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.

What if hearing real Artist stories could be the thing that helps you finally believe…

“This is possible for me too.”

In today’s Artist Success Stories episode, you’ll meet Mo, Dena, and Emily—three Artists who are building their art businesses in the real world (with real life happening), and finding their way forward with more clarity, consistency, and confidence.

This episode is for you if you’ve been feeling stuck in the messy middle… craving momentum… and wondering what it actually looks like when an Artist decides to take their work (and their selling) seriously—without burning out or becoming someone they’re not.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• What shifted for Mo, Dena, and Emily when they stopped “winging it” and started following a plan
• The mindset hurdles that come up when you start putting your work out there (and how they moved through them)
• What consistency really looks like when your schedule is full, and your confidence isn’t perfect
• How to build momentum even if you’re starting small
• Why your story and your voice matter just as much as your strategy
• The powerful role of support, structure, and community when you’re growing as an Artist

I also want you to listen for the little moments—when an Artist realizes they’re not “behind”… they’re just ready for a clearer path.

Because sometimes the most helpful thing isn’t one more tip.

Sometimes it’s hearing someone else say the exact thing you’ve been thinking… and watching what happens when they keep going anyway.

Ready to create your own Artist selling plan?

Artful Selling is open, and I’d love to welcome you in.

Join Artful Selling here:

https://artfulselling.com/

You can find all things

Miranda (Mo) Miller @stelladorriestudio

Dena Carter @denacarterart

Emily Posey @made_by_emilyposey

What if selling your art online could work for YOU?

After 21 years of building a successful art business online, I'm sharing the 5 key insights I wish I'd known from day one. If you're wondering whether it's really possible to sell your art online, this episode is for you.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why selling art is about so much more than just posting pretty pictures
• The one investment that will make or break your online art sales
• How to approach pricing from a place of confidence instead of guesswork
• Why showing up consistently matters more than getting likes or comments
• The simple strategy that prevents overwhelm when marketing your art
• Plus, my bonus insight about who's actually buying art online (hint: it might surprise you!)

I started with an email list of 8 people and no podcast listeners, but I believed it was possible and showed up consistently. That belief and consistency built the foundation for everything that followed.

Listen through the lens of "what if this works?" instead of doubt - because it really can work for you too.

Ready to create your plan? Join the Profitable Artist Planning Challenge starting June 16th at profitableartistchallenge.com

What if I told you that planning could actually be your creativity's best friend instead of its enemy?

In today's episode, I'm getting real about how my relationship with planning completely transformed - especially as a new mom navigating the biggest identity shift of my life. If you've ever resisted planning because it feels restrictive or anti-creative, this episode is for you.

I used to be that free-spirited creative who thought planning would kill my spontaneity and rob me of those magical moments of inspiration. I believed that "Artists" worked purely from flow, not structure. Sound familiar?

But here's what I've discovered: planning isn't the enemy of creativity - it's actually what creates MORE space for your creative flow to happen.

In this episode, I share:

• Why I used to resist planning with everything in my creative being (and the fears that held me back)
• How becoming a new mom made planning absolutely essential for my mental wellness
• Why "I don't have time to plan" is actually the biggest sign that you NEED to start planning
• How planning has become part of my creative practice and mental health routine
• The reframe that changed everything: planning as a container for freedom, not a restriction
• Practical tips for creatives who struggle with structure, including working with your natural energy rhythms

The truth is, when you have a framework to work within, you actually free up mental energy to focus on what matters most. Planning brings presence, peace, and perceptivity to your creative practice.

As I share in this episode, planning has literally become my best friend during one of the most challenging seasons of my life. It's not about perfection - it's about creating a practice that brings you back to yourself and helps you make progress on what truly matters.

If this episode inspires you, and you're ready to discover how planning can actually amplify your creativity while supporting your mental wellness, join me for the summertime session of the Profitable Artist Planning Challenge.

This is the perfect time to check in on what you set in motion at the beginning of the year, celebrate your progress, and create a sustainable plan for the second half of 2025. We'll go from big picture vision all the way down to your daily practices.

Join us starting June 16th at profitableartistchallenge.com - because the most successful artists aren't the ones who wait for inspiration to strike. They're the ones who create the conditions for creativity to flourish.

As this episode goes live, the new Creative Planner just arrived hot off the presses! It's undated for exactly this reason - so you can start fresh anytime. Grab yours at creativethursday.com before they sell out (they've sold out every edition so far!).

No goal setting necessary.

12 months from now how would you like to feel about your time spent in 2025?

What matters most to you that you want to prioritize and focus on?

My first podcast back after welcoming home Baby Shay!

Four weeks in as a parent with a newborn, and already so much new insight on time management, and even more passion for the power of planning that I can't wait to share.

In this episode I step you through the 3 ways I'm defining what matters most in 2025 - no pressure, no goal setting -just creating a clear path forward.

And if you'd like to feel lighter, get more clarity, and feel confident about where you're focusing first this year, I'm hosting my annual Profitable Artist Plan, a fun and inspiring week together to help you create your ideal plan for 2025,

We start this Monday, January 13!

Save your spot here

https://profitableartistchallenge.shinepages.com/

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

Click here to Download

Spontaneous creation or being prepared ahead of time with your content? which do you prefer?

Continuing on with our series, part 3, of answering your Time Management questions; I'm opening this episode with a few more social media creation tips, specifically for video, while also sharing more tools to help you get and stay organized with your assets, marketing plan and project management.

• what and when I record behind the scenes to use in my social media marketing
• app recommendations for video editing
• my favorite project management tools and how I use them specifically for my social media planning

Yay! it's almost go time!

We start Monday, January 15

Join the Profitable Artist Planning Challenge + Coaching Week

Join the Artful Selling Waitlist

Be honest: how's your 2024 Social Media plan looking?

Are you feeling ready with a big picture strategy in place, or are you reading this thinking, Marisa what are you talking about "ready", I barely know what to post tomorrow let alone the rest of 2024

Would you like to feel more prepared when it comes to your marketing?

What if this is the year you could change the hamster wheel approach of: overwhelm + procrastinate = now I feel behind so why bother with any sort of plan at all ~

to breathing easier because you feel clear and excited about what you're creating and sharing with the wonderful people who can't wait to see (and collect) what you're working on.

On this first Creative Thursday of the new year, the energy of clarity that comes with a clean slate is on your side which is why I'm excited to welcome you to part 2 of the Time Management series where I'm continuing to answer your questions and sharing tips on how to organize your social media content so that you're not constantly trying to figure out "what to post" and wondering whether what you post will actually help you reach your people and grow your Art business.

When I find myself getting overloaded by a long list of to dos, a simple practice of physical and/or digital organization is the best place to start to catch my breath and clear my head.

With that approach in mind let's get into some practical tips to help you get organized.

In this episode, I share:

• what tools and apps I use to organize and back-up my assets
• how I organize my photos and social media images so that they're easy to find
• what apps I use to enhance and elevate my photography

It's getting close now...let's kick off the new year, with an inspiring planning session together.

We start Monday, January 15

Join the Profitable Artist Planning Challenge + Coaching Week

Join the Artful Selling Waitlist

What does your ideal work day look like?

A question I'm often is what does my the structure of my day looks like and how do I schedule it to support my goals.

Do you know your energy levels throughout the days of a week, at particular times of day?

When it comes to planning your ideal schedule where does your productivity excel?

All important questions to help you be efficient with your time and effective with your focus. But not more important than the one question I come back to asking every time you ask me about how I plan.

In this episode I remind you of that single most important question that you want an answer to that will help you all the rest of your plans fall into place.

I also share with you the full list of responsibilities I have in the business today while stepping you through exactly how my days and week look based upon my answer to the questions above.

In a nutshell, this is how I get things done in my business.

Part 1 of a series on Time Management. Send me your DM's on Instagram @ creativethursday with any time management suggestions and questions you'd like me to answer and I'll include them in the podcast.

And stay tuned for the Profitable Artist Planning Challenge, starting January 8, so we can do some planning together!

If you tuned into the episode on this Thursday the episode dropped, super secret invite you can join us for the last time this year as a Founding Monthly or Annual Member in the brand new Daily Painters Membership where we'll be making Art together all year long!

https://cart.creativethursday.com/daily-painters-founding-member/

Did you hear the news? Not only am I now a happily married Mrs!

During my time away from the podcast I had an epiphany, a realization about what's been missing, what can no longer take a back seat, and the dreams I'm fulfilling in 2024.

I've got a lot to fill you in on and I'm starting by sharing the story of the Cranky Bunny, and the inspiration behind a brand new idea and Artist community I just opened that I've been thinking about since 2006.

I'm also excited to invite you to come have some holiday fun, creative painting time with me starting Monday!

Join me for the Ornament Painting Workshop starting Monday, December 11

https://ornamentpainting.shinepages.com/