At last, at last! It's FINALLY HERE!

There's a long story behind the unexpected challenges of making this series, especially Season 2, but that will be saved for another day and another podcast.

Today it is my honor and pleasure to introduce you to my friend, first sewing teacher, and fellow Creative Business owner, Christine Haynes.

A Sewing Author, Teacher and Pattern Maker, in our conversation, Christine not only takes you through her journey of building her business, from risks taken, pivots made, full time jobs left, weeks set aside for annual trips to Paris (Paris travel tips are included for dreams of once again visiting the city of lights) ~ but you'll want to tune in all the way to the end where Christine shares a heartfelt, personal story and message that is especially meaningful and timely.

 A journey that spans from art and film school in Chicago, all the way to Brooklyn via a stopover in L.A. (Christine is sharing her pattern designing process with you too!) ~ I know you will be inspired. 

And yes! you can now take virtual sewing classes with Christine from her Brooklyn Studio. Find all things Christine Haynes at ChristineHaynes.com

Watch the full video episode here at the Creative Thursday YouTube Channel, or tune into the audio version on today's podcast episode.

Enjoy!

What do you think is the number 1 reason Artists don't sell work? 

After working for years with Artists in Business and being one myself of course...my own experience around selling and not selling... this is an obvious oversight that I see happening all too often.

It's time to rewrite a certain story Creative Friends, it's time.

If you're seeing this post before Saturday July 4 @ 12 pm PT.

The Doors to The Expansive Artists Are open! for another 48 hours and then they'll close again so we can get to work and prepare for all the incredible online possibilities that await us!

We can't wait to welcome you! See you inside!

https://www.creativethursdaycourses.com/expansiveartists

 PS The new Expansive Artist Affirmations Decks are HERE!!! the first batch is already shipped and on their way to their new homes. To our pre-order Collectors, thank you so, so much for your orders and your patience during the Covid-19 delay deck printing.

 Tune into the new podcast episode #191 below.

Do you believe you can share your work with confidence, build your online business, and sell your work especially during and post a Covid-19 economy.

It's time to answer these questions for yourself as honestly as you can.

Let's talk. 

It's not too late, you can still join us! "Sell A Piece of Art this Week" 3 Day Challenge. You can jump in and catch the videos for just a few more days.

https://www.creativethursdaycourses.com/3-day-challenge

It's time for a different approach.

I've been answering a lot of questions about pricing during my "Sell a Piece of Art this Week" challenge, which has me realizing just how much, we as Artists and especially those of us mentoring our fellow Artists, aren't having this conversation enough.

First, let's make this clear: no one can tell you the price of YOUR ART. Nope, not even someone with years of experience selling work. They can guide you, advise you, yes and if they're a gallery they can tell you the price they believe it should be and then you'll agree together if proceeding with the collaboration is a good fit. But you, and only you are the one to make the final call. Why? 

Because there is NO ONE FORMULA for an industry that is as nuanced, unique, and subjective as Art.

So when I heard an established Artist advise an emerging Artist: to price their Art by looking out into the marketplace, using the analogy of how we price homes in a Real Estate Market by comparison, I knew it's time to start talking about this more (which I did on last week's podcast episode).

Art is NOT Real Estate, especially original work. We do not look at Comps (Comparables are the homes you look at in your neighborhood that sold within the last 3 months that you can use as a guide for pricing your property) when pricing our Art because we have zero idea about the behind the scenes for example; the time involved with creating the piece, the cost of making the piece, the overhead of the business, the skill level and experience of the Artist and how dedicated their Collectors are.

"Rising tides lift all ships" How are we choosing to lead and advise our industry. What lopsided collaborations are we continuing to agree to. Are our words and actions the rising tide, or are we perpetuating the myth of struggle and continuing to undervalue the gift and work of the Artist.

I've spent a lot of years talking "romantic" about the business of Art, but today calls for something different.

And don't get me wrong, there is not a day that goes by I'm not thankful I chose this life as an Artist.

It is the best. I love it.

I most certainly am all about the romance. I wholeheartedly believe in following your dreams and your heart, and I'm proof that you CAN build a successful business with those intentions plus commitment and grit to stick with it on the days when you might want to quit (which will totally happen... more than once)

But when I look at what's being taught in my industry, there's a lot of pretty talk around what we all want and that is to SELL OUR WORK 🎉🙌🏻 whether that's an original painting, a book, a collection of cards or prints, or an online class we are offering.

A business isn't a business unless it makes sales.

And sales don't happen unless you get comfortable with selling.

And while I know a lot of Artists resist "selling" (I know because I was one of those Artists) I'm here to tell you can learn to sell without being salesy.

I call it Artful Selling. It's authentic, it's heartfelt and it connects you to your wonderful Collectors.

It's what turns your dream into a business.

After I returned to coaching 2 years ago, I knew that I wanted to do more than just talk about how beautiful it is to choose a life as an Artist, and teach and tell you how to build a Creative Business. It's not enough.

I want to get you RESULTS.

As a business mentor and coach, I am dedicated to helping you take action!

Last month I hosted a challenge for my Expansive Artists and I've never seen the progress that happened in just one week. And YES! they made SALES, lots and lots of them.

New online shops opened! books were launched, originals created and sold, card sets, art bundles, and online classes were sold that alone for 1 Artist generated 1K in revenue during last month.

I'M ON A MISSION: to help Artists know their worth, value their work, and confidently, artfully sell their creations consistently to raving Collectors online.

From June 23 - 26 I'm going to walk you through my proven 3 Step Artful Selling Process.

This is an invitation to join me, for Free! yes! my gift to you! to join me starting next Tuesday for 3 days. You show up, rise to the challenge (1 bite sized task each day), and you might just be amazed at what you can accomplish! There's an energizing momentum that happens when a group comes together with the same intention.

Register for the 3 Day Challenge here

Mistakes happen, as a human + business owner.

Speaking of "all the best of intentions"~ back in 2006 I started a podcast,- loved it. As my Art Business grew I couldn't keep up with it on my own so I stopped (logical solo-preneur move, but big mistake #1- *hire help* oh how I wish I had kept my podcast going) 

Instead, ambitious me, easily attracted to the next shiny object (mistake #2- *as a biz owner stay focused on one thing, get it going, before you move on to the next*) In 2015 I said to myself here's an idea! Videos are getting easier to create & share, wouldn't it be great to feature a conversation with inspiring Creatives, where we can also see their Art! rather than just listen to us chat. 

Sure, lovely idea! ( huge fan of "Chef's Table") however committing to creating a 12 hour + docu-series, with little to no video experience should not be attempted by 1 person. I repeat, not a job for (almost exclusively) 1 person. Thank you Sean for supporting my endeavor, & helping me with most of the recording, clapboard (wait for the blooper reel) + initial sound editing. 

Nor should that Artist person attempt to raise money on Kickstarter to fund said docu-series. (mistake #3 a story for another day)

And my mistake #4 that I am embarrassed to say I do not have one Black Creative featured. If you want to Instagram shout at me, I welcome it. I am so sorry. You can listen to me talk about this more candidly on yesterday’s podcast where the same unintentional oversight has happened all these years. 

Believe me when I say I am taking a close look at my chosen Creative Bubble & promise to highlight more of the beautiful Black Artists who inspire me, many of whose work I’m so thankful to learn about now.

I’m also SO sorry to my guests that season 2 has taken SO long to complete.

A mentor of mine says in business you either “Win or Learn” this was both ~ with a little extra emphasis on the learn. The WIN is you get to hear/see the conversations with 6 inspiring Artists starting July 9. Now back to editing!

You catch up on Season 1 here on my YouTube Channel

Integrity 🖤 Humanity 🖤 Decency

The change I'm witnessing and personally experiencing has been a seismic shift.

I write to you on this Creative Thursday with optimism and hope for the future  and the incredible transformations that will come out of this time. And I am so ready to do the work, more than ever before.

I'm not the same person I was 2 weeks ago.

Creative Thursday is not the same business.

And the direction of my Art is shifting.

Over the past 10 days I've chosen to be still, not only to learn, listen and reflect - but using my Instagram stories in support of amplifying Black voices, artists, thought leaders while sharing resources on ways you may be able to help and care for your heart during this time.

I want to highlight a resource with you here that I found great comfort and clarity in created by Deepa Iyer. If you want to help but you're feeling uncertain about what your role is during times of social change, this article and explanation of these roles may offer some insight.

And while it's so tempting to continue to stay silent especially in the current climate~ even with the best of intentions, I've been hesitant to speak up, for fear of making a "mistake" or have what I communicate get taken out of context.

But as I shared with you last week, worrying about "getting it wrong" is no longer a reason to stay politely quiet.

This time has presented an invitation for me to use my voice and platforms in ways I haven't before.

As uncomfortable as it's been, I've been having some real conversations (honestly my favorite kind - small talk is not my thing), and letting some truths sink in that have been hard to hear, but vital to understand.

While I'm gently easing back into business, it's not going to be business or art as usual.

The changes I'm making will not be overnight. Some days I will voice them, other days they will be subtle, but know they are happening every day.

My black square in solidarity on Instagram is not one and done.

I've taken steps already, and at this moment, rather than be too quick to action I'm allowing more time to research, shift perspective, let knew ideas percolate, decide on who I want to learn from, and then choose the best way I can offer my support. I promise to keep you posted as I learn more. While I do not intend to use my platforms to speak politically, I will never again question whether to speak out in support of human rights.

The place I enjoy speaking from the most is my podcast.

I invite you to tune into today's episode posted below, where I candidly go into more detail about the specifics that I have learned during this time ~ for the record this is not me trying to make this about it me. I am recording it in case it inspires some new ideas and conversation for you~ and also as a record for me. I don't want to forget this moment and slide back into old ideas and habits as if nothing happened.

About business (not) as usual here's some what I hope will be fun, inspiring events + opportunities coming soon

I stand with you in peace, love, justice and equality. 

I see you.

I want to do whatever I can to help. #blacklivesmatter

I've just watched a woman use her body as a shield to protect a business from looting here in Santa Monica.

I am speechless, my heart is breaking. I want to wait before I speak, yet I know it's time for me to try to put some words together, to send love to you today. ❤️

For me, sharing online for 14 years has always been with a focus on art, spreading a message of love, creativity, beauty, joy, creative business, and in recent weeks a vulnerable story of my infertility. 

While I have taken a stand many times, never openly in response to anti-racism.

I chose not to use my platform to grieve such despair.  And I see now, a witness to horrific events that have transpired for generations, and especially this week throughout our country, last night in my city of L.A., that it is time for me to do what I can to speak up more.

To anyone who may have interpreted my silence as supporting oppression, I'm so sorry. 

It's unimaginable to me that my silence could ever be interpreted that way, which means that I also have so much to understand and learn.

I have been naive, and it's time for that to change.

I have also been cautious to take a stronger stand over the years, for fear that my words will be misinterpreted.

The possibility that what I share may be misunderstood, can no longer be a reason to stay silent, especially if by speaking up I may make a difference for you.

I woke up this morning desperately trying to learn, listen, with a desire speak to friends who have a deeper understanding of this experience than I do, wanting to get assurance that I what I choose to share here will come across "right". 

And I realized it is time to trust myself to keep speaking clearly, thoughtfully from my heart with a hope that you will know that is always my intention.

I promise to stand with you in peace, to speak up more, to continue to stand in love,  and do all that I can to listen, learn and understand more. We are one. ❤️❤️

It's official!! The 40" x 30" painting I've been working on throughout the L.A. Quarantine ~ one of my largest and most detailed pieces to date is complete.

The Artist’s secret to finishing a piece of work: give yourself a deadline​
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Over years of painting characters and animals in different settings I had never painted a Jungle before.

Technically I began this painting on a whim during one of our painting nights when I had my large studio almost 2 years ago.

And it had been sitting, just waiting to be finished all this time.

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​It was the extra time home and a desire not only to complete this painting but to challenge myself as a painter...something I’d clearly been avoiding which is why ahem I stopped shortly after I started... 40” x 30” is a far cry from my familiar small size of 6” x 6” 😳

Working through all the details took much longer than anticipated, and I also unexpectedly discovered how much I love having one large painting to return to day after day.

I've always felt fulfilled with my art through the process of creating and completing a piece in one sitting with my daily painting practice.

Stepping out of my comfort zone opened up a whole new avenue to explore with my work, and I can't wait to see where this leads.
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​I promised myself it would be finished at the end of the quarantine and while we’re not quite there yet, I feel a gentle shift back to some aliveness and (socially distanced) in person connection 💕and it feels like it’s time for this painting to be completed - that, and - I am also ready to begin new work!​
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Because you know what happens when you commit to regular creating- your creative inspiration gains serious momentum. The muse is in the house!

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Voila! a finished painting and a happy Artist (with even longer bangs.)

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Stay well + creative xo Marisa

​Enjoy the Quarantine Jungle!​

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What do you do?

Do you leave it as is or fulfill your original vision?

I held a challenge last week for my members in The Expansive Artists. "Sell a Piece of Art this Week" 

A BIG success! I am in awe of the progress made by the Artists in just one week, technically 3 days!! from opening online shops, posting regularly on social media, going LIVE on social media, getting booked on a podcast, launching books, and online workshops, to emailing announcements to their Collectors, and SELLING WORK!! Wohoo!

And, questions also came up like this one Nadia shared in the Expansive Artists. She shared that her work was "in that awkward teenage stage where she doesn't want to touch them for fear that people won't like them..."

What if your Collector won't like the work once it's finished? 

...I know how the story ends! What did Nadia decide and how did it work out?

Grab your sparkling beverage of choice (I happen to be sipping a glass of Lamarc Prosecco on this episode) or your favorite treat and tune in to hear my thoughts on how I handle this fear, and spoiler alert, we're going to do some celebrating...!!

And YAY!! how cool is this! Now that the blog is back you can listen to this episode right here.

Oh my goodness...why didn't I do this sooner. LOL one step at t time. 

One step at a time leads to progress and momentum that just keeps building. The clarity comes and the pieces do start to click into place, they do!