Ep: 7 How Artists Get Paid with Ray Beldner

In this episode I sit down with Ray Beldner, an artist, educator, and longtime mentor who shares his journey through the art world and how building community, mentorship, and practical knowledge have shaped his career. Ray opens up about moving from San Francisco to the Sierra foothills and now to Dallas and how those changes impacted his life and work. We talk about what’s missing from traditional art education, how the outdated gallery model limits artists, and why connecting with art consultants has completely changed how he supports himself as an artist. Ray also shares how building community, from local salons to Tuesday morning Zoom calls, creates space for artists to help each other, share information, and make the art world a little less mysterious. In this episode we talk about ✨ Why Ray believes there needs to be more mentorship and community for younger artists✨ How his professional practices class helped artists understand how the system works✨ The exact ways Ray would reform art school from core programs to alumni networks✨ How art consultants help artists sell work every day and how to connect with them✨ The many ways artists can build community in person and online✨ Why making a lot of work and being ready matters before approaching art consultants✨ How his Tuesday Morning Salon became a place where artists can gather ask questions and help each other This conversation is a reminder that being an artist is a practice a lifestyle a career and a job and that we need to be very clear eyed about what we’re doing and how we’re putting it out there Connect with Ray Website and Mailing List http://www.raybeldner.com Connect with Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejustinealmaraz/Website: http://justinealmaraz.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JustineArtStudio I’d love to connect