Inspiration and Motivation

We’re Darn Lucky

We’re lucky to be artists. We’re lucky we can make and share our work with the world. We’re lucky we can inspire, move, compel, question. But we’re luckiest when . . . [...]

Never blame anyone for your perceived failures. When you assume control, you bask in your successes – knowing that they were hard-earned. Likewise, you must also accept responsibility when things go wrong. [...]

12 Artist Resolutions to Steal for 2012

One of my first-ever free gifts for subscribers to my newsletter was a list of Artist Resolutions. Today – being January 1 and all – seems like as good a time as any to update and share. Steal and adapt what feels true to you. [...]

Good Riddance < Deep Thought Thursday

Yesterday was the annual mass shredding in New York’s Times Square. The idea is to get rid of the bad memories from the year and prepare for better days ahead. What will you shred/erase/burn/banish from 2011? [...]

Make It Happen – Like Santa

Instead of making excuses, ask yourself: “How can I make this happen?” [...]

Business You Is Looking After the Artist You

Guest blogger Heidi Spiegel has created two characters: the Artist Me and the Business Me. She says one is committed to making art, while the other believes in the art enough to support and promote it. [...]

Attracting Good Karma

From time to time I have a virtual run-in with a subscriber or customer who doesn’t wait for a response before shooting off spiteful emails. This has happened to me twice in the last month, whereas it usually happens once every year or two. Whenever this happens, I question what I do and who I am. This is exactly what the author of the email wants and I know it. I write this post for myself as much as for you. [...]

Make It Up As You Go Along

You don’t have to have all the answers before beginning a project. Whether it’s trying a new medium in the studio, writing a how-to book, or teaching a class, just dive in! Don’t worry about how others do it. You will learn the ropes. Yes, you’ll make mistakes, but you would have made those anyway. [...]

6 Be’s of the Art Biz

Guest blogger Mara Purl is an actress-turned-writer-performer-producer. The central character in her soon-to-be-released book is a fine artist. In this post, Mara shares what she calls the Be’s of the Art Biz: Be Authentic, Be Brave, Be Persistent, Be in Integrity, Be in Experience, and Be Creative. [...]

Interview with Patricia Albers, Author of Joan Mitchell, Lady Painter: A Life

I asked biographer Patricia Albers about what drew her to Mitchell’s story, how she approached her writing, and how she came to terms with Mitchell’s difficult personality. [...]