My column on Smart Creative Women, "Smart Creative Mom" appeared July 5, 2013. Take a look!
Kim Weineck is popping in again while I am up in New Hampshire. Kim has a fabulous painting retreat to Vermont planned Aug 4-7 at the darling Amee Farm. Rustic and luxurious, you get to spend several days painting the gorgeous countryside of Vermont under Kim gentle instruction. (She is just the best teacher!) AND for the foodie in you, there is a farm-to-table event planned as well! Lots of yum! You can find out more details here.
Recently I was at an art show discussing the artwork on display, some of it mine, with someone I had never met before that night. The exchange of dialogue went something like this –
Art Lover: I’ve been a fan of your work for a long time. It’s so nice to finally meet you in person.
Me: (a little dumbfounded) That’s quite nice to hear. (More pleasantries were exchanged.)
Art Lover: When you posted this painting on your blog, I enjoyed your backstory about what drew you to make this piece. I’ve had similar experiences and it was great to learn you did, too.
Me: It’s funny how that often happens.
Me: (a little dumbfounded) That’s quite nice to hear. (More pleasantries were exchanged.)
Art Lover: When you posted this painting on your blog, I enjoyed your backstory about what drew you to make this piece. I’ve had similar experiences and it was great to learn you did, too.
Me: It’s funny how that often happens.
Yesterday this was in my email in box:
Online Follower I didn’t know I had: I want to register for your August Workshop in Vermont. It sounds like such fun, and I’m excited to take a class with you after following you and your work on line for a while.
Me: That’s great! I’m glad you’re excited about it, too! It’s going to be such fun!
Me: That’s great! I’m glad you’re excited about it, too! It’s going to be such fun!
A comment on one of my paintings I’d pinned to my Pinterest pin board read:
“This is beautiful. Is it for sale?”
These three examples proved something to me: It all matters. “It” is the effort you make to put yourself “out there” in that place (often scary if you’re doing it for the first time) for others to see and offer their response. As a mother of two young girls, doing this is a question of managing my time. For the short amount I have to myself, I want to spend it making art rather than marketing it!
What I’ve learned is that marketing doesn’t take a ton of time. Just get it done – something. Period.
* Write that blog post about what you’re doing (it can be quick and short!)
* Post something on your Facebook page. (Don’t have time? Share something great in your feed!)
* Sign up for an Instagram account and photograph some pictures of your process.
* Create a Pin Board on Pinterest of things you’re doing – this can be ANYTHING at all!
* Post something on your Facebook page. (Don’t have time? Share something great in your feed!)
* Sign up for an Instagram account and photograph some pictures of your process.
* Create a Pin Board on Pinterest of things you’re doing – this can be ANYTHING at all!
Whatever your method, do something to show off your talents! Don’t put it on hold. When you hit “publish” or “send” it doesn’t go into the ether. Someone is noticing. Some days the effort to be visible is tantamount to climbing Everest, but when you start, you’ll find it’s more of an anthill. Your work is too special to be kept quiet. SHOUT IT OUT!
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