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“Even when you have doubts, take that step. Take chances…” ― Cat Cora Quote Art

July 31, 2016 / / 1 Comment

“Even when you have doubts, take that step. Take chances. Mistakes are never a failure—they can be turned into wisdom.” ― Cat Cora

Buy this print from Society6.

In school, I was always scared of getting an answer wrong. Red marks across a test or paper would make me cringe. What did I do wrong? I studied so hard. I wanted my grades to be perfect, but perfection was often unattainable.

I’m sure you’ve felt that same fear and embarrassment too. We have been conditioned to always strive for perfection, even if it is unattainable.

Our schools punish kids for their failures, but is that the best way to teach our future generations? They condition us to find the one right answer, but there is rarely ever one solution to a problem.

Those lessons often translate to our lives outside of school. Most companies are searching for people who can come up with innovative solutions.

On the other hand, we expect companies to tell us exactly what to do. We have been conditioned not to take chances. We look at mistakes and believe there is no recovering from them.

If there’s anything I’ve learned from studying creative people, it’s that they are unafraid to take chances. They leap into challenges head first. They treat failures as a chance to learn instead of as an indictment or themselves and their work.

Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone learns from them. Click To Tweet

When they fail, they look at that experience and ask themselves “What could I have done better?” That’s exactly what we all need to do. Stop getting down on yourself for making a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone learns from them.

Don't worry about making a mistake. Mistakes are the foundation of learning. Click To Tweet

We need to be more bold in our thoughts and our actions. So go out there and take chances. Don’t worry about making a mistake. Mistakes are the foundation of learning.

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We’re short so Mountains seem tall. We’re mortal, so Earth seems eternal. Our spacecraft are slow, so the Universe seems vast - Neil deGrasse Tyson

Tweet from Neil deGrasse Tyson

“We’re short so Mountains seem tall. We’re mortal, so Earth seems eternal. Our spacecraft are slow, so the Universe seems vast” – Neil deGrasse Tyson Quote Art

July 24, 2016 / / 0 Comments

We’re short so Mountains seem tall. We’re mortal, so Earth seems eternal. Our spacecraft are slow, so the Universe seems vast – Neil deGrasse Tyson (‏@neiltyson)

Print available on Storenvy.

Sometimes people forget we aren’t the masters of the universe. We are so busy thinking about ourselves that we fail to think about our place in the universe.

Years ago we thought we were the center of everything, and why wouldn’t we. The sun appeared to revolve around us. We were the smartest beings on the planet. We had yet to make discoveries about the universe.

But once we studied the world enough, we began to realize how small we are. We aren’t in the center of the galaxy. We aren’t the center of the universe. The world does’t revolve around us. We are just the result of millions of years of time and good luck.

When we take a good, long, look at the world, we realize how inconsequential we are. That’s why mountains seem tall. That’s why the Earth seems eternal. That’s why the universe seems vast.

While many people feel insignificant when faced with these facts, I feel empowered. Our lives, in the grand scheme of things, mean very little. That means we should pursue the things that interest us. We should study the things that we find fascinating. We shouldn’t be afraid of going after the things that mean the most to us.

We have a limited amount of time in this world. So why don’t we live life the way we want to? If you have a dream, go chase it. If you’ve been holding off on a project, start it. There’s nothing to fear but fear itself.

When all is said and done, you will have either lived life to the fullest, or you will have died regretting the things you didn’t do. The universe isn’t affected by what we do or don’t do. So make the biggest dent in the world that you can.

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Mountains photo by Unsplash

Stars photo by Levi Price

"No matter what level you're at in life there is still a struggle" ― Kanye West

Quote by Kanye West

“No matter what level you’re at in life there is still a struggle” ― Kanye West Quote Art

June 20, 2016 / / 0 Comments

“No matter what level you’re at in life there is still a struggle” ― @kanyewest (Kanye West)

Print available on Society6.

For some reason, we believe there’s a tipping point where we no longer have worries. We believe, with enough money, we no longer have struggles, fears, or doubts. But that’s simply not the case.

We like to make excuses for why we can’t accomplish our goals. “I don’t have enough money.” “I don’t have the time.” “I don’t have the right connections.” That’s all these things are. They’re just excuses.

If you think your favorite painter, actor, musician, or writer doesn’t have to deal with struggles, you couldn’t be further from the truth. Just because someone has a lot of money or fame doesn’t mean they don’t have struggles too.

They have the same doubts, the same fears, and the same problems that we all have. Their problems are just on a much grander scale. Here are just a few examples of famous people who had to go through struggles:

“Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

“Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.” ― Oprah Winfrey

“All struggle, all resistance is — must be — concrete. And all struggle has a global resonance. If not here, then there. If not now, then soon. Elsewhere as well as here.” ― Susan Sontag

“All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today.” ― Pope Paul VI

These people all came from different backgrounds. They have different identities. And they are well-known for very different reasons. But one thing they all understood, was, life is a struggle.

It doesn’t matter who you are, you will face adversity. It is by overcoming that adversity that you become great. The next time you think someone else’s life is perfect and free of worries, think again. We must all face the challenges in front of us and overcome them. It’s what makes life worth living.

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“The little things? The little moments? They aren't little.” ― Jon Kabat-Zinn

“The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.” ― Jon Kabat-Zinn Quote Art

June 12, 2016 / / 0 Comments

“The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.”
― Jon Kabat-Zinn

Print available on Storenvy.

We need to learn to appreciate each moment on our journey. One of our biggest faults is looking at what other people are doing and being envious of their success. Even though we know this intuitively, it’s still hard to do.

We ask ourselves why that person has success and why we don’t. The problem with this line of thinking is, that person probably spent ten years getting to where they are. Instead of looking up at other people, we need to learn to appreciate where we are in the process.

When I stay present and focus on the now, I tend to enjoy my work a lot more. Click To Tweet

The best way to do this is by recognizing our paths aren’t a straight line, they’re a journey. One thing I have to constantly tell myself is to focus on what I’m working at the moment instead of worrying so much about the end result. When I stay present and focus on the now, I tend to enjoy my work a lot more.

Even though it may not feel like it, these little moments form who you are as an artist and as a person. They are the checkpoints along your journey. When you recognize these moments, your work can feel magical. When you don’t, your work can become unfulfilling.

If you find yourself yearning for instant success, you need to ask yourself these questions: Is instant success all it’s cracked up to be? Would you know what to do with it? Would you truly appreciate what you have?

Keep these questions in mind the next time you are feeling envious of someone else. Reflect back on your work. Feel gratitude for what you’ve been able to accomplish.

When you lose sight of your journey, you lose sight of who you are. Click To Tweet

When you lose sight of your journey, you lose sight of who you are. Appreciate the little things. These moments are what makes life so enjoyable.

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Photo by Paweł Kadysz

Catherine Orer on Multiple Paths to Success, the Importance of Gratitude, and Becoming Part of a Community -

Catherine Orer on Multiple Paths to Success, the Importance of Gratitude, and Becoming Part of a Community – Cracking Creativity on Episode 53

June 12, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Catherine Orer was an award winning communications and PR expert for multinational corporations for years, but that job never felt fulfilling to her. So, when the opportunity to study at Christies in Paris opened up, she jumped on it.

While in Paris she gained hands on experience working in contemporary art galleries. After her studies, she brought this knowledge and experience back to Canada. While working at an art gallery in Montreal, many artists approached her for help. This began Catherine’s journey as The Artist Entrepreneur.

In this episode, find out why gratitude is so important, why there isn’t just one path to success, and why artists should find support.

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“We don’t make movies to make money, we make money to make more movies.” — Walt Disney

“We don’t make movies to make money, we make money to make more movies.” — Walt Disney Quote Art

June 5, 2016 / / 0 Comments

“We don’t make movies to make money, we make money to make more movies.” — Walt Disney

Print available on Storenvy.

There are two major mistakes artists make about money. The first is, they believe in the myth of the starving artist. The second is, they believe they shouldn’t need to make money from their art.

The starving artist myth is prevalent in society. We believe artists must suffer to create great work. We believe you have to live at end’s meet. We believe you can’t be a prosperous artist.

Artists of all kinds are able to make a living from their work Click To Tweet

I’m not sure why this myth has prevailed. There is so much evidence to the contrary. Artists of all kinds are able to make a living from their work. Are they all rich? No, but they aren’t starving either. There are musicians, illustrators, actors, writers, and artists of all kinds creating great work and making a living from doing it.

If you want to make a sustainable living as an artist, you have to sell your work Click To Tweet

The second mistake artists make, is believing we shouldn’t have to make money from our art. While it’s true that we don’t have to sell our work to be artists. It’s also true that if you want to make a sustainable living as an artist, you have to sell your work.

Walt Disney was one of the greatest visionaries of his time. He completely revolutionized animated films. Why did he do it? He wasn’t interested in making movies to become rich. He did it because he had a vision and story to tell.

While making his first full-length animated film, Snow White, Disney went far above the initial budget of the film. He could have released a cheaper version of the film to make more money, but he wanted to make it as perfect as possible. He wanted people to be so entranced by the film that they would forget they were watching an animated movie. And it worked unbelievably well!

If you want to be a successful artist, you can’t be afraid to make money for your work. You can’t fall victim to the myth of a starving artist. You have to be willing to make money from your art. Not because you want to become rich, but because you want to make more art.

The best way to become a thriving artist is to get over your insecurities over money. Money is just a means to create a sustainable living. It allows you to live comfortably while also creating art. Don’t create art to make money. Make money so you can create more art.

For more great info on this topic, check out my review for Elizabeth Hyde Stevens’ Make Art Make Money.

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Photo by Michael Saechang

H/T quote via Austin Kleon’s  Show Your Work!

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” ― William Faulkner

Quote by William Faulkner

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” ― William Faulkner Quote Art

May 30, 2016 / / 1 Comment

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.”
― William Faulkner

Print available on Storenvy.

One of the greatest mistakes we make is becoming too complacent Click To Tweet

One of the greatest mistakes we make is becoming too complacent. We get stuck in our habits and routines. We rarely drift far from what we know.

The only problem is, if you want to stand out from the crowd, you have to be willing to try something new and different. That doesn’t mean you should give up on what works, but it does mean you need to grow and evolve in your work.

Just look at some of the greatest artists and their artistic evolution:

Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci dabbled in so many disciplines that people dubbed him a Renaissance man. He was not only a great painter and artist, he was also an architect, inventor, and student of science. He did not stick to painting even though that is what he is best known for, he broadened his studies to everything that interested him.

Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso changed his painting style so often that his work is classified in periods. His blue period consisted of somber paintings in shades of blue. His rose period was cheery with orange and pink colors. He also went through different styles from cubism, to classicism, to surrealism. Picasso did not let one style define him. He explored art that interested him.

Kanye West

Kanye West might be a controversial person, but his impact on music is undeniable. His first three albums all had a similar sound, but his later music evolved as he did. His albums starting with 808s & Heartbreak all the way to The Life of Pablo have distinct sounds and styles. He does not let critics or fans dictate the way he creates music. He explores the sounds that feel right in the moment.

—

While many artists are content with creating the same work throughout their careers, artists who explore their creativity are far more interesting. If these artists were not willing to explore their curiosity, they would not live up to their true potential.

If you feel stuck in the work you are creating, then you must change it Click To Tweet

If you feel stuck in the work you are creating, then you must change it. You never know where your curiosity and creativity will take you. But you will never find out unless you are willing to give up what you know. You must be bold to explore new horizons. The only way to do that is by losing sight of the shore.

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Picture by Boss Fight

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self. — Aldous Huxley

Quote by Aldous Huxley

“There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving…” – Aldous Huxley Quote Art

May 22, 2016 / / 0 Comments

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.
— Aldous Huxley

Print available on Storenvy.

We worry far too often about the things that are out of our control. We worry about what other people think about us. We worry about what other people think about our work. We worry about how many followers we have or how many sales we get. But we don’t spend much time considering how we can improve ourselves.

Why do we insist on placing the blame on other people? My belief is, we feel insecure, but instead of trying to fix ourselves, we put the blame on others.

Blaming others is easy to do. It takes the pressure off of us. We can’t control what other people say, do, or believe. So instead of figuring out how we can become better, we pass off the work on someone else.

The fix is simple, but not easy. First, we must identify the things that are bothering us. Then we must figure out the best way to tackle them.

If you are worried about what people think of you, ask yourself are you being your best self Click To Tweet

If you are worried about what people think of you, ask yourself are you being your best self. If you are worried about what people think about your work, ask yourself if you are doing the best you can. If you are worried about your followers and sales, ask yourself if you are reaching out to the right people.

The hard truth of it is, when things aren’t going right, it’s not because the world is against us. There’s no vast conspiracy out to get you. You just aren’t doing the right things. I know that may be hard to hear, but it is the truth.

We spend so much of our lives trying to please others that we get caught up in their perceptions of us. We can’t control what other people think of us, but we can control what we think of ourselves. If you are in a rut, stop blaming others. Look inside and see how you can improve yourself.

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Universe Picture by Unsplash

Woman Picture by Michael Fertig

“You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!” ― Dr. Seuss

Quote by Dr. Seuss

“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!” ― Dr. Seuss Quote Art

May 14, 2016 / / 0 Comments

“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”

― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

Print available on Storenvy.

My friend Tyler Bel has a way with people. She is able to connect with people on a deep and emotional level. There is one thing she does in particular that had me floored the first time I heard it.

When working with clients she would give them this scenario: Imagine if I had a fairy wand, and could make any wish come true. “What would tomorrow be like? A miracle happened… your wildest dreams have come true. What does tomorrow look like?”

This question often shakes people to their core. It’s not one of those questions you have a prepared answer for. It really makes you think about what you’re doing. It makes you wonder whether you are living up to your own expectations.

It has affected some people so much that they not only changed their jobs. They changed the industry they worked in completely.

It makes you wonder why we don’t ask ourselves that very same question. Am I living the life I want to live? If I could make any wish come true, what would it be? What would tomorrow look like for me?

We can make our way towards that dream starting today Click To Tweet

The thing is, we don’t have to wait for tomorrow. We can make our way towards that dream starting today. Remember, our lives our a marathon, not a sprint.

If we start today, we can achieve our goals. We just have to break our goals down into smaller, more manageable, steps and tackle them one at a time. Just determine the first step you need to take, and do it. Then figure out the next step, and do that. But, you have to start today. Not tomorrow. Not some day. Today.

We can get to those Great Places. We can find the mountain that’s been waiting for us. So why wait? Let’s get on our way.

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Photo by Alana

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

Quote by Friedrich Nietzsche

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche Quote Art

April 30, 2016 / / 0 Comments

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

Print available on Storenvy.

“You did what?”

Many people who hear those words become squeamish. We only hear those words when we’ve done something unthinkable. We only hear those words when we do something brave.

Those are the words I want to hear when people learn about my journey. I want people to do a double take. I want people to wonder how I made that leap.

Whenever you hear about someone leaving a cushy job to pursue their dreams, you become skeptical. “You did what?” They tell stories about all the doubters. The haters. The jealous.

Those doubters are the ones who are insecure. They are the ones who aren’t pursuing their dreams. They are the ones who feel like they need a change. They are the ones who feel like they are making a mistake.

Skepticism is often a sign that you are doing something meaningful. When you tell people about your work, do they move on to the next question or do they become curious?

One of the biggest signs you are achieving your dreams is when people look at you like you’re insane. There are many examples of people who were considered insane for leaving their careers behind:

Vera Wang started her wedding business with no experience in the wedding industry. Tim and Nina Zagat quit their legal careers to work on their restaurant guide. Ronald Reagan left his career as a famous actor to become a politician.

You are not the crazy one for pursuing your dreams. After all, you are just dancing. People who think you are insane just can’t hear the music.

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Photo by Florent Chretien

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