Artists Soar (TM) is a podcast for artists by 3 artists! We discuss all aspects of being an artist - the good, bad, and the ugly. The goal of each podcast is to provide solutions so artists can focus on creativity and rise above.
Episodes
17 minutes ago
17 minutes ago
Welcome to the Artists Soar Vlog! In this episode, Julie dives into her game-changing approach to organizing her creative process using the Freeform app. From brainstorming product ideas to planning designs and mapping out launches, Julie shares how this versatile tool keeps her ideas flowing and her projects on track. Ready to transform your creative chaos into clarity? Tune in for practical tips to supercharge your art business with Freeform!
Perfect for women artists (and anyone chasing creative dreams) who want actionable tools to thrive in their creative journey!
🔔 Subscribe for weekly art business hacks, painting tips, and creative inspiration on our Primary Channel Huntsville Art Supplies and playlist "Artists Soar"
Connect with us:
Julie McCullough: https://artinthestudio.com/
Rachel Harchanko: https://rachelbelleart.com/
Stephanie Weaver: https://stephanieweaverartist.com/
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Freeform App: Available on iOS and macOS for brainstorming and project planning.
Book: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron - https://a.co/d/38bilPe or pick up your copy at Huntsville Art Supplies.
Wednesday Jul 16, 2025
Wednesday Jul 16, 2025
Welcome to the Artists Soar Vlog! In this episode, we’re diving into the exciting world of product launches with Julie and Stephanie. Julie shares her step-by-step process for launching a new art product, from concept to market, while Stephanie spills the details on her recent product launch and gallery opening success. Wondering how to plan, promote, and pull off a launch that shines? We’ve got you covered with practical tips to make your creative projects soar!
Perfect for women artists (and anyone chasing creative dreams) who want actionable strategies to thrive in the art business!
🔔 Subscribe for weekly art business hacks, painting tips, and creative inspiration on our Primary Channel Artists Soar Youtube or where you listen to Podcasts.
Connect with us:
Julie McCullough: https://artinthestudio.com/
Rachel Harchanko: https://rachelbelleart.com/
Stephanie Weaver: https://stephanieweaverartist.com/
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Notion: Software for organizing your life.
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Welcome to the Artists Soar Vlog! In Episode 3, we’re pulling back the curtain on running an art business and spilling the tea on what nobody tells you. From navigating unexpected costs to mastering the hustle without losing your creative spark, we’re sharing the real talk you need to thrive as an artist. Perfect for women artists (and anyone chasing creative dreams) who want practical, no-BS tips to build a sustainable art career!
🔔 Subscribe for weekly art business hacks, painting tips, and creative inspiration on our Primary Channel Huntsville Art Supplies and playlist "Artists Soar"
Connect with us:
Julie McCullough: https://artinthestudio.com/
Rachel Harchanko: https://rachelbelleart.com/
Stephanie Weaver: https://stephanieweaverartist.com/
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Art Pricing Secrets: Ethically Pricing Creativity by Stephanie Weaver - https://stephanieweaverartist.com/book or pick up your copy at Huntsville Art Supplies
QuickBooks: Software for managing your art business finances - https://quickbooks.intuit.com/
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Welcome to the Artists Soar Vlog! We’re thrilled to make the leap from podcast to vlog, and it’s Julie McCullough, Rachel Harchanko, and Stephanie Weaver here to kick things off with a bang! In our first episode, we’re diving into Notion—our favorite tool for organizing our art businesses and lives. Wondering what Notion is? We’ve got you covered with a breakdown of why we love it, plus a show-and-tell of how Julie and Stephanie use Notion to juggle commissions, pricing, and life chaos.
Perfect for women artists (and anyone chasing creative dreams) who want practical tips to stay organized and thrive! 🔔 Subscribe for weekly art business hacks, painting tips, and creative inspiration on our Primary Channel Huntsville Art Supplies and playlist "Artists Soar"
Connect with us:
Julie McCullough: https://artinthestudio.com/
Rachel Harchanko: https://rachelbelleart.com/
Stephanie Weaver: https://stephanieweaverartist.com
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Notion Template: By Whitney Livingstone: https://whitneylivingston.com/shop/p/small-business-dashboard-notion-template-all-in-one-business-organizer-for-tasks-projects-goals-finances-marketing-brand-identity
Notion Template: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1810030948/notion-advanced-life-planner-all-in-one
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Welcome to the Artists Soar Vlog! We’re thrilled to make the leap from podcast to vlog, and it’s Julie McCullough, Rachel Harchanko, and Stephanie Weaver here to kick things off with a bang! In our first episode, we’re diving into Notion—our favorite tool for organizing our art businesses and lives. Wondering what Notion is? We’ve got you covered with a breakdown of why we love it, plus a show-and-tell of how Julie and Stephanie use Notion to juggle commissions, pricing, and life chaos. Perfect for women artists (and anyone chasing creative dreams) who want practical tips to stay organized and thrive!
🔔 Subscribe for weekly art business hacks, painting tips, and creative inspiration on our Primary Channel Huntsville Art Supplies and playlist "Artists Soar"
Connect with us:
Julie McCullough: https://artinthestudio.com/
Rachel Harchanko: https://rachelbelleart.com/
Stephanie Weaver: https://stephanieweaverartist.com
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Notion Template: By Whitney Livingstone: https://whitneylivingston.com/shop/p/... Notion Template: https://www.etsy.com/listing/18100309...
Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
In this episode, artists Rachel, Julie, and Stephanie discuss the importance of creating vision boards for personal and professional goals. They explore the benefits of visualizing success and share practical tips for implementing vision boards to stay focused and inspired. If you have a question you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Key Talking Points
"Artists Soar - Vision Board"
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Creating Vision Boards for Success:
- A vision board is a visual representation of goals, dreams, and aspirations.
- It serves as a constant reminder of priorities and helps avoid distractions like FOMO or chasing unproductive "rabbits."
- Vision boards can include both big dreams (e.g., a new studio, financial milestones) and smaller, actionable goals.
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How to Make and Use a Vision Board:
- Vision boards can be physical (cut-out magazine clippings) or digital (created in tools like Canva, Photoshop, or Adobe Stock).
- Include images, quotes, keywords, or even checks written out to yourself for specific goals.
- Display your vision board prominently, such as on a desktop background or in a daily-use notebook, to maintain focus.
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Flexibility and Personalization:
- Vision boards don’t need to follow rigid rules—make them work for your style.
- Update boards with new ideas or achievements; some prefer transferring completed goals to a separate "achievement board" for celebration.
- Consider creating multiple vision boards for different aspects of life, such as artwork, teaching, or personal development.
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Practical Applications for Artists and Businesses:
- Vision boards can be used to plan large projects, like Stephanie’s idea to create a mural-style calendar showcasing monthly classes at Huntsville Art Supplies.
- They can also reflect aesthetic goals for a space, like Stephanie’s vision for an elevated, boujee art supply store experience.
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Vision Board Workshops and Classes:
- Artists Soar is hosting a vision board class as part of their business workshop series in 2025.
- Workshops will guide participants in creating vision boards tailored to their goals and values, with downloadable resources for those unable to attend in person.
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Benefits of Vision Boards:
- Provides clarity on goals and serves as a motivational tool.
- Keeps focus on long-term objectives while allowing for dreaming and creativity.
- Helps evaluate opportunities based on alignment with goals.
If you're interested in joining the vision board class or learning more, visit artistssoar.com. Until next time!
Rise with us! On Artists Soar!
Our Websites and Shops
- Are you an avid reader? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: Bubbly Bibbly
- Love illustrations and bright colors? Sign up for Julie's newsletter here: Julie M Studios
- Want to learn how to paint? Or just love painting? Sign up for Stephanie's newsletter here: Stephanie Weaver Artist
Got a Listener Question?
Email us at: hello@artistssoar.com.
Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
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In this episode, artists Rachel, Julie, and Stephanie share tips for holiday sales preparation and discuss strategies for increasing customer engagement and sales throughout the year. If you have a question you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Key Talking Points:
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Planning Ahead for Holiday Sales:
- Early preparation is essential for effective holiday sales, but strategies can also apply to future holidays like Easter, Valentine’s Day, or 4th of July.
- Gift guides categorized by themes (e.g., animal lovers, budget-friendly gifts) are helpful for customers.
- Reusable resources like pre-defined email sequences save time for future campaigns.
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Creative Holiday Sales Strategies:
- Use gift cards and coupons to attract buyers who shop at the last minute.
- Promote loyalty programs with incentives such as discounts or rewards.
- Host in-store events like “Cookies and Coloring” nights to encourage in-person engagement.
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Email Marketing Tips:
- Create automated email sequences with reminders as holidays approach, emphasizing time-sensitive offers.
- Segment your audience to target returning customers with special promotions and gratitude gestures.
- Offer free shipping or early-bird discounts to incentivize advance purchases.
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Thinking Ahead and Building Inventory:
- Start planning 4-6 months in advance to align with customer needs and trends.
- Develop seasonal artwork or products well ahead of time and promote them strategically through social media and newsletters.
- Reference pitch schedules to align creations with industry trends, especially for surface pattern designs.
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Customer Appreciation and Referral Ideas:
- Thank loyal customers with exclusive discounts, free shipping, or small gifts like stickers or magnets.
- Encourage referrals by offering rewards for customers who bring in new buyers.
- Combine appreciation efforts with a physical touchpoint, such as mailing personalized thank-you notes or small gifts.
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Additional Insights:
- Use tools like Shopify and Etsy to streamline email marketing and segment customer bases for targeted campaigns.
- Social media is a valuable channel to showcase works in progress and build anticipation for seasonal collections.
- Free shipping thresholds or pop-up sales can drive engagement and revenue.
If you have additional tips or strategies, the hosts would love to hear from you! Until next time!
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We'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts on what we chatted about? Email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Rise with us! On Artists Soar!
Our Websites and Shops
- Are you an avid reader? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: Bubbly Bibbly
- Love illustrations and bright colors? Sign up for Julie's newsletter here: Julie M Studios
- Want to learn how to paint? Or just love painting? Sign up for Stephanie's newsletter here: Stephanie Weaver Artist
Got a Listener Question?
Email us at: hello@artistssoar.com.
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
In this episode, artists Rachel, Julie, and Stephanie as we chat about what they have found to be keys to success! If you have a question you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Key Talking Points
- Define Success Personally – Success looks different for everyone; clarify what it means for you, whether it’s selling art, licensing, or balancing family time.
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Set Intentions and Remain Consistent – Establish goals (like regular family dinners or dedicated art time) and stick to them with accountability and consistency.
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Develop and Sharpen Skills – Invest in skill-building, whether through classes, online resources, or practice, to keep growing in your craft and business.
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Stay Committed in Your Own Marathon – Recognize that success is a long-term process. Focus on personal progress rather than comparing yourself to others.
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Learn from and Collaborate with Others – Seek inspiration from successful individuals in your field or beyond, reverse engineer what works, and apply it to your goals.
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Evaluate and Adjust Constantly – Treat success as a cycle: plan, execute, evaluate, and revise to stay aligned with your evolving vision of success.
We'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts on what we chatted about? Email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Rise with us! On Artists Soar!
Our Websites and Shops
- Are you an avid reader? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: Bubbly Bibbly
- Love illustrations and bright colors? Sign up for Julie's newsletter here: Julie M Studios
- Want to learn how to paint? Or just love painting? Sign up for Stephanie's newsletter here: Stephanie Weaver Artist
Got a Listener Question?
Email us at: hello@artistssoar.com.
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
In this episode, artists Rachel, Julie, and Stephanie as we chat about what we do for planning and how we've gone down rabbit holes of planning! If you have a question you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Key Talking Points
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Here are the key talking points:
- Planners as Comfort Tools: Planners help manage life's chaos, offering stability and organization.
- Different Planner Preferences: Stephanie prefers "The Happy Planner" for analog planning, while Julie favors "Mole Skins," using washi tape for color coding, as she remembers visually.- Keeping Old Planners: Julie and Rachel value old planners as records for reflection and insight, especially with busy schedules.
- Regular Evaluation: They continuously assess and refine their planning methods to stay effective, adapting as needed.
- Customization & Personalization: They enjoy personalizing planners with washi tape, stickers, and themes, adding a creative touch to organization.
- Family Planning Ritual: Sunday planning is a family event, involving meal prep and assigning cooking responsibilities, teaching kids about planning and responsibility.
- Handling Schedule Changes: Flexibility is key; tools like white-out tape and added notes help manage unexpected changes.
- Monthly Themes: Some are drawn to organizing by monthly themes with consistent colors or washi tape, keeping things cohesive and easy to track.
- Balancing White Space: Preferences vary, with some valuing white space for clarity and others enjoying decoration.
- Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): They acknowledge the pressure to follow planner trends but strive to find and stick with what truly works for them.
- Adaptability Over Perfection: Ultimately, they emphasize adapting plans to fit their needs, letting go of trends that don't serve them.
We'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts on what we chatted about? Email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Rise with us! On Artists Soar!
Our Websites and Shops
- Are you an avid reader? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: Bubbly Bibbly
- Love illustrations and bright colors? Sign up for Julie's newsletter here: Julie M Studios
- Want to learn how to paint? Or just love painting? Sign up for Stephanie's newsletter here: Stephanie Weaver Artist
Got a Listener Question?
Email us at: hello@artistssoar.com.
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
In this episode, artists Rachel, Julie, and Stephanie as we chat about networking, what works, doesn't work and ways to find networking events! If you have a question you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Key Talking Points
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Networking is about relationships, not just contacts – Focus on building genuine connections rather than just expanding your contact list.
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Consider commitment and flexibility in networking groups – While structured groups like BNI offer networking skills, they require a time and financial investment; subbing for members may offer flexibility.
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Use diverse networking channels – Explore options like local Chamber of Commerce events or industry-specific gatherings to connect with potential clients outside of traditional networking groups.
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Follow up with intention and consistency – Employ the “2-2-2” rule (contacting in 2 hours, 2 weeks, and 2 months as needed) to maintain relationships and be strategic with who you choose to engage.
- Fortune is in the Follow Up - When you network always look for golden nuggets to follow up on.
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Define your pitch concisely – Practice a 30-second introduction that clearly states who you are, what you do, and who your ideal client is. This clarity helps others easily understand and remember you.
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Bring a “networking partner” for confidence – Attending events with a friend or colleague can ease anxiety, boost visibility, and help expand connections more effectively.
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Tailor your networking to your audience – Identify events and groups that align with your target clients, such as pet owners for pet portrait artists or outdoor events for landscape artists, to connect meaningfully with those interested in your work.
We'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts on what we chatted about? Email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Rise with us! On Artists Soar!
Our Websites and Shops
- Are you an avid reader? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: Bubbly Bibbly
- Love illustrations and bright colors? Sign up for Julie's newsletter here: Julie M Studios
- Want to learn how to paint? Or just love painting? Sign up for Stephanie's newsletter here: Stephanie Weaver Artist
Got a Listener Question?
Email us at: hello@artistssoar.com.