Call all high-achieving and heart-centered Artists. Want to to turn your passion into an Art career, here are the top qualities I believe it takes to thrive as an Artist, selling online today.

I know, I know ~ when I was coming up with this title High-Achieving Artist (not to be confused with over-achieving) that pairing of words sounded so unfamiliar, downright strange. 

In my desire to support Artists in building a thriving business around a practice of creating Art they love, I never connected High-Achieving with Artist before,  but in recent months it's become increasingly clear the stakes have been raised. As author, Steven Pressfield says, it's time to step into the role of the Professional. Here's how!

Ready to re-connect with your vision + plans for 2021 alongside a group of dedicated Artists (both emerging and established) next week, starting Monday June 14 to have a mid-year check-in and creative dreaming + planning session, click here to to join us for the Profitable Artist's Planning Challenge.

Radical Transparency + No Justification

I reached a point in my creative journey when I realized I had been subconsciously asking for “permission” for a lot of choices in my life. I wondered if other creatives were feeling the same, and how could I support them in breaking through the need to seek opinions + approval from others.

While I continued to move forward in my dreams year after year, there was so much more hesitancy + second guessing than I realized along with a strong desire to please, to not unintentionally offend, or polarize.

But you can't confidently stand for something and still appeal to everyone, not in your art or your message.

Maybe you can relate? but I would say that many of us Creatives still have a disconnect around embracing “Marketing” “Selling” and “Making Money” while still making our Art (with heart). Proudly making money and creating Art that lights you up are not mutually exclusive.

I'm going to explore this topic more in the coming weeks, and I'm kicking off the conversation in today's podcast episode where I very clearly explain a shift in my business for the first and last time ;)

Enjoy and let's do this! 

Last week, I talked about how online teaching helped me transform my business and discover a powerful tool for growing revenue. 

This week we're back on Clubhouse, delving into some of the myths behind online teaching for Creatives. 

Do you feel the nudge to share what you know and love with someone else or is Imposter Syndrome creeping in.  Could this be a good option for you? Listen on to learn more!

If your curiosity is peaked! maybe you are thinking about adding recurring revenue to your business, you don't want to miss this once a year only free TRIBE Workshop with my business mentor, Stu McLaren starts today, April 22nd  

Click here to register for the workshop

Artists and entrepreneurs are always looking for ways to expand. This is incredibly important to growing a profitable business, as proven by the unpredictable rollercoaster that was 2020. 

In order to not only survive but thrive in business, you want to plan for adding additional revenue streams.

This episode delves into three reasons why online teaching might be something to consider as an alternate source of income. While it may not be for everyone, you might be surprised at how it can take business to the next level. Listen on to learn more!

And join my business mentor Stu McLaren starting next week, Thursday April 22 for his Free Tribe Workshop that happens only once year teaching you all about Recurring Revenue options that can work for you and your unique business.

Click here to Register

Thankfully, this episode recording went a lot smoother than last week. Today's topic is one that often brings up that all too familiar "resistance" for Creatives especially: email marketing. When taken advantage of, email marketing can take a creative business to the next level. Yet it's often avoided!

So, what's stopping people? This and more on today's episode.

I don't think I've ever shared this photo on my blog, of 14 year old me in the wide brimmed hat + braces, selling ceramics at my very first Art fair in Venice, Florida alongside my neighbor Toots (in the white) who generously opened up her garage ceramics studio to me, who looking back taught how to paint sweet character faces, and my proud mom (in the black and white)

I made $100 in sales that day and I was THRILLED!

Looking back it's clear as a day a path that was calling to me, yet I because I never thought I could making a living as an Artist, I chose a different direction for a few years, until the call became so loud and I knew I had to listen if I was going to live a life fulfilled. 

I've learned that denying our dreams is so much more uncomfortable (even painful) than actually taking the steps towards realizing them. 

If I told my 14 year old self, about the life she would now have, she would be THRILLED, especially when I tell her about what happened in my Art business just last month.

I share the story with you in today's podcast episode, another one recorded live on Clubhouse and includes the “after party” of great conversation following the episode with fellow Artists. 

When I discovered the fulfillment that comes with saying yes to your dreams and being open to that adventure, I just wanted to encourage everyone in earshot, and I mean everyone ~especially my fellow Artists to go for it, and it's why I've been on a mission ever since to encourage + transform the limiting narrative + beliefs around what it means to live a life as an Artist. 

The more people who are lit up doing what they love in all areas of life, this is everything. It is the most profound ripple effect of joy that you can imagine.

It's official, my first Clubhouse recorded podcast! 

Part 2 in my 3 part series around Selling Your Work as an Artist.

Passionate about changing that narrative, Since March 12, 2010 almost exactly 11 years to the date, when I first posted about the concept of a Thriving Artist on my blog, not only for myself as a Self-Taught Artist but for every Artist I have the opportunity to come in contact with.

That's why in this episode, I open up about my truths around selling and making money as an an Artist.

The episode is at the top and then if you'd like to hear the conversation that followed with a number of Artists who joined me LIVE after the recording you can listen.

We talk about everything from dismantling the stories and beliefs around "selling" "making money" and being a Woman Artist, to what this means for our daughters and new generations, going forward.

If you are ready to put your new story around Selling into Practice, join me for the Sell A Piece of Art this Week Challenge. We start Monday, March 22

sellmyartthisweek.com

Listen to this week's episode, and if you see this before 10:10 am PDT click here to join me today on Clubhouse! LIVE for part 3 ~ from $4 > $24K in 4 weeks in Art Sales

With endless "advice" opinions and guidance out there how do you really know what will work for you, your Art practice + business.

2 tips for you on this Creative Thursday, with more to come!

I'll see you today @ 11 am PST on Clubhouse @marisa anne

And join me for the Sell A Piece of Art this Week Challenge starting Monday, March 22

sellmyartthisweek.com

Is now a print and a podcast!

Today's episode is 3 Social Media Marketing Tips for you! especially for my Artists. These are the steps that can lead to a viral post, and Art sales.

Enjoy!

After 10 years on Instagram who knew? this would be my most liked post EVER, (so far 😉 )

I heard you! and I listened, and turns out this illustration of Bernie + his mittens sitting with the Creative Thursday characters is bringing a lot of joy to you, so much so you want one in your home! By request, Bernie is now officially a print!

If you don't know the backstory to this piece. “The Gang Celebrates” is one of my most popular images and prints. Originally painted in 2007, it went on to become a Papyrus greeting card, the cover of my book and the theme of my very first fabric collection ~ these are the Creative Thursday characters that built my business + brand as an Artist.

I was just recounting the story today on a call with my members and that is this; These characters were born through the practice of daily painting and I didn't know it at the time but looking back I know they were there to gently cheer me on with my dream of becoming a Working Artist.

I was self-taught, going into debt, filled with more self-doubt then confidence and totally unsure if this dream was possible, let alone knowing how I could actually make a living with my Art~  and these characters, holding hands in hoodies, hats and mittens (because I don't like to draw hair or hands or feet lol) believed in me ~ and creating this style of Art is what kept me going through really exciting and very challenging times.

And as they made their way out into the world, it turns out a lot of collectors felt the same support and encouragement from those characters.

They are! cheering you on too!  bringing joy to your and/or your little ones, present in thousands of nurseries as a quiet reminder to follow your dreams and keep believing in what is possible.

Last Friday when I sat down to digitally paint Bernie sitting with them, I thought you might get a chuckle but I had no idea this image would be such a hit.

In honor of Bernie Sander's public service and dedication to supporting community, 20% of the proceeds of each print will be donated to the L.A. Food Bank. 

Have you seen this Documentary? Watching this had a profound effect on me, including the re-evaluation of whether I will continue my Podcast.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Send me a message over on Instagram @creativethursday or in the comments below

 Oh And! The Holiday Shop opened on #SmallStudioSunday, and if you missed the Dala Rhino more are coming to the shop later today...along with maybe...a Dala Dino! :) 

Also, join me TODAY for a LIVE Open Studio Tour at 3:00 pm PT on Instagram first and then time permitting on Facebook.