Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

The Importance of Selling Yourself as an Artist.

   
   
      Hello lovely artists. Today's blog is all about you. Who are you? No, not what is your art....WHO are You! Knowing who you are as an artist and human being is KEY for selling your art. Let's dive in today on The Importance of Selling Yourself as an Artist!
    

     When people buy art, they want to feel a connection to the artwork they are purchasing. What do you mean connect with art?  They may feel a connection emotionally to the subject matter, it may be their favorite color, the piece could have been bought on a special trip or vacation, or maybe even as a gift for someone else they care about. There are so many reasons someone might form a connection with a piece of art. 

      Did you know you can help someone form a connection with your art? The easiest way is by selling YOU. There is a reason why there are so many articles on artists "behind the scenes". People want to know the soul behind the piece. If they feel like they know you, they feel like they know your art and quickly can become connected to it. 


     What if you only sell your artwork online like an Etsy Shop? Just because people might not see you in person doesn't mean selling yourself isn't just as important! In fact, it might be even more important! Anytime you are contacting someone, whether it's another artist or potential client, you have the ability to sell yourself. Come up with a signature that fits you and your art when emailing back or communicating with others regarding your business. How are you promoting your online shop? I am sure that it didn't just happen overnight?


         Promoting yourself and your art is one of the most important topics for having a successful career and I am sure I can write a novel about this subject. But connecting promoting your art with the help of promoting yourself is a tricky topic! There is no fine line with what works or not because everyone is different and will have to find their way that fits themselves. For me, writing is natural and I have an easy time expressing myself, so a BLOG has been a great avenue for promoting.  It is a great way for people to get to know me more personally and see behind the scenes to my art. 


         A blog is a big investment of your time and energy and if you don't want to go down that road there are many different ways to promote yourself and art. Whichever you choose just make sure you are adding your own personality into everything you put out for people to see. If you are a shy minimalist, make sure you are promoting to fit YOU. Odds are your art reflects your personality and if you are promoting yourself in a big flashy way that doesn't feel right, people will be more likely to turn away.


       If you are out in person meeting people for your art, dress the part. When I say dress the part, I don't mean you have to have on jean overalls with dried paint marks all over it. Who are you as an artist? Wear what makes you feel as much of that person as possible. When I say dress the part what I really mean is BE YOU. Trying to dress as someone else or what you think people will want to see isn't going to sell you or your art. Find your style and embrace it and people will be interested in what you have to offer.


      I am always working on promoting myself as the truest me I can. Recently I have stumbled upon an app called Periscope. It's a way to connect with live streaming all over the world. I am able to allow people inside my art studio and to get to know me as an artist. I have already had sales from it. When people listen to me and see a piece being worked on in my studio, they connect with it. Come follow and join me inside my world of art! Periscope: Cloudninestudios


        Who am I? I am an artist. business women, blogger, painter, dog mother, wood burner, jack-of-all trades, handy-woman, girlfriend, lover of all things pink, roommate, outgoing bubbly personality, dreamer, rustic junky, athlete, astrologer, nature goddess, crafter, YouTube addict, and much much more, Thank you for all who already know me and are a part of my life. Thank you for all who are new and I hope to get to know you more. Who are you? Let me know in the comment section below. I can't wait to hear about you and your art!


Until Tomorrow - Dream Away
Samantha Menzo






Etsy Featured Item of the Day:

stay weird, home decor, rustic decor, office decor, quote block, black, quote, customize, personalize, distressed, rustic sign by - DaisyThirteen



Song of the Day:
Audioslave - Be Yourself


Color of the Day:
Benjamin Moore's 'Champion Cobalt' #2061-20


Thursday, September 10, 2015

Where do you do your best thinking?


Where do you do your best thinking? Is it in the shower, in the car, when meditating, or maybe it's when you're exercising? Do you think the best when you first wake up, or right before bed? Do you have any habits that help get you to this great thinking place daily? Do you use your best thinking space to it's full potential or just use it to unleash the minds to-think list?


I am a thinker of thinking and I think about my thinks. My mind is always restless and as I get older I become better at sorting out the crap from the productive inner monologues. (Which I believe is actually one of the key signs you have entered adulthood.) Either way, my mind is ALWAYS on overdrive. Which is why I find calm rainy days, meditation, and journals to be so helpful. But where and when do I get my thinking accomplished?


When I get my best thinking accomplished is very late at night. I tend to get the newest ideas and thoughts right as I am about to drift into sleepyland. I am most relaxed and least restless at this time. This sometimes proves as a problem because if I am just about to fall asleep and I get a great BIG IDEA I am now awake and wanting to further explore the thought. Also I don't want to forget the dream but if I get up to write it down for later I am now awake and restless again. 


I have come up with three things that I do when I get a great idea right before bed!

1. I allow myself to think about it but give a time limit and stick to it. I have found that trying to ignore the thought to force sleep is frustrating and ends in broken sleep. Allowing the thought to enter and explore it helps fall asleep easier and possibly even dream about the thought! But I HAVE to make sure I stick to my time limit so I don't stay up all night on the thought and waste my energy.

2. Come up with a time and place to remember the thought the next day. I do this with dreams as well. If I want to have a dream and remember it, I tell myself I am going to dream and I will remember it tomorrow when I am getting dressed....or whatever I choose. It tends to work most of the time and it works just the same with big ideas before sleeping. 

3. Make sure I write it down or write about it the next day. Late at night is where I get my best thinking time but writing about it is where I get my best productivity with my thoughts. Writing a thought down for me has always helped me solidify it. I have always kept journals of lists, thoughts, doodles, and dreams and being able to go through and put my thoughts down on paper takes it to another level. Also sometimes you have great thoughts but it's bad timing and if you keep record of your thoughts, you might go back to your writings and explode with inspiration from something you thought years ago!


How is your best thinking time and place helping you? Does it help to inspire your creativity? Does it help with new ideas for your business? Does it increase your happiness or productivity? Think about how you can better use that time to accomplish goals or execute the best thoughts! Maybe keeping a notepad in your car, or using your notes app can help. Maybe blogging about your ideas can change your productivity! I know it helps me :] 


If you do you best thinking during therapy how can you use that for your business? If you do your best thinking with friends what can you do when you know you are going to meet with them to make sure you use it to your full advantage? What about nature walks? If you do your best thinking on nature walks and feel most creative, think about bringing a sketchbook! 


My Gemini Sun, Virgo Ascendant is a THINKER. Being ruled by Mercury makes this topic come very naturally to me. I would love to hear your thoughts about my great idea before bed routine. Also what kind of things work best for you and your best thinking space and time? I hope you all have a wonderful day and are inspired to Think Big!

Until Tomorrow - Dream Away
Samantha Menzo




Etsy Featured Item of the Day:

Light Bulb Boho Necklace by- PaisleyBeading



Song of the Day:
Lissie - When I'm Alone

Color of the Day:
Dark olive 2140-30

My inner Girly Girl and "Embracing the Pink."


Hello Everyone! I am in such an inspired and motivated mood today. I spent most of the last few days locked inside my studio trying to get as much done as I can and I really am hearing that clock tick with the DIY Art Fair right around the corner. I was able to finish up so many half done pieces and that was so gratifying. I also was able to take a good chunk of the day to prepping more wine bottles. I soaked them and peeled the labels and then took them outside to spray some base colors on them and I can't wait to get back and knock some cute new wine bottles out! 


So yesterday I was on Facebook scrolling along when I came across a video that caught my eye. I clicked on it and was instantly hooked. It is Lil' Fairy Doors and my inner child was squealing with delight! I was so excited over this little pink door that I had to take a step back and look at exactly why I was so giddy!

(My brother and I fishing as little kids :] Happy Birthday Zachary!)

So I began to think about how I was raised with a tom-boy sporty spice kinda attitude. I loved my cut off jean shorts and bandannas. I loved showing up the neighborhood boys in any sport I could and after a certain age I made it by business to HATE pink. I even convinced myself that the thought of pink made me mad. Why? 


When I started playing disc golf around 2 years ago, I had a disc that was my favorite to use but it was pink. I was the best at throwing that particular disc and slowly I grew fond of the color. I had a connection with it and a positive one. Slowly I started wanting more pink discs. Then I wanted pink shirts, then a pink bag, until I slowly was EMBRACING THE PINK!


I realized a connection with this transformation after listening to part of Gretchen Rubin's - The Happiness Project. She wrote about how for so long she suppressed her love for children's literature. She wanted to be known for reading intelligent books and not fairy tales. She figured out what she was doing one day and decided to ditch the thought and embrace her love for children's literature and she started a small book club dedicated to it! 


I was suppressing my inner Girly Girl. I wanted people to think I was tough, and cultured and intelligent and somehow me liking pink went against that notion. So i decided to start my own book club......well not really. I just decided that I loved pink and girly girl things. When I saw the Lil' Fairy Door I wanted one so badly. I made me think about my art pieces that I create in my studio. 


I have mentioned making "sell-able art" vs "enjoyable art." I have struggling with this thought lately because of trying to prepare for this Art Fair. I have found myself knocking out so much generic sell-able art just to make sure I have inventory and it's not as enjoyable for me. When the fair is over I have decided to dedicate a chunk of my time creating fun and light girly pieces. I still love my rustic pieces on wood and wine bottles but I am missing something and it's all for my inner Girly Girl!


So I hope you all enjoyed the blog today and remember to embrace any and everything you love in life because we all want the real you! I will be Periscoping in my studio tonight at 7pm Eastern Standard Time if any of you are interested in joining me you can find me @Cloudninestudios. 

Until Tomorrow - Dream Away
Samantha Menzo
Cloud Nine Studios



Etsy Featured Item of the Day:

Pink donut watercolor PAINTING rainbow sprinkles (fine art print realistic food doughnut girly pastel art nursery dessert kitchen decor) by - ASheaDesignLab



Song of the Day:
Beyonce - Run the World (Girls)


Color of the Day:
Coral