This week on the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m chatting with artist and former tech entrepreneur Shirley Yang Crutchfield about her journey from startup founder to luxury portrait artist.

After stepping away from a successful career and becoming a mother, Shirley found herself facing an identity crisis that ultimately led her back to art. Through years of experimentation, she discovered a unique niche creating highly detailed portraits of accomplished women using traditional 24-karat gold water gilding techniques.

We talk about finding your niche, building a personal brand, creating meaningful client experiences, and balancing ambition with fulfillment. Shirley shares how she transformed a centuries-old gilding process into a modern celebration of women who have overcome challenges and built remarkable lives. We also discuss pricing, marketing, collaborations, social media, PR, and the importance of creating work that feels authentic to who you are.

If you're trying to figure out what you want to be known for as an artist, or you're navigating a major life or career transition, this episode is for you.