What if I told you the mistakes you make are increasing the value of your art?

We often disregard our mistakes, which can impact our confidence negatively.  Yet, our trials and errors are what make our art great.

This is what I talk about in today’s episode.

What if you are a beginner? With no trials and errors? Does this devalue your work?? Nope, I also talk about this in the episode.

Making art that sells - a term some people love and for some it brings feelings of guilt, shame and a sense of selling your soul.

This week, I explore this topic as it relates to making art with the intention of selling.

For me two primary considerations contribute towards sales:

1. Making art (or anything) that is like you - by this I mean leaning into what makes you unique.  Your art reflects you, and the more you understand this, the more you can communicate this.  This applies to what you make, identifying what makes your work different to everyone else, and also leaning into your story - as there is a story behind every artist and every artwork.

2. Learning what people want - this means either getting to know your audience, if you have one and learning what sells.  A particular frame?? A certain animal??  Or if you don’t have an audience, it’s about looking at a particular area of art you are interested in and looking around to see what works.  Taking note of scale, frames, patterns, colours and so on.

This what I talk about in today’s episode.

If you haven’t signed up to the next FREE art workshop called The Art Of Your Life, click here to register:

This workshop is run by Nicholas Wilton and it starts on 4th March.  It’s delivered over 3 days and replays are available.

It is an entire week of teaching from Nicholas, designed to help you make art that is stronger and more like you.

A lesson in how to make art that stands out from the crowd.

I remember looking at my painting and wondering what was wrong with my creation. It didn't seem right, but I couldn't determine why.

It was like when I had found an inspirational image and tried to replicate what I saw but failed miserably.

I've taken courses in drawing, acrylic, life drawing, watercolour, textiles, collage, ceramics - the list goes on. The one thing I have learned over time is that art is a language.

It doesn't matter how many courses you take; if you don't learn the fundamental elements that contribute to what art is, you will always struggle.

I’ve learned this is a surprisingly common challenge… 

So common, in fact, that my friend Nicholas Wilton has decided to address it in his upcoming FREE workshop. Click here to save your seat in the free Art of Your Life Workshop! Specifically, he will be covering the first 3 (and most important) stages in the Art2Life Process, including

DESIGN:

• Why so many people with lots of education, degrees and experience still struggle to make art they love

• How to master composition in a way that will quickly elevate your art

VALUE: 

• How to strengthen your discernment — that internal compass — that tells you when to go further, pivot, or pull back with your art

• How to create a beautiful kind of depth and balance in your art

COLOUR: 

• How to add a vibrant new level of dimension AND subtleness to your work with a perspective on color you haven’t heard before!

How to feel more confident in your creative choices — so you can begin making art MORE like YOU.

A wonderful talk with artists as we delve into the success they have experienced since working with us.

We discuss hoe they use the Best Year Yet process and how their journeys have evolved over the years from taking action.

Lisa shared how she was shaking like a leaf when it came to sharing her only drawing with us - this was 3 years ago.  Today, Lisa sold work and sat in her studio on the call.

You can learn more about today’s featured artists here:

Simone Paterson

Jane Powell

Lisa Potter

Jenny Stevenson 

Enjoy

A wonderful live podcast episode where we bring in artists who share how they plan their year ahead.

We talk about having goals, not having goal, having a calendar, not having a calendar and all the different ways you can adapt our best Year Yet training to design your life in your own way.

A super session if you are keen to do more of what you love in 2024.

I know this title may make some people feel uncomfortable - those who give give give and never put themselves first, for example.

However, when we break this down - it’s simply connecting with what truly matters in life and focusing on this. You can do more of what makes you happy.

It’s not about greed or hurting people along the way so we can satisfy our needs only.  

When you feel content, fulfilled and happy - this will impact everyone around you. 

In this episode, I will share the steps I take when ‘getting what I want’.

I will talk about 

Wishing and Dreaming 

Planning and focusing 

How to have faith when you don’t believe 

How to handle fear 

IF YOU WANT TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE EVENT, HERE IS THE LINK 

Let’s reflect on 2023 together.

One of the best ways to move forward and achieve success is by reflecting and today’s podcast was recorded live.

We took time to:

• Consider what you want and don’t want.  

• Get clear on what you really want in 2024.

• Learn from mistakes and from what went well.

Most of all, paying attention to how far you have come.

When you reflect on what’s happened, you can do more of what works, do less of what doesn’t work, and aim for what you REALLY want.

If you want to download the reflection worksheet that accompanies this episode, you can sign up to Best Year Yet and receive instant access here:

>> SIGN UP TO BEST YEAR YET

Last year I bought a house, which was a big deal for me.  As a single parent, who used to be in masses of debt and unemployed for years - to get to this point today in my life is mind blowing.

For years I struggled and found life difficult.

Art was my saviour.

Art has taught me so much and that is why I am so passionate about helping others understand why art matters.

This year I am going to be talking about this topic A LOT!!!

This year is the year my book will be published and unveiled to the world.

Owning my own house and writing a book have been on my vision board for a LONG time,  and they materialised because I never gave up.

I have always been very intentional about designing my life and stepping out of my comfort zone.

This has come from years of practice and this is what I want to share with you in my FREE workshop, Design Your Life and Have Your Best Year Yet.

This is the process I follow:

• Reflecting

• Creating a vision 

• Making a plan

• Focusing on the right tasks 

• Taking action 

I can’t want to share these steps with you and take the course myself!!

Here is this week’s Vlogcast where I share my insights from my new living room :)

In this final Vlogast of 2023, I want to wish you a very healthy and ‘happy’ end to the year.

I know it’s not an easy time for some people.  I was reflecting on how I want everyone to be happy.  I want my members, followers, children, friends, family - all to be happy.

I strive to make people happy and fulfilled, but this isn’t always possible.  It’s not realistic.

In this episode, I talk about the term happiness and how it comes and goes in my own life.

Thank you for all of your support in 2023.

I always say you are one person away from an opportunity.

Suvi is a UAS HUb member and last week, she shared her surprise as she was invited to exhibit next year, and it came from a simple act with no expectations.

Suvi had created some lovely cards featuring her artwork and decided to give them to local shop owners as a seasonal greeting.

One of the shop owners contacted Suvi and asked if they could exhibit the work for 3 months during their busiest season !!

I talk about this in today’s episode, as it has got me thinking about the power of creating digital and physical cards