Archive for the ‘Art’ Category
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You’re As Good As Goaled
07 Nov 2014Many years ago, I opened a volume of poetry and prayers and a colourful, folded, Post-It note fell out. On this paper I had written 5 things I wanted to accomplish. I’d written them, tucked them into the book and forgotten all about them. They incubated on the bookshelf for 2 years, then, voila, were […]
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6 Steps for Surviving the “Angsty Middle” of the Creative Process
17 Oct 2014Change is like an Oreo cookie. There’s a crispness to the beginning and end…but the middle is sticky and gooey. I suspect it’s the same with the creative process. It doesn’t matter what you create… There’s that angsty little bit in the middle. It’s sticky and gooey, but it isn’t all that sweet. Our creative […]
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Don’t Say It! – 10 Things NOT to Say to Artists
29 Aug 2014Artists are a sensitive bunch. Recently, the following list of “10 Things NOT to Say to An Artist or Crafter” has been circulating on the Internet. These comments may be considered insensitive or crass to those of us in the art field. If a potential buyer were to say some of these things to you, […]
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What’s Your Problem?
22 Aug 2014What’s your problem? Yeah, I know you have one. Or you ought to. I currently have an issue I’m working out….more often than not, I work on it in front of you all! Not this one…not yet. Cat got yer tongue? Truly, we all face different challenges at different times in our lives. Full-time artists […]
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5 Ways to Market Your Art While Remaining True to Yourself
12 Aug 2014Marketing should be a 4-letter word. At least that’s what many artists think. Generally, artists dread marketing their art. It feels so manipulative, challenging, word-driven, competitive…the list goes on. It cuts into studio time. As an artist, part of the deal is you have to market your work. Few of us have agents beating down […]
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Cheap and Easy
08 Aug 2014I give it away. I’m more than cheap and easy…I’m free. Sorry, Mom, probably not what you wanted to hear. I volunteer… a lot. Wednesday I offered to help a friend install his first solo show. After arriving and finding there was considerable framing to do, I realized what I thought would be a 3-hour […]
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The Art of the Portfolio
01 Aug 2014Authenticity.
It’s the most important thing about your art portfolio, beginning with your artist statement.
I know, you’re thinking – how could my art NOT be authentic? I created it! Well, it goes deeper than that. I know you can’t fake what you create (mostly not), but is it aligned with you? How about the rest of your portfolio? Want an awesome portfolio?
Nearly every month I deliver a professional development workshop to artists at a local arts center. Everyone there wants to be successful and happy, but some don’t want to be SEEN. We are an insecure, tender bunch, like little baby spring lettuce. Egos get easily bruised, hearts are on our sleeves, we wish for respect but don’t feel entitled to it. I get it. I’m one of you. (Please click to continue reading...)
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Hangin’ With the Herd and Drinkin’ With Baboons – Again
27 Jun 2014A little repost from July 2013 – I believe you’ll still find it relevant. “I never really have fit in” – I hear people say that all the time. “I was different. I was the black sheep,” they’ll say. After listening for some time, I realize…they wouldn’t trade belonging if it meant changing who they […]
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Just One Thing
30 May 2014Just One Thing. That’s not “just one MORE thing.” It’s just one thing. That’s all you have to do to kick off marketing your art. Last week I taught a great group of artists a workshop called “Marketing and Self-Promotion for Artists.” I offer an art business workshop each month through a local art venue. […]
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Mad Monsoon
09 May 2014Inhalation. Deep, exhilarating, thoughtful, inspiration. As I consciously decide to take a break on my series of Villages, the possibilities on new work pour in…like torrential rains. A mad, invigorating monsoon of ideas, mental snap shots and dreams begging to spring to life. It’s like drinking from a fire hose. It’s like digital information that […]
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Spring Cleaning
18 Apr 2014Previously posted as “The Urge to Purge.” This post has been modified a bit because you might need a reminder to clean up your stuff….especially if you just suffered through last year’s tax mess! Clutter You have it. That “stuff” you leave in your wake, the constant reminder there is unfinished business, loose ends, a […]
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Don’t Touch the Money!
11 Apr 2014“Don’t touch the money!” There’s a saying I’ve heard from golfers, especially when things are looking particularly promising. “Don’t touch the money” is the warning. I’m an artist and my husband is a golfer. There are many parallels between the two endeavors. Sometimes, at our dinner table, we banter about golf and art…truth. Consider […]
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The Art of Acceptance
04 Apr 2014“There’s a tightening that comes with the proficiency we achieve in whatever it is we do.” (click to Tweet) We’re a lot like children, still…and I think it’s precious. Have you ever noticed how when you’re attracted to something new, if it’s something you adore, you attack it with zeal? There’s a pure joy in […]
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Hold On To Your Hat
21 Mar 2014Sometimes, life gets crazy. You know what I mean. We artists have to wear many hats. Of course, we want to stop the “Glorification of busy.” It seems to have become either a disease or a badge of honor in our society to be “too busy.” Well, I say, “Poop on you people.” Are you […]
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Series-ous Directions
06 Mar 2014Having the vehicle and directions to get where you want to go is priceless. But, what happens when we’re in unfamiliar territory? Recently, I came to a crossroad and didn’t have a map. No stinkin’ Garmin…no road signs. Nada. Sometimes, as we’re traveling the path of our natural, creative evolution, we get lost. It may […]
