What if the conversation we really need to have as Artists isn’t “online education sucks”…

…but what we believe about money, marketing, and what’s actually possible for us?

In this episode, I’m celebrating 22 years in business and speaking from a place I’ve held back from for a while: a little spice, a lot of honesty, and a deep desire to bring nuance to a conversation that keeps getting flattened into hot takes.

This episode was inspired by an important conversation happening right now, about the validity, value, and integrity of online education for creatives, and I’m using it as a jumping-off point to share what I’ve learned from building an art business through the messy early years, the “nothing is working” years, and the long-game consistency years.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Is marketing slimy?”
• “Is it even possible to make good money as an Artist without selling your soul ?”
• “Do online educators actually make money from their art or just teaching?”
• “Are courses overpriced?”

…this episode will meet you there—and invite you to get curious about what you really believe.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why this conversation is really about beliefs (and how to tell if a belief is serving you)
• My honest take on “misleading statements,” “toxic positivity,” and why nuance matters (two things can be true)
• The behind-the-scenes reality of my early years (2004–2007) and why we don’t talk enough about the “not making a living yet” part
• A blunt perspective on pricing: the $2,000 course debate, art school costs, and why discernment matters more than blanket statements
• Why “marketing is slimy” can quietly sabotage your ability to sell your art (and what to do instead)
• Why I’m proud of building a sustainable business—first through art sales, and later by building an education business with integrity

This episode is part celebration, part behind-the-scenes truth, and part invitation to keep the dialogue going—because I truly believe Artists deserve better conversations around business, money, and possibility.

If I could go back and mentor my younger business self, the one who said yes to her dream of becoming a Professional Artist, the lessons learned that I share in this episode is what I would say.

Today, March 7 marks a celebration of not only 17 years of making a consistent living with my Creative Business but this February 2024 I celebrated 20 years since the very first Creativethursday.com site went live, featuring my Art work.

Back then I was so busy trying to make it all a go, that I didn't even know (or think I had the time) to intentionally hold a vision and actually plan out where I wanted to be 20 years ahead. For the longest time I was living in a pinch me state, wondering if what I was building wasn't just a temporary dream.

Turns out it wasn't a temporary dream, but one that would grow to help and support you in your Creative dreams too.

What would it have been like if I had the insight I have now when I first started?

That's the wish right, and yet it's the 20 years of lived experience starting, building, and growing my own business that was the ONLY way to gain this insight.

And now I get to share this wisdom with you, while also applying it to my vision for the next 20 years.

So, let's go! Together

In this episode I share 20 plus lessons I learned in 20 years of building Creative Thursday, covering a variety of topics from

• the power of intention
• keys to Creative Business Success
• how to navigate your business boundaries
• why knowing and tracking your numbers is essential
• what I wish I had known sooner

Gift for you! Download the 20 ways to make income as a Visual Artist

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