Resolutions for Artists

Out with the old and in with the new! Time once again to reevaluate and reassess what's working and what isn't, and do a little mental house cleaning. To be quite honest, I'm not usually the type to actually make New Year's resolutions, as I try to constantly work on self-improvement, but I never turn down an opportunity to learn how to grow as an artist. 

I created this lil questionnaire as a way for we artists to set ourselves up for success by figuring out what’s working and what isn’t within our individual art businesses, especially considering each art career is highly individualized and no two ever play out the same.

So here you go friend, I hope these resolutions and reflections really help you grow your biz in 2020! Scroll down to see the worksheet and to print out a copy for yourself too.

And if you’re really ready to level up your small art biz, or if you’d like help with technique in oils or drawing basics, remember I am available for face-to-face mentoring via webcam. Learn more [here].

Here’s a printable download for you :)

And if you’re curious, here’s the weekly checklist I just made for myself to help keep me on track:

12.20.2019

Ask an Artist 2 :: Objects vs. Artwork + Showing Artists Some Love

Welcome back to my fun segment where I answer art’s most pressing questions! Today on Ask an Artist I’ve got two excellent questions somewhat pertaining to art appreciation.

I pulled both of them from Quora where I like to hang out and help others artists from time to time. If you’d like to see some of the other artsy advice I’ve given you can check out my page here.

These questions were also featured on my last YouTube video where I give the same answers, but discuss them a little more in depth. And if you have anything you’d like answered, go ahead and leave your question in the comments below here or in the YouTube comments for a chance to have it answered on the next segment!

Q1: How do I stop simply depicting objects and start making art?

That is a very deep question, I love it! I think your ‘objects’ will become ‘art’ when your choice of subject gains meaning behind it. It’s one thing to paint a jug of milk sitting on your dining room table for example, but quite another if that jug of milk is conceptually a critique about the old fashioned notion of women being bound to role of wife/mother/provider/nurturer.

See the difference?

Base your works on something that is meaningful to you/society/your niche and even if the technical aspect remains the same, you will all of a sudden be creating art instead of rendering objects.

Personally I spent over a decade devoted to learning how to correctly portray the figure before I felt comfortable actually using my skills to get more creative and fill my works with meaning, and I’m glad I waited. It sounds like you might be hitting that point within your practice as well - how exciting!

If you would like a little help creating meaningful works or learning how to talk and write about them, check out this video I have on my YouTube channel. How to Write an Artist Statement: Motivational Step by Step!! Even if you’re not ready to sit down and write about your portfolio it could inspire your new level of art-making.

Congrats on feeling ready to move forward:)

Q2: How can I support an artist I like without spending money?

Sharing their work while giving full credit and tagging etc. is a fantastic way to help artists. It’s one of the main ways we grow! You can also help send folks their way if, for example, your friend got a new place and thinking of buying art.

If you know the artist personally sometimes you can send opportunities their way. Like if an art teaching job opens up or there’s some big art contest happening, I’ll often have a few friends forward me links when they hear about them. Definitely showing up an being supportive at any art shows is a big win too.

That’s so awesome when folks like you show artists some real love!

Make sure to drop me a question below if you’ve got anything you’d love to Ask an Artist, and remember, I’m always here for one-on-one mentoring too!

9.11.2019

How to Write a Newsletter

Today we are going to tackle a task that every serious artist should be doing on a regular basis: writing a newsletter. I know it’s easy to think that social media posting is enough and is the best way to connect with your online audience, but it’s only half the battle.

Tune in to see why it is soooo essential for any pro artist to put out a regular newsletter, and then learn a super simple formula for engaging your readers every time. A good newsletter is like a fun lil present in your audience’s inbox so don’t look at this as bullet points of your finished ‘to do’ list, try to figure out how to make it an exciting lil story of your recent artsy adventures.

Check out this newsletter here and sign up to receive mine every month here!

Choose 2-3 Exciting/Interesting Topics

• New piece of art or product

• New venture in your art biz (ie, teaching, new social media platform, new service offered, upcoming exhibition or collaboration)

• Recent achievements

• Recent difficulties

• Recent adventures (that fit in with your audience)

The Details…

• Expand each topic into 1-3 concise paragraphs and include photos and links as needed

• Break things up into bite-sized chinks to make it easy for your audience to read and digest

• Don’t make too long/ too long winded or they won’t read next time

• Include a CTA (call to action)

• Include a PS

Tips

• Be real! Be yourself and upbeat

• Use a friendly conversational tone in 1st person

• Turn any shared difficulties into a positive learning/teaching moment

• Offer exclusive content

• Occasionally offer an exclusive deal or sale

• Include clear pics of you in action or at work on a project

• Use consistent branding throughout (more branding info here)

• Have website and other pertinent info in your footer

• If you can, gather locations of subscribers so you can tailor email blasts to them about upcoming local shows or events

I use Mailchimp for my email service, but Mad Mimi and Squarespace also offer newsletter platforms as well.

It’s as easy as that folks! And if you ever need help with your own small art biz, just fill out this quick application to see if we’d be a goof fit for a little one-on-one art mentoring via webcam.

And here’s last week’s vid all about branding and looking like a pro.

8.9.2019

3 Easy Ways to Look Professional

I've got three super duper easy (and almost free!) ways for you to look professional within your art biz that you can start implementing today!

Spoiler alert: You're going to hear one specific word repeated a lot in this video, and that word is ‘Consistency’! Tune in to see how that one trait factors in to all of the facets of a growing business.

3 Easy Ways..

• Create your own brand

• Answer messages in a timely manner

• Be consistently there!

And remember, I’m available for art and art biz mentoring if you’d ever like some seasoned one-on-one advice with your own creative goals. Learn more here

Fiverr (for getting a logo made):

https://www.fiverr.com/

8.2.2019