education

The Art Biz ep. 85: Returning to Grad School for an MFA with Kelly M. O’Brien

Back in 2015, Kelly M. O’Brien started selling a lot of work, in a way that surprised her at the time. And while she has continued that work, she has added new work—what she calls emerging work—since deciding to go back to graduate school in 2017 to earn her MFA.

Since Kelly was experiencing such great commercial success, I wondered at the time why on earth she wanted to return to grad school. Now that she has been out of school about a year, Kelly is ready to talk about her decision on the Art Biz Podcast.

I’m tying this to the theme of adjusting your approach. Tweaking this or that. Looking at new possibilities. Or even turning your art business and career upside down and returning to school like Kelly.

We make these adjustments to get better results in our business and lives, to make us feel more fulfilled, or just to bring a greater sense of happiness.

Listen to hear what it was for Kelly. You’ll hear about how she juggles two very different art businesses, the biggest benefits of grad school for her, and what her daily practice is like.

The Art Biz ep. 85: Returning to Grad School for an MFA with Kelly M. O’Brien Read

Cabin Lake by Tatjana Mirkov-Popovicki

How to Decide if a Class or Workshop is Right for You

Whenever a new class begins, I receive plenty of questions.

The gist of the questions is: This class looks enticing, but is it right for me?

Most often, my response isn’t a simple Yes or No, but a volley of questions in return intended to help the inquisitor come to a conclusion.

Here’s what those questions look like.

Will you be physically at your home or studio to implement the lessons?

The lessons in Creative Content Camp can be consumed and implemented from anywhere in the world as long as there is connectivity.

On the other hand, the organizing class I previously taught required organizing a physical space. That’s a program you wouldn’t want to be away for.

If you’re going to be on vacation for one or more of the lessons, the decision whether or not to enroll in a class depends on your answers to a couple of (more) questions:

  1. Are you planning on doing any work during your travels? If you have built in a few hours a week to work, as I do during many of my trips, perhaps it’s doable.
  2. Can you make a plan – and stick to it – for your return? If you get your affairs in order so that you pick up (and catch up) where you left off, you’re likely to be more successful after the break.

Can you devote the time to the lessons and homework?

I tell students that

How to Decide if a Class or Workshop is Right for You Read

Art Biz Coach post on Facebook

Best Gifts for Budding Artists

Last week I posted this question on the Art Biz Coach Facebook page: A kid just graduated from high school and is headed to art school. What would you give him as a graduation gift besides fair warning? Some people were glib, but most of my fans too the question seriously.

Best Gifts for Budding Artists Read

The Secret to Attracting More Fans for Your Art

Everyone knows that the #1 way to attract fans for your art is to make amazing work. That’s no secret.

But I’m going to let you in on a hush-hush marketing strategy that will draw even more people into your circle: education.

Before you doze off at the word “education,” consider why you should heed my advice.

Most of the population was raised without an art education. If they were a student of the 1960s or 1970s, as I was, they probably had to make clay ashtrays or embellish turkeys from an outline drawing of their hands.

But that’s about the extent of it. Most adults, including artists themselves, haven’t been trained how to look at and appreciate art.

To these people, art can be stuffy, elitist, and inaccessible. Here’s where you step in.

Part of your job in promoting your art is to

The Secret to Attracting More Fans for Your Art Read

Listen, Read, Act, Repeat

It’s been said that the four most dangerous words in the English language are “I already know that.” These words create a mental barrier that shuts you off from any additional information you might receive by listening. More importantly, saying “I already know that” closes the door on new experiences that could enrich your life

Listen, Read, Act, Repeat Read

Lay Out Your Curriculum

Jennifer McChristian, The Chair. Charcoal on paper, 14 x 11 inches. © The Artist Our local schools have started back up and university students are moving into campus housing. It’s also a time when I notice a spike in activity on my Web sites and interest in my classes. It’s time to go back to

Lay Out Your Curriculum Read

Scroll to Top

Are you presenting yourself in the most professional manner online?

Get The Artist’s
Online Presence Audit

48 places to check to make sure you are ready when someone runs into you online. Free with optin.

*You will also receive updates about new podcasts, blog posts, and programs. You can opt out at any time.

Privacy + Terms