The collegiate arena has always been an old boys club of sorts, with its own rules and regulations, standardized curriculums, application policies, governmental oversight, subsidies and much, much more. Students are groomed to attend college even before high school with the goal of winning some corporate position or in the instance of receiving an MFA degree, a ticket to becoming a full time teacher.I see artists all the time scrambling to get that MFA intending that it will lead to the golden chalice of full time employment with all its perks, but times have changed and nothing is guaranteed. Part time faculty positions are increasing while full time positions are decreasing. This shift has created some problematic results, for students too.For instance the entire class of first year MFA students at USC’s Roski School of Art has decided to leave the school, listing a number of grievances, criticizing the school’s administration for not valuing the Program’s faculty structure, pedagogy or standing in the arts community. This is only the tip of the iceberg as higher education attempts to justify skyrocketing tuitions and other costs. Read more about the USC protest here.This is why it is crucial to truly look at your options and create a backup for your art career. Teaching can be a part of that equation but do not rely on outdated educational paradigms for income sustainability.
I present Artist As Brand classes predominately at Colleges and Universities. However, when I have the opportunity to work with small groups of people, or even better with one or two individuals then the focus goes incredibly deep and it is amazing what can be be revealed!Joan Marie is a talented, high energy, extremely positive, forward looking, visionary artist who flew in from St. Luis to Los Angeles for a mentoring session. Talk about commitment! Her daughter Brittany Bishop a Landmark Forum representative and biofeedback assistant joined us to see about getting more clarity about her career path. We had some amazing breakthroughs!One of the segments of the AAB curriculum is to create a Vision Board that defines those parts of ourselves that bring us tremendous joy. These parts turn into specific projects or products that are then directed toward a niche audience. It is surprising that most artists do not use an inside out approach to defining their talent and its potential.Even though Joan is very intuitive she was not certain of what she really wanted to create. After some digging it became apparent that latent theatrical talents (dancing, acting, lecturing) had been hidden from sight, but now they burst forth with the power of a tidal wave. Now her art vision includes a very personal theatrical production (in the works) that will include all her paintings and a message of confidence and hope to people everywhere. It is auspicious that Joan has been a high school art teacher for decades!
Brittany is a very smart, self confident individual but was still defining her career path. It became clear that she was intimately connected with the science of the heart and nature, specifically the trees. It was also learned that she loves EDM's (Electronic Dance Music) and events. So we put these elements together and now she is researching how to produce an EDM type show that connects people's hearts to the trees or more succinctly, to their own essential nature.
It is an honor and a blessing to facilitate this work with people and a joy to see the result! In fact no sooner had Joan returned home The Mogal Muse Magazine printed an article about her! Go Joan!
Coming off of another Comic Con I am reminded about the importance of table dynamics on the convention floor. Do I stand out, make a statement with my set up and attract interested people?Every year I re-evaluate my set up. Am I representing my brand in an authentic manner, is there a hierarchy of importance on the table, how visible is everything, what are peoples reaction, where do they look when they come upon my table.In Artist Alley in San Diego we have a 4' x 24" space to work with. It is very tight. So how the space is utilized on the table, in back of my chair as well as under the table is crucial.Here is a great post I came across by the WebComic Alliance that offers some great advice.
Click on the image to enlarge.
I have moderated the Artist As Brand panel at the San Diego Comic Con for five years now. This time the table was graced with the talented Daniel M. Davis and Dawna Davis of Steamcrow, Shiflett Brothers, Jeff Soto, Melissa Pagluica and Diana Levin.We had a large crowd and reviewed the art of the start, social media, conventions and facing our fears. Much inspiration was to be had by all. A big thank you to my amazing guests and the attendees.
Freelancing is an option for artists who want to work in the industries of publishing, film, games, etc. while they build up their patron/collector base. Graphic Designer James Grieg has put together an email course called "Before Going Freelance" that helps you get your head around some of the details of becoming a freelancer. Part of the course is free so check it out.Many art colleges prepare students for this art career option. You can always send questions my way too if this is something you really want to do as I freelanced as an illustrator for three decades! In a way when you follow the Artist As Brand principles you are aligning yourself with freelancing concepts, but you are building the industry around your self as opposed to relying on other businesses for your income.But check out Grieg's class and let me know what you think of it.
For all of you artist cat lovers this convention is for you.
You may be to late for a table or booth but check it out!
June 6-7
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A beautiful booth setup is an integral part of your brand and high touch marketing strategy. The National Stationery Show in New York City each year is a sure bet to offer new ideas for booth design and products. Check out this post by Poppytalk that showcases some highlights from the event.
MadeWorn is a clothing and lifestyle company created by Blaine Halvorson. They produce everything from hand-engraved rolex watches to t-shirts and shoes. One of the things I talk to my students about is living your brand. That means you reflect yourself authentically all the time, especially with how you dress. It is obvious that Halvorson embodies this trait and revels in it.Check out his style and how it relates to his selective clientele which is showcased beautifully in his website.
What is Hylo?Hylo is a new kind of social network that helps real communities create, together. In our communities-of-purpose; places like co-working spaces, maker spaces, and affinity groups, we're surrounded by incredible people, skills, and resources. But it’s hard to know who to connect with, for what, and when. Often the things we need most are closer than we think, but we just can’t see them.What if someone nearby had exactly what you needed to further your project? What if you were that person for someone else?With Hylo, you can discover who in your community:Has the skills you needIs working on cool projectsIs available to support youNeeds your helpHylo helps you discover opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share resources in your community, so that you can make your dreams real.Who is it for?Hylo is designed for communities-of-purpose, like: coworking spaces, startup accelerators, companies, alumni networks, affinity groups, and conferences.Check it out social art entrepreneurs.
My Artist As Brand Workshop in June of last year at Helikon Gallery in Denver had a very proactive group of artists. They decided at the end of the workshop to manifest a book and gallery show together. They created a concept amongst themselves and then produced an IndieGoGo crowd funding event to pay for the printing of the book which has been achieved!I was asked to be a part of this project and am honored to do so as they have been using the principles learned in the workshop to really get this off the ground. The show will be this June 5 at Helikon Gallery. Stop by if you are in town.I always encourage my students to jump in with their projects and get them started ASAP. My workshop in Seattle, in conjunction with TLC Workshops and Krab Jab Studio a few months ago has inspired this group to work on a collaborative project too! I will keep everyone here on my blog updated as to their progress.Check out the, Strange ConversationsIndieGoGo campaign to see how it was done, then create your own!
If you have a story to tell with your images, any story at all, this is a great place to start building your fan base for it. See you there.
Digital Trends for 2015.
Check them out HERE.
The Artist As Brand two day workshop at Krab Jab Studio was a large group of twenty students, beginners and professionals. Having taught this class to over five hundred students it is fascinating how the chemistry changes from venue to venue. Some of the students in this bunch were mainly interested in hard core marketing tactics, others embraced the holistic side to the course, others struggled with old paradigms of the artist not appearing to be a business.All entrepreneurial teachers and coaches will tell you that your business must have a solid foundation of purpose in place before you do anything. Your purpose is your brand. Some of the artists in this group were taking an old school fine art approach to showcasing and selling their art and the Artist As Brand model was a challenge for them. I come across this mindset all the time. The elitism of the fine art world is still alive and well (especially in academic circles) and so it takes some courage to jump into the future of art commerce.Thank you to Tara Larsen Chang with TLC Workshops for facilitating the class and Julie Baroh at Krab Jab Studio for opening her gallery to us. It was incredibly inspiring with all the amazing art around us! Part of this AAB group is inspired to create a product and a show next year with Krab Jab in alignment with Mythic Worlds and also with Nantes a city in France. It is going to be amazing!
The Agoura Hills, CA workshop in Mitchell's Bookshop was a delight! The group was small but mighty! We had some of the most amazing talent in this room.Aerin Holt the founder and artist director of California Contemporary Ballet Company and Dance Studio, composer and pianist Elliot Anders, painter and traveler Nubia Gala-Selbert, artist, graphic designer and creative wild woman Linda Lalande, singer-song writer Alexandra Harris and the multi-faceted artist lawyer-to-be Michelle Mitchell.Wonderful synergy within this very focused and high powered class.Below are two quick videos that Linda and Nubia took voicing their heart virtues. Love it.IMG_6657IMG_6658
Artist As Brand Workshop
This workshop in Seattle is going to be amazing! One week left to register. Wed-Thurs, Feb 18-19, 10am-8pm
TLC Workshops in association with Mythic Worlds (free admission to Mythic Worlds with this workshop) and Krab Jab Studio (this group will show with Krab Jab in 2016) makes this a once in a lifetime workshop. This workshop is guaranteed to transform the way you approach your art career with results!
5628 Airport Way S, Ste 150Seattle, WA 98108
$195
Are you are goal setting, goal getting maniac? If you are reading this you probably have some ambitious genes floating around your DNA.
Defining your goals creates a blueprint for the path you can take, then you must start with those first steps. There is an art to being a goal getter, and this article by Joy Cho, the founder of the graphic design studio, "Oh Joy" shares some wonderful insight on the finer points of staying the course. HERE.
If you want some direction and empowerment on setting these goals for yourself don’t miss out on The Artist As Brand® Online Workshop! This is a great opportunity to work through your goals as an artist to create your own prosperity and abundance!
Get ready for some transformation!
Next workshop begins Feb. 1, 2023 - Sign Up Now! $295 until Jan 15! ($495 after!)
The Young Adult category of books has done very well with a lot of help from Harry Potter novels in the nineties. If you are a writer, or an illustrator writing your own books this crowd may be yours. It encompasses a broad audience from 12 year olds through adult with a wide range of subjects.The annual event known as YALLFest: The Charleston Young Adult Book Festival, has become the largest YA book festival in the South, attracting a mostly teen and middle-school audience of 8,000. Now it is coming to Los Angeles. Read more...
The Artist As Brand Workshop is coming to Agourafor a two day class, Sat. - Sun. Jan. 31 - Feb. 1
This is the first time an Artist As Brand workshop has been offered in Agoura! It will be held at the Mitchells Bookshop. 28914 Roadside Dr, unit #214, Agoura Hills, CA 91301. Located in Whizin Market Square, in the atrium second floor.
The Artist As Brand Workshop is the only course that aligns the heart of your artistic vision with entrepreneurial principles for long term prosperity.
This college level course was designed for all who want to bring clarity to their creative vision and learn methods to earn a living from it. If you are a high school or college student who is ready to make income from their talent, or a professional who is stuck and looking for a new direction, or just wants to sell more artwork, the Artist As Brand Workshop will inspire new paths to art career sustainability!
10:00 am - 8:00 pm each day. Ten people max.
$195
"I needed help getting my own personal art and business off the ground and running. That is where the Artist As Brand Workshop came to my rescue. It allowed me to plan for my success while still having time to create! It even made me a better artist in general, because it gave me the confidence to KNOW that I can succeed with my art. Knowing I could succeed with my own art made me want to BECOME a better artist!"---Alex Ruiz"Setting out on a career in art is like walking a tightrope. For many the way will prove to be too narrow, the tensions will change, or the wire will take an unexpected turn. But what if you could turn the tightrope into a road? The Artist As Brand Workshop contains all the tools you need to build the road to success in art: tools, motivation, and personal insight. It is invaluable. I highly recommend it.--Todd Lockwood“Greg’s class helped me to clarify my vision and build confidence in my goals. Deciphering my Core Virtue has given me radical entrepreneurial energy!”-Katy Betz“I can’t thank Greg enough for sharing his wealth of knowledge and more importantly, touching my heart. I feel more confident in what I am capable of as an artist and a business woman. I now can answer honestly the hard questions about the future of my business and can see the Art market in a different perspective. Greg proves that you can do what you love and have sustainability. I am empowered!”-Kirbi Fagan (KCAD graduate)
See what other art professors, professionals, and college students are saying HERE.
Please read the Artist As Brand policies HERE.
Business tips 101 from Elto.com. Check them out...
-20 tips for dramatically better emails.-9 growth hacks any small business can implement.
-A pattern exists in internet communities where 1% of people create the content, 9% will edit or contribute and 90% will watch from the sidelines.
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-We’re really enjoying
guide to startups. A++ would recommend.
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-Trivia for the week:
is celebrated internationally each year on the 14th of October. Except for in the US, who celebrate on the 23rd of October.
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-Related: I’ll be speaking at the
on Tuesday in SF. Let me know if you’re going, I’d love to buy you a coffee.
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-Three tips for
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-HubSpot generate a whopping 50% of their revenues (around $50m) from their channel sales program. Here is how to
build a channel sales program like HubSpot
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-A great guide to
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-Some people retire at 65. Others
are still going well into their 90’s
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Presenting an Artist As Brand Workshop in Cali, Colombia via the Colombo Americano in association with the American Embassy, Festival Calicomix and the Universidad ICESI was an amazing experience! Michael Cadena the Director of Cultural Affairs with Colombo Americano was a gracious host along with his team of photographers, videographers, translators, and organizers. I am grateful for his focus and attention.
The participants were group of students, professionals and professors. There is a tremendous desire for artists to make a living from their talent but they have some hurdles to jump, one which is Colombia's unreliable postal service. There was a lot of brainstorming on how to overcome these challenges and a much needed confidence booster.
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The government which subsidized much of the art for years has now pulled back and the art communities suffer. They must find their own way now.
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The workshop was very much needed and I hope to return to continue the teaching and inspire this group to start their own art festival.
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Overall the artists were passionate and talented. The language difference was not an issue as we had instantaneous translating via headsets and microphones. It was awesome.
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I was in a national paper and...
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on TV answering questions HERE.
I presented lectures at Colombo Americano and a special library of comic art keeping my translators very busy! I enjoyed Cali and Colombia very much and hope to return soon.