creative business
Imperfect mortals: What really makes a creative community work
A year ago, I started an online creative community. It was just luck that I took the dive and committed to convening an ongoing online support system (for serious creatives who’ve taken my flagship course, the Creative Focus Workshop) just in time to provide the kind of deep, flexible, empathetic comradeship we all need so…
Read MoreHow to accidentally build an “Authentic Personal Brand” when the whole idea makes you gag
Heeeeyyyyy! Check it out! I’ve got a brand-new website! I’m proud, I’m happy… I’m definitely completely sure it’s not finished…but I’m going live anyway! Ever heard the phrase, Imperfect Action? It means take action before you have every detail nailed down. It means take the jump. It means Dare to be Bad. Imperfect action is…
Read MoreMaking better comics: 12 years and 12 hard-won lessons learned
The point of being human is to try things that are incredibly difficult, to reach for heaven, even if it exceeds your grasp. That’s who we are. That’s what makes it all worth it.
Read MoreHow to build a sustainable work process that produces results WITHOUT burnout
Jennifer Shiman came back to her career in animation determined to have a better relationship with her work. “This is an opportunity to really create not only a sustainable way to earn a living, but a sustainable work process, which is necessary for my health.”
Read MoreWant attention for your work? You need a hook. (Video lesson!)
I admit it; like just about everyone, part of me still clings to the fantasy that if I just make awesome stuff, and keep on making more of it, somehow I’ll get discovered (how? by whom?), and my work will sell gangbusters (where? how?) without me having to lift a finger. The audience’s attention will…
Read MoreWhat happens when you let your demons run loose (spoiler: good things)
You should be making your creative work every day. You should be spending more time with your family and friends. You should spend a lot more time in selling your work. You shouldn’t have to sell anything: your work should speak for itself. You should be much further along in your career. You should give…
Read MoreYou may ask yourself: Well, how did I get here?
First of all, I realized I had a business model. Who knew?
Read MoreMaking money as an artist: Magic? Or could we take control?
Shakespeare had to sell theater tickets. DaVinci had to sell paintings. Dickens had to sell magazines. Being in the business of selling my work does not suddenly make me a “business person.” It makes me an artist.
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