with host artist Miriam Schulman
If you’ve ever felt stuck, scattered, or unsure of your next step, this conversation is exactly what you need. Chris Holt’s journey is proof that you don’t have to compromise your artistic voice to build a thriving art business. When we first started working together, Chris wasn’t even sure he could call himself an artist. Now he’s booking gallery shows, attracting collectors, and speaking about his work with conviction and clarity. We talked about how he got there, what finally helped him feel confident, and the shifts he made to stop overcomplicating things and start moving forward with purpose.
“Once you start to do it, you start to build upon it… you start thinking, everyone’s going to buy my art. Why wouldn’t they buy my art?” – Chris Holt
In this podcast, you will discover…
- Learn how building consistency builds confidence
- Explore how messaging creates clarity and connection with collectors
- Hear why narrowing your focus can help you grow faster
“It’s really about showing up and trying to maintain a consistent plan and putting that into action.” – Chris Holt
Links Mentioned
🗂️Professional Portfolio Review: Not sure which of your pieces will sell or if you’re headed in the right direction? A Professional Portfolio Review gives you clear, personalized guidance so you can focus on what works and start attracting serious collectors.
🖼️Get Chris’ art here: Inspired by nature and reflects a harmonious blend of modern and traditional elements, his work captures quiet, fleeting moments that invite reflection and connection. Each piece is created to fill your space with energy, calm, and inspiration.
📖 Artpreneur, by Miriam Schulman: The go-to handbook for artists aspiring to turn their passion into a sustainable and profitable career. This book offers inspiring stories and practical advice that empower artists to embrace a confident mindset and follow a clear path to creative and financial freedom.
Books!
About Chris
Chris Holt is a fine artist from the Pacific Northwest. Chris paints oil paintings featuring narrative botanical landscapes. Inspired by Edward Hopper and others, his art captures life’s fleeting moments where time slows and beauty reveals itself. He loves those quiet pauses—the golden light, the shifting breeze, the in-between spaces where meaning unfolds. Life has taught Chris to embrace change and live fully in the present. To dream and act upon of what’s possible. Each of his painting is an invitation to pause, breathe, and see beyond the surface—to find beauty in the moment.
Chris’ Instagram: @chrisholtstudio
About the host, Miriam Schulman
In case we haven’t met yet, I’m an artist and founder of The Inspiration Place, where I help other artists learn how to profit from their passion. Through online classes, business coaching programs, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped thousands of artists around the world develop their skill sets and create more time and freedom to do what they love. My signature coaching program, The Artist Incubator, helps artists go from so-so sales to sold-out collections.
After witnessing 9/11, I abandoned a lucrative hedge fund job to work on my art full time. Since then, my art and story have been featured in major publications including Forbes, What Women Create, The New York Times, Art of Man, Art Journaling magazine, Professional Artist Magazine, Igniting Creativity as well as featured on NBC’s “Parenthood” and the Amazon series “Hunters” with Al Pacino. Check out my best-selling book with HarperCollins Leadership, Artpreneur: The Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Sustainable Living From Your Creativity, wherever books are sold. When I’m not in the studio, I split my time between New York City and a farmhouse in the country. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for art lovers (of every passion level) at schulmanart.com/freebies
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here to subscribe in iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in an read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
Listener shout out of the week!
After reading Artpreneur, I had many Aha moments, particularly with the production plan. Once I made some adjustments to my production plan, I’m amazed at how much more productive I’ve been in the studio since then. Thanks to this plan, I’m nearly finished with a large painting I’ve been working on for way too long
~ Robert Burcar
Chelsea Artpreneur Studio · New York City
What’s the biggest bottleneck holding your art business back?
Maybe it feels like pricing. Maybe it’s finding the right collectors, choosing the right opportunities, or figuring out what deserves your attention next. Or maybe you can see 3 different directions your business could go, and you’re tired of guessing which one is right.
That’s what we’re working on at the Chelsea Artpreneur Studio, October 28–29 in New York City.
This isn’t a conference or another workshop where you leave with forty new ideas. I’m bringing together a small group of established artists for two days of hands-on strategy built around the actual problems you bring into the room. We’ll look at your business, figure out what’s really holding it back, make the decisions, and map out exactly what comes next.
You’ll also have a professional branding portrait session, plus plenty of time around the table with a small group of artists who take their businesses as seriously as you do.
You’ll leave knowing what’s actually holding your business back, what needs to change, and most of all, what to do next.
By application · Limited seats
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