Katie Brown: Why She Left Four Art Galleries & Then Sold Out Her Next Collection
Katie Brown returns to the podcast, sharing how much has changed since our last chat! She opens up about the whirlwind of the past two years: welcoming her second child, Sadie, building a dream studio over her detached garage, and a major pivot in her creative path. Katie details the intense experience of working with five prominent art galleries simultaneously, including Well + Wonder, Campbell Collective, Shane and Greg Irby, and Gallery Orange. She candidly discusses the overwhelming pressure, battling postpartum anxiety and depression, and the realization that she was burning out trying to meet demands while raising two young children. This episode delves into Katie's brave decision to step away from most of her gallery representation to focus on selling her creations directly and building her own audience. She recounts the pivotal moment when her first independent release sold out in just 20 minutes, confirming her path to self-representation. Katie also shares her personal journey with anxiety and how seeking medication was a game-changer, allowing her to regain control and clarity in her life and work. We explore the pros and cons of working with art galleries versus self-representation, and why it's crucial for any artist to understand their own goals and seasons of life. Katie emphasizes the importance of creating 'margin' for creativity and avoiding the 'hamster wheel' of constant production. She reflects on how these early partnerships legitimized her work and pricing, but how her current focus is on developing her own brand, including future plans for textiles and wall coverings. This is a must-listen for any creative entrepreneur navigating growth, burnout, and the evolving landscape of their business. Follow the show and leave a review if this helped. See her work: https://katiebrownart.com/ Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/katiebrown_art Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.







