In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks sit down with the phenomenal Shannon McNab to spill the tea on one of the juiciest (and frustrating) topics in the creative industry: Pricing your art. They pull back the curtain on why so many designers chronically undercharge, why no one talks numbers, and the myth that loving what you do is payment enough.

Demanding what you're worth isn't about a specific number (though Shannon drops a few hard numbers for us all). Together, the Cranks and Shannon tear down the notion that pricing art is about the product, how being willing to walk away is crucial to effective negotiation, and why the industry itself can often make effective pricing so difficult. This episode is a detailed look behind the curtain of what's driving pricing in the surface design industry.

Notable Resources

Surface Design Industry Survey [WILL LINK TO 2025 SURVEY WHEN AVAILABLE]
Graphic Arts Guild Handbook of Pricing & Ethical Guidelines
Art Brand Alliance
Book: Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office

Shannon McNab…
Shannon McNab is an American artist living in Dublin, Ireland, who has collaborated with dozens of brands like Papyrus, Cloud9 Fabrics, Design House Greetings, and Pyrex. She is currently an art agent at Jennifer Nelson Artists, where she advocates for her artists daily. When she's not working, she's cooking, cross-stitching, or walking her dog Paisley.

Website: https://www.shannonmcnab.com
Instagram: @smcnabstudio

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Two Cranky Creatives …
Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico, two experienced art entrepreneurs who reveal the realities of making a living as a creative. Expect honest, unfiltered conversations about the challenges, victories, and everything in between when navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative entrepreneur deep into the hustle or just curious about the grind, join us every other week for candid conversations packed with practical advice that goes beyond the usual sugar-coated tips.

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In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks dig into a truth that makes a lot of artists uncomfortable: the moment you sell your work, you are an entrepreneur—whether you asked for that title or not. They talk about why passion and skill don't sustain a creative career, how focusing only on "making the work" quietly sabotages your creative hustle, and why so many artists struggle with pricing, finances, and burnout. From underestimating annual expenses to ignoring basic business admin until it becomes a crisis, this conversation highlights the creative challenges many artists face but rarely talk about.

But it's not all accounting and balance sheets. Carrie and Toni take a tough-love approach to reframing what professionalism actually looks like for artists. Like how pricing must cover real costs, business admin is non-negotiable, and why charging what you're worth is critical. This episode is your reminder that treating your art like a business isn't the end of your creativity…it's how it survives.

Want More Cranky?
Join the Cranky Club on Apple Podcasts to get early access to every episode, completely ad-free. You'll also unlock the full archive — all past episodes, right at your fingertips.

Strut Your Cranky Stuff!
Let the world know you're not just creative, you're cranky too! We recently launched a line of merch on ​Bonfire​. Grab yours today!

Two Cranky Creatives …
Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico, two experienced art entrepreneurs who reveal the realities of making a living as a creative. Expect honest, unfiltered conversations about the challenges, victories, and everything in between when navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative entrepreneur deep into the hustle or just curious about the grind, join us every other week for candid conversations packed with practical advice that goes beyond the usual sugar-coated tips.

This podcast is hosted by Libsyn. Host your podcast today (affiliate link).

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks sit down with illustrator and surface designer Ali Hooten to dismantle one of the most persistent myths in the creative world: that there's a single "right" way to build a thriving creative career. From business courses to step-by-step roadmaps, creatives are constantly told that success comes from following someone else's blueprint—and when that blueprint doesn't work for us, we're quick to assume we're the problem.

But the antidote isn't another plan—it's self-awareness. Together, the Cranks and Ali dig into the nervous system side of the creative hustle, exploring how structure, flexibility, sensory triggers, and emotional wiring shape the way each of us works best. They talk about "researching your own experience" (thanks, Bruce Lee), recognizing the signals of dysregulation, and letting go of creative commitments—even profitable ones—when they choke your energy instead of fueling it. If you've ever wondered why someone else's strategy worked beautifully for them but left you spiraling, this episode will feel like a deep breath and a permission slip to build a system that actually fits you.

Ali Hooten…
Ali is an illustrator and surface designer who loves to create in a minimal style with cozy and earthy hues. She specifically enjoys designing for children and incorporates outdoor adventure themes inspired by her own family living in the Colorado mountains.

Website: https://www.coitcreative.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coitcreative/

Want More Cranky?
Join the Cranky Club on Apple Podcasts to get early access to every episode, completely ad-free. You'll also unlock the full archive — all past episodes, right at your fingertips.

Strut Your Cranky Stuff!
Let the world know you're not just creative, you're cranky too! We recently launched a line of merch on ​Bonfire​. Grab yours today!

Two Cranky Creatives …
Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico, two experienced art entrepreneurs who reveal the realities of making a living as a creative. Expect honest, unfiltered conversations about the challenges, victories, and everything in between when navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative entrepreneur deep into the hustle or just curious about the grind, join us every other week for candid conversations packed with practical advice that goes beyond the usual sugar-coated tips.

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