This week on the podcast is part one of our  interview with visual artist and photographer, Chris Dahlquist. She talks about her decision to leave commercial photography early in her career to focus on visual art, her work as a business consultant, and why it’s important for her to help empower artists to live the lives they choose.Chris's advice and perspective is relevant for all arts entrepreneurs.

​This week on the podcast, Carla Bisong, founder of Bisong Art Gallery, joins us. She recounts her decision to launch an art gallery while working in the financial services industry, and when she knew it was time to leave financial services to focus solely on running her gallery. She gives a lot of practical business advice, from how artists should sell their art to how she monetizes many of her resources. Visual artists and those who want to own a retail space will find great value in Carla's interview. 

This week on the podcast is our interview with fine art appraiser Loren Whittaker.  You'll hear how she benefited from mentors and networking to capitalize on her PhD in Art History to become a fine art appraiser.  Loren talks about her daily activities that include working as an expert witness, evaluating art for private sales, and collaborating with insurance companies on valuation.  Anyone interested in how art is appraised will enjoy hearing Loren's story. 

This week on the podcast we interview visual artist Lauren Luna. You'll be inspired after hearing Lauren's story, from her humble beginnings to being the successful artist she is today.  She was named a top 50 entrepreneur by the Scion Car Company, used her notoriety to create the D.R.E.A.M. Affect Foundation, and in 2020 the Mayor of Houston proclaimed July 11th as Lauren Luna Day. Lauren's interview illustrates how grit and determination can pay off.

This week on the podcast is our interview with renown bronze sculptor, Tom Corbin. Tom's sculptures are in galleries and homes of private collectors around the world, and he was recently commissioned to produce a bronze monument of President Harry S. Truman for Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. Hear how Tom left advertising to become a sculptor and what he's learned along the way.

Nick and Andy talk with mixed-media artist Jenny Meyer-McCall. She describes her patchwork of experiences that inform her thinking as an artist and arts entrepreneur.  Some of the topics include her advice to beginning artists looking to be commissioned, how she determines the price of a commission, and how she balances working on her business while working in her business. Jenny offers many valuable suggestions to visual artists, and all are relevant and applicable to any arts entrepreneur. 

This week on the podcast Nick and Andy continue their conversation with José Faus. José is a Kansas City-based visual artist, writer, performer, and independent teacher. In this part of the interview, José addresses challenges young artists face, the role artists play in creating community, and answers our three  questions about 1.) advice for arts entrepreneurs, 2.) how to make art accessible, and 3.) the best entrepreneurial/artistic advice he's received.

To learn more about the people and topics mentioned in this episode see the show notes below.

This week on the podcast Nick and Andy talk with José Faus. José is a Kansas City-based visual artist, writer, performer, and independent teacher. In this part of the interview, José addresses how he decided to quit his day job and become an artist full time and the difficulties encountered along the way including how to price his mural work. José also addresses the role of artists in community building, specifically the early day of the Crossroads, a Kansas City arts district. Finally, José addresses his inspiration for his work, how he hopes his audiences engages with his work, and the importance of mentorship in the arts.

To learn more about the people and topics mentioned in this episode see the show notes below.

In this episode, Nick and Andy talk with renowned ceramic artist Chris Staley. You’ll be inspired with Chris's account of how he used failure, adversity, and humility as motivation to reach his goals and maintain his seemingly unstoppable quest to be a lifelong learner and creative. Chris's passion for his craft and teaching are truly motivational.

To learn more about the people and topics mentioned in this episode see the show notes below.

Nick and Andy interview Suze Ford. Suze has been a Kansas City-based professional artist for more than 15 years. Prior to making her art practice her primary profession -- in addition to being a mother of three -- Suze was involved with her father's business. She talks about how that business experience translated into a practical approach to treating her art practice as a business. Suze also shares some of the struggles she faced as a woman and mom in the arts and provides some fantastic advice for aspiring artists.

To learn more about the people and topics mentioned in this episode see the show notes below.