Pinterest is one of the new stars of the social media world.Set up an account at Pinterest.com. You can then start creating boards where you can "pin" photos and videos around a common theme that you find on the Web. This is another way of sharing your story, your lifestyle, and connect to others who love what you love too. I have not started a board yet but Roxana is obsessed and creates some of the most beautiful ones I have seen. Check them out HERE.Here is an article on Copyblogger explaining "56 Ways to Market Your Business on Pinterest."Who is using Pinterest and how is it helping you?
Another year of Comic Con and finding my purpose in it. Go to the Spalenka Eye for more.
I have everyone repeat after me in my workshops, "Keep going and don't stop!" when it comes to creating your art empire. We can come up with all sorts of excuses to not do the work. Steven Pressfield in his book, The War of Artcalls this apathy, laziness, lack of confidence, resistance. You can call our avoidance to doing the work by many names but the solution is always the same; "Keep going and don't stop!"The Writer's Den is a Blog for writers, however visual artists will relate to spirit of its posts. The flow chart above is from the site. Replace the words with your artful purpose and you will understand the message completely. Amazing how all the arts are connected.
Every so often I will see a movie whose essence reflects a strong independent vision, purpose and soul. The movie can be fictional or documentary but the common thread is a story that focuses on the goals and aspirations of an individual or individuals whose commitment, and sometimes sacrifice to succeed becomes a powerful testament to the human potential. My goal with Artist As Brand is to see a world filled with empowered art spirits sharing their art and stories, being appreciated and supported. I love films that remind us to stay true to our dreams and not to give up.Bill Cunningham is an 80+ New York Times photographer. For decades he has been chronicling fashion trends and high society charity soirées for the Times Style section in his columns "On the Street" and "Evening Hours." This documentary is about an artist who works in industry, but you almost never know it because of Cunningham's passion for his craft, humanity and love of people. You will be touched by Bill Cunningham New York, directed by Richard Press.If you have other films you feel have a strong AAB message please share them with us.PeaceGreg
Artist As Brand Rise of the Artist Entrepreneur
Thursday, 7/12/12, 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.San Diego Convention Center, Room 8
I am moderating another Comic Con panel discussion on the ever important subject of art career sustainability with more awesome artists.Dave McKean, Craig Elliott, Shiflett Brothers, Miss Mindy, and Daniel and Dawna Davis creators of Steamcrow.Here is the official program description-Greg Spalenka (Professional artist in publishing, film and higher education, Books of Magic, The Ant Bully, The Golden Compass, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader) moderates a panel discussion on art career sustainability. Learn strategies on how to create an income from your talent on your own terms. Dave McKean (Is an icon of popular art culture, professional artist, photographer, graphic designer, director, musician, Arkham Asylum, The Sandman, Cages, Signal to Noise, Mr. Punch, MirrorMask). Craig Elliott (Professional artist in publishing, film and higher education, Puss in Boots, Monsters Vs. Aliens, Mulan, Dark Horse Comics), Shiflett Brothers (Sculptors extraordinaire of comic and original designs, "Oddworld: Abe's Odysee", Verotik comics, Moore Creations), Miss Mindy (Professional artist, curator, Baby Tattoo Books, Disney, Warner Brothers & Hard Rock Café, Mindstyle toys, Nickelodeon Animation), Daniel and Dawna Davis (Husband and wife team of Steamcrow, publishers of monster books, toys, and other cool products).
I am honored to be returning to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco to present a two day Artist As Brand workshop.
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Academy of Art University
July 7-8, 10:00- 8:00, Saturday/Sunday
540 Powell st. San Francisco, CA 94105
Limited to 20 participants
Do you have stories and visions you want to share with the world? Whether you are a student who is ready to start an art career, a teacher who wants to make income from their creations, or a professional artist who is tired of pumping out work for the film, game, publishing, and advertising industries, this workshop is for you. Get ready for the future of art career sustainability.Come prepared for some serious introspection on personal goals as well as mind bending concepts on perceiving your art career differently. You will learn how to connect with your fans, patrons and collectors directly. I guarantee you will not look at your talent the same way again.
Some testimonials from last years AAB workshop at AAU
“I want to thank you for your dedication and hard work. You are amazing. I believe that small business ventures are essential to the health and wealth of our country. You have found a path through the forest of corporate trees and soon it will be a well traveled road.” -Shelley Masters, Artist, Muralist, Teacher“I’m very thankful to have taken your workshop. I’ve learned so much. I’ve even blogged about you on my artblog check it out dianepascual.blogspot.com" -Diane Pascual, Artist, Writer“Greg’s seminar will provide the spark to get your creative fire burning bright!” -Dan Dion, Photographer“Clarity and direction have been issues for me… The workshop helped me take my broad ideas and narrow them down to manageable starting points.” -Summer Love, Environmental Designer“Thank You Greg!! For planting seeds in my mind for what is possible in developing an art business.” -Cameron Chun, Artist
The Artist As Brand Gang in Kansas City.
May 15-20 in Kansas City, MO was a special week indeed. Not only did I have a rocking group of talented artists who ranged from student to professional, coming from eight states for the Artist As Brand workshop, but Spectrum Fantastic Art Live opened a door to the future of art career sustainability. We had Alex Ruiz from California, David Frizell- Kansas, Tyler Davis-Utah, Sue Cornelison and Paul Micich- Iowa, John Wagenman- Texas, Tara Chang- Washington, Sean Fitzgibbon- Arkansas, Julio Morales and student Jake Gorman- Missouri.
This was an awesome opportunity for the participants to see how what they learned in the workshop could be applied in an event like Spectrum Live. Arnie and Cathy Fenner did a great job with the convention for its grand opening even though the crowds were on the light side. The future is bright for this event. See more here.
Paul shot video from his iPhone of everyone voicing their core purpose. Your innate purpose, truth, virtue, is the foundation of your being and an attribute we align with in the workshop. It is beautiful and profound.
One of my goals with this work is to bring clarity to your career path. For instance Tyler had difficulty making a decision between teaching full time or focusing on creating his art. He just sent me this email, "I decided to put off large scale teaching until I have a few more years of experience and am going to sell my art products to build my empire!"
Right on brother! Go for it. I am with you!
Sarasota here I come! I will be presenting two Artist As Brand lectures at Ringling College of Art and Design as well as performing a two day Artist As Brand workshop. All Florida artists are invited.I am honored to be to speaking at the AICAD and CIAD conferences June 6, and 8 which are being held at Ringling this year. AICAD (Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design) is a consortium of 42 leading art schools in the United States and Canada. CIAD (Careers In Art and Design) is for Career Services professionals who work with artists and designers helping define career goals, direction, and advancement. My goal is to inspire higher education to advance curriculum in the area of independent art businesses.
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The Artist As Brand workshop will be held at the Marriott Hotel.
June 9-10, 10:00- 8:00, Saturday/Sunday.
$295 for Ringling students, faculty, alumni.
$395 for all others.
REGISTRATION CLOSED
If you are serious about the future of your art career sustainability, this seminar is for you. Come prepared for some serious introspection on personal goals as well as mind bending concepts on perceiving your art career differently. You will learn how to connect with your fans, patrons and collectors directly. I guarantee you will not look at your talent the same way again.
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live debuted in Kansas City last week with an aura of inspiration. Truly one of the most amazing groups of talent in one place I have ever experienced. Much credit goes to Arnie and Cathy Fenner along with their dedicated team. They pulled together a professional show that included educational panels and speakers as well as an awards show that blew the lid off any other art awards show existing today. Academy awards look out! I presented the Institutional, Silver and Gold winners on the stage of the beautiful 1927 Midland theater. More pics on the floor of the show here and here.It was wonderful seeing sooo many friends and their creations all in one place. It reminded me of Comic Con in the very early days. I was selling posters, prints, postcard sets, music, as well as signing lots of books, Magic cards, and meeting new collectors. Roxana was doing even better as her scents had people sniffing the air and making a beeline to her elegant showcase.I moderated a panel titled, Artist As Brand, Rise of the Artist Entrepreneur with Michael Whelan, Donato Giancola, William Stout, Virginie Ropars, and Arnie Fenner. Lovely group with much synergy. A large crowd joined the conversation.Three days before I set up a booth with Roxana for the show, I presented an Artist As Brand® workshop at the Aladdin Hotel to ten individuals who traveled from across America to experience the seminar together. More on this soon. Greg Montana was Skyped in for a live coaching session and Roxana gave an inspired presentation too.The poignant documentary film by Maria Cabardo, Better Things, Life & Choices of Jeffrey Catherine Jones premiered at Spectrum Live too. This is a beautiful biopic. Well done!
Greg Montana is an amazing life coach. I met Greg years ago in one of his focus groups, when he was refining ways to deliver the message of
Heart Virtue
. A heart virtue is a quality inherent in everyone, but not everyone is awake to it. His book,
"Your Pain Is Your Credential - Unlock Your Heart Virtue"
is a powerful guide to finding this core purpose inside you.
My favorite video of Greg talking about the heart of his work.
I stress the importance of the ancient Greek aphorism, "Know Thyself" to my students. It is a powerful place to live your life from. My work with Greg inspired me to share his philosophy in my workshops and one of the reasons I recommend everyone read his book before diving into the Artist As Brand® course. It is a gift when he speaks at my workshops. The following interview is filled with amazing stories and wisdom:
GS: You were on the road to corporate nirvana when you dropped out and became a monk for eight years.
Tell us more.
GM:
As a monk, I had some extraordinary realizations: The first was on the day I entered the monastery...it was one of the most powerful experiences of my life. I was in the passenger seat, driving through the big black gates towards the entrance of the monastery. Just as the car passed through the gates, I heard a genuine deep male voice say, “Welcome Home.”I could hear the voice from all directions. It was so tangible, I turned to the driver and said, “Did you hear that?” “Hear what?” he questioned. I realized the voice I heard, was just for me. My heart was thrilled that day. I was so grateful to be home at last. Those two words, Welcome Home, got me through many doubts and trials of being in the monastery.As I became more passionate about Heart Virtues in the monastery, I became a bit of a problem for the monks. The rules of being a monk are simple and strict, and there is plenty of ancient scripture to study without a young monk adding his ideas to the mix, but I was bold about the importance of the Heart Virtues work and, consequently, was asked to leave. I argued for a few minutes, but it felt like I was trying to delay the tide. The meeting was adjourned. I went back to my “cell” and had the most bizarre two hour sobbing/laughing spell of my life. I felt horribly rejected, and wonderfully relieved.
Two weeks later, I found myself sitting in a rental car with all my possessions in the back seat and the trunk. As I approached the giant black iron gates, through which I had entered eight years earlier, I pulled over and stopped before exiting. I tried somehow to turn being kicked out into something other than what it was. I imagined being a hero and going back in; unpacking my things and going back to work.
“That’s it!” I thought to myself, ”It’s a test!”I got out of my car and went straight back into the office of the old monk. I spoke sternly, “I’m not leaving. I am going to unpack my things and go back to work.” He was silent for a moment. Just as I was about to consider his silence as consent, he said, “You took four vows, did you not?”
“Yes.” I responded.
“And what are they?” he said dryly.
“Chastity, Simplicity, Loyalty, and Obedience,” I replied.
He looked squarely at me, “Consider this to be an act of obedience.”I went back to the car. While I was sitting there, I stared at the giant black gates. It felt like I was trying to win a chess 156 Your Pain is Your Credential game after being checkmated. As I sat there in the car staring at that gate, I reached deep inside myself for some explanation. “I know that voice was real! It’s the most real thing I have ever experienced! How can I leave? This is home… I'll just have to pull over and sob. Perhaps a half-hour passed, my mood became dark and heavy. “What will I do?! Where will I go?!”Then, somehow, I just surrendered. I stopped looking back at my past and looked out those black gates to the future. I started the car and rolled slowly toward the gate. The next sixty seconds would change my life forever. As I approached those black gates, a warm peace started to move through my body. Seconds later, it was accompanied by a flood of joy. As I passed through the gates, a giant rush of love went up through my body and I heard the same beautiful voice say the exact same words, “Welcome Home.”Every cell of my body was singing! I was dancing in my seat as I drove down the winding mountain road. I thought I was leaving all my brothers and sisters for an empty world. In reality, I was leaving behind the few hundred for a few billion. I had been in total delusion, thinking God is more present in monasteries than in the world.
GS: I love that story! Your book "
Your Pain Is Your Credential
-
Unlock Your Heart Virtue
manifested out of this experience.
GM:
When I left the monastery I took about a year to transition back into the world. The thought of seeing everyone have clarity and confidence about why they came to this earth haunted me so I started offering private client sessions and the most powerful sessions were identifying people's Heart Virtues.
After presenting the same content several hundred times, it became obvious that a book would be far more efficient. The book contains amazing new self-help principles derived from the laws of Quantum Physics and a complete outline of the process people go through to identify their Heart Virtue. Then there is a 10 minute video at
that summarizes the book and people can take an online test to identify their Heart Virtue. Doing so connects them to the hero inside them and gives them a clear and concise sentence that represents the core of their purpose.
GS: I recommend your book to all my students. It really helps clarify the process of finding their core purpose and is a perfect first step into doing the work. It is also wonderful to see the realization in people's eyes and in their body when they
get it
.
What is the key to empowered independence in life and art?
GM:
To pay attention to what is going on inside your chest and gut as you create. True art is an expression of the heart's experiences in life. We read bumper stickers that say HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS or ON YOUR DEATHBED, YOU WON'T BE SAYING, I SHOULD HAVE SPENT MORE TIME AT THE OFFICE. I've been to nursing homes and seen people rotting from living reasonable lives. Art and life must be unreasonable, and break rules in a way that reaches inside people (including the rule-makers). A good sign that you are on your authentic path of empowered independence is when you share an idea and everyone tells you it won't work. That's when you know it's YOURS!
GS: Beautiful. Knowing when you own it is empowerment. Where in the individual does this art reside?
GM:
In the place in the body that feelings are the strongest. Even if those feelings are numb and painfully empty. We are not billions of people living in one world, we are one people living in billions of worlds - and art reconnects us by accurately expressing our experiences.
GS: Connecting your talent with success is another form of empowerment. H
ow do you define success? Please share one of your favorite success stories as a life coach.
GM:
I think when our endeavors create a rewarding experience for others and actually yield more to us than we put into them because others deeply value what we have created, we consider ourselves successful. Most gifted artists are not willing to spend the thousands of hours it takes to merge the brilliance of their craft with the desires of consumers. Those that are successful enough to support themselves with their art are willing to realize that their talents are for expressing love in a way that reaches others, not merely for their own self-pleasure. True success is to accomplish both.
GS: Right on.
GM: Perhaps my most rewarding experiences was with a client I worked with in a rehab center. I should preface by saying that when I was 2 years old, my parents divorced because my father drank too much, and when I was 9 my father died drunk in a car accident. I had met him only once when I was 5 for a few days. Forty years later, I was working with alcoholics in a recovery center.One of them was a man who I facilitated in discovering his Heart Virtue of “Nurturing Innocence,” and as soon as he saw that he realized he had to clean himself up and return to his wife and two-year-old daughter. About a year later I ran into him again at a reunion. He came walking toward me across the lawn. He was holding his little girl’s hand. When he reached me, he knelt down on one knee, looked at his daughter and said, “I want to introduce you to the man who helped save daddy’s life.” In that moment, the pain of my past made sense. I didn’t grow up having my dad, but this little girl would. On a visceral level, I got...how my pain, was my credential.GS: That brought a tear to my eye. I emphasize to my students the importance of creating alignments with like minded individuals. What have been some of your favorite collaborations?
GM:
I've always believed it is self-sabotage to share one's dreams with people that do not have the power, desire or resources to make our dreams come true... and that if we share our dreams with one person every day that has the power, desire and resources to make our dreams come true, our life will be truly charmed. My favorite collaborations are with people that have such a powerful and beautiful reputation that they make most people nervous.
GS: Art is like fashion, it changes and morphs throughout the years. Any suggestions for an artist’s sustainability?
GM:
Stay out of your head and into your gut. Check in with your torso at least once an hour, continuously if possible. Say yes to at least one project each year that takes you out of your comfort zone. Target working with people you admire, and accept projects that make you feel like you will have to stretch or compromise. Then learn from those you admire knowing that if you don't like their ways you can return to your old ways after the lessons are learned. Eventually you will recognize opportunities that invite what's authentic for you.
GS: It's interesting that in chinese martial arts and medicine they talk about the power of Qi being held in the Dantien (in the navel or lower dantian). This is lower than the heart chakra but as we know it's all connected. Authenticity connected to opportunity is a wonderful combination. Are you happy and content with your career, or do you desire something more?GM: I'm not sure I've ever had a career as I've been a solopreneur for 30 years.
I am not at all content with being content but I am happiest when I stand boldly, being myself and reaching out to be unreasonably caring. Lately, I've been very courageous with lots of curiosity, so I've been pretty happy. This changes weekly and I think it's a big mistake for anyone to think they will "one day be happy"... as if it's a state one can reach. Life, like art, is boring without contrast.
GS: There may be a danger in becoming too comfortable, and of course going it alone does not allow much time to dally. Onward and upward I always say. What has been your greatest accomplishment?
GM:
My marriage with Tamara is my greatest blessing, but I'm not sure I would call it an accomplishment. So, second place goes to mastering the 3 skills I discovered all heroes had: 1) Knowing my Self (through 15,000 hours of meditation), 2) Speaking my Truth (that every living entity is aching to express an authentic virtue) 3) Giving my Gift (Creating a very accessible process for people to identify their Heart Virtue)
Greg and Tamara are a team.
GS: I was wondering when Tamara was going to make an appearance! Wow, 15,000 of meditation, talk about introspection. Please offer some final pearls of wisdom for artists and creative souls everywhere.
GM: You know how, when you are having a nightmare and it seems totally real?... and then when you wake up, you exclaim, "Oh Thank God!... it was just a dream!" Well, the day you wake up, you will say, with great relief, "Oh Thank God!.... it was just a life!" So, do something courageous every day... and when you get stuck, give away something you are afraid to let go of.
Thank you Greg, for your light and inspiration. You are a gift. Learn more about Heart Virtue and the empowerment that is yours on the Heart Virtue
Onward and upward!
Greg
Last week Roxana and I were invited to West Liberty University to be a part of their annual MadFest (Media Arts and Design Festival) and to present a one day Artist As Brand workshop. Essentially it was two very full days of presentations, looking at portfolios, judging artwork, web design, animations etc. as well as presenting awards to the winners. High schools from the surrounding area were invited which brought a youthful vitality to the event.The workshop was filled with 21 faculty, students, and alumni who came to some striking realizations about themselves and their artful path. One of the students Seth Miller, a talented photographer is creating a short film based on their interviews. I can't wait to see it!The past two days have not only left me feeling spiritually and emotionally invigorated, but have immensely enhanced my confidence and eagerness to begin working as a freelance artist. Thank you so much again for taking the time to plant seeds of knowledge in West Liberty's creative minds. The wisdom you share and bring out in fellow artists is truly priceless.-Victoria Lavorini, Graduating Student
"I have a clearer vision of where I want to go as you have greatly helped with the HOW. Thank you for your insights..."-Bev Beatty, Alumni"Your generosity and sharing of experiences was greatly appreciated."-Brian Fencl, Chair Journalism, Communication Studies & Visual Arts
"The Artist as a Brand Workshop was very beneficial for me. It helped me define my purpose in relation to my artwork and made me believe in myself and the possibilities I will have as a freelance artist."
- Chloe Woods, Student
"It was very inspiring! I would like to stay in contact with you and keep you updated on my work and progress through the rest of my time at college, and as an artist.
"
-Sean Ritner, Student
Sign Up deadline is Now.
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live! and Artist As Brand are aligning to bring creative empowerment and prosperity to artists in Kansas City, May, 2012.
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live! is a natural extension of the eighteen-year success of the award-winning Spectrum: The Best In Contemporary Fantastic Art annual.
I designed the Artist As Brand Workshop for all artists who desire clarity of purpose in their art, and want a proven method to attract fans, patrons, collectors. It is open to all serious artists, students and professionals. Learn the secrets of connecting the power of your essence with your art directly to the people who will buy it, and see how these principles can be applied at an event like Spectrum Live.
All participants will receive free access to all three days of Spectrum Fantastic Art Live. The workshop is held at the Historic Aladdin Holiday Inn Hotel, just blocks from the convention center.
Learn more about the workshop on theABOUT page.Read the REGISTER page before signing up.See what art professors, professionals, and college students are saying on the RESULTS page.
Register Here
I met Peter Clothier two years ago and felt an immediate kinship. Hence, I interviewed him soon after our meeting: Kindred Purpose. Now with a new book to share it is time to speak with this amazing art spirit again.
By his own words, he is a reformed academic but still teaches in mostly non-traditional ways: workshops, continuing groups, individual coaching/mentoring for artists and writers. Mostly he writes. His Blogs, TheBuddhaDiaries.com, PERSIST: THE BLOG, and commentary on the HuffingtonPost are read by many. Last year he was invited to speak at TEDx Fullerton.
Clothier's first book, Persist: In Praise of the Creative Spirit in a World Gone Mad with Commerce was a collection of musings on the art and the creative process. His latest book, Mind Work is a collection of short essays where he explores the journey of self. Parami Press describes it thus; Within the framework of an active Buddhist meditation practice, Mind Work is an authentic search for the creative core through a process of uncompromising self-examination, conducted in the belief that the closer we come to core of the individual “self,” the more we discover about our shared humanity, and the more we open ourselves up to creative inspiration.
GS: Why do you write?PC: The answer I usually give is “Because that’s what I’m given to do.” I knew this already at the age of twelve, but I spent a good deal of my life doing other things to make a living. The other answer is that I feel wrong about myself when I don’t. I have a powerful sense of mission, and writing is a part of it. And finally, writing is my way of coming to understand myself and the world I live in. If I did it for the money, I’d be in the poor house!GS: Living from the heart is profound and difficult. Saints and sages have spoken of this for ages yet we still are reminding ourselves that it is worthwhile. Could it be that this world, this reality pulls us away from our center?PC: Oh, yes, it does. There are many distractions that pull us this way and that. My own way of staying in touch with the creative core is through meditation. I do it every day, and it has become an essential part of my life and work. It affords me the opportunity to observe what’s going on in my heart and mind, and to make corrections when I get off track. As I see it, it’s vital to stay centered, and to know how to pay attention to the things that are important.GS: Meditation is a powerful tool for connecting to the source. It is an essential facet of my life too. I want to call you the observer, because in true buddhist form you take a neutral look at reality. However, your humanity pushes in and we also feel your passion. It is nice balance. Is this a conscious approach to writing or has it evolved naturally?PC: That’s a nice observation, and I think a very acute one. I have found that balance—let’s say I keep finding it, because I’m perfectly capable of losing it, over and over again—through practice. And I mean practice in both sense of the word: the meditation practice, and the writing practice. I have been doing the writing for more than fifty years, and I suppose it’s really a blend of hard work and a “natural” development over time. I find that I write with greater and greater ease and fluency, and the balance comes without my thinking much about it any more.GS: I tell my students that the best art I have created is when I get out of the way and let it flow. You write that the words of your favorite Buddhist mantra are: "This is not me, this is not mine, this is not who I am." Is this the same thing?PC: Yes, I think it comes from the same source. I do my best work when I manage to get my ego out of the way and quit worrying about whether it’s “good” or “bad.” For a long time, I worked with an editor sitting on my shoulder and cautioning me along the way. I used to fight him; nowadays, I just thank him for his kind concern and tell him that just now is not a good moment for his judgments.GS: How do you feel your writing has evolved over the years?PC: I started out as a poet, I became a fiction writer and an art critic, I now think of myself as an essayist. But essays, for me, are akin to poetry. I love the brevity, the precision. I feel comfortable with the genre. My writing, it seems to me, has found a good home. Interestingly, when I look back to what I wrote years ago, I find many of the same concerns and themes that occupy me today: I have always abided by that wonderful old adage: How do I know what I think ‘til I see what I say? Writing has always been, and continues to be, my means of exploration into the unknown: an adventure.
GS: In your essay, "Stepping Back, Stepping Out, Stepping Up," you proceed to talk about the sometimes difficult choices you made throughout your career. There are moments when it becomes necessary to leave certain parts of one's previously established self behind, in order to make space for something new. Surrendering to the new can be a challenge for us all, whether it be in art or in life. What are some techniques you now use to help ease these transitions?PC: I know that I do best when I’m willing to take a risk and venture, as I said just now, into new territory. I watch out for those moments when I find myself doing the familiar and getting bored with it. It’s when I get comfortable that I know the time has come to take a risk. Then I ask myself what is the last thing I want to do, and go ahead and do it. I look for the point of resistance, and head for it. It’s like the lion hunt: you go for the roar.GS: There is definitely something to be said about the benefits of taking risks. I love your quote, "fear and laziness are not acceptable excuses for willful ignorance." Willful ignorance is definitely an illusion I have battled from time to time. You could almost consider this attribute to be rampant in our society. Not knowing is one thing but not wanting to know is an easy way out and does not serve anyone. How do we remove this lazy brain?PC: We do the work. I think my answer to your last question is relevant here. One way is to wonder, how would it be if the opposite to what I believe happens to be true?GS: You mention that, "compassion is best understood as a matter of practice not a matter of choice." Some people consider compassion a weakness. How can compassion be shown to have as much strength as the instinct to protect our self interests?PC: I find it sad that some consider compassion a weakness—and particularly that this judgment seems so prevalent in our political life today. Curiously, there’s a good deal of research being done that suggests that compassion is indeed in our self-interest, and is likely hard-wired into our human make-up. Perhaps you have read that very few soldiers actually fired at other human beings in the Second World War? They aimed above and to the side, but not to kill. The military has had to learn new training methods in order to make the soldiers more efficient killers. Curiously, too, that training draws not on their “killer instinct” but on their natural compassion—their desire to protect their buddies or the lives of the innocent. Compassionm is turns out, was a necessary survival skill for our species eons ago. In protecting others, we protect ourselves.GS: Are you happy and content with your writing career, or do you desire something more? Do you have any other goals?PC: Yes, I’m happy and no, I’m not content! I still wish for a wider audience for what I write, and work hard to develop my readership. I nourish a conviction that what I have to say is of value to my fellow human beings, and I want every single one of them to read it. My goal, then, is to keep writing, and keep expanding my audience. More specifically, I have another book almost ready for the publisher. It will be called “Slow Looking”—by analogy with “slow cooking”—and it’s about my gallery and museum events, “One Hour/One Painting.”GS: I have heard about the “One Hour/One Painting” events, where a group of you contemplate a painting for one hour. Sounds like a great exercise in expanding your awareness. How are you promoting your book? Any cool events you are creating/attending that my readers can know about?PC: Yes. Watch out for a “One Hour/One Painting” session at a local museum or gallery. These sessions are all about “Mind Work”—the title of the book I am promoting right now. These sessions ask participants to slow down and put their minds to work in the contemplation of a work of art. Otherwise, I’m doing what I can to promote the book online, getting podcast interviews and blog interviews like this one (thank you!) and sending out copies for review. I have pretty much given up on “book-signings,” and prefer instead to lecture and lead discussion groups. I have been quite successful in developing a reputation on the lecture circuit, and find this to be the best way to get the word out.GS: Sounds like you have the high touch, high tech promotion format down. Excellent. Any final pearls of wisdom?PC: Pearls, hmmm. I guess I go back to the title of my last book, “Persist.” I find it hard to believe that I am now in my mid-seventies, and that persistence is still of absolute importance to me. I love what I do, I am committed to my writing and the ideas I work with, and know that it’s only through persistence that I’m able to pursue this work that is my life. The other pearl? Gratitude… It does wonders for the spirit!GS: Well, I am grateful for knowing you Peter! Thank you kindly for sharing your thoughts and experiences with me and my readers. May your books and teaching continue to inspire and shake up/wake up the world.Onward and upward,Greg
Kinkade at Comic Con 2010
Whilst studying at Art Center College of Design I met a fellow student who rode a motorcycle to school, dressed in dark clothes and always sported a leather jacket. He reminded me of the Fonz in the television sitcom Happy Days. Thomas Kinkade was only at Art Center for about a year but he definitely left an impression. He would tell me stories of hopping trains (like a hobo) with another student James Gurney (Dinotopia fame) to create plein air paintings in the countryside, then hop the train back home. Upon returning he shared these little painted gems of landscapes with me that reflected a passion and intuitive understanding of natural light.
He disappeared from school and it was not until almost a decade later in 1989 that I ran into him at a New York Society of Illustrators event. Now he was married, a born again christian, and dressed in a very conservative suit. Whoa, what happened to the Fonz?! Bringing me up to speed on his rising success advertising his art in magazines like House and Garden, Kinkade proceeded to show me one of his iconic Cottage paintings hanging on the wall of the gallery. Whoa, again! This was not my idea of great art, but it did show his ongoing fascination with capturing unique qualities of light.
Fast forward another decade and the “painter of light,” grew into franchised galleries filled with reproduced artwork and spin-off products in excess. His paintings/prints ranged in cost from hundreds of dollars to more than $10,000. At it's peak Kinkade’s Media Arts Group, once a publicly traded company, took in $32 million per quarter from 4,500 dealers across the country! Talk about a large niche market.
Art critics despised the work, but this was not a concern for Kinkade. Ultimately time will determine what great art is anyway. In the meantime, if you are making art you love and selling it to fans, patrons and collectors who cares? Is the art kitsch? It is a sell out? If your art is aligned with your authentic purpose then these are irrelevant questions. Kinkade was perfectly aligned with his vision.
Did he make mistakes with over marketing and selling his work? Absolutely!
Whether it was ignorance or greed, 4,500 dealers selling your craft is a huge error in judgement. When you have too much of anything being made or manufactured it will create a glut in the market dropping in value. In 2010 Kinkade was dealing with lawsuits and filing for bankruptcy. He was also struggling with other personal challenges which appeared to reflect a life out of balance.
It was during the 2010 Comic Con that Kinkade stopped by my booth to say hello. He gave me a recap of the past twenty years, the good and bad, the successes and mistakes. At one point he became very enthusiastic about a micro-chip that can be placed into an art print or other limited edition object essentially removing the possibility of someone counterfeiting your artwork. Overall he was very positive and looking to the future. I enjoyed seeing him.
He was 54 years old when he died last Friday. I reminisced on my career and wondered what pulling in $100 million dollars a year making my own art would have looked like. I had a hard time imagining it.
It is obvious he didn't!
As of yesterday one of his galleries just sold a painting for $150,000.
Whatever your opinion is on Kinkade as an artist, as a business person, or as a person will not change the fact that he made an indelible mark on millions of people who own his work. He loved what he was doing and it resonated with a HUGE group of supporters. It took time for him to build up those numbers, but he believed in his vision and never stopped promoting.
Onward and upward,
Greg
There's No Place Like Here: Brazenhead Books
Can't find the right gallery, convention, museum, restaurant, cafe or club that will show your masterpieces, or present them the way you want? Create your own! I am a firm proponent of the DYI spirit when it comes to getting your work out there, or in the instance of Michael Seidenberg's secret secondhand bookshop, getting your passion together anyway you can.
Twitter like all social media has its place in your promotional line up. The key is to remain fairly consistent with your tweets just like your blog posts. I suggest "pulsing" your promotion. Like your heartbeat it does not do much good if it stops for a long period of time. Keep your tweets vital and informative.To follow or not to follow other tweeters? Following others can increase your exposure.Your Twitter can become a portfolio. If you tweet photos, it all collects in a gallery by your profile, so people can easily access them (up to 100 of your most recent photos). All you have to do is click on the tweet box and there is an camera icon to click on.Learn from some Twitter masters:Banzai ChicksMark Murphy Design Irene Gallo Etsy Daniel Lexo Maria Brophy Lillyella Xenotees Douglas RushkoffWho are some of your favorite tweeters?
In July 2010 I met a young artist name Ray Sumser selling a poster of his art in front of the San Diego convention center during Comic Con. I included him in an article I wrote about street artists called Artist As Brand Grassroots. At the end of last year I noticed he had started a Kickstarter funding event that did very well.For those who are not familiar with Kickstarter.com it is the world's largest funding platform for creative projects. Every week, tens of thousands of amazing people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields. It is a new form of commerce and patronage. This is not about investment or lending. Project creators keep 100% ownership and control over their work.It is such hit that sponsors will curate pages. Even colleges like SVA and RISD have gotten into the action supporting their alumni and students.
What's amazing is the amount of money some projects acquire. How about Joshua Harker's, Crania Anatomica Filigre sculpture which pulled in $77,271. Or the comic The Order of the Stick which pulled in a whopping $1,254,120! What?! You heard right, check it out.
Bottom line is if you have a great idea Kickstarter can help you start funding it.
Every year we have "wins" even if they are small ones. Sometimes we are so focused on experiencing the big win, that the little ones get pushed aside. Stop and smell the roses my friends!I have some accomplishments to share with you from AAB participants who were with me over a year ago. These individuals have much to show and tell so I am going to present them one by one over the weeks to come.
Sandra Chang-Adair is a force of nature.
I am going to let her share what she has been up to. You will learn much if you read it through-"This may be interesting for your students. My husband, Dustin, is a 3D animator who worked for 10 years doing special effects in Hollywood. Seeing the eventual outsourcing of visual effects to foreign countries, he decided 2 years ago to try his hand at developing an iPhone game. So he created "Poker with Bob", a poker game with a 3D Pixar-like character talking "smack" back to you. He launched the game after programing and working nights and weekends for 2 years in May of 2011. By July, Caesar's Palace contacted him, bought the IP from him and hired him as a consultant on the game. We packed up and moved to Las Vegas. So the lesson here is hard work and dedication does pay off, we should all learn from his focus and concentration. Anyway, I will recap what I've accomplished this past year and what I've learned. I updated my sandrachang.net and Banzai Chicks websites.1.) Did extremely well selling Banzai Chicks merchandise at the San Diego Comic-con 2011. Made a big splash with my 2 Mord'sith (Legend of the Seeker) costumes as well (I actually sold more stuff to guys on those days). I shared a table with my husband (you can see his Poker with Bob) stuff. I have to show off my costumes (it cost a lot to get them made), I know it doesn't have much to do with Banzai Chicks, but it's fun!2.) Did also very well with Banzai Chicks at the Wondercon 2011.3.) Got into Unique LA (a hand-crafted design show) in the summer. Didn't do as well as I hoped, they stuck me along the narrow hallway near the bathrooms, so my space was not as visible from the main showroom. I did learn that a design/fashion show was probably not the best venue for my stuff as much as comic book conventions, but it could be that my location was bad or too much competition with jewelery.4.) Did the 2 day Pink Parlour show at the Santa Anita Racetrack (a show geared towards woman and Kitsch). I did fairly well. Got to put some of my stuff on consignment at the Pinky Star store in West Covina (the proprietor of the show owns this store). The Banzai Chicks merchandise didn't sell as well, so in September, I removed my merchandise. To my disappointment, they had stuck labels underneath the arm holes and ruined some shirts with holes from the plastic tags. I think if any of your students want to put stuff on consignment, they have to be careful with whom they are dealing with.5.) I got my stuff into Happy Six, a Kawaii type boutique in Santa Monica. I had my eye on that store earlier this year and I met a friend of Diana Levin's who knew the owner, Sophie Snow. I befriended her on Facebook and Sophie started following my tweets on Twitter. So I sent her a message asking if I can be in her store. She agreed right away. It's consignment, but Sophie is a great person to deal with. She is meticulous with the invoicing and consistently sends you an inventory of goods sold and a check every month. She is also expanding to an online store which she requested I participate in. She is a good example of how networking on Facebook and Twitter can work to your advantage. I also got a deal going with an Australian publisher through Facebook called Centauress. He wants to publish art journals and license my artwork on the cover. He is in the process of making his company public and rewriting the contracts for the artists.6.) I sold a few items wholesale to a boutique in Burbank called Audrey K and a boutique somewhere along the 5 from LA to San Jose, but when I inquired about more business, I never got a response. I had stuff in a store in Highland Park called Studioroot 66, but they closed down because of the bad economy during the first quarter of this year. When I moved to Las Vegas, I was at a carwash called 7 Hills and I noticed they had handmade jewelry for sale. So I have some of my Banzai Chicks jewelry for consignment there. It's an odd place, but who cares. I will have to do my homework and scout out for more places to sell my stuff in Nevada.7.) I met a friend of my husband's at the San Diego Comic-con that works at Applehead Factory, a Branding Company. As a favor to my husband, he agreed to help advise me on branding Banzai Chicks. He said my next step was creating a bible and later a style guide. He sent me some examples of transmedia bibles for other intellectual property as samples. So I am working on a Banzai Chicks Transmedia Bible. So I started developing the Banzai Chicks universe and characters in more depth and plan to lay it out in a cohesive package. I designed and reworked some new characters and mascots. I'm hoping that he can help me shape this into a viable property for licensing. It's going to be a lot of work. 8.) I developed some new Banzai Chicks jewelry. I engineered Interchangeable Magnetic lockets and rings. There is a magnet inside the locket or ring and I have my characters inside glass lids with washers attached to the backs of them. You can switch out the glass lids on the locket or ring. This is my best selling item at conventions. I also designed three types of bracelets and dangle glass earrings.kawaii-mika-the-punk-girlbanzai-chicks-glass-interchangeablesweet-cartoon-girls-hearts-charmcute-cartoon-geisha-chibi-glass-pierced9.) After neglecting my Etsy store for over a year, I decided to give it a big push in December (just in time for the Holidays). I bought a macro lens for my camera and a lighting kit off of Amazon. I bought background paper from the scrapbooking department in Michael's and studied product photography (as well as a layman could off the internet). I worked on improving my photographs to make my Etsy store look better. I also bought search ads, but I discovered that the best trafficking tool is to constantly listing new items so they show up on the front page. The shop stats on Etsy really helps.10.) I created a Zazzle store that has sneakers (and stamps) and a Spreadshirt.com store to sell T-shirt designs I don't have the money to manufacture and screen print myself. I learned how to create artwork for a flock print (a t-shirt with a velvety, soft surface) using vector art created to certain specifications. I get occasional orders from these online stores.zazzle.com/banzai+chicks+giftsspreadshirt.com/banzaichicks11.) Besides Banzai Chicks, I sold 4 painted sexy girl pin-ups to Hustler Magazine.12.) I finally signed a contract with SQP Publications with Sal Quartuccio, the owner, for a 48-page sexy pinup book. I've been trying to get this deal going for 3 years now, and I was able to connect with him during the San Diego Comic-con. Persistence pays off. The book is slated for an end of 2012 or early 2013 release. I can fill about 1/2 the book with paintings I'm created before, but I have about 22 more paintings to make between now and the end of next year. I love doing Banzai Chicks stuff, but the other part of me loves making realistic fantasy paintings. Here is a painting I'm working on for the book, it's not finished yet, but it's coming along nicely.
13.) Did a 3-day art exhibit, San Francisco Erotic Art Exhibition, in September. This was crazy because I just moved to Las Vegas and two days later, I had to drive up to San Francisco. I didn't sell anything, but met some great people and the exposure was good. The show was on Mission Street and was in a high trafficked area, but over all, very few pieces of art actually sold. I also participated in several smaller art venues, the One-day Character's Show in Hollywood hosted by Diana Levin (You Go, Girl!) in February; Women on Top, An All Female Artist Exhibition in Oxnard hosted by Patty Arellano in April; and Ladies Night, another all female art show in Oxnard run by Gloria Centurion in June.14.) So that's it. I'm a full-time artist now in Las Vegas. I was able to quit my stressful graphic design job. On the personal side, I got two certificates in kung fu at my school, Beijing Taichi and Kung fu Academy in Santa Monica before I left (had to test on a bunch of forms and fighting) -- a Certificate in Traditional Kung Fu and a Certificate in Traditional Weapons. My school does not issue black belts unless you win in a national tournament in an advanced division and I didn't compete. In Las Vegas, I joined a kung fu school recommended by my Los Angeles Sifu, the Sifu at the new school is a 32nd generation Shaolin Monk from China...how cool is that? After 2 months, I'm already a yellow sash and have learned 3 new forms."
Did I mention that Sandra was a force of nature?! Thank you Sandra, your an awesome inspiration.Onward and upward everyone!Greg
2012 will be year of the artist entrepreneur ______________
Arnie and Cathy Fenner, the organizers of Spectrum Fantastic Art Live to be held in Kansas City this May sent me this email "Looks like we are all ahead of the curve on what we're doing." I am presenting an Artist As Brand workshop in conjunction with the event.They connected me to this article by Michael Wolf about artists taking control of their prosperity:While 2011 was a big year for political unrest, another uprising was afoot in the world of content creators and artists. Everywhere you look, artists are taking more control over their own economic well being, in large part because the Internet has enabled them to do so. You see it in all forms of content, from books, to video to music.A few examples from this year:e-books: Probably the most active area in large part because there is huge shifts taking place in digital publishing. From former mid-list writers like Barry Eisler to superstars like JK Rowling, writers are increasingly making waves in digital publishing.Video: The story of the year for artists-as-entrepreneur came at the tail-end, with Louis CK saying no thank you to corporate middlemen and putting his new concert video online for $5 a pop.Radio/Music: All sorts of independent entrepreneurs are putting audio entertainment online, from the rise of podcast kings like Leo Laporte to a huge number of independents like Adam Carolla and Marc Maron. Music artists are being given freedom too, through new platforms to create and share their music like Soundcloud.So what is driving this movement towards the artist-entrepreneur that will give it huge momentum in 2012?More...
I love people whose passion is to inspire and empower others. This is one of the reasons I enjoy bringing special guests to my workshops! There is such a wealth of knowledge to be gained.As a writer, private art-career coach, and entrepreneur who grew up in a family of artists, Ariane Goodwin, Ed.D., has learned that it is possible for an artist’s creative right-brain, and career-strategy left-brain, to become smooth-as-silk dancing partners. Ariane considers herself an artist’s ally, especially when artists understand that presenting artwork with confidence and credibility is as basic as good art supplies. Ariane uses the knowledge from her doctorate in Human Development and Creative Behavior to create a wide range of art-career materials, and events, to help visual fine artists catapult their careers to the next level. Besides authoring, "Writing the Artist Statement: Revealing the True Spirit of Your Work"– she is also the founder and host for a professional development conference for visual artists— the smARTist Telesummit.Greg: Tell me why you love what you do?Ariane: Here’s what I deeply believe: What artist do for our collective society is essential to our humanity. Many studies show us that wherever the arts are thriving, the entire local economy around those arts is also thriving. This reality has to fight tooth and nail against the multiple myths of the starving artist. The outsider. The rebel. And even though these myths have sprung out of Zeus’s head of truth, it is not the whole story – or even a major portion of the story. Changing this collective perception begins at home, with the artists. My work is about all the ways I can support visual artists to do this by successfully putting their work into the world.
Josephine A. Gieger- Middleton Courthouse Majestic Oak- smARTistTelesummit Alumni
G: I love that! How would you define artist empowerment?A: Empowerment is a state of being activated by every decision and choice we make. As we make our choices, if we pay attention to the small, quiet flame of life energy in our hearts, we can easily feel, or see, when a choice is increasing that flame of life energy, or decreasing it. That’s where our true power lies.Empowerment is an inside -> out reality. A big mistake in our current culture is the way making money – an outside -> in phenomenon – has become the benchmark for how we value ourselves and what we create. Money is an essential element that supports us best when it’s in harmony with the rest of our life. However, when money flow runs the show, it steals our ability to be self-empowered and blinds us to the creative power that is the elemental wellspring of all empowerment.G: I agree with you completely. Living from the inside out is the foundation of empowerment. Prosperity flows from that place too. Tell me about your book, Writing The Artist Statement, Revealing the True Spirit of Your Work .A: An artist statement is a first person account of what, how, and why you do what you do, from the artist’s perspective. The secret lies in how an artist statement builds a psychological bridge between the artist and the audience. An effective statement creates a personal connection to the artwork and stimulates our human thirst for story. This in turn triggers longer memory storage about the artist by immersing the viewer in two languages: visual and linguistic.For people who see your work, a well-written statement keeps your name in front of them even longer. Name recognition, or branding, as it’s know in business-speak, is nothing more than remembering -- out of a virtual storm of cultural stimulation -- what has struck a deep chord within us. Another secret is that the artist statement is not just for art patrons and gallery owners. It is also for the artist. Writing an artist statement gives artists another way to reflect on their work. When you dare to climb this small, professional Mr. Everest, a surprising view of your own work awaits you at the top.
Tricia Simmons- Silver Pod with Australian Boulder Opal- smARTistTelesummit Alumni
G: Speaking your truth this way sounds like a perfect fit with living from the inside out! I am curious about the smARTist Telesummit this January 26/27 with MasterMind Panels and January 30 – Feb 3 with 10 Keynote speakers. Tell me more.A: Seven years ago, when I trolled the Internet, I searched in vain for a professional development conference for visual artists. I couldn’t even find the term “art career” connected to the key words: visual fine artist. Oh sure, I could find it in the “How to Have An Art Career Illustrating Children’s Books” categories, but not in the fine art arena. That took me by surprise in the same way I was taken by surprise years earlier when I discovered that artists thought artist statements were a worse fate than having a root canal. In fact, until the first conference (for that’s really what smARTist is: a virtual conference), you simply could not find anyone talking to visual artists about a “career.” About a business, yes. About how to market, yes. But a “career?” It just hadn’t evolved to that point in our collective consciousness — yet.My opening remarks at that first conference, January 2007, was all about the need for artists to embrace what they did at the level of a career because that was the key for turning around the starving artist myth. It was the key to shifting our cultural, collective awareness of who artists really are! In 2007, “telesummit” was part of a new, online vocabulary designed to create a clear distinction between events in our non-virtual world and our ever-expanding, transforming online world. Today, the word “telesummit” has morphed way beyond the concept of a brick and mortar conference. But the event of smARTist is still that: the equivalent of an offline, professional development conference for visual fine artists and artisans.I tell all my keynote speakers, “Give all the deserving artists, who come year after year, the best material you have in you! After all, they shower our collective humanity with the magic and power of their creative flow, and deserve nothing less.”
Judith Gleason Glover- Hollyhocks- smARTistTelesummit Alumni
G: Bravo! How do you feel the Telesummit differs from what participants may learn in college, or other art institution?A: First off, college and art institutions have, for the most part, completely neglected any preparation for the reality that an artist is simultaneously an entrepreneur, a business person. Even if an artist manages to find someone to take on that role for them, they are their brand. They are inextricably tied to their art even after they’ve produced it. In many ways, college and art institutions have fostered the myth that an artist shouldn’t “soil their hands” with the dirty business of business. It’s a hierarchy of myths slapping each other on the back: that somehow business is a lower order of human experience/expression than art. The result is that many artists have become handicapped because of a mindset, a perception, which, as far as I’m concerned, is as easily shifted as one shifts a camera’s focus from a mossy stone to that soaring eagle.At the smARTist Telesummit, we aim to expand an artist’s creative experience from the studio to the artwork’s journey into the world. There is no reason for any artist to stop respecting the vision and gift of their creativity because the artwork has been produced. In fact, ushering your artwork into the world is a vulnerable and tender act of continued commitment and care. I liken it to having a baby and not leaving it in a basket on someone else’s porch.Each year, this professional development, online conference has a new focus. This year its about learning how to connect with collectors and communicate with confidence so you get more sales.With a doctorate in Creative Behavior and Human Development, I hold a strong belief that we learn best when it’s combination of practical art-career information (with 10 leading art career authorities speaking to you over 7 days you get a lot of “practical”), and raising our inner awareness (which, this year, centers on how to define and establish your value as an artist).
Barb Beckman- Angular Reflections- smARTistTelesummit Alumni
G: It has been my experience teaching at colleges that the business of art is neglected. Most higher education teach art making skill sets with an eye on preparing artists for the gallery world, or publishing and entertainment industries. What would be your suggestions for artists graduating with this mind set and do you feel its sustainable?A: There’s always room for multiple ways to be successful. Publishing, galleries, and the entertainment industries are all viable options. However, there are even more options. However, an artist’s survival depends on multiple ways to create cash flow, which is another reason the conference is so critical because it introduces artists to new ways to create income with their art.G: I read that one of your participants came up with an idea for a TV show focused on 'Plein Air Painting' where he could combine his passion for painting with travel. Within a few months he had negotiated an agreement with a television network. Those kinds of stories are a testament to the inspiration your conference brings to artists. Can you share another promotional strategy that has helped artists?A: I could pull out specific strategies, only after five conferences over five years, 46 speakers, and 62 topics, it would be like offering you one grain of sand instead of the whole, crystal white beach.What seems much more valuable to me is the huge shift that happens in an artist’s mindset. Because the conference offers such a wide expanse of ongoing, information (especially about how artists can best interface with the New World online), and 7 days of lively connection and exchange with fellow artists (the forum is a goldmine of stories, shared resources, priceless feedback, brainstorming – artists all a buzz with each other about what they are learning and how they are going to apply it to their art careers-right now!)--an artist’s entire career can catapult forward.You can see why I’m juiced to get up every morning to do this – spend 10-hr days for months at a time preparing for one event—because I hear back from artists about how it transforms their entire vision of what’s possible for their art careers.
Laura Muir- My Garden Next Year- smARTistTelesummit Alumni
G: Sounds like a treasure trove of inspiration and ideas for artists to build from. Thank you Ariane, for your artful wisdom and information concerning the smARTist Telesummit. Artists can save $60 right now on registration until this Friday, Jan 6th. Read testimonials here.