• About
  • Musings
  • My Art
  • My Book
  • The Art of Life
  • The Business of Art
  • Connecting

The Art of The Well Lived Life ~ Musings on Art, Life and the Art of Life

The Art of The Well Lived Life

Archive for the ‘Art’ Category

  • You’re As Good As Goaled

    07 Nov 2014

    Many 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 […]

    Continue reading »

  • 6 Steps for Surviving the “Angsty Middle” of the Creative Process

    17 Oct 2014

    Change 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 […]

    Continue reading »

  • Don’t Say It! – 10 Things NOT to Say to Artists

    29 Aug 2014

    Artists 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, […]

    Continue reading »

  • What’s Your Problem?

    22 Aug 2014

    What’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 […]

    Continue reading »

  • 5 Ways to Market Your Art While Remaining True to Yourself

    12 Aug 2014

    Marketing 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 […]

    Continue reading »

  • Cheap and Easy

    08 Aug 2014

    I 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 […]

    Continue reading »

  • The Art of the Portfolio

    01 Aug 2014

    Authenticity.Art portfolio

    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?

     First be yourself.

    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...)

     

    Continue reading »

  • Hangin’ With the Herd and Drinkin’ With Baboons – Again

    27 Jun 2014

    A 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 […]

    Continue reading »

  • Just One Thing

    30 May 2014

    Just 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. […]

    Continue reading »

  • Filling the Solo Cup

    23 May 2014

    (This is a repost from July of 2013. The information is still relevant today, especially if you’re  working alone…feel free to comment or share the post with others who may benefit. ~m) I work alone.  Mostly, I write alone. I paint alone, and that’s the way I like it. Sometimes I’m coaching others, and I […]

    Continue reading »

  • Mad Monsoon

    09 May 2014

    Inhalation. 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 […]

    Continue reading »

  • Spring Cleaning

    18 Apr 2014

    Previously 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 […]

    Continue reading »

  • 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 […]

    Continue reading »

  • 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 […]

    Continue reading »

  • Hold On To Your Hat

    21 Mar 2014

    Sometimes, 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 […]

    Continue reading »

  • Series-ous Directions

    06 Mar 2014

    Having 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 […]

    Continue reading »

« Older Articles

Newer Articles »

  • Join our Tribe for Free Musings and Other Cool Stuff!


    Fill out my online form.
  • Recent Posts

    • I’m Going to Fast
    • Push Me
    • Humankind Is On A Big, Fat, Time-Out
    • Learning to Listen
    • Reigning in Your Focus
    • Making Your Moves – Embracing the Value of Moves and Changes
    • Mary Oliver Died…And I Wept
    • Living On The Margins
    • Traveling Companions – The Unknown, Fear, Faith and Now
    • I’m A Work In Progress
  • Receive my articles in your Inbox. Sign up now!

    Fill out my online form.
  • Tags

    abundance acceptance Art Art business art coaching artist Artists artsy attitude Authenticity blessings change choices coaching Creative Expression Creativity finding yourself forgiveness getting through life gifts Goal Setting Gratitude happiness Happiness at Work honoring yourself imperfection inspiration Joy at Work letting go Life life's purpose life coaching living your purpose Looking at things differently passionate living Personal Development poetry Productive Artists Productivity self development Shame Time Management Transition Women Work Satisfaction
  • Archives

    • February 2021
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • August 2019
    • June 2019
    • March 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2017
    • April 2017
    • February 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • September 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • May 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • January 2015
    • December 2014
    • November 2014
    • October 2014
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2013
    • April 2013
    • March 2013
    • February 2013
    • January 2013
    • December 2012
    • November 2012
    • September 2012
  • Tags

    abundance acceptance Art Art business art coaching artist Artists artsy attitude Authenticity blessings change choices coaching Creative Expression Creativity finding yourself forgiveness getting through life gifts Goal Setting Gratitude happiness Happiness at Work honoring yourself imperfection inspiration Joy at Work letting go Life life's purpose life coaching living your purpose Looking at things differently passionate living Personal Development poetry Productive Artists Productivity self development Shame Time Management Transition Women Work Satisfaction
  • ♣ Subscribe

    • Entries (RSS)
    • Comments (RSS)
  • Follow this blog

About*

The Art of The Well Lived Life is proudly powered by WordPress and Château Theme by Ignacio Ricci