MAKING art WORK
Alumni Success Stories
Discover how artists like you have used this course and community to take control of their careers and build a thriving creative business- without sacrificing their creative freedom.
Real artists. Real transformations. Real businesses built with confidence.
You’re in good company here.
Making art Work has transformed the lives and careers of artists worldwide. Our alumni come from diverse backgrounds and creative disciplines, each has a unique story of growth, accomplishment, and inspiration. Explore their journeys and envision your own creative success in this incredible cohort.
"MAW is one of the main things that changed my life! I had my first $100K month last year in print/painting sales, and then moved to a limited release model and had a $180K sales weekend. This was HUGELY due to the learnings from MAW and the collective!
I had left a 6-figure corporate job with the goal of replacing my salary as an artist (which felt audacious), and through your learnings, I almost doubled it instead. I am SO, SO THANKFUL!"
“Making Art Work was the perfect catalyst for supercharging my decision to focus entirely on my creative business, and leave my day job for good. The structure of the course walks you through step by step from the basic principles, mindsets, then strategic elements required for running a successful creative business, into marketing and practices to support sustainability.
It would have taken me the better part of a decade to work all of this out on my own, and Emily's gentle, generous, and comprehensive teaching style really facilitates your own implementation, regardless of what sort of creative business you have. This is information that I will be referring to for many years to come, and I am so grateful that I made the decision to invest in myself and take MAW - the confidence it has given me is worth its weight in gold!”
“Emily helped to build up layers for us. There were answers to questions I didn't even have yet because I didn't know to ask them of myself or anyone else! I think above all I found encouragement, an increased measure of self awareness as an artist, and a new way of looking at the way I do things as a whole because of the work done in the modules. I felt as though the course helped me grow my mindset from ‘look at these lovely things I make when I can spare a minute’ to ‘I am a business woman with important things to share through my work as an artist.’
With the release of my holiday collection, I tripled my sales and number of orders from last year. On the day of the collection launch I made more in one day than I had made in my highest grossing month! I was able to put more effort in to the things that were important and I was so proud and happy with not only the work I put into my ceramics.
Making Art Work enabled me to implement systems and tell the story of my work that resonated and helped people find value in what I make.”
“There is no other course out there that is this comprehensive.”
"Emily's course opened my eyes to many areas of being a business owner with being an artist. There is no other course out there that is this comprehensive. It is also a very warm, inviting community. I went through MAW twice to get me on the ground running. My favorite little nugget was working in collections. Being an artist that loves ALL the things, learning about working in collections was a game changer." JANNEE LEE
“You will be referring back to your notes for years to come.”
"In a world filled with so much noise, Emily tells us that progress is quiet and slow: yep, it seems counterintuitive, but Emily knows what she’s talking about. MAW is wonderful and wise, and you will be referring back to your notes for years to come." GIL DOUGLAS
“I had no idea what I was in for and left it to the last minute to take the leap of faith and sign up for Making Art Work! I am so glad I did. Although I was already working hard painting, exhibiting and selling I didn't really have a plan. MAW has changed all that and given me the permission to put my dreams into action and feel more confident while doing it. I comfortably sold a collection of paintings to one buyer at a fair last year and didn't second guess my capabilities. My focus has changed. My children’s book that was nearly there is actually physically here. I am really proud of what I've achieved since MAW.
I am still meeting every Monday evening with most of the peer group set up by MAW. During the course we were able to share our thoughts and help each other just by discussing the various modules and our own personal challenges and always encouraging each other along the way. We are all at different stages approaching different mediums and ideas.
The access to the course which is full of so much information is at your disposal. You can take it at your own pace, if you need to, but I found it beneficial to follow the weeks set out. I have tools from MAW that I use now and am still working through. Emily invites amazing Guest experts for us all to learn from. I would encourage you to take the leap and invest in yourself. That's what I did. I told myself I was worth investing in. It is hard to put into words how encouraging, engaging, knowledgeable, honest and generous Emily is.
Your dreams and your future-self is worth investing in.”
“I have been on the cusp of taking my art and art educations businesses to the next level and Making art Work has helped hugely to really make that happen. Going through this course helped to push me over the line into taking action on things that I was holding off on.
It filled so many crucial gaps in my knowledge on how to best move forward with my businesses in a style and form that best suits my needs and those of my customers. This course was in incredible investment that I know will pay off exponentially!”
“Besides all of the comprehensive content - from how to set up your online shop, market yourself in a way that feels like YOU, and then of course the steps to actually selling your work - learning from Emily is a treat for your soul. She makes you feel like you have your very own unique magic to bring to the world (which you *do!*) and learning from her is simply inspiring and motivating in a way that is hard to quantify.
Making Art Work will help you build a foundation for your creative business no matter what stage you are at - beginner or advanced. The teachings and philosophies inside the course will stick with you and guide you for years to come!”
Imagine a course designed to empower artists to grow a profitable, fulfilling creative career
Launch day arrived, and I was set to release my collection at 2:00PM. At 2:46pm — 46 minutes EXACTLY — I had sold out completely. I was in tears.
I had created my business & successfully sold out my first collection during a PANDEMIC.
The call in my heart and soul was completely validated after all these years struggling with how I would get myself to be a professional artist.
Maw’s greatest lesson is to first believe. Believe in yourself, in your art, in your message, it all matters. It is needed. It is important. Once you believe, you can have it all.”
“MAW has been instrumental in helping me build the confidence to recognize that, as a creative, I have something meaningful to offer the world. Through this journey, I’ve learned that by staying true to myself, my art can naturally attract the right audience—those who truly resonate with my work. Thanks to MAW’s guidance and support, I was approached by two major magazines for features and invited to participate in group exhibitions internationally—opportunities that once felt out of reach.
After investing in several art business programs to take my practice to the next level, I can confidently say that Emily’s experience, empathy, and deep dedication to helping artists grow exceeded my expectations. MAW is a thoughtfully designed program that guides you step by step—from the early stages of your journey to becoming a professional artist who runs their business with confidence.”
This course is designed to empower you to grow a profitable, fulfilling creative career. Over and over again, MAKING art WORK students have said it is the best investment they have made for themselves.
“I was happy to find that Making Art Work was full of so many new creative friends, such honest conversations, and a whole lot of encouragement and support. Between year one and year two of my business I more than doubled my income and I have no doubt that it was due to Emily's encouragment and teaching along with all of the wonderful women I have met this year who encourage and lift one another up!
I was surprised to learn I actually loved marketing! The content is full and the Peer Groups are invaluable. I had made a ten-year plan to leave my full-time photography teaching job, setting up my business to be what I wanted ten years from, and [that] past September I stopped teaching and moved Atwater Designs to full-time. A plan that I excepted to take 10 years turned out to be about three and a half!”
“If you're serious about growing your art business, MAW is hands down one of the best investments you can make. I can’t recommend it enough!
Before MAW, I didn’t have a clear brand—I wasn’t even sure what branding really meant. Now, everything I create, from my artwork to my marketing, aligns visually and emotionally, making it easier to connect with the right audience.
My website was another major challenge. I’m not a fan of tech, so learning how to design a site that truly captures visitors' attention felt overwhelming. But watching Emily’s website critiques was a game-changer. Her insights helped me create a strong, inviting website that showcases my work and attracts potential buyers."
Hear from More Alumni who Invested in Themselves
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Let’s be real—if you’re still here, you feel it. You see yourself in these stories, and you know you’re ready for more. So, let’s play a game…
Put a finger down if…
✦ You’ve priced your art based on vibes (or what you think people are going to pay) instead of an actual strategy. We help you set prices that reflect your value—and sell with confidence.
✦ You dream of selling more art but feel stuck when it comes to actually marketing it. We will break down exactly how to share your work in a way that attracts collectors.
✦ You have a website... but it’s kinda meh (or non-existent). We’ll explore strategies that will help you build a site that actually converts visitors into buyers.
✦ You’re tired of throwing random art out into the world and hoping it sticks—you want a plan. I’ll guide you through how to create collections that feel cohesive, intentional, and irresistible
✦ You feel like you're doing everything yourself, and it’s exhausting. Not anymore— we’ll discuss systems, automation, and workflows that preserve time and energy.
✦ You want to go all-in on your art but aren’t sure how to make it financially sustainable. Learn how to create multiple revenue streams so your income isn’t unpredictable.
If you’ve checked off even one of these, what are you waiting for?
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTED ENROLLMENT opens Feb 11thMAKING art WORK
THE 9 WEEK SOULFUL BUSINESS MASTERCLASS FOR CREATIVES
Take the first step toward an art career *that actually work*Have you taken Making art Work? We’d love to hear how it impacted your journey. Your story could inspire the next generation of artists ready to step into their full potential.
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