Marketing Your Art the Right Way

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“When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this - you haven't.” - Thomas Edison
Quote by Thomas Edison

“When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this – you haven’t.” – Thomas Edison Quote Art

March 13, 2016 / / 1 Comment

“When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this – you haven’t.” – Thomas  Edison

Print available on Storenvy.

Give up. These words get etched into our minds the moment we face Resistance. They nag at us relentlessly. They are like a hungry mosquito who just won’t stop biting you. The voice in your mind echos again “Give up.”

How can we go on? Nothing works. We’ve tried everything. We stare at the canvas wondering what went wrong. Should I start over? “Give up.”

Many times this voice wins. We are drained. We stop what we ‘re doing. It’s too difficult to go on.

These are the moments that define us. Instead of giving up, we need to reflect on our work. Did we really try everything? Have we taken a break from our work? Is there another solution I haven’t even considered?

When you think you’ve tried everything, just remember, you haven’t. Thomas Edison was once asked by his associate, “Isn’t it a shame that with the tremendous amount of work you have done you haven’t been able to get any results?” Edison replied, “‘Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results! I know several thousand things that won’t work.”

Instead of giving up on a piece you love, try looking at it in a new way. In Ryan Holiday’s The Obstacle is the Way, he talks about turning roadblocks into solutions. What can we learn from what others have done?

[bctt tweet=”Often times, solutions come from places where we aren’t expecting them”]

You don’t necessarily need to look at what other artists have done. In fact, often times,  it can be detrimental to look within the same industry. What have people in other wakes of life done to overcome a problem? Often times, solutions come from places where we aren’t expecting them.

[bctt tweet=”When we work on projects too long we can lose focus”]

One way to do this is to take a break from your work. When we work on projects too long we can lose focus. We can’t see the forest for the trees.

When this happens, work on a different project, or stop working completelly. Take a break and do something different. Go for a walk. Read a book. Watch a documentary. Do anything to get your mind off the subject.

Then, something miraculous will happen. The answer will come to you. You will be washing your hair in the shower, when an insight strikes you. That is the moment you get back to work.

Too often we give up on a project too soon. We feel like it’s consuming all of our time. We don’t think there’s a solution, but often times there is a solution. We just haven’t tried it yet.

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"Every child is an artist until he’s told he’s not an artist." - John Lennon
Quote by John Lennon

Every child is an artist until he’s told he’s not an artist. – John Lennon Quote Art

March 6, 2016 / / 2 Comments

“Every child is an artist until he’s told he’s not an artist.” – John Lennon

Print available on Storenvy.

Imagine you’re a child again. You want to express your thoughts, but words just won’t do. So, you pick up your crayon and get to work.

To others it looks like a scribbles on the page. It looks like random lines scattered across a piece of paper.

For us, this is our masterpiece. It is the expression of our thoughts, our feelings, and our desires. It might not make sense to others who see it, but it makes sense to us.

As we grow older, people’s expectations change. They want to make sense of the madness. “Is that a person? Is it a dog? What is it?” Expectations grow. People want to label our work. They want to attach a name to what they’re seeing.

It’s only natural. People want to identify with our work. They want to recognize what’s in front of them.

There is a moment in every child’s life that splits us into two groups. Those who can and those who can’t. You can draw. You can’t. You should give it up. You should keep on drawing.

Why do we insist on doing this? Why must one child be considered an artist, a genius, a prodigy, while another is cast off to the side?

When we are children, we are free to play, to experiment, to fail. We approach life with a wonderful sense of curiosity.

[bctt tweet=”We need to stop telling children they aren’t artists”]

We need to stop telling children they aren’t artists. Kids are impressionable. One off-hand comment can completely change the trajectory of someone’s life.

Instead of telling kids their art isn’t good, encourage them to study it more. Dive deeper into that innate curiosity.

There is a stigma surrounding the arts. “You can’t make money as an artist.” “Shouldn’t you choose a better paying job?” We continue to perpetuate this myth, and it has had an enormous affect of society.

How many Picassos have we stifled? How many J.K. Rowlings left their stories untold? How many Steven Spielbergs decided to become accountants instead of making visionary films?

After having deep conversations with dozens of people, with diverse backgrounds, I’ve come to realize one thing. Everyone is creative. The only person preventing us from being creative is ourselves.

Since childhood, we have let others dictate what we should and shouldn’t do. It’s time to break that cycle.

If a child decides on their own they don’t want to be an artist, that’s wonderful. Everyone is not destined to be an artist. But we should never stifle future generations from becoming the artists within themselves, screaming to come out. Let them take their own hero’s journey.

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"The enemy of art is the absence of limitations." - Orson Welles
Quote by Orson Welles

“The enemy of art is the absence of limitations.” – Orson Welles Quote Art

February 27, 2016 / / 0 Comments

“The enemy of art is the absence of limitations.” – Orson Welles

Print available on Storenvy.

Inspiration is endless. It can come from viewing the fine details of the Mona Lisa up close or seeing a stray cat run across your back yard. We never know which small detail will lead to our next great work. There are endless possibilities, but the Muse isn’t calling.

It can be intimidating. People wait patiently for our next great work, but soon they start to get antsy. “What’s taking her so long to write that book?” “Why do they keep delaying that movie?” The expectations keep mounting. Yet, still nothing comes to us.

People will try to give us ideas. “Why don’t you try…” or “What about…” but the last thing we need is more possibilities. That’s what caused this mess is the first place.

As artists, we don’t like people trying to stifle us. We find freedom in the possibilities. Our canvas is only limited by our imaginations. We can bring anything to life.

Therein lies the paradox. We don’t need more options. We need more limitations.

If I told you, you have once chance to create the greatest painting of your life. What would you do? How would you approach it? Where would you even begin?

You would probably freeze up. You would be paralyzed by fear. Fear of messing up. Fear of choosing the wrong thing. Fear of messing up your chances.

That is where restraints come into play. Restraints help you narrow down your options. They stop you from being paralyzed by fear. They help you make a decision.

“But out of limitations comes creativity.” – Debbie Allen

Robert Rodriguez used limitations to create his first film El Mariachi, which became the lowest budget movie ever released by a major studio. This revelation has defined his film making ever since.

Architect Frank Gehry used constraints in his building designs. For his award-winning design of the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the strict standards for acoustics led to the unique design of the Hall’s interior space.

Austin Kleon, gained fame for his Newspaper Blackout poems. He creates these poems by taking a newspaper, and crossing out everything but the words he needs to create a poem.

These are just a few examples of how constraints enhance your creativity. The next time you feel stuck trying to come up with an idea for your great work, give yourself some limitations. They will give you the necessary fuel to spark your creativity and your art.

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Photo by Florent Chretien

"I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." - Michael Jordan Quote Art
Quote by Michael Jordan

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan Quote Art

February 21, 2016 / / 1 Comment

“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

Print available on Society6.

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.

[bctt tweet=”Will you let failure keep you down or will you rise above it?”]

Will 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?

[bctt tweet=”Failure is one of life’s greatest teachers. Every mistake you make is a lesson learned”]

These 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.

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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

“Good writing isn’t a science. It’s an art, and the horizon is infinite. You can always get better.” – David Foster Wallace

February 13, 2016 / / 0 Comments

“Good writing isn’t a science. It’s an art, and the horizon is infinite. You can always get better.” – David Foster Wallace

Print available on Storenvy.

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.

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"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls." - Pablo Picasso
Quote by Pablo Picasso

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” – Pablo Picasso Quote Art

January 30, 2016 / / 0 Comments

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” ― Pablo Picasso

Print available on Storenvy.

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.

[bctt tweet=”What if we had a way to break from the mundane aspects of everyday life?”]

What 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.

[bctt tweet=”Art allows us to express ourselves in a way that words can’t”]

Art 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.

[bctt tweet=”Art provides an outlet for us to explore and play”]

Art 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.

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Photos by Abigail Keenan | Kaboom Pics | Boss Fight

"It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop." - Confucius
Quote by Confucius

“It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop.” – Confucius Quote Art

January 24, 2016 / / 1 Comment

“It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop.”- Confucius

Print available on Storenvy.

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.

[bctt tweet=”We have become far too impatient with ourselves and the world around us”]

We 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

[bctt tweet=”Everything worth doing takes time”]

Everything 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.

[bctt tweet=”It’s what you do after failures that truly matters”]

Everyone 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.

—

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.

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Photo by Saff’s Photography

"Be the change that you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Quote by Mahatma Gandhi

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi Quote Art

January 17, 2016 / / 5 Comments

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Print available on Storenvy.

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

[bctt tweet=”The best way to inspire is by example”]

I 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.

[bctt tweet=”The more knowledgeable we all are, the better off we will be”]

That 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.

[bctt tweet=”It is only when you put your ideas into action that you can succeed”]

It 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.

[bctt tweet=”Taking action provides incredible results”]

Taking 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.

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"Someday is not a day of the week." - Denise Brennan-Nelson
Quote by Denise Brennan-Nelson

“Someday is not a day of the week.” – Denise Brennan-Nelson Quote Art

January 2, 2016 / / 2 Comments

“Someday is not a day of the week.”- Denise Brennan-Nelson

Print available on Storenvy.

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?

[bctt tweet=”We love to give ourselves the excuse of someday, but someday may never come”]

We 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.

[bctt tweet=”Don’t let your beautiful idea rot away locked up inside you”]

Would 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.

[bctt tweet=”Get started today. Not tomorrow, not next week, not someday. Today.”]

Don’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.

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"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." - Scott Adams
Quote by Scott Adams

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” – Scott Adams Quote Art

December 19, 2015 / / 1 Comment

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” – Scott Adams

Print available on Storenvy.

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

[bctt tweet=”Creative people are constantly creating. They do not wait for the muse to sing to them”]

Creative 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.

—

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.

[bctt tweet=”Creativity is an endless cycle. Art is what you have to show for it”]

Creativity is an endless cycle. Art is what you have to show for it.

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Photo by Andrew Phillips

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