Curious Mondays Archives

Have You Lost Friendships Because You Are An Artist? (Curious Monday)

Living the life as an artist is hard enough, but it’s made harder when those we’re close to don’t support us.

We need people around us who can support us emotionally – people who believe in our message to the world. It really stinks when friends and family don’t believe in our goals.

Have you lost friendships because people couldn’t support your life as an artist?

Have You Lost Friendships Because You Are An Artist? (Curious Monday) Read

How Do You Motivate Yourself to Finish a Project? (Curious Monday)

We all have projects that are part of our lives for longer than originally intended. The more we avoid them, the more monstrous they become.

Procrastination is in charge.

Today’s question …

How do you motivate yourself to finish up a project that has been hanging around the studio too long?

How to you face a project that you committed to, but no longer have any interest in?

How Do You Motivate Yourself to Finish a Project? (Curious Monday) Read

What Is Your Morning Routine? (Curious Monday)

If you ever doubted that routines are important for doing strong creative work, read Twyla Tharp’s book, The Creative Habit.

What is your morning routine?

What do you do each morning without thinking? What do you wish you would be able to do in the mornings?

Do you rise and shine early? Or are you a late starter?

Respond on this first Curious Monday post.

What Is Your Morning Routine? (Curious Monday) Read

You Are Not Your Art

One of my coaching mentors used to say that she couldn’t separate business coaching from personal coaching. “It’s all personal,” she would say.
If you read enough business motivation, you will come across attempts to help coach you through rejection and criticism with some form of the following. . . . “You are not your business.” . . .

You Are Not Your Art Read

What Good Are Artist Awards?

Best in Show . . . First Place . . . Viewers’ Choice . . . Purchase Prize . . . Honorable Mention.
Deep Thought for Artists >>
What good are artist awards?
Do they lead to a better career for the winners?

What Good Are Artist Awards? Read

To Trade or Not to Trade (with Another Artist)

You’re minding your own business at your show when an artist you don’t know comes up and asks you if you want to do a trade: his artwork for yours.
You don’t know anything about this artist’s work. How do you respond?

To Trade or Not to Trade (with Another Artist) Read

Abstract painting with a green background and floating shapes in blue, violet, and bright red.

How do you work around a long-term or chronic illness?

I’ve had the fortune of nurturing fairly close relationships with artists in the virtual world since 2002. Because I’ve been at it for so long, I have witnessed too many artists deal with illness – temporary, chronic, and fatal.
I feel hopelessly inept to provide any guidance for artists in these situations. Can you help?

How do you work around a long-term or chronic illness? Read

Vanity Galleries vs. Co-ops

I was talking with an artist-friend the other day and this came up . . . Deep Thought: What’s the difference between a vanity gallery and a co-op?
Why are co-ops (where artists pay to be members) considered okay, whereas vanity galleries (where artists pay to exhibit) are off-limits?

Vanity Galleries vs. Co-ops Read

The Role of Failure in Your Art Practice

Failure. It’s a loaded word. Lisa Call attended a panel discussion at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design that I couldn’t attend and thought this question had a lot of value. Deep Thought: Is failure in your art practice something to be embraced, managed, or forgotten?

The Role of Failure in Your Art Practice Read

Rejection Rituals

One of my Art Biz Bootcampers recently asked a question of our group that I think deserves a bigger stage. Deep Thought: Do you have any rituals around rejections? Maybe something involving screaming, hiding, crying, or throwing things?

Rejection Rituals Read