Rockstar Mentor

Episode 032

Today's Fan mail Friday question comes from Amy from Morgan Hill who asks a question “Hey there Sonya, I'm not sure if this question is appropriate for the fan mail Friday but I recently learned that you are teaching art classes called VinoPaint, that is so awesome! When did you start doing that and how is it going? I want to sign up for one soon and hope I can make it soon!"

Thank you so much to Amy for writing in! First of all one, thing my father always taught me is that there is never a dumb question, all questions are valued. 

Yes, you were correct to learn that I am doing social painting events called VinoPaint. After having the gallery in downtown Campbell for several years I really needed to decompress and take some time for myself, travel, spend more time with family, so I took 2013 and 2014 to really learn how to breathe again. For anyone who's ever been in retail or own a store, Boutique or Gallery you will know that it really takes a lot out of you. As much as I loved our space, because our Gallery was absolutely amazing, once my lease was up it was a great way to move the studio back to be "by appointment only".

After hiding out and getting caught up on things, do some traveling and spend more time with my family I felt like it was time for me to get social again, but I needed to be social again, on MY terms.

A number of friends have told me that I have the personality and the energy to do live painting events something that would allow me to do many things, more public speaking, I really get out there and shine in my element, the other thing was to get that teaching element off my bucket list and to become a reality. Best thing ever!

And I am amazed at how many people want to have a night out, enjoy some great wine, create art and a fun positive and wildly entertaining evening, learn something new and take home a masterpiece that they created themselves. 

I decided to make the events really special and not only do I do painting events, but I also do mixed media and collage instruction. I created my own playlist that is designed and crafted specifically for the events... And of course those of you who know me well will know that I cannot paint unless I have my cool tunes at hand. 

So, yes, Amy you are absolutely correct I am doing VinoPaint, which is a paint night style of event, I do an average of one a week and they are in the Northern California area. The most rewarding thing is that I'm teaching people how to create and also enable them to Think differently and it's also a great way to raise funds for organizations and also for private events, corporate teambuilding and so much more. 

If you are online I want to check it out go, visit Vinopaint.com to check out my fun videos and my live stream Facebook live and also view how we have inspired others. 

And of course if you get so inspired and you want to start getting your own supplies go to the brush guys at the brush guys.com use promo code ROCKSTAR to receive an instant 5% off with no minimum order!

If you want to learn more about what I do and how I helped artists create and market their artwork. Visit me at RockstarMentor.com if you would like to learn more about my artwork and my products that I create from my work, visit me at: SonyaPaz.com

Thank you so much Amy I am so glad that you wrote in and asked this question!

Be sure to tune in for our regular episode every Tuesday to bring you not only inter

Support the show

Ep. 031 To Mastermind or Not to Mastermind

Different Mastermind Styles

(Pardon my terrible sound quality - my laptop is still in the  shop!, but thanks to my editor Andrew for making the balance levels decent!)

I have been asked about Mastermind groups and how they are beneficial to artists and the differences.  I located an awesome resource at The Success Alliance and they explain the differences, the rights and wrongs and do’s and don’ts.

http://www.thesuccessalliance.com/
They  explain the following:

What is a Mastermind exactly?

Mastermind groups offer a combination of brainstorming, education, peer accountability and support in a group setting to sharpen your business and personal skills. A mastermind group helps you and your mastermind group members achieve success.

Participants challenge each other to set powerful goals, and more importantly, to accomplish them. The group requires committment confidentiality, willingness to both give and receive advice and ideas, and support each other with total honesty, respect and compassion. Mastermind group members act as catalysts for growth, devil’s advocates and supportive colleagues. This is the essence and value of mastermind groups.

What a Mastermind is not?

• It’s not a class. While your group can vote to bring in guest speakers and teachers occasionally, the main focus of a mastermind group is the brainstorming and accountability support among the group members.
• It’s not group coaching. Mastermind groups are about the MEMBERS sharing with each other, not about the Facilitator coaching individuals in a group setting. You get everyone’s feedback, advice and support. Yes, if the Facilitator is an expert on the topic, by all means chime in. But keep the conversation balanced between all members. Listen to my radio interview about mastermind groups and group coaching called “Beyond Group Coaching” with radio show host Christopher McAuliffe of The Coaching Show.
• It’s not a networking group. While you may share leads and resources with each other, it is not the main focus of the meetings. However, through your connections with other members, you will find plenty of joint venture opportunities, lead sharing, and professional networking.

There are different styles of groups that are no charge (Like ours on the RockstarMentor.com site) and there are high level online groups that have pricey monthly fees.  Other groups are live in person groups that are very effective and will keep you really accountable.  As solopreneurs, it’s important to have someone assist you in being on task and accountable.

For the full summary of these show notes visit me at http://rockstarmentor.com/blog

Please visit our website to sign up to be on the front lines of amazing information and free downloads that I have prepared especially for you. http://rockstarmentor.com

Visit me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/crushitmentor

Support the show

Episode 30 Fan Mail Friday question comes from Kimmy and New Orleans, Louisiana

Kimmie writes to me and says "I have been such a fan of reality TV and of course I have been such a fan of your artwork I ever wonder if you would ever be on a reality TV show? A few years ago there was a reality show called “A work of art, the next great artist". And I thought you would be terrific as one of the artists with all your colors and style. Have you ever thought to apply to that show?"

Thank you Kimmie for writing to me and for the nice complement. It's so funny that you should ask this question because this question was brought up in a conversation I had with a couple of other artist a few days ago. I have seen that show that you mention, a work of art, the next great artist… and I thought I would give it a whirl as far as checking it out to see what it was all about. I don't watch a whole a lot of reality TV, in fact I'm not a fan of the bachelor, bachelorette, I don't watch Survivor anymore however I do like the Amazing Race. I also like Home and Garden TV (HGTV) and the Food Channel and really enjoy the competitions they have on there. 

Now, I will say first of all that I am truly thankful that you have written man and I am so flattered that you thought that I would be a good contestant on that show.

When the show came out, I watched it to see what the buzz was about, I had envisioned that this show would have been a lot more exciting and a lot more interesting. In fact and I must include a disclaimer here that I am not a hater, I truly believe that there is art out there for everyone, however. I will say for the record that this show was not what I had imagined and I personally feel that it could have done much better without all the "high art snootiness.”  There I said it, yes.  I think the show was over-snooty (is that is even a word!).

I will admit that I don't understand a lot of that over intellectual over thought out artwork stuff that goes on.. I will admit that I don't understand a lot of that over intellectual, over thought artwork stuff that goes on. I don't understand big black campuses were the one dot in the middle of it and I don't understand pieces of thread that are nailed to a 10' x 10' green painted reclaimed wood as being anything interesting. That's just me, I'm not a hater, it just does not appeal to me (Not everyone likes frozen peas at the grocery store, but there is marked for it).

I'm not a fan of that kind of work, I like work that has a lot of visuals to it, I am a huge fan of lowbrow art and the surrealism, I'm a big fan of pop art, and I'm a huge fan of mixed media art work and collage. I think that if I was on that show the way that it was produced with all the fancy art curators and gallery owners that I would've ended up blasting everyone out of the room. I would have probably challenged the thought process, I think I would've pushed the limits and got probably kicked off the show. I'm not saying I'm not a team player but I'm saying that I found the exercises and tasks to have been ridiculous.

The way I create, and the way I think would've probably put everyone over the edge and I believe that my art would have given the "powers that be” a stroke.  

If ever given the opportunity to create a show like this I would do it in a more lighthearted way, something that would've really allowed everyone to create based on their true talents, something like the food competition that they have and made it faster paced  and would've allowed a lot more creative freedom. 

Who's to say that maybe someday that might happen but as far as m

Support the show

Episode 029

What to expect if you attend an art critique. 

Greetings everyone, I am Sonya Paz your professional artist, business person, entrepreneur and podcaster! I have been doing been in this art business a loooong time and today we are talking about art critiques, a quick insight on both ends of the spectrum, getting your work art critiqued and critiquing others artwork.

You might ask, if I have I ever been part of the artist critique and have had my work reviewed by someone like this? Yes, I have volunteered my art to be part of a critique many many moons ago. It was an education experience from all levels.

If you have an opportunity to be part of a critique where a local artist museum or gallery is hosting an artist critique it might be an interesting insight to go and get your work critiqued. If you choose not to go for yourself perhaps attend and just observe and just see what it is like. Or go with a friend who's an artist and sit in during the process if you don't feel that this is for you at this time. But I say go for it, jump in with both both feet, it's just opinion and insight, it's always good to get a perspectives of someone that's not emotionally attached to you or your work. 

Early in my art career there was a local museum that was offering critiques for a very small fee, I believe it was $10. A well-known art curator had about a dozen artist attend the critique with their work (The work was a variety of paintings, watercolor, sculpture, 3-D, jewelry etc.) and he offered a very kind and positive critique. It was not his mission or intention to bash the art and it was not his mission to criticize, he didn't demean the Artists and it was in a group setting with their peers. 

The entire critique lasted a couple of hours and he went through each person's artwork asked some questions about the work, valued questions like; "what it meant to you?", "what was your state of mind when creating it?", and "what was inspiring?" etc. He then gently deconstructed the work in a way that was positive and encouraging.

I will admit that in the late 90s when my work was really finding it's voice with a cross of cubism and modern American pop art I felt somewhat intimidated by the critique because everyone's artwork that was being presented at this session was very serious, lifelike drawings, plein air painting's, still life's etc. there wasn't a lot of abstract works that was being presented was, at the time I remember feeling that the works that were being critiqued were “serious art". LOL

A couple of years later there was another critique in downtown San Jose area and that I thought I would attend. With some other art friends of mine, and I don't want to say that I attended for fun but I attended just to see the process in a different light. 

I'm not going to say that my art was ripped apart, torn up, chewed up and spit out at me but I did find it interesting that the person that was doing the critique didn't ask the questions that I had been asked a couple years earlier,  those questions being for me to describe what I was feeling while creating the work, where the idea, concept or inspiration derived from, instead the woman was quite vocal and or confusion about my work and when I opened up my portfolio she practically gasp out loud with I'm not quite sure if it was a gasp of horror, or a shock of the colors, but it certainly was a reaction and it was a process that I made sure I paid attention to. I was just going to enjoy the ride….

She proceeded to tell me that my work was “different", that I needed a better “perspective",

Support the show

Fan Mail Friday

Episode 028

Renee from Aspen Colorado writes in and that she recently saw a wonderful art documentary on Alexander Calder. She loves our podcast, She asks me what artistic movies are my favorite and if I have any and if I would share those?

Thank you Renee for this for sharing this and I love this question! I have seen that Alexander Calder biography a number of years ago and it is truly spectacular I am a fan of his work and have been inspired by his talents as well. Well the answer to the question is a big giant yes, yes I do get inspired by biographies, documentaries, and films that feature artists and their journey through their life is an artist.  Whether the movie is fiction, factual, inspirational or biographical I always learn something from these individuals that have pave the way for other artists in history. 

I am also inspired by production companies like Pixar, Disney, Lucas films etc. because those stories and journeys, trials triumphs and failures have all resulted in a unique art form that everyone of all ages can truly appreciate. 

There are a handful of films that I have found that feature artists and the story of their life and their work that has inspired me in one way shape or form. 

Alrighty… in not in any particular order I'm going to start off with films that just come right to my mind that I have really enjoyed, These are films about the artist themselves or representation of an artist:

1.) The Girl with the Pearl Earring 

2.) Frida the story of Frida Kahlo

3.) The Thomas Crown Affair

4.) Pollick about Jackson Pollock

5.) Bigeyes about Margaret Keane

6.) Basquiat

7.) Midnight in Paris,

8.) Women in Gold (not Women in Red as I said in the podcast)

…. and there are probably another 25 or so movies I could talk about.... 

Then there some movies that were off the beaten path that I'm not sure sure if they were big box office hits, but these are ones that come to mind and definitely worth a watch:

1.) Art School Confidential

2.) Chocolat

3.) June Bug 

4.) The Best Offer

Now I know perhaps some of you will be writing to me saying "what about this movie and what about that movie", I try to answer all these questions as fresh as they come in and as swiftly and spontaneous as I can. I want to be able to answer these questions so that they are as organic as possible unless it's something I truly have to research this is the format of this Fan Mail Friday is to address questions as they would as a spontaneous response based on if we were sitting around the table talking. If I have more time this week I will certainly delve into other movies, but I just wanted to address some that off the top of my head I have seen, I have been inspired by them most of them I would say I've watched more than 3 or 4 times …. and if I'm channel surfing and I see one of these movies or other artistic movies I will stop and watch it no matter what seeing the movie is in. Ha ha!

Then there are the biographies, there are far too many biographies that I could mention right now that are awesome, I believe if you check on YouTube or even Google most famous artist you will find a biography or a show or movie that talks about that artist. 

I always suggest to view as much as you can about other artist, s

Support the show

Today, on Episode 027, I have the honor to have interviewed a fabulous podcaster "The Real Brian" who has been the host of ProfitCast, Podcasters Paradise, Arrow Squad and his new upcoming podcast, "The Real Brian Show".

We discuss podcasting, how it can benefit artists and creative people in their businesses and basically have a great chat about how he got started, advice to artsits and anyone else considering listening r creating their own podcast.  

To learn more about The Real Brian and his shows, check him out at:

The Real Brian
http://therealbrianshow.com

ProfitCast
http://profitcastuniverse.com

Podcasters Paradise
http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/entrepreneuronfirecom/podcasters-paradise

Many thanks to Brian for the awesome interview.  Please pardon my dust on my portion of the recording, it's a bit grainy, but the interview is great overall.

For the full summary of these show notes visit me at http://rockstarmentor.com/blog

Please visit our website to sign up to be on the front lines of amazing information and free downloads that I have prepared especially for you. http://rockstarmentor.com

Visit me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/crushitmentor

Visit me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/rockstarmentor

To learn more about me, my art and colorful product line, visit Sonya Paz through my artist website, http://SonyaPaz.com

Thanks to "The Brush Guys" they can be located at http://thebrushguys.com they offer the best in all things brushes for all mediums and amazing specials on art supplies. Save 5% on your online order, use promocode: ROCKSTAR

Support the show

I received an email from Philip from Lake Tahoe and he asked a great question today, 

he asks “Hey Sonya, I love your Podcasts and I really found the benefit of your free download of the  basic exhibitor tool kit . I wanted to ask if you have a preference of pro panels or the metal grids that are also an option for outdoor events. 

Many thanks to Philip for his awesome question. For me there were times when I would have to set up my booth with by myself and I found a pro panels to have worked out very well for me. 

I needed to have an option that was lightweight and very sturdy so that is why I gravitated toward Propanels and decided to invest in the pro panel system. I know that there are other systems out there that work well for for a canopy set up.

You can also have a canopy and maybe four or five a frame with pegboard set up that you can paint black white or gray that may work well as well which might be more cost-effective, it really doesn't matter what you have as long as you can showcase your artwork very well and have room for people to view your work clothes and at a distance

I don't I'm not an affiliate of pro panels so it's not like I'm trying to get extra bonus points for recommending them, I recommend them because I use them, they were sturdy lightweight and I really liked how they perform over the years with this process creating walls where I can hang my work. 

You should definitely have something, whether it's metal grid's pro panels or a frames,  Don't use bungee cords or funky hangers to hang your work,  you don't have a second chance to make a first impression when it comes to how your work is presented. 

If you were able to create even a pegboard system that you can hang off of the canopy and it doesn't compete with your artwork, as long as it's sturdy, portable and will work for you.

Any time any of us are showcasing your work you have to come up with a system and a way to present your work in the most positive and engaging way possible, my best advice is to always plan ahead don't try to get all of this stuff within a week of doing a show prepare yourself and have a system ready that will rock 'n' roll and will enable you to fill a sense of pride 

Thank you so much Phillip for asking is valued question today, I would love to see what you end up coming with and would love to showcase it on the RockStarMentor.com website, do please keep me posted!

I hope that this fan mail Friday will help not only benefit fill up but will help you in any questions you might have had in regards to your booth set up at an outdoor show. Stay tuned for next week as we plan to air and exciting interview!

All of the information about me and my work can be viewed at Sonya Paz.com, also check out RockstarMentor.com so that I can help you become the rockstar artist that you are and make sure that your art business is profitable, exciting and Flourishing for you!

ProPanels:
http://www.propanels.com/

Metal Hanging Systems:
Displays2go.com

http://www.displays2go.com/Search?q=Art+Display+Grid%2C+U-Shaped%2C+3+Panels+-+Silver

Uline - Metal Grid Wall:
http://www.uline.com/Grp_372/Gridwall

Canopy:<

Support the show

Respect yourself and your customers

This week we are taking about respect, this is the one thing some artists can loose along their journey, is to respect themselves, their art and in the end, their customers. Never take this stuff for granted or get cavalier in the process. As an artist building their art business or client base, this is important to keep humble and to respect the opportunity to showcase your work.

QUOTE from Henry Ford
"It is not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle the money. It is the customer who pays the wages."

You might be meeting people at a show that you're at an outdoor exhibit, a group gathering, museum show and the list goes on. It's always best to have somebody with you that can help fill the void if there are absences between folks approaching you, and I'll tell you that you're not the only one afraid out there, there are people that have come to see you who are equally intimidated and afraid to approach you. Find that happy medium and be there and take that leap to greet others and thank them for coming to your exhibit.

A lot of people have a fear that they are going to say the wrong thing or fumble up on words The truth of the matter is that these are your clients and customers and people who admire your work want to know you and talk to you, the real you.

Now there's a lot to be said about being humble and having respect for yourself and to have respect for your customers. I know a lot of us choke up when approached by a customer especially when the customer is approaching you so that they can let you know what wonderful art that you have and how it makes them feel. But you see them coming toward you and you start to feel panicky! 

They don't want to talk to some made up version of yourself, they don't want to talk to someone that's going to be cavalier or snotty or arrogant. Or maybe they do.....and if that is you, great, but I can pretty much wager to say that most of the folks that are listening to this podcast want to learn how to approach and talk to customers with others.

Be comfortable and be you be 100% you. If your thing is to wear beat up jeans and a T-shirt and if that's you. then that's great. If you like to dress up in your thing is to wear a top hat or dress like a mortician, then if that's your thing then embrace if, this is what people what they want to know that you're 100% genuine, there's been a lot of other artists who have all of these gimmicks with their art and they try to pride themselves on being so different. In my opinion, there's a very small percentage of people that really gravitate toward that but I can tell you if you want to be successful selling your own work then be as authentic of version of yourself as possible.

You might be meeting people at a show that you're at an outdoor exhibit, a group gathering, museum show and the list goes on. It's always best to have somebody with you that can help fill the void if there are absences between folks approaching you, and I'll tell you that you're not the only one afraid out there, there are people that have come to see you who are equally intimidated and afraid to approach you. Find that happy medium and be there and take that leap to greet others and thank them for attending your exhibit.

I have been doing this a long time, I owned my own art gallery for many many many years and there were times when a lot of familiar faces would come in but they would be often times a lot of new faces, your established customer base will totally understand if you need to break away and talk to others that are new to your work this is essential because you don't want to turn anyone off. I've been to enough art gatherings to where I am a fan of somebody's work and I found the artist so wrapped up in talking to a small group of people and not engaging

Support the show

This weeks episode is about has been asked by a few different people in a variety of different ways over the last several months. It is about consistency and pricing. One specific question came from a collector who said "I used to collect the work of a specific artist until I went to a recent show that they were in and noticed that their pricing was dramatically different from other pieces I have purchased from them, almost half as much. The same size pieces were going for about half the price than what I had purchased them for the same size. I am weary now of purchasing their art and do I say anything to them about it?"

I'm going to get on my soapbox now and rant a bit. As someone, like myself who also collects original art, I think it's fair to say something if you have purchased artwork at a show and then see it on another show for about half the price. I am not certain of all of the details of who the artist is, what artwork they were purchasing, if the shows had a theme to them or not, but as someone who also collects artwork, I will tell you straight up right now that you will lose collectors if you still can't get your pricing aligned properly. 

It sends the message that you're not organized, it lets others know that you haven't found yourself as an artist or your cheapening your work by extreme price points

 I'll give you the fact that maybe a $10 or $20 fluctuation either way might be acceptable, but if the price difference is almost half, then you NEED to get it together. You need to value your work and make sure that you're consistent across the board, because as you gain collectors they will start following you and rule number one, if you start wavering on your pricing so dramatically you're doing not only a disservice to yourself, but you will lose valued collectors. 

There are many facets to getting your art priced right, I have written an article that is on my website that talks about pricing your work. 

Now, in defense of the artist, one artist asked me "what if I have a studio sale? can I discount works to an already collectors base? If you have a studio show and you are inviting your VIPs and collectors, yes, you can extend the sale as a thank you.

If you were showing an exhibit of your work and it's part of the show, you best keep it consistent. I hope these questions help I hope this topic of pricing and consistency will help you move toward much success in selling your work. 

If you are online I want to check more about me, your host, Sonya Paz with the RockStar Mentor podcast and visit us at RockStar Mentor.com I have lots of tools ideas past episodes blog and so much more on the website so make sure you check us out there. 

If you like this podcast and  would like to subscribe please do, this way you will get episodes delivered to you automatically. 

For the full summary of these show notes visit me at http://rockstarmentor.com/blog

Please visit our website to sign up to be on the front lines of amazing information and free downloads that I have prepared especially for you. http://rockstarmentor.com

Visit me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/crushitmentor

Visit me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/rockstarmentor

To learn more about me, my art and c

Support the show

Episode 023

Print on Demand - expanding your art through products. 

I will be addressing the all time burning question today that I often get asked because I have created my own successful product line and of course this is quite a journey and there are a lot of lessons to be learned in creating my own product line things that I may have done differently but certainly don't regret anything and because I have done this guy can guide you in the right direction on how you can get started with your own products

It's no secret that I have created a very expansive product line from ceramics to textiles, watches, magnets, jewelry, clocks, household decor, wearable art and the list goes on. I guess I get asked all the time about so these products were developed and where do I have the manufactured. 

Create something that is individual and will work with whatever substrate you're working on. Sometimes this means you have to create artwork to accommodate the size of what you're what product that you want to have your art placed on, and an easy way to achieve this also is create something that can be adjusted in size and you don't have to worry so much about the dimensions, for instance create more square pieces that you know will fit on more square products. 

I have done this long enough to tell you that I have tried to fit specific artwork to accommodate a specific space and sometimes it doesn't always work out the way you wanted to work out. 

Many print on-demand services have products that you can put your art on, the key factor is to have a really great photograph, color corrected and super high resolution of your work in order to properly police these items on the product. 

I have had products manufactured overseas and I have developed products that we produce in house here in the studio. Unless you're in the digital design industry it can be a learning curve and trust me I have a digital art background and there was still somewhat of a learning curve because you have to deal with certain print profiles and a whole bunch of other stuff. 

There are places like Zazzle.com and of course the long-standing Cafépress.com that will make products for you on a large variety of products from T-shirts to kids clothes coasters some textiles and the list goes on. And these are wonderful if you want to have something as a prototype or any small run, but they are certainly not designed with pricing structures that will allow you to wholesale those products. 

They even have options on there that you can create your own mini store with products and the designing of the products on these websites are very easy,  even if you're not a graphic designer they have step-by-step design that form that makes it very easy. 

I will be interviewing some ndustry professionals folks in product manufacturing businesses in an upcoming episode and I don't want you to stay tuned for that, it will be it will certainly be an education and eye-opener on how you can build a simple and effective product line

Today is episode in the series of these podcasts are sponsored by the brush guys.com to have amazing deals on brushes and or home of the $2 brush. Check them out online at thebrushguys.com and if you place an order use promo code ROCKSTAR to receive an instant 5% off, no minimum necessary!

I would love it if you could go on to iTunes and subscribe to our podcast, this way the episodes will be delivered to you automatically via iTunes. Through your podcast app on iPhone, if you were on android or any other medium you can certainly connect with us at stitcher radio and on Google music. 

Support the show