448. Safe Route vs High Art Profit

451. Building Outdoor Sculptures That Last with Stephen Feilbach

In this week's episode of the Artist Academy Podcast [http://www.artistacademypodcast.com/], I'm sitting down with sculptor Stephen Feilbach [https://www.instagram.com/stephenrfeilbachart/], whose larger-than-life creations have become destinations for families, travelers, and communities. If you've ever stopped to take a photo with a giant sculpture, you've probably experienced exactly what he's hoping to create. I went into this conversation thinking sculpture was just another art medium. I quickly learned there's so much more behind it. We talk about the process of turning an idea into a sculpture that's built to last, why the materials matter, and what it really costs to create artwork that can live outdoors for decades. We also talk about pricing custom work, finding the right clients, and why artists need to keep learning long after they've mastered their craft. There's a lot that muralists and other creatives can relate to, even if you've never picked up a sculpting tool. If you're building an art business or simply love hearing how other artists think, I think you'll really enjoy this conversation. It gave me a whole new appreciation for public sculpture, and I have a feeling it'll do the same for you.

450. Building a Profitable Party Banner Business with Clarissa

In this week's episode of the Artist Academy Podcast [http://www.artistacademypodcast.com/], I'm chatting with Clarissa from San Diego Party Banner [https://www.instagram.com/sandiegopartybanner/] about how she built a profitable side business creating custom hand-painted party banners. What started as a birthday decoration for her son quickly grew into a business that's generated hundreds of banner orders, digital products, and a growing online community. She shares how she designs every banner in Canva, paints them efficiently, and balances it all while working a full-time job. We also get into pricing, supplies, shipping, customer communication, and the simple systems that help her save time. If you've been looking for another way to make money with your art or you're curious about adding a creative side hustle, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at exactly how Clarissa built this business. Let me know what you think of this episode with Clarissa from San Diego Party Banner!

449. Play Unfair to Win

It's easy to look at successful artists and assume they have something you don't—more talent, more connections, more money, or more opportunities. But what if your greatest advantage is something you already possess? In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast [http://www.artistacademypodcast.com/], we'll talk about how to identify the strengths and experiences that make you uniquely valuable. Maybe it's your ability to connect with people. Maybe it's your business background. It could be your willingness to take risks, your work ethic, or the challenges you've overcome. Every artist has advantages they can use to create opportunities. I'll also discuss why many competitive advantages can be learned. You'll discover how to develop skills that complement your natural strengths and how combining those strengths can help you stand out in a way that's difficult to replicate. If you've ever felt like you're falling behind, this episode might help you recognize that your greatest advantage has been with you all along.

448. Safe Route vs High Art Profit

Are you building the art career you actually want, or the one that simply feels safest? In this week's episode of the Artist Academy Podcast [http://www.artistacademypodcast.com/], I'm diving into a mindset shift that's been on my mind lately: the idea that many artists unknowingly limit their income by limiting the types of opportunities they're willing to pursue. Using examples from both the art world and beyond, I'll explore the difference between low-ticket, high-volume work and higher-value services that require more skill, confidence, and commitment. We'll talk about pricing, fear of failure, imposter syndrome, and why learning the hard thing is often what leads to the biggest rewards. If you're ready to think bigger about what's possible for your art business, this conversation might be exactly the push you need.

447. The Long Game

In this week's episode of the Artist Academy Podcast [http://www.artistacademypodcast.com/], I'm sharing a reminder that I think every artist needs to hear from time to time: just because things are slow doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. A year ago I found myself staring at an almost empty schedule. There were opportunities floating around, but nothing seemed to be sticking. I found myself questioning whether I was being too selective and if I needed to change course. Fast forward to today, and I'm in one of the busiest seasons of my career, juggling multiple large-scale mural projects and booking months ahead. The funny thing is, there wasn't a magic marketing strategy, a viral post, or a big breakthrough moment that changed everything. In this episode, I'm talking about what I've learned from experiencing both the slow seasons and the busy ones. I share why I believe so much of success comes from compounded effort, how becoming more selective with projects has shaped my business, and why I'm focusing on reinvesting in my work while the momentum is here. If you've been showing up consistently and wondering if your efforts are making a difference, I hope this episode encourages you to keep going.