Comments on: The Case For Focusing Your Creative Energy and How To Do It

By: Nafra Skattysla

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 20:16:39 +0000

Work, read the post and the comments and I’ve got a lot into my head today. I’m an introvert and an all round artist; I draw, paint with any media, i sculpt, i sing and write songs, i do poetry, I’m an illustrator, i do product design and i have a passion for animation. I can do all these things and more.. I’m 25 years old and very much confused on what i should focus on especially for the money. I have long term goals ofcourse, but i need the money. So the post above has somewhat enabled me to differentiate between a personal brand and a business brand, to “surprise the audience and not to confuse”, i laugh at myself sometimes because its me who is confused and not my audience i guess. Well, my goal is to be able to do all these kinds of art as a business brand which might make me some sort of artist entrepreneur. So i think the focus “should” be to do what brings me the money and pray for superhero powers to enable me reach my goal.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Fri, 08 May 2015 19:49:51 +0000

In reply to Alice Simpson.

Oh no, Alice. But I did the math for you. Yes?

I suggest freewriting to help you find the common thread. Or mind mapping. I’ll bet it’s there.

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By: Alice Simpson

Fri, 08 May 2015 16:13:35 +0000

Hi Alyson,
You are pushing my lazy math brain with your tests!

At 73, after a lifetime as a visual artist, I suddenly find myself with a new title: author.
Pulled in several directions, I am trying to stay focused on my audience and how they need to see me.
Are they most interested in my novel, my sculptures or my hand-painted books? Has one thing led to the next and are they all really basically related? Is there a common thread? You have given me something to think about today.
Thanks,
Alice

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By: Cherry Jeffs

Sun, 03 May 2015 15:07:54 +0000

Or perhaps our artist brand is increasingly more personal because audiences are increasingly looking for authenticity…and…as Keena suggests…perhaps if you teach yoga in your art workshops rather than confuse, that just helps your brand because everyone remembers you for that?

It’s not really new for artists to write as well as paint or make movies as well as sculpt. Perhaps the gallery system has been responsible for the myth that artists produce in one medium and style because that was easier for marketing?

My experience has been that the more I embrace the wholeness of who I am, the louder my unique creative voice speaks 🙂

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By: Phil Kendall

Sat, 02 May 2015 05:43:27 +0000

In reply to Alyson Stanfield.

Hi Alyson,
Perhaps making art for one audience is a bit like being the wage slave employee and perhaps surprising your audience is being an independent artist?

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By: Jim Carpenter

Fri, 01 May 2015 23:37:05 +0000

In reply to Alyson Stanfield.

I joke with a former student of mine who is a triple threat – an actor who also sings and dances – after playing a comic lead role in a musical her reputation was solid – then she did a drama and people said “I didn’t know you could act” – 4 months later a musical comedy role people said “I didn’t know you could sing and dance” – 6 months later a comedy role – “I didn’t know you could be funny” – then a lead in WSide Story – “I did’t know you could sing and dance!” Then a dramatic role “I didn’t know you could act”… and this was from people who knew her. Fast forward 30 years – she makes her mark singing in cabaret-type shows – gets labeled a singer – then she plays the lead in a comedy “I didn’t know you could be so funny!” – Seriously, people peg you, label you as a one pony show, and are surprised to discover that you can do more than one thing well.

My favorite experience of this was when after i left teaching where I was known as a person who did theatre, I would show people my paintings and I would hear over and over again “Who knew you were so talented?” LOL! I know it was a complement but the response was so consistent across the board I had to laugh at the implication that they never thought I had any talent in the first place!

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By: Cate

Fri, 01 May 2015 18:55:30 +0000

I love how you mentioned the distinction between producing art and marketing it. I think that’s exactly the wording I’ve been searching for as I work on adding more experimentation into my art. I’m a bit nervous to create things that are completely different from my current style, but I also feel stifled in my current style and long to break out and expand. That differentiation between marketing and creating is exactly what I’m trying to understand as I let myself loose a bit. Thanks!

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Fri, 01 May 2015 14:31:58 +0000

In reply to Keena.

Keena: You touch on the very question I posed above. Maybe it’s not so important anymore. Maybe being fully developed and making amazing work is more important than the branding.

And I’m so happy you distinguished between personal and business brand. I tend to believe they should be simpatico, but I’m willing to explore.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Fri, 01 May 2015 14:29:55 +0000

In reply to Bev.

Bev: So happy you saw this post. I was about to reach out and let you know it was live. Thanks for asking the question.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Fri, 01 May 2015 14:29:24 +0000

In reply to Kristen M. Watson.

Wow, Kristen. You got the label only after making books for a few months?

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