with host artist Miriam Schulman
When I first met Kimberly Chan, she was just starting to explore her art career and unsure where to begin but ready to grow. A year later, she’s sold over 50 pieces, built her email list from zero, and gained the courage to pitch her story (even to me!). In this episode, we dive into how boldness, persistence, and a supportive community helped her transform from hesitant beginner to confident artist. Her journey proves that it’s not about perfection, it’s about showing up with heart and taking brave, messy action toward your dreams.
In this podcast, you will discover…
- Learn how to build momentum by showing up for your art even before you feel ready
- Find out how pitching for opportunities can open doors you didn’t even know existed
- Explore the mindset shifts that turn self-doubt into confident, creative energy
Links Mentioned
📖 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.
🎨 Cute Fun Joy Designs, by Kimberly Chan: A vibrant celebration of digital floral art inspired by memory, belonging, and resilience. Kimberly’s gouache-style creations bloom with color and emotion, reflecting her Hong Kong roots and her love for nature’s quiet symbolism. Each piece is crafted to spark joy, connection, and a sense of calm, inviting you to bring a touch of artistry and heart into your everyday life.
Books!
About Kimberly
Kimberly Chan is a Seattle-based digital floral artist who creates vibrant, gouache-style paintings inspired by memory, belonging, and resilience. Born and raised in Hong Kong just steps from the city’s wholesale flower market, she grew up surrounded by blossoms rich with meaning and symbolism. After a career in tech as a product manager, Kimberly gave herself permission to follow a new path—one led by creativity and joy.
Her work has been collected internationally and recently featured in exhibitions such as Schack Art Center’s annual Art of the Garden. This fall, she will present a six-month window installation as part of the Seattle Restored program. Through her practice, Kimberly invites viewers to slow down, savor beauty, and reconnect with joy. Working digitally and sometimes embellishing her prints with gold ink or gold leaf, she creates art that offers clarity through color and celebrates the quiet strength of becoming.
IG: @cutefunjoydesigns
FB: Facebook.com/cutefunjoydesigns
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
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Other Episodes You Might Like
- 349: The Power of Human Design ft. Baeth Davis
- 364: How This Artist Found Collectors, Confidence, and Clarity without Selling Out ft. Chris Holt
- 377: From Starving Artist to Wealthy: Break Free from the Underearning Trap ft. Barbara Huson
Listener shout out of the week!
I won silver and bronze in photographer of the year awards as a result of the pitch challenge in the Artist Incubator
~Sherry Keene
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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