Posted by Tara Reed on Aug 14, 2010 in inspiration
Yesterday I was at the first showing of the movie "Eat Pray Love". Anticipating this movie's release for weeks - I got nervous that I was too excited and would be disappointed. I am happy to say that I was not.
After posting my love for the movie on Facebook, a guy friend teased, "Isn't that a chick flick?" I have heard this remark from many men I've spoken with as well. I retorted that I was indeed, a chick, and that I can relate more to this movie than 15 minute high-speed car chases (I've never been in or seen one in real life - thank goodness!) or slow motion shoot-outs (again, thankful to have never seen or been in one.)
Even though the movie is about a woman, I believe men who can open themselves enough to consider the meaning of life and love, will also relate to this story of finding oneself. As I watched, I felt she had stolen the thoughts right out of my brain. Having been through a divorce and breakups, it was comforting to see that my feelings weren't actually unusual and that as in most things - this too shall pass.
But as is my way, I have also been trying to decide what business lessons might be gleaned from this movie...
(Perhaps it's my way of trying to trick some men into going to see it ... I think there were 3 men in a theater of about 75 people when I saw it yesterday.)
The premise is, Liz has fully participated in creating her life and realizes one day, it no longer fits. She feels she has lost herself, her balance, her zest for life. Exchange the word "work" for "life" and I bet 95% of the population will say, "Yes, I've felt that way before too." She heads to Italy to feel passion again - that's EAT, India to meditate and recenter herself - PRAY - and Bali to learn from a healing man - and she inadvertently finds LOVE.
Most of us won't have the means or lack of ties to be able to go on a year-long adventure of self-discovery. And perhaps we haven't reached the same brink that she did, maybe it is more of an itch to know if we are on the right path...
Here is my solution, for the artist in search of balance and meaning in their business.
It's a work in progress so feel free to offer ideas in the comments section as well.
EXPLORE - If you are feeling less than excited about what you are doing creatively or feel your business has become mundane, explore new ways of doing things. Try new techniques, analyze your business and decide if there is something that can be changed to make things more interesting and exciting for you. I believe it is hard for artists to create to their best abilities long-term without maintaining a passion for what they are doing.
CENTER - Be true to yourself. Meditate, pray, listen to music, exercise - whatever helps you focus and center your being. Being true to yourself of course assumes you know yourself - maybe it's time for a little check-up: are you taking enough care of you and not giving everything to others? Balance is the key!
CREATE - Decide what is right for you and what will resonate with your market. Set aside time each day or week to create. Turn off email, the phone, yes - even Twitter - and let your creativity flow. Love what you are doing and know that it is the best you can do.
The point, in the end, is to enjoy your life and be grateful for the adventure. Sometimes we get so focused on where we want to go or on what others think we should be doing that we lose sight of ourselves or forget to take comfort in all the good things happening now. So clear your mind so the universe can rush in - apparently everything else will take care of itself.
Here's to your happy, centered and creative success!
– Tara Reed
CLICK HERE to buy the book on Amazon - it's a great read! (affiliate link)
Posted by Tara Reed on Jun 30, 2010 in inspiration
What are you doing today? I almost asked what you were doing right now but that would be reading this blog post so it wouldn't be a good example.
So take a look at your "To Do" list for today and highlight all the activities on there that make you smile... the ones you look forward to. The ones you save as "rewards" - to be done and savored in between the not-so-much-fun tasks like cleaning the bathroom or paying the bills.
Do you have more things that make you happy or more things that make you cringe? Do you think you'll "have time to be happy when you get that big royalty check or the deal of your dreams comes true" but for now you must just do the mundane?
Well, let me tell you a little secret: The key to being happy is to love the process.
So what's your process - what makes your heart sing? My process is painting, writing, coaching, connecting... it makes me HAPPY!!!! My friend who has 5 kids can't get enough of kid stuff. And don't get me started about how my gardener can go on about roses or fishing - he's so happy and enthused about both that there is no stopping him!
Here is a great video Adam Parsons sent my way and I just had to share it with you! You can just listen while you work and you will be inspired - I promise!
Some may question the amount of TV and movies I have watched in my lifetime... but I assure you, I do many other things as well! But there are certain characters - from books, TV and the silver screen - that I think of when faced with different challenges in my life or business. I thought it could be fun to do some blog posts and see if they are helpful to you as well!
Today, more than 30 years after his introduction to pop-culture, let's see what Yoda can teach us.
Do or do not, there is no try.
That my friends, says it all. Have you just been thinking about creating art for licensing? Thinking about contacting manufacturers to see what they think of your work? Or have you been doing it? Until you take action, you will have nothing but a dream and often, a lot of fear. Because if you really stop and think about it, isn't it usually fear of something that stops us from taking action in the first place?
Watch this short clip and pretend Luke Skywalker is an artist and Yoda is the coach... then remember his wise words the next time you find yourself resisting action!
Here's to active and creative success!
– Tara Reed
P.S. If you feel the need for a real-life Yoda (art licensing coach), get all the details and see your options at www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/coaching.html
P.P.S. If Yoda was coaching an artist I think he'd say, "Create or create not. There is no try".
I'm in my hotel by the JFK airport, ready to fly home after my 6th year at SURTEX at 7th year exhibiting at any art licensing show. It's hard to believe it's been 7 years! I wanted to jot down some thoughts while they are fresh in my tired mind and promise to blog more details soon!
The show was amazing!
Our booth was busy overall, with some lulls here and there of course. I've never been to or heard of a show that was hoping every hour from start to finish! I met with clients and many companies I have never worked with before. Lots of follow-up in my future!
My sister Christine, as always, was an invaluable asset - I don't know how I'd do it without her! (Thanks again sis!)
I met so many amazing artists - even from as far as Australia – who stopped by to say hi and tell me they read the blog and listen to the monthly Ask Calls. Thank you so much - it is cool to know the information is helpful and inspiring and not just me typing or talking into a void. Also neat to meet so many artists I know from social media!
The class based on my eBook - How to Find, Interact and Work with Artists Who License Art - was a huge success! For the first time in at least 4 years there was a sell-out with 100 people attending. Susan January from Leanin' Tree and I gave both the artist and manufacturers views of how to best interact with manufacturers and got great feedback.
I was honored to be used as an example of how to use social media by Daniel Schutzsmith in the class about Social Networking - apparently they evaluated my Twitter page and maybe Facebook page? I'm not exactly sure but I was tickled to hear about it! (If you've read this blog often you know what a big fan I am of Twitter!)
I'll write more about the show in the next few days but wanted to share a little before I fly home. If you were at the show - I hope it was a great experience. If you exhibited, I hope you have A LOT to do when you get home! (It's all in the follow up!) Even with all the capabilities to talk and connect online and by phone, I still contend that face to face from time to time just can't be beat. If artists who exhibit do well - we all do well and the shows keep giving us the opportunity to meet and connect in person!
I also brought my video camera to the show and got 8 more artist's Art Licensing Story videos - I'll be editing and posting them over the next few weeks so stay tuned for more inspirational stories!
Here's to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
P.S. If you were at SURTEX, feel free to add your impressions and observations in the comments!
P.P.S. If you couldn't make the live class, I'll be doing a teleseminar through Artist Career Training on June 9th - CLICK HERE for all the details.* (this is my affiliate link and how I get compensated for doing the class)
Posted by Tara Reed on May 11, 2010 in inspiration
Last week when I did the blog post about how the show "America - The Story of Us" related to business, I had some conversations on Twitter about it. I made a comment that I see analogies everywhere and that "I should have people name a show or movie and I could find a link and lesson to business."
@adreanaline challenged me: she said, "OK, Beyond Silence, I'd like to see what you come up with."
Here is a summary of the movie - I won't give away the ending -
Beyond Silence is a film in German about a hearing girl who grows up with two deaf parents. They don't support her going to school because they need her as translator. She is about 8 when the movie begins and has many responsibilities in her family. Her aunt gives her a clarinet for Christmas which she falls in love with and which causes problems at home. They don't want her playing the clarinet or getting close to the aunt - the father especially wants her to stay as the caretaker of the family.
As she grows up she is torn between her role at home and wanting to make her own life. It's teenage independence times 10 because her parents depend on her so much.
And unexpected A-Ha:
If you are deaf, there is no multi-tasking during movies! I so take for granted that I can watch, listen and sketch or paint my nails or whatever during a movie or tv show. Since this movie was in German, I had to read the subtitles to know what was going on. Complete focus required - it gave me a peek inside life without sound and the many little things that would change.
The analogy I got from the movie:
This movie was a young girl's struggle for independence and to balance her duty to family and to herself.
How many people go into a field of study in college or profession because it is what their parents or family expected? "We become lawyers in this family" or "We go into politics" or "We are in the family business." But what if that isn't your passion? How do you go for what you want when your peer group is steering you in another direction?
This can apply to art as well. If you think about it, I bet you can come up with many well-meaning statements from friends and family about what you 'should be doing'. Maybe you've heard that you should get a steady job with benefits and do your art as a hobby. Or you should get an agent because you won't make it on your own. Or my favorite, "everyone knows real artists can't make a living."
When people are putting fear into your head or not respecting your dream and vision for your life and business, turn a deaf ear.
Tune them out, pretend you can't hear it and you can't even understand the sub-titles! This doesn't mean you shouldn't listen and learn how to move forward towards your dreams, but you shouldn't let the fears and expectations of others make you so fearful that you give up on yourself.
Here's to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
P.S. I learned something interesting about Blockbuster when looking for a copy of the movie. If they don't have the movie in a store but have it in their warehouse, you pay the normal $5 and they mail it to you. If you return it to a store, it acts as a coupon and you can get a new release for $1.99! Coolio!
As I watched Episode 2 of the "America: The Story of Us" on the History Channel, my business brain started to kick in. Not only did I learn new things about the Revolutionary War that I didn't know before, I started to see how the tactics used by the 'rebels' could serve business owners well. I assure you many liberties are being taken in this comparison - I'm going on what I recall and my impressions - forgive me if they are skewed. It's the analogy that matters.
Let me set the scene...
It's 1773, there is a Tea Party in Boston (the original, not the remakes going on now) and we are tired of taxation without representation. By 1776, the people of the colonies grab whatever weapon they can muster and decide they're through and they want to be independent. (Pretend they are artists and they don't want to 'work for the man - they want to go into business for themselves.)
The Red Coats are highly trained soldiers. They have systems, structure and certain ways things are done. Battles are fought in fields. You don't shoot the leaders. Certain protocol is followed. The Red Coats are like big corporations.
Well the rebels, I'll call them US soldiers, decide they can't win if they play by the rules. They have to make up their own rules. (Like we self-employed artists do.)
The US soldiers use new tactics: snipers and sharp shooters. They kill the Indian guides so the red coats don't know the terrain. Then they take out the leaders so there is chaos. They learn new techniques and train. Bayonettes come from France and change the way they can fight on the battlefield.
Most importantly, the US soldiers REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to be free.
They want it enough to survive crazy conditions. They want it more than the British want to keep paying for a war across the ocean. More than the soldiers want to be beat up by farmers. They want it and they fight till Britain says UNCLE.
So what can artists learn from this?
You have to REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to succeed and be willing to do WHATEVER IT TAKES. No giving up because it's easier to go sell coffee at the closest Starbucks and heck, they have benefits for part-time workers.
You have to know your strengths and how to capitalize on them.
You have to be willing to learn new things and adapt to what is going on in the present.
You have to be willing to try and fail - George Washington knew he had to lose many battles to win the war. How much are you willing to lose and get back up again, fighting for your dream?
We should be grateful that no matter what is going on, we aren't surviving Valley Forge in the dead of winter with no shoes, a smallpox outbreak and little shelter.
The US soldiers fighting for independence were willing to commit, adapt, learn and persevere. Are you?
I am! Here's to your creative success and doing whatever it takes to get there!
– Tara Reed
P.S. While watching, this song kept going through my head! What a fun Saturday morning memory of School House Rock in between cartoons!
My teachers and mentor, Alex Mandossian, turned me on to this video and I want to share it with you.
While I will be celebrating the 7th anniversary of my divorce this coming summer, it was not a "quick fix" but a hard and heart-felt decision. I think that is the only part of this video that hit an odd note for me - watch it and see what you think.
Here's to being happy, thinking outside of yourself, priorities, doing what you love and making the world a better place.
I'm settling into my penthouse suite on Cloud 9...
How cool is it to get to interview these amazing people each month? Pinch me! It's just surreal! Last night was the much anticipated Ask Mary Engelbreit call and I have to say it was a smashing success!
We tried something new by 'getting social' and that was amazing to watch! Normally artists are in the comfort of their own home and listening... this time I proposed that those who wanted to, listen and CONNECT via Twitter or Facebook. I think it put a whole new level of community to the event and hope we recreate it each month during our ask calls. PLUS... it gave me instant access to noteworthy things covered on the call because I could copy and paste the things you felt worthy of tweeting or commenting.
So excited here in Seattle listening to Mary's info.
Greeting Card Manufacturers are still always looking for something new!
Am I the only person who can't type and listen at the same time?
To balance market trends vs staying true to yourself Mary says: if u feel like you're selling out - don't do it - but if you're just starting out, you might need to bend a little just to get in the door with a company
Artists - you have to be willing to change - advice from Mary Engelbreit
Never devalue your art... never sell yourself short. Mary is offering great advice.
Loved the call. She's so real, so fun.
And here is an example of some of the tweets on Twitter (using the #ask hash tag so artists could find each other)
when i grow up can i be just like Mary? #ask <me too me too!
Mary Engelbreit doing a project with Disney - out this fall ::has 5,000 pieces of art in database #ask via @artisttarareed
"Adaptability is the key to survival" #ask
#ask Mary Engelbreit says the internet has completely changed licensing. It makes it easier for artists 2 participate & create buzz!
any kind of change is scary, but you have to be willing to change all the time Mary Engelbreit #ask
#ask Mary Engelbreit says blogging has driven her business. She & Tara Reed think alike! (One of my personal favorites - I like to think I think like Mary! & Paul… &…)
Artists - it's important to have a website and a blog to showcase your art - the internet opens doors - advice from Mary Engelbreit #ask
ME seems so wonderfully unassuming and down to earth-just resonates with me. #ask
Mary's job: make a good drawing, think about how they feel when they read the quote
Art success takes dedication... a lot of artists work in the night hours - draw when the world is a little more quiet #ask
Mary Engelbreit reminds us that it's the art that brings us all together. #ask
#ask Mary Engelbreit: "Deadlines inspire me." I need to think more like this woman!
#ask Really enjoyed hearing how Mary does things--I learned a lot!
Really love seeing so many other creatives with similar goals/interests. I'm not the only one! #ask
Two things Mary said that really struck a chord with me were:
"I'm just grateful to be able to make a living doing this." – Mary Engelbreit
"I just want to do a good job for the people who respond to the drawings." – Mary Engelbreit
She reminded us how lucky we are to do what we do and have a passion for our work. We decided that being happy and grateful is a pretty good way to live!
If you missed the call and want a copy of the free mp3 audio replay - go to www.MaryEngelbreit.com/askme/ and click the link to register to receive your copy!
Thank you again Mary for sharing your wisdom and spreading hope and inspiration to artists everywhere!
– Tara Reed
P.S. At the end of the audio Mary talks about her upcoming Mary Engelbreit Home Companion Workshop in St Louis, April 29 - May 2nd - you even get to tour her studio! CLICK HERE for all the details!
Posted by Tara Reed on Mar 15, 2010 in inspiration
A Kreative Blogger award has recently been passed to me by artist Debra Cortese.
I believe we first connected on Twitter… ah yes, another connection thanks to my favorite social media platform!
Since I've decided to stop trying to recreate the wheel - I decided to reprint the background information that Debra found - this is from her blog post:
I’ve become a bit of an information addict, I couldn’t do this without a little background research. I quickly found reference to the original ‘Kreativ Blogger’ post and requirements for nominated Kreativ Bloggers. I believe they have been edited and abbreviated over time and cyberspace.
Kreativ Blogger originated in May 2008 in a post by Huldas Verden as noted by Clay Garden author in this April 2009 post: “Finally I found that it was started in Norway by a blogger named Huldas Verden.”
When the Clay Garden post was written in April 2009, the author’s Google search came up with 712 entries for Kreativ Blogger. When I searched today, Feb 28, 2010 for ‘Kreative Blogger’ awards, Google comes up with 23,200,000 entries! Hence, the power of blogging!
Here are the requirements that I found, and am passing on to 7 fellow Kreativ Bloggers (names and links to blogs at the end of this post): The Kreativ Blogger award comes with the following requirements:
1. You must thank the person who has given you the award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link the person who has nominated you for the award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 other Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs to let them know they have been nominated.
Seven things about me that may be of interest:
1. Jobs I've had: serving up ice cream at Dairy Queen, orthodontist assistant, college textbooks sales rep, temporary help company sales rep, cake decorator, ARTIST!
2. I was an exchange student in Tours, France my junior year of high school and can still muddle through with French. I'm open to any business opportunities that would take me to France so keep your eyes and ears open!
3. I'm a middle child and when I say that, I'm often told, "Oh! That explains some things!" What? What does it explain?
4. I love what I do and wish that everyone could say the same. Follow your dreams, make tough choices when necessary and keep the passion for what you do!
5. Growing up I wanted to be a teacher. I guess I am but not in the way I expected - this is even better - no chalk dust! (or dry erase marker fumes)
6. Sometimes these things feel like chain letters (which I never do) but I'm told they are good for SEO so I'll admit - that's why I did it!
7. I believe there is a silver lining in EVERYTHING that happens… you just have to be willing to look for it. This has really irritated some people in my life - guess they didn't share my belief.
I wanted to report in - I gave my 4 minute Teleseminar Secrets Challenge Speech last night and it went really well - or so I'm told! I was a little nervous but nothing like last year!
What I had to do was explain why I thought I should win "Top Vote Getter" for the Veteran Category - meaning I had made more than $1 with Teleseminars. It was supposed to inspire others, show my passion and what I felt teleseminars had done for my business. Would I be a good spokesperson for teleseminars? Did I make sense? Those were the parameters on which we were judged. (No results in just yet...)
When I sat down to write my speech, I thought about how much teleseminars had changed my business - how they have helped me connect with artists and other industry experts who have come on board to share. Most of all, I wanted to show how I felt it has helped all of us - now you can learn in the most remote region in your fuzzy slippers and you don't have to travel to New York, Atlanta or Las Vegas. (and neither do I! I'm in fuzzy socks - every time!)
I think I got the point across and here is why: a fellow student was giving me feedback on my speech on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/LoydLarue)
First he said: you did a gr8 job @ the challenge.
I of course thanked him!
Then he said: You Are My Everything @Michael Bublé ==>http://bit.ly/7f8PsV ==>this could be your biz song mantra...?? just a thought.
I didn't understand so I asked for an explanation. (Honestly, I have that song as the ring-tone when Craig calls so to me it was a romantic song)
@LoydLarue replied: I was just thinking of your passion towards your prospect / clients.. "You are my everything" made sense @ the time..lol
So I'd say my love for this side of my business shined through - yippee! I am also happy the speech is over so I can get back to my art and look forward to our upcoming teleseminars. You are coming right?
#ask
