What does it really take to build a sustainable art career online… without being salesy, aggressive, or losing the joy in your work?
In this episode of The Professional Artist Podcast, contemporary painter Marnie McKnight is featured by the Professional Artist Association (
https://professionalartist.com/join), the world’s fastest-growing global community for committed fine artists.
Marnie is an internationally collected Australian artist best known for her abstract paintings and Light Reading series. Emerging in 2016, she has become one of Bluethumb’s top-selling artists, with work held in private and corporate collections across more than 25 countries. Her paintings are defined by restrained palettes, emotional clarity, and a quiet warmth that invites viewers to slow down.
Rather than relying on traditional sales tactics, Marnie built her career online by focusing on visibility, consistency, and trust. She credits the internet with making her career possible… allowing collectors to encounter her work naturally and connect with it on their own terms.
In this episode, Marnie breaks down how artists can sell work without feeling like a salesperson, what actually helps collectors feel comfortable buying art online, and how steady, long-term sales are built through presence rather than pressure.
This conversation offers a grounded look at building an online art career rooted in joy, human connection, and a clear visual language that collectors return to again and again.
“What I'm trying to do in my art is actually get back the childlike quality of painting.
Just that rawness and that joy out of painting.”
— Marnie McKnight
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
03:13 The Importance of Joy and Human Connection in Art
04:19 Tips for Selling Art Without Being Pushy
05:26 The Impact of Online Visibility on Art Sales
06:44 Finding Inspiration in Literature
08:31 The Shift from Abstract to Figurative Painting
10:10 Building Personal Connections with Collectors
11:59 The Role of Color and Style Consistency
13:42 Navigating the Challenges of Online Art Sales
14:44 Creating Artwork with Meaning and Intention
16:51 Balancing Business with Artistic Expression
18:26 The Power of Community Support in Art
19:58 Encouragement for Emerging Artists
Access the members-only full unabridged conversation here:
Links to artworks discussed:
- Her artworks can be seen in the YouTube version of this podcast here.
Resources
Connect with Marnie
Learn more about The Professional Artist Association:
Free training and resources:
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What is The Professional Artist Podcast: Art Business Transformations?
If you want to make it in the art world, talent is key - but so is mastering the business side. The Professional Artist Podcast is where fine artists and commerce meet.
Co-hosts Miguel L. Mayher and Cristina Demiany guide visual artists through an audio gallery, exploring how to show and sell your art, land commissions, apply for artist grants, license your art, and much more.
This is where your art career begins to grow.
Miguel L. Mayher is the Director of Education at the Professional Artist Association. Previously, he worked with Google Arts & Culture, striking partnerships with national museums. He is also a Global Economic Symposium Young Fellow and a One Young World Ambassador.
Cristina Demiany is a Senior Art Business Coach at the Professional Artist Association. She formerly served as Senior Program Manager at Sotheby’s Institute of Art and as Executive Director of the National Children’s Chorus.
The Professional Artist Association is a global organization dedicated to providing real-world education for visual artists, including painters, sculptors, and fine art photographers.