#38 Writing Articles for Magazines

Writing articles about your latest artwork or technique is a great way to make a little extra money, but it’s an even greater way to get your name known on a national scale. If you choose the right magazine, one that fits your style of art, this can be great for you too. In this episode, Suzanne Redmond gives many examples of magazines to look into, and tells you how you can submit a query letter to those magazines.

Listen here or download from iTunes, Spotify, Google Play Music, CastBox, or Stitcher.

Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine
Somerset Studio Magazine
Other Art Magazines

#37 Roben-Marie Smith: The Tech-Savvy Artist

Roben-Marie Smith is a true left brain/right brain artist. Not only is she very talented as an artist, but she uses her tech skills to help artists with their websites, video production, social media, and productivity. At the end of 2018, she’ll be launching her membership community Maker’s Tech U, where artists can find video lessons and support. We also talk about her art, particularly her 100 day project where she made beautiful paper collages. 

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Roben-Marie Smith

Made in Belgium
A Quiet Place
Aetioul
Lauggent
Roben-Marie in her studio.
Kitivic
Broquikle

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

You can visit Roben-Marie’s website at robenmarie.com.

Be sure and visit her Instagram for her latest artwork and announcements.

Look back at her website at the end of 2018 for the launch of her Maker’s Tech U.

You can find all 100 of her collages in the gallery on her website. Be sure and notice the titles that she has given them!

She has had articles published in Somerset Studio magazine.

Here are some great takeaways from this episode:

  1. Consider submitting an article about your artwork to a publication like Somerset Studio. They list all their submission guidelines on their website.
  2. When working with others, meet your deadlines and be reliable. It will be more likely that you’ll get asked back for a future article or project.
  3. Be active on social media, because many people search for collaborations by looking at artists’ feeds.
  4. If you’re doing a multi-day retreat, consider having an opening night reception so everyone can get to know each other before the class starts.
  5. When teaching destination classes, put together supply kits for your students so they don’t have to transport all of their supplies.
  6. If you’re trying to develop your artistic style, challenge yourself to do one small piece of art a day to see what happens.
  7. Take the time to give your artwork a title. It will be more identifiable to others that way. If you want to go further, give it a story.
  8. Give people something free; that will give them an idea of what they would get when they pay for one of your classes.

Be sure and check out my bonus Episode #38 where I’ll be talking about how you can submit articles to magazines.

#36 Art and Business Books for Artists

I’m such a book lover, that I thought I’d give you my recommendations for books that artists may like. I’ve recommended business books for artists as well as art technique books. All of these books have information that is relevant and interesting to today.

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These are my favorite jewelry books. I interviewed Stephanie Lee in Episode 11 and Beverly Ash Gilbert in Episode 25.
Both of these books by Alisa Golden are excellent. I took a book making class that utilized the first book, and the techniques are easy to read and emulate.
These are my favorite art business books.
I love abstract painting, and these are the two books I go to the most for techniques.
I talk about these two art journaling books in this episode.
And this is another art journaling book that I like.
These are two of the books that Tonia Jenny spoke about in Episode 35. These were revolutionary when they came out and are still fun to read today.
You can find lots of books similar to these for inspiration on all subjects. These are fun to look through and mark the pages of things you'd like to try.

#35 Tonia Jenny: Creatively Editing, Writing, and Coaching

Tonia Jenny has edited and acquired dozens of art and craft books. She has spent a career working with artists, first by helping them to enhance their art through framing, and later by helping them create and design books. She was also instrumental in the introduction of mixed media art to the world. She has established a business where she provides editorial services, coaching, and online art courses. If you’ve ever considered writing an art or craft book, this interview is for you.

Listen here or download from iTunes, Spotify, Google Play Music, CastBox, or Stitcher.

Tonia Jenny in Sedona, Arizona.

Artwork by Tonia
You can find this mini course on Tonia's website.
Do you need help writing about yourself? Check this out on Tonia's website.

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

This is Tonia’s website: toniajenny.com

She also can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Tonia offers mini classes on her website here. 

Here is the link to her class “A Sampler of Circles.”

Tonia also offers Awakening Radiance Coaching on her website.

The Editorial Services that Tonia offers are Web Content or Book Publishing.

One of her earlier exposure to mixed media art was from the magazine Somerset Studio.

Two of the books she worked on that we talked about are Kelly Rae Roberts’ book Taking Flight and Creative Awakenings by Sheri Gaynor.

Here are some takeaways from this episode:

  1. If you are applying for a creative job, make a creative resume. It’s in your best interest to show them your best self.
  2. Don’t be afraid to propose something new and unusual to your team, like Tonia did when proposing the first mixed media art book. She has a knack of spotting trends, and you’ll be able to do the same in your area of expertise.
  3. There are many reasons to write a book, and they are not always just to make money. A book can be used as a sort of calling card, to show potential customers and partners what you do.
  4. When working with a publisher, plan on at least a year between when you sign the contract and when your book should be completed.
  5. When writing a query letter for a book, you don’t need to have the book written; you don’t even need to have all the chapter headings ready. That’s what will be worked on with your editor.
  6. When using a publisher, they will pay for the costs of publishing your book.
  7. When self-publishing, you will pay for the costs of publishing. However, you won’t have to pay up front if it is a print on demand book.
  8. When self-publishing, you will have more freedom in choosing your book’s title and design.
  9. For self-publishing, you will have to pay for an editor for your book.
  10. Publishers will have distribution channels to independent booksellers.
  11. Whether using a publisher or doing it yourself, you will still have to promote your own book.
  12. Online art courses can be any length and any price. Find the one that is right for you.

Do you think you’ve got a book in you? Do you need help with any of the writing related to your business? Tonia’s the one to call. She has years of experience helping artists find the right words and methods for getting their art out there. You can email her at [email protected].

#34 Building Your Art Business Network

An art business network is all the connections you have made with people that can help your business. Artists should build a strong network of art contacts that they can tap into for exhibits, collaborations, and income opportunities. Of course, the connections go in both directions, as you can help other artists and businesses too. You can exhibit with artists, collaborate on art pieces, meet customers and collectors, and utilize the expertise of artists, like for photographing your art or for graphic design.

Listen here or download from iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, CastBox, or Stitcher.

Meeting friends at an art show. Renata Rodrigues, Suzanne Redmond, Craig McInnis (Episode 33). Above is artwork by Renata Rodrigues.
Suzanne with Cynthia Simmons and her artwork.
Suzanne with Shakeera Thomas and her woven wire creations.
Networking with artists at a local arts organization, the Wellington Art Society in Florida.