Artist Academy

In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m sharing the collective wisdom of artists who are out there doing the work, growing their businesses, and proving what’s possible. I asked members of the Artist Academy who made six figures this year to reveal the biggest lessons they learned along the way.

Instead of just my perspective, you’ll hear a chorus of voices from artists at different stages and specialties, all navigating their own creative paths. Discover what helped them break through plateaus, the unexpected places they found clients, the courage it took to raise their prices, and the personal projects that opened doors they never saw coming. Along the way, I’ll share how their journeys mirror many of the wins, challenges, and mindset shifts I’ve experienced in my own career.

This episode is about possibility. It’s about seeing yourself in the stories of others, realizing you’re not alone, and getting fired up about what your next chapter could look like. If you’re craving both motivation and practical guidance, this episode will light a spark.

If I had to start completely over with zero mural experience, zero clients, and zero momentum in 2026… what exactly would I do to rebuild my mural business back up to $50,000 in the first year?

In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I break down the exact steps I’d take—numbers included—to go from day-one beginner to a fully booked muralist with steady income and growing confidence. Whether you’re brand new to murals or looking to reboot your art business, this is the roadmap I wish I had when I started.

Let’s talk numbers first.

To make $50,000/year, here’s what it actually looks like:

• $136/day if you worked all 365 days

• OR $200/day working 5 days a week

• Which equals $1,000/week — or just two $500 jobs per week

Two small $500 projects each week is incredibly doable when you know where to look and how to market yourself.

STEP 1: Start With $500 Jobs

Your first goal is simple: book consistent $500 projects. These usually include:

• Kids’ rooms

• Bathrooms

• Interior accent walls

• Small logos for businesses

• Window art

• Simple custom pieces

• Anything custom you can complete in about two days

Why start here?
Experienced muralists rarely want $500 jobs.
These beginner-friendly projects help you build a portfolio, gain confidence, and learn to work efficiently.

STEP 2: Raise Your Prices as Soon as You’re Booked Out

Once you have one month of $500 jobs lined up, you’re done taking $500 jobs.

At that point, $500 naturally becomes: $700… then $850… then $1,000…

You don’t need a new year, a new portfolio, or a special reason. You can raise your prices mid-year, mid-month, or even mid-week. Your schedule will tell you when it’s time.

How do you actually GET these jobs?

NOW Marketing (focus on this first):

• Social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn depending on your area)

• Posting in local Facebook groups

• Sending DMs to local businesses

• Reaching out to interior designers

• Public art calls

• Thumbtack Pro (the fastest way to get ready-to-buy clients)

LATER Marketing (you don’t need this yet):

• Website & SEO

• Referrals

• Separate art accounts

• Fancy branding

• Business cards

These things matter later—but beginners often hide behind them and slow themselves down.

Feeling overwhelmed? Here’s how to simplify it.

NOW Strategy:

• Build a portfolio

• Say “yes” to most things

• Try out different styles

• Work with a variety of people

• Practice, gain speed, build confidence

• Network everywhere

LATER Strategy:

• Niche down into your signature style

• Choose your ideal customer

• Create a targeted marketing plan

• Specialize and scale

STEP 3: Shadow an Experienced Muralist

Shadowing—even for a single day—is one of the fastest ways to shorten your learning curve. You’ll learn:

• The tools and supplies they actually use

• How to scale artwork onto a wall

• Which brushes and rollers make the job easier

• How to paint efficiently

• How to handle real client interactions

• What a full mural workday actually looks like

One day of shadowing can save you months of trial and error.

Want Me to Mentor You Through This?

My new coaching program begins January 1, designed specifically for artists who want to start or grow their mural business with clarity, confidence, and accountability. DM me to be notified with more info.

This week on the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m chatting with fine artist Rebecca King, whose journey into full-time art is equal parts inspiring and refreshingly honest. Rebecca walks me through the years she spent experimenting with style and medium before discovering her signature look—those calming, cool-toned abstract pieces created with acrylic inks. Hearing how she pieced together her creative identity over time is such a good reminder that your style doesn’t magically appear… you build it.

We also dig into the business side of things: how Rebecca priced her early work, how her first small wins at art shows fueled bigger steps, and how she now structures her collections, email launches, and print releases. Her process is thoughtful and strategic without feeling overwhelming, and she shares how she uses her email list as the engine behind most of her sales.

The part that hit me most was the emotional shift that pushed her into full-time art—a combination of burnout, loss, and the desire to finally lean into the work she was meant to do. Rebecca’s path is such a beautiful example of what’s possible when you trust your intuition, communicate with your collectors, and show up for your creativity with intention. If you’re building an art business with meaning, this conversation will feel like a deep breath and a roadmap all in one.

This week on the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m rewinding to one of my favorite interviews with window painting legend Scot Campbell—a man who’s painted over 70,000 windows in his 44-year career. Scot breaks down exactly how to get started in window painting: from pricing your first jobs and handing out flyers to painting bold, eye-catching designs fast.

We chat about how this fun, low-pressure art form can boost your income during the holidays and even open doors to bigger mural projects. Scot shares genius tips—like using paint rollers to save time and painting big, simple shapes that grab attention. His creative approach (and hilarious stories of painting in costume!) will leave you inspired to get out there and pitch your first window gig.

Ever look back at your first mural and cringe just a little? In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my very first paid mural—the $350 job that had me spending three scorching days in the sun, a sketchy ladder, and a whole lot of “what was I thinking?” moments.

I’ll share what that project taught me about pricing, safety, and preparation—lessons I wish I’d known before climbing that ladder with the wrong paint and too much optimism. These early mistakes shaped how I run my mural business today, from choosing the right materials to confidently quoting big projects and staying safe while doing what I love. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to fine-tune your process, this episode will help you skip the struggle and learn from my first-mural fiasco.

Resources mentioned:

• Mural Supplies → artistacademy.co/supply

• Mural Pricing Guide → artistacademy.co/pricingguide

• $17 Audio Book → MuralMoney.com

HEADS UP! I will be taking on a new small group of artists to coach more intimately with meetings every week starting January 1st. If you are interested, message me and I will put your name on a list to let you know as soon as it becomes available. You are perfect for this coaching if you have a few photos of your work and need guidance on bigger projects, what to say to customers, how to land jobs, or if you get stuck not knowing what to do—I’m on call.