Level Up Artist Podcast

On this episode we interview artist, educator, and founder of Drum for Change, Greg Whitt. We talk about pivoting a side hustle into a full time income, the power of rhythm in building community and teamwork, utilizing our senses to better understand the world around us, how to create engaging lessons for multi-generational audiences, and the importance of mentorship when launching a creative business.

In this episode we interview woodworker Ryan Lutz. We talk about embracing professional flexibility during covid to build creative momentum, using broken skate boards to inspire the creation of his first art products, using corporate skills to push your art business forward, leaning into process exploration, strategically balancing multiple wood working income streams, and finding community through art residencies.

On this episode we interview Melbourne-based artist, Danielle Weber, and her assistant Alessandra Di Deo. We talk about balancing muraling and canvas painting, overcoming the "starving artist" mentality, sharing it forward with the creation of The D Collective, the power of delegation, and the importance of focusing on the business side of a creative business. So if you are looking to level up your mural business, facing self doubt or seeking community, this episode is for you!

Today we celebrate 200 episodes of sharing it forward, demystifying the creative processes and exchanging ideas with career minded artists! Join us as we reflect on the past 200 episodes and share one of our earliest episodes, “Create Before You Consume” where we share strategies that many years later still support our creative process.

Thank you to everyone who has joined us along this journey so far! We are excited for many more episodes to come! 

In today’s episode we are pulling back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes work that fuels our art practices as we jump into 2025! We cover highlights from the Rooted Muralist Conference and how our takeaways are shaping our goals for the year ahead, Strategies for scaling mural work and balancing multiple creative income streams, why owning your audience matters, especially in the face of social media uncertainties, tips for creating processes that simplify your creative business, and actionable challenges to help you level up your practice in 2025

So whether you’re planning your next big project or navigating the ebbs and flows of creative work, this episode offers a mix of reflection and practical advice to inspire your year ahead.

[Flashback] On this episode we interview Australian visual artist, Anna Price. We talk about balancing multiple art styles, generating new income streams with art products, navigating commissions, having a studio outside of the home, and cultivating an audience on social media.

“Getting lucky” can be a common phrase or mindset when opportunities “come out of nowhere”. But is this really the case? In today’s episode we unpack what “lucky” actually is, strategies for escaping the comparison trap, acknowledging the privileges and choices we each possessed, transforming FOMO into action as well as ways to be your own champion when times get tough.

PDF RESOURCE AVAILABLE! Do you need help building a social media plan for the new year? We’ve got you covered! As part of this episode we’ve created a PDF course module, available at levelupartists.com that makes creating a social media strategy that is customized to you and your work SUPER easy! Today, we talk about the importance of having a simple and sustainable social media content plan as part of your creative business and we share our intentions for sharing content in the new year. 

Setting art and art business goals can be tough. Where do you begin? In this episode we share our 2025 goals in regard to marketing, exposure, our art making practices, income stream shifts, personal goals, as well as our overall “word” for 2025! So whether you are a creative reevaluating your goals or you are lost on where to start, this episode is for you! And if you want to follow along with our planning, visit LevelUpArtists.com and check out the “Level Up Your Year” PDF and module available now.

Goal setting in the new year is great but it is better to look back first and celebrate the wins of what you have accomplished already! In this episode we celebrate our 2024 wins in regard to marketing, exposure, our art making practices, income stream shifts, personal goals, as well as our overall “word” from 2024!

Happy Holidays everyone! Today’s episode is light and fun as we talk about some of our favorite things. From books, podcasts and tv shows, to art supplies and wishlist items we just can’t wait to get our hands on, today’s episode may give you a few ideas on how to spend your holiday money or content to download for your travel plans ahead. 

Your business requires a marketing plan that feels right to you! But we know that “marketing” can feel overwhelming when you don’t know where to start. In today’s episode we highlight a FREE PDF Resource that is available at https://www.levelupartists.com - “Marketing For Artists Quick Guide”. 

We talk about how to leverage in-person interactions and your online presence to create a cohesive system and messaging where each communication channel serves its own purpose.

Remember YOU get to CHOOSE where and how you show up! And with a strategic marketing wheel, you will be able to transform a stranger into a follower, a follower into a fan, a fan into a customer, and a customer into a life-long raving fan of yours!

There are so many possibilities and different directions a creative career can take, and it can often feel overwhelming. So, today we’re breaking down the five stages of the Creative Business Path.

Are you a hobbyist? An emerging artist? Intermediate? Established? Or at a Boss Level? Let’s find out! No matter where you are in your artistic journey, we’ve got insights and action steps to help you level up!

In today’s episode we highlight a FREE PDF Resource that is available at https://www.levelupartists.com - “The Creative Business Path”. 

When you redefine your work ethic as your rest ethic, big changes can happen! That is why in today's episode we define different types of rest, give suggestions for how each may be incorporated into your existing  routine, and plan ahead for busy seasons in our business. So whether you are running around doing markets, releasing a new collection, or gearing up for a new year of big goals and dreams – this episode is for you because rest is a vital part of the creative process.

It’s time for a catch up! In this episode we discuss what we are both working on as well as wins and struggles in our current studio practice. We cover a handful of topics ranging from creating products for the holiday season, finding structure within your business, coping with setbacks, and leaning into big feelings and seasons of change as a creative business owner.

On this episode we interview Derrik Diza, the Founder of Influential Walls. We talk about creating an artist collective with the mission of helping other artists succeed, the journey of learning the ropes of an art business, the power of niching down, leveraging the need you are fulfilling in your sales pitch, embracing delegation to earn back your time, and being the product of your 5 closest friends.

On this episode we interview the Founder of the Rooted Muralist Conference, Bethany from Riverbank Art Studio and Lauren Cooper! This is part 2 of our conversation where we talk about Rooted, the muralist conference taking place in Texas, on January 2025.

On this episode we interview the Founder of the Rooted Muralist Conference, Bethany from Riverbank Art Studio, and Lauren Cooper! This is part 1 of a 2 part episode where we talk about Bethany’s journey from corporate to full-time muralist.

On this episode we interview artist and Community Arts Coordinator Kelly Schrader. We talk about staying inspired through community and service, the power of balancing an art administration role and a creative practice, looking at your past work with softer eyes, documenting the creative process, redefining how to stay organized, and developing transferable skills as an artist.

Find yourself envious of others’ success? This episode is for you! With social media and the digital world encouraging constant comparison, it’s easy to lose sight of our own artistic journey. So in today’s episode we talk about how to recognize if you’re stuck in the comparison trap, the importance of finding your own artistic truth, setting your own benchmarks for success, why looking inward is often the best way to grow as an artist, and the power of community along the way.

The holiday season is right around the corner. But what are you doing today to prepare for busy days ahead? That is what we talk about in today's episode! With the added fun of family gatherings, art markets, and holiday sales, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and burned out. We talk about the pressure of being pulled in multiple directions and share our top tips for avoiding burn out while still embracing the excitement of gift giving season as a business!

On this episode we interview the founder of Weird Productions, Lindsay Hebert. We talk about embracing diversity with weird art, creating an alternative to the traditional gallery model, showcasing the unique gifts of local artists, and riding the wave of the creative process.

On this episode we interview illustrator and comic book artist Ryan Oakley. We talk about exploring western and sci-fi themes in comic book illustration, navigating color on a screen, breaking into the comic industry, designing your table set up for a convention, the importance of making art that you like, and embracing human connection through the power of art.

So you want to expand your art business and hire help. But where do you start? In this episode we talk about the logistics! We discuss the types of team members and assistants you can choose, and the difference between specialized contractors, studio assistants, and virtual assistants, and our tips and tricks for setting your artist team up for success! So whether you already have a team or you are just starting to think about expanding, this episode is for you.

On this episode we interview the host of CreativeMornings RDU, Joel Pominville! We talk about his journey as a self proclaimed “distracted creative professional”, how he joined the CreativeMornings team, the power of using stories to strengthen your local community, enriching your artwork with more life experiences, and the importance of showing up with 100% effort to everything that you do.

It’s time for a catch up! In this episode we discuss what we are both working on as well as wins and struggles in our current studio practice. We cover a handful of topics ranging from pursuing mural clients, attending industry conferences as an artist, collaborating with community organizations, and planning for the busy holiday season ahead!

On this episode we interview artist and muralist Rachel Castaneda. We talk to her about her journey from the classroom to launching a mural business, how to leverage referral opportunities while you are growing your style and following, utilizing social media for inspiration, and accepting that success is a moving goal post.

On this episode we interview visual artist, author, coach, and the host of the “Art & Cocktails” podcast, Ekaterina Popova. We talk about her journey of art entrepreneurship, balancing multiple income streams, the power of trusting your honest voice, writing down your long term goals, becoming a manifesting generator, and protecting the magic of your work.

To frame or not to frame, that is the question! As artists we are faced with thousands of creative decisions with every piece, and to frame or not to frame is one of them too. On today’s episode we give an overview of your framing options as an artist, the pros and cons of framing your work, as well as tips and factors to consider when framing your work.

Commissioned artwork can be a tricky game. Whether it is a painting, mural, logo, illustration, sculpture, or other type of client work, there’s a significant element of collaboration involved that can be a first time experience for many creatives. On today’s episode we share our top 10 tips for collaborating with a client on a commissioned piece. From setting clear boundaries, managing expectations, overdelivering on your promises, and how to turn a one time client into a lifelong fan - we cover it all! So if you’ve been burned in the past or if you’re considering taking on your first client, this episode is for you!