12 Questions To Ask Yourself At The End Of The Year

2016   Year End Round Up.

Every year around this time, I like to look back at the year before me and reflect on the highs, the lows, the triumphs, and the struggles, so that I can make adjustments based on what I’ve learned and what I would like the next year or more to look like.   Those points of reflection can take on many forms.   Looking back at my journals, reviewing my planner, photographs are a great way to remember what has transpired through the year-both personally and professionally.     Simply asking yourself questions about what you want or where do you want to go, and how do you want to feel can be very revealing.

I thought perhaps this year, I’d do some of my self-reflection on my blog in a form of a question and answer interview of myself!  haha  

1. If you could give yourself some advice in January of 2016 based on what you learned through December of 2016, what would that advice be?

I had some health challenges in 2016 so had I known what I’d be facing, I’d had started taking my medicine more regularly…uh hum..just taking my medicine, walking. Be sure to get more rest and know that if you aren’t healthy, none of this is going to work (personally or professionally).  Another way to phrase it is, I wish I had started a road to better health long before January 2016.

"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=134923&c=ib&aff=182133" target="ejejcsingle"

2. What were some of your highlights of 2016?

Gosh, one of the biggest highlights was seeing my book go through all the stages of ‘birth’ to a real physical entity.  I think when someone told me they saw it on Amazon for a pre-sale and it was a #1 new release already, I cried!   Another highlight was being asked to come back to Cincinnati to film four more DVD’s for F &W media in September.  It’s honor to be able to film 1 set of DVDs, but I had the good fortune to be asked back again so imagine how thrilled I was.  Extra bonus—I was also treated to hair and makeup each day!!  I felt like a movie star!  Lol   They asked me to show up with no makeup on and that was SCARY! Haha  I don’t go anywhere without my face on,  I know it sounds vain but I’m just not a get up and go girl!  Anyway, having opportunities such as this, has just really been a huge thrill and quite the honor!

3. Is there anything you wish you did more of during the year?   What do you wish you would have done less of?

I wish I had taken more time off.  Even after my health scare, I found myself easing back into my workaholic ways, going 2, 3, 4 weeks without a day off. I didn’t become a hero because of it, I just became exhausted again.   I need to do a better job at setting boundaries, protecting my personal time, and knowing when to say no or I can’t do it right now.     What do I wish I had done less of?   Well, beside work too much---and when I say that, I don’t want to sound ungrateful because being busy is something that we instill upon ourselves.  I should have taken a hard look early on at what was distracting me, making me less focused on what I should have been doing versus what I was doing and eliminated those things from my life or at least set limitations so I could get my work done faster.  I read a line in Gretchen Rubin’s book “Better Than Before” recently that rang true for me which said, “Keeping up is a lot easier than catching up”. 

  So yes, working a lot is not really something to be proud of necessarily.  Working efficiently so you have a better sense of balance is something I’d rather brag on in the future.

4. What was the best thing you bought during the year that improved your life?

Oh…I bought a lot of stuff in 2016!  I’d say something that improved my life was a new pair of sneakers, workout clothes and a good pair of headphones.  Those things made me want to get out and get moving.  Something I want and need to do more of in 2017. (Do you see a pattern here?)

5. What are you most proud of?

I already mentioned my book so I’ll say something different for this question. I’m most proud of being able to turn a bad time around into something big for not only me, but really big for my students.  When I was so sick, I started creating a body of work that saved my sanity and then as time moved on and I was feeling better, I kept improving on the process and really created not only a new body of work, but a very intense workshop that has engaged hundreds of students around the world.  The work they have done in my Zen Painting class has totally blown me away!  I’m very proud of the work I’ve done and the production of that class, and even more proud because it was born from a dark place but turned into something so positive for many individuals, including myself.

6. Where do you envision yourself going in 2017?

 I hope in 2017 I keep moving forward.  I have a lot of aspirations for the new year, but mostly, I want to be ‘Better Than Before’….to borrow the phrase from Gretchen Rubin’s book because it sums up how I feel perfectly (professionally and personally).

7. Did you learn anything about yourself this year that has changed you in some way?

Yes, many things.   One big one is that I’m capable of doing more than I ever thought I could.   It’s amazing the fortitude we all have, even when we think that this is it…I have nothing left…but if you dig real deep and you keep your eyes on the prize, you can more than accomplish what you set out to do, you can excel in so many ways.   I think I re-learned to believe in myself and have more confidence. 

8. What surprised you about your career in 2016?

Hmm…good question.  I don’t know if it really was a surprise but the mantra I use a lot is , “Every No, Leads to a Yes.” That thought has made me brave in what I do because I know with anything I do, it’s a 50/50 chance that it will work out and that for every time it doesn’t work out, I can try again and eventually it will work out.  The only failure is not having tried.    Many of the things I have been able to accomplish not just this year, but in all of my years as an artist, have resulted from just giving something a shot and knowing that a, ‘No’ now, isn’t a No, forever.  Keep at it and you will be successful. You just have to have ‘Grit’!

9. What did you waste time or money on in 2016?

I have addiction to many things like good coffee that I could probably make at my home,  expensive makeup, and well… a host of other things that I probably could do without or do more inexpensively—but maybe career wise, I wasted a lot of money on shipping expenses that I could have done better with had I had the right supplies on hand so I didn’t have to pay for someone to pack and ship my items for me.   Having all my shipping and postage supplies in one place would have made my life a lot easier too, so I bit the bullet about a week ago and bought a lot of stuff from ULINE which was not cheap by the way, but it will be less costly in the long run. I am also making it a priority to organize my shipping areas so that I don’t have to run from room to room to gather what I need to pack up a box. I think that caused me so much stress, it really didn’t need to.  I say a prayer of gratitude every time I go to the post office because it’s a happy thing…I sold something!  Yay!!  But getting those boxes ready, stresses me out and takes a lot of time!  It’s my own fault and that’s going to change in the New Year!  The other thing I just need to do is to factor better in for shipping and packaging expenses into my costs (which I don’t really do now), but when you are operating at a fairly low margin, every dollar counts….so don’t waste it!  I learned the hard way this last month—I charged 20 for shipping for a painting—the box cost me 15 dollars with packing supplies and the actual shipping charges, get this…$88.00!  Ouch!  I had three other incidents like that in the same week and boy oh boy did I learn my lesson the hard way!

10. Do you have a word, phrase or some other mantra that you want as a guide in the New Year?

I mentioned the book that I’m reading earlier, and that title is going to be one of my mantras, “Better Than Before”.   “Work Smarter, Not Harder”, is another.   “Pursue Happiness”, and finally (for now),  “Make a Difference”.  I also like to narrow it down to one word so I’m going to continue on my word from 2016 which was to “Prosper”.  I think although it does insinuate monetary prosperity, I want more than that…of course I want to get prospering, but I want my work, my personal development, and I want my personal life ALL to prosper.  I guess I want it all, and why not?!

11. In just a sentence or two, sum up how 2016 was for you?

2016 was a year that I fully realized that I can do anything I set my mind to. I saw dreams become reality, I saw mountains move when I thought there was no possible way I could overcome obstacles.  It was a year that I felt magic happen and I’m grateful for it all: the good, the bad, the wonderful….there was a reason for it all.

12. How do you want to feel in 2017?

I want to feel peaceful and confidant, at ease and sure of myself, and I want to feel love in ways I have not felt it before.  Truly, my life is very full right now but it’s missing one big thing.   I hope that it doesn’t stay that way for long, but even if it does, I know that I’ll be okay because I’m very, very, happy right now.  I think because I’m happy with myself, more so than I have ever been, and life is moving along in the direction I hoped it would, I’m ready to fill that empty space in a way that I wasn’t ready to before. 

  Here’s to many more magical moments and memories in 2017 for you and I. 

Happy New Year Everyone!!  Be your best self today and every day!

Jodi

Art Biz Mondays: 5 Things I've Learned About Being In Control Of My Activities

Art Biz Mondays

It's become a habit for me over the last 6 months or so to sit down on Monday's and gather my business shizzle together.   Actually,I've been doing Art Biz Monday's for longer than that, 'electronically' it's been about 6 months. What I mean by that, is  previously all my planning and business numbers were done on paper, then 'sometimes' or at 'some point' , I would  transfer that information electronically to my computer.

The problem with that method is that I lost my planner once.  Total freak out.  Luckily my planner was returned in tact by a good Samaritan.  I also spilled a drink on my planner and had several pages  stuck together.  Bad, girl, I know.

Fast forward to last November and I decided to take charge and change the way I organized my business information,  moving from a paper system to an electronic system that encapsulated a monthly sales sheet,  weekly task list,  yearly goals and events, customer order sheet,  social media stats,  and a gallery spreadsheet that lists addresses, notes about the gallery, payments and shipping dates.  

The problem with this system is that you can also spill coffee on your computer and loose all the information.  yes. That happened to me last week.    LUCKILY  all was only temporarily lost.  The brilliant techie guy I found helped recover lost data with relative ease.  phew. PHEW!!!!!  So...lesson learned, I backed up everything on Drop box from my documents that should have been backed up  long ago.     I'm still working on my pictures, but that's another story.

Here are some things I've learned about myself and my art biz by being more focussed on my financials and activities.

1.  Overall,  I feel more in control of my business and activities.  I sat down before the end of the year and planned out what I was going to be doing (the bigger events and things I knew were coming up) each month. Overbooking and jamming up my schedule has been a constant hurdle that I have had to figure out a way to manage.  When I say this, it's not like I have events every week, but being a single parent and not having all the flexibility in the world to travel all the time, I have to really be realistic about what I can do and the time inbetween projects I need to do things well both personally and professionally. 

2.  My sales online have gone up dramatically over the last few months.   Perhaps part of the reason is that the work that has been put in place over the last few years is really starting to flow even more so than in the past, but I also think the reason my sales have increased is that I'm more aware of what's working and what's not working.   What's working is focusing on my online sales..haha.   I'm giggling because..ya...what a  brillian idea, if you focus on something, and give it some attention that it deserves, well what do you know, you see an uptick in activity generally!  I definitely want to delve into this more in another post, but for now...let's leave it at the fact that I've gone from having 40 or so items in my shop around Christmas time to steadily increasing that number to around 100 items currently, has helped sales tremendously.  

3.  Starting the week with a more specific plan outside of what my monthly plan has been extremely helpful in keeping myself accountable.  I like to check things off a list, and I get frustrated with myself if they aren't checked off.   Instead of 'physically' checking off that list, I highlight tasks that are completed. Those that are not completed get moved to the following week..and honestly, just like any list, sometimes certain things get moved up or down in priority, depending on what is going on.

4.   By tracking not just my sales, but my productivity, I can ensure that I'm putting the effort into producing enough inventory and the right inventory that will help me achieve my goals.   Now some of you may be saying, ya...but what about your inspiration, how can you track or force that to reach a particular number?  The answer is you can't force anything but at the same time, you simply must have either things into the pipeline later that will net a positive result, or create work that will eventually net what you need to make a living...scratch that...not just make a living, but be able to thrive like any business would want to. As an artist, you are no different.  You just have to change your mindset and merget the creativity with your business sense. 

5.   I've also learned, I'm far from perfect. I need help in certain areas.  I can't do it all myself.  I overcommit still despite my best efforts not to overcommit.  I get tired.  I get cranky. I procrastinate.  I get burned out.  I am messy and disorganized in my studio.  I am not as proactive as I want to be.  I am not where I want to be in my version of success.   And you know what, all of these things I've learned are totally okie-dokie. There is always something to learn and grow from.   The part of being more aware  and having a system in place is that you can keep yourself in check and keep re-evaluating the plan. The more I learn, the more I realize there is MORE to learn.   Does that make sense?  For point number 5 my key learning is that things are not always going to be perfect, I'm not going to always live up to my own expectations, and that even when I think I have a handle on it all, things change.   My reaction to those changes and those 'faults' of mine is what has changed (and still changing in a more positive way).  I'm still more in control than I used to be and that has made all the difference to my state of mind and my art biz.

How in control of your creative business are you?

What do you have in place that works for you?

What do you NEED to put in place to thrive in what you do?

Join in the conversation.  I'd love to hear from you through the comments here or via email:

jodiohl@hotmail.com

Artfully yours,

Jodi Ohl

****************************************************************

Be sure to stop by my shop today for a GREAT special on this featured Giclee print,  limited to 50 prints with only 5 offered at this great price of 1/2 off the regular retail price.

Size:  24 x 36

Medium: Giclee print on Somerset Velvet Paper  (similar to water color paper)

Edition:  Limited Edition of 50 prints

*all prints are made to order at a professional photo lab.  Shipment arrives normally around 10-14 days after you order.   It will come signed, dated and numbered.

Down By The River   24 x 36  Giclee

To see this item or more new work and 'articrafts', please visit my shop by clicking HERE.

The Burning Question: So You Want to Teach...How Do I Prepare for a Class Proposal?

Did everyone survive "Tax Day" ?  Phew..I'm glad it has come to pass and I can continue moving forward in 2015!  For today's post, I wanted to talk about a few  things.  First off, I am having a fun 'Tax Relief' sale over at Creative Workshops (or in my online shop) featuring all of my Creative Workshops online classes. I do offer classes in other venues so not to confuse anyone but the sale is for the CW classes only.  Save up to 25% off all of my classes including my Podtastic class (featured at 20% off the regular price).  If you are looking for some inspiration using mixed media painting applications, techniques galore, abstract, collage, faces and more--stop by HERE or click the image to be taken to the shop.

Perhaps online classes aren't your thing...I have a couple of spots open in my Funky Little City Scapes this Satruday, April 18th at Jerry's Artarama, in Raleigh, NC.  The class is a full day mini city painting extravaganza, full of great techniques and of course, tons of fun!

For registration and more information, click HERE to be taken to the class page.

Grunge Ink coming to the Art More Place in Melbourne, Florida this June!

Okay...On to the topic of the day:

How Do I Create a Class Proposal

Speaking of classes,  recently I was asked by a past student of mine about sending in class proposals to teach at a small shop. What was involved? How do I price my classes and how do I ensure I make a profit in doing so?  I  thought that if one person had this question, perhaps a few others of you may have this same question, so today I'm going to share a few tips to help you gather your thoughts and wrap your arms around what you need to do get started teaching what you love.

Disclaimer-this list is in no way all inclusive nor does it mean that this is the only way to do this, it merely is a sharing of my own experiences. I've been teaching online for over 7 years and I have taught at large national retreats, mid size galleries and shops, and local and small shops/venues, so while not all inclusive, it is well rounded. 

First Things First

Make sure you are ready to teach your processes. When you embark on a teaching career as an artist, you are inspiring and guiding others to go down a creative path as well. You in a sense, have to be willing to let go of what you do and not hold back the information the students need to be successful. There is a high  likelihood that your designs will be replicated by many and you have to be okay with that as it is the way students learn until they find their own way. If you are not at peace with that thought, than don't teach that what is still too close to you.

1 1 /2 day extended version of Funky Little Beach Scapes at the Art More Place in Melbourne, Florida this June. 

How Do I Price My Classes?

Similar to pricing your work, your creative class offerings evolve based on your experience, your credibility, the demand for your services,  and the uniqueness of your class/you in the field you are teaching. One of the best things you can do is to research on your own, artists/instructors that you feel are on the same peer level as you and see what they are charging for their classes.  Be mindful of the length of class, location (is travel or overnight stays required),  size of venue, and what supplies the teacher is expected to provide (if any) to the students.   

All of these factors can effect your prices slightly, however once you have a class outline in place-be very careful of not changing the prices of your class by the venue unless there is a significant reason why you would do so.   

Remember when pricing your classes, to include the prep time it takes to create the class, the samples, travel if needed, the uniqueness of your workshop, and of course profit.    Be very careful when agreeing to do a class that pays by the hour or is asking for multiple days of instruction over a period of weeks.  There's not only a time commitment on your part,  you need to know how many students you will be teaching  and if there are any guarantees for you as an instructor.    I personally do not teach by the hour for a one time event.   The reason is that financially it doesn't make sense to do that nor is it competitive with other classes that I offer both in person and online. 

Twinks on Yupo, an online class over at icreatflix.com

Know What Is Included and Is Expected

Is travel required?  Who pays for any food and lodging that you will incur as an expense?  Is the cost of airfare your responsibility or the venue?  What marketing will you both need to do? Who covers the expense? Do they have a marketing plan in place to promote your event?  You also have to have a marketing plan to be successful.   Will you be providing the supplies? Will the students be bringing their own supplies? Or will the venue be providing the supplies for a cut of your overall class fee? Is there an exclusivity agreement that is required (can you teach your class elsewhere in the area or for a period of time)?  Are you able to charge a fee for supplies you are asked to bring (remember, your supplies used are not free!  Even if you get a sponsor,  and get free supplies, or some samples...there ALWAYS is an expectation for you to do something for those supplies in return which takes time (like sample projects, videos, blog posts, social media promotions).   Be sure to take this into account when pricing your classes at least as an underlying cost of doing business.

I'll be honest, this is an area I am trying to do better in and be more realistic myself.  My inclination in the past is to say YES to everything and figure out the details later, which has left me in a not so great position in some cases.    I've even gone in the 'hole' teaching at certain venues because of not truly figuring out all the expenses before hand.   With that said, there can be reasons why you choose to take a chance on teaching in a location that may not be financially lucrative (long term opportunities, to build your resume, to break into a new market,  to build a student following, to view it as a marketing opportunity, to test out a class process in a small market that you will take and bring to a larger market with additional opportunities).

One of the things I feel I can do better at is having clear expectations on my travel engagements especially and to have an outline on my minimums, expenses, and other variables that I can just send to prospective venues when I am asked to teach.   Some places have very standard contracts in place and they already have those factors outlined, that's not to say you can't negotiate those items if you are called to do so, and other venues sit quietly and let you make the first move  when discussing the financials.  The standards  aren't necessarily even or the same across the board per instructor.  I don't feel this is a bad thing, after all everyone is looking to make a living, but I am saying, that the more prepared YOU are and the more YOU know what you can and can't do...and why, the better off everyone will be and the likelihood everyone will be happy with the arrangement.

Extreme Portraits, an online workshop over at Colourarte.com

Lastly

There are many times when you are called upon to teach what you love that may fall out of the realm of all these guidelines.  For example,  volunteer projects,  demonstrations,  blog post tutorials,  lectures, interviews,  donations, etc.  Many,  if not most, of these opportunities are very worthy of your time, but remember before you say yes to everything, choose your projects wisely and go with what your heart tells you to do. You can get very burnt out by saying yes to it all because as creatives, our hearts are so big and empathetic to all causes and requests for our time and talent, we forget how much energy (time and money) is expended going in a different direction that is not aligned with our goals and aspirations.  Don't make the mistake of undervaluing what you do and come to your agreement to doing something for 'exposure' or for a cause out of fear....make the decision out of love, love for others as much as a love for yourself and your family.  

Teaching other artists to do what you do should also come from a place of love and true desire to share.  Yes...I've talked a lot about the financials and expenditures because I think that artists need to understand & take into consideration all of  these things just as any small business should.  Beyond the financials is the underlying core of your calling. Are you compelled to pass on the torch of creativity?  If so, then proceed on with all that you have within you!   It doesn't make you any less or anymore of an artist if you teach or not teach, it just puts you on a different career path-one that I hope you proceed on with open eyes, an open heart, and a passion that fuels not just you..but all of your students.

Podtastic-one of my newest online classes on sale over at Creative Workshops

Free Worksheet For You To Use:

If you would like additional guidance on how to compile a basic teaching proposal, please check out my PDF worksheet created for you below.  It has tips and suggestions for you that you can amend based on your situation or the request of a particular venue.    

Click here

I hope you found this article insightful. Asking the right questions and knowing what is expected or needed is truly an art in itself!

Do you have a 'Burning Question' around art, the art business, living the creative life?  Drop me a line here in the comments or send me an email at :   jodiohl@hotmail.com

I'd love to hear from you and will be featuring as many questions as I can in upcoming posts, articles, and down the road, classes!


Artfully Yours,

Jodi Ohl


*********************************************************************************


New in the shop:  Family Matters!

Family Matters 11 x 14 original painting

Burning Question: What Inspires You? My Top Ten Ideas PLUS a special coupon code good this week only!

 As a creative type with a background in business, I like to look back on my progress on a regular basis and share some  'aha' moments with you from time to time. Well, really I try to incorporate my own experiences and nuggets of wisdom whenever possible and enjoy hearing what you are discovering as well, in your own artistic pursuits.  

(as an extra bonus I have a GREAT coupon code for you at the end of this post! :)

My sample for the upcoming ReMe reTREAT in Ocracoke Island, NC

I haven't posted a  "Burning Question" in a while so I thought today I'd bundle one in this post as it kinda relates to my topic of 'aha' moments and nuggets of wisdom I wanted to share.  

"What Inspires You? " asked by Emma

That's a great question and one that never really stays the same or is exactly formulaic if you will.  I can't say, "if I take a walk in the woods and look at textures, I'm inspired to run back to my studio and experiment.....or  anytime I dip my feet into the ocean waters, waves of inspiration pour over me"...do those things happen?  Definitely.  Do I have time for artist 'dates' daily (or even sometimes weekly), no...not always.  So then, where does that inspiration to create come from, especially if you are working on your craft daily for hours and hours at a time?  

I think you pull in inspiration from anything and everything you do.  You have to have your eyes wide open on a moment to moment basis to see things others miss or feel things others may dismiss. 

I have conversations with myself, or with others in my head and then play them out in the studio.  But most of all, I simply show up and do the work.  It really is about creating good working habits for the most part, because the more you do something, the more the doors open for the next  idea and the idea after that. 

And once I have an idea, I try to expand on  multiple times...not necessarily recreating that painting exactly but revising it and seeing what else can I do for as long as I'm excited about a process/composition/topic activity.

You stay inspired when you are excited about something you are doing,  and the flow will continue to feed you with ideas the more regular  you are with showing up to do the work.

Does this mean your faucet will always be on?  No...most definitely not.   I don't want to profess any delusional thoughts to you by saying every day will be rainbows and unicorns in the inspiration category or that you will always feel like going into the studio to create with abandon.   Life will throw you curve balls when you least expect it which will derail you for a time. In those moments, allow yourself a break, a nap, a trip, a artist date, or clear away clutter that is impeding your progress both literally and figuratively.

I'm going through a bit of that myself lately. Clutter and unnecessary activities have put obstacles in my way due to my not being clear on what I want in certain areas or not listening to what signs have been put before me.   I notice when I feel pulled in too many directions, I trip over myself rather than removing the obstacles.   It's hard to be inspired when you are chasing your tail.  When I'm focused and not distracted, at peace and calm.... there's no stopping what I can do. That's when the flow of inspiration gains it's greatest momentum.

 Here are some more tips on how I get inspired or stay inspired:

1) Keep a journal.  Whether it's a visual journal, doodle journal, written one, or some combination of all the above, the act of documenting thoughts, playing with color  or patterns, and getting something-anything on the page, will serve as a source of reference for future projects. Art Journaling is also a good habit that will not only help inspire you, it can help relax your mind.

2)  Plan out your activities and most important tasks each week and build in time to work in your studio to create.  These activities could be both personal and professional. By having a plan, you are creating more likely to accomplish the tasks you need to and leave more room for those that you 'want' to do.  (Note, the need and wants aren't necessarily mutually exclusive..but some may take higher precedence over others.)

3)  Stay well rested, eat well, and exercise regularly.  Your physical and emotional well being plays a big part of your ability to stay inspired among many other things in your life.

4)  Don't be afraid to make mistakes.  The fear of not being perfect can derail your creative activities probably more so than anything else.   I'm not saying give yourself permission to do shoddy work, but give yourself permission to experiment, play with new techniques and compositions,  try new colors, and do all of that over and over again.   Remember, masterpieces are few and far between but remarkable and inspiring work is created everyday..IF...quite frankly, you just go to work without worrying about the outcome.  Worry about the outcome as you finish, not as you start.

5)  Repeat designs and expand the possibilities within a collection.  Sometimes when you are excited about something and have a good plan, you can make it even better the more you tweak it by experimenting.   This is also important when developing a collection.  Tying your work together by repeating color palettes,  themes, motifs, and even designs helps in creating a cohesive collection.  Discover how far you can take those ideas, by taking those ideas far and wide.

6)  Evaluate where the heart strings are being pulled in your every day and professional life.  Saying yes to everything means you are taking time away for the right things.  It's hard to let go of the wrong things, especially if they have meant a lot to you in the past.  The problem though is, you start to loose your focus and hence your inspiration when there is so much going on that your head is spinning.  In fact, it's likely to cause temporary (or long term) paralysis, so to speak, if you are spread too thin.

My sample for an upcoming class this September at Random Arts in Saluda, NC.

7) Surround yourself with people that believe in you and lift you up rather than bring you down.  If you are uninspired...take a pulse on the mood of the world around you.  Negativity from within is poisonous, but when it comes from the outside in, well it can darn right kill you.  

8)  Know that from the outside looking in,   it may seem like everything is a bed of roses for those people you admire. They may  have something you want and  appear as if what they are  just doing is just flowing day in and day out without any hiccups or effortlessly 100% of the time.  This is never true. Those that make things easy,  most likely do so because they are insanely committed to what they do. Your mentors  live and breathe their passion and that is why,  from the outside looking in, it looks so polished and easy.
 If you want something with all your heart and soul, you don't wait until the inspiration hits, you run out and find it by doing the work.

That's the magic sauce most of all...doing the work.  

No one said it was going to be easy.

No one said you are going to have time for it (hey we are all busy!!)

But when it flows and you are in the groove-yes it does flow like a open wide faucet and others will be envious of what you do.   You can lead some people to the water but you can't force them to drink it...they have to do it themselves. You have to do it yourself. 

9)  This is one that I have a hard time with...but I know that when I do this, I am way more inspired then when I don't....keep your space open and neat.  It doesn't have to be spotless or totally clutter free, but at the very least, take time to pick up at the end of the day, clear your desk, put away a few things, throw a few things out on a daily basis, and reclaim your sanity by not tripping over yourself physically.   I'm a work in progress in this bullet point...after I finish writing this post, I'm going to go into the studio and clean up. Going forward, I'm going to take time either on Fridays or over the weekend to really clean up because I think it's important to start your week fresh and create a space you can flourish in.

Featured art in the March/April issue of Cloth Paper Scissors

10)  I was reminded of this last tip by a comment on another post I wrote for ReMe last week. It's important to share what makes us smile with others, those little things that we take for granted on a day to day basis should be celebrated.  Take time out to listen to others, to learn about those we love--to learn about the world around us, and you will be amazed at how you feel (and how you will make others feel by just being there to share back and forth).  Capturing the moments in our lives through our art is why we do what we do...it's a celebration of our history, our point of view, and our dialogue with one another.  What's more inspiring than that?

Last but not least---I wanted to thank my readers for taking time out to follow my blog, newsletter, Facebook, and all the other platforms out there.  I couldn't do this on a day to day basis without you.

Save 20% in my shop all week (including paintings, classes, prints, magnets, cards, supplies) using code "hellospring" at check out.  (custom orders not included).

Stop by and see what's new!

If you would like to share what inspires you or ideas you incorporate to stay inspired, leave a comment here!

Likewise, if you have a "Burning Question" about the art biz, creativity, living the creative life, processes, email me at jodiohl@hotmail.com  . I'd love to hear your thoughts and will incorporate as many questions as possible into my future blog posts.

In The Quiet of the Night....Reflections from the studio

 

One of the things "They", forget to tell you or talk about when you work alone and from home...is how lonely and isolating it can be, even if you are doing what you love and couldn't think about doing anything else.  The freedom of being able to walk right into my studio any time, day or night is glorious and amazing.  It's also very quiet at times and extremely, well...solitary.

There are times when I relish the quiet moments, escaping from the noise and clutter of the world as I paint away and make peace with my mind and allow my heart to open up so I can create without boundaries.

And then there are times when the quiet is deafening. I wonder in my head what am I missing, not really wanting to find out truthfully because I've come to feel safe in my studio and getting out would require me to become unsafe and to be seen once again.  

As I finished this set of paintings I started as demos for my last class....one of the few times I really have been around a group of people in quite some time...I reflected back on the slight anxiety I had about leaving my studio for something other than a quick jaunt to the store or out to dinner with friends.  It is becoming quite clear to me just how isolated my world has become the more and more I grow as an artist and as my business grows.    

At times, its' a bit disconcerting.   I wonder if I'll always feel this way.  It's not a bad or a good thing truthfully. I don't regret anything I've done or not done...but I still wonder if the trade off for doing something you are so passionate about, you care less and less about other things...or am I just putting a wall up as someone suggested so there is no hurt or chance of vulnerability.

Maybe the hibernating/isolation/is merely a result of a long cold winter, one where the comfort of home is really the only company I've needed.   

As I completed each Angel (there are others in this group)...I had a slow soft tear wander down my cheek. It was as if I knew that these were not mine to keep, they belonged to someone else in the world, that person unknown for the moment, but they are out there.   Nothing created is truly my own...nor is it any artists. We are all vehicles.  I think there is great joy in knowing that..and a touch of sorrow too. 

 Letting go isn't easy.  When you are in the quiet of your studio, painting in isolation..the revelation that you can't hold on to anyone or anything forever is repeated day in and day out.  It can be an emotional roller coaster sometimes.  

The  release isn't just about the art.

It's about life in general.

One must feel the bad to feel the good. Experience the pain, to know the elation of joys that come our way.  We must truly feel isolated to understand the comfort of being surrounded by love. 

We must feel it all...there's no escaping it, no matter what path you choose in life.

I see how it's not living in any extreme for too long that saves us from the pitfalls and the climaxes that can put us over the edge at any moment in time.

Late night musings as she paints in the quiet of the evening.

********************

See more additions to my Angelic Inspiration Collection by visiting my Etsy shop:

Special-Coupon code to my shop:  happypaddyday15    Save 15% off your order from now until St. Patricks Day 2015.   Enjoy!!