Here’s to the mothers who are artists. And to the mothers who raise healthy, informed artists who make the world a better place.
To My Mom . . . Who is forgiven for not taking me to museums because she didn’t want me to misbehave in public. (She was probably right.)
An Appreciation of Mothers and of My Mom Read
I’m sure you’ve been to group meetings where you thought to yourself, What in the world am I doing here? Those are groups you want to exit quickly. No sense hanging around.
Maybe it’s just not the right group for you. Or maybe it’s because it’s not well organized. I used this special podcast to talk— just me—about artist groups.
Being an artist is lonely and most artists need to spend time around others to thrive. There are 4 primary reasons to be part of an organized and well-run group.
And there are 4 attributes to pay attention to in an artist group that should match your goals and ambition.
I also give you a few red flags to look out for.
Do listen to the full podcast (it’s shorter than most) and take notes. After nearly three decades witnessing hundreds of artist groups thrive and fail, I have a few thoughts that could save you time and frustration when you’re looking for your tribe.
The Art Biz ep. 20: How to Choose the Right Artist Group for You Read
I’ve taken great pride in the fact that I’ve written a weekly newsletter since March 30, 2002 without ever missing an issue.
It’s a story I’ve recounted repeatedly. Until now. I skipped last week’s (April 26, 2018) edition – on purpose.
I did it because I want to own a better story.
I don’t want to be known as the woman who wrote a weekly newsletter for more than 16 years.
I want to be known as the woman who changed the lives of artists for the better. I had to let go of the old story in order to make room for something better.
When my newsletter started, there were no other weekly newsletters to help artists with their businesses. There were probably others that were less frequent, but I don’t believe they lasted.
There was no Art Biz Blog, which kicked off on November 30, 2004. I remember spelling b-l-o-g for my workshop attendees before explaining such a foreign concept to them. Can you imagine?
There was no Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or Pinterest in 2002. No podcast, webinars or Facebook Live.
I had to describe to my artist-followers (in painstaking detail) how to listen in on a teleseminar by simply dialing on their phones. You would have thought I was giving them directions to Mars.
Remember those days? Man, I’m feeling old right now (but can we agree to refer to me as “seasoned” rather than using the o-word?).
The world is noisier today, and you are more tech savvy than you ever thought you’d have to be (or ever wanted to be). You have loads of information at your fingertips, which presents a different problem.
With so much knowledge available, it’s difficult to discern what’s critical from what is noise that will throw you off your path.
What you need instead of more emails is
Sifting Through Noise that Throws You Off Course Read
Whenever a new class begins, I receive plenty of questions.
The gist of the questions is: This class looks enticing, but is it right for me?
Most often, my response isn’t a simple Yes or No, but a volley of questions in return intended to help the inquisitor come to a conclusion.
Here’s what those questions look like.
The lessons in Creative Content Camp can be consumed and implemented from anywhere in the world as long as there is connectivity.
On the other hand, the organizing class I previously taught required organizing a physical space. That’s a program you wouldn’t want to be away for.
If you’re going to be on vacation for one or more of the lessons, the decision whether or not to enroll in a class depends on your answers to a couple of (more) questions:
I tell students that
How to Decide if a Class or Workshop is Right for You Read
Not too long ago, I sat down to figure out what I was going to do with my book, I’d Rather Be in the Studio. The first edition was published in 2008 and the last e-book-only edition in 2015.
While most if it is still relevant, it could probably use an update.
How could I freshen it up and get it back into print? It has been a valuable resource to artists and students all over the world.
Then I got a big knot in my stomach. I realized that I don’t want to freshen it up.
I am not the same person who wrote this 10 years ago. It would be completely different if I wrote it now.
It doesn’t make sense to freshen up something I no longer feel connected to.
So … I’m exploring new book topics.
I realize that it could be a very bad idea indeed to ask this, but I’m doing it anyway.
What book should I write?
What book do you need that has yet to be written? Do you have an inkling?
What book would delight you to hold in your hands?
What Book Should I Write? (Curious Monday) Read
All is right with the world. I have proof.
I’m at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to see the Matisse/Diebenkorn exhibition. I arrive early with Rob, my trooper of a husband. He’s agreed to be my companion through the permanent collection galleries before our afternoon ticket time.
What I witness restores my faith in humanity.
Here’s how it goes down.
As a former museum educator, I know that it’s wise to avoid school tours in the galleries. If I had thought about that, I might have visited later in the day. But then I wouldn’t have been fortunate enough to have had this experience.
There is at least one group in each of the galleries. Most students have assignments and a docent.
One docent teaches native Spanish speakers how to say Marcel Duchamp.
Mahr-sel’ Du’-shahn
They giggle.
She stands in front of Duchamp’s Fountain and asks: Is it art? They are pretty certain it isn’t. It’s a urinal, for Pete’s sake.
I don’t stick around to hear more of their reasoning. I already feel like I’m an intruder.
I’m less interested in the art history lecture than in the way these kids are fully engaged with the art. They are hanging on every word she says.
My husband finds me and asks what I’m up to. “This docent is awesome,” I say.
Then I catch a glimpse of another heartwarming scene.
Life Is Beautiful and I Have Proof Read
I am writing this draft in Evernote on my iPad while taking the light rail train into Denver to see a few art shows.
When I want a document that I will reuse and share with students, clients, or my team, I create it in Word, Pages, or Google Docs.
When I want to save drafts of documents or to store something to remember, it goes straight to Evernote where I can access it across devices.
Evernote is an app that organizes information into digital notes and notebooks. It would be impossible for me to keep track of all the information I need to without it.
Here’s a peek at how I use Evernote in my life and business along with suggestions for how you might use it in your art career.
This might be my favorite use of Evernote. In your Travel notebook you might store:
You might also store travel information for your family or for friends who are visiting.
One of the problems I hear most often from artists is that they don’t have anything to say. And this is a problem when so much of your marketing is based on the written word.
No more worries! The minute you have a bright idea, you can start a note in Evernote. Save drafts for:
Organize Your Busy Art Career with Evernote Read
A few days before Christmas is the perfect time to share some of my favorite things with you: business and personal tips, recipes, online email classes, and products I love.
Skip the famous eggnog recipe at the end at your own peril. Merry merry!
IPhone Class
Emil Pakarklis offers loads of info in his complimentary video tutorial for hacking your iPhone camera: 7 Hidden iPhone Camera Features That Every Photographer Should Use. I learned a ton and I didn’t even get to all of his lessons.
Later’s IG Email Class
Later.com is an online service that allows you to schedule your Instagram posts. They also have a fantastic free e-mail course on using Instagram for Business and regular tips via email when you sign up.
It’s totally worth it to learn more about taking advantage of Instagram. Check out their blog, too.
Seize The Year Calendar
You gotta have a wall calendar to see the rhythm of your year. I heard about this find via Jane La Fazio who I believe got turned on to it by Patti Digh. This wall calendar is uber functional and attractive.
The clincher is the way the months run into one another instead of being compartmentalized.
I also love that this calendar isn’t
A Few of My Favorite Things Read
When I heard about Architecture’s Odd Couple, the new bio about Frank Lloyd Wright and Philip Johnson, I couldn’t wait to read it.
I have a thang for architecture, and reading about the friendly rivalry between these two opposites was too appealing to pass up.
It’s my summer reading.
What’s on your list?
What Are You Reading This Summer? (Curious Monday) Read
At year’s end, a look back at the top posts here from the past year. Top 6 Most-Commented-On Posts Yep, It’s Art and It’s for Sale Many artists seem are shocked when people don’t understand that your work is for sale. And, yet, you’re not doing enough to clue them in. Your Job Is in the
Top Art Biz Blog Posts of 2014 Read
Get a transcript of episode 182 of The Art Biz (Rethinking Mailing Lists for Artists) followed by a 3-page worksheet to evaluate the overall health and usage of the 3 types of artist lists.
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You’ll also receive my regular news for your art business.
