Practical guidance for artists who want to make more informed business decisions and build a stronger creative business.
You’ve spent years developing your work. But building a sustainable art business requires more than talent. You need to understand your options, evaluate opportunities, and make decisions about pricing, marketing, sales, and growth.
I’m Carolyn Edlund, founder of Artsy Shark and an art business consultant with decades of experience as an artist, entrepreneur, and advisor. Through personalized consulting sessions, I help artists gain clarity about their business direction, uncover what needs attention, and create practical strategies they can put into action.
Why work with me?
My work with artists has taken many forms. I’m the founder of Artsy Shark, where I have spent years helping creative entrepreneurs understand the practical side of selling, marketing, and building a sustainable art business. I’ve also served as Executive Director of the Arts Business Institute and as an advisor for the Clark Hulings Foundation Art Business Accelerator, working with mid-career artists focused on developing sustainable careers.
Along with my own experience as an artist and creative entrepreneur, these roles have given me a broad perspective on the challenges artists face and the decisions that can help move their businesses forward.
What happens in an art business consulting session?
Every artist comes to a strategy session with different questions. You may know exactly what you need help with, or you may need guidance in uncovering the challenges and opportunities that are affecting your progress.
Each strategy session is tailored to your situation. Some artists want to make a specific decision. Others need a broader look at their business direction and priorities.
Together we may discuss:
- How to sell more of your art and connect with the right buyers
- Where to focus your time and energy to make progress in your business
- How to present your work, story, and value more effectively
- Whether your website and marketing materials are helping you reach potential buyers
- Pricing your work, developing collections, and creating more opportunities to sell
- Exploring possibilities such as galleries, exhibitions, art fairs, wholesale, licensing, or online sales
I have spoken with, webinared with, and YouTubed with many self-proclaimed art coaches. You are the first who delivered so much real advice and counsel in one hour. ~ Katy Bishop.
ONE HOUR ART BUSINESS STRATEGY SESSION
Personalized consulting for artists who want clarity and practical next steps.
Before our session, you will complete a detailed questionnaire so I can understand your goals, challenges, and current situation. During our one-hour Zoom conversation, we will review your questions, identify areas that deserve the most attention, and focus on the strategies and actions to best support your goals. You may have many questions or concerns. My role is to help you sort through them, determine what matters most, and leave with a clear direction forward.
Includes:
- One-hour personalized Zoom strategy session
- Detailed written follow-up with recommendations and next steps
- Recording of our conversation for future reference
INVESTMENT $195.00
Within just an hour, I received amazing overall guidance and real specifics. I was further blown away when I received a detailed summary by email, complete with resources and links. ~ Hillary Carlip
60-DAY TAKE ACTION STRATEGY PACKAGE
For artists who want continued guidance while putting their plans into action.
A single conversation can create clarity, but meaningful change often requires time, follow-through, and adjustments along the way. Over 60 days, we will build on our initial strategy session, refine your priorities, and work through the challenges that arise as you implement your plan.
Includes:
- Three one-hour Zoom strategy sessions over 60 days
- Written follow-up after each session
- Weekly email contact for questions, progress updates, and guidance
- Recordings of all sessions
INVESTMENT $795.00
I started with the hourly consulting and decided to continue to the 60-day Take Action Consulting package right away. Carolyn took me in the right direction and gave me valuable ideas that were realistic for advancing my business. I feel like I made a year’s worth of improvement in a few months. ~ Keiko Suzuki
SIX-MONTH ART BUSINESS STRATEGY PARTNERSHIP
For artists who want ongoing strategic guidance while building and growing their business.
Some goals require more time and deeper involvement. This package provides a longer working relationship where we can address challenges as they arise, evaluate progress, and adjust strategies as your business develops. Over six months, we will work together to create and refine a plan based on your goals, your opportunities, and the realities of your business.
Includes:
- Six one-hour Zoom strategy sessions
- Written follow-up after each session
- Recordings of all sessions
- Full email access for feedback, questions, and discussion
INVESTMENT $1995.00
(Payment plan available for this package. Contact [email protected] for details)
After painting, selling and exhibiting my work for over 20 years, my career as a figurative painter had come to a standstill. I knew I should be more successful at this stage of the game, so I scheduled with Carolyn. She has the skill, knowledge and expertise to help artists attain the level of success they are working toward. ~ Cynthia Chartier
What Other Clients are Saying:
During the past year, I have interacted with marketing consultants, hoping to improve my online presence/experience. By far the most successful of these consultations was with Carolyn Edlund. Through her guidance I have reached out to local publications, leading to a detailed interview on my photography, which was published. One of my images also adorned the cover. ~ Robert R. Lott
After the consultation, I took your advice to heart and went to work. The results? A solo show with seven paintings and two commissions sold, a gallery spot with a painting sold at opening, a life painting event and auction which got me the most and highest bids plus a solo show coming up next year! ~ Manon Sander
We are starting a greeting card business and have availed ourselves of Carolyn’s consulting services. After each consult, we’ve turned to each other and said, in unison, ‘That was money well-spent.’ Her advice is concrete and specific; she has walked us through setting goals, developing our line, and understanding the business. She consistently addressed our concerns and answered questions we hadn’t thought of asking. ~ Kathy Dodd and Mary Bogucki
Carolyn is thoughtful in her advice and offered me specific and very smart ideas I had never thought of. Unlike many coaches in the arts who are all about ‘self-esteem and empowerment’ without the street cred, Carolyn is upbeat but realistic and businesslike in her approach, leaving me feeling encouraged but focused on a practical to-do list to move towards my goals. ~ Iskra Johnson