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Artist Academy

Artist Academy

Hosted by Andrea Ehrhardt

Episodes

456

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 10, 202636 min

456. Hire a Virtual Assistant for $150/month to Make Your Life Easier

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!

August 3, 202631 min

455. The Cost & Benefits of Hiring an Artist Helper BEFORE You’re Ready

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 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.

July 27, 202633 min

454. Kelli Panique on Writing, Illustrating & Publishing Children's Books

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: www.picturebooksummit.comPicture Book Summit IG: @picture_book_summit

July 20, 20261 hr 7 min

453. The Fine Art World Explained by Mary Harris

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.

July 13, 202626 min

452. Book Big Mural Jobs Without A Big Following with Binx

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.

July 6, 20261 hr 3 min

451. Building Outdoor Sculptures That Last with Stephen Feilbach

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.

June 29, 202628 min

450. Building a Profitable Party Banner Business with Clarissa

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!

June 22, 202622 min

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, 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.

June 15, 202630 min

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, 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.

June 8, 202620 min

447. The Long Game

In this week's episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, 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.

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