by Alyson Stanfield on December 15, 2009
What would you save first if a hurricane or tornado were headed your way?
How would you go about salvaging the wreckage after a flood or earthquake?
Do you have a fire safety plan in place?
Even if you don’t live in a place considered to be prone to natural disasters, you still need to be prepared for more localized disasters like studio fires and broken pipes.
Enter The Studio Protector
The Studio Protector (The Artist’s Guide to Emergencies) was created by the esteemed Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), whose mission is to strengthen and sustain the careers of artists by building emergency readiness and relief support.
The Studio Protector–which is wall-mounted, like a calendar–helps you create and implement a plan. It features two spinning wheel charts that explain how artists can plan ahead for emergencies and reduce the impact of a disaster. Five “pocket protectors” or pullout guides provide detailed information about what to do in the minutes before a disaster strikes, how to clean up after a calamitous event and how to salvage fire and water damaged items.
The Studio Protector wall version also coordinates with an online e-version that goes more into depth on disaster readiness, response, and recovery.
The Studio Protector is only $16 and proceeds go to support the production and distribution of artists’ emergency resources. This would be a great gift for any artist, but make sure you also have one of your own. Find out how to order.
I’m a huge fan of and donor to CERF and receive nothing for promoting this–other than the satisfaction of helping you prepare for an emergency and further supporting CERF’s efforts.
by Alyson Stanfield on December 14, 2009
You’ve been going at it all year! “Do this, try that,” I advise. You do. You try. But then you look back at that task list and become discouraged. The tasks keep multiplying.
Hold it! There will always be more to do--more than you have time for. Instead of thinking about what you still want to achieve, focus on acknowledging all you have done.
Take time to write down your accomplishments for the past year. Don’t try to do it all at once. Dedicate a page in your journal or create a document on your computer to which you can add over the course of the next few weeks. (I recommend writing it all out by hand. It seems more satisfying.)
Here is an inventory of questions to get you started. In 2009 . . .
Susan Robertson, Tridor. Ceramic sculpture. ©The Artist
How did you promote your art?
What did you do to enhance your online presence?
What technological skills did you learn or improve?
How many people did you add to your mailing list?
Who were the top ten cool or influential people you met?
Whom did you mentor or help out?
Did you create a new business card, portfolio, or other marketing piece?
What medium or skill did you attempt or master?
What did you try that was completely new?
What did you try that was uncomfortable, but helped you grow?
What worthy cause did you support in some way?
What new art events, galleries, and museums did you visit?
What resources did you discover?
How did you improve your studio habits?
What books did you read to help your career? What videos or films were useful?
What seminars/workshops/lectures did you attend or teach?
How did you enhance your office or studio environment?
What organizations were you involved with?
What grants/honors/awards did you receive?
What articles were written about your work?
What exhibits, grants, contest, etc. did you submit your art to?
Where did you save a wad of money?
What was the single best thing that happened to your art career in 2009?
After you’ve written everything down, give thanks. Be grateful for the energy you found, the people you came across, and the experiences you learned from. If you feel like sharing, post your accomplishments on your blog. Then . . .
Celebrate!
FINAL WORD: There will always be more to do, but you’ll be amazed at all you have accomplished.
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