Building an Art Business: Rebekah Webb on Diversifying Income, Creative Authenticity, and the Power of Community

In this episode of The Art Coaching Club Podcast, host Hayley Price interviews Rebekah Webb, a Southern contemporary artist based in Fairhope, Alabama. Rebekah shares her insights on diversifying income, staying true to creative vision, and building an art career rooted in authenticity and community.

Diversifying Income as an Artist

Rebekah's business approach is built on diversifying her revenue streams. She explains, "I kind of backed into it... Graphic design, doing logos and websites, was always a quiet avenue of money. And then I realized I could license my artwork. One of my art friends calls it 'mailbox money,' and it's really lucrative." This strategy has allowed her to expand her income through various channels, including graphic design, licensing, and print sales.

Rebekah encourages artists to set financial goals and work backward, calculating how many pieces they need to sell monthly to meet those goals. "Figure out how much money you need to make in a year and work backwards," she advises. Artists, she believes, should explore multiple revenue streams beyond selling original pieces.

Staying True to Your Creative Vision

One of Rebekah's key messages is the importance of staying true to your creative vision. She emphasizes creating art that resonates with personal experiences: "Just putting yourself out there, creating what speaks to you and what's personal to you as the differentiator in your work. For me, my subject matters are about water because I grew up on the coast... These themes speak to me, and once I started creating what I love, the paintings started to sell." This authenticity is what sets her work apart and attracts the right clients.

The Importance of Community

Community is at the heart of Rebekah’s artistic career. She strongly believes in the value of surrounding yourself with fellow artists: "The secret weapon for all artists is other artists... Once you grow your community—whether through classes, school, or meetups—it makes a difference. That outweighs any Instagram connection for me." Rebekah encourages artists to foster these personal connections, which have helped her through difficult times and contributed to her growth.

Balancing Business and Creativity

Rebekah shares her approach to balancing the business side of her career with her creativity. She emphasizes the need to protect creative time by setting up systems and hiring help where necessary. She explains that nurturing connections with galleries, clients, and artists is more valuable than relying solely on social media. "Instagram is great for connecting, but it mentally drains me... Your connections with galleries and people are what build you up." This shift away from social media allows her to maintain her creative authenticity.

Conclusion

Rebekah Webb’s story offers a blueprint for artists looking to balance business and creativity while staying true to their personal vision. From diversifying income streams to building an artist community, her approach to art is as thoughtful as it is inspiring. Whether you're an emerging or established artist, Rebekah’s journey highlights the importance of authenticity, community, and long-term strategy for sustainable success in the art world.

Follow Rebekah on Instagram.