Have you ever looked back and wondered what you’d change if you could start your creative career all over again? In this episode of the Open Studio podcast, I share the three biggest lessons I’ve learned in over a decade as a lettering artist, and what I’d do differently if I were starting from scratch today.

Whether you're a beginner lettering artist, illustrator, or creative entrepreneur, this episode offers real-world advice that can help you skip unnecessary struggles and make smarter decisions from day one.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Becca transitioned from beginner to full-time calligraphy educator
• The story behind Workshop Week (including early failures and how it grew!)
• The mindset shift from competition to community
• Tips for growing a loyal creative following
• The behind-the-scenes of building online events for artists
• Why being visible matters—and how to do it in a way that feels good

This is an honest and encouraging look at what it really takes to grow a creative career—and why you don’t have to do it alone.

🎉 Join Workshop Week for FREE!

Workshop Week is a free online event that brings together thousands of artists and creatives from all over the world. You’ll get to take live classes, connect with fellow creatives, and discover new tools for growing your art and business.

👉 Click here to register now

🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Follow Workshop Week: @theworkshopweek
Subscribe to Open Studio:
Stay up to date with the latest tips and strategies to grow your creative business by subscribing to Open Studio on your favorite podcast platform.

Workshop Week: https://www.workshopweek.co

Follow Becca on Instagram: @thehappyevercrafter

To access the full show notes for this episode, click here: ⁠⁠⁠https://martinaflor.com/podcast

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Tags: Lettering Design, Hand Lettering, Custom Typography, Creative Career, Graphic Design, Illustration, Stand Out Creative Market, Martina Flor, Open Studio Podcast, Lettering Artist, Build Creative Business, Design Specialization, Lettering Workshop, Freelance Artist

Categories: Graphic Design, Lettering, Creative Business, Career Development, Illustration

If you're an artist or lettering lover feeling isolated or unsure of how to grow your creative practice, today's episode of the Open Studio Podcast is one you can’t miss.

I sat down with Becca Courtice, modern calligrapher, instructor, and founder of the global event Workshop Week, to talk about the power of creative community. Becca has built one of the most engaged and supportive audiences in the art world—and in this conversation, she breaks down exactly how she did it.

Whether you're just starting your journey with calligraphy and lettering, or you're ready to build a brand and audience around your skills, this episode is packed with inspiration, laughs, and practical advice.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Becca transitioned from beginner to full-time calligraphy educator
• The story behind Workshop Week (including early failures and how it grew!)
• The mindset shift from competition to community
• Tips for growing a loyal creative following
• The behind-the-scenes of building online events for artists
• Why being visible matters—and how to do it in a way that feels good

This is an honest and encouraging look at what it really takes to grow a creative career—and why you don’t have to do it alone.

🎉 Join Workshop Week for FREE!

Workshop Week is a free online event that brings together thousands of artists and creatives from all over the world. You’ll get to take live classes, connect with fellow creatives, and discover new tools for growing your art and business.

👉 Click here to register now

🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Follow Workshop Week: @theworkshopweek
Subscribe to Open Studio:
Stay up to date with the latest tips and strategies to grow your creative business by subscribing to Open Studio on your favorite podcast platform.

Workshop Week: https://www.workshopweek.co

Follow Becca on Instagram: @thehappyevercrafter

To access the full show notes for this episode, click here: ⁠⁠⁠https://martinaflor.com/podcast

Listen:
SPOTIFY
APPLE PODCAST
GOOGLE PODCAST
YOUTUBE

Tags: Lettering Design, Hand Lettering, Custom Typography, Creative Career, Graphic Design, Illustration, Stand Out Creative Market, Martina Flor, Open Studio Podcast, Lettering Artist, Build Creative Business, Design Specialization, Lettering Workshop, Freelance Artist

Categories: Graphic Design, Lettering, Creative Business, Career Development, Illustration

Is Social Media Still Worth It for Artists in 2025?

If you’re an artist, designer, or illustrator wondering whether social media is still a valuable tool for growing your creative career—you’re not alone.

In Episode 189 of the Open Studio Podcast, Martina Flor tackles a question many creatives are asking in 2025:
"Is social media even worth it anymore?"

With ever-changing algorithms, declining engagement, and the pressure to show up constantly, it’s easy to feel burned out and invisible. But Martina shares a powerful shift in mindset that can help you reclaim social media as a tool—rather than a source of stress.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The real reason social media feels harder today (and what you can do about it)
• Why it’s more important to be visible than to go viral
• How to stop chasing followers and start owning your audience
• What Martina changed about her own content strategy—and why it worked

🔑 Key Takeaway:

“The goal is not to play the algorithm. The goal is to show up with intention.” — Martina Flor

Whether you're just starting out or growing your freelance business, this episode is filled with realistic and empowering advice for navigating social media as a creative in 2025.

Subscribe to Open Studio:
Stay up to date with the latest tips and strategies to grow your creative business by subscribing to Open Studio on your favorite podcast platform.

To access the full show notes for this episode, click here: ⁠⁠⁠https://martinaflor.com/podcast

Listen:
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GOOGLE PODCAST
YOUTUBE

Tags: Lettering Design, Hand Lettering, Custom Typography, Creative Career, Graphic Design, Illustration, Stand Out Creative Market, Martina Flor, Open Studio Podcast, Lettering Artist, Build Creative Business, Design Specialization, Lettering Workshop, Freelance Artist

Categories: Graphic Design, Lettering, Creative Business, Career Development, Illustration

Why You’re Not Getting Noticed (and How to Fix It)

If you’ve ever poured your heart into your creative work—only to feel like no one’s paying attention—you’re not alone. In this episode of Open Studio, I’m talking about one of the biggest frustrations creatives face: visibility. Why does it feel so hard to get noticed, and what can you do to change that?

Whether you’re a lettering artist, illustrator, designer, or creative freelancer, this episode will give you clarity on why your audience might not be finding you—and what you can start doing today to shift that.

🔍 In this episode, I cover:

• The real reason your work isn’t being seen
• The dangerous mindset trap of waiting to “be discovered”
• Why talent alone isn’t enough to build visibility
• The difference between showing up and posting aimlessly
• Actionable steps to get your work in front of the right people

💡 Key Takeaways:

You don’t need a massive following to get noticed.
You need the right people to see the right kind of work. I show you how to build that bridge in a sustainable way..

Visibility isn’t luck—it’s strategy.
Many artists wait to be picked, hoping a client or influencer will stumble across their work. In reality, building visibility is about being intentional with your presence and your message.

Your audience needs to know you exist.
The algorithm is not against you. But it’s not going to do the work for you either. This episode breaksdown how to create connection, not just content.

Subscribe to Open Studio:
Stay up to date with the latest tips and strategies to grow your creative business by subscribing to Open Studio on your favorite podcast platform.

To access the full show notes for this episode, click here: ⁠⁠⁠https://martinaflor.com/podcast

Listen:
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GOOGLE PODCAST
YOUTUBE

Tags: Lettering Design, Hand Lettering, Custom Typography, Creative Career, Graphic Design, Illustration, Stand Out Creative Market, Martina Flor, Open Studio Podcast, Lettering Artist, Build Creative Business, Design Specialization, Lettering Workshop, Freelance Artist

Categories: Graphic Design, Lettering, Creative Business, Career Development, Illustration

How do you build a sustainable career as a freelance illustrator today?

In this inspiring episode of Open Studio Podcast, Martina Flor sits down with James Hughes—illustrator, educator, and creator of The Illustrator’s Guide—to unpack what it really takes to grow a creative business from the ground up.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to turn your side hustle into a full-time career, James offers a real-world look into the mindset shifts, strategies, and tools that helped him go from uncertain beginnings to running a thriving online platform for illustrators.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• 🎯 Why mindset is the foundation of a sustainable freelance career
• 💌 How James uses email newsletters to build trust and connect with clients
• 🧠 The power of teaching others—and what it taught him about his own creative journey
• 📉 How to navigate the real-life challenges of freelance work without burning out
• 🚀 What it means to define success on your own terms

This isn’t a sugar-coated story. It’s an honest look at the ups and downs of working independently—and how you can grow both creatively and financially while staying true to yourself.

About James Hughes

James is the founder of The Illustrator’s Guide, where he helps freelance illustrators build profitable, sustainable careers. Follow him on Instagram @jameshughesdraws.

Subscribe to Open Studio:
Stay up to date with the latest tips and strategies to grow your creative business by subscribing to Open Studio on your favorite podcast platform.

To access the full show notes for this episode, click here: ⁠⁠⁠https://martinaflor.com/podcast

Listen:
SPOTIFY
APPLE PODCAST
GOOGLE PODCAST
YOUTUBE

Tags: Lettering Design, Hand Lettering, Custom Typography, Creative Career, Graphic Design, Illustration, Stand Out Creative Market, Martina Flor, Open Studio Podcast, Lettering Artist, Build Creative Business, Design Specialization, Lettering Workshop, Freelance Artist

Categories: Graphic Design, Lettering, Creative Business, Career Development, Illustration

The Power of Personal Projects and Building a Career on Your Own Terms – Interview with The Angry Designer (Part 2)

In this second part of my candid conversation with The Angry Designer Podcast, we dive deep into the creative mindset and the business of lettering. If you've ever wondered how to turn your creative passion into a sustainable career—or how to find your voice in a saturated industry—this is the episode for you.

We explore what it really takes to build a long-lasting career in lettering design, how personal projects have been game-changers in my journey, and why mentorship has become a central part of my mission.

Whether you're a graphic designer, illustrator, lettering artist, or simply a creative soul looking for inspiration and direction, you’ll find practical advice and mindset shifts you can start applying today.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why personal projects matter more than ever
• My complete creative process from idea to final vector artwork
• Why Adobe Illustrator is still the go-to tool for professional lettering artists
• How I balance business, motherhood, and art (spoiler: it’s not about being perfect)
• The real impact of mentorship and helping others grow
• How to create a body of work that truly reflects your voice
• Why you don’t need permission to start doing what you love

💬 Favorite Quote from This Episode:

“When you create work that reflects who you are, you start attracting the projects you were meant for.”

Subscribe to Open Studio:
Stay up to date with the latest tips and strategies to grow your creative business by subscribing to Open Studio on your favorite podcast platform.

To access the full show notes for this episode, click here: ⁠⁠⁠https://martinaflor.com/podcast

Listen:
SPOTIFY
APPLE PODCAST
GOOGLE PODCAST
YOUTUBE

Tags: Lettering Design, Hand Lettering, Custom Typography, Creative Career, Graphic Design, Illustration, Stand Out Creative Market, Martina Flor, Open Studio Podcast, Lettering Artist, Build Creative Business, Design Specialization, Lettering Workshop, Freelance Artist

Categories: Graphic Design, Lettering, Creative Business, Career Development, Illustration