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/

If you care about about INTEGRITY, the value of creative work, and rights for Artists, this should make you angry.

I have a documentary to recommend, along with a personal story about a collaboration that almost went very wrong.

If any of what I share is a shock to you, then we as Artists haven't been truthful about our experiences.

One of the reasons Artists continue to find themselves in these kind of predicaments is because we're not talking honestly, and making educated business decisions, especially when it comes to collaborating.

It's time for that to change.

Here's to empowering Independent Artists and helping you to build a Thriving Business Online.

Join me for the Sell A Piece of Art Challenge starting Monday sellmyartthisweek.com

In November 2018 I had an idea around how to support + celebrate independent Artists more... and this Sunday, August 29 it's game on!

First things first! You're invited! Join us for our FIRST (what we hope to be the first of many) virtual art event + pop-up gallery; Small Studio Sunday.

It's free to attend, just be sure to register here for your invite so you'll be first to view the pop-up gallery as soon as it goes live on Sunday, August 29, along with the link to join us for our privately hosted LIVE events lead by our participating Artists, including creative demos, studio tours and art talks, including one over on Clubhouse with myself + our Artists!

In today's episode I share with you the full story of the inspiration behind Small Studio Sunday and the vision I have for supporting independent artists, and this event going forward.

If you're an Artist who would like the opportunity to apply for future events, at this time Small Studio Sunday is open exclusively for our Expansive Artists members, so be sure join the Waitlist here to be the first to know the next time we open the doors. 

Register for the invite to attend Small Studio Sunday, August 29

Join the Expansive Artists Waitlist for the opportunity to apply for future events

Cheers to an inspiring + creative weekend!  See you Sunday!

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

What did I hope having my own Art business would make possible for me?

I was recently reminded of the power in answering 1 simple question.

As I continue to explore new directions with my painting, I've been re-connected to that feeling of beginning, anticipation and enthusiasm for what's next with trepidation over all the uncertainty. 

I had NO idea, if I could actually create this career as an Artist, but I knew I had to try.

On today's podcast episode I share with you, what the beginning was like for me, why I really started my Art business and if it's lead to where I thought it would, while also sharing what I think having an Art business today could make possible for you!

Do you sometimes wonder if you're sabotaging yourself? getting in your own way of success?

Has anyone ever called you emotional? Have you felt especially tender when exposed to certain experiences in your life. And have you ever wondered if it's just you, or are Artists really more sensitive than other people? 

If you aren't yet familiar with the work of Dr. Don Wood, you're in for a treat today, so many answers to questions that you may have been wondering about for a lifetime. 

This is an episode you'll want to save and listen to again. Find comfort in knowing that you're not alone.

Learn more about the life changing work of Dr. Wood, with a special limited offer exclusively for Creative Thursday listeners. Click here to learn more

What's your superpower?

If you're maybe, oh I don't know rolling your eyes right now, or feeling discouraged (hug to you) and saying in your mind or out loud, “superpower, what superpower, I have no idea" - Stop that ok!You have it, likely more than one.

There are 2 questions I share in today's podcast episode to help you identify what it is.

Identifying and embracing your superpower is a discovery, and I believe we've been making all of this a bit more complicated than it needs to be.

Let's just say your superpower may be more obvious than you think.

Click here to join Zach and I for our Ads for Artists Workshop this Saturday May 22

 Enjoy the new episode!

On a side note painting above is from one of my early daily paintings in 2006 :)

Do you feel it? Are you diving into the pool or sitting on the edge waiting to get permission to jump in

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome…hands raised, have you struggled with it? 🙋🏼‍♀️⁣⁣

The photo above is Sean and I opening night at my first official solo Gallery Art show May 9, 2009 (and yes I know Sean has his eyes closed but this is still one of my favorite art career moments and photos of us, because Sean has been such a huge support to me on my Creative journey 💕)⁣

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As a self taught Artist, who didn’t believe I could make a living as an Artist, you can imagine how much I’ve struggled with Imposter Syndrome. ⁣

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Even though I felt it, I didn’t give in, and that’s the only reason I built a business as a Working Artist. ⁣

I trusted myself enough to commit to creating work for, and attending that opening of my first solo Art show.⁣

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That night, with my Art hanging alongside the mural I painted on the gallery wall (see a close-up of the mural below), friends celebrating, some acknowledging my work and new career path for the first time; I wondered, how did I get here? Am I really an Artist? Won’t people judge that I’m self-taught and am only here because I decided to give myself permission to pursue my dream. ⁣

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Yes, and yes. ⁣

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Imposter Syndrome,  judgment or approval from others or not, you are ultimately the one who gives yourself permission to step into your fullest expression and power. ✨💃⁣

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Today on the podcast I’ll be sharing some insight and tips on overcoming it.⁣

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And if you’d like to take this conversation further, join me on Clubhouse @ 10:30 am PST @marisaanne I’ll be hosting a room alongside a special guest, a UK illustrator I connected with on Clubhouse. (Yes, 2 weeks in I'm still a fan of this incredible App…I've got podcast plans with this audio only platform in the works, more details in today's episode.)

First, you make time for Creativity! :)

I have decided to make the 12 days of Creativity available through the end of 2020, so if you see this after our start day today of December 10, be sure to join us!

Click here to join the 12 Days of Creativity

It's that time of year....and whether it's December heading into a new calendar year or not, this is not only my  passion bordering on obsession, it's also my new secret to success as a peaceful business owner.

Even though 2020 looked nothing like we thought it would, what are you envisioning for your 2021?

In this episode, I share with you 3 tips to before you start creating your perfect plan.