Alyson loves writing, designing, and publishing the magazine, calling it "the newsletter that thinks it’s a magazine." Through Snapshot!, she promotes others who, in turn, help promote her.
By embracing rejection, artists can push their boundaries, take more risks, and ultimately protect and elevate their reputations.
The post Producing a Monthly Digital Magazine with Alyson Sheldrake (ep. 199) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Every month for ten years, Alyson Sheldrake has published Snapshot!, an extensive digital magazine that promotes her work, her husband’s photography, and local businesses. And when I say extensive, the most recent edition was 128 pages!
Every. Single. Month.
She calls it “The newsletter that thinks it’s a magazine,” which makes me giggle.
In her words, Snapshot! covers “art, photography, books, reviews, events, interviews, rescue dogs, authors, and news about the beautiful Algarve in Portugal.” That’s a lot of territory, and, as you’ll hear, provides a plethora of story ideas for future content.
Writing, designing, and publishing the magazine is not a grind for Alyson. She loves doing it. It’s a comfortable way to market for her that just so happens to reach about 17,000 people with each edition.
Key takeaway: Through the magazine, Alyson promotes others who, in turn, help promote her.
Might a digital magazine be something you would consider? Listen to how she does it.
Listen
Scroll down to watch the interview video. ↓
Mentioned
Alyson Sheldrake Quotes
“I’m creating something people can just take maybe half an hour out of their lives and just chill out for a while and read.”
“I have a problem with stopping every month, not with actually filling the pages.”
“My basic aim for it is to entertain and to inform people and to quietly and gently go, Oh, and don’t forget … I do paintings and don’t forget I write books.”
“Stop thinking about promoting your work. Who else could you promote that then might promote you?”
“That’s the joy of running your own magazine. It doesn’t matter how many pages I have.”
“I always like a mind map. I love doing that. So you put your painting in the middle and just go mad for a while. Think of all the crazy ideas of all the things that might connect with that painting that you’ve done.”
Related Episodes
Other artist-authors I have interviewed on The Art Biz.
About My Guest
Alyson Sheldrake is the former editor of Portugal Letter magazine, and a feature writer for the Algarve’s Tomorrow magazine. She also publishes her own monthly newsletter/magazine called Snapshot!
An author and artist, she lives in the Algarve, Portugal, with her husband Dave, a professional photographer. Her latest book, Kat the Dog, is an award-winning bestseller in both the UK and US.
Read the latest issue of Snapshot! and subscribe.
Follow Alyson on Instagram: @alysonsheldrake
The post Producing a Monthly Digital Magazine with Alyson Sheldrake (ep. 199) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>In this conversation, Jason encourages you to find the additional gifts that will differentiate you from other artists and allow you to move beyond comparanoia and jealousy. We also discuss his income streams and collaborating with his wife, Kim.
The post Beyond comparison and jealousy with Jason Kotecki (191) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>What “game” are you playing in your art business and in life?
Artist-writer-speaker Jason Kotecki makes the point that you have a unique game plan to follow—one that can’t be compared to another artist or online personality.
Say goodbye to comparanoia. Adios to jealousy.
Comparing yourself to others is taking you off course and leading you down a path that was never intended for you.
More than 10 years ago, Jason—surrounded by hundreds of people at a conference in a Philadelphia ballroom—had an epiphany when he figured out his game plan of merging his artistic and speaking talents. He quit trying to be someone else and started using all of his gifts to set himself apart.
In this episode of The Art Biz, Jason and I discuss:
- Practical steps you can take to curb our tendency to compare ourselves to others, which can often lead to jealousy.
- The benefits of having a “talent stack” to differentiate yourself.
- The breakdown of Jason’s income streams.
- Collaborating in business with his wife, Kim.
Listen
Highlights
01:39 Embracing your unique ‘must be nice’
07:33 Merging art and speaking
16:28 The sketchbook comes first in Jason’s creative process
21:29 Navigating comparison and jealousy
24:04 Playing your own “game” in art and life and why it’s important
27:03 Embracing your unique artistic voice
30:12 Moving beyond comparison
37:03 Building diverse income streams as an artist
38:38 The power of partnership in art and business
40:30 Jason’s marketing strategies
42:28 Jason’s upcoming events and creating experiences
Mentioned
- Leon Festinger, psychologist
- National Speakers Association
- The Talent Stack concept
- “I’ll have the number 8” scene from Parks and Recreation
- Matt Foley, Chris Farley’s motivational speaker character on SNL—I had to watch this again for a good afternoon chuckle
Jason Kotecki Quotes
“I started to really think bigger about how I could incorporate my different talents.”
“It doesn’t do us any good to whine or complain or put ourselves down because of, or wish for someone else’s ‘must be nice.’ Our job is to figure out what ours are.”
“Comparison can be really good in a healthy way when we’re looking at where we want to improve—what we can learn from them.”
“Really drill down on what you are about. Why are you doing this? And when you have that certainty, it’s a little bit easier when you’re making this comparison.”
“The more we see ourselves like someone, the more likely we are to compare ourselves.”
“When we’re playing the comparison game, we don’t see the hard road they took to get there. The sleepless nights, the effort they put in.”
Related Episodes
These episodes center on mindset.
About My Guest
Jason Kotecki is an artist, author and professional speaker. Jason and his wife Kim have made it their mission in life to help people and organizations break free from Adultitis to build better lives, businesses, and teams. His colorful and whimsical art has been licensed and collected all over the world. He is the author of seven books, including Must Be Nice: Your Guide to Growing Beyond the Compare Game. An avid eater of sugar-laden cereal, Jason enjoys Star Wars, soft t-shirts, and brand new tubes of paint. He and Kim homeschool their three weird kids and live in Sheboygan, Wisconsin where they eat way too many cheese curds.
Follow him on Instagram @escapedadulthood
The post Beyond comparison and jealousy with Jason Kotecki (191) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>But this had an addition. It included a reference to one of my clients after the words Podcast Pitch. One of my favorite clients. This one I have to pay attention to.
The podcast pitch in question came from Lilianne Milgrom, who had just finished writing a book. (Again, the thought of "oh no" entered my head. Another artist-turned-author.) You can see that I was skeptical, but her pitch was perfect. I get tons of podcast pitches, but none have been better than hers. It was right on target.
I gave her book a go and, truthfully, couldn't put it down. I looked forward to reading it every night. I didn't want to finish. It was that good.
It contained art history, intrigue, sex, and scandal. How could it not be fascinating?
My conversation with Lilianne in this episode of the Art Biz Podcast isn't only about the book. It's the story of how the book came to be—which is a lesson in itself—and has its roots in her decision to be a copyist at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, copying Courbet's scandalous painting, L'Origine du Monde (The Origin of the World). She learned valuable lessons, exercised her courage muscle, and became a better artist as a result. The experience led to the writing of the book that so engrossed me.
Lilianne and I talk about all of that and how she juggles her art and writing. She also shares tips for pitching to podcasts, which are equally valuable for other media pitches.
⚠️ WARNING: This post and interview contain art (and what some might see as imagery and conversations for adults only)
The post The Art Biz ep. 87: Secrets from Copying a Masterpiece with Lilianne Milgrom appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>The subject line in my inbox said Podcast Pitch. Oh no, another one of these, I thought.
But this had an addition. It included a reference to one of my clients after the words Podcast Pitch. One of my favorite clients. This one I have to pay attention to.
The podcast pitch in question came from Lilianne Milgrom, who had just finished writing a book. (Again, the thought of “oh no” entered my head. Another artist-turned-author.) You can see that I was skeptical, but her pitch was perfect. I get tons of podcast pitches, but none have been better than hers. It was right on target.
I gave her book a go and, truthfully, couldn’t put it down. I looked forward to reading it every night. I didn’t want to finish. It was that good.
It contained art history, intrigue, sex, and scandal. How could it not be fascinating?
WARNING: This post and interview contain art (and what some might see as imagery and conversations for adults only)
My conversation with Lilianne in this episode of the Art Biz Podcast isn’t only about the book. It’s the story of how the book came to be—which is a lesson in itself—and has its roots in her decision to be a copyist at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, copying Gustave Courbet’s scandalous painting, L’Origine du Monde (The Origin of the World). She learned valuable lessons by copying a masterpiece, exercised her courage muscle, and became a better artist as a result. The experience led to the writing of the book that so engrossed me.
Lilianne and I talk about all of that and how she juggles her art and writing. She also shares tips for pitching to podcasts, which are equally valuable for other media pitches.
Listen
Music by Wildermiss
Highlights of Copying a Masterpiece
- Lilianne shares the timeline of her artist journey. (3:22)
- The difference between a consistent studio practice and making consistent work. (5:56)
- The premise and genesis of Lilianne’s book L’Origine. (9:15)
- A full list of Lilianne’s reasons not to become a copyist of this scandalous painting. (13:08)
- The fascinating rules for copying a masterpiece at the Musée d’Orsay. (16:36)
- Overcoming the most uncomfortable aspects of this endeavor, including the unsolicited comments from museum visitors. (20:21)
- Differing male and female reactions to the painting. (25:43)
- The inspiration that comes from writing about your painting. (26:55)
- Turning a once-in-a-lifetime artist experience—and the painting it centers on — into a novel. (29:40)
- What makes a piece of art timeless and relevant? (35:13)
- If this artwork is shocking today, imagine how it was received in the 1800s. (40:20)
- Lilianne explains why her copy of L’Origine du Monde is not currently on display. (42:12)
- Lessons learned from interacting with such a famous and controversial artwork. (43:38)
- What does Lilianne’s studio practice look like now? (46:43)
- The secret to pitching your idea in a way that gets results. (48:10)
Resources
- Musée d’Orsay in Paris
- L’Origine du Monde (the painting)
- Little French Girl Press (L’Origine, the book)
- Video of Lilianne copying the painting—almost 9million views!
- Art in Fiction website
Lilianne Milgrom Quotes
“Writing is like painting with words.”
“This painting gave me the sense of empowerment, which at the beginning felt like an embarrassment, and it turned out to be this enormous feeling of liberation and empowerment.”
“This certainly changed my life. As far as my art, it’s made me fairly fearless.”
“The written word and art, they can’t be separated because you’re going to need to express yourself.”
About My Guest
Lilianne Milgrom was born in Paris, grew up in Australia, and currently resides in the United States. Milgrom holds two degrees from Melbourne University and an associate art degree from the Academy of Art in San Francisco. She exhibits her artwork around the world and is the recipient of multiple awards.
In 2011, Lilianne became the first authorized copyist of Gustave Courbet’s controversial painting L’Origine du Monde (The Origin of the World), which hangs in the Orsay Museum in Paris and draws over a million visitors a year. After rendering a near-identical copy of Courbet’s masterpiece, she spent close to a decade researching and writing L’Origine.
Find Lilianne on Instagram: @liliannemilgrom
Music by Wildermiss
The post The Art Biz ep. 87: Secrets from Copying a Masterpiece with Lilianne Milgrom appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Why not do it?!
Writing a book could increase your credibility, contribute to your legacy, and impact many lives.
A lot of people think that writing a book is the hard part of getting your book published. Not to take anything away from the difficult work that goes into the writing, but it is only a small portion of the entire book publishing process.
I learned about the process when the first edition of my book, I’d Rather Be in the Studio, was published in 2008 and was reminded of the long book-publishing journey when the 4th edition was released earlier this year. There are so many moving parts and, like many businesses today, book publishing is a fast-moving industry.
Those moving parts come, of course, with an expense line in your budget, which means it’s very helpful to know what you’re getting into before you start down the book production path.
You really want to know 1) that you will be able to pay for the cost to publish and 2) at what point you’ll begin to make a profit. In order to accomplish that second thing (the profit thing), you also need a marketing plan specifically for your book.
I confess I didn't talk to enough people.
My guest for this episode of the Art Biz Podcast is artist Carol McIntyre, the author of I Just Want to Paint: Mixing the Colors You Want. In the book, Carol teaches a step-by-step color mixing method for frustrated painters of all media who want to stop making mud and start mixing the colors they want with ease.
Listen now to hear Carol's process and advice so you can avoid the sticker shock of publishing your own book.
The post The Art Biz ep. 37: Publishing a How To Book for Artists with Carol McIntyre appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Why not do it?!
Writing a book could increase your credibility, contribute to your legacy, and impact many lives.
A lot of people think that writing a book is the hard part of getting your book published. Not to take anything away from the difficult work that goes into the writing, but it is only a small portion of the entire book publishing process.
I learned about the process when the first edition of my book, I’d Rather Be in the Studio, was published in 2008 and was reminded of the long book-publishing journey when the 4th edition was released earlier this year. There are so many moving parts and, like many businesses today, book publishing is a fast-moving industry.
Those moving parts come, of course, with an expense line in your budget, which means it’s very helpful to know what you’re getting into before you start down the book production path.
You really want to know 1) that you will be able to pay for the cost to publish and 2) at what point you’ll begin to make a profit. In order to accomplish that second thing (the profit thing), you also need a marketing plan specifically for your book.
I confess I didn’t talk to enough people.
My guest for this episode of the Art Biz Podcast is artist Carol McIntyre, the author of I Just Want to Paint: Mixing the Colors You Want. In the book, Carol teaches a step-by-step color mixing method for frustrated painters of all media who want to stop making mud and start mixing the colors they want with ease.
Listen now to hear Carol’s process and advice so you can avoid the sticker shock of publishing your own book.
Music by Wildermiss
Highlights
You will hear Carol and I talk about the following.
- Where the idea for the book came from and how she got encouragement to make it happen.
- How the book fits into Carol’s vision for her art business.
- The difference between print-on-demand books and self-publishing larger quantities.
- The must-have book specs that led Carol to work with a Chinese printing company.
- An account of all of the people Carol hired to help her in the publishing process, and the role of each person.
- What it costs to publish a book.
- What Carol’s profit is per book depending on whether she sells at a local bookstore, from her website, or on Amazon. Spoiler: Support an artist and buy direct from her!
- What Carol wishes she had known in advance.
- When and how Carol began pre-selling the book and the brilliant thing she did to keep early buyers happy when the book was delayed.
- The additional marketing she is doing to promote the book.
- Why it’s critical to have people around who support you during the long process.
- Carol’s very honest disclosure of experiencing burnout and how she got back on track.
Mentioned
- Colorado Independent Publishers Association
- My podcast with Helen Hiebert, Carol’s accountability partner, about multiple income streams
- Carol’s color-mixing course on BluPrint (formerly Craftsy)
- Carol’s book, I Just Want to Paint: Mixing the Colors You Want
About My Guest
Carol A. McIntyre’s first run-in with the “color police” happened when she was in kindergarten. Her teacher asked the class to choose two favorite colors that went well together. Carol spoke up. “Red and orange,” she said, whereupon the teacher declared, “No, these two colors don’t go together!” She grew up and proved her teacher wrong.
Early in her painting career, she was surprised by the lack of easy-to-understand color theory classes. This motivated her to develop a simpler way to mix color which, in turn, would empower artists.
Carol has helped over 3,500 painters see and mix color differently. She is an award-winning artist who is a signature member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America and holds associate memberships with the Oil Painters of America and the American Women Artists.
Follow Carol on Instagram.
Music by Wildermiss
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 17 years working with artists.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and get your business in shape.
The post The Art Biz ep. 37: Publishing a How To Book for Artists with Carol McIntyre appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Rather than feeling icky about having a “business,” she embraced it and learned to channel some of her creativity into making money from her talents.
The post Transform your creative ideas into multiple income streams with Helen Hiebert (18) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>My first contact with artist Helen Hiebert was back in 2010 when she took one of my classes after she heard about my book, I’d Rather Be in the Studio. It’s been fun to watch her grow into a successful artist-entrepreneur.
On the heels of my interview with Dianna Fritzler about transitioning to a full-time artist, I thought it was perfect for you to hear about Helen’s journey.
Ten years ago, Helen didn’t think of her art as a business. Her shift of mindset changed everything and she now makes her living as a working artist. Rather than feeling icky about having a “business,” she embraced it and learned to channel some of her creativity into making money from her talents.
She says:
Probably the biggest lesson for me has been learning how to keep myself entertained (I think any creative loves to do new things all the time) but to create a framework that allows for that. I’m thinking of my blog specifically. I now have a rotation of things I do throughout the month that is fun for me to generate and (hopefully) my readers to discover!
See? You can have fun and run a successful art business at the same time. You only need a structure to contain that fun.
In this interview, Helen and I focus on her multiple income streams, which include (rough estimates):
- Art installations (10%)
- Artist books (30-35%)
- Teaching for hire, in her studio and online (30%)
- Twelve Months of Paper calendar, how-to books and class kits (20%)
- Sponsorships (5%)
Much of what she has tried and implemented has been learned from watching what other artists and non-artists are doing, and tweaking it to fit her approach.
We also discuss Helen’s process for creating online content, which has its roots in the analog world she started in. Her success comes from networking, interviewing experts, and collaborating. From that evolved both her blog and podcast.
Helen’s blog is The Sunday Paper – a weekly roundup of news from the world of paper, including news from her own studio. Her monthly podcast, Paper Talk, is the happy result of an unsuccessful grant application to document artists working in the field of hand papermaking.
Please enjoy this conversation with Helen Hiebert.
Music: Keep It Simple by Wildermiss. Used with permission.
Listen to or subscribe on iTunes.
About My Guest
Helen Hiebert is a Colorado artist who constructs installations, sculptures, films, artists’ books and works in paper using handmade paper as her primary medium. She teaches, lectures and exhibits her work internationally and is the author of the books Papermaking with Plants, The Papermaker’s Companion, Paper Illuminated, Playing With Paper, and Playing With Pop-Ups.
Helen’s most recent installation, The Wish, is a giant dandelion sculpture at Anythink Huron Street Library in Denver.
She holds an annual paper retreat in her Red Cliff studio each September. Read and subscribe to The Sunday Paper.
Listen to this later interview with Helen: Intermittent daily practices for creative growth
The post Transform your creative ideas into multiple income streams with Helen Hiebert (18) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>I was intrigued to learn how Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin came together to write their new book Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts, and Conversations.
It’s a gorgeous tome that has quickly become the go-to resource for anyone who wants to know anything about cold wax. (We were talking 2nd printing already!)
In this episode we discuss:
- How Rebecca, in Wisconsin, and Jerry, in the Bay Area, collaborated long distance.
- How they funded the book’s production.
- How they divided the writing process.
- How they are marketing (successfully!) Cold Wax Medium.
I also asked them to share advice for other artists who might be interested in writing a book.
Please enjoy this behind-the-scenes peek at how this book has become a hit.
LISTEN NOW...
The post The Art Biz ep. 9: How Two Artists Self-Published and Are Promoting a Successful Book Together appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>I was intrigued to learn how Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin came together to write their new book Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts, and Conversations.
It’s a gorgeous tome that has quickly become the go-to resource for anyone who wants to know anything about cold wax. (We were talking 2nd printing already!)
In this episode we discuss:
- How Rebecca, in Wisconsin, and Jerry, in the Bay Area, collaborated long distance.
- How they funded the book’s production.
- How they divided the writing process.
- How they are marketing (successfully!) Cold Wax Medium.
I also asked them to share advice for other artists who might be interested in writing a book.
Please enjoy this behind-the-scenes peek at how this book has become a hit.
LISTEN NOW…
Music: Keep It Simple by Wildermiss. Used with permission.
Listen to or subscribe on iTunes.
About My Guests
| Jerry McLaughlin has been a working visual artist for twenty years and has exhibited at galleries throughout the U.S. His work is in collections around the world.
An expert in all things cold wax, he focuses his major energies on painting, teaching, and writing. As a teacher, Jerry’s strength lies in identifying and addressing his students’ individual needs. Trained as a pediatric intensive care physician, he also holds a certificate in adult education from the University of Washington. Jerry lives in Oakland, California. |
 |
| Rebecca Crowell has been a professional artist for thirty years and is widely known for her innovative painting techniques involving cold wax medium and oils.
She teaches these methods both in the US and internationally. Her work is handled by fine art galleries in Chicago, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Telluride, and Dublin, Ireland and is found in hundreds of private, public, and corporate collections. Rebecca holds an MFA in Painting and lives in rural west-central Wisconsin. |
 |
The post The Art Biz ep. 9: How Two Artists Self-Published and Are Promoting a Successful Book Together appeared first on Art Biz Success.
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