I have been talking about the magic Five Years ever since it took me as much time to really lock in my illustration career. It can happen sooner, but the five year mark generally holds true. Check out this post on Muddy Colors where Chris Moeller talks about the five year mark. He is talking generally about the industry of illustration but the principle of how long it takes is the same with building your independent art empire outside of industry.

My students create a five year marketing blueprint in the AAB workshop. This way you begin to shape your career long term instead of leaving it up to fate.

Peace

Greg

REGISTRATION CLOSED

I am honored to be presenting a workshop at the historic Westbeth in NYC.Located in West Greenwich Village, Westbeth has provided affordable living and working spaces for artists and their families since 1970. The workshop is open to all artists. I guarantee that any participant that faithfully applies the principles learned in the class will sell more art in the coming year than they did the year before or I will refund their registration fee.

$295

$150 For Westbeth residents!

Westbeth (Community Room) 55 Bethune Street New York City, 10014 212- 691-1500

Read the REGISTER page before signing up.

Learn more about the workshop on the

ABOUT

page. See what art professors, professionals, and college students are saying

here.

When you finish this seminar you will be empowered to take any success you have now to another level. See you soon!

Greg Spalenka

I am presenting a three day workshop May 15 (Tues), 16 (Wed.), 17 (Thurs), before the May 18-20 Spectrum Live event in Kansas City, MO. This is a great opportunity for all artists to learn the Artist As Brand principles and then see how it applies at an event like Spectrum Live, where I will have a booth too!Which artists know how to present themselves in a unique and professional manner? Who stands out? What can you do that nobody else is doing? How to present yourself at a shows like Spectrum Live is only a small part of what you will learn in this course. You will be empowered and prepared to manifest your own art empire. Get ready to see your professional art career from a very different perspective.And receive a free 3 day pass to Spectrum Live!Read the REGISTER page before signing up.Learn more about the workshop on theABOUT page.See what art professors, professionals, and college students are sayinghere.

The Beerhorst Family

The Beerhorst Family is pure Artist As Brand. In fact Rick Beerhorst says the family is a brand! Take a look at this article on Etsy and the video and see what I mean.

Empowerment People!

Greg

LESSONS LEARNED

Experiences are going to be good and bad depending on your perspective, but if we focus on the lessons learned we can always view it through a positive lens. Every San Diego Comic Convention since my first in 1974 has taught me something. In the beginning Comic Con was all about fans appreciating comics and the creators behind the art of these stories. Writers, artists, publishers, merchandisers, all gathered for this large show and tell of popular art culture, to be seen as well as trade and sell their products. Comic Con grew on this simple premise.

The film and television industries were always present at the event but more on the fringes. Over the last decade the tables have turned and promotions for the large media conglomerates have taken center stage, literally. This has changed the fan base. Serious collectors that flocked to the event are becoming rare. I was elated to see Mr. Katz, one of my best patrons stop by the booth.  When I asked why he had not been to the Con in nine years he waved his hand toward the FOX and Warner Brothers islands and said, "I could do without all this."

Ric Meyers (writer and presenter of the Kung Fu extravaganza at Comic Con) mentioned "the artists and merchandisers are being pushed towards the walls, and disappearing into them." Many of my favorite artists do not come to Con anymore because it is too expensive.

This year a group of Pixar artists started an event called “Tr!ckster” across the street from Con in response to what they consider an impersonal giant. It's fascinating that a group of artists who make their livings strapped to a corporate entity are putting together alternate events to Comic Con. This highlights the dilemma I see in the corporate world all the time. Artists become addicted to the salaries they receive working for industry, yet yearn for independence. The challenge is you have very little time to do your own work once you are locked into that system.

The shining light in all this is that your fans, your patrons and collectors will stick with you wherever you are. Some of my collectors who I met at Comic Con years ago stopped by to see me and purchased art (one is the Batgirl painting above that I worked on at the booth). I love my supporters, they make the trip to San Diego worth while. Also seeing my artist friends at this event is enjoyable.There are other conventions popping up around the U.S. I was speaking with Arnie and Cathy Fenner about Spectrum Live to be held next May in Kansas City. It is an event that is focused on the artist.  I will be there with a booth and as well as presenting an Artist As Brand workshop! Yes, stay tuned, Spectrum and Artist As Brand are aligning.What did I learn this year? Comic Con is becoming less of a place to sell and more of a venue to promote. The big question is if it's worth it? That being said my Crescoptiscope from The Visions of Vespertina was a hit and brought many curious eyes to the booth. I wish you could have all seen it in action. Had to be there!

For those of you who could not make it to San Diego, I have a few Masters of Science Fiction and Fantasy Art left. See some of the bookhere. I am in it with Brom, Kinuko Craft, Dan Dos Santos, Donato, Charles Vess, Stephan Martiniere, James Gurney, and more. It is an awesome collection, with insightful commentary by the artists. $25.00, shipping included. You can purchase it at Amazon for the same price but mine comes signed.

To your art empire,

Greg

Director Spalenka

When I decided to publish my first illustrated novel, The Visions of Vespertina,Kickstarter.com came to mind to garner support. This online crowd funding website has really taken off and now their are others to increase the competition. I like the way Kickstarter supports creative projects.  It is amazing how well different projects have done through the help of this funding platform.

In a nutshell you pitch your product to the world and see who is interested enough to donate or pre-order your art, movie, book, etc. You offer rewards for specific amounts of product or extras. If you reach your desired financial goal by your deadline the funds are released to you. A video is a helpful tool to perk up interest. The quality of these infomercials range from sophisticated to doh!

I wanted to create a "trailer" for my book and so decided to film actors and my art using green screen technology. If all goes well I should have it up on Kickstarter in about two weeks. I will keep you informed. So for all you courageous Artist As Brand® (yes I now have a registered trademark!) entrepreneurs, crowd funding is a viable solution to jump start the production on your labor of love.

Peace

Greg

The 21 Best Resources from the Business Blogosphere

Etsy's Blog is called The Storque. Daniel Lexo is the editor and she puts together some great articles that champion  small independent businesses, especially of the art and crafts world. I thought this post had some great resources in it. Check it out. This article came out end of last year but the resources are still good ones."With so much content out there on the web and so many experts out there telling you how you can and should run your business, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Where to start? Who to listen to?"PeaceGreg

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom."

- Anais Nin

The last two weeks were filled with Artist As Brand workshops in San Francisco at the Academy of Art UniversityandGallery Nucleus.

Every venue I have taught at has its own unique personality. Individual talents that grace each class are special in their skill sets and personal visions. However when the workshop begins differences recede as a common purpose reveals itself. The desire for self empowerment, courage, confidence, hope, possibility fill the room. Creating an art business outside the confines of the corporate world is an opportunity to energize our inner resources and confront the fears that hold us back.My goal is to fire up people's inner power. This is not about pumping up false egotistical pride, but the real power that comes from knowing yourself. The ancient Greek aphorism, "Know Thyself" got it right.Starting from this centered place allows the other core elements of who you are to start sprouting through. These loving desires blossom into unforeseen markets of possibility. Watching individuals awaken to this wisdom is truly a magical process.For many this creative bud is so tightly bound (from years of neglecting pure expression) it takes some nurturing to open. I have seen these petals of perception reveal newfound awareness the first day of the workshop, sometimes it takes three, but evolve beyond the workshop.Our intention as creative beings is to continue blooming until the day we throw off this mortal coil. This can include our art business too, if you choose. Pulling strength from your core purpose will sustain the vision.I bow to all my students planting the seeds of success with their clarity, talent, and volition. Keep growing!PeaceGreg

Photos by Spalenka

*MINI ART EMPIRES IN THE ROUGH*Street Artists make a living selling directly to the public. (part 2)

The concept of creating income doing what you really love is difficult for most people to comprehend. We were not brought up to think that way. Generally we passed from elementary school through high school and college with the idea firmly planted in our heads that we were preparing ourselves to get a job. Aptitude and skill set were the criteria that determined what job you would fit into. Entrepreneurial possibilities were not considered.If you were an artist you had generally four choices:1. Gallery Worlds: Commercial to blue chip, take your pick. This usually entailed earning a masters degree so you could teach to compensate for the sparse income made as a fine artist.2. Commercial Art: Included graphic/industrial designers, film makers, architects, photographers, illustrators (publishing, advertising), concept designers (film, and now games).3. Become a starving artist.4. Make your art a hobby.I have been an industry artist in publishing and film for many years. It was only through showcasing my art for 20 years at the San Diego Comic Convention that I came to the realization that it's possible to make a living outside the corporate model. The internet opened new possibilities of promotion, but connecting one on one with your fans, patrons, and collectors changed everything. The growth of the handmade movement attests to this shift.Street artists have been doing this forever! Their marketing techniques could be more savvy, but they have talent, passion, goals, and make a living doing what they love.

Ron Jones

Ron Jones went to Parsons. He has been selling on the street for years. His work was very linear and graphic, almost graffiti like but with a sophisticated finish. All painted on plywood. "I love your work, Ron. Can I see you online?" I asked. "Not yet. I have to get my website up," he said. "I would really like to be in more galleries," he added.

Ron gave me his business card. Upon closer inspection I realized this was an original drawing made with markers! Every card was a piece of art. He even had his working hours on the back of it, Mon thru Sun. I noticed that this promo was made over the note pad paper of another artist agent with his URL on it (showing through the black bar at the bottom of the promo). "Are you represented by this agent?" I asked. "No. I just used that paper to make the card. I recycle paper all the time." Ron looked more closely at the printed words showing through his black marker.

"You are promoting your competition, Ron!" I exclaimed. "Damn," he said, "You want me to cut that part off?" Ron is very talented and creating some very cool work. With a little more marketing refinement he could be expanding his art empire in a big way.

Rob Hann

Rob Hann has been a professional photographer for many years with clients such as Times Magazine, The Telegraph Magazine, Monocle, Carl*s Cars, Wired, Time Out, The Independent On Sunday Review, Q Magazine, Glamour, as well as all the record labels. Born in Salisbury, England he has lived here full time since 2003.

When commercial work dried up he took his art to the streets out of desperation. Now he says he actually enjoys his intimate gallery on Prince st. "You have some people who will roll their eyes when they walk by but most people are really nice and enjoy the work," he smiled.

Rob Hann

Rob's set up was very clean and presented with a designers touch. Prints were impeccably matted and protected under mylar sleeves. His promos were printed postcards. Everything reflected his sophistication as a professional. Even his chair fit in.

Rob Hann

Rob works on personal photography projects around the US. "I love shooting photos of America and it's people," he says. "How are your prints selling?" I asked. "Every day is different. Right now I am just getting by, but at least I am getting by," he said in a British accent.

Rob Hann

I mentioned it is different selling this way than having a freelance gig you are called upon to shoot." "Yes it is," he replied still smiling.

Vartouhi Zerdelian-Pinkston's street side set up was unique in that she added an enterprising spin to it. Vartouhi had her father holding down the shop! "She is at home with the kids, working," he said. Talk about taking the street art business a whole new level.

Vartouhi was born in New York City in 1973. Her website states, "her work is admired and sold in the United States and countries such as England, Brazil, Germany, Spain, Greece and Japan. In the Summer of 2009, her etchings were exhibited at the Swirbul Library Gallery, Adelphi University, New York."

Vartouhi's small intricate etchings (usually and inch or two in size) are fantastical gems that could be viewed through a magnifying glass.

Her father proudly pointed out the children picture books she had written and self published. His warm attitude and obvious love for his daughter brought a nice energy to their set up. With some attention to her booth design and presentation Vartouhi could make an even finer presence on the streets of NYC.

Ray Sumser

Finally we come to a street seller that was not in NYC but instead outside the San Diego Comic Convention last July. I wanted to showcase Ray Sumser with the New York artists because the spirit is mutual. It was early morning and I was walking to set up my booth in the convention center when I saw Ray sitting on a bench out front. His shop was a cardboard box, rolled up posters were lined up for sale. He was dressed in pants that had his very detailed and brightly colored art printed on them.

Check out his poster here.

"Wild pants! Why aren't you selling your posters inside the convention center in Artist Alley with thousands of potential art buyers walking around?" I inquired. "I could not get a badge to get in," he replied. "I might be able to help you get a badge," I suggested, "but seriously think about showing your art in Artist Alley." Ray thought for a moment and said, "Thank you for the offer but I sell these out here just fine. There are as many people outside as there are outside." He was right. It was just as insane outside as it was inside the building. I asked him for his card which he had ready to hand out. Raysumser.com.

I checked out his site later. He had his art, products (shirts to match the pants), a good amount of his social media set up. Ray could still use some refinement and focus with all of it, but he was doing it his way. Selling on the street worked just fine, thank you.

How much income were these artists making selling their art, their way? They made an average $200-$500 a day! Do the math. That is $1,000- $2,500 for a five day week. $4,000- $10,000 a month. $48,000- $120,000 a year. With some intelligent promotion, and social media these individuals could double their income. Now you know why I believe in the power of the independent art empire! There are an infinite amount of possibilities on how you can create your own. It all starts with the desire to share your vision with the world.

I bow to all the awesome creative individuals who shared their experience with me. Keep making art!

To your prosperity,

Greg

Whenever a new idea is born it can be greeted with awe, disdain or simply, "What?" When the synapses in my brain aligned to create a class on artist empowerment and prosperity it was crystal clear as to the concept and worth of what I was manifesting. However, the idea of Artist As Brand is so unique to any education taught in any school, college, or university out there that it's understandable that there are some questions about what it is I teach exactly. This post is going to clarify the principles/manifesto of this course (some call it a movement) and exactly what value you will receive from your three days and $295.00 (tuition for 2010 only).

What is Artist As Brand?ARTISTart·ist [ahr-tist]–noun1. a person who produces works in any of the arts that are primarily subject to aesthetic criteria.2. a person who practices one of the fine arts.3. a person whose trade or profession requires a knowledge of design, drawing, painting, etc.: a commercial artist.4. a person who works in one of the performing arts, actor, musician, singer; dancer, public performer.5. a person whose work exhibits exceptional skillBRAND[brand]–noun and verb1. kind, grade, or make, as indicated by a stamp, trademark, or the like.2. a mark made by burning or otherwise, to indicate kind, grade, make, ownership, etc.3. a kind or variety of something distinguished by some distinctive characteristic.4. to impress indelibly.5. a brand name.The essence of these two words together can be defined thus... a creator who has made their mark! The goal of Artist As Brand is to connect the individual to their purpose, art and prosperity. Connecting your art deeply with your truth creates a mark that is so is authentic and profound it embodies a unique power. Align this vision with your individual collectors through targeted marketing techniques and you begin to build a one of kind Art Empire that can sustain you financially for the rest of your life.Some fine artists scoff at the word brand. Whether you like the word or not all visionary creators throughout time who have made their mark on humanity are brands. They are remembered for their impact on the collective consciousness of the planet and many are household names.I call the Artist As Brand workshop an artist boot camp because it is a highly focused three days with the intention of aligning and defining (in some instances re-aligning and re-defining) the purpose and direction of an individual's career path. We start deep in the heart and move outwards connecting your talent to your marketing, patrons and collectors so there is perfect alignment. The knowledge for this workshop is derived from 28 years working as a professional artist inside and outside of the publishing, film, and gallery industries as well as teaching higher education.The following is what all participants will be learning in three days and what they will leave the workshop with. Individuals work alone and in groups.DAY ONE. DECLARE YOUR PURPOSE- You will learn your Core Virtue. Knowing your core virtue is the first step to establishing a foundation which your career is built upon. This intimate part of yourself is a driving force in your life, it goes deeper than your art. Declaring your core purpose aligns your heart with your art in a profound manner.- Design a personal logo/heraldic shield to represent your Core Virtue. You create a simple image that will represent what you just learned about yourself.- Design a Vision Board. This template is defined by everything you love in your life, what turns you on and keeps you motivated as a unique individual. The Vision Board creates the niche markets that will be your domain, and will make up your one of kind art empire.- Practice the art of the Blurb. You learn how to introduce and represent yourself to people. Most artists do not have a clue how to speak with others about who they are and what they do. This exercise is designed to increase your confidence and generate interest in who you are and what you have to offer.-Every workshop will include special guest lectures by esteemed  individuals who encompass the Indie Art Spirit. Guests include art writer Peter Clothier, licensing expert Maria Brophy, social media master & botanical perfumer Roxana Villa.DAY TWO.  PLAN YOUR BRAND- Design your art and product line. We look at artists who are successful in this area, and new approaches to making income from your art. Then we define what art and products can manifest from your Vision Board.- Create an innovative marketing blueprint that integrates high tech and high touch medias. We look at these two very different but synergistic marketing models. You learn how to best utilize these promotional mediums.- Learn the simple yet powerful art of business and commerce. Are you an art hobbyist or an art professional? This is a short lecture on straight up, common sense business practice. If you are selling art you are a business, start acting like one.- Connect with artist entrepreneur leaders. Creating community and hooking up with those who are successful will keep you inspired and in the company of great people.DAY THREE. EMPOWER YOUR PROSPERITY- Commit to sustainability. You will design a five year marketing strategy that takes a serious look at your finances, living situation, and overall goals personally and professionally. What is possible? Connecting to your BHAG.- Recognize the potential in team building, and the power of a Mastermind. Your peers can be some of your greatest assets from a personal, professional and moral support capacity. You will start this process right in the class!- Conceptualize a product ready for manufacture. We begin to look at the details of what its going to cost in labor, time, and materials.- Review- In addition participants will have access to other career enhancing promotional opportunities only available to Artist As Brand students! Some of these details can be found on the ABOUT page.Now you are ready to create your own Art Empire! I hope this info helped clarify the purpose and design of my class. Come on join the Indie Art Revolution! Sign up for a class near you today.“See what participants are saying.To your artist empowerment and prosperity,Greg

Samantha Walker

Owl Prints on TinClient: VIP International

When I submitted the BYU Artist Survey a few weeks ago I received an email from an artist who felt she had created her own Art Empire. I was curious. I checked out Samantha Walker's story, and social media. I was impressed, and decided to share her journey of creative perseverance and prosperous love affair with licensing.

"After graduating in 1994 I was frustrated, yet determined to make an active living in illustration. I did not build my art empire overnight...but rather it has been a surprising journey including many "mini careers" that paralleled my art along the way.  I quickly quit my first job out of college at a graphic design service bureau just two months after I started. I realized that I was just part of an assembly line printing and proofing other people's art finding no time for my own."

She ran off to Montana, Colorado, then Japan with her husband making folk art wood crafts and selling them at craft shows.

Samantha Walker

Pear Prints on TinClient: VIP International

"After the birth of my first child...I stumbled into the scrapbook product market...creating more with graphic design skills rather than my illustration. Okay...I didn't exactly stumble into scrapbook product licensing...I built a product line proposal, researched various scrapbook companies, then found the one that I wanted to target. I flew across the country from Washington state to Atlanta to attend a trade show where it took me 10 tries to get a moment with the president of the company to view my proposal.  Did I mention I have severe anxiety?  I did this anyway despite my nerves because I am such a determined person.  We signed a 3 year renewable licensing contract.

Eventually,  I sold my home decor business to dedicate more time to my suddenly booming scrapbook product line. The scrapbook market bottomed out and I scrambled to think of new ways to market myself, as my income from scrapbook products was dwindling (I still design it, it just doesn't pay like it did.  The exposure alone has brought so many opportunities that I will continue to do it, and it helps me build my brand.)  I truly believe that downturns can produce upturns if you work your angles right.  My angle was debt and hunger...didn't like being there."

Samantha Walker

Digital Die Butterfly BasketClient: Silhouette America

"I networked like crazy, and then one of my other illustrator friends told me of a fabric company looking to license local artists.  I introduced myself to this company, and I got a licensing contract designing textiles for quilt fabric.  Meanwhile, I had a whole portfolio of die designs that I had done for another company that pretty much used and abused me, and so I revoked my designs, and called their competitor. Which turned into another solid licensing contract for an electronic die company. With all these successes, enjoying what I was doing, and money being much better, I still felt like there was even more that I could offer...something a little closer to my heart.

Then it dawned on me...I found that I could combine my textile designs with my simple die designs and invent an illustration style unique to myself--something very marketable as well. My new style caught the eye of a home decor company and they became interested in working with me and offered me a licensing contract doing my own line of home decor items. Not so surprisingly, creating home decor products fits so well with my other past experiences. Recently, I added a rubber stamp licensing contract to the mix as well."

Samantha Walker

Enchanted Garden Fabric LineClient: Riley Blake Designs

Licensing can work if you hold onto your copyright and you construct a contract that will procure you a healthy percentage of the company's sales, otherwise you are better off doing it yourself.

"I own my copyright on everything!  I just sell limited usage rights. At this point in my life, being a busy Mom of 3 little kids ages 8, 4, and almost 3...I am grateful that I have other companies selling my designs for me.  I do get competitive royalty rates and I'm happy with what my designs bring in. This continues to be a remarkable journey, which I hope will someday lead to even more opportunities.  I think when I am able to work faster and more efficiently (I'm always looking for ways to streamline my design process in Photoshop and Illustrator) I want to look into doing a children's book, look into stationary and greeting cards, and possibly create a conceptual editorial portfolio as well"

Kokeshi Paper and Sticker Collection

Creative Imaginations

"I am also grateful for the struggles and hard times. Without those challenges, I may not have been as motivated to think of new ways to market my work.  Even though I feel I've built an Art Empire, (which I am defining as a good solid income, constant work, and recognition within the industries which I work) I feel that my illustration and my new empire is still in its infancy with so much potential as there are so many areas that I have yet to tap into."

Samantha is an eloquent writer and has much to share! I encourage all of you to continue a dialogue with her. You may find your calling in the world of licensing! Go to her

Blog.

Thank you Samantha for your tireless commitment to creativity and the art spirit!

To artist empowerment!

Greg

Robert Barrett

The art department chairs and faculty at Brigham Young University are a dedicated bunch. For decades they have been taking students on trips around the country to meet working artists, industries that support them, and open their newly trained eyes to the possibilities of new worlds. Bob Barrett, one of the professors at BYU, along with his sturdy crew of faculty have stopped by my studio many times to talk about art career potential. I finally visited BYU early this year to lecture, and am returning June 15-17 to present an Artist As Brand workshop. I am amazed at the creative vitality in this college town and surrounding areas. The arts are very much supported here.

This post gives me a nice opportunity to celebrate Bob. For as long as I remember Bob has been a calm and determined creative force. 28 years teaching at BYU, also The University of Utah, The Kimball Center, The Salt Lake Art Center, and City Colleges of Chicago reflects his commitment to education. He has had a number of solo exhibitions at universities and art centers. Devoted to his family, faith, teaching, and art, Bob embodies a classical quality that is steadfast and timeless.

*Bob answered my questions in capitalized letters, so I decided to keep it that way.

Greg: You are very much respected as an educator and an artist. How would you define success?

Bob: I'M ACTUALLY MORE OF AN ILLUSTRATOR AS I WORK PRIMARILY THROUGH COMMISSIONED WORK; BOOK, EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION, AND PORTRAITS. HOWEVER, I ALSO DO PERSONAL WORK.I THINK SUCCESS MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE;  TO ME IT MEANS FOLLOWING YOUR PASSION AND BEING ABLE TO FIND THE VIRTUES, RATHER THAN THE LIMITATIONS IN EVERY OPPORTUNITY. ATTITUDE HAS LOTS TO DO WITH IT. ON A PRACTICAL SIDE, I BELIEVE IT ALSO MEANS THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO MAKE A LIVING DOING WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO. TAKING CARE OF MY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE GOOD THINGS FOR MY FAMILY HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH SUCCESS FOR ME.

silent night1

Twilight

G: Are you happy and content with your career, or do you desire something more?B: SO FAR I AM HAPPY WITH MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS THOUGH I BELIEVE A "HEALTHY DISSATISFACTION" STOPS ME FROM BECOMING COMPLACENT. I AM A PERSON WHO IS MOTIVATED BY LEARNING NEW THINGS AND HAVING NEW EXPERIENCES, SO I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES. I LIKE TEACHING AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK THINGS THAT WERE GIVEN TO ME BY OUTSTANDING TEACHERS ALONG THE WAY. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY REWARDING IN SEEING STUDENTS DEVELOP AND IMPROVE THEIR ABILITIES AND TALENTS.G: I love the statement:we are all standing on the shoulders of giants. We are learning all the time, and when that knowledge is shared we are encouraging self empowerment. How do you define artistic empowerment?B: I WOULD DEFINE ANY EMPOWERMENT, INCLUDING ARTISTIC, AS A SENSE OF CONFIDENCE IN YOUR ABILITIES AND IN THE OPPORTUNITIES LIFE PRESENTS TO YOU. SOME CALL IT A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE WHILE OTHERS MIGHT CALL IT THE ABILITY TO HAVE FAITH. I WOULD SAY IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH MOTIVATION AND THE DRIVE TO SUCCEED. I HAVE TAUGHT MANY STUDENTS WITH TALENT WHO HAVE NOT DEVELOPED TO THE DEGREE THAT OTHERS WITH A SENSE OF SELF-EMPOWERMENT HAVE. I HAVE TAUGHT MANY STUDENTS HOW TO DRAW AND PAINT BETTER BUT ITS MORE ELUSIVE TO KNOW HOW TO TEACH THEM TO HAVE MOTIVATION.

Ballet Dress

Ballet Dress

G: Self motivation is key to empowered independence. This is why it's so important that your creativity and talent be aligned with what you love. BYU focuses on teaching conceptual and technical image making skill sets with an eye on preparing artists for the publishing, gallery, and entertainment industries. What could be some alternatives to these corporate models?B: SEVERAL OF OUR STUDENTS ARE HAPPY WORKING WITHIN THE TRADITIONAL STRUCTURES THAT ALREADY EXIST IN  THE VARIOUS MARKETS YOU MENTIONED. HOWEVER, OTHERS WANT TO BE ENTREPRENEURS AND APPROACH THEIR CAREERS IN A MORE CREATIVE WAY. MANY OF OUR STUDENTS ARE FEMALE AND ASPIRE TO HAVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THEY ARE LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVES TO A CORPORATE MODEL. SEVERAL HAVE FOUND WAYS TO BALANCE AN ARTISTIC CAREER WITH THAT OF RAISING CHILDREN AND TAKING CARE OF A HOME.  THEY HAVE STUDIOS IN THEIR HOME WHERE THEY DO THEIR CREATIVE WORK. SEVERAL ARE GREAT AT SELF-PROMOTION WHILE OTHERS HAVE AGENTS WHO PROMOTE THEIR WORK.G: Home based businesses are growing, especially when you understand how the internet can work for you. Its a whole new world of possibility. How you promote represents a huge part of your success. I have lots of artists ask me about agents. I tell them, no-one is going to sell yourself as well as you can. That being said, they can represent a stream of income if they are good at it. How would you describe artist sustainability?B: I SUPPOSE ARTISTIC SUSTAINABILITY IS LIKE ANY OTHER SUSTAINABILITY.  YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE PASSION AND KNOWLEDGE OR SKILL SETS IN PLACE TO CONTINUE TO BE VIABLE. OUR MORE SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS, THOSE WHO HAVE ONGOING CAREERS SEEM TO BE THE ONES WHO KNOW HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND STAY "LIGHT ON THEIR FEET." THEY ARE FLEXIBLE AND ABLE TO MOVE AND CHANGE AS MARKETS CHANGE. THEY FIND THE OPPORTUNITIES IN A FLUCTUATING INDUSTRY.

Dancer

Dancer

G: Flexibility is important. I encourage building an industry around your own art empire. That way you know where you are at any given point in any economy, because you have built a foundation that is based on loyal supporters. Artists are more limited when tied to a corporate structure. That being said, how do you handle fluctuating economic factors in the professional corporate world?B: WELL, I SUPPOSE ANY ONE WHO IS PRUDENT PUTS THINGS AWAY FOR A RAINY DAY. IN OTHER WORDS, HAVE SOME SAVINGS AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO CARRY YOU OVER WHEN THERE ARE DOWNTURNS IN THE ECONOMY OR WHEN THINGS CHANGE. I THINK IT IS ALSO HELPFUL TO NOT PLACE ALL YOUR ENERGIES IN ONE FIELD OR SPECIALIZATION. TO HAVE AND TO BE ABLE TO BALANCE SEVERAL "IRONS IN THE FIRE" IS OFTEN HELPFUL. IN MY OWN CASE, I DO ILLUSTRATION FOR A NUMBER OF CLIENTS BUT I ALSO TEACH AND DO WORKSHOPS. I AM ABLE TO PAINT PORTRAITS AS WELL AS LANDSCAPES AND ROUTINELY ENTER MY WORK IN EXHIBITIONS AND SHOWS. I HAVE WRITTEN A NUMBER OF ARTICLES FOR MAGAZINES AND TRADE PUBLICATIONS AS WELL AS A BOOK ON LIFE DRAWING. I BELIEVE IT IS ALSO HELPFUL TO ATTEND CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS - TO NETWORK AND EXPERIENCE NEW THINGS.G: Multiple streams of income is a smart strategy. Any thoughts or comments on Artist As Brand coming to BYU?B: I BELIEVE THIS IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FORMER STUDENTS TO DO EXACTLY THAT- ATTEND A WORKSHOP AND HAVE A NEW EXPERIENCE. THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE EXPOSED TO SOME GREAT PRINCIPLES RELATED TO SELF EMPOWERMENT BUT ALSO THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE, MEET, AND NETWORK WITH OTHER ARTISTS.

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G: What do you think a brand is? B: I SUPPOSE THE TERM MEANS FINDING AN IDENTITY, WHAT UNIQUELY LABELS OR DEFINES YOU AND WHAT YOU DO OR ARE INTERESTED IN DOING. SUCCESSFUL BRANDING IS THE ABILITY TO CREATE A PERSONALITY OR COMMODITY THAT IS ASSOCIATED MAINLY WITH YOU AND YOUR WORK.G: I ask this because the word "brand" appears to be a loaded term especially in fine art circles. I believe the word "brand" has been branded! However to be clear... A brand is a purpose transformed into a product or service that connects to people, the planet, and beyond. The key word here is purpose, and specifically your purpose.Any last pearls of wisdom?B: WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU COME BACK TO BYU AND SHARE YOUR ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM WITH US AND OUR STUDENTS AND ALUMNI.Thank you Bob! You are such a gentleman. It's an honor to know you and connect with your grand art spirit.I look forward to seeing you and all the talented individuals associated with BYU, June 15-17 for the workshop, and on the 19th for the Illustration Alumni Show. Lets energize our potential, and power up prosperity together.HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS FOR ALL BYU ALUMNI!1. HOW MANY OF YOU ARE ILLUSTRATORS? WHO IS HAPPY WITH THEIR CAREER AND MAKING ENOUGH INCOME TO PAY THEIR BILLS?2. HOW MANY OF YOU ARE WORKING IN THE FILM OR GAMING INDUSTRIES AND ARE HAPPY WITH YOUR CAREER? HOW MANY ARE ALREADY BURNED OUT?3. WHO IS SHOWING IN GALLERIES AND HAVING CREATIVE/ FINANCIAL SUCCESS?4. WHO FEELS LIKE THEIR CAREER IS JUST STARTING? HOW MANY FEEL YOUR CAREER IS OVER? WHO IS READY TO RE-INVENT THEMSELVES?5. WHO FEELS THEY ARE LIVING AND WORKING FROM THEIR HEART, AND DOING WHAT THEY LOVE? IS ANYONE READY TO TAKE THEIR LIFE, CREATIVITY, AND CAREER TO ANOTHER LEVEL OF FULFILLMENT?THANK YOU EVERYONE! I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR ANSWERS.PeaceGreg

Is fate tied to intention?Have you ever noticed that it seems inevitable at times when specific people pop into your life? It feels as if the universe is pushing both of you together. This happened to me recently with Peter Clothier. By his own words, he is a reformed academic, now fifteen years in recovery, he has returned in recent years to teaching, in mostly non-traditional ways: in workshops, continuing groups, and individual coaching and mentoring for artists and writers. I missed his lecture at LCAD last semester, though some of my students made it and enjoyed him immensely. When Clothier's PERSIST: THE BLOG auspiciously jumped into one my Google searches I realized we had strands of art spirit glue connecting us. I contacted him.This man is committed to exploring the possibilities. Look at all his social media. All of it is fascinating. Check him out. You will definitely learn something!His Website.Blogs:TheBuddhaDiaries.comHuffingtonPostPodcast:The Art of OutrageHis new book Persist: In Praise of the Creative Spirit in a World Gone Mad with Commerce is a collection of musings on the art of the creative process.Needless to say, Peter is channeling the goods. He has a presentation and book signing at the Napa Valley Center for Spiritual Living, Sunday May 30. Go!I asked him if he would be kind enough to answer some questions that I have recently been serving up to college students, faculty, Chairs, etc.He graciously agreed! Enjoy.Greg- Where in the individual does art reside?Peter- In the mind, which is everywhere--heart, brain, body, bones, eyes...  The mind is the whole package, working all together.G- How do you define artist empowerment?P- It's self-empowerment.  No one is going to give it to you, nor even teach it to you--though the teacher can help you find it.  It comes only with time, through experience and growing familiarity with the medium and inner knowledge out of which we speak.  This is what we mean by an artist's or a writer's "authority."G- That sounds like living from the inside out. Lovely. How would you describe artist sustainability?P- I wrote a whole book about it--or a series of essays which came out as a book this year.  It's called "Persist."  Persistence is the ability to sustain one's vision and one's sense of purpose, despite all obstacles--and there are many of them in today's culture.  Again, this is a quality of mind.  It can be developed through a regular practice of discipline.  My own practice is meditation--an excellent model for the creative process.G- Meditation is part of my spiritual practice too, and it definitely informs my creative life. Most art colleges focus on teaching conceptual and technical image making skill sets with an eye on preparing artists for the publishing, gallery, and entertainment industries. What could be some alternatives to these corporate models?P- If I were to write an art school curriculum--and I won't be doing that, I quit academia twenty years ago!--I would be sure to include two elements that are most frequently forgotten.  The first would have to do with the value of discipline and practice, and of training the mind to focus on those things I want it to do rather than allowing it to wander off on its own whims and fancies.  The second would have to do with the holistic quality of the human experience.  This sounds a bit romantic, but it's not intended as such.  Our educational systems tend to concentrate on the activity of the brain, and too often to cut us off from other parts of our lives which are equally important: the emotional, the physical (yes! the body!) and the spiritual.  An integrated vision must incorporate all four of these elements.G- Focus and balance is a key to understanding ourselves, and our art. But in the context of living in a corporate world what can an artist do to weather fluctuating economic factors?P- Breathe.  I actually mean that seriously.  In our anxiety and our drive to "succeed," we forget to do this and we choke on our own needs and ambitions.  For the vast majority of artists, the reward is unlikely to be financial.  If you make a painting with the thought of selling it, you're probably in the wrong profession.  The trick is to follow one of the great Buddhist teachings, and learn not to get attached to outcomes.  If you're an artist and you need money (don't we all?), look elsewhere.  If you happen to be one of the fortunate few, congratulations.  And don't forget to keep "persisting," not only in your studio work but also in the pursuit of your goals outside the studio.  Just don't cling to a single notion of success, especially the financial one--because it may not happen and you have to keep doing it anyway.  Because you're an artist, aren't you?G- Keeping your eye on your integrity and your personal vision is vital to peace of mind and creative longevity. However I am also an advocate of making a living from your talent. Personally I think you can have your cake and eat it too! Now how big your cake is depends on you! I have observed over the last two decades the walls breaking down between the so called fine art world and popular art culture. The Low Brow art movement and artists like Takashi Murakami are examples of this. What is your opinion of this evolution? How does it benefit the artist?P- I don't care to make that distinction.  Art is art is art.  If you're out of the mainstream, you're probably on the right track!G- My sentiments exactly! Any final pearls of wisdom?P- How about: "Read my book?"  That's where I keep my pearls.  In a nutshell, see my previous answers.  To paraphrase Lewis Carroll's Father William, "I have answered six questions and that is enough... Don't give yourself airs.  Do you think I can listen all days to such stuff?  Be off, or I'll kick you downstairs."Cheers!Now that was English humor!Thank you so much Peter for your insightful answers. I am grateful fate threw us together. Of course I am sure intention had something to do with it! We shall have more conversations about the world of art and its evolution. Peter and I may align on an Artist As Brand workshop in the future. In the meantime peruse his Website, Blogs, and books. Knowledge and wisdom are timeless.To empowerment and our kindred purpose,Greg

Audrey Miller

Trace Mendoza

I am slated to present an Artist As Brand workshop at the Laguna College of Art and Design, next weekend May 28-30. Like the LAAFA students I interviewed in my recent post, artists have strong opinions whether they are students or not! LCAD students Trace Mendoza and Audrey Miller answered some questions about what they are learning and what is important to them. Audrey was in my Artist As Brand class and you can hear it!

Greg- What do you want to say with your art and why?Trace- With my art I want to convey to the viewer a distinct image that displays a strong narrative towards any topic, whether it be personal or commission.Audrey- I want people to know that it's alright to like a bunch of different things. If you have a style that you're comfortable with, that's great but don't be afraid to branch out and try something new. It's important to branch out and let others inspire you. If you don't, your work can get old and lose it's spunky fire.G- What are the attributes that make up a great artist?T- I think there are really two main attributes that make up a great artist. First understanding the fundamentals of producing work and the history of art in all mediums from Oil Painting to Digital imaging. Second would have to be the ethics of the artist. I am ultimately attracted to working with artists that have a "Do it yourself" work ethic.A couple months ago, my friend Eddie and I recorded a time lapse video of myself using house and spray paint to construct a large image onto a wall. With this video we were able to both promote ourselves with my creative process and also Eddie's Video editing capabilities. This was done on a extremely low budget and is now promoting both of us all over the internet.A- A great artist should be someone who respects others and their work as much as, if not more than, he / she respects themselves and their own work. Be proud of your work but don't get cocky. Stay humble. A great artist always wants to learn more and improve their skills but is also willing to help and teach others. Being an artist Is not all about the individual, it's about the collective art spirit of the world thriving together.G- You both have a very pro-active approach to art creation and a holistic view of honoring the collaborative art spirit. What do you think about having a career as an artist?T- My marketing strategy lately has been to network with Artist, Bands, and various companies to build my portfolio. My ultimate goal besides being a freelance artist is to teach. Eventually as a teacher I feel students will have a lot to gain from my perspective, and with these new artists, will come new inspirations that will keep my artistic fuel going.A- In short, I plan on selling my art online and at various art shows. From there plan on using profits to open a store / sell my art at other stores. By the end of 5 years I plan on having a full functioning store with staff, a fantastic webpage and I would like to donate a portion of my sales to organizations like the ASPCA and the humane society to help injurred and abused animals find a home.G- Big plans for large visions! What do you feel you have most learned most from the classes at LCAD? T- Because my Major is Illustration with an emphasis in drawing and painting and a minor in sculpting, I feel that I have grown as a well rounded artist that is knowledgeable in multiple styles and mediums. Classes lately that have been the most influential are my Illustration classes constructing narratives and understanding the ability to experiment, and my fine art classes which focus on encompassing the figure.A- The most important thing I've learned is that it's ok to make mistakes. I used to be one of those artists who refused to ever let anyone see my sketchbooks because I was afraid and ashamed of my "bad drawings". Now, I couldn't care less because those drawings are just for practice. They're not supposed to be masterpieces and if you happen to create something good on the first try, be proud but don't settle for it. Keep working on it to make it something great. They say there will always be someone better than you at whatever you do in the world. I use that phrase as motivation for me to keep growing as an artist and as a person.I'm disappointed that some teachers at LCAD don't emphasize that it's normal to not get something perfect the first time. They'll tell you to thumbnail your brains out but won't say it's ok to be wrong. Some students need to know that. That's the whole point of school, to make mistakes and learn from them.G- Can you name an artist you respect who is making a living from their art alone?A- Michael Phillips is a friend of mine and is a local artist in Laguna Beach. I've learned quite a lot from him about what it can be like to be an independent artist and how hard it can be especially when the nation is in an economic rut. He works his butt off to keep doing what he loves. It's definitely not the best way to become a celebrity over night, but if you're smart, determined and do what you love to do, you'll end up where you want to go.T- Dave Choe is the first artist that comes to mind. He's got a show going on at Lazarides gallery in Beverly Hills, designs for RVCA and has his own line of vinyl toys. He's proof that if you work hard enough success will follow.G- What are your thoughts about Artist As Brand principles? T- Audrey...A- Artist As Brand is all about doing what you love to do and making a living from it. Essentially, it's how to obtain your dream job. Growing up and definitely now as I am soon to join the working world, people always tell me, " when I was younger I wanted to do this... I WISH I had stuck with it.." I can't stand hearing that. If you want it so bad, get off your butt and go do it. Take the leap of faith and if you fall, get up an try again. People need to learn how to listen to themselves and learn how to take themselves seriously because those are key to finding out what makes them happy.Awesome! Trace and Audrey are going to do well especially if they can keep the attitudes and perspectives they hold dear to them now. Thank you both for your time and thoughtful answers. Onward and upward.To empowerment,Greg

What words define success for you?Money, Fame, Possessions, Power? How about Home, Happy, Charity, Love?Maybe its a fusion of all those things. Accomplishment can manifest in different shapes and colors. How we define success is a large part of how we define ourselves.For a long time my success was defined by the magazine, newspaper, or book cover I had graced an illustration with. I received a nice hit of ego gratification as well as a check that I normally received in the mail two months later. My life in publishing dictated my moods, and my finances, and this defined much of my success. My competitive spirit kept me going but at times it was a blessing and a curse. Arnie Fenner, Editor of Spectrum picked up on it, “Greg is constantly in competition with himself; the challenge he cheerfully accepts when he gets up each morning is to out-do what he has done before. It’s a good day when Greg artistically kicks Greg’s ass: he’s been doing it so consistently for so many years that it’s a wonder he has anything left to sit on.”It's true I don't have much to sit on.In this LA Times article called, What makes Sammy run wild. We read how Hollywood talents obsessed with success, can find themselves in frenzies when the industry's harsh reality clashes with their desires.

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Do you live your life from the outside in? With our responsibilities, bills, relationships, media and all the stuff we fill our existence with, much of the time it's as if the world is telling us how to live our lives. It's no wonder we feel we are pulled in many directions at once and have less time in a day to accomplish our goals, let alone think about ourselves. The cult of multi-tasking with electronic gadgetry (which my students insist does not impede upon their studies) research is showing does not really help us focus or accomplish our tasks throughout the day. *When the circumstances of the world feel like they dictate our every move we can become overwhelmed. Sound familiar?Much of this depends on how we perceive ourselves and the reality around us. Perception is an act of creation.One of the blessings of my creative life is the ability to brainstorm and manifest lots of ideas. Once my mind gets those RPM's up to speed its hard to stop it, especially when I want to sleep at night. When I found the secret of meditation it calmed the chattering monkeys inside my head enough for me to rest. But the real benefit of meditation came from the introspection that graced my consciousness over time. I learned the benefits of living from the inside out.This post is not so much about the virtues of meditation as much as it's about spending some time understanding who you really are and what you are really about. When you live your life from this center of your being events around you look very different. Greg Mooers is a life coach committed to seeing people discover and follow their true purpose. He helped me see mine clearly so I can help others too. Greg has a freetransformational teleseminar that you might want to check out.Another path to finding who you are is to have a good conversation with yourself. This may sound crazy at first, but its just another form of introspection. Check out this Blog post by Chris Guillebeau and take a step inside who you really are.Once you start living from the inside out you will view yourself differently, understand your motivations more clearly, make decisions more calmly, and probably get a better nights sleep!To your truth,Greg* http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/

Matt Mahurin

It was 1979 and the assignment given by the teacher in my Art Center College of Design illustration class was to create a black and white drawing of a mysterious meeting using two point perspective. All the students accomplished the assignment with varying degrees of success using images such as lovers meeting in a spooky park, people lurking behind doors, or shadowy figures jumping out from around a corner. Every solution used two point perspective correctly, except one. This image showed one point perspective of two blind men walking straight toward each other. The punch line for this piece was the focus on their walking canes tapping mid-stride. The teacher criticized the piece harshly because, "Where was the perspective!?" I knew this art was the best in the class by far, with two point perspective or not. The power in this image was its conceptual perspective which made a unique, intriguing story, and invited the viewer to think!

MYSTERIOUS MEETING-MAHURIN

This was the first moment I met Matt Mahurin. I recognized a rebel, a genius, a heartfelt and kindred soul who embodied the art spirit completely. We became fast friends and I am truly blessed to say that even though we live on opposite coasts (he lives in New York) we are still the best of buddies. I learned much from Matt over the years, and still do! He is an accomplished award winning illustrator, photographer, music video director, and film maker. His most recent film, FEEL can be seen on the Sundance Channel. Check out his awesome work here- http://www.mattmahurin.com/I just returned from an evening in Santa Monica with Matt reminiscing over our careers and the new artful visions that harken to us now. It reminded me how friendships and alliances sustain us in our personal and professional lives. When the going gets rough, friends can ease that journey. They can also challenge us and give a wake up call when we are slacking off as well as offer honest criticism. Mostly, friends and team players remain steadfast allies to our dream potential pumping up the support and inspiration.Whether working in film or music with other highly respected artists I found it always engendered greater creativity. Matt and I have not had an opportunity to work on a project together yet, but I surmise when it happens something really special will come of it. In the meantime Matt and I have been on a similar wavelength concerning artist empowerment. We have taken stock of our careers and all that has gone into making them and are giving back to the world some hard won knowledge. I encourage all of you to check out Matt's grand opus to the art spirit: The Imagemaker's HandbookIt will answer many questions you may have about pursuing your dreams as an artist.Peace and Empowerment,Greg

ARTISTart·ist [ahr-tist]–noun1. a person who produces works in any of the arts that are primarily subject to aesthetic criteria.2. a person who practices one of the fine arts.3. a person whose trade or profession requires a knowledge of design, drawing, painting, etc.: a commercial artist.4. a person who works in one of the performing arts, actor, musician, singer; dancer, public performer.5. a person whose work exhibits exceptional skillBRAND[brand]–noun and verb1. kind, grade, or make, as indicated by a stamp, trademark, or the like.2. a mark made by burning or otherwise, to indicate kind, grade, make, ownership, etc.3. a kind or variety of something distinguished by some distinctive characteristic.4. to impress indelibly.5. a brand name.****What do Michelangelo, Ralph Lauren, Geogia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol, Clint Eastwood, Auguste Rodin, Apple, Sting, Frida Kahlo, Porsche, Picasso, Damien Hirst, Mark Ryden, Annie Leibovitz, Henry Moore, Greenpeace, Maxfield Parrish, Ray Bradbury, Joseph Beuys, and Elizabeth Taylor, all have in common?They are all brands.A brand is a purpose transformed into a product or service that connects to people, the planet, and beyond. The key word here is purpose, and specifically your purpose. This is where the heart of your essence resides, where your most potent art manifests, and the strength of your perseverance matures. The purpose inside you aligned with your personal vision is the foundation of your creative power. When your heart is joined with your art, a vital one of a kind signature is formed. This brand is unique to you and your intimate product.The word “brand” is derived from the Old Norse brandr, meaning “to burn.” It refers to the practice of producers burning their mark (or brand) onto their products. 1.In the beginning, before multi-national corporations, before boards of directors and proxy fights, before mergers and franchises and takeovers, there were family businesses founded on individual enterprise or invention.Before the corporate image or the company logo, there was the individual name stamped on a product, a service, a laborsaving device, or a form of entertainment, usually because it was the proud handiwork of one individual. 2.The artist’s mark is unique to its owner even if its a copy of something else. However the ambition of most artists is to make a mark that touches their so audience deeply, it burns this symbol into memory. The lifetime of a creative mind can burn a series of meaningful marks into the mindset of a generation, but if their passion is great its possible to start a fire that contributes a brighter light to the world.Peace and passion,Greg Spalenka1. Wikipedia.org2. The Branding of America, By Ronald Hambleton

Understanding the history behind life styles, and economic models we grew up with, can help us create new ones. Award-winning writer, documentary filmmaker and scholar Douglas Rushkoff explains how the history of the corporation has colored the way we approach commerce, and how its up to us to create a new economy based on the value of what we can bring as individuals to the world. Watch his nine minute film and you will see your potential in a whole new light.To Peace and potential!Greg

Chris Guillebeau is a social media master. Check out this awesome interview he created with Seth Godin.