Artist and educator Elizabeth St. Hilaire shares how she built a successful online course business teaching art. She covers course creation, marketing for creatives, student engagement, using Patreon, and growing a mailing list—offering practical insights for artists balancing creativity and income.

Elizabeth St. Hilaire is a mixed-media visual artist, author, instructor, and the founder of Paper Paintings.

In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Elizabeth discuss:

• The Evolution of Teaching Methods
• Course Development and Feedback Loops
• Marketing Strategies for Online Courses
• Building and Growing a Mailing List
• Utilizing Patreon for Additional Income
• Balancing Multiple Income Streams
• Engagement in Self-Study Courses
• Quality and Consistency in Course Offerings
• The Challenges of Marketing Art Courses
• Strategies for Engaging Students in Art Education

“Patreon has been a great income stream for me.”

— Elizabeth St. Hilaire

Elizabeth St. Hilaire is a renowned mixed-media artist, instructor, and author recognized for her innovative approach to collage. Using hand-painted papers, she creates dynamic works celebrated for their bold color, intricate detail, and layered depth. Her art has been exhibited internationally and featured in prominent publications such as The Artist’s Magazine, Acrylic Artist Magazine, Cloth Paper Scissors, and Southern Living.

A Signature Member of the National Collage Society, St. Hilaire holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Syracuse University and has spent over 20 years exploring and refining her unique methods. She is the author of Painted Paper Art Workshop and has written numerous books and instructional guides to inspire artists around the globe.

Known for her engaging teaching style, St. Hilaire travels widely to lead workshops, sharing her passion for creativity and the transformative power of collage. Her work has extended beyond gallery walls, appearing on textiles, home decor, and more, making her a leader in the modern collage movement.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:
Mirasee
Ruzuku
Elizabeth’s website: PaperPaintings.com

Credits:
Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe Crystal
Producer: Michi Lantz
Editor: Andrew Chapman
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

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Music credits:
Track Title: Bossa BB
Artist Name: Marie
Writer Name: Chelsea McGough
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Coo Coos
Artist Name: Dresden, The Flamingo
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Grace
Artist Name: Shimmer
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Track Title: Carousel Lights
Artist Name: Chelsea McGough
Writer Name: Chelsea McGough
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Special effects credits:
24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.