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How to Prioritize Art in Your Schedule

4/3/2020

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Proverbs 29:18 tells us that without a vision, people perish. This is true even in the creative world.    As Christian artists, we spend our time enthralled in our artistic passions because that’s the way God designed us; spending countless hours “in the zone”. However, when we’re looking to take our art somewhere bigger, enlarge our skills and really use them to build a business, we must start with a vision.

Big Vision, Bite-Sized Goals
First, you need to get clear about what God has called you to do. As a Christian artist, you may already know what that is, but maybe you need help getting there. So set your target, that vision of where you see yourself headed. After all, if you don’t know where you’re going, you'll never know when you get there. Write down what that vision looks like to you. How does it feel? What level of income are you hoping for? Are you selling your work and if so, how much, where and to whom? How does your business fit into your overall life? Clarifying who you are, what you want to accomplish and the life you want to experience along the way becomes your guiding principle, the spot on the horizon you’re always moving towards as enabled by the Holy Spirit.  Remember, the Bible says in Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

SMARTi Goals
After you have your big goal, it’s time to start breaking it down into bite-sized pieces. I like to first break down the big goal into one-year goals. It needs to be aggressive enough to want to work towards, but also realistic. I call them SMARTi goals. These are goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, have a time frame and incentives when you accomplish your goals. I like to add a little incentive for achieving them. 

So, what do your big goals look like? How much money do you want your art business to bring in this year? Do you want to sell a specific number of pieces? What about learning a new skill, applying for a certain show or getting in a certain gallery? Do you want to record an album and get it out there on iTunes? Dream big, dream specifically and create your SMARTi goals. 

Paralyzed or Powerful
As we all know, a big, lofty goal can sometimes put you in a state of confusion or paralyzation. We can get overwhelmed and that can lead to a lot of inaction. Instead, I invite you to shift your focus and allow that vision to become the fuel that encourages you to keep moving forward as enabled by the Holy Spirit!  

One way to take the fear out of big vision is by creating bite-sized objectives. Once you have your big yearly goals, simply break them down into 90-day goals that are much more manageable. This way, every quarter of the year is taking a little bite out of that big one-year goal and closer to your vision. And even if you don’t achieve every goal you set, you’re still a lot further down the road toward your big goal than you would have been simply floating along on autopilot like most people.

Weekly Objectives
Next, we’re going to break it down again. Every week, within your 90-day goals, set an objective. Now, you’ve created even smaller bites. To do this, I like to work in reverse and plot out everything that needs to be done for the big goal. Break it all down to little tasks and assign them as your weekly objectives. Accomplishing lots of small, daily and weekly goals takes you towards your 90-day goal one step at a time. And remember, every 90-day goal you accomplish is one step closer to the big, yearly goal. I know, from experience as a thriving artist, this will set you on the path to the vision that God has for you in your life. Do this and you’ll be amazed and the acceleration you experience.

I hope this has been a big encouragement to you. If this article has been a blessing to you, take a moment to share it with a friend.

Thanks for reading!

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7 Things Every Artist Can Do to Thrive Even During the Coronavirus Pandemic

3/24/2020

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My Facebook feed this morning looks something like this: art, pandemic report, art, scripture meme, art, “don’t worry if you just lost your job you can make money now online”, art, meme...

Let’s just say it’s a really “convenient” time for people to be trying to sell courses and webinars on how to make money online... be wise, act with intention, not desperation and realize there is NO EASY WAY to make “quick money” on the internet.

Online businesses in any industry - now more than ever - require rapport, connection, and relationship. Anybody can teach you tools... there are tons out there. I teach them every day. The key is building connection with your audience.

Now is the time to care for your audience, clients, family and friends. Yes learn, grow and invest in yourself during this time, create art, build your inventory, spend time listening with the Lord but don’t be fooled by promises of quick, easy results just because it’s “online”. There is no silver bullet.

There are, however 7 things every Christian artist can do right now, even in this crazy season of pandemic, to thrive. Here they are:
  1. Be in Faith: The only way to weather a storm like the Coronavirus Pandemic (or any other difficult situation for that matter) is to continue to be in faith. Yes, it's ok to feel emotion and even have a meltdown from time to time. David did that all throughout the Psalms. But make sure the trajectory of your emotional, mental and spiritual life is pointed toward faith; faith in God, His Word, His plans for You and His promises toward you.  These are the only lasting things that make a real difference.

  2. Be in the Studio: Everyone is quarantined and being forced to be alone... and artists ask "So, what's new?" Yes, we're pretty used to working alone in our studio or at home. Why should this be any different? Use this time to create, write, dream, organize, clean and do what you do as an artist. You've never had a better chance to have some focused solitude for creating!

  3. Be Investing: As you are in the studio and having some extra time for solitude, invest in yourself. Learn a new skill. Practice some techniques you've been wanting to master. Take an online course or two. Read some books. We're always looking for those open places in our schedule for self-development. Now is the time. Don't let the opportunity go to waste.

  4. Be Online: There has never, ever been a better time to be online as an artist than right now. Whether or not you're at home or in your studio, most of us have an internet connection and a smartphone that allows us to literally touch the world with what we do. As you're creating, go live on Instagram or Facebook. Talk about your process. Share your latest work. Have an online sale or auction. Interview other artist friends who are doing interesting things. Use this opportunity of seclusion to be interesting and connect with your audience. It will eventually pay off in referrals and sales as we return to normalcy.

  5. Be in Contact: The simple act of reaching out during times of uncertainty builds huge relational equity and the desire for reciprocity. Plus, it's just the right thing to do. Everything in business is about relationship, so take the time to pick up the phone, skype, zoom, facetime, email or message people in your world. Yes, I'm talking about your clients, your gallery owners, strategic partners, suppliers, show promoters and the like. Many people are completely filled with fear right now and your voice of encouragement will mean a HUGE deal to them in the short and longrun.

  6. Be Wise: Anytime catastrophe strikes, many people tend to react out of fear and make reactionary pivots in their life and business out of a survival mode. Again, you have to realize that God has you in the palm of His hand. You can either try to figure things out on your own or listen to His voice and proceed intentionally, with wisdom. Changing your whole business model in the middle of a panic is probably not the best idea.  Know your vulnerabilities, lean into your strengths and double down on the basics of your business: making great work, connecting with your clients and partners.  If you are forced to make some hard decisions quickly, make sure you reach out for Godly counsel from experienced people you trust.
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  7. Be Together: Even though we can't all be together right now because of this worldwide pandemic, there's still huge opportunities to build community. For example, our Created to Thrive Mentoring Program has 66 small group leaders who are hosting small groups online twice a month. This is normal for us but right now, it's crucial to stay connected. You can do the same kind of thing through Skype, Google Hangouts, Facebook and Zoom.  Don't hibernate. Reach out and connect with your friends and loved ones. Create together. Laugh together. It makes a difference.
My friend, the world has changed in the last few weeks but take heart; God wasn't taken by surprise!  Yes, be careful who you listen to and remember the same dreams God out in your heart a few weeks ago are the same ones he’s going to bring to completion as He leads you. Yes, it may look differently than you think but he's going to work all things together for your good. I promise!

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Building The Bridge: How to Make a Living as an Artist

3/20/2020

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There are many creatives around the world looking to take their passion for art to the next level. A big question I get a lot is how to transition from being a hobbyist into a full-time working artist, one that will pay the bills.

It’s simple when you think about it. How do we get from any one place to another?  We build a bridge, of course. And like with any bridge we must start with a good foundation. I find that the Lord will begin to make a bridge for us as we're faithful with what He has already given us.
 
Let’s consider a Kingdom principle: Be fruitful and multiply. Unfortunately, many people are looking for multiplication in their life before they have demonstrated fruitfulness, and it just doesn’t work that way. They may have temporary growth but it will never be lasting. Because of that, I want to give you five things today that really help you be fruitful in this season so that you can start to lay the foundation for your “bridge”.

Body of Work

One of the most important and primary stepping stones on your bridge is developing your artistic skills or what I call artistic mastery. Let’s face it, to be recognized, celebrated and purchased in the marketplace, you have to have great work. It’s the foundation and there’s simply no way around it. It took me 15 years of honing my skills, developing my artistic voice and building a substantial body of work. Trust me, this is not a part of the journey that can be skipped. Each piece you create is one more step to mastering your skill.

Exposure

Once you have that recognizable and masterfully produced body of work, the next step is to, well, get noticed.  There are many ways to get clients, as well as keep them. Some of these include social media, a well-designed website, and email marketing, not to mention powerful strategic partnerships you can develop with industry professionals that will refer you to their clients. All the artistic mastery and skill in the world will be for naught if no one knows you’re out there. 

Time and Space

Next, you must dedicate the time and space to give to your work. You need a dedicated place you can go to and create. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate, massive art studio. It can be the corner of your office, tucked away from distractions, where you just allow yourself to do your thing. Once you’ve chosen your space, now you must schedule the time to be there and then stick to it. If you don’t do this, your art will tend to simply fade into the background where it is forgotten.  Creating space and honoring your time to create enlarges your capacity to steward the gifting God has invested in you.

Profitability

Now that you’ve put in your time, created awesome art work and started to master your chosen medium, the next thing you need to do is to make it make money. After all, if you aren’t making money, you can’t do this full time, can you (unless you have another income stream that provides for you outside of your artwork and doesn’t require your time)? This looks different for everyone. For me it was doing shows, showing in galleries, and creating wholesale accounts. After those started to gain momentum, I was able to get a studio and for me that really kickstarted both the mastery of my craft while I greatly expanded my body of work. For you, it may look different, but a consistent revenue stream is a must. Without consistent (or at least somewhat consistent) cashflow, it’s hard to make decisions and move forward with doing your art as a business.

Vision 

Maybe the most important part is really having a grasp on your vision. Where are you now and where do you want to go? For me, I started my art very part time, making extra spending money or money for Christmas. At the time, that was all I expected of it and for that point in my life, it was great.   

However, once God called me to really begin to transition into art full time, my vision changed. I realized that I really needed to do things differently. I needed to do more marketing, more shows and definitely create more art. 

My vision may not be the same as yours. You can’t compare your journey to another’s because no one is on the same path. You could be wanting to supplement your retirement income or making your art as gifts for a mission project or even doing it as a part-time hobby because you already love your full-time job. You get to define that. You decide with the Lord and with your loved ones what is it that you want your art business to look like. And then before you know it, you’ll start to see that bridge intentionally appearing in order to take you from where you are now to where you dreamed!

Lastly, as always,  remember that God is with you the whole way on this journey! He definitely has a plan for you! If you trust in Him (and the vision He’s given you) and follow the journey faithfully, you will be fruitful and multiply with great success. That’s God’s promise! What more could we ask for as sons and daughters of God?

I hope this has been a big encouragement to you. If this article has been a blessing to you, take a moment to share it with a friend.

Thanks for reading!

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Starting Your Journey Towards Real Progress as a Christian Artist

3/6/2020

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You know sometimes as an artist, getting started can be the hardest thing to do. 

I recently got a question from one of my listeners, Ethan, who said, “Matt, I’ve got a goal, I’ve got a vision, but I never seem to get on track with either. It’s always been one step forward two steps back for me and I'm just not sure how to get started towards seeing some real progress being made in my life.”

I can absolutely understand where Ethan is coming from because I've been through that same thing before in my life.  I was sitting at church the other day after reading this question, and my Pastor gave a great example, right out of Genesis, of how God starts a project.

Structure Is Not A Bad Thing
He used the example of when God began to form Eve. He started with a bone He borrowed from Adam. And this is so significant because this bone was used to form a structure upon which the Father built Eve’s body.

Think about it, all physical growth inside your body starts with structure. From the teeniest cell to the strongest bone, if you didn't have this foundational structure in your physical body, then just be a blob of ooze (I know… gross).

A lot of times as artists we want to resist structure. Maybe it doesn’t feel artsy enough or maybe the idea of structure conflicts with what you feel about being Spirit-led.  But the thing we have to realize is that EVERYTHING God has ever created was built within the framework of a Spirit-inspired structure. (Don’t believe me? Check out this YouTube video about the Fibonacci Sequence.)

The Power of Connection
After laying a foundation with the skeletal system, God used tendons to connect everything together. Whether you’re talking about your physical life, your spiritual life, or your artistic life, you can't sustain growth in your life without meaningful connections in your life.

I think this is one reason I see so many creatives struggle. Somewhere along the way, they bought in the lie that they are the only one struggling to make it in life, in art, or in business. If this is you, then don’t let the loneliness, isolation, and fear of what others might think or say keep you trapped and hidden one moment longer. Be intentional. Seek out and connect with other like-minded artists and mentors right now.

Your Strengths
So, if you're looking to unleash transformation in your life, start with structure, pair that with authentic connection, and then combine that with your strengths. In your physical body, I’m talking about muscles, but in your life and art, your strength(s) are those unique gifts and talents God has sown into your life.

Think about it. These gifts and talents were given to you by God so that they could be exercised, built up, and finally used by you as you step out and fulfill the plans and purposes that He has for you.  As an artist, it’s your talents and skills that bring a unique perspective to the works you were created to make.

Skin: What the World Sees
So yes, it’s a weird point, but if you were just a bunch of muscles sitting there, you'd be kind of gross, right?  So you need to have skin, or more precisely, you've got to learn how to present the thing that God is doing in your life and art out to the world. It’s about putting a face on what you do so that others can be drawn to it.

If you find yourself struggling to show depth of your talent and the strength of your character through the connections you’re cultivating, then it might be time for a “face lift.” Ask the Father to show you what He says about you and your work, listen to what He says, receive it, then share that with others. 

And Finally, Breathe It All In
I love the final point my pastor made, and it goes to the core of what I've taught for years about being filled and skilled out of Exodus 31.  Once Adam had been completely formed, his skeleton, tendons, muscles, and skin all in place, God had one more step left on His “Create Mankind” action plan. Adam and Eve were just mounds of impressively arranged dust right until the moment God Breathed HIS life into their bodies.    

My friend, that's when life, true life, comes rushing in! Without the breath and life of the Holy Spirit moving through your creative process and guiding your steps as you grow your art business, you very well may end up striving, frustrated, and paralyzed.

If you’re sitting there wondering why it feels like God has left you on the side of the road (and He’s not), may it’s time you took a “deep breath.”  If you can relate to this, then I challenge you to invite the Creator of all Creatives to breathe His life into all that you are doing.

I hope this has been a big encouragement to you and if it has been, then please take a moment to share it with a friend, ok?

Thanks for reading!

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2 Ways to Sell: How to Make Money Selling Art

3/4/2020

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All artists, especially Christian artists want to know how to sell their art! I mean come on, without selling your art most artists don't have the ability (or space) to keep making their work unless of course they have another income stream that funds their "art habit". 

So after making and selling a lot of art over the years I've come to the understanding that there are essentially 2 primary ways to sell your artwork as an artist:
  • You sell it directly to your clients or
  • You pay someone else to sell it for you ie: gallery, designer, strategic partner, referrals

Regardless, SOMEONE has to:
  • develop relationships with potential clients
  • offer the work in a desirable way
  • respond to market trends in aesthetics & presentation
  • price the work in a way that's competitive and profitable
  • complete the transactions
  • deliver or ship the work and potentially install

If you're the kind of artist who only wants to make work in the studio and not deal with marketing/sales, then you must find a good gallery or broker to represent you. Realize this costs - usually 50% of your retail price. However, they are doing most of the work to sell your art. Hoping your work will sell, doing social media only or simply putting your art on one of the hundreds of art websites online is NOT a strategy.

If you're the kind of artist who enjoys selling direct to your clients, then realize you are equally an artist and an entrepreneur. You'll need to develop a marketing strategy with multiple outlets, testing and measuring results as you go. There's no silver bullet. Without cultivating both sides of the equation - being both artist and entrepreneur - you'll live in constant frustration.

Or of course... a combination of both ie: selling direct and utilizing galleries, partners, etc. Over time, you'll discover a combination that works best for you, your personality and your profitability.

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So What Does Art Have to do with the Great Commission?

2/13/2020

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I get this question quite a bit, "what in the world does being an artist and creating art have to do with the Great Commission?” Or better yet, “What does art have to do with savin' souls and seein' people come to Jesus?”  These sorts of questions always seem to highlight a lack of understanding about what it means to walk in the fullness of God’s Kingdom.

Another way to approach this question would be like this, "Do we all have to look, act, and do Kingdom life in exactly the same way to be effective for God?" Well, I’m happy to say that the answer would be a resounding “no”.

All of us are in this beautiful symbiotic relationship as the body of Christ. A relationship where each one of us brings a different and unique expression of God not only to each other but also to the marketplace, as well as to the whole world. It’s through our uniqueness, the way God created us, that God chooses to use us as He touches and interacts with people in beautiful and life-changing ways.

This is the way the Kingdom was designed to work. We are not the ministers of a come-and-see gospel, but rather the ambassadors of a go-and-tell movement that God put inside of us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus died, He didn't just die just for your sins; He died to restore you into the fullness of the Kingdom so that you could be everything that God designed you to be. And upon embracing that, God calls us to go forth to uniquely express His glory and His mercy and His love in the Earth.

Maybe the real question needs to be, "What do I have to offer? What can I do uniquely in the Earth to reveal and release God's Kingdom so that other people who may never grace the door of a church, have a myriad of ways to experience the light and life and love of God?"

Think about that for a second, because when everybody does that - business people and teachers, people in government and even artists - we ALL fulfill the Great Commission. And the best part is we’ll be doing it while embracing the unique design and gifting God has placed within each of us.

That is what art has to do with both the Kingdom and with the Great Commission. It’s us - you and I -using our God-given creative vision and talents to do our part in seeing billions and billions of people come into the harvest in our generation.

I hope this has been a big, big encouragement to you. Take a moment right now to say, "God, thank you for making me uniquely who I am so that You can be glorified through me."

Also, if this article has been a blessing to you, take a moment to share it with a friend.
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Thanks for reading!


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Thriving: The Power of Convergence

2/24/2018

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I’ve encountered many artists over the years who really struggle with stepping into thriving because they don’t understand one foundational concept: convergence. Thriving isn’t simply doing one or two things well, but rather doing the right things well at the same time, over time. Although that might seem like a juggling act – and it can feel that way some times – it’s not as out of reach as you think.
 
Here’s what typically happens with artists. They get two out of the three areas but forgetting that third, continue to struggle. For example, artists who are great artistically and have a strong spiritual connection end up having only a hobby or ministry because they don’t pursue the development of their art business. Artists who are great artistically and have a strong business sense often flourish in the marketplace with their sales but sometimes lack a deep spiritual connection and sense of life in their art practice. Then there’s artists who are deeply connected spiritually and have built a business but their artwork is lacking, leading to immature work and frustration.
 
For artists who want to pursue their art in the marketplace in the context of their relationship with God, thriving happens when they are growing artistically, spiritually and in their businesses. Each feeds the other and provides momentum for the journey. This place of convergence is what I call your “sweet spot” and it should be a goal for every artist who wants to thrive spiritually, artistically and financially.
 
This place of convergence is the focus of my artist mentoring program, Created to Thrive. Click here for more information on how to be a part.

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What if Your Art is Just for Your Refrigerator?

2/10/2018

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I was talking to a friend the other day who happens to be quite an accomplished artist and a real spiritual father to many creatives around the world. We were chatting about our mutual passion to help artists thrive and, knowing I work with many hobbyist and emerging artists, posed the following question:

"How do you tell someone who is mediocre and not really called (or ready) to make his living with his art (simply because it will never sell) that perhaps God gave you the passion for art just to enjoy and glorify Him with, but it is not your calling to make it your financial sustenance?"


It's a great question and I'm sure the reason no one talks much about it is because it can be a really sensitive issue for the artist... No one wants to have that hard conversation with an artist who's thinking they are ready to take on the world when in reality, they are still stumbling around with the basics. And then sometimes, there are those really hard cases that almost seem like the American Idol auditions where someone thinks they are God's gift to art when in reality, there's not much there but desire and belief.

As I've thought about it, I hope these ideas will help you navigate your own artistic calling and season in that journey.
  1. Everyone Starts Creating As A Hobby
    No artist in the world ever started out as a pro. Everyone starts creating art because of a passion to create, to respond, to reflect what's going on in their own heart with the tools and techniques of their chosen creative medium.  And unless you continue to cultivate that deep connection and love for creating over time, you'll become a burned out replicator of yesterday's inspiration. Creating as a hobby is valid, important and a worthy pursuit artistically, personally and as an act of spiritual devotion with the Lord.

  2. Everyone Can Use Creative Expression for Personal Enjoyment
    Most people start creating art because they love it. They find the process and the product to be enjoyable, fulfilling and that my friend is enough in itself! You could create for a lifetime in the context of your own personal enjoyment and be completely happy in your artistic pursuits. And in fact, if at any point you're creating and not enjoying it, you should stop, take a deep breath and ask some hard questions about where things took a wrong turn. Enjoying the process is core to why we all create.

  3. God Is Glorified through the Process of Creating
    The first way humanity is introduced to God in the Bible is as artist. Then, the story progresses to reveal an artist-father who creates His man and woman, inviting them into the creative process with Him. We are His image bearers in the earth and we reflect the nature of our Creative God when we participate in the art making process. That alone is enough justification to create a whole life long because God is most glorified when we fulfill the design He formed in us.

  4. Selling Your Work Doesn't Validate Your Creativity
    Your creative process is valid, important and worthy because it's a gift from God and a way to connect with and reflect His nature. If you never sell a piece of your work, it doesn't mean that somehow your creativity was less. It simply means you chose not to take it in that direction.  For many artists who sell their work, including me, it's a wonderful encouragement that others love what I do but it doesn't define me or my enjoyment of the process. I created for many years before I ever sold any of my work and if all the sales stopped tomorrow, you would still find me out in the woods doing what I love... creating.

  5. Maturing as an Artist is an Intentional Process
    For most artists who sell their work, it's been an intentional act of maturing both artistically, spiritually and in business. Frankly, it takes years to develop that maturity and there's no way to short cut the process. It's a day-by-day pursuit of creative excellence, spiritual connection and understanding how to market and sell your work. Just because you can sell really well doesn't mean your work is worth selling and just because you're not selling a lot right now doesn't mean your work isn't worthy. It just means you're in process and you have to stay in process until all those variables start to work together as one. You can mature but you have to realize it's an intentional process. (That's what we do in my Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program... help artists bring it all together and grow in maturity.)

  6. Selling Art for a Living Isn't for the Faint of Heart
    I have never been more fulfilled in my life than since 2009 when I started creating and selling my artwork for a living but believe me, I work hard... really hard. Before that, I made my living as a worship leader and even owned a marketing company in Atlanta for several years. Trust me when I say I know a little something about making a living as a creative. However, when you move from hobbyist - someone who's doing your art for fun - to someone who's creating as a way to make your living, it's a completely different ballgame. You now have to work both on your art and in your business because you're an entrepreneur and an artist. Unless you're ready to embrace both sides of that equation, empowered by the Holy Spirit, you're in for a rude awakening.  You can learn to do both and when you're called to it, there's grace for both but realize it takes grit, faith and focus to succeed.

  7. Watch for Signposts of Favor
    If you are intentionally growing in maturity artistically, spiritually and in business, wanting to sell your work on a larger stage then you have to keep your eyes out for signposts of favor. I've just learned over the years, when it's God's time for you to be promoted in the marketplace, no devil in hell can stop you. And at the same time, when it's not your time yet, nothing you can do will open any door that God still has closed. Recognizing the season you're in and following the favor in your life is key for every artist.  When the time is right, the relationships, resources and connections you need to succeed will be there. Until then, be faithful with what's in your hand. Bloom where you're planted. Be faithful with little and God will make you ruler over much.

  8. Believe in Yourself but Receive Critical Feedback
    If there's a life message in my, it's about helping others to agree with who God's called them to be, not to be bound by fear but stand in strength. That's foundational for all believers because no fear-laden, shame-filled artist is ever going to thrive as God intended. However, it's VITAL that you have a clear view of where you are in the journey, especially from an artistic perspective. Just because your work isn't good enough to sell or be really marketable right now doesn't mean you're no good, God doesn't love you or that the world is over. It just means you either have a wonderful opportunity to continue enjoying your work as a hobby OR you have a lot of work to do in order to mature your work to a place where it's salable. That's just the bottom line. Please don't think, however that just because you love creating and even feel called to create professionally that you're immediately ready to do so in a full-time capacity. If you're serious about really knowing where you are in this process, pray for God to bring someone in your life who will shoot straight with you. And when He does, listen.

  9. Don't Try to Force It
    Anytime you're moving with the Lord, you should be feeling forward momentum. You should know you're on the right track, moving in the right direction. If you don't, I'd encourage you to stop and say "Ok, what's going on Father? Have I made a wrong turn, made some wrong assumptions or am I pursuing a direction that's not you?" This is so important.  Where God leads and guides, there is favor and grace, authority and opportunity. If you're not feeling any of those things, it's important to take time to get clear before going any further. If you don't, you'll end up birthing something you have to sustain in your own strength.

  10. It's a Process
    None of us finish where we start. Life is a process and be assured, your artistic journey is as well!  If you believe God's plan for your life is to eventually be creating your art and selling it then that's awesome! Don't ever give up on that dream. Just be realistic about where you are in that process, what needs to happen next and who's going to help you get there.  I'm passionate about that process and if that's you, I'd encourage you to check out my Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program. It's for any artist in any medium and in any stage of their artistic journey. 
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Please comment below and let me know your thoughts! Also, for more on this topic, check out my article: Considering Art as Spiritual Experience, Hobby & Vocation.

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How to Sell Art & Where You Sell Your Art: The 2 Big Questions Artists Ask

12/30/2017

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how to sell art, where to sell art
I've been an artist for over 24 years now and thankfully, have moved from a struggling artist to one who's thriving artistically, spiritually and financially.  Because I have an artist mentorship program and written several books for artists, I'm always getting questions from artists who want to start thriving. The two most common things artists want to know is how to sell art and where to sell your art.  The questions are connected, so let me explain.

How to Sell Art...

First of all, this is a huge question but surprisingly simple. It's simple because it has to be based on you, the artist.  How do you like to sell your art?  I've found over the years, there are basically two ways to sell your art: direct to the customer or through a strategic partner (or, I admit it... a combination of both). It's really important to understand which strategy is most effective for you when you're asking how to sell art.

When I first started asking how to sell art, I did what most artists do and looked to others who I saw being successful and modeled them. Unfortunately for me, their model didn't work for me. Many of the artists I knew were introverts who enjoyed mostly making in their studio rather than interacting with the public. Consequently, they had adopted a wholesale methodology which required them to make production items, sell at a 50% discount, sell through stores and galleries, and never have any interaction with their end user.  For me, as an extroverted people person, that was very unfulfilling.  When I made beautiful work and faced the reality of packing it up and shipping it off to a gallery far far away, that gave me no emotional payoff, which for me is an important part of being an artist. I love hearing people say "Oh my gosh, that is so beautiful! I love it!" Without that, I was missing something huge!

The other methodology I saw most artists doing included doing as many retail craft and art shows as possible. They seemed to live on the road. In the summers, they were in the mountains and in the winter, they all headed to Florida. Always on the road, always staying in hotels or travel trailers. Again, not my idea of a beautiful artistic life.

For me, I chose to pursue selling my art through a public studio in Asheville's River Arts District, a collection of over 200 artists in 23 old warehouse buildings in Asheville, North Carolina.  It's a mecca for artists and art lovers, as well as wealthy retirees who like to incorporate local art into their homes.  I get to make, sell and interact all out of my studio. I deliver most of my commissioned works and I get a high level of interaction with my clients. We build relationships. They visit the studio with friends and for me, that's huge!

So what's the bottom line?  You have to determine how to sell art for yourself based on how your wired, what you're creating and the life you want.  Without being clear about those questions, you'll end up really frustrated.  If you're going to be an artist, you want to do so while living a beautiful, creative and fulfilled life.

Where You Sell Your Art...

Now you understand why these two questions go together.  How you sell art ends up determining where you sell your art. There's no cookie cutter plan that works for everyone.  As you consider where to sell your art, make sure you craft a strategy that fits how you like to create, sell and live life. The artist life is not just about cranking out product, but about authentically creating your work, connecting with others who love what you do and making a profit.

That being said, here are some of my best recommendations:

Where to Sell Your Art For Artists Who Want to Sell Direct To Clients:
  • Retail art & fine craft shows in your region (and nationally) that have a track record of attracting your ideal client
  • Open Studio where people can see where, how and what you create
  • Through Your Website & Social Media
  • Through friends and family recommendations
  • Personal recommendations from clients
  • Home Parties & Trunk Shows
  • Private clubs & organizations who connect with what and how you create
  • Strategic Partnerships with people who are in front of your ideal client but don't directly compete with you ie: interior designers, builders, architects, hotels, etc.

Where to Sell Your Art For Artists Who Want to Sell Wholesale:
  • National art & fine craft wholesale shows
  • Museum Shows & Exhibitions
  • Local, Regional & National Galleries & Stores
  • Strategic partners who want to represent your work
  • Guilds & Marketing Co-ops in your area

We talk about these issues every day in my Created to Thrive Artist Mentorship Program and over the last year, I've created several in-depth teaching videos on this subject based on my own experience and the experience of ​hundreds of artists I've helped over the years.  Find out more about becoming a part of my artist mentorship program here.

Also, let me know what's working for you! Comment below and let's keep the conversation going.

Get my Free 9-Page PDF "Sell Your Art & Make Money Quick". It's packed with over 60 different proven strategies for selling your art in any market.
23 Comments

12 Things Christian Artists Can Do Right Now to Start Thriving

11/4/2017

8 Comments

 
christian artists
Since I have the great honor of working with hundreds of Christian artists in my artist mentorship program, I'm always getting questions.  One of the most common questions I get from newbies is "what can I do right now to start thriving?" Here's 12 things you can do right now to start thriving as a Christian artist:

1. Just show up & do the work
There’s just no substitute. It’s been said it takes 10,000 hours to become a master at your chosen artistic medium. So whether you’re a painter or metal artist, potter or basket maker you’re going to need to put in some serious studio time. The beautiful thing about it is that for the artist, the process of being in the studio can be the reward. Yes, we’re all after fantastic art that we can sell and make a living from, but for the artist, the magic of creativity happens long before the sale happens. It happens when we walk in the studio, turn on the music, prepare our materials and just get in the zone.

2. Push through the ugly
Many Christian artists I’ve ever known, including myself goes through periods of creating crap. Sometimes its for a week, or months or a year or sometimes it’s in every piece. If you stop in the ugly phase, you’ll never get through to the place of creative resolve and resolution. Keep pressing, reworking, walking away and returning until you know that you know it is finished.

3. Encourage yourself and silence your inner critic
The voice of the inner critic will never go away by itself or by wishing it would stop. The voice must be silenced by a greater voice; the darkness pierced by the purity of light. The dominant inner narrative in your soul can be guided, not by your emotions but by your choices. Who are you and what do you want? Practice some creative visualization, create a treasure map, journal your personal and creative affirmations daily and listen as the critic is silenced.

4. Take time to rest and renew
It’s been said that creativity happens best on the edge of order and chaos. That being said, we can’t live 100% of the time in that tension. You need time to reflect, rest and renew your physical body and your inner life so that fresh ideas can clearly come to and through you. This is not a luxury for the artist, it is essential.

5. Fill your imagination
When it’s time to create, artists create from the heart. And we go inside our imagination to draw upon the inspiration and understanding that lies within. If we’ve not invited the Holy Spirit into our creative process and intentionally filled our imagination with inspiration, then the work becomes mundane; studio time only makes us  and our experience in creative bored and anxious. What exhilarates your spirit? What makes you stand in awe and wonder? Movies? Music? Sculpture? Great art or theatre? Whatever feeds your inner life should be on your regular menu."

6. Don’t eat seed
Over the years I’ve found that emerging artists have one main question they are always asking: “How do I make money with my art?” The better question is how can I keep the money I’m making with my art. Becoming a successful Christian artist for most people is able building a bridge to a dream; transitioning from a 9 to 5 job or even beginning to sell your work to the public for the first time. Regardless, all of that takes money. I always encourage artists to take the money that’s coming in initially from selling or teaching and put it away in your business envelope. That way, when a big show, marketing need or other opportunity comes along and you need capital to invest, you have it. Money invested at the right time in your business can be valuable seed to produce the harvest of success you desire.

7. Create what you love
We’ve all done it. You sell a couple of pieces that are similar and you start thinking “If I make 1000 of these, I’d be a gagillionaire... so I better get to work!” Only to find out that at the next show, you only sell a grand total of zero. While we must always keep an eye on what’s selling and what our clients are genuinely responding to at the end of the day, we must make what we love. Otherwise, we become robotic craftsmen just replicating patterns with wrote skill instead of creating out of the place of inspiration and passion. Create what you love and trust the money and opportunities to follow.

Fulfill Your Calling as a Christian Artist!
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8. Reach up and reach back
None of us have gotten where we are in life without those special people God placed in our life at the right place and time to teach us, lead us, guide us and inspire us to go to the next level. No matter where you are in your creative journey, you can do the same for someone else by reaching out in genuine relationship. In addition, there’s always someone who’s further along than you are in whatever creative endeavor you find yourself. Continue to purposely reach up to them as well and become a river of inspiration; both receiving and giving the abundance that’s flowing through you.

9. Tell your story
Art is not a commodity. No one buys great art or fine craft because it was the cheapest or it was on sale. People buy fine art and fine craft because they desire connection; connection with the maker, the process, the materials and ultimately their own human experience. Your personal creative story is a huge part of that because when people connect to you they connect to your work. It’s no longer just a basket, mug or painting, but rather a reflection of the story of the maker who poured their heart and soul into the piece. Art becomes like ancient cairns, pointing the way and commemorating significance in the journey.

10. Dream Your Dreams
Most Christian artists I’ve met over the years are so completely overwhelmed with where they are right now – creatively, relationally, financially – that they’ve lost their ability to dream and imagine outside of their current life experience. What happened to the kid on the playground who believed he could climb to the top of the highest tree on the mountain? What happened to the little girl who wanted to be a famous fashion designer in New York City? I’ll tell you what happened. Life happened, they got bogged down in the details and lost their dreamer. Without dreaming and imagination, we become robotic manufactures of commodities. With dreams, desire and imagination become artists who allow all of life to converge in the studio where we create beautiful objects that help others to live with wonder.

11. Say No to the Wrong things and Yes to the Right
You’re an artist, yes, but you’re also an entrepreneur, shipping department, marketing department and custodial staff in addition to whatever personal and civic obligations that may find their way into your life. If you say yes to everything, you allow everyone else’s emergencies, priorities and passions take precedence over yours. Design your life. Dream your dreams. Create what you love. Life a beautiful life with beautiful people and allow your priorities to be the measuring stick for everything else you allow into your life. That’s not selfish, it’s healthy.

12. Connect to Your Source
If you’ve been an artist for very long, you realize that your creative gift is not your own or even the result of all your own hard work. Pure and simple it’s a gift from the Creator and we simply have the incredible opportunity to collaborate with that Creators process, inspiration and gifts in order to reflect His beauty. Without that connection we die creatively because we cut off the source of our inspiration. With that connection, we go further than we ever could on our own good ideas and hard work. With that connection, we simply lean into the process of creative collaboration that’s already been designed especially for us. With that connection, we always prosper because that’s the design of the Creator. 

Don't let another year go by without stepping into your creative calling!
This year can be your breakthrough year! Find out how...

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