Life is a Great Big Canvas

One of the biggest excuses we all have for not doing something is this: I don't have time. We all have 24 hours in a day, we just choose to use them in different ways. The objective is to use those 24 hours on those things which are most important. How much time is spent watching tv, or surfing the internet? How much time do you actually spend on your art, or on marketing your art? According to Constance Smith, author of Art Marketing 101, of the time that an artist sets aside for art, half that time should be spent on marketing. If you think that's a lot, then work up to it, but do work on marketing your art on a regular basis. If you don't have a schedule or a daily routine which includes creating your art, begin to adjust that now. Set aside a definite amount of time each week for art and marketing. If you don't, you may be shocked to realize how little time you actually spend on art each week. Make time one or two days a week for marketing, and not on the same d...

 Do you have a passion for creating art, and you want to make a career out of it, but don't know where to start? It can be scary starting down a career path without knowing what to do. I am on that path myself. Although at this point I am no multi-million dollar success story, perhaps you can learn from my experience. If you think you can learn from me, please read on. The first thing you should do is really take a long, hard look at your art. Are you at a professional level in your skills yet? Be honest with yourself. When I first determined I was going to become a professional artist, I knew I had talent, but my skills needed some polish. I chose to enroll in art school, The Academy of Art University (their online program); but if that seems too big of a step, find an artist who gives classes or private tutoring. Be teachable. Ask high quality artists to honestly critique your work and show you areas that need improvement, and then make those changes. To become a great artis...

What is the first thing you have to do to pursue art as a business? I have a whole list of first steps to take to get you started, but today, we are going to discuss the very first step. Here we are assuming that your art is at a level that has showmanship and the potential to sell; but this step isn't necessarily about the quality of your art, it's the quality of your mindset. You have to decide that you ARE an artist. Not just any artist, but you are a PROFESSIONAL artist. Can you say that? Try it out loud, right now. "I am a professional artist". Or say simply, "I am an artist." Was that hard? I know it was for me, for a long time. I remember the first time I made a similar statement. I was at my school reunion. We were all asked to stand up individually, and tell everyone who we were, what we did, and what our aspirations are. I said, "My name is Amy VanGaasbeck, I am an art instructor at this school, and I plan to become a professional artist i...