Tag: Artsy Advice

How to Be a Creative Adventurer

Last weekend, Mr. F and I took a little backpacking trip up into the Trinity Alps, a mountain range about two hours east of Eureka. As we were hiking, I got to thinking about the parallels between the creative process and adventuring. The act of being creative, whether as an artist, writer, musician or however you stretch those muscles, is a daring endeavor– you can plan and prepare, but the real joy is in the unknown path ahead.

Want to know how to be a creative adventurer? Here are a few simple steps to venture into the unknown!

1 | set some goals and make a plan. Think about where you’d like to end up and what you think you’ll need to achieve to get there. The trail might be smooth or you may end up doing some bush-whacking to find your way, or you may change course altogether, but setting out with a vision of the finish line will help keep you focused when you feel like giving up.

2 | find yourself a partner. Whether it’s a spouse, friend, or fellow creative, tell someone your plan. It’s never smart to go out into the wild on your own and having some company along the way will help to keep you on the right track and keep your perspective in check.

3 | work your plan, one step at a time. We all want to race to the finish line, to skip the grueling climb and reach the peak. Prepare to feel overwhelmed, discouraged, to want to turn around and head back down the mountain. But keep on keepin’ on and before you know it, you’ve turned the next corner.

4 | know when to veer off the plan and take a risk. Just because you have a plan doesn’t mean you must stick to it if things aren’t working. Maybe the path isn’t what you thought it would be or you just need to liven things up a little. Take a risk and you may find that you end up in a place even better than you imagined.

5 | let yourself take a break. If you’re finding yourself discouraged or disillusioned with where you’re going, give it a rest for a while. Do something else, something fun and completely different, then come back refreshed and rejuvenated.

6 | celebrate your successes! It’s easy to get so caught up into heading for the next goal that we forget to take the time to celebrate our achievements. Take a moment, a day, an evening, and dedicate it to treating yourself and reveling in a mission accomplished!

7 | evaluate & recalibrate Now that you’ve reached the pinnacle, look back at what you’ve done and how you got there. What would you change? How can you be better prepared for next time? Mr. F and I do this after each backpacking trip and we always find things we can improve for next time.. I mean, did we really need all this trail mix?

Once you can see objectively where you’ve been and how you’ve got there, you’ll have a clearer idea of where you’d like to go next. And a sense of assurance that you can do what it takes to get there.

Are you headed out on a creative adventure or find yourself in the midst of a journey? How’s your progress?

All images by Artsy Forager.

June 25, 2014
How to Commission Artwork

So you’ve found an artist whose work you LOVE and you want to commission the artist to create a piece of work especially for you. How exciting!! But you don’t know where to start. If you’ve never done it before, commissioning an original work by an artist can be intimidating ( for you and the artist! ). So here are a few guidelines on how to commission artwork that I hope will help when you’re ready to take the plunge!

1 | know the artist, know yourself

As enticing as it might be to instantly fall in love with an artist’s work and immediately set off on commissioning them, you’ll be better off slowing down a bit. Take some time to really get to know the artist’s work, their palette, style, medium, what you love about it, ask yourself if living with a piece of this artist’s work will make you happy forever and ever.

Once you’ve done that, figure out what you want. If you’re commissioning for a specific location, figure out what size would work best ( often an artist can help guide you if you’re uncertain ). Do you prefer a work on canvas or paper or another substrate? Maybe the artist works in a few different styles like our Featured Artist, Erin McIntosh. If so, determine which style you’d like your commission to follow. And then there’s the most fun decision of all– palette. What colors would you like to see incorporated? Is there a certain palette the artist works within that you love? Collect fabrics, paint samples, photos, anything the artist can use for reference and guidance. Help the artist by creating a vision of what you’re expecting.

2 | communicate what you want

Reach out to the artist first and find out if a| they are accepting commissions, b| what their current lead time might be, and c| the price for a commission in the size you’re desiring. It’s possible that the answer to any of these questions might mean putting off the commission until the artist has time or you have the necessary funds ( though always ask about payment options– many artists will work with a payment plan! ).

Once those basics are agreed upon, chat with the artist via phone or email about your expectations ( email is best, so you both have a record of what was discussed ) . Share all the visual references you can, use as many descriptive phrases as you can– like happy, serene, intense, organic, bright, light, etc. Give the artist your specifics regarding size, substrate and style and be sure to include information like where the piece will hang, who it is for ( if a gift ), if the work will commemorate a special occasion, etc. All these elements will help guide an artist into creating a work of art that fits your vision.

3 | expect a written agreement

Once you and the artist have communicated fully your exact needs and expectations and agreed upon a price and lead time, the artist should provide you with a written statement of what is to be done, including all specifics regarding price, size, substrate, palette, shipping arrangements if not local, deposit and payment arrangements, etc. for your approval and acceptance. This step protects both your interests and the artists, certifying that both parties understand what is expected of each other.

4 | don’t mistake an artist for a machine

Let’s say you’ve commissioned an original based on another existing but unavailable work by the same artist. Same style, same substrate, same palette, same everything. But don’t expect an exact replica of that piece you loved. An original piece of artwork is a completely unique undertaking, each piece will have its own personality. Just like a snowflake, no two are exactly alike. On the other hand, if you receive progress photos from the artist and things don’t seem to be going in the direction you’d specified either stylistically or palette-wise, don’t be afraid to communicate your concern to the artist. They want you to be happy with your finished piece, so your feedback will be necessary and appreciated.

5 | be patient, be available

You’ve paid your deposit and the artist has given you a lead time. Now just sit back and wait. I know it’s hard!! We live in such an instant gratification society, we want what we want and we want it NOW. But creating an original work of art takes time and the artist may have other projects due to be completed before yours. It will be done, just be patient. And be available if the artist has questions, wants your input or needs your opinion. ( see #4 ).

featured artist Erin McIntosh in her studio

6 | accept your finished piece with grace and thanks

Wham, bam, thank you ma’am is no way to finish off commissioning a piece of artwork. Yes, you’ve paid the artist, but said artist has put a tremendous amount of time, creative energy and spirit into your creation. A heartfelt, gracious thank you goes a long way! And helping spread the word about your beautiful new work of art and lovely commissioning experience will support and encourage the artist’s career and soul.

Now all that’s left to do is to live with and love your work of art for always!

See more from our March Featured Artist, Erin McIntosh, on her website and on the Artsy Forager Facebook page.

All images via Erin McIntosh on Facebook.

March 26, 2014
Join Me Tomorrow at the Thriving Artist Summit!

Tomorrow’s the day, ya’ll! I’m making my “appearance” at the Thriving Artist Summit tomorrow December 9th, sharing my tips and thoughts on how artists can use tools like blogs and social media to promote their work, as well as insight into Artsy Forager, tips for approaching galleries, and more!

If you aren’t already signed up, you can register here: http://thrivingartistsummit.com/lfrenz.

The interview will be available for 72 hours but if you can’t listen in the next few days, you’ll be able to catch a replay at a later date, but you have to register for access! You can do so by clicking the image above. Please share with your artsy friends!

December 8, 2013
Thriving Artist Summit 2013: Your Invitation to Thrive!
Many of you are artists. Or you know an artist or two, or twenty, you love their work and want to see them succeed. So I’m super excited to share with you the Thriving Artist Summit, a FREE online event happening December 2-13, 2013!

My friend Bonnie Glendinning of artmuse.com is on a mission to help artists be successful and THRIVE, not just survive. Bonnie has brought together 20+ highly successful artists, experts, and mentors ( including Yours Truly! ) to share their key insights for real success.

I shared my expertise in blogging and social media at this powerful summit and I hope to help you learn how to use these powerful tools to promote your work, find your own unique online voice and draw collectors to your work. You can learn more and reserve your FREE spot here: http://thrivingartistsummit.com/lfrenz

During this special community summit you will discover how to:
- Make Your Creative Biz a Real Success
- Build Your Brand for Your Ideal Buyers
- Price for Real Profit and Growth
- Increase Your Sales with Marketing, PR, and Social Media
- Diversify into Licensing, Wholesale, and Direct-to-Consumer
- Get Into Galleries, Shows, and Raise Project Funds
I’d love for you to experience this yourself and JOIN US FOR THIS FREE summit. In addition to all the incredibly valuable information you’ll receive from industry experts, you’ll also get exclusive access to helpful downloads available to no one else!

The Thriving Artist Summit
With Lesley Frenz and Bonnie Glendinning
December 02 through December 13, 2013
Approximately 1 hour, replay available to registrants

SECURE YOUR SPOT NOW: http://thrivingartistsummit.com/lfrenz

p.s. A replay will be available, but you still have to register to receive access!
REGISTER HERE: http://thrivingartistsummit.com/lfrenz
November 29, 2013
Yes, Virginia, You CAN Afford to Buy Artwork! ( Part 2 )
Please enjoy this oldie by goodie while I spend the next two weeks camping, packing, visiting with the mom-in-law and moving from WA to OR. See you in September!

The affordable artfest continues today! In case you missed it, you can catch Part 1 here. Here are a few more suggestions for purchasing affordable artwork:
- Art festivals– Just about every community at one point of another puts on some kind of arts festival or at the very least, there are a few within easy driving distance of where you live. Festivals are a great place to check out ( usually ) a wide variety of artwork. And with individual artists manning their own booths, it’s also a great opportunity to chat with them about their work. Plus, you can usually score some funnel cake. Win-win!!
- ArtWalks— Many communities are also getting on the ArtWalk bandwagon, which I am all for! ArtWalks customarily take place once a month, usually the same evening every month such as the First Friday or Second Saturday. While the ArtWalks usually involve visiting local galleries, which we’ll touch base on below, many of them set up tents in a local park or closed-off street where local artists can display their wares.
- Arts Markets– A growing trend is a local “arts market”, which is a weekly market, combination farmer’s market, street fair and arts market. A wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning, grab some fresh ingredients for dinner, listen to local music and discover new artists.
- Local Galleries– You may think this one is obvious, but in many communities, brick & mortar art galleries are rapidly disappearing, thanks in no small part to the recession. If you are lucky enough to have some local galleries in your area, do what you can to support them. Don’t just go to the free events– actually buy something, even if it small. Many galleries today offer payment plans for larger purchases, don’t be afraid to ask. Galleries are in the business of supporting artists and selling their work. While it’s nice to browse, browsers don’t pay the rent. Most art galleries are run by average folks who love art or are artists themselves and are an important feature of any thriving community. Please patronize local galleries– your community will thank you.
- Art by Students– Chances are, you have a community college or university of some kind in or near where you live. These institutions are often filled with budding artists. Check the colleges’ websites to find out more about their art programs, exhibitions, etc. Purchasing student work is a wonderful, economical way to start a collection AND help give emerging young artists a boost of confidence. Even if they don’t make a career out of being an artist, that student will always know someone loved their work enough to buy it and they will cherish that knowledge. ( I speak from personal experience! )
- Artists Themselves– OK, so this suggestion may call for a huge, UMM..DUH, LESLEY!!, but it’s definitely an option, especially today when many artists are foregoing traditional gallery representation, choosing instead to market their work on their own. There are certain advantages to dealing directly with an artist, such as they may have more room to negotiate on price or payment terms without a middle man, as a direct “patron”, the artist may notify you first of new works you may be interested in and best of all, you can get to know the artist personally, which often makes the work you love that much more significant. In addition, many artists are now offering “budget” limited editions of their work, which make it all the more affordable. ( Check out Town Editions, a limited edition collection offered by Pick of the Crop artist, Thomas Hager ). A word of caution though, on a somewhat touchy aspect of buying directly from artists which goes back to my point of supporting local galleries– if you see a piece in a gallery that you love PLEASE do not try to circumvent the gallery and purchase from the artist directly. It’s dishonest and well, just a crappy thing to do. Most artists value their relationships with galleries or have a contract with the gallery and would not sell such a work to you in any case, but I’ve seen it happen.
I hope you find these suggestions helpful. It can be intimidating to buy artwork, but buy what you love and you’ll never be sorry.
September 1, 2011