Christine Brown

One of the best parts of teaching, lecturing and presenting workshops for higher education is the people I meet. I love connecting with all the talented, passionate individuals who enjoy teaching and inspiring others to greatness. Some of these special people work in the Career and Professional Development departments. Recently, I lectured at the AICAD and CIAD conferences at Ringling College of Art and Design and learned much about this group of professionals who guide students toward career opportunities.

Let's celebrate one of them!

Christine Brown is the Director of Career and Professional Development at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University.

GS: Tell us about your journey to becoming a Director for Career and Professional Development at Kendall.

CB: Like most people it was not a straight and narrow path but more like a bouncing balloon. It was a journey of learning about myself. I started out in college studying biology and chemistry, then becoming very interested in law and finally graduating with a Business and a Paralegal degree. There was something common in my choices of the various majors and it became more apparent when I began to volunteer at the local Women's Resource Center. I wanted to empower people. I discovered that whatever occupation I chose, working with people to improve their quality of life had to be a big component of the job. Whether graduating with a law degree and working for children's and women's right's or becoming a health care provider I wanted to make a difference.I had a couple of wonderful mentors who saw my passion. They provided me with the opportunity and training to work and volunteer helping students in a college environment as well as at the Women's Center. You cannot help but grow and flourish when you are doing what is your passion. I worked in Career Services at the business college where I received my degree, then asked to interview for the Director of the Career Office at Kendall in 1998. I have been here since and enjoy coming to work everyday.

Besides the paycheck, the real pay off is the box of letters and thank you notes I receive from people who feel that I made a difference.

.GS: It is wonderful when your work is aligned with what you love. What do you feel is the most important and fulfilling facets of what you do?

CB: That I have the opportunity to meet so many students, alumni, and people in the business community, then bringing these constituents together.GS: After returning from the AICAD and CIAD conferences it was apparent that much of the career councilors work is gathering statistics for government funding, fulfilling accreditation requirements, and seeking out job openings for graduates. The amount of bureaucracy you must wade through is immense. How do you prioritize these responsibilities and how does the student fit in?CB: We have had to be smarter in the way we work. Technology has become and important part of the equation in delivering services and information to our students and alumni. I am a one person office with an assistant which I share with another director. When I started enrollment was 550. We are now at an enrollment of 1400 so I have to be creative. I believe my mission is to prepare these students to be self-sufficient and resourceful. I still meet with students one-on-one, but the traffic is down due to the technology we have implemented. Students today like having 24/7 access online to services.GS: Self-sufficiancy is vitally important to sustainability. How do you learn the needs, and ambitions of your individual students?CB: Shut-up, Listen and Observe!GS: Sounds like good advice!It appears that the success of much higher education today is determined by its job placement capabilities. Preparing and plugging graduates into industry positions is a priority. I have never seen curriculum that focuses on creating an industry around an individual's talent and vision. Any thoughts on this?CB: I do not place people in jobs. I provide them with the skills to manage their careers whether it is job searching or starting their own business. Many of our alumni who come to the college and share their stories with our students are running their own consultancies. I personally would like to see more business-related classes geared towards artists and designers. West Michigan has some great support resources for anyone wanting to start a business. Just by the nature of art and design, most artists/designers should be prepared to negotiate contracts, work with clients, price their work, understand their markets and create new markets.GS: It has been my experience especially over the last decade that more and more students as well as professional artists are looking for ways to create a living from their own creations and stories. Have you noticed this shift at Kendall?

Yes, entrepreneurialism is on the rise.

.With the all the new community resources, business education and venture capitalists in West Michigan, I see more people making that leap. It is great to see how many of our graduates have opened their own design studios, art businesses and galleries. I recently met with our new college President who asked me what ideas I see in the future for Kendall. My response was to develop an entrepreneurial center/incubator for artists and designers. Guess what? He liked the idea and said he was sure there were grants and funding for this type of endeavor.

GS: Wow, that is awesome. Go to the top when you want to get something done!  The entrepreneurial center/incubator for crowd funding etc. are ideas all colleges/universities can implement now.You were instrumental in bringing me to Kendall last year to present an Artist As Brand workshop, and are now having me return again this November. What has been the feedback of the students, faculty and alumni?CB: I had students and alum who attended the weekend session call or stop by my office to thank Nancy and myself for sponsoring your visit. It was a great success and attendees felt they were connecting the dots of their life, aspirations and their work. There was excitement in the room because they felt like they had a focus and a direction. It was always there inside of them, but you gave them the window to look inside and discovery it themselves.

Artist As Brand Workshop at Kendall 2011

GS: That is wonderful to hear, thank you. I look forward to returning! One of the goals in the workshop is to bring clarity to an artist's personal vision, then connect that to a plan of action. I find that there is tremendous empowerment when tapping into ones own volition and seeing success rise from it. How do you define success?

Success to me is living the best life you can and becoming an inspiration to others.

GS: Sounds like a Heart Virtue to me!Art is like fashion, it changes and morphs throughout the years. Any suggestions for an artist’s sustainability and final pearls of wisdom?

CB: Stay connected with your art community and do whatever it takes to remain inspired to create.

1.  If you're not making mistakes, you're not taking risks, that means you're not going anywhere. 2. Don't be afraid to ask for help! 3. Trust yourself.

Inspiration is the word! Thank you Christine for sharing your journey, and insight into the world of Career & Professional Development! See you soon!And thank you to all the Career Service professionals who are beacons of light for students everywhere.

If your work is well done, has integrity and is imbued with love it will most likely reflect exceptional value and longevity. So it is with Blog posts. The following post by Chris Guillebeau is from 2010 but still vital as ever:I’m a big fan of Jim Collins’ work, especially the modern day classic Good to Great.Even if you’re not interested in business, the book is inspiring and practical. Nine years after publication, it’s still kicking ass, and deservedly so.I recently re-read my favorite passages, and I especially liked the introduction Jim used to convey how much the book meant to him before publication.

As I was finishing this manuscript, I went for a run and an odd question popped into my mind: How much would someone have to pay me not to publish Good to Great?It was an interesting thought experiment, given that I’d just spent the previous five years working on the research project and writing this book. Not there isn’t some number that might entice me to bury it, but by the time I crossed the hundred-million-dollar threshold, it was time to head back down the trail. Even that much couldn’t convince me to abandon the project.

One hundred million dollars! Can you imagine creating something you love so much that you wouldn’t part with it for less than that? Wow.Aside from making sure I have enough to live responsibly and have my adventures, I don’t focus a lot on money. But I think Jim’s right: most of us have some kind of walk-away price. It’s good to know what it is, because then you know how valuable your work is—even if it’s something you keep to yourself. More...

©Greg Spalenka

By Jack Kelly, CEO ofAdva Mobile, a mobile marketing and technology firm for Artists, successfully crowdfunded via IndieGoGo.Crowdfunding is this decade’s new tool for helping Artists raise money to reach their goals – and it just got better. Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, RocketHub, and other Crowdfunding service companies are being used successfully by Artists to raise money for projects, but the average Kickstarter campaign raises about $4,500.For the Artist with more serious aspirations – and a need for more serious funds – the new JOBS Act signed by the President has a provision that can help.Kickstarter and other Crowdfunding services require “rewards” for donations, but don’t allow you to offer a share of your profits as a reward for your successful project. That’s called “equity”, and only wealthy people were considered smart enough to invest in businesses – and Artists ARE businesses – where the risk of losing money was high but the potential for making money was significant.That’s what changed in the JOBS Act. Small businesses – again, that’s you – can now incorporate and sell ownership in their business venture, to the general public, exchanging a portion of your subsequent profits for an initial investment of capital. Equity Based Crowdfunding could become a disruptive force in the music industry, providing capital for the kind of marketing, production and touring support previously provided only by major labels to large Acts. This level of capital – up to $1 million (and there are restrictions on individual investment levels) is now available to small businesses, including those small businesses known as “Artists”.Continued...

I have heard artists say, "My art is not a product!"If you sell your art it is a product. If you create an edition of prints it is part of your product line. One of my favorite indie artists, Jeff Soto just started a product line of clothing.The name Stormcloudz came to Soto several years ago- "A storm cloud can be one of the most beautiful, powerful and sometimes dangerous forces of nature. I think the same can be said of art. It can be beautiful and at the same time it has the power to make people think and great art can make people act! I titled my last NYC art exhibit Stormclouds and thought that someday it could be a fun name for a brand."A brand you say? Jeff Soto is the brand, Stormcloudz is the name of the company.

Stormcloudz is rooted in Soto's love of the natural world, with designs featuring owls, skulls, flowers and mythical beasts. Visually the line takes inspiration from Soto's involvement in different artistic genres- graffiti, gig posters, skateboard graphics, illustration and fine art. It is very much an apparel project designed by an artist for people with artistic, creative minds.Currently, Stormcloudz apparel can be found online at Tilly's.He also asks to keep in touch on his Facebook page, Twitter feed and website. He would also like you to get involved! They have stickers and want to give them to you. Send a self addressed stamped envelope to:STORMCLOUDZ Stickerzc/o F4D Studios9960 Indiana Ave, Ste 9Riverside, CA 92503Jeff Soto is turning into an Artist As Brand master! Go Jeff!

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.

***

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.

***

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 

HeartVirtue.com

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 

website.

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

When I registered my trademark for Artist As Brand® last year I had no idea I would be challenged on the mark. But there was a fellow who had a company called The Brand Artist who felt my company name infringed on his business even though we did very different things. My lawyer had a conversation with the owner and that pretty much ended the confrontation. Which brings up the issue of why you trademark, and why you will want a lawyer to help you do it.You trademark the name of something that you feel has unique, solid worth and will most likely have some longevity attached to it. It really is that simple. You trademark these facets of your creative properties because you want to protect the investment you have made in this product. Having the law behind you in the case someone decides to lift your name for their own purposes can have some weight when push comes to shove. I always felt the name, Artist As Brand® was special, even if it is controversial in some fine art circles. It is amazing how fast a catchy name or slogan can create "brand" awareness. I have seen this work with the power in those three words.Hiring an ethical, reasonably priced lawyer to help you through this process is very important. The whole process is going to cost $2000-$3000. That is a lot of money you may say. It is and it isn't. If you are serious about protecting your sweet idea for the life of your business then it is very much worth it. Finding a lawyer you can trust is vital. Here is one of the best I know- Mathew Saunders of Saunders & Silverstein LLP. msaunders(at)massiplaw.com  Tell him I sent you.There many factors that come into play when the United States Patent and Trademark Office decides whether your mark is valid or not. I will not go into these details but suffice to say, there is a legal jargon attached to the process which can be confusing unless you have someone like a lawyer who can make sense of it all.One of the most important reasons for doing this right is that trademarks have taken on new importance in the internet era. The internet is ripe for intellectual property abuse, but big corporations like to push their weight around too. Check out this story in the New Yorks Times about the controversy surrounding the name, Pretzel Crisps. It's a crazy world.It is good to have some understanding of how this legal world turns and know your grand ideas can be protected for the long run.PeaceGreg

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.