Are you looking for that one thing that will propel your art career forward faster than you could have imagined?
It’s easy to get lost in the quest for knowledge. Stop looking for knowledge that you already have and then get to work. Listen to your wise inner self!
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Art Marketing Action newsletter (a written version of this podcast)
Lay Out Your Curriculum (podcast)
Listen, Read, Act, Repeat (newsletter)
The Road to Peak Productivity (audio program)
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Well, Alyson, you have certainly hit a note with me. As you know I have been deeply involved in a new pigment project called, “Lessons from the Pharaoh’s Tomb.” After a trip to Egypt last December I launched a new idea to study the pigments used in tombs and temples from antiquity and paint a body of work based on those colors, all the while writing and blogging about my process including historical events and figures.
I have come to realize Egyptian history is so vast and complex it would take several lifetimes to grasp it all. Many hours have been spent scouring the Internet for useful information. These splendid searches give insight to remarkable stories and one story leads to another and another until hours go by with no actual painting taking place. Books from the library do the same.
After making the wise decision to narrow 5000 years of amazing history down to just several events and a few gods or goddesses, I started making headway. Painting #8 is now finished with 4 to go to meet my commitment of 12 for the September exhibit.
Thanks for more tips on keeping that momentum going. Margret
How amazing that this newsletter/topic arrived today.
After I finished posting my two ‘parking lot’ dreams from last night on my dream blog, I saw the email for your blog post. After I read “This Week’s Action”, I knew I had to post this comment.
The message from my 2 dreams: “Who cares where I ‘park’…just park the damn car and go to the event. Otherwise I end up staying in the parking lot, missing out on what I came to do.”
You can read the dreams at http://whileiwassleeping.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/parking/
Thank you, Alsyon, for re-enforcing the message for me.
Maureen, The Mandala Lady
http://www.TheMandalaLady.com
This week’s newsletter really hit the mark with me! The past six months I’ve focusing on gathering info about marketing my work, Cultivating Connections, and using artist interviews to try and find something that resonates with me. Something that will help push me forward. The past couple of weeks I’ve been frustrated and feel like all the info in the world isn’t going to help me. So I’ve been looking for ways to just get out there and jump in. (Yes, productive ides!) So this is just the final sign that I need to start doing. Thank you.
Hi Alyson,
I received an email from an art student at UCLA this week. She is conducting an art marketing survey, and asked that I answer a few questions on art marketing in relation to a new web site venue I am using called Foliotwist. I had no sooner written and sent a response, when your Art Marketing Newsletter arrived in my inbox. Talk about serendipity!
First, I never would have expected I’d be writing anything about art marketing. But, as I wrote the reply, it dawned on me that my experiences just might be helpful to someone starting out. I had after all, tried anything I could think of that might work, and I’d been reading everything on art marketing that I could get my hands on…..for years.
One thing I did learn from writing my reply to her, was that I HAVE accumulated a great deal of marketing “stuff”. And I’ve waded through many a trial and error, sorting out what has worked for me, and what has not. I work at this full time, but I’m still a long way away from making a living with my art work. Writing about it was an insightful excercise for me to undertake, and I am grateful Cindy took the time to write to me. I think I have learned far more than she did.
Of course, the biggest jolt was learning that I’ve been searching for the “golden key” for years, and have apparently been wasting a good deal of time at it. Especially, if it doesn’t exist. I wish someone had told me that years ago.
Wow…that’s a big one to swallow. Now how do I find the combination that will work for me?
It would surely be kind to relay that knowledge to the many graduating art students who are just starting out.
Thank you, for another great post, Alyson.
Lol, I have actually been missing your blog and many blogs in my reader this month because I have been so focused on getting work out the door. Glad to stop by only to find a reminder to stay in action:) So many of us are biz self help junkies and it is generous of you not to feed that even though it may feed your family.
Margret: I kind of think your project is a little different. I can imagine how it must feel to dig into Egyptian history. Egypt is my dream trip some day. I can’t wait to see your series!
Maureen: It took me awhile to get the connection, but I see it now. Parking lot dreams??? Interesting!
Wendy: Perfect! Just dive in!
Brenda: Thank you for taking the time to help that student. They say that if you want to learn something, teach it. Sounds like you learned a lot by replying to her.
Rebecca: I do enough feeding and need to remind everyone from time to time to keep their feet on the ground. Thanks for checking in with us!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Alyson,
Thanks for this reminder. I was away on a painting trip for 2 weeks and know what? I spent far less time online – nothing bad happened.
I accomplished more than usual and found new showing opportunities and met with several gallery owners. Know what? Gallery owners don’t care how much you search the internet, they care about the quality of your work and how productive you are… that’s it…
I’m realizing, once again, that nothing beats having an incredible body of work for advancing your career. After all, I could have all the knowledge in the world, but if I have no supply for sale, it’s all in vain.
Lori: Yes, the world keeps turning even when we turn off. I always find my Monday a lot more productive when I don’t work on the weekend. And, I’m happier when that happens.