FineArtStudioOnline Recommended Links

Ann Rea: "It's the things that we are avoiding, the responsibilities that we have not yet claimed, that hold us down. The clock is ticking, so free yourself and just do it, NOW. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: What are you avoiding that's holding you back?

Alyson Stanfield: "A scale model helps you decide what artwork to include in your upcoming exhibit. It's no small feat, but building a model can also help you conquer the unknown and alleviate any anxieties." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: If you're planning a large exhibit of your work, building a scale model will help you to plan.

Tags: planning | action | artists | exhibits | All Quotes by Alyson Stanfield

Maria Brophy: "When you set your intentions, out loud and in writing, your subconcious mind picks it up and believes it and stores it away." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great intention setting exercise from Maria Brophy.

Eric Rhoads: "Do your homework. Find out who has audiences of people who have the money to buy. These days the ultra-affluent and affluent are still spending." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: 8 principles you should be following when marketing your art.

Robert Genn: "Artists need to realize that dealers are often coming from a different place than artists. While you and I know that cross-training and diversity are desirable, even necessary for creative growth, a dealer looks at an artist's work with other things in mind. Product consistency is one of them. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: An explanation of why gallery owners don't like it when artists submit work in different media.

Tags: galleries | artists | marketing | | All Quotes by Robert Genn

Carolyn Edlund: "Don't sacrifice your heart and your soul and kill your dreams because you believe that you need to pay your rent and buy your groceries from sales of your work. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Making a living from your art isn't for everyone.

Luann Udell: "It's about the joy, plain and simple, we can find in our practice, if we let go of the outcome, the "finished product". Because we are human beings, and there is no "finished product."" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: It's not about perfection - it's about showing up and trying.

Alyson Stanfield: "Service businesses are giving away all kinds of free reports when you sign up for their newsletters. [...] But you, the artist? It's harder for you to think of something to give away that would 1) be of value to your subscribers and 2) cost you next to nothing." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: This is a great way to entice people to sign up for your newsletter!

Robert Genn: "So, yes, I'm saying to my conservative painter friends--be funny. Maybe a few good laughs is what's needed right now. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: If art is funny, is it still real art?

Tags: taste | artists | conversations | | All Quotes by Robert Genn

Richard Christian Nelson: "The great majority of my clients are very happy with my work. But we can have 99 successes and 1 failure yet, somehow, we tend to internalize the bad experience." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Richard Christian Nelson offers some thoughts on dealing with rejection.

Hannah Piper Burns: "I know I wouldn't want to buy a car or a computer unless I knew all the features and stats and could explain them to my friends when they ask why I bought this particular model. I certainly wouldn't buy artwork without the same information!" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some fantastic advice on how to sell artwork online.

Luann Udell: "People don't buy our work because we explore the tension between light and shadow or because we balance fine line work vs. textured paint. They are attracted to it because they like how it looks." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Share your passion for your work & the sales will come.

Joanne Mattera: "Don't sign any contract until you understand what you're signing." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Really useful advice on contracts for artists.

Tags: contracts | artists | opportunities | | All Quotes by Joanne Mattera

Stacey Cornelius: "Dedicate yourself to producing your best work and go find your people. Use the smartest tools you can get your hands on to get your message out. And be generous with your fans. They're waiting for you." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: You don't need to be mainstream to be a very successful artist.

Helen Aldous: "Try and register a domain name that people can remember easily. To this end try to keep it short and to the point. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Helen Aldous provides some fantastic advice on picking a domain name for your art.

Tags: websites | marketing | artists | | All Quotes by Helen Aldous

Stapleton Kearns: "A painting full of repeated shapes is visually uninteresting., The most interesting painting has the most varied shapes." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Stape does a great deconstruction of a painting of Lady Hamilton by Romney.

Lori Woodward: "Technical skill is necessary and important, but the best scenario is when the technical and emotional aspects of painting are inseparable. - Hodges Soileau" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great interview by Lori Woodward with successful professional artist, Hodges Soileau.

Seth Godin: "Is there any doubt that making big plans increases the chances that something great will happen? Is there any doubt that we need your art and your contribution?" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Are you making big plans?

Pamela Slim: "...the goal of an effective sales process is to get rid of bad fits as quickly as you can, so that you can continue to fill your sales funnel with more qualified prospects. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: The 5 steps of an effective (and comfortable) sales process.

Tags: sales | marketing | collectors | | All Quotes by Pamela Slim

Alyson Stanfield: "It's easy to take classes and surf the Web for answers. It's more difficult to do The Work." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Do you believe in any of the artist myths?

Stapleton Kearns: "If you want to make good pictures you need to be familiar with what they look like. Knowing your art history builds your taste, and it gives you a library of ideas of how other artists have conquered the problems with which you yourself will be faced in your own work." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Stape talks about why knowing art history is important for becoming a good painter.

Tags: mastery | skill | technique | learning | All Quotes by Stapleton Kearns

Justin Clayton : "When selecting paint brushes my suggestion is to get a few different types of brushes and experiment. This will give you the best reasoning for selecting certain brushes later. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some great advice on choosing paintbrushes.

Tags: mastery | tools | | All Quotes by Justin Clayton

John R. Math: "An artist registry is an effective, low cost (in most cases "no cost") tool that helps an artist to expose their art work to art collectors, gallery owners/directors, art buyers and general art lovers. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Do you use artist registries to promote your art?

Robert Genn: "Since the advent of the Internet, savvy customers soon find an artist's standard prices and scout the best prices across an artist's stable of dealers." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Robert Genn discusses discounting art, dealers and bargain hunting collectors.

Armand Cabrera: "When we start to paint, we talk in terms of the thing we are trying to paint as opposed to the shapes we are trying to make. This inability to conceptualize the world and abstract it holds us back as painters." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great post on the roles shape & edge play in creating beautiful paintings.

Ann Rea: "When you're selling art you're asking patrons to part with their money. So give them reasons to feel confident with each transaction. Professionalism is not an area that you have creative license" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Do you know how your collectors perceive you? Do you have a professional image?

Maria Brophy: "Don't let failure make you quit. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A fantastic article on the principles behind success for artists.

Barney Davey: "Whether it is a face-to-face or an anonymous e-commerce situation, a key ingredient in your success in selling art is in being able to pass your excitement and passion to your buyers" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: When you talk about your art, are you sharing your passion?

Tags: passion | marketing | sales | | All Quotes by Barney Davey

Alyson Stanfield: "Familiarity can be a very good thing when you're trying to connect with people and sell your art." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Don't be afraid to repeat images of the same piece of art in your marketing efforts.

Kesha Bruce: "Your conviction gives me strength. Your resilience gives me courage. Whatever you do, don't give up now. This world needs you. Never forget who you are. You are an Art Hero." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: An inspiring reminder from Kesha Bruce that even when we're discouraged, we need to keep going.

Tags: inspiration | artists | wisdom | | All Quotes by Kesha Bruce

Robert Genn: "Looking into various brains, including the brains of people who look at art, he's come to the conclusion that things are better when they are less visible. He calls it "The Peekaboo Principle."" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Do you create mystery in your works of art?

Tags: quality | mastery | artists | | All Quotes by Robert Genn

Stapleton Kearns: "Those of us who would try to make a portrait by seating a bored model in a chair and copying their appearance will never be able to compete with the excitement that Lawrence was able to generate." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Stape talks about the importance of creating rhythm in your paintings.

Tags: mastery | skill | technique | learning | All Quotes by Stapleton Kearns

Alyson Stanfield: "Don't just tell them. Show them. Wendy didn't just tell her collectors that she needed to raise the prices on her metalwork, she showed them why in a very graphic way." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great example of how to tell your customers that your prices are going up.

Moshe Mikanovsky: "Your online presence is to promote yourself as an artist and your artwork. You want to promote yourself, not to promote a free website hosting service." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Moshe points out why it's so important for artists to have a professional (not free) website.

Carolyn Edlund: "Do an honest self-evaluation. How many times have you said you would call and failed to do so? Are you dependable to be on time, deliver as promised and give a totally professional experience to your customers?" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Do you have impeccable follow through? Or do you sometimes drop the ball?

Tags: professionalism | marketing | success | All Quotes by Carolyn Edlund

Lisa Sonora Beam : "The next time you feel nervous, scared, anxious, irritated, doubtful, when considering the new thing you are about to do, or literally facing the blank page, try reminding yourself that: The act of creating something new makes us vulnerable." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A reminder that it's normal to feel nervous when creating anything new.

Stacey Cornelius: "Some people don't think presentation matters. Some believe content is all that's important, and the details don't count. Context matters. Details matter." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Details are important, especially in the presentation of your art - don't get lazy.

Kesha Bruce: "How else can you possibly grow your art career if you can't even summon up the courage to reach out and meet new people?" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great article about the importance of reaching out & connecting with others.

Tags: connection | marketing | artists | success | All Quotes by Kesha Bruce

Stede Barber: "Handling the tools of art is learned through practice, often with the guidance and support of a good teacher. Then, lots of practice, hopefully focused, messy, and fun. A good teacher gives you clear instruction, step by step, and plenty of time and space to play with what you are learning." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A lovely post on saying yes to our creative urges.

Peter Shallard: "Pricing is crucial. In fact, what you charge will make or break your business. Higher prices simply work better." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: 7 fantastic reasons for raising your prices.

Helen Aldous: "There is no denying that getting your creative work noticed online is HARD. The competition is vast and ever growing. Every day more and more artists add their work to the humongous selection of artwork available online." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A fantastic article on marketing yourself as an artist online.

Alyson Stanfield: "Don't write your artist statement and then forget about it. Do it so that you fully embrace the words. Your self-promotion efforts get much easier once you have the right words to define your art." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Your artist statement is much more useful than you probably think!

Lori McNee: "Art is subjective. One man's paint splatter is another man's masterpiece. When you are trying to decide how much to charge for your work, you need to take a lot of things into account." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Lori McNee shares part 2 of the ArtBistro article for aspiring artists.

Carolyn Henderson: "The story behind the work is an added bonus, as most people decide on purchasing a painting because it latches onto their psyche and demands to be a part of their lives." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: An interesting article on art collecting on the internet & one artist's sales process.

James Gurney: "Keep a sketchbook just for image generation, rather than observation. Use it not only for creature designs and other stuff from your head, but also for quick copies from whichever old masters you like." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: James Gurney shares some suggestions for keeping your imagination active.

Tags: mastery | skill | technique | learning | All Quotes by James Gurney

Alyson Stanfield: "Let's say you've wrapped up one task, but there's still a few minutes before your appointment. You could twiddle your thumbs, but you're not going to do that. Imagine how productive you could be in just 5 minutes." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: No more excuses! Alyson lists self-promotional activities you can do in 5 mins or less.

Tags: marketing | sales | | All Quotes by Alyson Stanfield

Keith Bond: "Learning new methods or subject matter - even if forced by an instructor - is beneficial. More knowledge is always a good thing. More tools in our toolbox are always better than fewer." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Keith Bond talks about the importance of learning new skills & techniques.

Tags: mastery | skill | technique | learning | All Quotes by Keith Bond

Barney Davey: "You are never too old to employ dreams and imagination." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Amazing business advice from a former professional artist & art rep.

April Metternich: "If you want to make art, make art. If you want to make art to sell, make art geared to appeal to buyers. It's a choice. Both are valid." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some thoughts on "selling out."

Tags: artists | marketing | sales | | All Quotes by April Metternich

Joanne Mattera: "If a gallery presents you with the contract, you should know that the document is first and foremost designed to protect the gallery. That doesn't mean the gallery is out to get you, only that its primary concern is to protect itself. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Fabulous information on gallery contracts.

Alyson Stanfield: "Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and lots and lots of spacing to ensure that your important points stand out. Your email should be scannable, just like this post." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some tips for writing promotional emails that stand out.

Tags: marketing | newsletters | email | collectorclan | All Quotes by Alyson Stanfield

Lisa Call: "The purpose of permission based marketing, beyond not annoying people with unwanted emails, is that your list becomes a targeted list of people that have clearly stated they care what you have to say. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Lisa Call discusses why permission based email marketing is the way to go.

Luann Udell: "Sometimes it feels like my passion for my art, the work of my heart, is the last thing I take care of." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Luann Udell talks about the importance of doing what you love & not just what you "should".

Tags: inspiration | happiness | passion | artists | All Quotes by Luann Udell

Maria Brophy: "Sometimes we get so excited about an opportunity that we forget to do our homework." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Be sure to do your homework before signing anything.

Sue Favinger Smith: " Have you been faced with preparing a portfolio to submit to a potential gallery or juried show, and wondered if there was a better way to create a professional impression? " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Sue shares her method of creating professional portfolio images.

Brian Sherwin: "With a physical art portfolio in hand an artist can easily observe his or her past works during the throws of the creative process-- new ideas may spur from images of artwork created years ago. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Brian Sherwin shares 3 very good reasons for maintaining a physical art portfolio.

Ann Rea: "The good news is that artists are in a particularly good position to come up with creative and new marketing strategies. But they have to stop thinking about themselves and think about what value they can create for a target market. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Can you articulate the value that you offer clients and collectors?

Rob Compton : "Given our schedules these days, it is amazing that we get much art made at all, let alone at the volume I see in our galleries, magazines and online." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Robert Compton shares his tips on maximizing studio time.

Aletta de Wal: "Everything starts in your mind. You must think like a professional artist all of the time. Become aware of all your attitudes and beliefs about having a professional art career" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some qualities of a professional artist.

Robert Genn: "Painter wannabees need all the help they can get. Composition, colour mixing, and the professional touch, to name just a few, can be troublesome minefields. The better mentors give options. Choose your mentors carefully." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Robert Genn talks about the importance of mentors and passing on knowledge.

Luann Udell: "I believe the people who should be rewarded are the loyal people. I believe the people who deserve my best attention are my own current collectors." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Don't forget to reward your current collectors, and not just chase after new ones.

Tags: collectors | collectorclan | marketing | sales | All Quotes by Luann Udell

Renee Phillips: "As an Artrepreneur you will essentially have three roles: creator of the art; manager of marketing and promotion; and administrator. They should fit and balance each other as when creating a triptych." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great example of how to balance the creative, marketing and administrative tasks of running a business.

James Gurney: " In able hands, decoration is a gift, a joy, virtue. Decoration is not a frosting applied to form. When it's well orchestrated, it meets our fundamental desire for visual rhythm, order, and variety of scale. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: James Gurney responds to Frank Gehry's declaration that decoration is a sin.

Tags: artists | beauty | | All Quotes by James Gurney

Stapleton Kearns: "My time and art are precious. Treat yours the same way, it will encourage others to treat it that way too." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Stape warns against entering too many expensive juried shows.

Joanne Mattera: "So here's what I would tell my 20-year-old self from the vantage point I have now: It's fine to think of art as a career. And a career doesn't appear out of nowhere. It has to be cultivated for galleries to notice you, for sales to take place. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: What advice would you give your 20 yr old self?

Lori Woodward: " I sell paintings at outdoor art shows. I've also had great success at plein air events and from my FineArtStudioOnline website. Most of my website sales are from past collectors, but I've had some sales through searches and collectors' referrals." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A fascinating interview with successful artist, Renee Lammers.

Tags: success | artists | sales | | All Quotes by Lori Woodward

Robert Genn: "If everything in a picture were exactly as in nature, there would be little to engage anyone, much less give them something to talk about. Art fascinates for reasons the artist and the viewer cannot always define." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Sometimes it's the mistakes we make in our art that make it interesting to collectors.

Tags: wisdom | inspiration | creativity | collectors | All Quotes by Robert Genn

Alyson Stanfield: "Don't wait around for the perfect gallery. Go! Find a space! Embrace it! Don't worry about expectations. Just get your art out in the world." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: How are you sharing your art with the world?

Tags: galleries | artists | exhibits | opportunities | All Quotes by Alyson Stanfield

Luann Udell: " In my heart, I know it can take years to be an 'overnight success'. And no one succeeds by giving up." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: An inspiring post about finding success & never giving up.

Tags: inspiration | wisdom | success | All Quotes by Luann Udell

Armand Cabrera: "The best painters use the knowledge they have obtained as an outline or guidepost for the efforts, many times adding their own unique perspective to age old fundamentals." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some thoughts on knowledge and formula in art.

Tags: mastery | skill | technique | learning | All Quotes by Armand Cabrera

Ann Rea: "The market, the weather, even the level of our talent is outside of our control. But you do have complete control over your attitude. And this drives your discipline, focus, and ability to attract collectors." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Do you have the right attitude for success?

Donald Fox: " The path of a creative person can be demanding in itself and the learning curve is steep. Feedback is immediate and not always positive. Have you created support for yourself?" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Do you have a support system in place for your art and career?

Cory Huff: "Creation is difficult sometimes. It causes pain - emotional and spiritual, sometimes even physical, pain." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Why do you create?

Barney Davey: "Growing where you are planted and appreciating what you have are keys to happiness" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Barney talks about finding small scale success.

Robert Genn: "But in my vast and virtual part-time mentoring practice...I also see highly optimistic, ambitious women who value education and are willing to put in time and treasure to achieve their goals." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: An interesting post on the future of women in the arts.

Tags: artists | success | wisdom | | All Quotes by Robert Genn

Moshe Mikanovsky: "Today I want to share with you my 3 favorite reference image libraries which I've been using for some time now as the main source for my paintings." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Resources for artists who work from photographs.

Tags: images | photography | artists | | All Quotes by Moshe Mikanovsky

Warren Keating: "When starting or reorganizing your online art selling business, consider your pricing strategy realistically, but with courage and conviction. The worst mistake you can have is an inconsistent pricing structure that will shake buyer confidence" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: What's your pricing strategy?

Cory Huff: "Implementing an effective social media strategy takes focus, structure, discipline, and genuine enthusiasm, not unlike cultivating a rich and dynamic art practice. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: How are you organizing your social media strategy?

Tags: socialmedia | marketing | networking | connection | All Quotes by Cory Huff

Stacey Cornelius: "You have an idea. A message you want to send to the world. You think about what you want to say: the concept, the emotion, the impact on your audience. You make a plan. You select your tools, begin work." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: An inspiring manifesto on creativity (and marketing).

Tags: creativity | marketing | wisdom | inspiration | All Quotes by Stacey Cornelius

Maria Brophy: "Seminars, workshops and retreats could be just the thing to send you into expertise level yourself." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Maria explains the value in learning from other experts.

Tags: learning | advice | wisdom | | All Quotes by Maria Brophy

Joanne Mattera: "Metaphorically speaking we're islands working alone in our studios, so bridges are the way we get our work and efforts out into the world. [...] Burning bridges, then, is a radical act." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A thought provoking post on burning bridges and how that affects your career.

Alyson Stanfield: "If you're not ready to apply what you learn, pass it by. You can gather information until the sun turns lavender, but nothing will serve you until you're ready to receive it." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some questions to ask yourself before signing up for new learning experiences.

Tags: learning | wisdom | advice | | All Quotes by Alyson Stanfield

Michael Nobbs: "It bears saying over and over again that the way to stay creative is to be kind to ourselves. To not push ourselves more than we are able, to nap when we need to, to keep some energy in our energy banks, to drink tea and eat cake and, yes, to have some fun!" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Do you remember to inject some fun in your life? Or does it fall by the wayside?

Tags: creativity | happiness | wisdom | All Quotes by Michael Nobbs

Doug Farrick : "Artists are self starters and so we need to stay motivated. There are many ways in which you can motivate yourself as a creative person" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: 7 great ideas to get yourself motivated in the studio.

Tags: | All Quotes by Doug Farrick

Luann Udell: "When it seems like nothing you wish for comes true, ask yourself, "Am I dreaming big enough to last a lifetime?"" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A beautiful post by Luann on making sure what you wish for is big enough.

Robin Sagara: "Whether you want to sell only your original artwork or you plan to offer prints or license your designs, you'll need great images of your work." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Ten things that you need to know about images.

Tags: artists | marketing | images | | All Quotes by Robin Sagara

Ann Rea: "If an artist comes to me looking for a concrete road map, they're in trouble. Everyone's destination is very different. So we don't know in the beginning exactly how they're going to get there." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Do you have a road map for your art business?

Armand Cabrera: "I am defining Sunrise/ Sunset paintings as images where the sun is placed in the picture. These situations are more difficult to pull off and the approach needed is counter intuitive to the way a painter normally handles an outdoor sketch." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A useful post on how to paint sunrise and sunset scenes.

Tags: mastery | skill | technique | learning | All Quotes by Armand Cabrera

Robert Genn: "It's not just that we are given our day--it's what we do with it. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great post on seizing the day.

Alyson Stanfield: "Most people will be blown away that you took the time to personally acknowledge their automated subscription. I say Yes! Do it! Send a personal Thank You to their inbox and turn them into a fan for life." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: When someone subscribes to your newsletter, do you send a personal thank you email?

Brian Sherwin: "Leave fame and fortune up to chance-- focus on creating art and gaining exposure for your art today." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: How do you define success as an artist?

Sandra Haynes: "Instruction is nice and will get you down the road faster than trying to "invent the wheel" by yourself, but in the end, you must put brush to canvas. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: At the end of the day, you just have to do it.

Nicole Crist : "As with anyone who uses their creative skill to make a living, you've simply got to maintain your skill set. I often look at my whole financial picture and when it shows up lacking I tend to cut out my own necessary physical and artistic maintenance needs first. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Do you make sure there's room in your budget for maintaining your artistic skills?

Tags: money | budget | artists | mastery | All Quotes by Nicole Crist

Robert Genn: "Artists just need to know that wherever they choose to hang out, they need to have a level playing field. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Robert Genn talks about committees, sales and rejection.

Tags: opportunities | artists | juries | | All Quotes by Robert Genn

Stacey Cornelius: "When you're in the midst of creating marketing materials it's easy to forget that customers are people with lives as interesting and complicated as your own." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: How well do you know your customers?

Tags: collectors | collectorclan | marketing | sales | All Quotes by Stacey Cornelius

Alyson Stanfield: "Social media is about sharing, giving, and liking. It's not about maintaining control." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Alyson reminds us that as long as people are interacting with us, it doesn't matter where that is.

Alyson Stanfield: "I think venues often view local talent as cheap labor. They tend to pay more to guest artists who have to travel." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Make sure you don't undervalue your skills when teaching.

Luann Udell: "If we don't think we are amazing, it is simply because we are afraid of what that might mean." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A beautiful post on appreciating our own gifts.

Tags: inspiration | happiness | wisdom | | All Quotes by Luann Udell

Tara Gentile: "If you have difficulty defining what you want life to look like, consider what it is you really need" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: When planning your goals, think about what you really need.

Tags: goals | money | sales | | All Quotes by Tara Gentile

Maria Brophy: "Licensing allows artists to do what they do best: create art." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some good advice on whether to license your art or manufacture it yourself.

Alyson Stanfield: "Take care to understand when and how the money will come in. If you do this exercise without thorough deliberation (number crunching!), you won't reap the benefits." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Here's how to plan your income goals for the next year.

Tags: action | money | plans | | All Quotes by Alyson Stanfield

Helen Aldous: "Selling your work too cheaply won't mean that you sell more. Collectors perception of worth is wrapped up in price so it will just mean that people perceive your work as less valuable and worthwhile." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great post on why it's necessary for artists to value their work.

Tags: artists | money | value | | All Quotes by Helen Aldous

Cory Huff: "Remember that many campaigns reach their goal in the eleventh hour. Plan ahead, and play both the long and short game!" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some great tips for crowdfunding your creative projects!

Alyson Stanfield: "Do I recommend annoying an art critic? Absolutely not. Do I recommend being proactive and not waiting for things to happen? Absolutely! " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great example of being proactive in your art career.

Robert Genn: "We have a responsibility not just to those who have gone before, but to those who will carry on after us. Do not drop your brush. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Robert Genn discusses art and grief.

Keith Bond: "Don't neglect the power of the quiet. Don't neglect the power of reflection...Just as the batteries to all of your gadgets need to be recharged from time to time, so, too, does your spirit need recharging. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Do you take time away from technology & input to recharge?

Tags: wisdom | inspiration | creativity | | All Quotes by Keith Bond

Lisa Call: "Getting really good at something requires putting a lot of time into it. Not everyone, in fact few, are willing to do this. Because it requires sacrifice. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: What are you willing to give up to achieve your dreams?

Armand Cabrera: "Too much blue in moonlight scenes seems to make them less effective than if an artist orchestrates his colors and shifts them to the cool end of the spectrum still retaining the reds and yellows and greens with less saturation and lower values. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Armand Cabrera shares some good pointers for painting night scenes.

Tags: mastery | skill | technique | learning | All Quotes by Armand Cabrera

Maria Brophy: "I want everyone to know that they can design a lifestyle that they love, no matter what obstacles there are." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Maria encourages everyone to reach for their dreams!

Hugh MacLeod: "To be small, quirky, unique, ferociously independent and still be able to survive. A true "global microbrand"." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: I love this definition of a "global microbrand"

Tara Gentile: "You can't force flow. You can't schedule it or plug it into your calendar. To achieve flow, you need to prepare yourself for space." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Great post about making room for creative flow.

Tags: creativity | flow | productivity | | All Quotes by Tara Gentile

Seth Godin: "The artist never forgets the few who came through when it really mattered." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Why artists need support.

Tags: artists | support | collectorclan | | All Quotes by Seth Godin

Heather Craft: "What makes art good? It's the conscious act of boldly putting brush to canvas." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A discussion of what makes art good art.

Tags: mastery | quality | value | success | All Quotes by Heather Craft

Stacey Cornelius: "Don't expect your customers to just find you - marketing is your responsibility." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: 6 very important art marketing lessons.

Tags: marketing | publicity | context | All Quotes by Stacey Cornelius

Robert Genn: "To get the dopamine flowing, you need a relationship with your work that is beyond obligation, expectations of perfection or cash flow. Profound creativity and steady work habits need a state of genuine desire." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: How do you build anticipation before heading to the studio?

Mark McGuinness: "A writer is someone who writes. A painter paints, a musician makes music, and so on. You only earn the title - and your work will only get better - by doing it." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: How to become a professional at whatever is you want to do.

Kirsty Hall: "Creative Commons offers six different licenses, which allow you to control the way your work is used. All Creative Commons licenses require that you, the creator, are credited so people can't take your work and pass it off as their own." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Confused by Creative Commons licences? Kirsty Hall explains.

Tags: copyright | artists | legal | | All Quotes by Kirsty Hall

Moshe Mikanovsky: "What I wanted to share with you today is how I found myself jumping over the fence, and instead of reading a Call for Artists, I actually made one - an experience that helped me understand better what is actually involved in organizing an art exhibition. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Moshe shares what he learned from organizing a juried art show.

Tags: learning | exhibits | opportunities | | All Quotes by Moshe Mikanovsky

Leo Babuta: "The best art is created in solitude, for good reason: it's only when we are alone that we can reach into ourselves and find truth, beauty, soul." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Alone time is vital to your creativity.

Tags: creativity | habit | artists | | All Quotes by Leo Babuta

Cory Huff: " I get a lot of email. Why would I want to read something that says "Jane Doe Newsletter January 2011?" What is the newsletter about? Why is it relevant to me?" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Do you do any of these artist newsletter no-nos?

Alyson Stanfield: "Arts writers and critics are a dying breed in newspaper print. But they're everywhere online. Does the impact of media attention affect how you work?" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Interesting questions about the media and how it affects you as an artist.

Stapleton Kearns: "The economy has made it harder to make it as an artist. Doing this blog is part of my adjustment to that reality.If you want more out, put more in." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Stape talks about why he writes the blog.

Tags: success | generosity | attitude | | All Quotes by Stapleton Kearns

Miranda Aschenbrenner: "What would happen if you never tried something new or took a risk with your art? You would do the same thing over and over. Giving yourself permission to make mistakes liberates you from this kind of stagnation." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Do you let yourself make mistakes?

Lori Woodward: "Hanging on a famous artist's coattails will not do anything for your art career because, It's not Who You Know, It's What You Know - and how you put that knowledge to use." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Lori shares her experience with Richard Schmid and Putney Painters.

Helen Aldous: "People may see and like your work or visit your website but they are unlikely to remember to come back. Keeping their details on a mailing list will enable you to keep in contact and keep your work fresh in their mind. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: 5 solid goals for your art success this year.

Alyson Stanfield: "Getting a grip on your past income makes it easier to understand where the money will come from in the future." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A really great way to determine your income goals for 2011.

Tags: money | goals | sales | artists | All Quotes by Alyson Stanfield

Stapleton Kearns: "Taste is terribly underestimated and I often see well made art that fails because it lacks taste.Taste is the integrity of aesthetics." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Stape writes about the theory and aesthetics of art and painting.

Tags: mastery | | learning | quality | All Quotes by Stapleton Kearns

Luann Udell: "It's the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, spiritually. I simply stopped listening to the little voices that told me how how futile it all was. Note that I said I didn't stop hearing the voices. I said I stopped listening to them. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Luann shares how she overcame her self doubt.

Deber Klein: "Though it may not be intentional, it is imperative we artists be aware of our tendency to get caught up in the distractions of the moment and forget to listen. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: The most beautifully written post about learning to listen.

Robert Genn: "Clients can make unusual demands. While many client complaints are legitimate, they often have something to do with the retaking of power. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Robert Genn talks about client-artist relations in commissions.

Tags: commissions | artists | collectors | | All Quotes by Robert Genn

Stapleton Kearns: "The ability to paint something is the same thing as the ability to draw it." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Stape talks about the importance of a strong foundation in drawing.

Tags: mastery | skill | technique | learning | All Quotes by Stapleton Kearns

Sue Favinger Smith: "The legacy of Modernism for me was the misconception that we're responsible for moving the Art Flag forward into new territory. Since, realistically, this is nearly impossible, I've spent years feeling insecure about my efforts." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Fascinating post on the progress of art.

Tags: artists | creativity | wisdom | | All Quotes by Sue Favinger Smith

Stapleton Kearns: "For all artist's worried about permanence, it is good to note that oil paintings are by nature pretty enduring." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Stape discusses the durability of oil paints.

Tags: mastery | | learning | quality | All Quotes by Stapleton Kearns

Keith Bond: "Creativity begets creativity. Yes, the act of doing usually leads somewhere...wherever that may be." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some simple but great ideas for getting over artist's block.

Tags: creativity | blocks | action | artists | All Quotes by Keith Bond

Alyson Stanfield: "You may think that galleries, curators, and critics have the power. And they do. They have as much power as you give them. You're in charge of your art career." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: It's time for a change of mind-set - put galleries in your stable instead of the other way around.

Luann Udell: "What is the story you tell about yourself that is holding you back from doing the things you really want to do?" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: I love this post on the ways we hold ourselves back.

Tags: | All Quotes by Luann Udell

Tara Gentile: "Perfectionism is a process. Being perfect doesn't come at step one or even step one hundred for that matter. Perfection is something to strive for but not something to get hung up on." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: An inspiring post on what perfection really means.

Robert Genn: "The great artists, illustrators or not, leave a trail of their own personality." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: The choices you make about your paintings are what give it personality.

Tags: artists | mastery | vision | | All Quotes by Robert Genn

Luann Udell: "I don't care if only a few hundred or a couple thousand people in the world ever own an original 'Luann Udell'. As a friend said years ago, "Just because there's a demand for your work, doesn't mean you have to paper the world with your art." " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Luann warns artists against cheapening their artwork with mass reproductions.

Mark McGuinness: "If you aren't using your website to collect e-mail addresses of potential customers, then your website is like a bucket with a hole in it. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: 10 big mistakes artists make when marketing online.

John Cogan: "As artists, our integrity is one of our most valuable assets." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A discussion of ethics and copying artwork.

Maria Brophy: "So the next time things get messy, and you feel disappointment, decide to make the best of it. Find peace with it. Because the moment you find peace with it, things will begin to flow in a better direction." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great reminder to just go with the flow.

Tags: happiness | inspiration | wisdom | | All Quotes by Maria Brophy

Alyson Stanfield: "Remember that social media is about being social. It's about being helpful, kind, and generous." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: An example of how Twitter can benefit your art career.

Lori Woodward: "It's important that we use a set of principles to judge our work by. Take your feelings out of the process, because feelings aren't always accurate and can change from day to day." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Lori shares the criteria she evaluates her work with.

Tags: criticism | artists | mastery | All Quotes by Lori Woodward

Drew Kimble: "Are you willing to do what it takes to become a full-time-making-money kind of artist/writer/musician? In order for that to happen, you're going to have to find the motivation and the self-discipline to put in the work when nobody else is looking." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: What are you willing to give up to achieve your dreams?

Luann Udell: "the next time you have a project, an idea, a glimmering of something that makes your heart beat a little faster...Listen hard for the imaginary can't/shouldn't/no-way thinking." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: What imaginary reasons do you have for not going after your dreams?

Tags: inspiration | happiness | beliefs | | All Quotes by Luann Udell

Steven Pressfield: "If you're feeling panic, congratulations! Panic is good. We panic, almost always, when we're on the brink of success." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Freaking out? Maybe that's a good thing.

Tags: fear | creativity | resistance | | All Quotes by Steven Pressfield

Sue Favinger Smith: "I don't see how an artist can continue to create exciting work if she is not excited about doing it. And the toughest thing about self mentoring is that you're working through your difficulties in a vacuum." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: An interesting discussion on learning & mentorship.

Tags: mastery | learning | skill | critique | All Quotes by Sue Favinger Smith

Alyson Stanfield: "Do you feel pressure to write the perfect blog post in a single sitting? That's rarely how good blog posts come together." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Stuck on what to write for your blog? Here are some great ideas.

Stapleton Kearns: "A painted passage looks best if it is painted authoritatively. That is more likely to happen when you know exactly what you intend to do, and do it, not as the result of reworking over and over again." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A fascinating post on John Constable's working methods & the progression of art.

Tara Gentile: "Part of the problem with being busy is that you often don't realize your own busyness until you stop at the end of the day, drained." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great post about getting control over your time again.

Kirsty Hall: "Most people fail at resolutions and goals because they punish themselves with them. Why? Do you want to change a habit or do you just want to wear a hairshirt? Choose." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some advice for how to set 2011 goals you'll actually achieve.

Robert Genn: "James Siena said, "Your success will come out of the work you do, not who you know, what parties you go to, or what you wear."" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some quotes from a new book on contemporary New York painters.

Tags: artists | wisdom | inspiration | | All Quotes by Robert Genn

Armand Cabrera: "Painting outdoors people tend to pay attention to the primary light source in a scene and maybe some reflected light but rarely do people include all three sources. If you spend a little more time observing before painting, you will see the effects of all three giving your paintings that sense of light that we all seek as painters." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Armand Cabrera discusses the 3 major light sources when painting outside.

Tags: mastery | skill | technique | learning | All Quotes by Armand Cabrera

Lisa Call: "As I step my art career forward to bigger and better things, I find that paying for quality services is money well spent." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A review of Paypal versus E-junkie and why Lisa Call prefers E-junkie

Tags: money | sales | websites | | All Quotes by Lisa Call

Ann Rea: "Have faith. Focus on the possibilities not the problems. When problems come up, focus on the solutions." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: 12 steps to success for artists.

Brian Sherwin: "Point blank-- vanity galleries have no incentive to sell art because they have already cashed in on the artist, so to speak. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: No sugar-coating here - why exhibiting at vanity galleries is a very bad career move.

Shawn Sullivan: "Ultimately it's the work that counts. Stop beating yourself up about your day job and just make the most out of what you've been given. If you're giving it all that you got, what more could anyone ask?" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great article on why you shouldn't be ashamed of your day job.

Robert Genn: "The studio is a place of dreams, and dreams, though always vulnerable, are good for us." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Despite the technological advances we've made this decade, painting is still going strong.

Tags: artists | creativity | technology | | All Quotes by Robert Genn

Renee Phillips: "Boldness comes from having the confidence and certainty to take chances even when others disagree or disapprove. In fact, "No, you can't" may be the most powerful motivation to prove "Yes, I can!"" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: An inspiring piece about never giving up.

Lisa Call: "Marketing isn't a mystery anymore. It's about connecting with the people that will buy my art or help me sell my art. It's about telling my story and finding my people. There aren't any tricks, it's just a lot of work. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A nice explanation of what marketing really is.

Tags: marketing | wisdom | sales | artists | All Quotes by Lisa Call

Moshe Mikanovsky: "The skies are really the limit as it goes with new technologies. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great new way to use technology to promote your art.

Tags: artistsmarketing | technology | | All Quotes by Moshe Mikanovsky

Carolyn Henderson: "It is a good goal, and a lofty one, to make a living off of one's art. Whether one achieves this goal, however, does not determine whether one has made a success of one's life. A truly successful life is one that incorporates honesty, integrity, honor, perseverance, diligence, and a concern for others." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great article on marketing your art.

Michelle Nickolaisen: "It's one of my theories that when we don't value our selves and our gifts, it directly harms other people." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Are you underpricing yourself?

Steven Pressfield: "Creative types notoriously come unpeeled when the vision they've invested their identity in suddenly and catastrophically unravels." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A tongue-in-cheek but honest look at how to pick up the pieces when your creative project unravels.

Renee Phillips: "In my experience, luck is the result of knowing what you want and actively pursuing your dreams with determination and self assurance. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Success and luck happen when you take action.

Tags: success | opportunity | action | risk | All Quotes by Renee Phillips

Sonia Simone: "If marketing makes you throw up in your mouth a little, quit doing it. Instead, just let your potential customers know who you are. Let them know how your thing will make their lives better. And tell them, very clearly and specifically, what to do next." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Hate marketing? Here's what to do instead.

Maria Brophy: "If you don't know what you want, then you can't get it. To get what you want, you have to decide what you want." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Maria offers some thoughts on setting goals for 2011 and shares ideas to get you started.

Tags: goals | planning | action | | All Quotes by Maria Brophy

Alyson Stanfield: "There are many other people who will tell you to relax and enjoy this week. Not me! I see it as a terrific time to buckle down and get ready for what's ahead in the New Year. Tie up those loose ends and get a fresh outlook for what's ahead." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Get 2011 started on the right foot!

Tags: productivity | goals | action | planning | All Quotes by Alyson Stanfield

Robert J. Simone: "Naturally nobody wants to struggle or fail. But real growth usually involves discomfort. That's why they call them growing pains. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great article on better brush technique.

Tags: mastery | skill | technique | learning | All Quotes by Robert J. Simone

Lisa Call: "It goes against my over achieving nature to create such sort todo lists, but I also know from experience that it is the best way to get me back on track. Making long lists I don't complete tends to just keep me stuck. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Lisa shares her methods for getting back on track after the holidays.

Ann Rea: "Successful artists don't follow the herd. They express their remarkable and unique selves and they lead." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: As an artist, you're unique, so use that to your advantage!

Tags: marketing | sales | artists | | All Quotes by Ann Rea

Diane Olsen: "We are all facing incredible, unprecedented changes in our world, our economy, and in the marketing of our art." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: As the world becomes more focused on technology, how do you reconnect with your creativity?

The FASO Team: "During this holiday season, please remember to give of your heart. When you give of your heart in whatever form of 'gifting', it is a gift with sincerity, the truest art form of all." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: The FASO team wishes you peace, joy and love in this season and the next.

Tags: gratitude | happiness | wisdom | faso | All Quotes by The FASO Team

Renee Phillips: "Successful people are confident they will succeed. Most people begin a project, career or activity hoping that they will achieve the desired results. Those who are successful begin knowing they will achieve the desired results." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Renee shares the secrets to success.

Molly Gordon: "If you sell a premium product or service, one that costs more than you typically spend, you may feel like you and your just-right clients are on a different page when it comes to money. This can alienate you from your tribe." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great article about forming a tribe around your work & the stumbling blocks to doing that.

Robert Genn: "When we are gracious and open to the miracles of the universe, the dynamics of human intercourse and the service of our art, " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Robert Genn talks about the spirit of generosity in artists.

Luann Udell: "As far as my collectors go, I appreciate what they ALL did. They all loved the work. They all believed in me. They all wanted to support my efforts. They bought something because they loved it, and they wanted it, and they felt it was worth it." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A wonderful article on appreciating ALL of your collectors, big and small.

Renee Phillips: "Sometimes it's difficult when we receive a series of rejections or when someone in our professional sphere whom we hold in esteem hurts our feelings. This happens to everyone: it's part of the human experience. It's how we handle it that helps us to grow stronger or weaker." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some thoughts on how to handle rejection as an artist.

Tags: artists | rejection | criticism | | All Quotes by Renee Phillips

Charlie Gilkey: "Experienced entrepreneurs perform at the level they do because they have years of training. We've fallen into enough holes to know how to climb out of them." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: When we see experienced entrepreneurs & artists, we forget that it took them years to get there.

Armand Cabrera: "Painting outdoors offers the artist a unique chance to observe these affects firsthand. When painting from nature it is important to leave your preconceived ideas at home and be open to the experience. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some good tips on painting a believable sky in your landscapes.

Tags: mastery | skill | technique | learning | All Quotes by Armand Cabrera

Steven Pressfield: "We have to create a safe space, where we can work without fear. A space where we can fall on our faces and it's still okay. We can be wrong, we can be crazy, we can go over the top - and we'll still love ourselves and accept ourselves." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Steven Pressfield talks about the importance of creating a safe space to do our creative work.

Lori Woodward : "Lately, I've had conversations with seasoned collectors, art editors, and artists -- it seems we're all coming to the same conclusion: The time is rapidly approaching where collectors will not primarily buy artwork from brick and mortar galleries." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Times are changing - Lori offers some advice on how to find new collectors.

Tags: marketing | galleries | artists | collectors | All Quotes by Lori Woodward

Alyson Stanfield: "To ensure that you don't miss vital tasks that will make your project a success, take time to gather the details for each project in a single place." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A simple, effective system for keeping track of your projects

Helen Aldous: "BE REAL and CONNECT with your customers! They are the lifeblood of your business." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A touching story about Christmas and the power of authentic marketing.

Stapleton Kearns: "Go for drama, don't let everything get all muddled together into a middle tone. Key the lights up, but don't wash out every one of your darks, keep a few for contrast. The lights won't look light unless there are a few darks for contrast." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some good advice for painting on gray days.

Tags: mastery | skill | technique | learning | All Quotes by Stapleton Kearns

Seth Godin: "Art is hard. Selling is hard. Writing is hard. Making a difference is hard. When you're doing hard work, getting rejected, failing, working it out--this is a dumb time to make a situational decision about whether it's time for a nap or a day off or a coffee break." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Showing up is the key to doing great work.

Mark McGuinness: "Because my day is a limited size, I figure it makes sense to limit the size of my to-do list. If I can't fit the day's tasks on the Post-It, I'm not likely to fit them into the day." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A handy productivity tip to stop your to-do list from raging out of control.

Robert Genn: "The golden rule is not to send substandard work out in the first place. Shows, dealer pressure and too many galleries can degrade your quality. To keep your standards high you need to learn to be an ever-vigilant, ever-dedicated student of your own product. Your destiny depends on it. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Robert Genn talks about how to prevent substandard work leaving the studio.

Tags: mastery | quality | skill | galleries | All Quotes by Robert Genn

Stapleton Kearns: "Perhaps the design structures that we as artists build under our paintings may not lead the eye about the painting (though perhaps it does ) but it may present an attractive geometric armature that serves as decorative reinforcement to the flow of the painting." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A fascinating discussion of eye movement & the effectiveness of design and composition.

Tags: design | heauty | mastery | | All Quotes by Stapleton Kearns

Keith Bond: "There is a huge difference between being busy and being productive. Eliminate the time wasters and focus on the tasks that will get you to your goals. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Keith Bond shares his tips on how to balance creating and marketing.

Alyson Stanfield: "Your vision is just that. It's how you see your future. More to the point, it's what you want for your future. Your vision includes your art, your career and your personal life. It's a broad description of how you want to live this life you were given." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Alyson talks about vision and setting goals, projects & tasks.

Tags: goals | vision | action | All Quotes by Alyson Stanfield

Joshua Kaufman: "There is a difference between owning a copyright and registering for a copyright. A basic copyright is obtained by an act of creation. An idea is not protectable, only the specific expression of an idea." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: The top four legal issues facing artists today.

Hugh MacLeod: "My advice for anyone trying to succeed on the web is, make the highest-end product you can, and then target the tiny handful of people- the microaudience- who are likely to buy it." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Great marketing advice on microaudiences.

Brian Sherwin: "Should art speak for itself-- or can the voice of art, so to speak, be strengthened or weakened by details of the personal life of the artist behind the artwork?" Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: An interesting discussion of how our views on art are affected by our knowledge of the artist.

Stapleton Kearns: "You will receive exactly the equal of the effort you put in. If you work towards your goal in an orderly and rational way you are assured progress. It takes a fabulous amount of work to be good at painting. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Stape gives some good advice to a student artist.

Tags: mastery | skill | technique | learning | All Quotes by Stapleton Kearns

Robert Genn: "Paintings have stories. Paintings carry karma. Paintings can brighten the spaces between brothers. Paintings given away and perhaps just starting their rounds already have more going for them than a lot of those that have merely been sold. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: An interesting discussion of the karma of art.

Moshe Mikanovsky: "You see, art always has a purpose. Whether it is functional or emotional, it is there to do something. Find what is it that you art does, and you will find your niche. " Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some pointers on finding your art niche.

Charlie Gilkey: "One of the chief goals of living the creative life is to do to it for the long-term. There's a time and a place for sprints, but, without careful integration, sprints often make your work incoherent and deplete you at the same time." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: A great post on creating a sustainable creative practice.

Helen Aldous: "Your title needs the WOW factor. This is the only thing that will get your email opened. Make it intriguing and different." Visit this link >>

Sarah Lacy: Some tips for writing a great art newsletter.

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