How do you know what to focus on when?

But what if I’m a creative free spirit and I don’t like to be boxed into one style, theme, medium or project?

A little something I learned the hard way ~ (but you can learn it now!) unfortunately for us Free Spirits the “I don’t want to be BOXED IN” approach is a no go strategy when it comes to having a thriving career as an Artist.

In today’s episode I share how I choose my creative focus, and then prioritize the steps to make it happen!

Join me for the Sell A Piece of Art Workshop + Coaching Week starting March 14

Register at sellymyartthisweek.com

Have you ever thought you were clear on your "priorities" only to realize that something else always comes first?

And is what comes first, something you want or something for someone else?

This year I was introduced to one concept that was a huge wake-up call for me in terms of getting to the bottom of what matters most to me - not anyone else.

Continuing on in our first of the year mini planning series, in today's episode I'm introducing you to a simple exercise to help you understand why you may be letting everything and everyone else be the priority ~ and how to begin staying in integrity with yourself and what you value most.

Join me for the Profitable Artist Planning Challenge

Click here to Register

It's become tradition!

A couple of years ago I started sharing a behind the scenes studio wrap up of what worked and what didn't when it came to my art practice and my creative business.

And how did it impact my personal life?

One of my best years in business thus far, a lot of progress made, and definitely more room for improvement in one area I was struggling with last year.

The question is which one will I choose to interpret my overall year?

Guess what! The first OFFICIAL Small Studio Sunday (on the day!) is this WEEKEND!

First and foremost ~ Happy Thanksgiving to my US friends celebrating today. 

Filled with extra gratitude for you, our listener, blog visitor and friend of Creative Thursday. Endless thank you's for taking time to join me here on this and every Creative Thursday.

Time to get excited because Small Studio Sunday, a little idea I had driving home from Thanksgiving holiday in 2018 is now an online art event + pop-up gallery featuring 60+ Artists. It kicks-off this Saturday for our special Preview Party invitees. Are you on the list?

Sign-up here to get the official invite! smallstudiosunday.com

Last Small Studio Sunday, our first official event, I hosted a Clubhouse chat with several of the Small Studio Sunday Artists sharing their tips on how to kickstart your creativity.

I know you're going to love this one.

Get ready to be inspired and in honor of saving you time on note taking, we've made a downloadable cheat sheet for you with all of the tips listed so you can refer back to it any time you're looking for a little creative inspiration.

Cheers!

Download 15 Ways to Kickstart Your Creativity here.

I've also re-opened the Creative Thursday online shop, first with a collection of original holiday keepsakes followed by a curated gift shop. The deck featured above is The Expansive Artists affirmation deck for Creatives. 

You can purchase your deck right here...and stay tuned for special treats including the Creative Thursday Planner launching on Small Studio Sunday.

YOU GOT THIS! xoxo

Did it really start with a wedding invitation?

Cozy up, get comfy, grab a little cup of eggnog (too soon?) tea? wine? Today I have story to share with you.

Looking back, I see it so clearly now, I think this story may have been the moment Creative Thursday actually began.

It was definitely the moment I started to follow my creative calling and discover my voice as an Artist.

Can the bustle of the holidays really be a good time to connect with your creativity, especially if it's been dormant all year?

In today's episode I share with you some suggestions of how you can reconnect to your creativity and tap into new ideas now or any season.

The holiday shop is OPEN!

This is just a preview with more treats + festivities to come over the Small Studio weekend.

Be sure to join us for the virtual art event + pop-up gallery featuring 60 + Artists smallstudiosundayinvite.com

Does that monster creep up on you too?

O.V.E.R.W.H.E.L.M

How do you handle it? 

On a coaching call, one of my business mentors shared a perspective on overwhelm that stopped me in my tracks. 

And this subtle shift, or rather WAKE UP CALL, around how to deal with overwhelm, has been a game changer in how I move through my days.

Not that the sneakly little Overwhelm monster doesn't try to creep back into my routine, but now I know how tame him and get sh*t done efficiently, with way more peace.

In today's episode I share with you another eye-opening definition of Overwhelm along with exactly what to do when you feel it coming on.

Besides give it a hug 💖

Join me for Artful Selling in January. Grab your spot on the waitlist here.

Come celebrate + support Independent Artists and Makers, and do some thoughtful holiday shopping for wonderfully warm and unique gifts on Sunday November, 28.

https://smallstudiosundayinvite.com/

Or rather, do you plan?

And if not, why not?

And if yes! tell me. Paper or Digital?

And if paper what are your non-negotiables when it comes to your favorite planners.

Do you habit track?

Do you do 90 day plans, yearly, monthly? or are you lucky if you just manage to chicken scratch a to do list?

Are you a bullet journaler?

Lined or Plain paper?

Maybe you heard, I'm cooking up a (creative) plan(ner)...and I'd love to hear from you.

Drop me a dm @creativethursday on instagram

And enjoy this week's episode!

Nope, not talking about your day job in this episode.

We're talking about the days when your dream "job" working for yourself, isn't working out the way you hoped.

What's your go to? How do you handle those days when you just aren't sure if this making a living as an artist is really right for you? In this episode, I share with you one of my go to's when those challenging moments come up.

Join me for the special live workshop (+ replay recording if you can't join us live) "How to Effectively Use Social Media to Market your Art" https://socialmediaforartists.shinepages.com/

Coming to you with a special Sunday edition of the podcast.

In 2000, I started to ask myself the question, if I truly believed I could follow my dreams and become anything I want to be in this world, would this path I'm currently on, be the one I'd choose? It was answering that question that ultimately lead me to finally acknowledging that I always wanted to become an Artist.

When I was easing my way into the belief that I could be an Artist, I found great comfort in listening to any and all stories from people who had been where I was, chose to pursue their passions and made it.

I couldn't get enough of these stories. Let's be honest I still can't get enough.

What has become my check-in, I still ask myself that question, which invites me to keep dreaming bigger. And it's listening to stories from the inspiring people out ahead of me on the journey that keeps me appreciating how far I've come and enthusiastically focused forward on all the goodness that is yet to come!

I can talk endlessly about my passion for mentoring The Expansive Artists how inspired I am by their kind + generous spirits, dedication to their dream, and their incredible progress every week, not to mention their beautiful art!

But today I invite them to share their stories, and experience as a member of The Expansive Artists to inspire you and give you more insight into what it's like to work with me and be a part of our incredible community if you're thinking about joining us this time!

Enjoy a recording from a recent live chat.

The Doors to The Expansive Artists are OPEN! only until Tuesday, September 21 @ 11:59 pm PDT

Join us https://theexpansiveartists.com/

The Artists featured: (click on their names below to be taken to their websites)

Eliza Day-Green

Sarah Kelly

Jo. D Livingston

Marisa Montaldi

Marie -Laure Delage-Carlson

Repeat after me: “I am an artist.”

In today’s episode we continue the conversation kicked off last week about what having your own art business will make possible for you, and  today I answer a question inspired one of our Expansive Artist members, Michelle about “How to find Your Artistic Voice?”

How do you find your signature style as an Artist, especially when you're just starting out. In this episode I share three approaches for helping you cultivate the artist within yourself.

Let's explore the answers to these questions:

How does allowing yourself to be influenced by the work others help you to let your unique style shine through? How can collaboration help you to grow as an artist?

How often should you focus on your art? How much time are you willing to invest in the practice of your art? Cultivating creativity will help you to piece together your own heart and your uniqueness to find what makes your work special.

Enjoy! and be sure to join us for Small Studio Sunday