Startist Society

In this episode, Laura and Nikki pick up where they left off last week, and are discussing art submissions. If you haven't already, listen to last week's episode first where the focus was on why you should submit your work and where you can submit it. 

With all of the many different markets you can submit your artwork to – from art directors at companies that could possibly license your work, to publications, magazines, podcasts, competitions, galleries, shops, festivals, and even art agents…. the question is, where the hell do you start?

The focus in this episode is on licensing your art and the discussion is around which market(s) do you submit to first? And how do you find the right person to submit to?  What do you send to them, and when do you follow up?  Listen to find out!

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Narrowing down your markets and some courses that can help (2:27)
• The markets Nikki and Laura are most interested in (5:17)
• Ways to research companies to approach (6:35)
• How to find out who to contact at companies you're interested in (10:00)
• Using LinkedIn for research (10:23)
• What to send to art directors and what to say (11:21)
• You should probably hire Nikki to design and build your website! (12:47)
• Do you need a huge social media following to get licensed? (13:23)
• Buyouts vs royalties (14:17)
• What to do after you send that first email (14:53)
• What kind of responses (or lack of) to expect (15:45)
• Sending something physical to art directors (17:02)
• How and when to follow up (17:49)
• What steps Laura and Nikki have taken towards getting their first license? (18:58)
• Laura and Nikki commit to actually submitting! (19:56)

Read more and find links to all mentioned resources in the

STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/keepsubmitting/

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This is part one of a two-part series (for now!) about art submissions. If you want to make a living from your art, you're going to have to get it out there into the world and get as many of the right eyes on it as possible. You might be lucky enough to have someone find you on Instagram, but most likely, you're going to have to do the work yourself. In this episode, Laura and Nikki bring up five questions that need to be addressed to help you submit your art.

1.  Why should you submit your work?
2. Where should you submit it and which markets exist?
3. How do you find who to submit your work to?
4. What should you submit to them once you found them?
5. When should you send that and follow up with them?

In part one, they discuss the why and where. Tune in next week to learn the how, what and when for getting your art out there into the world!

• Why you should submit your art (1:39)
• Where you can submit your art (3:23)
• Publications/magazines  (4:23)
• Be a podcast guest (9:19)
• Product licensing markets (9:59)
• Contests/competitions (10:47)
• Art galleries/exhibitions (11:19)
• Local shops (11:57)
• Art festivals/markets (12:30)
• Art agents (13:49)

Read more and find links to all mentioned resources in the

STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/submitting/

JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/

FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/

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Laura and Nikki interview Stacie Bloomfield, a perfect example of a Startist. Stacie has been creating artwork for brands and products around the world since 2009. Today we learn more about how her illustration business, Gingiber, went from an Etsy start to the thriving company that exists today. Gingiber has had products sold in over 800 stores, along with licensing deals with major product brands.

Stacie’s a Moda fabric designer, a published author, and an amazing educator. At a time last year when product based businesses were really suffering, Stacie pivoted and shifted her focus into teaching all the amazing knowledge she’s learned over the last decade to other artists, to show them how to leverage their artwork across multiple revenue streams.

She’s the creator of the Leverage Your Art course, as well as the Creative Powerhouse Society membership. She’s incredibly passionate about the industry and super generous with all of her knowledge. We’re excited to have her share that knowledge today with you.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Stacie's Startist story and Etsy beginnings (2:32)
• Getting started with wholesale and working with Grace Kang (6:23)
• Exhibiting at trade shows (12:54)
• Finding her own voice (16:30)
• Growing her social media presence and wholesale business (18:25)
• Getting into licensing (22:37)
• The importance of multiple revenue streams (28:34)
• Working with a business accelerator (30:53)
• Growing her business (34:32)
• What would Stacie do differently? Advice she would give her past self (37:47)
• Pivoting her business in 2020 (43:51)
• Creating the Leverage Your Art course (49:52)
• How Stacie manages her time, projects and team (55:43)
• The story behind her book, Give Yourself Margin (1:03:47)
• Creating live art retreats and the importance of self-care (1:07:30)
• Launching the Creative Powerhouse Society membership (1:12:11)
• Having the courage to ask for help  (1:15:50)
• How her brand name Gingiber was chosen (1:21:24)
• Stacie’s free 52-page guide to creating multiple income streams in your creative business (1:22:50)

Read more and find links to all mentioned resources in the

STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/staciebloomfield

JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/

FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/

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Laura and Nikki interview Laura's talented friend Miranda van den Heuvel. Miranda is an intuitive painter and creative life coach living in Luxembourg. The founder of Create and Connect, she loves to inspire change through creativity. As a life coach, she inspires people to go from reacting to creating their lives. As an artist, she likes to draw parallels between art and life which makes the process so much more fun, personal and valuable.

Over the last 10 years, Miranda has developed life coaching retreats, taught in-person painting workshops, given a TEDx talk, developed online courses and painted hundreds of pieces of art. She also happens to speak seven languages, manage a full-time day job and is raising two boys at the same time. She is a great example of a Startist that does not let fear or procrastination keep them from making progress on their art biz.

A couple of years ago, Miranda began offering commissions of her artwork. We know commissions can be a valuable source of income for many artists, but they come with their own set of challenges.  After sharing her Startist story, Miranda provides helpful suggestions on the systems you can put in place to create a positive experience for both the artist and the collector.  Be sure to download her free art commission questionnaire listed in the show note resources.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Miranda’s Startist story (1:56)
• How she got her painting mojo (2:12)
• Developing a coaching and teaching practice (2:51)
• Creating retreats (4:22)
• Getting started with commissions (8:39)
• Creating systems (11:44)
• Miranda's commission process (14:20)
• Pricing your work (17:57)
• Handling revisions (20:53)
• Contracts (24:33)
• Intellectual property rights and copyright (27:14)
• Laura and Nikki’s experience with commissions (29:52)
• Setting up "effortless" systems and processes (33:21)
• Miranda’s TEDx talk experience (38:33)

Read more and find links to all mentioned resources in the Startist Society show notes at startistsociety.com/miranda/

JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/

FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/

Laura and Nikki introduce you to Hannah Cole, an artist, educator, and founder of Sunlight Tax. Hannah educates fellow artists about taxes and money because she believes creative people are the empathy builders of our culture and when they're financially secure and empowered, they can make bigger, bolder work that will fix our broken world. 

Her flagship program is Money Bootcamp, a membership which builds financial skills and fosters a healthy relationship with money and power so that artists can get back to changing the world with their important work. She teaches practical valuable life changing money skills in an art-centric and approachable style.

In this episode, we begin by hearing Hannah's Startist story, and then dig into some really useful tips artists can use as you work through your taxes this season! Although the general information she provides will apply to many artists, please note her tax expertise is focused on US taxes.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Hannah’s Startist story (1:59)
• Balancing art and taxes (6:39)
• Managing her productive time (8:44)
• About Hannah’s art (10:01)
• Tax advice for artists (13:42)
• How the IRS identifies businesses vs hobbies (14:22)
• Tracking expenses and income (21:36)
• Separating business and personal finances (23:16)
• Should you become an LLC? (27:59)
• Deductible expenses (29:31)
• Can artists write off donations of art? (42:39)
• How much money do artists need to set aside for taxes? (45:50)
• Profit First (46:52)
• Sales tax (49:10)
• Hannah’s message to artists (56:28)

Read more and find links to all mentioned resources in the Startist Society show notes at startistsociety.com/sunlighttax/

JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/

FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/

Laura and Nikki discuss whether or not blogs are still relevant for artists. They talk about the history of blogging, how both the reading and writing of blogs have changed over the years, and admit to being less than stellar bloggers in the past! Think you should be blogging? Listen to this episode to hear all the reasons they think you should.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• What blogging was like 10-15 years ago (1:27)
• The different blogs Laura and Nikki read (1:56)
• How social media and email newsletters changed blogging (2:35)
• Blogging for SEO (3:25)
• Quality vs quantity (6:05)
• The importance of keywords and using them properly (6:22)
• Repurposing content across different channels (8:50)
• Timely blog posts vs. evergreen content (12:44)
• How finding blog posts has changed in recent years (14:56)
• Positioning yourself as an expert on your topic (16:56)

Read more and find links to all mentioned resources in the Startist Society show notes at startistsociety.com/blogging/

JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/

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In this episode, Nikki and Laura talk about the impact of overthinking on your business and your life. From analysis paralysis to fear of making the wrong choice, you'll hear what they tend to overthink and recommendations for getting out of the overthinking cycle!

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Analysis paralysis (1:36)
• Maximizers vs. satisficers (2:00)
• Nikki and Laura share what they overthink and their shared love of research and learning (2:53)
• Pros and cons of overthinking (5:14)
• Taking action (6:07)
• What’s the worst that could happen if you make the wrong choice? (9:30)
• Making decisions (11:31)
• Trusting your gut (12:04)

Read more and find links to all mentioned resources in the Startist Society show notes at startistsociety.com/overthinking/

JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/

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In this episode, Laura and Nikki talk about all the different ways they find inspiration for their art. From journaling and mind maps to getting outside in nature, and viewing other artists’ work, they provide tons of ideas and resources for creative inspiration.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Laura's new Skillshare class - Copic Marker Essentials: Coloring Techniques for Beginners & Beyond (00:38)
• Sketchbook/journaling/mind mapping (2:24)
• Getting out in nature (4:40)
• Going to art exhibits -  Nikki and Laura share some of their favs (7:22)
• Inspiration from collections and collecting (17:22)
• Pinterest  (20:59)
• The difference between inspiration and copying (21:50)
• Inspiration from travel adventures (22:22)
• Music inspiration (25:01)

Read more and find links to all mentioned resources in the Startist Society show notes at startistsociety.com/inspiration/

JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/

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Laura and Nikki talk about mental health, specifically about what happens when you get into a creative funk, feeling uninspired or unmotivated to create. They discuss how this shows up for each of them and some different approaches you can take to try to get past it.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• The impact of isolation during a pandemic (0:57)
• How creative funk manifests for Laura (3:02)
• How it manifests for Nikki (3:44)
• Laura's top 3 suggestions to get out of a funk (4:17)
• Nikki's top 3 suggestions to get out of a funk (6:21)
• The importance of laughter (9:04)
• Reaching out to loved ones  (9:19)

Read more and find links to all mentioned resources in the Startist Society show notes at startistsociety.com/mentalhealth/

JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/

FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/

Nikki and Laura are excited to introduce you to startist, Trupti Karjinni!

Trupti is an internationally-recognized artist and creative entrepreneur from Belgaum, India. She wears the hats of a painter, paintmaker, and educator. She is the creator of Thrive With Trupti, a membership and community where she teaches watercolor enthusiasts the skills and mindset they need to create confidently. Trupti is also the founder and owner of Blue Pine Arts, a small-batch company where she and her team make their world-renowned handmade watercolor paints, sketchbooks, and other art materials.

Since she began painting with watercolors in 2017 on the side, she quickly grew her art practice to build a multi-faceted six-figure business. Her mission is to show artists they can live an abundant life doing what they love.

• Trupti shares her transition from software engineer to artist and creative entrepreneur (2:06)
• Trupti's 31-day painting project that helped grow her Instagram and make friends across the ocean (7:33)
• Finding her purpose in painting and making watercolors (9:31)
• Birth of Blue Pine Arts (13:21)
• Quitting her day job (15:02)
• Trupti’s first experience teaching (18:30)
• How she grew engagement on Instagram and how it led to incredible opportunities (20:57)
• Trupti gives us some great advice about vulnerability (23:46)
• Trupti’s experience with teaching on Skillshare (29:07)
• Getting past fear of failure and being open to abundance (30:50)
• Advice for just getting started (32:07)
• Resources she's found helpful along the way (35:44)
• Experiencing and getting through burnout (35:56)
• Dealing with growing pains (39:39)
• Growing a team  (41:40)
• Trupti's watercolor membership, Thrive with Trupti (43:47)
• Working with her spouse (50:32)
• Plans for a new course and mastermind on creating art courses (53:54)
• Finding balance and gratitude (56:50)

Read more and find links to all mentioned resources in the Startist Society show notes at startistsociety.com/trupti/

JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/

FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/