Marie Kondo has made a fortune by telling people how to declutter their homes, so that they get rid of anything that no longer “sparks joy.” This idea has inspired one of my favorite exercises for artists. 

Artists face a challenging paradox. While the creative process itself is dynamic and unpredictable, creative people need structure and order in order to make consistent progress.  

When you declutter your living space, you remove unnecessary belongings. It’s what we do (or intend to do) when we run out of closet space or move to a smaller apartment. When you apply this idea to your art practice, you open up mental space by finding time for what matters most to you.

So here’s how it works. Examine two or three typical weeks in your calendar, where you write down appointments and other commitments. Notice how you actually spend your time, and look for patterns or recurring activities. Then think about your long-term goals, your highest priorities.  How much time do you spend on them in a typical week? 

For example, many of us spend hours each day on administrative tasks, errands, and meetings. Such activities can become automatic, habits that drain your energy. Look at your own calendar, and ask yourself if any of your recurring activities could be eliminated. 

Then remake your calendar by blocking out chunks of time devoted to your most important goals. Mark these times as appointments, just as though you were going to the dentist or meeting a friend for lunch.  When you think about accepting a new invitation, you’ll look at your calendar and see that you’re “already booked.”  You have an appointment with yourself. 

​For many artists this will mean finding the time to create the work that is the core of your practice.

​​​​Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

The Hammer Museum exhibition, Made in L.A., is still on my mind. I wanted to introduce another remarkable artist whose work both dazzles and makes us think.  Young Joon Kwak (she/they) is a Korean American artist and performer, and is showcased in the exhibition’s section called “The Feminine Absurd.”  

This work caught my eye because it shows how the best conceptual art can also be visually stunning, even humorous in how it reveals its intentions. 

Kwak covers bodily forms with resin, glitter, and rhinestones, while inside she gives us glimpses of bodies floating in space. These paintings and sculptures reflect your own image as you move by,  so that you cannot quite identify what you’re seeing. The artist’s work is about different ways of understanding queer and trans bodies, asking us to rethink how we look at bodies, to pause before we label them too quickly. 

Kwak’s art practice is also fascinating because it reveals how beginnings shape a career. Even artists who are now famous often start out in community venues rather than commercial galleries or museums. Young Joon Kwak first showed at Roxaboxen Exhibitions in Chicago, NP Contemporary Art Center in New York, and Commonwealth and Council in Los Angeles, all nonprofit or artist-run spaces.

Such organizations provide support, community, and connection for artists struggling to make their voices heard. It’s not surprising that Kwak’s first publication was titled “Nothing Great Gets Done Alone.”  

So if you’re stuck, or looking for ways to get your own work seen, consider opportunities in nonprofit art spaces. Reach out to these community art venues, support other artists there, and find ways to collaborate. 

It seems to me that nothing gets done alone.

​​​​Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

Last weekend I saw Made in L.A. at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. Curated by Diana Nawi and Pablo Jose Ramirez, this remarkable exhibition brings together 39 artists and collectives now living and working in Los Angeles.

This sixth version of the biennial is subtitled “Acts of Living,” from a statement by the artist Noah Purifoy: “One does not have to be a visual artist to utilize creative potential. Creativity can be an act of living, a way of life, and a formula for doing the right thing.” 

This expansive view of what constitutes art is echoed in the diversity of the artists presented. Not only are all genders and many ethnicities included, but for the first time the selected artists range in age from 26 to 83, with five artists over the age of 70. 

While you can read about the artists’ intentions through curators’ statements on the wall or in the catalog, their works speak to you directly, viscerally, making you smile or frown, or just stand in wonder at such unique and surprising ways of seeing the world.

What does this exhibition say about what it means to be an artist? That your art can be embedded in your life, in your values and commitments and community. The exhibition showcases artists whose art grows out of their everyday lives. For example, Esteban Ramón Peréz, whose work in leather is highlighted above, learned the trade of upholstery in his father’s shop, and used his skills to combine textiles, sculpture, and abstract painting.  

​Acts of Living honors 39 artists who have never given up, who have put all of themselves and all of their values into their art practice. That’s a powerful inspiration for all of us. 

​​​Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

I’ve recently had two experiences with AI. I’ve tried it as a Google-like search tool, and I’m seeing how artists are using AI to jumpstart their writing. Both are worth considering, but you need to proceed with caution. 

​When you use an AI chatbot to ask just about any question, you’ll get what seems to be a thoughtful answer. The chatbot’s response comes in an instant, nicely packaged in short paragraphs, or even a list of steps. In contrast, when you use a search engine like Google, you have to sort and sift, and choose the answers that sound credible to you. It’s a messy process, but you learn as you go. 

The chatbot’s instant response is more efficient, certainly. But it creates the illusion that this is the truth, even though it’s just the result of a sophisticated algorithm looking for answers on the internet. Your own brain is left out of the process, since you’ve avoided the real research, where you struggle to refine and sharpen your inquiry.

Artists are also using AI to help them write about their art, again with mixed results. Sometimes it will stimulate your own thinking process, give you new ideas and new language, or just jump start your own writing. But when you delegate the process of thinking about the meaning of your art, you can end up with a superficial  statement that sounds good but says little.  

All creative work is a messy process of discovery, experiment, risk and reward, a long path toward finding your own voice. When I asked my chatbot about the creative process, it actually agreed with me:  “it is essential to remain open to inspiration and exploration throughout the creative journey.”  

Go figure.

​​​​Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

Recently I upgraded my TV to a “smart” one, thinking it was yet again time to embrace new technology. It was supposed to make my life simpler, as the TV could do all kinds of things it thought I needed.

Alas, weeks have passed and I’m now realizing that my TV, like most such devices, speaks a  language I have to learn. This seems to me also true for artists trying to keep up with an art world that has gone digital. 

Let’s first remember why technology is so challenging for many artists. Creative people perceive the world primarily through the senses. You are visual and tactile, you need to see and touch in order to understand. Yet so many aspects of technology are invisible. Since you cannot get inside your devices to see how they work, you have to learn their language.

Yet that language can be confusing! Many technical terms, like function or format or interface, are abstract, and others are familiar but actually have a different meaning (like my personal favorite, “cookies”). When you don’t know what technology terms mean, you cannot master technical tasks. You have to speak the language.  

So that’s where you start.  If you don’t know how to do a technical task, begin by defining terms. Using Google or another search engine, you might ask “what does it mean to embed an image in an email?” Find an answer written in clear language, with step-by-step instructions, so you can see the words that explain the process. Print out the instructions. Then do it yourself, several times, trying and failing until eventually you get it right.  

​I’m going to talk to my Smart TV now. I think I understand what it’s saying.

​​​Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

We’re in the middle of Summer, and many artists are struggling to find time for their art. Vacations, visitors, or just the pull of a beautiful day can distract you from the structure that holds an art practice together.

Your own working schedule may be quite specific or fairly loose, but most creative people need some structure in order to be productive. Since you don’t get  organized by going to a “regular” job every day, artists have to create their own container.   

But what happens when the demands of your life overwhelm your best intentions?  Experienced artists know that the creative process has its own rhythms. They don’t panic when they veer off course, for whatever reason.  But when you’re just starting out, you don’t quite trust yourself and can go into a downward spiral when you stop making art.

Don’t judge yourself harshly if you need to take off a week or two.  Keep in mind that you might still be working on your art even when you’re not in the studio.  Your mind keeps going, and sometimes you find new ideas or solve creative dilemmas when you’re “not working.”

Don’t try to be perfect.  Holding yourself to an absolute standard of productivity doesn’t usually work for creative people.  Instead, when you know the demands of your life might interfere with your regular schedule, plan ahead.  Preserve a few minutes every day to imagine what you’ll work on when time allows.  Sketch out an idea or make notes in a journal. Keep your intentions alive in your mind.

The secret, of course, is to just begin again. A few breaks can even renew your spirit.  Remember, you’re going to be an artist for a long time.

Sometimes events conspire to remind us that we don’t have unlimited time to do what matters most to us. An accident, an illness, even a celebration can hit us with the realization that time is finite and needs to be honored.

While this truth can be startling, it can also lead to action. When time is short, we might decide to stop putting off difficult conversations or decisions. We might be ready to finally forgive someone, or thank someone, or just acknowledge a truth about ourselves. We might decide to tackle that impossible task that looms in the Land of Should. 

The hardest part is to figure out what matters most. For some it will be our families, or close relationships, or a cause we care about. Artists share all of these commitments, of course, but there is also the work to be done.

Creative people struggle to find a way to express their vision. It’s a messy process, full of doubt and hope, failed experiments and happy surprises. Remember, just doing the work matters, but sharing that work with others is also important. You might not yet have found your place in the big art world, but you can still dedicate time each day to being, or becoming, an artist. The work you make may well last beyond your time. 

So, if time is short and seems to be going by too quickly, do what matters most to you. Do it now.

​​​Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

Rejection hurts. I’ve helped many artists “handle rejection,” but two recent rejections of my own reminded me of what it feels like when the door you were trying to open gets slammed in your face. 

One of my rejections was personal, the other professional. In both cases I had put forth my best effort, indeed my best self. For artists it’s always personal, because your art is part of you.  In order to build your practice you’re always applying for things: juried shows, residencies, grants, awards, and each time you make yourself vulnerable. When rejection happens, you take a body blow. The places that hurt are real wounds, even if they don’t show. 

As I was figuring out how to handle my own rejections, I remembered my favorite advice from a therapist friend: there’s no way through it but through it, so feel your feelings. You might also reach out to your allies for support, and then start to put your suffering in a larger context.

Think about what’s still positive in your life and work. Since rejection can place a dark filter over everything, try to remember what’s going well, what you’re good at and grateful for. This might include friends and family, your work, your talent, everything that remains true in spite of the powerful noise of the NO.

Then step back, and see if there’s anything you can do, or anything you can learn from the experience of rejection. You might take a proactive approach, and get a second opinion, or just keep submitting what was rejected. You could join a critique group so that you get regular feedback from people you trust.

Most of all, move on. One negative opinion does not define your work, or your worth. 

​​​Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

​What would it mean to think of your art practice as a business? Does that idea make you cringe? Many artists believe a business mindset will turn them into an alien being, a steely-eyed accountant instead of a creative. 

Nothing could be further from the truth. When artists don’t have workable systems for handling the business side of art, they spend too much time on administrative tasks. 

You can develop business skills by using basic learning strategies. Identify what’s important to you, research to discover new information, practice, experiment, and find the solutions that work. Gradually you will free up more time and creative energy for your art practice.

Begin with small steps, so that you concentrate on putting the fundamentals in place. Becoming more business-like is not a personality change but a new set of behaviors, things you do on a regular basis.

Here are some activities where you could begin:

1. Pick three goals for your art practice. Your goals might include spending more time making art, applying for grant funding, or finding gallery representation.  Be specific about your goals.
   
   
2. Set up a schedule for working on your goals, and measure your progress at the end of each week.  Share the results with a friend or colleague. 
   
   
3. Track the time you spend making art vs. the time you spend on administration. 
   
   
4. Create a simple ledger, listing income and expenses for your art practice. 
   
   
5. Keep all your art/business receipts in one place.
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6. Find a workable system for organizing images of your art. 
   
   

Remember, the reason to develop business skills is to free up more time for making art! 

​​​​Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

Yesterday I ran out the door and left my cell phone charging on its stand. By the time I realized this, it was too late to turn back. Suddenly cut off from the world of connection, I was at first upset and then had a strange sense of freedom. I had no choice except to let it go.

When you hold on tight, as is sometimes necessary, you do stay focused and are able to concentrate on what needs to be done. You follow a series of steps, and  don’t get distracted by random thoughts. You meet the deadline.

But what do you miss?  When you let go, a creative empty zone may appear, allowing space for the new. The temporary hole left by my absent cellphone generated some new thoughts, and I had to find pen & paper so I could begin to write this post. 

As an artist, what might you let go of, in order to allow energy and space for the new?  Where are you investing too much effort, with little or no return? 

Maybe you’ve been a volunteer in an organization, and it’s time to let new people take over. Perhaps you keep getting rejected from a certain kind of opportunity. Instead of licking your wounds, maybe it’s time to open up new possibilities, new ways of thinking about your life and work. 

When you let go, it doesn’t have to be forever. You can put something on pause, you can take a break, step back and see what it might be like without that item on your agenda.

The art world is constantly transforming itself, and you can do the same. How could you explore new ways of being an artist in the world? 

​​​​Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

Artists, writers, composers and other creatives often tell me about their doubts. They wonder if their art is good enough, if they are on the right path, if they will eventually succeed. My best advice is to keep doing the work. 

When you are outside the creative process, your doubts and fears can overwhelm you. It is only from the inside, when you are actually writing or composing or making art, that you find the necessary confidence to keep going.

If you’re discouraged about your progress in the art world, let your art-making remind you of what really matters. If you’re overwhelmed with challenges in your personal life, let your art-making center you. If you’re in doubt about your own work, remind yourself of its value by making more of it.

So many artists grew up in a family of doubters. Studying art or music isn’t practical, they told you; you can do it as a hobby after you get a real job. Artists who manage to pursue an art career in spite of such advice still hear those voices. Continuing to make art is the best way to silence them. 

It has never been easy to sustain a life as an artist. But if you have chosen to do so, nurture yourself by honoring the art-making process. When your life is complicated, getting back into the studio will simplify it.

Building your confidence is an incremental process, so find time every day to work on your art. If it has been a long dry spell, take baby steps. Ten or twenty minutes at first, then an hour, then an afternoon. Don’t judge those early results too harshly. 

​Just let yourself get back to it. 

​
​​​​Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

If there’s an art fair in your area, take the time to visit. You’ll get a great overview of what’s happening in fine art galleries.

Remember, an art fair is different from an art festival, where artists sell their work directly to the public. At an art fair galleries showcase and sell the works of artists they represent. Usually an art fair lasts several days, and includes 50-100 galleries from across a wide geographical range.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed! You might just wander around in a daze, especially if it’s your first time. A good way to benefit from your visit is to think about your goals, and make a plan. 

Go to the fair’s website, where the participating galleries are listed, and pick 10-20 you want to see. They might be galleries you’ve heard about, or ones where you might seek representation, or galleries from far away that you’d never get to see in person. These are the anchors for your visit.

​As you follow your plan, feel free to explore other galleries that catch your eye. The anchors just give you a structure to follow so that you don’t miss your favorites in the chaos around you. Notice trends, and pay attention to prices.

Take your business cards, but don’t assume that anyone wants to hear about your own art. Remember, galleries pay high fees to exhibit and sell the work of their artists. The best ones welcome all visitors and are open to having a conversation with you. Ask questions about the artists they show. Open-ended questions like “tell me about the artist” will get you started. Be sure to ask how they discover artists.

Their answers will help you plan the next steps in your own career. 

​​​Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

In her well-known book on writing, Anne Lamott recalls how her 10-year-old brother was struggling with a huge school project on birds. Overwhelmed and discouraged, he went to their father for help. His advice? Take it “bird by bird.” Do one thing at a time.

This is useful wisdom for visual artists. Creative people tend to see everything as a whole. You get the big picture quickly, but have difficulty when it’s time to tackle individual tasks. They all seem to blend together.

An artist recently told me how this feels: “everything ricochets off everything else, so it’s impossible to know where to start!” She needed a job, and a new place to live, and a new website, and a better studio, and on it went. With the whole aviary flying around in her head, she couldn’t see any one bird’s distinct color and plumage.  

When you’re facing many challenges that are related and seem equally important, you need to get them out of your mental aviary and onto a piece of paper, either described in a list or drawn as a mind map. The key is to isolate related items from each other so you can think about them one at a time. The process of creating your list or map can have a remarkably calming effect. 

Then, concentrating on one issue at a time, identify the first three action steps that would help you begin to move forward. As you do this, the jumble starts to arrange itself. You knew these items were related, but now you discover a natural sequence of actions that will sort them out in a useful way.  
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Try this method when you’re stuck, and let me know how it works!
​

Artists wonder, should I put prices on my website? This opens the proverbial can of worms. When you ask, more questions squirm out. 

First, what is your selling strategy? You need to decide, since some choices conflict with others. If you’re seeking gallery representation, don’t put prices on your website. Most galleries see this as an amateur move, thinking that you intend to compete with or undermine their efforts. Instead, put a note on your contact page that explains how to reach you for price information.

Should prices on your website be clearly visible? YES. Whether you’re selling originals, prints, workshops, art tours, or any other product, be clear about the cost. When you make people search, they think you’re hiding something, or that your prices will be too high. Be transparent. 

Should you give people lots of choices? NO. Photographers (and other artists selling prints) seem to think that people want an infinite variety of images, available in different sizes and formats. This gives people too many decisions to make, and they get overwhelmed. Have a shop with a curated selection of works, with limited choices in size and format. Then give step-by-step instructions so that it's quick and easy to buy. 

Should you sell through an online gallery? Maybe. There are now so many possibilities. You can submit your work to a juried online gallery, sell through a home décor company, or sign up for a website hosting service that also sells artists’ work. Study each option carefully, and ask for sales data from the artists showing there. Don’t forget, you’ll still be responsible for driving people to your gallery through online activity, including social media. 

So, don’t be afraid to open that can of worms. Just take your time examining what comes out.

​​Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

The noise out there in the art world can be deafening. You struggle to find the space and time and silence to be a maker, yet you are bombarded by suggestions about what else you should be doing.  Listen to this podcast, sign up for this newsletter, join this group, sell your work HERE!  How do you respond?

First, don’t try to do everything, everywhere, all at once. We know that making art is a right brain process, while marketing requires many left brain tasks. When you try to do both at once, it can create a whiplash effect. Instead of multi-tasking, it’s better to schedule days for art, and other days for marketing and administration. If you can’t do that, at least give yourself big breaks between the two.

It is also helpful to think of your career as happening in stages, or seasons, each with its priorities.

When you’re developing a new body of work, let yourself go deep into the creative process, and stay there for as long as it takes. Press the mute button on everything else.

When you are ready, consider how you want your work to be visible. If you’re just starting out, consider opportunities close to home. You’ll learn more when you’re able to show up in person for events, and you’ll connect with your community. 

If you want to be visible online, focus your energy on one platform or online gallery at a time.  Keep your profile and work samples current. Post regularly, follow other artists, galleries and museums, liking and commenting on what you see.  

Finally, try to eliminate the noise in your daily life.  Let go of activities that fragment your time, so that you can focus on what matters most to you now. 

​Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

I used to own a set of eight crystal wine glasses. They were simple and lightweight, nicely proportioned and even fit in the dishwasher. Everybody said they were perfect. Over the years one broke, and then another, and now I have one left. While I don’t object to solitary wine drinking, I had to find more. Sadly I discovered that they are no longer made.  

When you have an image in your mind of how it should be, it’s hard to accept another version. Artists are constantly asked to embrace new models of making, showing, buying and selling art. If you’re having trouble adjusting to this, you are not alone. The art market has become so diverse and dynamic that it is hard to know where you fit. I work with artists who are marketing (and selling) their work through traditional and online galleries, through social media, in art fairs and festivals, on home décor sites, on their websites and in their studios.  

Since there is no single solution, find what works for you. If you’re an introvert, and computer savvy, consider the online art market. Last year online art sales totaled 13.3 billion. Look for online galleries in your medium (search “best platforms to showcase and sell” painting, drawing, photography, etc.). Find one that appeals to you, and dig into the details.

If you hate being online and consider social media a scary time suck, you’ll have to pound the pavement. Visit every possible art venue in your town or region. Show up at local shows, visit local museums. If you live in a remote area, get in your car and drive to a bigger city. Talk to everyone you know to get their recommendations. 

​Me? I searched online and on foot, and found excellent wine glasses, perfect 2.0.

​Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback on my recent post, “Go Slow,” from artists who are letting themselves relax, rejuvenate, and create at their own pace. But sometimes you need to find the energy to push.

That final effort is especially important when you are creating a business. Creative entrepreneurs with a vision and a strategy, a solid business plan, a good website, still must find ways to bring their idea to life.

What I’ve found to be most important is that final stretch, when you’re almost there.  An artist I know likens this to the last stages of childbirth, when everyone is yelling PUSH. You want to give up because it’s so hard, but still you have to  PUSH, and then you hold a tiny miracle in your hands.

It may be time in your art practice or career to find the energy to push—to push again, to push harder, to push through your own hesitations. You make a  sustained effort even though you’re exhausted and discouraged. 

Find ways to connect in person with your audience. Go to events where they gather. Introduce yourself, listen to what’s on their minds, and then talk about what you offer. Your idea comes alive when you engage with others.

When I first started my own business there were no career coaches for artists. Yet I could hear the voices of creative people all over the world reaching out, asking for help. Through talks and workshops I found ways to engage with my audience, to meet artists in person. These connections gave me the energy and confidence for the last PUSH, and here we are, together now. 

​Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

I recently had the pleasure of seeing two remarkable art exhibitions at small museums in South Florida. These very different exhibitions show what’s possible when innovative curators decide to avoid blockbuster exhibitions and focus on revealing unknown or little-known artists and art forms.  

Washi Transformed, New Expressions in Japanese Paper, is now at the Morikami Museum and Gardens. The exhibition showcases nine contemporary Japanese artists transforming traditional Japanese handmade paper (washi) into abstract sculptures and installations. 

The image above is by Kyoko Ibo, who was one of the first artists to use traditional washi as a medium for contemporary art. By introducing unusual textures, scale, and dimensions, she transforms an ancient medium into modern art. All of the artists marry the old and the new in a way that honors and preserves the past.

The second exhibition, Art of the Hollywood Backdrop, at the Boca Raton Museum of Art, features scenic backdrops painted for the movies by real artists working  between 1938 and 1968. The exhibition celebrates “Hollywood’s masters of illusion and perspective” who have received little recognition for creating backdrops for well-known movies such as North by Northwest and The Sound of Music.

These painted backdrops had been rolled up and stored in the basement of MGM studios and then preserved as the Hollywood Backdrop Collection at the University of Texas. The exhibit pairs the actual backdrops, some 90 feet wide, with videos from the movies they animate. The real art and the illusion, side by side, make us fully appreciate the talented artists of this long forgotten art form.

Such exhibitions open a window into worlds of artistic innovation we would not have discovered on our own. The real unsung heroes are the museum curators who made these exhibitions possible.  

It’s that time of year when everything speeds up. Can it really be the middle of December?  Somehow the holidays have already started, and your to-do list keeps growing.

The best advice I have for artists is to resist this pressure, and slow down. Creating art is a slow process at best,  and sharing your art with the world doesn’t happen quickly. Give yourself permission to take the time you need.

What happens when you slow down?  It’s the difference between driving on the highway vs. walking through the woods. Instead of the world rushing by your window, all of your senses are engaged. You see more, smell more, touch more, and feel more.  

Even time itself starts to take on a different shape. When you slow down, time expands and contracts in interesting ways. What was urgent becomes important but not for right now. Sometimes you find new rhythms and patterns that open up time you didn’t think you had.

There’s even a Slow Art movement in the museum world. It started when Phyl Terry visited the Jewish Museum in New York and decided that he could have a deeper experience of art by spending the day looking at just two paintings. It’s now an annual event, on April 15, with over 1500 galleries and museums participating. 

Your art practice might benefit from the same steady focus. When your mind is distracted you don’t go deep enough to create satisfying work. Even the process of marketing your art can benefit from a slowdown. Create meaningful relationships with fewer people in your audience. Have better conversations about your work with colleagues, collectors, curators, and gallerists. 

Give yourself permission to go slow, and see what happens.

Happy Holidays!  (I’m going to take a nap.)

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, it is time to consider our lives and ask, “what am I grateful for?”

This is especially important for artists, sensitive people who absorb all the complexities of the world. If you tend to be self-critical, take a moment to acknowledge what you have managed to do this year, and remember how others have helped you. Researchers tell us that expressing gratitude can make you happier. When you pass on positive thoughts and feelings to others, you inspire them to do the same. They call it the circle of gratitude.

In my own coaching practice, I see so many remarkable achievements from artists all over the world. They have gone on artist residencies to the Arctic Circle, brought hundreds of women artists to an exhibition in Dubai, found good jobs, created large-scale tapestries for a new restaurant, gotten their work into prestigious shows, launched an art business, and found new opportunities to sell their work.  

But listing achievements  doesn’t capture the sheer grit and determination it takes to make an art career happen. Be especially grateful for finding the courage to keep going, to start again after a long hiatus, to believe in yourself despite the doubts of others, especially those close to home.  

So think about what you are grateful for as an artist. You might be grateful for an opportunity that came out of the blue. You might be grateful for a conversation with another artist that made you feel less alone. You might be grateful for an organization that supported your work. Find a way to express your gratitude.

My own gratitude goes to all of you. You inspire me to keep going, to push forward with my own work. Thank you for setting such a great example.

​​​​~ Mary

Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

Supporting yourself as an artist has never been easy. Faced with this challenge, artists often take a job that pays the rent yet kills their creative potential. You can spend months, even  years, in a “day job” that gradually becomes your life. 

So what can you do instead? Take time to discover what’s available now in the world of jobs for creative people. Many jobs are remote, and there are also opportunities for freelance work. Start with the major search engines (indeed, linkedin, idealist, etc.) and review the arts-related jobs. For freelance work, take a look at upwork.com. 

See what appeals to you, but don’t apply for anything yet. Use these job postings to learn about the experience and skills required for creative jobs. 

Then create a “skills-based” resume. You take your own work experience and break it down into the skills you have developed. Use broad categories, such as “communication skills,” “administrative skills” or “technical skills. Use that resume to activate your network. Have conversations with your friends, neighbors, teachers, and relatives, to get their advice about job opportunities for you. 

You do this because there are two systems operating at the same time: a formal online job posting process, plus an informal network. You still need to be qualified for the job, but you  can get recommended by people who know you. Research shows that 80% of people who get new jobs do so through people they know. 

The large job sites can be a black hole, especially If you don’t have all the requirements for a job.  But you might get an interview through the informal process, when someone says: “hey, I know a person who would be perfect for that job.  Can I pass on their resume?”

That resume could be yours. 

​​​~ Mary

Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​

Sometimes you find opportunities in unusual places. The art world is notoriously unpredictable, full of people who act in irrational ways. The positive  side of this can produce creativity and innovation, but the negative looks like chaos. Gallerists ask for submissions but never respond.  Prestigious art prizes for “emerging artists” go to well-established people. Robots create prize-winning art.  

How does an artist stay sane in the face of all this? It might be easier, and feel safer, for you to keep your distance, especially if you have a low tolerance for risk. But when you let down your barriers and learn to navigate the chaos, you sometimes discover unexpected opportunities. 

Recently a photographer found (on Facebook) a call for artists to show their work at an exhibition in France. The actual process of getting connected to the show’s organizers was full of confusion, missed signals, long silences, and logistical challenges. At the last minute she had to get her photographs printed in Germany so they could be shipped to France in time. She was tempted to give up, but she kept pushing through. Finally it all turned into a successful solo exhibition, a triumph in both sales and visibility.

If you’re at a point in your career where traditional methods are not producing results, you may need to start breaking your own rules. Consider opportunities outside your comfort zone. Reach out as  broadly as possible, exploring new avenues of connection, both online and off. Use your personal and professional networks in creative ways. Tell everyone what you want and need.

By embracing the chaos of the art world, instead of resisting it, you may identify a hidden path that is right for you. Don’t be afraid to see what’s out there!

In order to grow we have to let go of old ways of being, of thinking, of doing things, and find new ones.  This all sounds simple, but isn’t, partly because of the messy scary part in the middle:  what Bill Bridges calls “the neutral zone.”

The neutral zone is that in-between time, when you’re giving up old ways but haven’t yet found new ones.  It can be uncomfortable because you’re not sure what comes next, but for artists it can also be a creative space.  You remain in the moment, paying attention to what you’re thinking and feeling, and let yourself explore new possibilities.  You learn how to live with  confusion and uncertainty as you move forward.

When creating a new body of work you may let go of old boundaries and assumptions.  Perhaps your realistic paintings are becoming more abstract, or your sculptural works are turning into an installation with sound or video or a larger conceptual framework.  Remember that this may be a slow, messy, and uncertain process.  Trust yourself, and be patient, as you welcome the new in all its wobbly beginnings. 

If you’ve been away from your art practice for a few months or even a few years, it is even more important to pay attention to the transition process.  The difference between not making art and starting to make it again is profound.  Don’t be surprised if your doubts and fears resurface, but let yourself begin.  Build space in your life for art, gradually and consistently, a little bit at a time. 

Creating real change takes both concentration and a willingness to be at sea for awhile.  You may have to say no to other people’s needs, or even give up old habits.  Allow yourself  the time and space to grow. 
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Artists often want to become more business-like. For example, you know you need to keep good records, but don’t do it because it might require tasks like making a spreadsheet, a very “left brain” process. If this describes you, think about creating artist-friendly business practices.

Danielle, a mid-career artist, still didn’t have any system for keeping records. Random receipts and other pieces of paper got lost, or ended up in the bottom of an old purse, or floating around in the trunk of her car. She knew she needed to keep this stuff together, but couldn’t find the energy to do it.

She decided to develop an “artist-friendly” record keeping system, one that would be easy and maybe even fun to use. Her system had to be visible so she would remember to pay attention to all those little scraps of paper.

Danielle created a beautiful box, decorated with ribbon and sequins, with a cutout in the top where the papers could go. She placed the box just inside the door to her studio, as a visual reminder to go through her purse and knapsack (and check the trunk of her car!) and put all the scraps in the beautiful box. At the end of each month she transferred the information to a simple bookkeeping ledger.

Her records proved critical when a gallery lost seven of her paintings last year. It turned out she had the records to prove when and how the paintings were shipped, which made it easy for the gallery to discover that they had accidently been put in storage during a recent move.

​Danielle’s artist-friendly solution gave form to an abstract idea: keep good records. See if you can use your visual imagination in a similar way.

Many artists live in a perpetual now, where every task on the horizon seems equally important.  You have lots to do, but don’t know where to start.

A helpful first step is to get the jumble of must-do tasks out of your head and onto a piece of paper. Here’s an example from a mid-career artist who was facing multiple challenges:

• Update the “events” page on her website.
• Design an online course.
• Prepare and submit a grant application.
• Send materials ahead to a residency program.
• Create a price list for Open Studios.
• Ask a former teacher for a recommendation. 
• Outline an artist talk for the community center.
• Enter new work in a juried show.

In the mind of an artist, everything has to happen at once, and each item seems equally important. Instead of jumping in to get things done, see if you can find a natural order. Turn your anxiety into positive energy. Use these questions to sort through your list.

• How much time will each project take?
• Which items have real deadlines, and what are they?
• Are there any tasks that could be delegated to others? 
• Are there similar items that could be grouped together and done together?
• Which tasks need to be broken down into smaller steps?
• Is there anything that could wait until next week or next month?

Such questions helped our mid-career artist make sense of her jumble. By delegating two things, postponing another, and making a step-by-step sequence of what had to happen in the next two weeks, she found a path forward. 

So when you’re facing a time crunch, stop and think. Sort out your list into manageable tasks.  Organize by deadline, let some things go, and create your own simple plan. 

​​​​~ Mary

Mary Edwards, Ph.D
Career & Life Coach for Artists
“Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People”
Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards ​