artwork into the next right-fit gallery… …this live, virtual, and interactive challenge will help get you get unstuck. Register to get a free pass here: https://professionalartist.com/free If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with another artist and leave us a review/comment. We read every single one.

    How Artists Build Long-Term Gallery Careers

  8. Jun 16

    How to Build an Art Career Without Selling Out

    Free 4-Day Challenge for artists: https://professionalartist.com/free Join us live and online to make your next art show your best, design a paid workshop that's yours alone, or land your work in the right gallery. Register free. --- Can you build a successful art career without compromising your artistic vision? In this episode of The Professional Artist Podcast, painter Vincent Desiderio is featured by the Professional Artist Association (https://professionalartist.com/join), the world's fastest-growing global community for committed fine artists. Vincent is one of the most respected figurative painters of his generation.  His work is held in major collections including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum, yet his career was never built around chasing trends, market demands, or recognition. Instead, Vincent devoted himself to a different pursuit: making the strongest work he was capable of making. In this deep dive, Vincent shares why pursuing recognition can pull artists away from their best work, how he built a career without compromising his standards, and what he learned after achieving the success that many artists spend years chasing. “Enough people every day sell themselves out. They do exactly what will make them rich. I wouldn't jeopardize my one chance to actually do the best I can be as an artist.” — Vincent Desiderio Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:50 Cockaigne: Art History as Self-Portrait 04:48 Painting Against the Culture of Speed 09:21 Dead White: When a Painting Finds Itself 11:15 Breaking Into the Art World 13:48 Advice for Artists at Any Stage 17:06 Theseus: When the Concept Evolves 19:51 Closing Thoughts Connect with Vincent Website: https://www.vincent-desiderio.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincent_desiderio/ Learn more about The Professional Artist Association: Mentoring: Apply to join 99 artists for unlimited 1:1 Coaching & Mentoring to grow your art income: https://professionalartist.com/apply Membership: Join 1,000+ committed artists around the world for less than $1, £ or € a day: https://professionalartist.com/join Free Letter: Join 50,000+ artists getting Free advice & inspiration every week: https://professionalartist.com/podcast/#join-free-artist-letter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalartistaccelerator Ready to take the next step in your art career? We are hosting a free 4-Day Challenge online to help artists like you get back on track. Whether that’s making your next art show your best ever, designing a paid art workshop that is uniquely yours, or getting your artwork into the next right-fit gallery… …this live, virtual, and interactive challenge will help get you get unstuck. Register to get a free pass here: https://professionalartist.com/free If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with another artist and leave us a review/comment. We read every single one.

    How to Build an Art Career Without Selling Out
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If you want to make it in the art world, talent is key - but so is mastering the business side. The Professional Artist Podcast is where fine artists and commerce meet. Co-hosts Miguel L. Mayher and Cristina Demiany guide visual artists through an audio gallery, exploring how to show and sell your art, land commissions, apply for artist grants, license your art, and much more. This is where your art career begins to grow. Miguel L. Mayher is the Director of Education at the Professional Artist Association. Previously, he worked with Google Arts & Culture, striking partnerships with national museums. He is also a Global Economic Symposium Young Fellow and a One Young World Ambassador. Cristina Demiany is a Senior Art Business Coach at the Professional Artist Association. She formerly served as Senior Program Manager at Sotheby’s Institute of Art and as Executive Director of the National Children’s Chorus. The Professional Artist Association is a global organization dedicated to providing real-world education for visual artists, including painters, sculptors, and fine art photographers.

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