To be authentic means to be true to yourself, no matter what the circumstances, no matter what the pressures or how the odds stack against you. You are called to be who you are, who you were meant to be and who you will become. Make waves.
Original art $300 on Etsy HERE>
“Vibrant” Original painting from the Empowered Series by Natasha Wescoat.
Original 16″h x 20″w Acrylic Painting on Canvas paper: $300 here>
Signed art prints & Limited Editions available soon.
Vibrant is a wonderful word. To be vibrant means to be alive, energized and happy. Truly happy. That’s something that you might find hard to have. Happiness. It’s a feeling. It’s a state. It’s a way of living, really. Not really satisfied by the right situations (though we feel it does) or acquiring material things (though we think it would).
Lately, you may have been living day to day, hanging by a thread. Life has dealt some serious blows or at least, in your experience, made it very difficult to be a happy, vibrant and fulfilled human being.
But you work hard and are creative in all that you do.
Whatever you put your mind to, amidst any obstacle, you persevere. You stay strong. You grow and develop confidence. You see that everything that you really wanted was really right there. You just must know it.
Embrace it.
Even as your heart breaks or you drift into the distance seas of loneliness, there is someone or something watching over you. You embrace the love and light that is for you. You must know it. You must see it. You can be happy. You can be a beacon of light to yourself and to the world.
Me (Fiesta Agent) at the Ford Fiesta reveal at LA Auto Show 2009
Something most career advisors will tell you, is that if you are interested in a career change, it’s best to find something that your current skill set and former experiences can compliment. Not to make a drastic total 180 from what you already do.
For example, I’m certain positions in Nursing, though in high demand, hardly require you to have any former experience to get in, other than school training. However, they do like if you’ve had expeirence through volunteering at Hospitals or worked in familiar positions to that field. In fact, you’re more likely to get the job if you DO.
Just as well, artists looking to do work outside of their art business need to look for jobs that their skills and talents are good match for. If you don’t have any skills other than your artwork, you can always develop your skill set through training, research and education. You don’t have to go for the degree or even a certificate. Doing such, however is integral to cultivating a well-rounded resume and position yourself for success.
If it wasn’t for my Graphic Design training in college or my participation in various entrepreneural business companies in my teenage years, I would not be where I am today! Continue reading
Your website alone is not going to make you money, make your art popular or drive traffic. It is simply the home base of your art brand. Of you. As I’ve mentioned in one of my previous videos, it’s important still to have one of these and more options are available to do it easily, cheaply and with great design.
But it’s important to create a web presence through the connection of different communities and “cities”.
Social Media is the City. The traffic driver to your main website and main channels. You connect and develop relationships, business or personal, with other people who would otherwise have NOT seen your website or artwork. It’s the most economical and exciting form of website promotion. You only need to invest the time and practice of social media to make this happen. We’re not longer dependent on traditional advertising to expand your brand or expose your website to others.
A WEBSITE CANNOT STAND ALONE
Expect traffic and sales and you are foolish. Heavy advertising, word of mouth and self promotion are the only ways to make a website successful. It is a static marker. A calling card. But it is not simply known because it exists.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS THE VIRUS Continue reading
When art fails, what do you do?
You can’t seem to get it right. It doesn’t turn out how you wanted. You fuss and worry and rework that creation over and over till it’s where you want it. But it still slumps. It’s at that moment you are about to break the stretchers in half, burn the canvas and scream at the sky.
Maybe for others, it’s that you have created the most wonderful piece in your life. You’re so proud of the work and you know that even from an objective view, it’s skillfully created and would be potentially successful as a selling artwork and even as an image that could be reproduced. You are satisfied with the work and the subject matter. You feel most genuine painting this and as exactly as you wanted. BUT it does NOT sell. In fact, noone is remotely interested. You feel you’ve just wasted your time offering something incredible to your collectors.
What do you do when the idea fails?
REMEMBER
- Not every day will you be able to create.
- Not every day will you be able to create something wonderful.
- Not every day will you be able to create something wonderful that people want.
You are an artist, first and foremost. A business person, second. A mind reader, um NEVER.
Running a successful art business or building a sustainable career is a dream most never attain and most never see realized. If you’re half-way there, congrats! If you’re experiencing an uphill battle, don’t fret. As an artist, remaining true to your work, finding time to follow this path and even manage to make it a sustainable business is a very difficult and loopy road.
Expect a rollercoaster ride, but find peace in your journey.
