Season 2

08
Oct
2018
Season 2 Finale – 5 Key principles for starting a creative business

Season 2 Finale – 5 Key principles for starting a creative business

 

 

 

This season finale shares 5 key principles distilled from conversations with all my guests on the series:

Catherine Orer – Award-winning Business and PR strategist for artists

Jo Downs – The UK’s leading designer of fused glass with 8 of her own galleries

Jeff Goins – Best-selling author of “The Art of Work” and “Real Artists Don’t Starve”

Alix Sloan – Gallery owner, artist coach, and author of “Launching your art career: A practical guide for artists”

Mike Goldmark – Iconoclast and owner of Goldmark Art gallery, selling functional pottery alongside fine art

Pete Mosley – author of “The Art of Shouting Quietly”,  a book about self-promotion for introverts, shy entrepreneurs, and other quiet souls

Jason Borbet aka ‘Borbay’ – Artist entrepreneur and Forbes staff writer on art and art business

Posted by user in Art business, Artist Entrepreneur, Artrepreneur, Business, Creative business, Season 2
30
Sep
2018
Borbay – Artist, writer and entrepreneur

Borbay – Artist, writer and entrepreneur

“everything is a brand”

borbay.com

 

 

 

Jason is an artist, author, and entrepreneur. As an artist, he goes by the single name of ‘Borbay’ and even has his own logo. And this exemplifies so much of his approach to being an artist. Every aspect of what he does is a considered act of branding and storytelling, which we dig into in this conversation. Jason’s also written numerous articles for Forbes that explore the business side of the art world.

Other topics we cover include:

– Jason’s extraordinary career path from graphic designer to stand-up comedian to working in the corporate world and recruitment, before finally committing to being a full-time artist. At the ripe old age of 28.

– we cover how the skills he learned from working with some of the top video game companies have influenced how he markets his art

– his relationship with collectors

– managing commissions and why it’s sometimes better to say ‘no’

– his pricing strategy and why he raises his prices every single year

– some of the key strategies he has used raise his profile as an artist

I am so excited to have Jason on the show, as he exemplifies the idea of the artist as entrepreneur. And he does it in a way that integrates seamlessly with his creative practice, so much so that being an entrepreneur almost appears to be a part of his practice. If you are looking for creative ways to share your work, want to shake up how you think about marketing your work, or are just looking for a bit of inspiration, then you will enjoy this episode!

Oh, and you definitely need to check you his Challenge to Listeners at the end! (Or you can read it here.)

Posted by user in Art business, Artist Entrepreneur, Artrepreneur, Business, Painting, Season 2
23
Sep
2018
Pete Mosley – Writer, coach and speaker

Pete Mosley – Writer, coach and speaker

“what is it that you want your customers or your audience to love about what you do?”

@petemosley
petemosley.com

 

 

 

Pete is a writer, coach and speaker. He’s also the author of the book “The Art of Shouting Quietly; A guide to self promotion for introverts and other quiet souls” which is aimed at brilliant people out there who have fabulous products and services but who struggle to promote themselves through shyness, introversion, or a mistrust of the marketing process.

In this conversation, we cover a number of topics from the book and Pete’s wider experience of coaching quiet people in communicating the value of their work. These include:

– practical strategies for identifying your own key values (and we also cover why this is so important)

– how quietness can be a strength – even in marketing!

– how to find and use the voices of others to help promote your work

– practical steps you can take to protect yourself from plagiarism when sharing your work online

– and ways to think about and build confidence

Pete’s gentle and considered approach offers an inspiring alternative to anyone who’s uncomfortable with the idea of selling and promoting their work.

 

Be sure to check out Pete’s Challenge to “Build Your Confidence” on the Creative Challenges Page.

 

And if you’re interested in buying a copy of Pete’s book, the affiliate link below* will take you straight to it on Amazon.

The Art of Shouting Quietly: A guide to self promotion for introverts and other quiet soulsThis is Pete’s book on self-promotion specifically for ‘introverts, shy entrepreneurs, and other quiet souls.’ Pete was a brilliant guest on the show, and if you want more guidance in his delightfully patient and understanding voice, this is the place to go!

 

 

 

 

 

Other books by Pete worth checking out:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* An affiliate link means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Posted by user in Art business, Artist Entrepreneur, Artrepreneur, Business, Creative business, Season 2
09
Sep
2018
Alix Sloan – Gallerist, Art Consultant and Author

Alix Sloan – Gallerist, Art Consultant and Author

“you are your own client…hire yourself to manage your own career”

practicalartists.com
sloanfineart.com

 

 

 

 

Alix is a gallerist, art consultant, and author of “Launching Your Art Career: A Practical Guide for Artists”. She has spent years in the art world connecting artists with collectors, as well as teaching artists how to take charge of their own careers. In this episode we cover:

– the importance of being clear about your goals as an artist; whether it be money, fame, status, influence, or something else entirely

– when and why it might be worth considering hiring an art coach

– the importance of keeping ‘office hours’ as part of your practice

As well as a host of practical actions you can take to start working towards your goals.

Alix is full of fun, warmth and understanding, and couples this with a no-nonsense, actionable approach to launching and building a career as an artist. So please enjoy this episode of The Practical Creative Podcast.

 

Be sure to check out Alix’s Challenge to “Set ‘Office Hours’” on the Creative Challenges Page.

You can also download a free copy of Alix’s “Career Goals Worksheet.”

 

And if you’re interested in buying a copy of Alix’s book, this affiliate link* will take you straight to it on Amazon.

Launching Your Art Career: A Practical Guide for Artists

Alix mentions this in on the podcast.  This is the book she created when she realised that there were few, authoritative books on the practical steps artists would need to take in order to start their careers.  This is based on Alix’s years of experience working in galleries, coaching artists, and working with collectors.  It also includes advice from her network of artists and art dealers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* An affiliate link means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Posted by user in Art business, Artist Entrepreneur, Artrepreneur, Business, Creative business, Season 2
06
Sep
2018
Mike Goldmark – Owner of Goldmark Art Gallery

Mike Goldmark – Owner of Goldmark Art Gallery

“there’s not success or failure…there’s just doing”

goldmarkart.com

 

 

 

Mike runs the Goldmark Art Gallery, a fascinating space that sells work to collectors around the world. But this is, by no means, your traditional art gallery. Mike has a unique approach to sales, marketing and promotion (which we get into), but he has also made the bold decision to sell functional pottery alongside fine-art.

In our conversation, we get into:

– why Mike invests thousands of pounds to great stunning videos about the artists he represents (and I encourage you to check them out, they are truly beautiful)

– why he’s chosen to sell functional craft items alongside fine art and how that works practically

– why he’s NOT out to maximise profit

– Mike’s personal connection to pots made by great potters (and honestly, it’s worth listening to this episode for that alone)

– his belief in the transformative power of great art

– and why most creative people should keep their day jobs

Mike is a true iconoclast, with strong views and opinions formed over 50 years of building and running his business on his own terms. Goldmark Art is a testament to his clear vision and unapologetic views on what it means to be an artist and to sell art, and they are a great challenge to us all.

 

This is one of the many beautiful videos that Mike produced to promote the work of artists represented by the gallery, and was also the inspiration for this interview. You can see more films by Goldmark Art here.

Ceramics Profile | Kang-hyo Lee: Onggi Master from Goldmark Gallery on Vimeo.

 

Posted by user in Art business, Artist Entrepreneur, Artrepreneur, Business, Ceramics, Creative business, Season 2
02
Sep
2018
Jeff Goins – Writer, speaker, and entrepreneur

Jeff Goins – Writer, speaker, and entrepreneur

“the world is not going to value your art…until you do”

goinswriter.com

 

 

 

Jeff is a writer, speaker, and entrepreneur. He is the best-selling author of five books, and his award-winning blog Goinswriter.com is visited by millions of people every year. In this conversation, we talk about his book “Real Artists Don’t Starve” where Jeff lays out principles that any creative can use to move from being a ‘starving’ artist to become a ‘thriving’ artist.

We cover a lot in this episode, including:

– how being a ‘starving’ artist is actually a choice, and one that you can change

– the importance of thinking like a professional

– what it means to be ‘original’ and why it’s actually easier than you might think

– and why it’s important to never work for free

In this conversation we talk about some of the broader principles in Jeff’s book, as well as some of the personal shifts Jeff made in order to become the thriving writer that he is today.

If you’re interested in practical strategies and guidelines to help you thrive as an artist or creative, then there’s something here for you!

Be sure to check out Jeff’s Challenges of either Practicing in Public or Charging Something for your work on the Creative Challenges Page.

 

 

 

And if you’re interested in buying a copy of Jeff’s book “Real Artists Don’t Starve”, this affiliate link* will take you straight to it on Amazon.

Real Artists Don’t Starve: Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age

This is a brilliant book that clearly lays out a practical steps any creative can use to start thriving as an artist. Jeff sets out a manifesto that he calls the “Rules of the New Rennaissance” where he establishes principles to underpin the way you approach your Mind-set, Market and Money. It’s an easy read, highly actionable, and highly recommended!

 

 

 

 

Other books by Jeff that are definitely worth checking out:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* An affiliate link means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Posted by user in Art business, Artist Entrepreneur, Artrepreneur, Business, Creative business, Season 2
26
Aug
2018
Jo Downs – Fused-glass artist and artrepreneur

Jo Downs – Fused-glass artist and artrepreneur

“I am not limited by not giving something a go.”

jodowns.com

 

 

Jo is the UK’s premier fused-glass artist and designer. Her private commissions appear on cruise ships, in some of the most prestigious hotels, and in private homes, around the world. In this conversation, we talk about some of the key principles that moved her from a solo-maker with a kiln in her bedroom to running a business with 8 galleries and over 40 employees, all focused on making and selling her work.

Other topics we cover include:

– some of the key decisions Jo made that placed her work directly in the front of major buyers, leading to prestigious commissions

– the potential dangers of commissions, and how Jo managed to narrowly avoid disaster

– this is balanced with the potential huge benefits to taking commissions, and Jo talks about a project that she’s currently working on

– what it’s like to turn over control and trust other people to execute your designs

– we also talk about Jo’s constant drive to experiment and say “Yes”, and how these have both been instrumental in getting her where she is today

I found this to be a fantastically inspiring conversation, and I hope that you do too!

You can find Jo’s challenge to “Getting Out There” here on the Creative Challenges Page.
Posted by user in Art business, Artist Entrepreneur, Artrepreneur, Business, Creative business, Glass, Sculpture, Season 2
19
Aug
2018
Catherine Orer – Business & PR Strategist for Creatives

Catherine Orer – Business & PR Strategist for Creatives

“Who do you want to serve with your art?”

theartistentrepreneur.com

 

 

 

Catherine is an award-winning Business & PR Strategist and founder of The Artist Entrepreneur, where she counsels professional visual artists and creative entrepreneurs who want to build sustainable businesses and careers. This was a fantastic conversation just chock-full of practical, actionable strategies that you can use to help move your creative career forward. We cover a fantastic range of topics including:

– the importance of identifying your core values as an artist
– how these values can help you to then identify and connect with, and even sell to, your ideal audience
– we dig into what it means to be a ‘brand’ and why it may not be as negative as you think
– we talk about the basic formula for making sales
– the importance of educating your audience
– and so much more

This really is a treasure trove of information, so tune your ears!

You can find Catherine’s challenge to “Set A Quarterly Focus” here on the Creative Challenges Page.

 

Catherine’s free resources for listeners:

Posted by user in Art business, Artist Entrepreneur, Artrepreneur, Business, Creative business, Season 2
18
Aug
2018
Season 2 Trailer – The Business of Creativity

Season 2 Trailer – The Business of Creativity

 

 

 

A quick introduction to Season 2 of The Practical Creative Podcast.  I’ll be exploring the “Business of Creativity” by talking to art coaches, PR consultants, gallerists, and  artist entrepreneurs about how the mindset and skills artists and creatives can use to earn an income from their work.

Over the next seven episodes, you can hear my conversations with:

Catherine Orer – Award-winning Business and PR strategist for artists

Jo Downs – The UK’s leading designer of fused glass with 8 of her own galleries

Jeff Goins – Best-selling author of “The Art of Work” and “Real Artists Don’t Starve”

Alix Sloan – Gallery owner, artist coach, and author of “Launching your art career: A practical guide for artists”

Mike Goldmark – Iconoclast and owner of Goldmark Art gallery, selling functional pottery alongside fine art

Pete Mosley – author of “The Art of Shouting Quietly”,  a book about self-promotion for introverts, shy entrepreneurs, and other quiet souls

Jason Borbet aka ‘Borbay’ – Artist entrepreneur and Forbes staff writer on art and art business

 

 

Posted by user in Art business, Artist Entrepreneur, Artrepreneur, Business, Creative business, Season 2