21 episodes

Welcome to Ballsy, the podcast where I interview successful artists and creators on how they got the balls to sell their art, and turn their art practice into profitable businesses.

As a former entrepreneur turned artist, I realized that being an artist is basically like running a small startup, and you, the artist, are the CEO. I talk to artists and talk about their businesses, talk real numbers, growth hacks, tools and tricks and how they were ballsy enough to make art their career

Ballsy: It takes balls to sell art‪.‬ Kolodny

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 4 Ratings

Welcome to Ballsy, the podcast where I interview successful artists and creators on how they got the balls to sell their art, and turn their art practice into profitable businesses.

As a former entrepreneur turned artist, I realized that being an artist is basically like running a small startup, and you, the artist, are the CEO. I talk to artists and talk about their businesses, talk real numbers, growth hacks, tools and tricks and how they were ballsy enough to make art their career

    Episode 21 - Sarah Dugger

    Episode 21 - Sarah Dugger

    For Episode 21 of the Ballsy Podcast, Shawn Kolodny sits down with Multidisciplinary artist Sarah Dugger. Sarah is a versatile artist with 25 years of experience. Her current mediums are prints, fabrics, murals, and paintings. She started her career in textile design for renowned consumer brands in the late 1990s, mastering color, concept, and project management. Eventually, she began to explore fine art painting beyond the confines of corporate design. In 2016, she joined muralist group WallDogs and began creating large-scale murals, drawing from her textile industry experience. In 2018, she returned to textile design, starting a print studio with plans to launch a namesake label for unique, wearable, printed art pieces. Based in a vintage furniture warehouse, she specializes in hand-printed fabric by-the-yard, fully embracing her talents in the visual arts.

    In Episode 21, Sarah Dugger discusses her process around creating art, her artistic relationship with technology, and her journey from the corporate world into fine art, amongst many other tidbits of artistic and business insight.

    “Art is the kind of job where your wallet have to show up every day. Every single day. Whether you want to or not.” — Sarah Dugger. “The biggest success I’ve had is taking risks,” Sarah says, “all the opportunities that don’t work out are part of the journey. The failures contribute to the success.”

    You can find Sarah's work on her Instagram @sarahjanedugger or her website www.sarahdugger.com.

    1:27 Description of Sarah’s Work & Background
    7:07 Corporate Design into Fine Art
    8:50 Building the Business of Selling Art
    10:20 Sarah’s First Mural Gig
    11:27 Pricing
    13:57 Deeper Dive into Sarah’s Work
    20:22 Showing Up & Process
    20:56 Sarah’s Murals & How She Finds Jobs
    22:57 Sarah’s Paintings & Sales Channels
    26:19 Volume of Art Produced
    27:33 Sales Channels
    28:45 Mailers & Buyer Communications
    31:44 Budgeting
    32:15 Making vs. Selling Art
    33:23 The Language of Business
    35:03 Learning New Skills
    37:35 Lessons Sarah has Learned Along the Way

    • 46 min
    Episode 20 - Callen Schaub

    Episode 20 - Callen Schaub

    Welcome to The Ballsy Podcast, where we celebrate those who dare to redefine art. In this episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with renowned abstract painter and innovator, Callen Schaub. If you haven't heard of him yet, you're in for a treat!

    Callen is a sensation on social media, captivating audiences worldwide with his mesmerizing process art. From spinning canvases to pushing the boundaries of acrylic paint manipulation, Callen's work is a fusion of creativity and spectacle.

    In our conversation, Callen shares insights into his journey as an artist, from early struggles to his determination to carve his own path in the art world. He discusses his transition from running a successful commercial gallery to pursuing his passion full-time and all the bumps along the way.

    Discover the origins of Callen's iconic spin art technique and how he found his voice by sharing his creative process online. From viral videos to fostering a direct connection with his audience, Callen's story is a testament to the power of embracing innovation and authenticity in the digital age.

    "I didn't fully know what kind of art particularly. I knew it was going to be abstract. I was just fascinated with color," Callen recalls, shedding light on his journey of self-discovery as an artist.

    Join us as we delve into the mind of an artistic trailblazer. Learn how Callen's unapologetic approach to art has not only transformed his career but also inspired a new generation of artists to embrace experimentation and their own unique authenticity.

    Follow Callen Schaub on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook @CallenSchaub for a firsthand look at his captivating work.

    • 50 min
    Episode 19 - Salventius

    Episode 19 - Salventius

    In our latest Episode 19 of the Ballsy Podcast, we had a chance to speak with Niels Kiené, better known as Salventius, a Dutch artist who specializes in one-line portraits. Using a range of techniques from light painting to 3D printing, he creates art in a spontaneous style he calls "momentalism." His work is unique for its embrace of errors and its speed of creation, both of which are showcased in timelapse videos on his Instagram. Salventius has also gained attention for contributing to the world's first digital art exhibition in space. We'll discuss how his unique style is turning heads in the art community.You can find him on Instagram @salventius and on his website salventius.com

    • 41 min
    Episode 18 - Dan Lam (Sopopomo)

    Episode 18 - Dan Lam (Sopopomo)

    In Episode 18 of the Ballsy Podcast, we're thrilled to have Instagram sensation Dan Lam, known for her vibrant and tactile sculptures made from unconventional materials. Dan's work blurs the line between allure and repulsion. Inspired by nature and the human body, she creates organic, blob-like pieces that invite touch while evoking a strange otherworldly quality. It's like nothing you've seen before! Join us as we explore Dan's artistic process, her balancing act of contrasts, and her boundless passion for creation.

    You can find her on Instagram @sopopomo and on her website bydanlam.com

    • 45 min
    Episode 17 - Adrien Saporiti

    Episode 17 - Adrien Saporiti

    Coming up on Episode 17 of the Ballsy Podcast: From Nashville to Portland, we sit down with the talented artist and entrepreneur, Adrien Saporiti.

    With his brush as his tool and creativity as his driving force, Adrien has made a name for himself in the world of visual art.

    His mesmerizing murals and street artwork have captivated audiences and become iconic symbols of his craft. Throughout our conversation, Adrien takes us on a journey through his artistic evolution, sharing his earliest influences and the pivotal moments that shaped his style.

    From fine art to mural creation, he has mastered the art of storytelling through his vibrant pieces.

    Make sure not to miss the episode that's packed with inspiration, creativity, and the pure joy of artistic expression.   

    You can find him on Instagram @asap.gif and on his website asapgif.com

    • 50 min
    Episode 16 - Plastic Jesus

    Episode 16 - Plastic Jesus

    In Episode 16 of the Ballsy Podcast, we were lucky to chat with Plastic Jesus, a bold artist whose thought-provoking installations challenge societal norms. His installations often appear unexpectedly in public spaces, disrupting the everyday and sparking conversations among passersby.

    While Plastic Jesus prefers to let his art speak for itself, his work has garnered international attention and acclaim. His thoughtfully crafted pieces have been displayed in major cities around the world, captivating audiences with their profound messages and challenging the status quo. Plastic Jesus's artistic vision serves as a reminder that art has the power to provoke, inspire, and effect change. He continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art and invites viewers to question the world they live in.

    Join us as we explore the impactful artistry of Plastic Jesus and the conversations it ignites.  

    You can find him on Instagram @plasticjesus and on his website www.plasticjesusstore.com

    • 54 min

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