Your Art Matters

This was a question that came in last week, and I receive this same question on a weekly basis.

When you ask this question, it's so broad - it's like asking, how do I travel? There are so many answers depending on where you are and where you want to go.

So, to answer this question, you must dig deeper under the surface.

'You can't be seen until you learn how to see' - Seth Godin

This is a quote from my new book, Your Art Matters, which explains it beautifully - we have to look inwards.

I explain this in today's podcast and also invite you to join our next free event: Make Art Your Living.

>> SIGN UP FOR FREE EVENT

From Sleepless Nights to Starry Heights: How Kristine Richer turned midnight hours into a thriving art career. Join us for a live podcast talk with Kristine Richer, a Milky Way photographer who transformed late-night parenting challenges into a flourishing career. In this episode of 'Your Art Matters,' Kristine shares he remarkable journey going from selling prints for $50 to $2000!!

Kristine will share how she found her voice and purpose through an unexpected twist of fate, turning sleep deprivation and homebound evenings into opportunities for creative growth. She'll reveal the steps she took to build her niche in Milky Way photography and how she's now helping others do the same.

Expect practical insights on:

• Embracing life's constraints to fuel creativity

• Finding your unique artistic perspective

• Building a successful career from an unusual starting point

• Scaling your art business from hobby to full-time income

• Educating and inspiring others in your field

Whether you're an aspiring artist, a parent juggling responsibilities, or someone seeking inspiration to pursue your passion, Kristine's story will light the path to turning challenges into opportunities.

Connect with Kristine Richer:

Website: https://kristinerosephotography.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristinerosephotography

Should you stick to drawing one thing? Or creating art only using pencils?

This is a topic that can make people really angry! I understand why because some people think that niching down artwork means focusing on one thing for the rest of your life and nothing else.

But it doesn't have to mean that.

I saw someone share a post the other week saying, 'DON'T NICHE YOUR ARTWORK'.

This is such a broad statement that it really doesn't mean anything. If you want to niche your art and become known for something specific, do it. If you don't want to focus, you don't have to.

I talk more about this in today's episode.

Today's podcast is a little different. I hosted it live and made it an open Q&A. I had no idea what we would talk about, which is always a nice surprise.

The conversation ended up going in the direction of:

• What happens when you don't quite believe you are good enough to write, make art, or whatever you create - and you feel you have extensive areas of improvement?

• What happens when you pour your heart and soul into your work and the fear of it being criticised - or just the fear of sharing it full stop can make you feel incredibly anxious?

• Whether critique sessions actually work

• Why it's important to understand why your art REALLY matters.

We also talked about how external pressures can influence the work we create and we pondered this question together:

If you could make any art without fear, judgement or external pressures - what art would you really make???

I don't actually know the answer to this myself, but when I ponder this question, I do know that there is a part of my art-making or creativity that hasn't been released. I know there is a part of me that would make art against the norm—whatever that is.

A seed has been planted for sure.

Have you ever felt like one of your goals is just impossible?

A money goal you just can't seem to achieve, or a level of standard in your work you just can't get close to?

Last week, I had an experience with a mattress that really got me thinking about how to make impossible goals possible.

When you feel you repeatedly hit a wall, and then BAM - the answers present themselves.

I share this in today's episode, plus two ways to immediately start moving from impossible to possible.

Enjoy!

Have you ever worried about falling victim to an online scam as an artist?

We share a real story from our community about a member who fell victim to a scam but handled it with remarkable resilience. We discuss practical steps to identify and avoid scams, such as verifying email domains, checking for legitimate websites, requesting references, and using secure payment methods.

Additionally, we emphasize the importance of staying engaged and building trust with potential buyers while encouraging artists not to let fear prevent them from sharing their work.

Join us as we offer guidance, support, and inspiration to help you navigate these challenges and continue thriving as an artist.

P.S: This is where you can get more support and information on scamming and protecting yourself, this is a UK site but the advice is relevant to all.

In the book 10X Is Easier Than 2X by Dan Sullivan and another co-author, the idea of aiming for goals that are ten times larger than your current ones is explored. This concept challenges you to think and act on a much larger scale, whether it's creating more artwork, earning more money, or collaborating with more people.

Applying this to my own goals, such as selling 5,000 copies of my book, I found the idea both exhilarating and intimidating. The fear of aiming higher reveals internal barriers that might also be hindering smaller goals. By setting a 10X goal of 50,000 copies, I started asking different questions, considering new strategies, and thinking creatively about reaching larger audiences.

This shift in mindset normalizes the original goal, making it seem more achievable. Even if the 10X target isn't reached, the process of aiming higher transforms your approach, potentially leading to greater achievements than initially expected.

I challenge you to 10X your goal. Reflect on the thoughts and fears that arise, and explore how you could make the seemingly impossible possible. Share your journey with friends or within your accountability group, and let's support each other in breaking through our self-imposed limits.

I've had the same big financial goal for the last 3 years, and for a long time, it has felt like I'm getting further away from it than closer to it.

Have you ever experienced this? You set a financial, art-related or personal goal, and you just can't seem to hit it.

It might be that you want to make your first sale, be more visible, or make more money.

I reflected on this extensively in January and significantly changed how I approach my financial goal. I am starting to see a shift and am getting closer to hitting it.

Three big factors have helped me, and I shared them in this week's podcast.

You can watch or listen here

The BIG day has arrived. The publication date of my book, Your Art Matters is 6th August.

Our official book launch event is 16th August - we would love you to join us for this.

In this episode, I share the importance of understanding why your art matters as it relates to the work you make, your purpose in life, who you connect with and how you sell.

This is why I am so passionate about this book that will help you find your voice, purpose and people.

I explain the book, the event and how I overcame the barrier to create an event in this episode.

Being paid to:

• Have a community of people around you.
• Make art all day.
• Use your studio space.
• Learn from you.
• Have a break.

These are some of the ways you can create a membership platform where people pay you on a monthly, quarterly, 6 monthly, or annual basis.

I know this sounds incredibly daunting and scary to many, as it did for me when I first started!

I have had many questions about knowing if a membership is the right decision for you and your art - so I am giving the download it today's episode.

I also take you through the steps Sharon took to create a pop-up membership that earned more that £15,000 in one month.

Stu's Full Membership Experience Course has opened for enrollment, click >>here to learn more: