Theme of the day – From ArtMatters! Tip of the Week

Wow, I just received this and even though this is an art website, I find their advice can be applied to anything that you strive to succeed in.  This came after I wrote my “staying inpired blog post.”

ArtMatters! Tip of the Week: Artists – Tap Into Your Inner Strength

Tapping into your inner strength is a habit. Like building muscles, the more you use your inner wisdom, the stronger it gets. You have probably gotten through tough situations this far in your life that have nothing to do with a tough art market. There is no reason to think that you can’t do so again. Success requires lots of mistakes. Take a lesson from kids and take “do-overs.” If you stay alert and open, you may get more out of the effort you put into your art business than you thought possible. There may be times when you fail to get the result you wanted. This does not mean that you are a failure. The only failure is stopping.  “The important thing is not to stop questioning.  Curiosity has its own reason for existing.  One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day. Never lose a holy curiosity.” – Albert Einstein   1. Relax and trust yourself. Start with noticing what makes you uptight. Stop the mind chatter and take a few deep breaths. Get clear so you can take action. 2. Have a commitment to the results you want without attachment. Explore many options to achieve what you want before deciding on a course of action. Once you decide on  a course of action commit with every fiber in your being. 3.Decide, Act, Learn, Adjust Decide what you want to do. Do it. Notice what works and what does not work. Do more of what works. Stop doing what does not work. Start doing new things and repeat the cycle. These ideas may sound simple, but when you put them into action, the results can be profound.  Stop worrying, expand your options and get into action.

Staying inspired in 2009

Three times the fun!

Many artists I have know have not had the sales of last year or 2007, and although most artists that I know are not creating just to generate income, we need make room in our studios for our latest works!  2009 has been a great time to kick up my marketing efforts, to plump up my much depleted art inventory, and to really take my time (instead of some of the unrealistic deadlines I have forced on myself in the past.)  I have brought my attitude back to basics viewing my art business as holistic.  I don’t “just” paint, or “just” show, or “just” market, I am always looking into the future and challenging myself with new ideas.  Some of these ideas work, some don’t, but I find I am learning from each effort; day to day, week to week.  When I paint it’s pure pleasure, there is no work, I reach my zone and my instinct takes over, often leaving me with an end result that even I am surprised by.  So what inspires me? Well, I have a long list of works I would like to create (and have yet to) some which include Catalina Island, New Orleans, doxie dogs, and more vintage car paintings. Thanks for reading my blog.

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