Artist Academy

446. Luxury 24-Karat Gold Portraits with Shirley Yang Crutchfield episode

This week on the Artist Academy Podcast [http://www.artistacademypodcast.com/], I’m chatting with artist and former tech entrepreneur Shirley Yang Crutchfield [https://www.instagram.com/shirley/] about her journey from startup founder to luxury portrait artist. After stepping away from a successful career and becoming a mother, Shirley found herself facing an identity crisis that ultimately led her back to art. Through years of experimentation, she discovered a unique niche creating highly detailed portraits of accomplished women using traditional 24-karat gold water gilding techniques. We talk about finding your niche, building a personal brand, creating meaningful client experiences, and balancing ambition with fulfillment. Shirley shares how she transformed a centuries-old gilding process into a modern celebration of women who have overcome challenges and built remarkable lives. We also discuss pricing, marketing, collaborations, social media, PR, and the importance of creating work that feels authentic to who you are. If you're trying to figure out what you want to be known for as an artist, or you're navigating a major life or career transition, this episode is for you.

445. Kiptoe - USA - May Mural Month

This week’s May Mural Month replay episode on the Artist Academy Podcast [http://www.artistacademypodcast.com/] features the social media-famous international muralist, Kiptoe [https://www.instagram.com/kiptoe1/]. I knew this guy had a ton of Instagram followers (278k), even more fans on YouTube (832k), and plenty of experience under his belt. But what I didn’t know about Kiptoe was that his hustle game is next-level—and that he started traveling the world independently in his 20s, building his brand from the ground up. He’s a great example of an artist who took the time to get really good at his craft, then pitched himself (and still continues to pitch today) to clients to land the mural jobs he wants. This dude needs no further introduction—and I know you’re going to feel seriously inspired by this week’s replay episode with Kiptoe.

444. Nina Valkhoff - Europe - May Mural Month

This week on the Artist Academy Podcast [http://www.artistacademypodcast.com/], I’m chatting with international muralist Nina Valkhoff [https://www.instagram.com/ninapelirroja/] for another May Mural Month episode! Nina shares how she went from painting custom client work in the Netherlands to creating large scale wildlife murals across 16 countries worldwide. Over the years, she slowly transitioned away from painting whatever clients requested and began fully embracing her own colorful, nature inspired style. We talk about mural festivals, traveling internationally for projects, finding creative confidence, and the importance of patience when building a long term mural career. Nina also opens up about burnout, learning to take breaks between projects, and why protecting your creativity matters just as much as improving your skills. We also get into mural photography, documenting your work professionally, favorite paint materials, and how social media has naturally helped attract mural opportunities throughout her career. If you’re interested in mural festivals, creative growth, and the realities of painting murals professionally, this episode is for you!

443. Peachzz - Europe - May Mural Month

This week’s replay episode of the Artist Academy Podcast [http://www.artistacademypodcast.com/] is an interview with the international street artist Peachzz [https://www.instagram.com/_peachzz_/] (aka Megan Russell). You’ll hear Megan tell her story of how she got started with murals (using spray paint) with a theme of birds and wildlife. Her style evolved into also painting the human form, and fast forward to today with one that blends into both human and nature. Megan got her start by applying to mural/street art festivals and shares with us her tips on how to put your best foot forward when sending in an application. She has a template that she uses and, in this interview, goes over it page by page to give you a better idea of what kind of effort is needed to land these high-competition jobs. Megan inspires me to create more of what I want to create, as opposed to just leaning into commissioned work, and apply for bigger opportunities. I think every artist will get something from this interview, no matter if you’re a muralist or not. Let me know what you think of this week’s replay episode with Peachzz (Megan Russell).

442. Cat Dean - Australia - May Mural Month

This week on the Artist Academy Podcast [http://www.artistacademypodcast.com/], I’m chatting with Australian muralist Cat Dean [https://www.instagram.com/catdean_artist/] for another May Mural Month episode! Cat shares her journey from selling drawings at markets to building a full time mural career while raising two daughters along the way. Today she paints murals for schools, businesses, hospitals, and government spaces across Australia. We talk about developing a signature style, pricing mural projects, balancing motherhood with business ownership, navigating burnout, and learning how to confidently take on bigger opportunities before feeling fully ready. Cat also shares how her detailed optical illusion murals helped set her apart as an artist. Plus, we dive into the differences between muraling in Australia and the U.S., from paint brands and materials to marketing and client communication. If you’re looking for encouragement to grow your mural business, trust yourself more, and keep learning as you go, this episode is for you.