Art + Audience: Ep. 23 Summary

Title: From $1 Paintings to Full-Time Artist: Emily Jeffords on Pricing, Burnout & Creative Freedom
Host: Stacie Bloomfield
Guest: Emily Jeffords
Release Date: July 8, 2025

Introduction and Background

In Episode 23 of Art + Audience, host Stacie Bloomfield engages in an insightful conversation with Emily Jeffords, a seasoned fine artist renowned for her stunning landscape and abstract works. The discussion delves into Emily's journey from selling her first painting for just $1 to establishing a thriving full-time art career. They explore themes such as effective pricing strategies, managing burnout, and achieving creative freedom.

Notable Quote:
Emily shares her early struggles, stating, “I sold my first painting for $1, and then the second one for $2... [it] was a terrible pricing model” (00:30).

Early Career and Initial Challenges

Emily begins by recounting her aspiration to become a professional artist straight out of art school. However, she faced unexpected challenges, particularly in managing the financial aspects of her career.

Key Points:

• Art School Realities: Emily attended art school with the goal of making a living from her art. However, she quickly realized the high costs of art supplies and the limited career guidance available.
• First Sales: In her first year of running her art studio, Emily made the costly mistake of underselling her work, starting at $1 per painting. This approach, while initially attracting buyers, was financially unsustainable.

Notable Quotes:
Emily reflects on her naive pricing strategy: “Don’t do this. I am offering you bad advice right now” (04:00).
Stacie adds, “It's so hard to believe that it's been that long” (01:05).

Evolving Pricing Strategies

As Emily continued to navigate the art market, she learned the importance of appropriate pricing to sustain her business.

Key Points:

• Incremental Pricing: Emily initially raised her prices incrementally, which eventually led to a more profitable studio.
• Modern Pricing Models: She now teaches more effective pricing strategies that align with an artist’s value and market demand.

Notable Quote:
Emily advises, “If your creative pursuits can also fund part of your life... then you get to amplify how much time you spend in the studio” (02:25).

Building and Managing an Audience

Both hosts discuss the dynamics of building an audience in the digital age, emphasizing authenticity and adaptability.

Key Points:

• Early Days vs. Now: Emily highlights how building an audience used to be a slower process but now benefits from algorithms that can rapidly amplify a clear and consistent voice.
• Authenticity: Maintaining authenticity is crucial, especially as the audience grows. Emily emphasizes the importance of remaining true to oneself amidst increasing visibility.

Notable Quotes:
Emily states, “The clearer your voice gets, the more the algorithm does a lot of the work for you” (08:36).
Stacie shares her transition experience: “It was a very uncomfortable transition because... I have to build a personal art brand again” (16:00).

Overcoming Burnout and Personal Struggles

A significant portion of the conversation centers on personal challenges, particularly burnout and its impact on both personal and professional life.

Key Points:

• Burnout Experience: Emily recounts her severe burnout in 2021, which led to anorexia and the eventual dissolution of her marriage in 2022.
• Recognition and Recovery: Through medical intervention and self-reflection, Emily recognized the unsustainable pace she was maintaining and learned to prioritize her well-being over relentless productivity.
• Stacie’s Parallel Experience: Stacie shares her own experience of overworking, which led to weight gain and heightened stress, drawing parallels to Emily's story.

Notable Quotes:
Emily reflects, “I stopped being human and I started being like something” (17:33).
Stacie adds, “I'm okay. And that doesn't mean it's perfect or easy...” (25:12).

Strategies for Maintaining Balance

Emily and Stacie discuss practical strategies to maintain a healthy balance between creative pursuits and personal well-being.

Key Points:

• Self-Check-Ins: Regularly assessing one’s mental and physical health is vital to prevent burnout.
• Setting Boundaries: Learning to say no and protecting one’s energy are essential for long-term sustainability.
• Embracing Pleasure: Incorporating pleasure and fun into the creative process can enhance overall satisfaction and prevent exhaustion.

Notable Quotes:
Emily emphasizes, “I will depend on myself. I will trust that I will protect myself” (22:00).
Stacie highlights the importance of pleasure: “Do the things that feel fun” (32:20).

Adapting to Change and Reinvention

The conversation also touches on the necessity of adaptability in both personal branding and business practices.

Key Points:

• Brand Evolution: Stacie discusses her transition from a brand centered around herself to a more product-focused identity, highlighting the challenges and discomfort that come with reinvention.
• Continuous Learning: Both artists stress the importance of remaining open to change and continuously exploring new creative avenues to stay relevant and fulfilled.

Notable Quotes:
Emily advises aspiring artists, “Try some new things frequently... It’s okay if it's not the very best” (29:35).
Stacie shares her journey of rediscovering herself through building a personal brand again (17:13).

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, both Emily and Stacie reflect on the interconnectedness of personal well-being and creative success. They underscore the importance of self-awareness, adaptability, and maintaining a balance between business and personal life.

Key Points:

• Creative Stability: Emily mentions her book, Creative Stability, which explores running a creative business while maintaining personal well-being.
• Seasonal Awareness: Understanding and embracing the different seasons of life and creativity can help in navigating personal and professional challenges.

Notable Quotes:
Emily concludes, “The more you know yourself, the better of an artist you're going to be” (27:31).
Stacie adds, “Everything I need is right here” (25:12).

Connect with Emily Jeffords

• Instagram: @Emily_Jeffords
• Book: Creative Stability – A guide on running a creative business while maintaining personal well-being.
• Podcast: Emily hosts her own podcast where she delves deeper into topics like pleasure in creativity and maintaining artistic integrity.

This episode offers a profound exploration of the challenges and triumphs faced by artists in balancing creative passion with business realities. Emily Jeffords’ candid sharing of her experiences provides valuable lessons for artists striving to achieve both financial success and personal fulfillment.