MarKetArTisT

TOP 20 WAYS TO TACKLE “CREATIVE BLOCK”

2011-09-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Lets begin with there is no formal definition for the term “Creative Block” from an encyclopedia because it derives from the definition of “Writer’s Block.”

Here is the common definition of “Writer’s Block” from our friends at Wikipedia.

“Writer's block is a condition, primarily associated with writing as a profession, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work. The condition varies widely in intensity.”

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writer%27s_block

*My Personal Definition: I am beating my head against a virtual wall and the golden egg of creativity is NOT falling out!

COMMON CAUSES OF CREATIVE BLOCK

There are a variety of causes of Creative Block. These can range anywhere from: anxiety, depression, procrastination, time management, rejection, brain lapse/fry, unrealistic expectations, perfectionism and a plethora of other conditions. Here is a link to check out other common blocks to creativity from our friends at Creating Minds.org

http://www.creatingminds.org/articles/blocks.htm

TWENTY WAYS TO OVERCOME CREATIVE BLOCK & A TWIST OF ACTIVITIES

1) ALWAYS KEEP A NOTEBOOK

This concept encompasses keeping a notebook, journal, sketchbook or any means of allocating ideas on paper. Make SURE you have a writing utensil available. Even if you can’t get to a notebook in time, make sure you have something to write with.

ACTIVITY

Go to the local discount store, bookstore or art store and pick out a notebook that personifies your unique persona. Sometimes a notebook will personally choose you. (My personal favorites are the leather bound Celtic patterns with refillable booklets). Think of this as rule number one. Carry a notebook with you everywhere! No one ever knows when or where the brainchild of creativity arises.

2) MUSIC ENHANCES THE CREATIVE SOUL

Being honest, I do not have a musical bone in my body. Some living souls are not given the gift of voice, rhythm, composure or grace. This is WHY there are people with that special gift, to enhance OUR creativity!

Try to find one good reason that music doesn’t enhance our lives. There is a different genre for every emotion, function or time period. With advancements in technology, everyone should have a plethora of music flowing for every personality type.

ACTIVITY

Create a playlist/CD entitled “Creative Block.” Place music in it with whatever get’s your visionary wits and adrenaline flowing! Think of THIS playlist as your own personal encouraging pep-rally!

3) EXPERIMENT IN OTHER MEDIA

This theory can range from a variety of options including: viewing another types of media, taking a class, or buying economic friendly art supplies and trying something alternative in your studio. It is however you feel most comfortable.

ACTIVITY

It is time to charge WAY out in left field when it deals with experimentation. This exercise teaches the perfectionist “non-perfectionism” a major “Creative Block” ingredient. If your main focus is painting, try another media and for lack of a better term be “dreadful” at it. It gives a new perspective in your comfort zone and can dilate new ideas! The positive exposure to other forms of media may result in finding that you are a natural at something you never tried before!

3) FIND YOUR INNER CHILD

A very wise person once said, “Find the 5-year old inside.” Apparently, most individuals consistent a consistent strive for perfectionism. Adult responsibilities can cause anxiety and hinder original creativity.

This is not an easy undertaking. As artists, most are 5-years old inside, but the natural process of “growing up” changes everyone into adults. Adults think about family, bills, money, family, pets, insurance etc…

ACTIVITY

It is time to play! Everyone’s definition of playtime is different, but it is an exercise to bring out your inner child. Here are some ideas for playtime: go to the park and swing, finger paint, play a sport or play a board game with a child. It is really good therapy to have a child with you. If you do not have your own child, find a family member or friend that needs a night out and offer to sit. Children’s minds are not shielded like adults. Re-learn how to be a kid again!

4) GET OUT OF DODGE!

I am not suggesting taking a vacation to Tahiti (unless you want too), but it’s time to get away from your office, studio or the source location of your creative block. Technically, it is as easy as just walking away.

*Through personal observation of creative teams, business people and artists here are a few ways “Creative Block” usually starts: the perpetual head rub, the sigh, grunt or growl, banging on a keyboard or mouse, scribbling really hard with a pen or pencil. I’ve seen it escalate to the point where brushes, monitors, pens and other close objects become possessed and fly across the area or space where the individual is located. I am giving you fair warning. If you see poltergeist activity run away!

ACTIVITY

GET OUT OF DODGE! It is time to walk away from the situation and take a 10-minute breather. Force yourself to do it! You will be very thankful later and so will the $70 brush you paid for last week!

5) GO OLD SCHOOL!

As with most creative minds, everyone has a collection of bins, flat files (those ones stuck under your bed or in the back of a hall closet, uh-huh), portfolios, essays, resumes etc…from times past. If you really want a self-esteem boost and get a good laugh, travel back in time.

ACTIVITY

Dig around your house, garage, attic, closet, or a family’s house. Find those “Old School” projects. Take the time to look, read, and go through it ALL! It is a sure-fire confidence booster and gives a great laugh!

6) LAUGH FROM YOUR TOES TO YOUR BELLY!

A person may not notice it in everyday life, but really stop to think and ask, “How many times have I laughed until I cried or peed my pants lately?” It is scientifically proven as a stress reliever. It eases the mind, helps with medical conditions and is a plain good time.

Don’t believe me? Check out http://www.rxlaughter.org/letter.htm

ACTIVITY

Dig in the back of your brain for those times you laughed so hard until your belly ached. What were those triggers? Here are some ideas: watch the funniest movie you ever saw, go to a comedy club, read that hilarious E-mail someone sent or find that special friend you ask to tell that hilarious same story over and over again. The point is, find what triggers that giggle bone!

7) BUST OUT YOUR BEST SOUL TRAIN! (For those who remember what Soul Train is).

It is time for DANCE, DANCE REVOLUTION! I believe Steve Jobs Apple iPod 3G advertising campaign really nailed it on the head! Remember, the black silhouette ads with people dancing to their favorite song wildly! It was a great ad campaign. I don’t think he realized the ideas he was giving to the masses. Yes, he wanted to sell the new iPod 3G, but in the overall picture was to DANCE freely!

You can check out my favorite iPod 3G commercial at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBsTAsivPa4&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLDB48A812C51E27EF

*Special Thanks to applejuicevideos’s Channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/applejuicevideos

ACTIVITY

It is time to bust a groove! Pick your favorite “get psyched” song and dance your little heart out. (You can do this in private if you don’t want other people to see you dance). Crank up the music and dance! Let it all out and be free for five minutes! You may be tired, but it is a good time and boy does it lighten the boulder on your head!

If you are not a believer yet, check out the American Dance Therapy Association Website at:

http://www.adta.org/

8) VOLUTEER IN THE COMMUNITY

There is not a better feeling than volunteering for an organization you really care about. So many volunteer programs are waiting for people like you! Even if you have time constraints and personal obligations, you can fit in an hour a weekend and volunteer your time.

It is helping the community, developing personal connections and learning. Being an active participant transmits good vibes and can inspire even the most mentally blocked individual.

ACTIVITY

If you’ve never volunteered before, ask yourself, “What am I really passionate about?” It can be anything from the Human Society, Working with Children and Art, Meals on Wheels, Adopt a Family for Christmas, Toys for Tots or volunteering at you child’s school. Another good example is to donate artwork to a woman’s shelter or children’s hospital. There is nothing more inspiring than helping your community.

9) GO TO A BOOKSTORE, LIBRARY OR ARTIST SUPPLY STORE

These are great places to hang around because creative inspiration is everywhere. Anyone can look at books, magazines, art supplies and everything in between! It may surprise someone with what happens when you take a gander at calendars, the 50% off rack, or be around the smell of coffee or fresh paints.

ACTIVITY

Next time you GET OUT OF DODGE, stop by a local bookstore, library or art supply store. It is about getting your senses flowing. You can apply all 5 senses from smell, touch, auditory, sight and taste. (Although, I wouldn’t recommend opening a tube of paint and tasting Permanent Sap Green)! Creative clues are in this world and one may spark in these beautiful unforeseen places. The point of this isn’t to go buy, rent or spend a $1,000 on art supplies. It is just “being.”

10) BE AWARE

Sometimes, it isn’t so obvious to be aware of your surroundings. Individuals come and go. They take the same drive to work and have same routine everyday. This gets mundane and drains the fruit of inspiration. Despite what the news says, we are in a wonderful age and are given many things like industry, technology and Mother Nature. We must be thankful for so many things to be enamored and amazed. It is time to stop and REALLY smell the roses!

ACTIVITY

Pick a spot and just sit. It doesn’t matter if it is a curb on a street, a park, back yard or a coffee shop. Sit and soak up everything around like a sponge. Look for natural patterns and shapes. It may turn into something that you’ll never look at the same way again!

11) HUMAN OBSERVATION

Next time you run into the coffee shop to get your ventisoysteamed180degreesnowhip2pumpwhitemocha, have a seat and enjoy. Watch the people, the employees, hone in on conversations and body language. I know a writer who did this and wrote an entire screen play based on one human interaction!

ACTIVITY

Take time on a lunch break or a weekend and find a café, restaurant, festival, or somewhere in the general public. Get something to eat or drink and sit down to observe human interactions and connections. Make sure you have your notebook with you! You might find yourself pleasantly surprised on your discoveries!

12) INTERNET ENHANCEMENT

Unless you live under a rock or are boycotting the glorious WWW, it is a virtual highway of creative information! If you cannot get a creative idea, you are not googling hard enough! If you want to spark ideas, search artists’ web sites, trees and nature, blogs, YouTube Videos, science and don’t forget Social Media! It is a blessing brought into our lives! (Well, unless you are that one guy. No names will be given)!

“YouTube is MY Inspiration for new songs and guitar playing techniques.”
~Robin Stonestreet – Musician, Father and Business Owner

ACTIVITY

If you are on a computer ALL day, usually the last thing you want to do after work with techno brain fry is sit back in front of a monitor. Here is the catch; you can look for what YOU want! If all else fails, go to the infinite YouTube.com! Take a tutorial, watch a music video and research something different! There is a plethora of information out in cyber-space for imagination station!

http://www.youtube.com/

13) SELF-EMPOWERMENT

Want to take your mind off of a creative block? Face a fear! This process can sincerely be mind cleansing. It takes a person out of their comfort zone. Many artists, writers and business people have some sort of a fear or phobia. Focusing on this fear can create a mental brick wall!

ACTIVITY

Start small. First, try the path of least resistance and build up. If you have a fear of heights, go to the playground and go down the “small” slide. If you can accomplish this, go down the “big” slide. DON’T over-do it and go bungee jumping, you will be sure to have panic attack or mental breakdown. It develops self-esteem and motivation. Clearing fear or phobia blocks helps loosen the mind and empower the soul.

*Disclaimer: I, Marie R. Stonestreet, will not be personally or professionally accountable for bodily damage or mental breakdowns, due to a bad decision on your part. Always remember, if a statement starts with, “Hey watch this…” it is NEVER A GOOD IDEA!!!!!! (Sorry, I had to put that statement in here. I told you NOT to go bungee jumping and will not be liable for acts of ignorance or GOD).

14) TAKE A PERSONALITY QUIZ

Have you ever thought maybe you need to learn something about yourself? There are artists and white collars alike that have no indication of their personality style. This can cause blocks in making connections, living the life you choose, or maybe choosing things you are really passionate about.

ACTIVITY

Time to take a personality quiz! I would suggest taking the right brain/left brain quizzes. They are all over the Internet. As a personal suggestion, I would take at least ten. Each are about 5 minutes each with 20 questions, but you can get a good base to derive a conclusion on which side of the brain you are using.

Try this Right Brain/Left Brain hemispherical quiz first to get started:
http://www.intelliscript.net/test_area/questionnaire/

Next, try the Carl Jung Briggs Myers typology quiz. http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp

Make SURE you have time to sit down and ponder the answers to the questions. You have to understand these tests may not be exactly who or what you are. At the same time, you might find out something about yourself that may help cut that creative block or point you in the right direction!

15) EXERCISE & MEDITATION

It is a scientific fact, if you exercise endorphins build up and you get what some call “runners high.” You feel good about yourself, body and soul. If exercising isn’t in your vocabulary, go down another path and try meditation. By clearing the mind and spirit, you can move forward. Both are spiritually cleansing and enhancing.

As again, from our friends from Wikipedia here is the definition of Endorphins.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endorphin

ACTIVITY

Try to fit fitness into your schedule 3 times a week. It can start by taking a walk, yoga, Pilates, cardio or if you are hard-core go to the gym and take a spinning class! Another option, try stretching every morning for 10 minutes helps get the blood pumping, muscles moving and helps release toxins.

Meditation on the other hand can be a difficult task. First, try it on your own with a CD or soft music. I suggest finding a reputable meditation class to learn the basics. If not, the silent space in your brain can go haywire! It is about clearing and connecting with your mind, body and soul. It is NOT about focusing on what bills need to be paid next!

16) TIME COMMITMENT

Sometimes individuals have to develop a time commitment. Whether it is 15 minutes or an hour a day or an hour a week, make it a pace comfortable for you.

ACTIVITY

Start by taking 15 minutes and just stare at a piece of paper or canvas. It is about the fact you made to stare at a piece of paper. Next, see if you can write a word or paint 1 brush stroke. Baby steps! You NEVER want to force too much because it can become a negative experience. It is an exercise focusing on progression and positivity!

17) GET ORGANIZED

I have found the horrendous mess stalking my desk or studio, along with the sense of impending doom tends to block creativity. First, I thought getting organized was my way of procrastination, but quickly realized once items were purged and in order a brain can feel free to create. I believe it’s the mundane task of getting organized opens your brain’s creative space.

ACTIVITY

Take a “me” day or a lunch hour and clear your personal space. It may not all happen in one session, but at least once a week start purging and organizing. Ask yourself, “Do I really need this paint tube from 1900 that is busted, cracked and dried?” Well, probably not. “Do I really need that pile of paper that could be shredded and recycled?” I am guessing no. Once your space is clear, open and organized you have opened a wormhole to your creative sensors!

18) MAKE CONNECTIONS

I can’t emphasize enough, how important making connections are in any field. You find people with common interests, philosophies, or someone totally amazing that you never thought to talk to. However you put it, you are working on COMMANDMENT #10 from my previous blog, The Ten Commandments of a Traveling Artist. YOU MUST HAVE A SOLID SUPPORT SYSTEM!

ACTIVITY

There are a variety of ways for introverted and extroverted individuals to make connections. Join a local art organization or society. SOCIAL MEDIA! What more could you ask for with connections at your typing tips! Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc…join groups, artists or businesses that spark creativity! Everyone needs a real or virtual high five! It helps working through ideas, brainstorming and learning about other processes. It is a win-win situation!

19) TIME MANAGEMENT

Time management may possibly come easy to some, but for others it isn’t in their vocabulary. Everyone needs to manage time effectively to some degree. If not, what would ever get accomplished? In relation to the infamous “creative block”, having inefficient time management skills can hinder the time to create, think, write or have personal time.

ACTIVITY

If you are an individual who happens to fall into the category of “less than adequate” time management skills, here are a few tricks to organize your day, thoughts and creative process.

What do you have? Everyone has a notebook now! When changing habits, always start slow or culture shock will set in. First, make a list. Hey, that is easy! Write down what you want to accomplish for the day. DO NOT beat yourself up if your write in your list 300 goals and nothing gets accomplished. Try to be realistic.

Start the first day with one goal and the time it takes to accomplish this. Next, work up to 10 REALISTIC goals a day. Make sure to allocate an hour of time in your list for the “just in case.” This is a buffer and if you need it use it. If you don’t need it, get ambitious and focus on a goal for the next day. Once you figure out where the holes are in your day and the “why” of no accomplishment, the sense of looming “creative block” will start to melt away.

20) STAY POSITIVE!

On a final note, negativity is the DEATH of creativity. Even if you have to recite the little choo choo train’s mantra “I think I can, I think I can,” keep it positive! If a person chooses the cynical path at the fork in the road, they are sure to go further down the creative block spiral.

ACTIVITY

As a good best practice, when you are having a bad day counter act it with one positive thing that happened and focus on that event. It can be anything positive. Anything from you made someone laugh, you got the right brush stroke, you finally found the word of your expression, saw a child smile or let someone in traffic that was stuck. Just stay positive!

IN CONCLUSION

I am not the expert, the gatekeeper or the key master of “creative block.” This are just tricks I learned over the years to help myself and now help others.

I am going to leave you with a few sentimental values. Fill your life with happiness and joy! Whatever your belief system, if you are on this planet once, twice or 9 times make the time you have count! My personal favorite brand of clothing is the “Life is Good” brand. I believe that if I wear the positive and believe in the positive, the positive will return.

FINAL QUOTE – Jody Uchekwo

“Climb a tree, walk through the dark woods and into a massive open field, laugh with your children/hubby/ friend, cry, see what’s happening around the world, write a poem, sleep, don’t sleep, forget yourself and dream.”

http://www.justjody.co.uk

Namaste,

Marie

Dedications: My husband Andrew and my son Kegan for being my diamond rocks of life, my adventurous Held In-Laws for making me open my eyes and really “see”, my Stonestreet side of the Family for my work ethic and independence, my friends, my co-workers past and present and finally MYSTERY FAN #100 on my Facebook page who helped me reach my three digital “like” goal! Love and Light!

Like my fan page at: http://www.facebook.com/MRSDesign
http://www.facebook.com/MRSDesign

COMMANDMENT #10: THY ARTIST, YOU MUST HAVE A SOLID SUPPORT SYSTEM!

2011-08-20T01:12:00.000-07:00

So I have gone through the first nine commandments. The FINAL COMMANDMENT TRUMPS all others. This can make or break you. Whether you are a traveling, gallery, or café artist; if you do not have a solid support system it will not be to your advantage.

It doesn’t matter who is within your support system. It could be family, friends, work colleagues or other artists. When you get down to the core, these are the people that lift you up and keep you moving. They believe in you! I cannot emphasize this enough. All art is subjective. You will have good days, rainy days, hot days and days where you don’t even break even. There are so many factors that I even can’t begin to touch on. Without a strong support system, you will find yourself in the dirt, no pun intended.

In Conclusion

Believe it or not, I gave you the “Cliff Notes” version of a traveling artist and my commandments through my personal experience. Every show is different and I loved doing it! I haven’t been in show for a few years do to family obligations and my career. Point being, everything is cyclical. One thing leads to another, even if you don’t sell anything the connections you make are invaluable.

Small Successes

A mysterious woman came into my booth, she looked around and we talked a little. Then she disappeared into the streets woven with people.

About six months later, she contacted me. Come to find out, she was on a head committee for one of the biggest fundraisers for the Terre Haute Woman’s Club. It was an exclusive black tie event of art and wine. Only 10-12 artists get chosen to be in this fundraiser every year. Then, there is a 4-year period of rotation before they will consider your application or contact you again. I was honored!

My art was chosen for the silent auction, I received personal news publicity and it was for a good cause. It was based on the “Children’s Shoe Bus.” A percentage of the art sold went to buy shoes for children in community schools that do not have the money to buy them. In refection, yeah I made A LOT of money that night, but I was more focused on helping the children in the community due to my own child.

Putting it into perspective, Dawn (the mysterious lady) didn’t know me from Adam, but she liked my work. Being in a fundraising setting for a good cause made me more humble. If there are fundraising events I always apply.

Art is a tool. It is how you use it. I have chosen to use it to help people.

You never know what kind of worlds will open for you! Remember KEEP MOVING FORWARD!

My next Blog is going to be the Top 20 ways to combat creative block. I want to get everyone involved! I have ideas and so do others, like my Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/MRSDesign and add your thoughts! I want this to be a collaborative effort and make sure I source great ideas! I will also be adding great resource links I discussed in my blog!

Namaste,

Marie

I would like to dedicate this blog to Andrew and Kegan, my family, friends and co-workers that believed in me and helped me make it through all of the rough times. They kept me on track and moving forward. I love them all.

COMMANDMENT #9: THY ARTIST, BE COMPACTABLE

2011-08-17T00:28:00.000-07:00

After a year, I finally got my FIRST “Golden Ticket” letter to a mid-size show with approximately 100 artists. Finally, I got to do the happy dance and my self-esteem was back to normal.

During the previous year, I showed at small cafés, coffee shops, galleries and small venues. For my birthday my family bought a small 5’ X 8’ covered traveling trailer because I was at maximum capacity and a truck and an SUV were not holding everything for the shows.

I worked on getting a variety of major upgrades. I bought a new more durable tent with a bag on wheels, purchased a full-booth indoor/outdoor wall unit, and added print wracks, jewelry stands, easels, and baskets. I purchased welcoming décor that added to the ambience of my space, a dolly to carry everything and #1 added a candy dish with various hard and chocolate candies.

I was ready to take on the world by storm!

We will now go back to my intro. Being a traveling artist isn’t for the faint of heart. The truth is, it is hard and laborious work. When you receive a set-up time, it is chaotic. Get there EARLY! Especially if you didn’t attempt to set-up your booth as a trial run in the garage or backyard. Woops! Big mistake! At least take a moment to look at the instructions and see if the instructions were written in hieroglyphics with bad English and schematics. We all learn from our mistakes.

*Side note - If the show offers an electrical option with your space for an extra charge, it is well worth the $35.00+. Even if you do not have a light set-up, bring a fan and/or space heater!

If you get lucky, the show coordinators will give you X amount of hours to set-up the night before. This is very important, especially if you haven’t set-up your booth space in a trial run. In reality, your set-up display should be so compact that you can install a space within 2 hours. If you have to bring your art back in the morning to hang, so be it. Just get there EARLY!

*Side note; I personally like the two-day shows over one-day events. It is not as taxing on the body physically or mentally. Granted it is a whole weekend, but if the weather is bad one day, (trust me my husband and I sat through a Saturday Monsoon and bought a tray of Chicken nuggets to ride out the storm), people do not buy art during tornados, go figure! At least you have another day of promise.

After my first experience with the set-up process, which ended up taking all hours into the night, I think we ended up staying 2-3 hours past the set-up cut-off time. What do you do? By this time we were wiped out! It was a learning experience. Well, we learned what to do next time.

My first real juried show was a success! I made a profit and loved it! I loved the art, people, artists and connections. The artist community is so wonderful. Like I wrote before, we all have the same story. It is community of help, exposure, learning and wonderful. I literally could write a whole book based on my personal experiences in traveling art shows. This takes us to final and last - COMMANDMENT #10.

COMMANDMENT #8: THY ARTIST, DON’T GET DISCOURAGED & KNOW THE COMPETITION

2011-08-14T01:57:00.001-07:00

When you look at things in perspective, not everyone has the same background; but all artists have the same story. There is a reason I combined these two thoughts together.

I digress; having a background in the cutthroat Advertising Industry helped me. I grew a thick skin really quick. After a year, I had to push the button on my custom “Super Hero Force Field.” I especially think this is relevant if you start out as a production artist or graphic designer. Once again, your perception skews your thought process. We all start young and ignorant. Your ego tells you that you are the best designer on the planet. Unfortunately, with that train of thought you will never succeed and will be a production artist the rest of your life.

As an artist, it is a whole new ball game. You create art because you LOVE it and you have PASSION. There is a personal attachment to every piece because it IS yours and YOU created it from a part of your soul.

As you are waiting for the “Dear John” or “Golden Ticket” letters, it is nerve wracking. If you are lucky, you will get one acceptance letter in your first year. If not, in my case, my thick skin went down the drain. I cried. I started to question my art, my priorities and myself. Did I really want to do this? Is this life really for me? Is my art that bad or worthless?

After I got my head on straight, I decided to prospect and KNOW THY COMPETITION. I bought every ticket to every juried art show in Central Indiana. This act was probably one of the best things I ever did!

The difference between the advertising world and art world is that artists are just down right GOOD people. We all have the VH1 Then and Now story, no matter what medium. We are a proud and humble group of people.

After I started going to shows and seeing the work, booth displays, pricing and culture, I gained a whole new perspective. First, no one is you! Second, there is ALWAYS someone you will think is “better” and more experienced. (I use this term loosely, because art is a subjective matter).

What I did take from going to these shows and art festivals, is I really got a sense of which pot of gold I wanted to go for. If you have to buy a ticket to get into an art show, people are there to look at and buy art. If you don’t have to pay to get in, you have a “fun family outing” for the day.

Look at the number in the artists in the show. The general public only has so much expendable income to spend on art. If there are 200+ artists in a show, you better do your marketing research, there is too much spread. The percentages are less likely in your favor that you will sell a piece of work.

Price points are a key factor! You may think your art is worth a million dollars. Wake up call, not to the average person. I think that is why I did so well at small shows with COMMANDMENT #5: THY ARTIST, IT IS THE LITTLE THINGS. I saw COMMANDMENT #5 artists doing really well. I was able to learn from artists, patrons and understand what the lifestyle was like. If a show was slow, I just sat down and got to know the artists. As an artist and “specialty store,” you have to be good to your customer, have affordable price points and have them coming back for more.

I saw the “Bodies of Work” mystery and had the ability to process the concept. Most importantly, it was the booth space design. The artists that were selling had open spaces, straight lines, good tents, decorations and floor designs. I asked myself “Is there a school for that?” (Yes, there actually is a course in a Retail Curriculum in college, Floor Design 101).

A booth space is a small mini gallery. You have to present yourself professionally, personally, and have a great floor design. That means spend money on a sturdier tent, good quality wall set-ups, add welcoming décor and seat yourself where you are available. (This means don’t sit behind one of your wall panels).

I looked at other watercolor artists, textile and jewelry artists. When I say “Know Thy Competition,” it may not be in relation to your medium at all. It is in relation to who is raking in the bucks, knowing your target audience and realistically understanding booth space plays a big factor.

*Special note; my son was 14 months at the time, so I grabbed the stroller and went from show to show. It ended up being our time together and a break from my professional daily job. As my son got older and I made it into bigger shows, he became my perfect little salesman. It was hilarious! He was my trigger object to get customers into my booth. He handed out candy to the children and would point at my booth and shout, “Come See My Mom’s Booth!” For some reason people could not deny his charm. He loved going to shows with me. (Trust me, I do know child labor laws. He was paid fully in ice cream)! I never MADE him do it, he just liked to. Plus, he got to strut his stuff. I know it had nothing to do with my art.

The moral to COMMANDMENT #8: THY ARTIST, DON’T GET DISCOURAGED AND KNOW THY COMPETITION, is I was able to put on my “Super Hero Force Field”, set goals and work really hard to ready yourself for the next round of boxing!

COMMANDMENT #7: THY ARTIST, GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!

2011-08-14T01:29:00.000-07:00

I think I am ready for the big time. I built connections, COMMANDMENT #3: NETWORK, joined organizations locally and nationally, sold art, am making a profit and it is time to move to the next level. Plus, I worked on all of my first six commandments.

I was back to the research board. I prospected the Central Indiana area and found a few applications for shows that I could fit into my busy, “MOTHERWIFEDOGCAREERFINEARTISTCLEANTHEHOUSEHOMEWORK” schedule.

As I sat down with my confident ego, I started reading each application. WHAT THE (fill in blank here with your own choice word)? Once again, CULTURE SHOCK!

After reading the infamous application packets, thank the universe I at least had COMMANDMENT #2. (*Please see COMMANDMENT #2 if you have forgotten in my babble). Unfortunately, that is all I had.

I digress; I was always told there was no money to be made as a full-time artist. When college came around and it was time to pick a major in the Liberal Arts Department, I chose the Advertising/ Public Relations program and minored in Graphic Design/ Marketing. Within my thought process, I was killing two birds with one stone. I thought to myself, I could still work and take electives in art and make myself more marketable in a career. I did make the right choice; I just didn’t get ALL the information that I needed had I gone straight to Art School. I was 17 and it wasn’t in my 5-year plan.

Back to COMMANDMENT #7: THY ARTIST, GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER! – HUH? As I read through the applications, they asked for a variety of information including, but not limited to:

A) Artist Resume - I didn’t know an Artist needed an actual resume.

B) Biography – The HARDEST thing to do is write about yourself.

C) Artist Statement - Is that a cult term?

D) “Body of Work” – In Slide format. This ”Body of Work” included a slide of your booth.

At this point, a few things were running through my head. I was feeling very ignorant and bordering the line of just PLAIN STUPID. Apparently, it was time for “Mr. Obvious” to knock on my studio door.

I DID NOT HAVE MY ACT TOGETHER!

Here came the next obstacle. There are layers of fees for everything. The “Fees” begin with the non-refundable 25.00+ jury fee. “Excuse me?” Then there is a fee for the booth space. Depending on the show, this “Fee” can range anywhere from $100.00 - $350.00+. As a side note, you have to write the check and send it with the application then the show committee will cash the check IF and I mean IF you are a chosen one. (I did not feel comfortable with this situation).

*Special Note – Make sure you read the WHOLE application. Sometimes shows have hidden fees.

The “Fee” that probably took me out of my skin was the self addressed stamped envelope you have to send with your packet. I know my thought process is trivial, but really? Apparently, there is a method to the madness. This “Fee” is for three reasons.

Reason #1 – The committee sends you back a “Dear John” letter, booth space check and the committee keeps your stuff.

Reason #2 – If you are lucky, you get a “Dear John,” booth space check and the committee sends your packet back. (I prefer this method. At least I get the slides back).

Reason #3 – The committee waits until the last second to snail mail your “Golden Ticket!” It is just like Charley and the Chocolate Factory. This is what dreams are made of! That happy dance you have been saving up for, well it is time to get down and boogie!

Returning to COMMANDMENT #7, while you are waiting on ALL of the acceptance letters you are going to receive, understand that you have to usually submit in January for a summer season show. Some applications must be submitted a year in advance. USE YOUR TIME WISELY!

Take your time to research and develop the “Body of Work,” and create a GOOD Artist Resume. (If you are not the resume wizard, please ask a friend or family member to help). Write a biography and research that mysterious artist statement the applications alluded to. I understand that COMMANDMENT #7 is a lot to digest, but if you are a newbie and climbing the ladder in the foreign artistic realms, it needs to be noted.

COMMANDMENT #6: THY ARTIST, GET A CREDIT CARD CONTRAPTION!

2011-08-11T00:28:00.000-07:00

To start with, I did my research. If you don’t have electricity at a show, how do you take credit? I realized I was missing a whole different market by NOT taking plastic and losing larger sales.

I needed help! I talked to my husband, who is my biggest supporter COMMANDMENT #10, and he offered up an old credit card swipe machine from work. Now, I have my contraption. What I did NOT have was a nameplate, receipt paper or bank account!

Next, I went to my bank and opened another checking account in my name. Going to the bank is always an interesting experience. The bank Gods want you to open a business account that you have to pay for every month. This was not in my budget! Yet again, I was having another CULTURE SHOCK!

Now that I had my “BIG BUSINESS” bank account, I could order that little plate with my name, account number and address. If you go with this option, have fun screwing the nameplate into your credit card contraption! (This is just a fair warning).

Then arises another obstacle; I have my contraption and receipt paper. How in the world do I get the money into the bank?

*Special Note - Once you swipe that card it is not a process of osmosis and it magically appears in your bank account. All you have is a piece of carbon paper. I am sure this dates me, but this was before the smart phone. This was before the techno Gods at Nextel; remember them, created the first cell phone with a credit card swipe function.

Then I started OPERATION OSMOSIS! Once again, I went back to research board and talked to other artists and BINGO!

What I found is PayPal is not just for EBay users. I needed to get from Point A (The Sale) to Point B (Money in the bank). You either like PayPal or you hate it, either way, they added a section to their site for small businesses. I think it was called “Virtual Business” at that time. Now, it is called “Merchant Services.”

https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/merchant

You could just sign up for an account, within 72 hours PayPal verifies your bank account and in a nutshell; all you had to do was manually put in all of the information from your paper receipt copy and BAM! The fees were very low, lowest of anything that I looked at a bank or online and the money was in the bank within 24 hours.

*Special Note – Using the PayPal system, you had to personally transfer money to your account. If you don’t, it is in a holding pattern; hence the 24 hours.

It was a great option, as a starving artist, to take plastic with minimal fees. If I DID NOT do this, I would have lost a ton of sales. With the technology of cell phones today it is a much easier process. Long in the short, you get what you pay for. I eventually went that route with my first Palm Treo and Internet connection, but once again that takes MONEY.

At this point I was making a decent profit and I was seeing artists starting to advance into application/juried shows.

*Special Note - I’m comfortable. I am doing small art shows, have a decent booth space and making a profit. It is time to personally ask your self, “Self – Am I ready to go for the gold?”

Juried Art Shows and a New Playing Field & Commandment #7

COMMANDMENT #5: THY ARTIST, IT IS THE LITTLE THINGS!

2011-08-09T02:47:00.000-07:00

As a silent observer and working in the advertising/marketing industry, I finally had an “AH HA” moment. I personally would like to thank all of the dollar and discount stores that have popped up in the past 5-10 years, laughing in my own sarcasm.

We, as artists, believe that people will purchase a $500.00 and 30 lb+ beautiful piece of artwork and expect them to carry it around during a show. My question to you is; what can you create that is $20.00 or less, light weight and still represent who you are as an artist?

After my personal brainstorming session, I came up with a plan. I had to ask myself, “What do I have at my disposal that I can produce, make a profit and within my non-budget?”

At that point, the little light bulb went off in my head. I started making laminated bookmarks with my artwork and contact information. Next, I went to Hobby Lobby and bought a ton of small to medium size bags at a 50% off sale. Then, I got transfer paper to put my artwork on canvas bags. I developed my own jewelry line with each unique piece of artwork transferred on each piece and I started making prints.

*Special Note - Make sure you have some sort of bag to carry all of those customer goodies in. You can buy bulk bags cheap at Costco; Sam’s Club or order them online at Uline.com.

My “AH HA” moment finally paid off! I finally filled in the gaps and started to make money! My bags, bookmarks, jewelry and prints were literally sold out by the end of each show. Pricing the points between $5.00 and $20.00 on “the little things,” it was the first time I had made over $500 at a show and a profit to boot!

Reflection and Perspective

Here are some insights from my personal experience and what I did over the next few years. I was still in the “small show” amateur category. I took, at least, 50% or more of my profits and put the money into my booth space. I added grid wall, eccentric stands to hold my work, purchased a really good matte cutter and realized you must create a open store front which needs to be pleasant and inviting.

By this time, I was taking a truck and an SUV to put everything in. I had to get to my shows as early as the committee would allow for set-up. My networking paid off and I joined local/national artist guilds, associations and organizations that I could afford.

Next, I designed and programmed my own web site showcasing my artwork and price points. Worked on a logo, designed new business cards and oversized post cards with my artwork and contact information. I was making my way! I was selling original pieces at affordable prices.

Seriously, Why does there always have to be a culture shock? One day at a show, someone asked me if I took credit/debit cards. Huh? Do what? Why don’t patrons carry cash or a checkbook to art shows? Once again, I had another “AH HA” moment. The moment you tell the customer “I’m sorry, cash or check only,” you lost the sale! Which leads me into COMMANDMENT #6 and the beginning of the big time (or so I thought).

*Special Note - This is where you have to personally ask yourself is this what I really and honestly want to do? If you love it, GO FOR IT.

COMMANDMENT #4: THY ARTIST MUST HAVE A BUSINESS CARD!

2011-08-07T13:59:00.001-07:00

There are a variety of options for business cards on a low budget. You can print one from a Microsoft Word Template on your inkjet printer. Don’t forget the Internet! There a lot of viable options online. Check out vistaprint.com. You can get better cards for free! The only drawback is vistaprint.com puts their promotional info on the back. (This can be well overlooked when you don’t have a dime to your name)!

Overnightprints.com is a good resource if you want to design your own business card with a picture of your art and your contact information. The prices are very affordable and you have a lot of options if you are feeling sassy! Last, you could get lucky and know someone that works for a printing company.

Getting to the point, a person needs to know your contact information. They could be possible customers in the future even if you don’t have a web site or anything in between.

*Special Note – If you do not have an E-Mail account, sign-up for a free one. Most people will not call you on the phone.

I digress; one show I was at was so slow and I was bored to tears. I got out of my chair and just stood at the front of my booth and handed out business cards to everyone that passed by. This goes back to COMMANDMENT #3: NETWORKING.

COMMANDMENT #3: THY ARTIST MUST NETWORK, NETWORK and NETWORK!

2011-08-07T13:54:00.000-07:00

We, as artist, come from a different string. If you do not put yourself out there, people will just walk by your booth. You essentially have to become a salesperson and market your product. This will lead us into COMMANDMENT #4. I am not saying you have to dress up in a clown outfit, but make yourself available.

COMMANDMENT #2: THY ARTIST ALWAYS BRING A CAMERA!

2011-08-07T13:51:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this commandment because I take my camera everywhere. With advances in technology and virtually every cell phone has a camera now, you should always have a camera with you. There are two major reasons for this:

A) As you will find in COMMANDMENT #7, when you begin to apply for the bigger shows they still require slides of your booth set-up. Check out www.slides.com. You can upload high-resolution digital images and they will create the slides at an affordable cost.

B) Take pictures of other displays. This will give you a good sense of what to do and what not to do.

*Special Note – Always ask the artist first, just in case. A photo release form is always good to have on hand, just in case.

COMMANDMENT #1: THY ARTIST MUST HAVE A TENT!

2011-07-28T04:17:00.000-07:00

If you are just starting out, you can usually get a cheap tent from a Sam’s Club, Costco or wholesale club type retail store for around $100.00. Garage sales and Goodwill stores are also good places to look. There is also the Internet. People who are getting out of the show scene for one reason or another will place ads online or online auction sites. (Don’t forget about shipping! The cost to ship may play a big factor if you don’t live in the area).

What do you do if you don’t have money in the budget for a tent? Another option is you can find a friend, family member or co-worker with a pop-up tent and ask if you can borrow it. (In all honesty, you can’t go wrong having a tent. It’s multifunctional).

The reason for having a tent and why it is SO important is due to Mother Nature. When you are outside all day it provides shade. A tent helps protect your work like a postal worker. They still deliver mail rain, heat, snow, sleet, and hail among the other elements.

*Special Note – Try to get a tent that has zip-up side panels. Trust me on this one!

Ok...so now I have a tent, a couple of tables, and some cheap easels that I bought for $11.00 at an art store on clearance. I am ready to go!

For a few years, I did small shows and farmers markets. At that time, everything fit in the back of a truck. I learned over the next couple of years, we as artists, all start out the same.

Images of my First Tent!

The Ten Commandments of a Traveling Artist

2011-07-27T02:49:00.000-07:00

Introduction

I will tell you right from the start, life as a traveling artist is not for the faint of heart. As we all know, it takes money and connections to break into the artist community. My analogy of the artist world compares to building credit. When you start out you do not have any credit and you have to start your building blocks to get it.

Looking back, my first show was a laughable experience. (I can laugh now)! Hence, I started without credit. I shared space with another artist at a multi-event festival. There was music, food stands, children’s entertainment and more.

All I had was a few tables, a couple of easels and my art. At the time, I thought the public would come running just for my art. CULTURE SHOCK! I had no idea what I was doing. Even the clientele was not there for the artist portion of the big festivities. (I realized this very quickly. An older gentleman was selling marshmallow PVC pipe popguns and THIS WAS the biggest seller at the event)!

We all live and learn and being an artist of any medium isn’t any different. If you want to check out images of my very first show, check out the images of the Fishers Freedom Festival on my web sit under exhibits. (They are quite embarrassing now that I think about it). Putting everything into perspective, this is why I came up with my personal Ten Commandments for being a traveling artist.

I learned a few tricks over time. Partially because starting out, I was in NO PLACE to show at a Broad Ripple, Penrod or any big artist festival! As you are growing and get noticed, I put together a list of Ten Commandments that traveling artists should consider.

*Here is a Quick Link to my first show - http://www.mrsdesign.com/fineart2011/fa_exhibits_fisher1.html

Just Getting Started

2011-07-25T01:54:00.000-07:00

Love and Light! I just wanted to let everyone know that I am just getting started. I am working on my first blog, that I hope will turn into a full blown book, "The Ten Commandments" of a Traveling Artist. It is based on my personal experience as a traveling artist, breaking into the art community, tricks I learned about affordable deals, my flubs and "AH HA" moments, as well as, using my knowledge from the Marketing/Advertising Industry. It is a "Cliff Note" version, but I feel that it can be a really useful tool for any artist of any medium starting out. I am waiting on proof reading and copy editing before I begin to post my first series.
Namaste,
Marie