Read more about the article #10 Everything You Need to Know about Online Classes

#10 Everything You Need to Know about Online Classes

On the Left Brain Artist podcast, I will bring you weekly interviews with artists who are actively creating art and actively selling their art. Of course, I’ve chosen these artists because of the quality of their artwork. But I’ve also chosen them because they have experience showing their work in galleries, stores, festivals, and they have stories to share that can help other artists who want to sell their work. Each week I will bring you an interview with one of these artists. Later in the week, I’ll take one thing we discussed that I think it’s important to expand upon – one thing that they’ve done to increase their business. They’ve had success doing this one thing, and I want to share that success with you.

Listen here or download from any podcast app.

Artists today don’t have to travel to teach classes anymore, they can create online classes from their home and enjoy an additional stream of income. In this bonus episode, I explain what online classes are, where you can find them, and how you can figure out how to host them. Whether you’re taking an online class or creating your own, this business episode is not to be missed.

Here are some links to websites that offer online classes, including those from Stephanie Jones Rubiano (this week’s artist episode) and Stephanie Lee (next week’s artist episode).

Stephanie Rubiano

Stephanie Lee

Stephanie Lee also offers an e-book on How to Create an Online Class and you can find it on her website here.

Skillshare

Lynda

Brit + Co

Jeanne Oliver

If you know of any I can add to this list, give me a link in the comments.

Read more about the article #9 Stephanie Jones Rubiano: Maker of Dimensional Shadow Boxes

#9 Stephanie Jones Rubiano: Maker of Dimensional Shadow Boxes

Stephanie Jones Rubiano is a mixed media artist who creates dimensional works within shadow boxes. She uses old photographs and documents, as well as real butterfly wings. Her assemblage techniques have been developed over many years, and she has taught them in live workshops all over the U.S. In the past two years, she has taught online courses, which enable her to reach students from all over the world. I think you’ll enjoy hearing about how her teaching started, how it has evolved, and she’s learned how to create all the technical aspects of an online class.

Listen here or download from any podcast app.

Stephanie Jones Rubiano in her artwork.

Stephanie has also been published in many art magazines.

Here are some of the things we discussed on this episode (click on the names to follow the links):

You can find Stephanie’s classes and artwork on her website.

She has taught at this national art retreat: Art & Soul Retreat

She learned how to create an online course through Stephanie Lee’s How to Create an Online Course.

She submitted her artwork to Somerset Studio Magazine.

Here are some takeaways from my conversation with Stephanie:

  1. Approach gift stores about carrying your artwork.
  2. Create a proposal for a class and present that to art stores.
  3. Look into national Art Retreats for teaching opportunities.
  4. Search online for specific classes that could help you to develop a workshop or online class.
  5. Don’t forget about email marketing and video production classes when learning to create an online class.
  6. Utilize other people’s websites to hold some of your online classes for a much broader reach to your audience.

Be sure and checkout my next mini business episode where I talk about online classes.

Read more about the article #8 Evaluating Your Year and Making New Goals

#8 Evaluating Your Year and Making New Goals

On the Left Brain Artist podcast, I will bring you weekly interviews with artists who are actively creating art and actively selling their art. Of course, I’ve chosen these artists because of the quality of their artwork. But I’ve also chosen them because they have experience showing their work in galleries, stores, festivals, and they have stories to share that can help other artists who want to sell their work. Each week I will bring you an interview with one of these artists. Later in the week, I’ll take one thing we discussed that I think it’s important to expand upon – one thing that they’ve done to increase their business. They’ve had success doing this one thing, and I want to share that success with you.

Listen here or download from any podcast app.

When I spoke with artist Nicole Galluccio, she talked about how she ends each year. She sits down and makes a list of everything she did that year, then she thinks about what she’d like to accomplish in the coming year. Here are my thoughts on how and why you should do this:

Include these items in the summary of your year:

  1. Total sales and to whom
  2. Sales by what source
  3. Total classes taught and number of students
  4. Other sources of income
  5. All your exhibitions
  6. Any installations or public art
  7. Articles you were in/articles you wrote
  8. Any interviews
  9. Residencies
  10. Grants
  11. Artist organizations joined

You also need to list what didn’t work. Then you need to analyze your administrative tasks, and see if you can streamline them or hire someone to do them for you. 

For your goal-making, think of something related to your business that you’ve always wanted to do and that will challenge you.

Don’t neglect this important aspect of your business. Your business will grow, and it will always stay exciting for you if you try new things.

Read more about the article #7 Nicole Galluccio: Acrylic Painter with a Bold Colorful Style

#7 Nicole Galluccio: Acrylic Painter with a Bold Colorful Style

Nicole Galluccio entered college to study biochemistry, with the hope of becoming a doctor. Despite being awarded a scholarship for chemistry, her teacher thought her medical illustration skills were so exceptional that she should pursue art. She ultimately received a Bachelor’s in Fine Art, and is now a professional artist. She has developed a unique style of acrylic paintings using dozens of bold colors with a pop art feel, and she pursues every art opportunity that comes her way.

Listen here or download from any podcast app.

Here is Nicole Galluccio at the opening of her show where she painted fifty album covers.

A painting in her Mandala series.
A painting in her Mandala series.
A painting in her Mandala series.
Nicole painted this bay door at the studios of the Boynton Beach Arts District.

I hope you enjoyed listening to Nicole Galluccio. Here is where you can find her:

nicolegalluccioart.com

Facebook

Instagram

Here are my takeaways from this episode:

  1. Look for Calls to Artists so that you can apply to shows at galleries, museums, or shops.
  2. Seek out live painting opportunities. You will get practice public speaking, gain confidence, and receive feedback from the public.
  3. Paint every day; you will get more efficient and get to know your products better.
  4. Make your own opportunities by meeting other artists and visiting galleries to see what is out there.
  5. Say yes to everything, even if it’s outside of your comfort level.
  6. At the end of the year, update your resume and list out what you did last year.
  7. Then take a moment to make goals for the coming year: What art project have you been dying to do? What is something that will challenge you?

In my mini business episode that I’ll be posting on Friday, I’ll be talking more about how to update your resume and CV and make plans for the coming year. Be sure to give that a listen.

Read more about the article #6 How to Establish an Art Practice

#6 How to Establish an Art Practice

On the Left Brain Artist podcast, I will bring you weekly interviews with artists who are actively creating art and actively selling their art. Of course, I’ve chosen these artists because of the quality of their artwork. But I’ve also chosen them because they have experience showing their work in galleries, stores, festivals, and they have stories to share that can help other artists who want to sell their work. Each week I will bring you an interview with one of these artists. Later in the week, I’ll take one thing we discussed that I think it’s important to expand upon – one thing that they’ve done to increase their business. They’ve had success doing this one thing, and I want to share that success with you.

Listen here or download any podcast app.

When I spoke with artist Jennifer Love Gironda, she talked about how she creates an art piece a day. Here are my thoughts on why you should establish a practice of creating art every day and how you can do it:

  1. It will improve your skills and challenges you to try something new.
  2. It helps you to develop your style.
  3. It gives you accountability.
  4. Joining an art group gives you outside accountability, encouragement, feedback, and a sense of community.
  5. You will learn to start and finish a project.

Practical tips:

  1. Do small, flat pieces that store easily.
  2. Make with the supplies you have on hand.
  3. Set up a place to do your art or a way to take it with you.
  4. Set aside time every day.
  5. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect.

Here are some challenges you can find on the internet (click on the links to find them):

Creativebug 30-day challenges

Creative Every Day

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

Drawing Challenge

And here are some interesting books I’ve found:

Make Art Every Day: A Weekly Planner for Creative Thinkers

Wake Up Your Imagination: A Journal for Creative Play

Draw Every Day, Every Way