Artist Academy

In this week’s episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m talking about the costs of ladders, scaffolding, and lifts for mural projects. If you’re taking on bigger walls, knowing what equipment you need and how much it costs can help you plan your budget and avoid underpricing your work.

I’m breaking down the numbers for buying and renting equipment, including single-level scaffolding at $300–$400, double-decker scaffolding at around $1,000, and lift rentals that can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,000 a day depending on the equipment. I’ll explain when buying makes sense, when renting is the better option, and how I decide what a project requires before putting together a bid.

I’ll also cover ways to manage equipment costs, from asking clients if they already have a lift available to working directly with rental companies to find the right setup. And because working at height comes with real risks, we’ll talk about the safety considerations that go along with these decisions. The goal is to help you budget more accurately, work efficiently, and protect your profits as your mural business grows.

This week on the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m sitting down with Dani Liana for another success story within the Quit Your Day Job series. After years in the restaurant industry, Dani traded her serving shifts for a paintbrush and committed to building her mural business full-time this past year.

Since making the transition, Dani has landed projects worth tens of thousands of dollars and reached her two-year income goal in just four months. She shares how she finds clients, approaches pricing, and turns word-of-mouth referrals into bigger opportunities. We also get into the challenges behind the success, from juggling motherhood and demanding project deadlines to navigating costly mistakes on the job.

Dani’s experience shows how muralists can build a thriving business even in smaller communities. We explore what it takes to move beyond occasional commissions, price your work with confidence, and turn your artistic skills into a sustainable career.

In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m chatting with my friend and Artist Academy member, Tara Juozitis, who’s currently leaving her six-figure job in product management to pursue art full-time. After starting her art company in 2024, she jumped into murals and has been growing her business while balancing a demanding career and family life.

We talk about where her mural jobs are coming from, the benefits of investing in marketing, and what she's learned from hiring help to quickly get her to where she wants to go. Tara also shares how she manages her busy schedule while making time for her growing business, and why having the right support has made a big difference.

If you’ve been thinking about quitting your day job but aren’t sure if you’re ready, Tara shares how she’s growing her mural business while still working full-time. We also talk about taking on projects outside your comfort zone and figuring things out along the way.

In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m talking with Laura Thompson, a window painter with over 20 years of experience. She shares how window painting became an additional income stream in her art business and how artists can take advantage of the holiday season.

We discuss how to find clients, choose the right paint and supplies, and price your work. Laura also shares how she uses social media to attract customers, plans her schedule around the Christmas rush, and turns window painting jobs into opportunities for more mural work.

From getting your first client to learning how to work more efficiently, Laura offers practical advice for artists who want to try something new and earn more from their skills. If you’ve been looking for another way to grow your art business, window painting might be worth exploring!

Get Laura’s Five Steps to Window Painting e-book HERE!

In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m joined by Stephen Ridley, a British pianist, artist, and entrepreneur with a pretty incredible story. He started playing piano when he was just two years old, went on to study at Durham University, and eventually landed a job in investment banking. But despite the success and security, he knew it wasn’t the life he wanted.

Stephen eventually left banking, bought a £100 second-hand piano, and took it onto the streets of London. That decision led to a career that has taken him to more than 60 countries, performing for audiences all over the world and eventually building his own music education company.

We talk about what street performing taught him about putting your work out there, getting feedback, and building confidence. Stephen also shares his thoughts on rejection, making money from your art, and knowing when to say no.

There are so many similarities between what Stephen has experienced as a musician and what we experience as painters. His story is a great reminder that there isn’t one specific path you have to follow to build a career as an artist, and sometimes taking a completely different path can lead you somewhere you never expected.

In this week’s episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m sitting down with my friend and Artist Academy member Ariane O’Day.

I’ve known Ariane for about five years, during which I’ve had the privilege of watching her painting career blossom over time. She started out teaching and bartending but quickly realized those jobs were taking time away from the creative career she really wanted.

Ariane shares what it took to finally let go of safety nets, find clients in a new community, and turn one opportunity into many through word of mouth. We also talk about the confidence she gained through attending Mural Meetups and how that experience helped her take on bigger projects.

If you’re an artist who dreams of leaving your day job and making a living with your art, I think you’ll really connect with Ariane’s story. There’s no single path to becoming a full-time artist, but sometimes the biggest step is simply deciding to stop letting the thing that pays your bills keep you from building the career you actually want.

In this week’s episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m talking with Brittany Wolfe of Painting with a Twist in Little Rock, Arkansas. She has been with the franchise for nearly 16 years and talks about how she was able to build a successful paint-and-sip studio, and how you can too.

We talk about why she chose the franchise route, the support that comes with it, and everything that goes into keeping a studio running. From marketing and hiring artists to managing the finances and making sure customers have a great experience, there’s a lot more happening behind the scenes than you might think.

We also talk about her partnership with Birch Tree Communities where she brings art to adults with mental disabilities. As part of the project, participants paint their own birch trees, with each individual tree coming together to create a larger collaborative piece of artwork.

She shares what she’s learned from working alongside her husband, balancing motherhood and business, and what makes someone a great instructor. We talk about finding your own personality as a teacher and remembering that the creative side of being an artist needs the business side to support it.

Let me know what you think of this week’s episode with Brittany Wolfe!

Check out Wolfe Studio Art to see more of her work.

“Your worst client will teach you more about your business than your best one ever will. They’ll show you every gap in your process, every weakness in your communication, every boundary you didn’t set.”

In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m sharing some of the worst customer experiences I’ve had throughout my mural career and the business lessons those experiences taught me.

From an unpaid project that ended up in court to mistakes I discovered in my own contracts, these stories weren’t always easy to go through, but they showed me exactly where my business needed to improve. I’ll talk about the importance of clear communication, detailed sketches, contracts, deposits, getting approval for changes, and setting boundaries before problems happen.

Because difficult customers don’t always mean you have a bad customer. Sometimes, they reveal where your systems, communication, or boundaries need to be stronger.

If you’re a mural artist or creative business owner, this episode will help you recognize potential problems before they become expensive ones. My goal is to give you practical lessons you can apply to your own business without having to learn them the hard way.

In this week’s episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m talking about selling original canvas art and how I unexpectedly sold about $7,000 worth in just three weeks.

I’ve made more than a million dollars with murals, but only around $50,000 from original canvas work in the last 13 years. So these recent sales really surprised me, especially because some of the paintings had been sitting around for many years.

I’m sharing my pricing strategy to sell, and the different ways these paintings finally found buyers. I talk about getting out of my own head when someone actually wants to buy, and how my art connects with those right buyers in a way I never thought it would.

But more than anything, this episode is a reminder to play the long game. Just because something doesn’t sell today doesn’t mean it won’t sell years from now. Keep painting and keep putting your work out there because you never know when the right person is going to find your art.

In this week’s episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m joined by Daniel Scott, a coach for creatives who works with artists on creating a life that supports both their creativity and their financial goals. Daniel comes from an interesting background as a musician and former lawyer, having spent 12 years advising ultra-high-net-worth clients before shifting his focus to helping creatives build lives around their purpose.

We ended up going down a pretty interesting rabbit hole about what we actually mean when we say we want to be “successful.” Is it making more money? Having more freedom? Being able to spend your time doing what you want? And how much of what we’re chasing is actually something we want versus something we’ve been taught to want?

We also talk about the very practical side of making a living as an artist—how much money is actually enough, what to do with the money when you have a good year, and how to set up your business so you’re not constantly working just to keep up.

There’s definitely some back and forth in this one, but I think that’s what makes the conversation interesting. If you’re trying to figure out how to make your art work financially without letting the business side take over your life, give this episode a listen.

In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m joined by oil painter Chris Abigt. I met Chris at an art show in Springfield and was immediately drawn to her work. I ended up buying one of her prints and knew I wanted to have her on the podcast.

Chris has turned art shows into a full-time business. She and her husband travel around the Midwest and do up to 18 shows a year. But there is a lot more to making art shows work than putting your paintings in a booth and hoping they sell.

We talk about how she decides which shows are worth applying for and how far in advance she plans. We get into what makes a show successful for her and how she factors in expenses like booth fees, hotels and travel.

We also talk about what happens between shows. Keeping up with inventory and reproductions during a busy season takes a lot of planning. Chris also explains how she and her husband divide up the work and make the business work as a team.

If you've ever wondered what it really takes to build an art business around art shows, this conversation gives you a behind-the-scenes look at everything that happens before, during and after the booth.

In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m joined by Derrik Diza to dive into hiring, team building, and growing an art business beyond just yourself.

Derrik was previously on the podcast to talk about outreach. Since then, he has built a much bigger operation with employees, artists, a mentorship program, and systems that allow him to take on more work without doing everything himself.

With hiring as the focus of this month’s content, I wanted to hear what Derrik has learned from building his own team. He shares how to know when it’s time to hire, what tasks to hand off first, and why having a system in place makes all the difference. He also explains why he believes culture matters more than skills when choosing the right people.

Derrik has also spent a lot of time figuring out what works in his marketing. He shares his approach to cold email and niche marketing along with some great advice on making your outreach sound more human. We get into how testing and consistency can help you find what works and eventually turn that process into something someone else can manage.

The bigger lesson here is that growth doesn’t mean you have to work more hours or do more yourself. It means finding ways to build systems and bring the right people in so your business can grow beyond what you can do alone.

In this week's episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I'm sharing why hiring a virtual assistant for around $150/month can completely change the way you run your art business.

I'll walk you through what I delegate, when it's time to hire, and why your most valuable hours should be spent creating and promoting.

Over the last couple of months, I've made over $100,000 while investing about $20,000 into hiring help. That decision has helped me avoid burnout and keep my workweek to 35 hours or less while still making a GREAT profit.

Take a look at my complete hiring framework and behind-the-scenes videos showing exactly how my virtual assistant helps keep my business running inside the Artist Academy Membership. Join for your 5-day free trial today! CLICK HERE!

In this week’s episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, we're talking about why hiring an artist helper sooner than you think could be one of the best decisions you make for your business.

I'll walk you through the five levels of artist helpers, what I typically pay, and how to know which type of help is right for your business. I'll also share why you don't have to wait until you're overwhelmed to start hiring and how the right support can free you up to focus on growing your business.

If you'd like to learn more about hiring, join us inside the Artist Academy Membership. For just $37 a month, you'll get access to my subcontractor agreement, hiring questions, tax and payment systems, behind-the-scenes videos with my team, and step-by-step training on how my virtual assistant helps keep my business running smoothly. Start your free five-day trial at http://artistacademy.com/.

Whether you're ready to hire today or just thinking ahead, I hope this episode gives you the confidence to take that next step when the time comes.

In this week's episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I'm chatting with Kelli Panique, host of Picture Book Summit, an online conference created for aspiring and published children's book writers and illustrators. If you've ever dreamed of creating a children's book, whether you're writing, illustrating, or hoping to do both, this episode is for you.

Since I'm currently working on my own picture book, I took this opportunity to ask all the beginner questions. Kelli shares what to expect at Picture Book Summit, how the children's publishing industry works, what agents and editors are looking for, and why storytelling matters just as much as the illustrations.

We also talk about finding illustrators, traditional publishing versus self-publishing, creating stories that kids genuinely connect with, and simple ways to improve your storytelling from the very beginning. Whether you're a muralist looking for a new creative challenge or someone who's had a children's book idea sitting in a notebook for years, you'll walk away with a better understanding of what it takes to bring that story to life.

Picture Book Summit website: https://picturebooksummit.com/
Picture Book Summit IG: @picture_book_summit

In this week's episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I sit down with artist Mary Harris, for a fascinating conversation about the fine art world. While we usually spend a lot of time talking about murals, this episode takes a different direction as Mary shares what it really takes to build a career as an exhibiting fine artist.

Mary is a Los Angeles-based artist who has worked with brands like Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Hyatt, Cinemark, Pressed Juicery, and more. She has built a career that blends commercial projects with gallery exhibitions, collectors, residencies, and the international fine art market.

We discuss what it takes to break into the fine art world and how artists can position themselves for gallery representation. Mary explains why building a cohesive body of work matters and how genuine relationships with other artists often lead to the biggest opportunities. She also shares practical advice on pricing artwork, finding grants and residencies, choosing professional materials, and creating a career that balances commercial work with personal creative projects.

If you've ever wondered what life looks like beyond commissions and murals—or if you've dreamed about seeing your work in galleries and museums—this conversation will help you better understand that path.

In this week's episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I'm sitting down with Australian muralist Binx, whose career took an unexpected turn after a devastating flood destroyed her studio and years of artwork. Instead of giving up, she rebuilt her business through murals and is now taking on some of the biggest projects of her career.

We talk about what's helped her grow her business, from building relationships through word-of-mouth to consistently documenting every project so future clients can follow along. Binx also shares what she's learned from managing large-scale murals, staying organized on the road, and taking on opportunities that once felt out of reach.

If you're building an art business or love hearing how other artists have carved their own path, I think you'll really enjoy this conversation. Binx shares so many honest lessons about growing a creative business, and I have a feeling you'll walk away inspired to keep building yours.

In this week's episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I'm sitting down with sculptor Stephen Feilbach, 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.

In this week's episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I'm chatting with Clarissa from San Diego Party Banner 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!

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, 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.