Juan Sepulveda is a painter and the creator of The Winding Stairs Podcast and The Gentleman’s Brotherhood. His art focuses around the lessons and symbols of free masonry. In this episode, Juan talks about marketing and creating art, why you must have the right mindset, and why you need to diversify your income streams.
Marketing Your Art the Right Way
Selling Art, Not Selling Out
Tag: art (page 5 of 10)
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan
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Excuse me while I geek out a bit. I am and have always been a fan of sports and greatness. Every so often, those two mix in perfect harmony and give you a player that transcends sports. Someone who is well known beyond his chosen craft. Someone synonymous with greatness. One of those people is Michael Jordan.
Jordan is widely considered the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball. It is not often that you have near unanimous agreement about a sports player. It’s hard to compare players in different time periods. The games and styles of play are completely different. But when it comes to Michael Jordan, there are very few arguments.
There’s a reason why. In sports, most players never even reach a championship. Jordan won six. Only the best of the best win an MVP. Jordan won five. Jordan has won the scoring title in a season ten times, more than anyone who has ever played basketball. He won two Olympic gold medals for the USA. The most impressive thing might be that he did all of this while retiring three times. Two of which were temporary.
The reason I bring this up is, without failure, none of that success would have been possible. Like his quote says, Michael Jordan failed a lot. He missed over 9,000 shots. He lost 300 games and missed the game winning shot 26 times.
Failure is just part of the game. Even one of the greatest basketball players of all time faced failure. Failure, however, isn’t the goal. It’s what you do after failure that really matters.
Will you let failure keep you down or will you rise above it? Click To TweetWill you let failure keep you down or will you rise above it? Will you learn from your mistakes or let your mistakes keep you down forever?
Failure is one of life's greatest teachers. Every mistake you make is a lesson learned Click To TweetThese are the questions you must ask yourself if you ever want to be great. Failure is one of life’s greatest teachers. Every mistake you make is a lesson learned. They reveal life’s pitfalls and lead you on the path towards success.
Photos by RyanMcGuire and Unsplash
“Good writing isn’t a science. It’s an art, and the horizon is infinite. You can always get better.” – David Foster Wallace
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Writing can be a terrifying experience. The blank canvas taunts you, daring your to fill it with great prose. You have to battle to find every word. It’s an adventure, and you are on a quest to slay the dragon.
Writing isn’t a formula you can just follow. Even if someone told you the exact process they use to write, you would not be able to come up with the same words. It’s not replicable. It’s developed through intuition and experience.
Writing is more like pouring your soul out onto a canvas, or chiseling away at that enormous chunk of marble, or strumming away at your guitar. It’s shaped by your experience. It’s defined by who you are at the moment. It’s influenced by your emotions.
Writing is like other forms of art, the boundaries are limitless. You can take it anywhere it’s willing to go. You can create and destroy worlds. You can inspire or bring people to tears. It’s not bound by the physical world. The only limit is your imagination.
Writing is has no limits. You can always get better. Unlike the physical limitations of science, there is no apex to great writing. The more you study and practice it, the better you will get.
“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind”
– C.S. Lewis
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We are all guilty of it. We look back at our moments of failure with regret, shame, or disdain.
We get that knot in our stomach. It feels like pain, but there is nothing physically wrong with us.
Learn the lessons failure has to teach us but then leave them behind Click To TweetWhile analyzing our failures can be helpful, dwelling on them is not. Learn the lessons failure has to teach us but then leave them behind.
Don’t worry about what happened in the past. Look towards your future instead. It’s brighter than you think.
You can achieve your goals if you put your mind to it Click To Tweet
The future holds endless possibilities. It’s not some unattainable dream or fantasy. You can achieve your goals if you put your mind to it.
The reason we don’t achieve our dreams is, we don’t put enough thought or effort into it. We live day by day, not knowing what to do next. But things can be different if you let them.
Don't sit idly by waiting for things to happen to you. Seek them for yourself Click To TweetPlan out your ideal future, and do what you can to achieve it. Don’t sit idly by waiting for things to happen to you. Seek them for yourself.
Leave the past behind. What’s done is done. Your future can be better. You just have to work your way towards it.
“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” ― Pablo Picasso
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Every thought we have and every action we take shapes us as people. If you ask many people how they feel on Sunday, before the work week starts, you will often hear an audible groan. That feeling sticks with them until the very end of the week. Most of us are living for the weekend. Is this the way life was meant to be?
The industrialization of society has had a profound affect on civilization, for better or for worse. We are expected to be at work five days, for forty hours, every week.
Each day is a grind. Like clockwork, we arrive at work, go through the motions, then leave. It often feels like we coast through the day, watching our lives drift away.
Then we go home, watch some TV or play with the kids, and go right to sleep. Our routines have become boring and predictable.
What if we had a way to break from the mundane aspects of everyday life? Click To TweetWhat if we had an outlet to express all our feelings? What if we had a way to break from the mundane aspects of everyday life? We do, and that outlet is called art.
Art allows us to express ourselves in a way that words can't Click To TweetArt allows us to express ourselves in a way that words can’t. We can pour our feelings onto a canvas, into a novel, or a into performance in ways that we normally can’t express.
Art provides an outlet for us to explore and play Click To TweetArt provides an outlet for us to explore and play. Unfortunately, play has been relegated to children. Unfortunately, society tells us to grow up once we reach adulthood. Art allows us that arena for play.
One of the top books on Amazon is a coloring book for adults. People are overjoyed when they get the chance to create Newspaper Blockout poems. Improv is incredible fun when you are willing to just let go.
These forms of art allow people to let go of their fears, doubts, and ambitions. They allow you to simply play. We all confine ourselves into an imaginary box, a place where we have to be mature and proper.
Instead of letting society tell us how to live, we need to embrace art. We need to use it as an outlet of self-expression and experimentation. We are letting life getting in the way of living.
Photos by Abigail Keenan | Kaboom Pics | Boss Fight
“It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop.”- Confucius
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Far too often we’re concerned with reaching our destination. We want to do things as fast as we can. We want to “make it” before we’ve had the chance to think things through. The problem is, when we don’t immediately find the success we are looking for, we give up.
We have become far too impatient with ourselves and the world around us Click To TweetWe have become far too impatient with ourselves and the world around us. We rarely take the time to reflect on our goals and how we can achieve them. There’s a reason they say Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Here are some things I try to tell myself when things aren’t going as quickly as I would like:
Greatness isn’t achieved overnight
Everything worth doing takes time Click To TweetEverything worth doing takes time. We shouldn’t try to rush to success. We need to be more patient with ourselves.
Leonardo da Vinci, the master of his craft, spent 3-4 years painting the Mona Lisa, and still wasn’t done. Michelangelo, another great master, took over two years to create the statue of David. It took Disney and his crew 3 years to make Snow White. J.K. Rowling spent five years planning out the seven books in the Harry Potter series, and it took seven years between coming up with the idea to publishing her first book.
All this goes to show that great works of art take time. You don’t need to rush to bring your idea, or your piece of art, to the world.
The important thing to remember is to not give up. If you truly believe in what you are creating, you won’t give up at the first sign of adversity. Give your art as much time as it needs.
Failure isn’t permanent
Failure is not the end of the world. Every failure teaches us a valuable lesson. We can’t let a single failure set us back. Instead, we need to learn from them.
Albert Einstein wasn’t always considered a genius. He didn’t speak until he was four. According to legend, Thomas Edison failed 1,000 times before he created the light bulb. Abraham Lincoln had multiple business failures and lost many elections before he became president of the United States. Oprah Winfrey’s first boss told her she was too emotional and not right for TV.
It's what you do after failures that truly matters Click To TweetEveryone encounters failure. It is inevitable. It’s what you do after failures that truly matters. Will you give up in the face of adversity or will you learn from your mistakes?
Stop trying to be an instant success. Failure is part of the game.
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The next time you think about quitting, just remember success takes time. It doesn’t matter if it takes you one year or ten years. If you are persistent and dedicated, you will find success.
So many people give up. You automatically have a leg up on the competition simply by persisting. Just take your time, learn from your failures, and don’t give up on your dreams.
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
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Everyone wants to live in a better world but have you done your part to make it better?
I am by no means better than anyone else. I am fallible to mistakes. I lose my temper. I don’t give as much as I can. Despite all of this, I am still trying to make the world a better place in my own way.
No, I’m not aspiring for world peace or trying to end world hunger, but I am trying to make my own dent in the world. Here are a few ways that I am trying to make a change in the world:
Inspiring Others
The best way to inspire is by example Click To TweetI have always found inspiration an interesting topic. We can’t force someone to be inspired. We can try to inspire people all we want, but I believe the best way to inspire is by example.
Even if you are in the beginning stages of your adventure, you are still farther along than others. If you can show people what is possible, you can become an inspiration to them.
Telling Positive Stories
Every day, we encounter people telling us how horrible the world is. The news mostly shows us the negative side of humanity. In my pursuit to help artists, I try to share the positive aspects of humanity.
I want to show people what is possible if you are dedicated to your craft. I want to show people that success is possible. I want to promote people who are making a difference in this world.
Sharing Knowledge
Knowledge is one of the most important things you can attain towards becoming a better artist, a better creative, and a better person. I am constantly on the quest to find new knowledge.
When you have knowledge, you can make better decisions. You can follow the footsteps of people who came before you , and you can also go off the beaten path.
The more knowledgeable we all are, the better off we will be Click To TweetThat is why I want to share my knowledge with all of you. The more knowledgeable we all are, the better off we will be. It can be hard to make it on our own without seeking to become a more informed person.
Knowledge, however, isn’t all that is necessary to succeed in life. You must also take action.
Pushing People Into Action
What separates people who move up in life versus those who don’t? It’s not how smart you are, how attractive you are, or how loud you are. It’s taking the knowledge you have and putting it into action.
You can be smart, and still make nothing of your life. Attractiveness gives you a slight edge, but it can only take you so far. You can be the most vocal person around, but no one has to listen.
It is only when you put your ideas into action that you can succeed Click To TweetIt is only when you put your ideas into action that you can succeed. That is why I try to push people into doing something.
If you are feeling stuck in your art practice or in your life, don’t sit around worrying about it. Do something about it.
Taking action provides incredible results Click To TweetTaking action provides incredible results. If I didn’t take action, I would use all my free time watching Netflix. Instead, I choose to take action and make progress on my goals. You should too.
This is a long article. If you want to read a summary of what is covered in it, you can jump to and read the conclusion.
One of the most commonly asked questions artists ask is “How can I market and sell my art online?” While it can be very beneficial to sell your art online, it is also a lot of work. There is no magic bullet for selling your work online.
Everyone wants a shortcut. We see other people doing the things we want to do and assume they got there overnight. We want success, but are we willing to put in the work?
You are different. You are here because you want to learn exactly what it takes to build an audience. You are willing to put in the work. You want to build a business around your art.
In order to sell your art online, you must first build an audience. Click To TweetIn order to sell your art online, you must first build an audience. You might think this is common sense, but many artists overlook this basic fact. If you want to sell your art online and build a lasting business from it, there are some very important things you must do.
This guide is intended to teach you some of these essential elements. It will help you turn your art from a hobby into a business. It will cover everything from finding your audience to building a passionate group of fans. So, let’s get started.
“Someday is not a day of the week.”- Denise Brennan-Nelson
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We all have excuses built into ourselves. I am as guilty of it as anyone. That excuse is thinking we can hold off on doing something. I’ll do it later, I’ll do it tomorrow, and the dreaded I’ll do it someday.
What would happen if we all decided someday was good enough? How many great inventions or pieces of art would we be missing out on?
Did Thomas Edison wait for someday to create an efficient light bulb, the phonograph, or electricity?
Did Steve Jobs wait for someday to revolutionize the world with the iPhone or the iPad?
Did George Lucas wait for someday to create one the most influential movies of all time in Star Wars?
We love to give ourselves the excuse of someday, but someday may never come Click To TweetWe love to give ourselves the excuse of someday, but someday may never come. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Our lives can be gone in an instant.
I’m not saying this to be morbid. I’m saying this so you’ll get off your ass and do that thing you’ve been waiting to do.
Don't let your beautiful idea rot away locked up inside you Click To TweetWould you happy with yourself if you left this world without giving it the gift of your work? As artists, we have something beautiful to offer the world. Don’t let your beautiful idea rot away locked up inside you.
Get started today. Not tomorrow, not next week, not someday. Today. Click To TweetDon’t wait for someday. What is the smallest action you can take towards letting that idea free? Release the shackles of uncertainty and doubt. Get started today. Not tomorrow, not next week, not someday. Today.
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” – Scott Adams
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Creativity and art are two separate yet interconnected pieces of the same puzzle. They exist in a constant ebb and flow. They can, and do, exist separately but they are better when they work together.
People often mistake creativity as a thing only artists have and use. “I’m not creative. I don’t know how to draw or paint.” That sentiment is shared by many people, but it is a mistake to do so.
I have spoken to many people about the topic of creativity and there are a few common things that consistently come up:
Be Open to Play
Creative people have one thing in common. They are open to exploration and play. They are not hindered by pre-conceived notions. They don’t worry about whether something will succeed or fail. Just like children, they are willing and open to try new things.
You Can’t Force It
Creative people do not try to force their ideas onto a problem. They look at problems from multiple angles. They scrape the depths of their mind looking for a solution that fits the problem at hand. They are not hindered by the idea of a single best solution. They don’t let mistakes discourage them. They turn those impediments into action.
Constantly Create
Creative people are constantly creating. They do not wait for the muse to sing to them Click To TweetCreative people are constantly creating. They do not wait for the muse to sing to them. They find the muse through consistent and persistent action. Some of their art will be better than others, but that doesn’t stop them from creating.
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Art, on the other hand requires discernment. When you are creating art, you use your creativity to come up with ideas, but you also have to decide what to keep and what to leave out.
Art allows you to express your feelings in a way that makes sense. It takes your ideas and brings them to life.
As artists, we all want to be perfectionists, but if you want to keep your sanity, you will know when to stop. That moment of finality is the difference between creativity and art.
Art is the end result of all that creativity. It is the final product that of all that experimentation.
Creativity is an endless cycle. Art is what you have to show for it Click To TweetCreativity is an endless cycle. Art is what you have to show for it.
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