Your Art Matters

Being paid to: Have a community of people around you. Make art all day. Use your studio space. Learn from you. Have a break. These are some of the ways you can create a membership platform where people pay you on a monthly, quarterly, 6 monthly, or annual basis. I know this sounds incredibly daunting and scary to many, as it did for me when I first started!  I have had many questions about knowing if a membership is the right decision for you and your art - so I am giving the download it today’s episode. I also take you through the steps Sharon took to create a pop-up membership that earned more that £15,000 in one month. Stu’s Full Membership Experience Course has opened for enrollment, click >>here<< to learn more:

Wow - this was a bumper LIVE episode as we talked with artist, Bonny Snowdon. Bonny broke down her whole journey from not making art in 30 years to self-taught, fully booked artist with thousands of students. Bonny kindly shared how she managed to increase her pricing by building a waitlist and managed to exit her fulltime job to fulltime artist within 12 months. Celebrating £ 1 million in turnover this year, Bonny has overcome challenges and set backs but found success as she works daily on her mindset and beliefs. Bonny spoke of her success and credits her mindset and the people she has around her.   This was such a great episode, we may have to bring Bonny back for a round 2 as we could have kept talking. If you want to learn more about Bonny, click here: https://www.bonnysnowdonacademy.com https://www.instagram.com/bonnysnowdonacademy Want to learn to draw an otter in 7 days? Bonny is hosting a coloured pencil week where you will do just this :) https://www.bonnysnowdonacademy.com/coloured-pencil-week-may-2024  

This was a live podcast where I brought in my mentor, Stu McLaren. We talked about my past and how Stu has impacted my life in the most profound way ever. We talk about how you can use your creativity to impact others and make money at the same time. Imagine being paid to make art? With money coming in month after month.  I get paid to make art, and I don’t have to sell it - how crazy is that ? This episode is super special to me as Stu has shown me ways of living I never knew possible and I have a feeling some of you need to hear this - so enjoy. Here are what others are saying about this episode: I am SO GRATEFUL I didn’t miss this - Nikki McDiarmid I discovered you during a painful moment in my life 4 years ago, you have helped me believe that my art not only matters to me but to others too.  I am following your recommendations and growing as an artist.  Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart - Lia Pintaryrelajar2206 (YouTube)

In today’s podcast, I set out to talk in-depth about how a free training I took back in 2016 changed my life in the most profound way. Although I do talk about it - I don’t go into detail as I find it emotional to talk about. To think that back in 2016, when I signed up for a free workshop with Stu McLaren, and how my life is unrecognisable now moves me to tears. I spent years in emotional turmoil, lost and struggling financially. Stu taught me not only how to create a membership platform, but how to find myself, teach others, build confidence and armed me with incredible knowledge. In today’s episode I share insights into how you can use what Stu teaches to not only make more money from your creativity, but to enrich your life  

My son was getting quite angry and upset as he wanted to buy an Xbox but didn’t have the money.  We can all relate, I am sure - there are many things I want but don’t have the money :) So, our motto is every problem has a solution - and so we created a project plan and worked out how he could earn the money. He decided to sell his art and we broke down the steps of how he could do it. I share behind the scenes today of what we created as the lessons here relate to us all as it comes down to setting a financial goal and finding a way to hit it.

What if I told you the mistakes you make are increasing the value of your art? We often disregard our mistakes, which can impact our confidence negatively.  Yet, our trials and errors are what make our art great. This is what I talk about in today’s episode. What if you are a beginner? With no trials and errors? Does this devalue your work?? Nope, I also talk about this in the episode.

Making art that sells - a term some people love and for some it brings feelings of guilt, shame and a sense of selling your soul. This week, I explore this topic as it relates to making art with the intention of selling. For me two primary considerations contribute towards sales: Making art (or anything) that is like you - by this I mean leaning into what makes you unique.  Your art reflects you, and the more you understand this, the more you can communicate this.  This applies to what you make, identifying what makes your work different to everyone else, and also leaning into your story - as there is a story behind every artist and every artwork. Learning what people want - this means either getting to know your audience, if you have one and learning what sells.  A particular frame?? A certain animal??  Or if you don’t have an audience, it’s about looking at a particular area of art you are interested in and looking around to see what works.  Taking note of scale, frames, patterns, colours and so on. This what I talk about in today’s episode. If you haven’t signed up to the next FREE art workshop called The Art Of Your Life, click here to register: This workshop is run by Nicholas Wilton and it starts on 4th March.  It’s delivered over 3 days and replays are available. It is an entire week of teaching from Nicholas, designed to help you make art that is stronger and more like you. A lesson in how to make art that stands out from the crowd.  

I remember looking at my painting and wondering what was wrong with my creation. It didn't seem right, but I couldn't determine why.   It was like when I had found an inspirational image and tried to replicate what I saw but failed miserably.   I've taken courses in drawing, acrylic, life drawing, watercolour, textiles, collage, ceramics - the list goes on. The one thing I have learned over time is that art is a language.   It doesn't matter how many courses you take; if you don't learn the fundamental elements that contribute to what art is, you will always struggle.   I’ve learned this is a surprisingly common challenge…    So common, in fact, that my friend Nicholas Wilton has decided to address it in his upcoming FREE workshop. Click here to save your seat in the free Art of Your Life Workshop! Specifically, he will be covering the first 3 (and most important) stages in the Art2Life Process, including DESIGN: Why so many people with lots of education, degrees and experience still struggle to make art they love How to master composition in a way that will quickly elevate your art   VALUE:  How to strengthen your discernment — that internal compass — that tells you when to go further, pivot, or pull back with your art How to create a beautiful kind of depth and balance in your art   COLOUR:  How to add a vibrant new level of dimension AND subtleness to your work with a perspective on color you haven’t heard before! How to feel more confident in your creative choices — so you can begin making art MORE like YOU.

A wonderful talk with artists as we delve into the success they have experienced since working with us. We discuss hoe they use the Best Year Yet process and how their journeys have evolved over the years from taking action. Lisa shared how she was shaking like a leaf when it came to sharing her only drawing with us - this was 3 years ago.  Today, Lisa sold work and sat in her studio on the call. You can learn more about today’s featured artists here: Simone Paterson Jane Powell Lisa Potter Jenny Stevenson  Enjoy

A wonderful live podcast episode where we bring in artists who share how they plan their year ahead. We talk about having goals, not having goal, having a calendar, not having a calendar and all the different ways you can adapt our best Year Yet training to design your life in your own way. A super session if you are keen to do more of what you love in 2024.