It happens...regularly.  You decide it would be easier to Just Be DONE.

Roben-Marie and Sandi Keene talk about causes & solutions for the I am quitting art syndrome.

Causes:

- Over-commitment/Exhaustion
- Personal life issues
- Bad social media experience
- Major art disappointment
- Frustration at your growth
- Doubt about your abilities
- Comparison

Solutions:

- Stronger boundaries, intensive self care
- Take care of the things that need to handled first - then art
- Vent to a friend/Shake it off/ DO YOU
- Define what you need to get over the hurdle - class? book? New supplies?
- Stop judging and give yourself grace
- Hush the voices
- STOP, it's not a fair fight

Being prepared for this phase helps shorten it dramatically!



LINKS
Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U

Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching

Roben-Marie and Sandi discuss the big, bad world of social media.  Do you ever feel bruised and discouraged by your insights and comments? 

•unfollowing numbers can be discouraging
•stop looking at them!
•unkind comments can sting and make you doubt yourself
•just do you!
•unfollowers hones your audience
•there is no predicting what is going to be popular
•the algorithm is changing and complicated
•growth is slow and steady 98% of the time 

The roller coaster analogy is perfect.  Strap in and ride!     

Mentioned:
Instagram Reels: Episode #58
The 24 Hour Rule: Episode #09



LINKS
Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U

Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching

On this episode of the Creatives Get Real Podcast, Roben-Marie and Sandi chat about Instagram’s newest feature called Instagram Reels. What are Instagram Reels and why you should be using them to help grow your social media following on Instagram.  Instagram reels is a great tool to add to your social media marketing strategy.

Roben-Marie takes us through the basics from:

-  how to find it (spoiler alert: update your IG app)
-  how to use it
- features available
- why you should be jumping on the bandwagon





LINKS
Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U

Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching

From the Archives:  We discuss Sandi's Box of Transparency Theory regarding sharing on social media. It focuses on deciding what personal information you will share online before you start sharing.

Take-Aways:
-Make a conscious decision about what is shareable and what's private.
-Don't confuse your followers with multiple subject streams.
-When do you start a secondary account for a different subject.
-Evaluate your box contents on an annual basis.

LINKS
Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U

Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching

In this episode, Roben-Marie and Sandi Keene discuss the many benefits of video posts on social media to creatives. 

Benefits include:  

•Increased engagement for your post
•Adding followers quickly
•Provides a personalized glimpse into artists world 
•Build expert status for future projects
•Gain confidence for other video type platforms workshop
•Editing experience
•Pre-marketing for product and classes



LINKS
Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U

Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching

In this episode, Roben-Marie and Sandi discuss art journeys and how to love where you are rather than being frustrated and blocked.

How to appreciate where you are and what you know:
•Avoiding comparison as much as possible
•Note your progress & celebrate your successes rather than your weaknesses
•What would you love to do if you were brave enough
•Not being frustrated by your present limitations
•Being fully you rather than wanting to recreate someone else's style
•Limiting your supplies for freedom from constant decisions

They challenge each other to use the other's tools for an art piece post-pandemic.


LINKS
Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U

Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching

In this episode of the Creatives Get Real podcast, Roben-Marie and Sandi discuss re-setting your studio after a large project.

Reclaiming your studio space can be very empowering as a creative.

- Roben-Marie reduced her work table size to create more space around the room and to give her better access to her supplies.

- Sandi minimized the supplies on her table to create much more organization. The added benefit was light streaming onto her work surface allowing her to use her table in new ways.



OUR LINKS
Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching
Instagram

Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U
Instagram

Roben-Marie and Sandi discuss their newest discovery in their art supplies. The benefit of rediscovering a supply is that you look at ALL your supplies differently and this re-inspires you as as artist.

Roben-Marie is into soft pastels and using them in a very non-traditional mixed media way by mixing them with water.  She also likes to store them in beautiful containers like bowls and trinket dishes.

• Diane Townsend soft pastels can be found in variety of colors and also as sets.
• Sennelier soft pastels can be found here individually or here as half stick sets. 
• Gallery soft pastels (budget friendly) by Mungyo are the “new” ones Roben-Marie mentioned and they are soft and yummy and a nice alternative to the more expensive Townsend soft pastels. 
• Soft pastels may need a fixative in your journal.

Sandi has been doing a deep dive into stencils.

• Rae Missigman's new botanical stencils can be found here at Stencil Girl.
• Sandi & Rae Missigman's new class Stencil Magic is open for registration.

*These products are not sponsored but some may contain affiliate links.

LINKS
Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U

Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching

In this episode of the Creatives Get Real podcast, Sandi Keene and Roben-Marie Smith talk about confidence.  Confidence is a necessary and sometime fleeting commodity needed in the creative world.

- Lack of confidence is a universal condition.
- Walking through the discomfort is the required process.
- Self-criticism is a confidence killer.
- Show your process and growth rather than waiting until you are "great" at something to post.
- Confidence Partners - pair of creatives that encourage and support each other.
- See your art through others eyes for encouragement.
- Identify the fear that is draining your confidence - what can you do to deal with it?
- Share, rather than judge, your work.



OUR LINKS
Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching
Instagram

Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U
Instagram

Roben-Marie Smith and Sandi Keene discuss personal connection as an art tool in your creative life on the first episode of Season Three!

KEY POINTS:

• How one-to-one or global community attachments can change you as an artist
• Virtual work-togethers that inspire and encourage all the participants
• Tap Into your Creativity in My Studio series with @SandraFeleArt episode with Roben-Marie 
• The resurgence of "snail-mail" in the artist's community as a way of connecting

LINKS
Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U

Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching