Building a Sustainable Art Career (without chasing the algorithm) with Jason Freeny

In this episode of The Professional Artist Podcast, sculptor and designer Jason Freeny is featured by the Professional Artist Association (https://professionalartist.com/join), the world's fastest-growing global community for committed fine artists. Jason is an American artist celebrated for his imaginative anatomical dissections of toys and pop-culture icons. Blending childlike wonder with scientific precision, his work invites viewers to rediscover the familiar through a lens of curiosity and play. A graduate of Pratt Institute, Jason began his career in illustration before transitioning to sculpture, where he built a global following through collectible toy designs, brand collaborations, and exhibitions that fuse nostalgia with innovation. In this deep dive, Jason shares candid insights from his evolution as both artist and entrepreneur… from discovering his signature voice and transforming a viral idea into a sustainable career, to building a global brand around designer toys and licensed collaborations. He also opens up about finding balance between creativity and commerce in an ever-changing digital landscape. This episode offers refreshing perspective and practical advice for artists navigating visibility, authenticity, and longevity in a world driven by trends and technology. “Don’t spend all your energy chasing some algorithm online, because that algorithm will beat you every single time. So just do what you enjoy, because in the end, that’s all that matters.” – Jason Freeny Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Jason’s Artistic Identity: Blending Playfulness, Anatomy, and Design 02:05 Exploring Signature Works: The Anatomical Barbie Doll 06:34 Early Influences: Family, Education, and Discovering Industrial Design 09:35 From Painting to Sculpture: Shifting Creative Direction 10:28 Working in Design and the Toy Industry: Lessons in Creativity and Commerce 12:25 The Breakthrough Moment: Balloon Dog Anatomy and Viral Success 14:10 Finding Originality: Evolving Style and Self-Discovery 16:40 Building a Global Brand: Licensing, Collaboration, and Growth 20:59 Navigating Marketing and Visibility in the Digital Age 24:21 Adapting to Technology: 3D Printing, Production, and Limited Editions 26:21 Final Reflections: Authenticity, Curiosity, and True Creative Success Access the members-only full unabridged conversation here: https://hub.professionalartist.com/c/deep-dives-vault/jason-freeny Resources: - Mighty Jaxx: https://www.mightyjaxx.com/ - Pratt Institute: https://www.pratt.edu/ - University of Maryland: https://www.umd.edu/ Connect with Jason: - Website: https://www.jasonfreeny.com/ - Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/gummifetus/ Learn more about The Professional Artist Association: - Join 50,000+ artists getting Free advice & inspiration: - https://professionalartist.com/podcast/#join-free-artist-letter - Join ≈1,000 committed artists around the world for less than $1, £ or € a day: https://professionalartist.com/join - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalartistaccelerator Free training and resources: - Free training on how to find art buyers without a big following: https://professionalartist.com/find-your-next-3-fine-art-collectors/?utm_source=PODCAST&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=2025-06 - Free insider report on how Painters, Sculptors, and Fine Art Photographers make their art income stable and consistent: https://professionalartist.com/report/?utm_source=PODCAST&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=free_report If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with another artist and leave us a comment. We read every single one.