Skip to main content

The Island awaits...

In 2019 I fulfilled my goal to have actual "stuff" to sell in my Shop. I invested in prints and matting material and a paper cutter and was able to assemble my art prints myself and sell online and at vending events.
Some events were fruitful, some were a bust-but they were all good learning experiences and helped me connect with the general public.
Heres a short list of goals and also things Im leaving behind in 2019 as I actively try to take my art career and business to the next level in 2020.

1. A bunch of low paying projects to make ends meet. Doing a bunch of low paying projects takes precious time away from doing a high paying project, working on pieces for shows (which fetch triple or quadruple digits) and creating "art art" as opposed to quick sells. My goal is for more meaningful ART ART and Im not interested in making ends meet anymore. Im tired of scrounging, hoping and having to take breadcrumbs. As someone once said "I WANT MILK IN MY CHEERIOS". I want the ends to meet and keep flowing into my savings account.
2. Things I really don't want to do
As an artist there are things I like to paint and things I hate to paint. Text, letters and intricate portraiture falls into this category. I do them to get better at them-and that is useful...but these are things I will try to not find myself doing if I can help it. I'm a Nature painter who deals with expressionism, imagination and color. The more I stay on that street the happier I am.
3. Low Balling Myself
Been there, done that! This falls into the making ends meet category. I have a talent and it's going to be paid for. Estimates will be thought out, the going rate at least AND NO LESS. This is reason number ONE that Im in the boat with the leaky hole and sinking while everyone else is on the cruise ship to vacationville. Paintings and work aren't getting prices slashed and anyone who values me will hang with this too.
4. Business Plan
Guess who's just been swimming without a plan to actually get to the island? Me. Just survive the day, swim,swim! Now it's time to actually have a plan, a map and an actual boat and name that island that's gonna be mine. Its time for business planning and talking to people in the know. Grant proposals and getting funded. I'll be going to workshops, seminars and getting in where I fit in to learn about making my business work for me.
5. PRODUCE
This should be #1 on my list. One thing the Fair taught me this year was BE PREPARED- people actually want your stuff. HAVE THE STUFF THEY WANT. Be ready so you don't have to get ready. My studio is going to get so many hours put in it this year. With two solo shows early in the new year the fires already been lit. Its time to change the game and go after the milk in my cheerios.

Last thoughts...I have been my own worst enemy in my art career. Wasting time, selling myself short, hurting myself to please others or get the bid. In order to change my situation I must change my behavior. It all starts now.
Onward to the island we go!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Addicted

  Well it's official. I am addicted. Luckily to nothing horrible. It was bound to happen. I'm addicted to the morning walk...the endorphins...the serotonin...the "me" time....the solitude....the music pumping in my ears...the nature I see and feeling like I control my day.  I'm usually up before the sun and getting as much mileage as my body allows. Sometimes it's more than others but it's always good. I'm going to add in more sprints here and there as "burst" exercises are better for me than long running sessions.  Yes, even on the weekends I'm out doing it. There is no sleeping in and admittedly I woke up at 2:30am and started having my morning coffee in preparation... Even though I will wait till much later to go out. That's how I know it's an addiction.  Currently on Week 6 and haven't missed a workout or even postponed it. I showed up for myself and made myself a priority every morning. I am proud of that and so much LESS...
2 comments
Read more

Shoot for the Stars!

Shoot for the Stars! Latest painted record featuring Han Solo AVAILABLE ($50) Theres a beautiful rain falling this Friday morning, it's a quiet steady and soft rain. The complete opposite of how it started....loud thunder cracking, waking me up from sleepyland and making my computers blink. Now it's just a little drip drip and quietude. Rain makes primering a no go since I primer outside. I am looking for the perfect large box to spray in, this will ease a lot of trouble with tree detritus landing on a barely sprayed record and wreaking havoc. My house was busy yesterday with order drop off and order pickup and then a graphic design job I was waiting to hear about popped up so I'm officially BUSY for the next two weeks at  least. Wrapping up record orders and the graphic work and I'm happy to be busy and working from home. This record featured above is up for grabs until someone grabs it. I won't have time for new vinyl for awhile so get it while it's t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ride Your Ride Your Ride

my bike Tuco, named after the Ugly One in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Lifes little surprises never cease to amaze me. I'm not exactly sure how to tell this story but I will try. A few weeks ago my Mom says she was digging around in an old dresser and found this little funny package. The package was flat and made from beer boxes, cut and taped together and a little over 12" x 12" big. On it was my Dads handwriting stating what was inside. RECORDS! And not just any records but records I had wondered what had happened to because I knew my Dad really liked them....FATS DOMINO! He had taken care and written the names of the records for safe keeping. Now they are mine to cherish.  It was like a little gift from the other side...which sometimes doesn't feel very far away. In fact most days it feels like my Dad is still right here with me. With Fathers Day happening this weekend he has been on my mind more than usual.  So yesterday I was a little surprised to ge...
Post a Comment
Read more