What is Art + Audience?

If you've ever wondered what it really looks like to build a multimillion-dollar art business from a kitchen table — this is the podcast that answers that question honestly. In Episode 1 of Art + Audience, I'm pulling back the curtain on my own journey: the early wins, the hard pivots, the revenue streams that changed everything, and why I finally decided to start this show.

Whether you're just starting out or already building momentum, this episode sets the stage for everything we're going to explore together.

1. What Is the Art + Audience Podcast?

Art + Audience is a podcast for artists who are serious about building a real business around their creativity. Every episode features conversations with working artists, licensing pros, and creative entrepreneurs who are doing it — not just talking about it.

The name says it all: you need great art AND an audience that connects with it. Neither one alone is enough. This show is about building both.

Here's your takeaway: Most art business advice focuses only on the craft OR only on marketing. Art + Audience bridges that gap — so you don't have to choose between making beautiful work and building a sustainable income.

2. Stacie Bloomfield's Art Business Journey

I started selling nursery art on Etsy in 2009 — back before "digital download" was even a thing most buyers understood. What began as a side project turned into a multimillion-dollar art business built around licensing, Spoonflower, teaching, and building an audience who actually cares about the work.

You might already know Stacie from her art brand Gingiber, where she has built a beloved line of surface pattern designs, fabric collections, and licensed products. Gingiber is the foundation that made everything else possible — and it’s the proof of concept behind every lesson she shares on Art + Audience.

It didn't happen overnight, and it definitely didn't happen in a straight line. I've had licensing deals fall through, products that flopped, and pivots I didn't see coming. But each one taught me something that I now share with the artists I teach.

Here's your takeaway: The path to a profitable art business isn't a ladder — it's a web. Multiple income streams, built intentionally over time, create something that can actually sustain you. If you want the roadmap, the Leverage Your Art course is where I teach the full system.

Your action item: Write down every way you currently make (or could make) money from your art. Circle the one that excites you most. That's where we start.

3. Why I Started Art + Audience

For years, artists have been asking me the same questions: How do I get my art licensed? How do I build an audience that actually buys? How do I stop trading time for dollars and start building something that scales?

I started Art + Audience because I kept having powerful conversations in private — with artists who were doing remarkable things — and I wanted to make those conversations public. The lessons people are learning in the trenches shouldn't stay in DMs and email threads.

Here's your takeaway: You don't have to figure out your art business alone. There's a whole community of artists solving these problems, and this podcast is your window into how they're doing it.

4. What You'll Learn From Art + Audience

Every episode covers the real mechanics of building an art business — including:

• How working artists found their style and built an audience around it
• Licensing strategies that create passive, recurring income
• The mindset shifts required to stop thinking like a hobbyist and start thinking like a CEO
• Practical tools, platforms, and tactics that are working right now

If you're ready to go deeper on any of these, my Side Hustle Society gives you ongoing access to training, community, and direct support as you grow.

5. How to Join the Art + Audience Community

This show is only as good as the community around it. Share your own story of creative risk or business pivot on social media using #ArtPlusAudience — I read every post. I want to hear what you're building, where you're stuck, and what breakthrough you're most proud of.

And if you're ready to start pitching your art to brands and manufacturers, the Art Licensing Pitch Playbook is the best place to start.

Your action item: Subscribe to Art + Audience wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with one artist friend who needs to hear it.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Art + Audience Podcast

What is the Art + Audience podcast about?

Art + Audience is a podcast hosted by Stacie Bloomfield for artists who want to build a real, sustainable business around their creativity. Each episode features interviews with working artists and creative entrepreneurs who share the real strategies behind growing an audience, licensing art, and creating multiple income streams.

Who is Stacie Bloomfield?

Stacie Bloomfield is an artist, art licensor, and educator who has been building her creative business since 2009. She started selling nursery art on Etsy and grew her work into a multimillion-dollar operation spanning licensing, Spoonflower, and online education. She teaches art business strategies through her Leverage Your Art course and membership.

How can I learn more about art licensing from Stacie Bloomfield?

The best starting points are Stacie's Art Licensing Pitch Playbook — a step-by-step guide to pitching your art to brands and manufacturers — and her Leverage Your Art course, which covers the full framework for building a profitable art business including licensing, audience building, and income diversification.