Today I contacted the local press in my community. I have been sending this writer ideas for articles about me for 7 months. Finally, I have a show in my community and thought now she will mention me in the newspaper. Well, I called her up and just as I did, she told me she was putting an announcement in the newspaper about my current show. In addition, we are going to meet for coffee where my paintings are up. The point is every writer or journalist has goals for their articles and readership, the more you understand who their audience is, the greater your success will be in getting written about.
Today I heard the words in my dreams, "A lifetime of beauty".
I have decided this will be the core vision of my work and will use it as my logo. It is critical for an artist or any business owner to have a way to translate what they do in 7 words or less than 30 seconds. I hope I have success communicating my new vision so that people experience joy when they see the beauty of my paintings.
Yesterday I took down my paintings that had been up at Border's Bookstore in Tacoma. When I made the contact for the art show, I didn't even have a business card or web site up. I knew I could not sell directly at the store and needed a way that people could connect with me. I also had rarely if ever framed any of my paintings. So, getting organized for this show was a very big deal and huge growth for me. After the paintings were up, I had no idea what to expect. As soon as they were up, I now had to price everything. That too was a big challenge but I did it. In one month, I sold 7 paintings.
What helped the sales the most was being as professional as I could be and just doing it! The other tip I have is to be as accessible as possible. Having an online presence, email, phone numbers really helped that and even an e-newsletter are all tools of the trade to create buzz.
I am getting ready to hang my paintings in a gallery. On one hand I am excited because my artwork will be viewed by many. On the other hand, I am a bit overwhelmed because there is a lot to do to get ready. My challenge is how to have fun with this and enjoy sharing my art without expectations.
Build community!! Look for ways to build a group of fans who will encourage and support your creativity.
I get easily frustrated and impatient because I want my artwork to touch many people's lives.I dream of overnight success and get upset if I don't sell anything. This goal is silly. One that will sustain me for a longer time is to focus on creating magic and fun with my art touching people's lives with beauty and love.With this as my goal, I can explore many possibilities and enjoy discovering where they lead.A network of caring friends will empower me to get there. Build community!
When I paint, I relax and let go of all the things that preoccupy me. I stop shoulding on myself. I give myself permission to just let out what I am thinking. I give myself permission to choose colors and shapes that please me. I give myself permission to change things. If I don't like something, I can make it better. If I don't like something, I can begin again. Painting nourishes my spirit and helps me to enjoy being alive.
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever." Art has impact. It moves, touches, inspires and softens life. At times, life can be very stressful. Something beautiful can simply change pain to joy in an instant.Art transforms. So, here is to the artist for having the courage to share his or her talents with us!Thank you, artists!
"Success means fulfilling your own dreams, singing your own song, dancing your own dance, creating from your heart and enjoying the journey, trusting that whatever happens, it will be OK. Go and create your own adventure today!" I said thus a long time ago and recently have found it on many web sites. When I read it, I realize how important it is to give life to your own dreams and to trust your ability to handle whatever comes up.
Today I will ponder different possiblities for paintings. I will put shapes around things that I see. Sometimes, they will be square. Sometimes, they will be in a triangle. Sometimes, they will be in a circle.
Today I will dedicate to having fun playing with shapes.
Explore your garden, choose one small branch that calls to you. Study it. Trace it. Paint it! Enjoy!!!
Nature has a way of talking. When you study something that catches your eye, let it tell you its story. Look at it from many different angles. Close your eyes and touch it. Remember what it felt like. Was it soft, hard, sinewy? Then, paint or draw it. Your art is a reflection of how much you understand your subject.
