Episode Details

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How do you build a serious art career when you have limited time to make art?

In this episode of The Professional Artist Podcast, realist painter Nancy Hollinghurst is featured by the Professional Artist Association (https://professionalartist.com/join), the world’s fastest-growing global community for committed fine artists.

Based in the New York City area, Nancy is known for her vibrant still life paintings and has built an internationally recognized practice while balancing her own studio work with full-time employment in other artists’ studios.

Rather than waiting for more free time, Nancy developed systems that allow her to create consistently, stay focused, and make meaningful progress toward long-term goals.

Her approach is built on planning, prioritization, and understanding exactly what each day is working toward.

In this deep dive, Nancy shares how she balances full-time work with a prolific studio practice, why planning your goals may matter more than planning your days, and how structuring your time intentionally can unlock creativity rather than restrict it.

”Whatever your biggest goal is, go one louder. If you're aiming for even bigger than you think you can even get, you're still going to go farther than you thought you were originally”

— Nancy Hollinghurst

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction 
01:44 The Head Vase Series and Creative Process 
04:36 Planning Systems and Production Schedules 
05:46 Building Community Through Group Shows 
06:39 A Magical Escape - Playing with Reality 
08:01 Working at Jeff Koons, Amy Sherald studios and Colossal Media 
11:03 Balancing Studio Work with Full-Time Employment 
13:27 How to Start Planning Toward Bigger Goals 
15:11 Engaging the Noose - A Self-Portrait 
17:23 Student Debt and Alternative Education 
19:17 Final Advice for Artists

Connect with Nancy

Website: https://www.nancyhollinghurst.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancyhollinghurst/

Resources

Jeff Koons: https://www.jeffkoons.com/

Amy Sherald studios: https://www.hauserwirth.com/artists/11577-amy-sherald/

Colossal Media: https://www.colossalmedia.com/studios

Learn more about The Professional Artist Association:

Mentoring:

Apply to join 99 artists for unlimited 1:1 Coaching & Mentoring to grow your art income:

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Membership:

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Free Letter:

Join 50,000+ artists getting Free advice & inspiration every week:

https://professionalartist.com/podcast/#join-free-artist-letter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalartistaccelerator

Ready to take the next step in your art career?

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Whether that’s making your next art show your best ever, designing a paid art workshop that