I’ve had another one of my genius ideas you guys. Abstractify will be open for registration again soon, and by way of spreading the word to those who are looking for what it offers, while providing something fun and valuable in itself, I propose the following!
Part of the richness of being an artist is the connection – to your own inner artist and to creative source yes, but also to other artists, and, if you’re wanting to sell your work, to potential collectors.
The connection part can feel quite daunting for many of us, because it means ‘going public’ in some way. It can feel incredibly vulnerable and scary to share what you’ve made, much less to offer it for sale – for many it’s like revealing a piece of your soul, which means opening yourself and your work up to scrutiny and judgement. Tempting, right?!
The arrival of Instagram changed that for a lot of us. I’m not sure what it is exactly, but it does seem to cultivate communities that are supportive, kind, and enthusiastic about each other’s wins. I’ve met so many other artists around the world through Instagram and have found it to be friendly and encouraging, as well as a great platform for connecting with others and selling work.
And so I’ve devised a challenge, or as I like to think of them, an invitation. We’ll call it a challenge as that’s language that many of us are used to, since they are everywhere these days. But think of it as an invitation if that feels less hardcore!
Stronger together
This challenge is aimed at making it easier to connect with other artists and kindred spirits, and, if you like, with possible collectors of your work.
The added bonus is that it’s designed to build your ‘story’ as an artist. It’ll help you clarify aspects of your own process, what works and what doesn’t, and hopefully make it easier to talk about your work and motivations. Art buyers love to know more about the person behind the art – this will give them a glimpse behind the curtain and help us connect with each other as humans and creative beings.
How it works
Over 21 days, starting this Wednesday May 24th 2017, we’ll share aspects of our unique artist worlds as a way to connect and expand. We’ll invite people in to see what being an artist is like for us, what we’ve learned, what we love, what inspires us, what’s not so easy. We’ll talk to each other about what it means to us to be an artist, our dreams and plans.
If you’ve been wanting to connect and share more but have felt tentative about doing so, or even if you’re used to it by now but would love to expand further, you’re very welcome to join us! If you’re not on Instagram and are a part of my private Facebook group {for course alumni and Artnote subscribers}, members often join in with challenges within the group. You can join by signing up here.
Feel free to share the image above with anyone you think might like to join in – you can download it by right clicking and saving to your computer or phone. The more the merrier! On Instagram we’ll be using the hashtag #21daysinmyartworld, which is how we’ll find each other. I encourage you to comment on each others’ posts and embrace the connections!
If you’d like to join us and receive the daily inspiration/encouragement emails, sign up by clicking the button below.
The emails are designed to help you find fun ways to interpret each prompt and to keep the momentum going, if that feels helpful. Or you can go rogue and riff off the prompts yourself each day!
Whether you just join in for a handful of days, or stick with it for the whole three weeks, you’re welcome. It doesn’t have to be about selling your work if that’s not something you want to be doing. The only rule is no ‘I must catch up’ pressure! Takes all the fun out of it. 🙂 {This is why I don’t like the word challenge. It seems to activate some kind of performance pressure in people!}
Help spread the word!
Here are a couple of thingies to share on FB or Twitter. Or you can share the image containing the daily prompts anywhere you like!
Want to get better at sharing your art and connecting with other artists and collectors? Join the free challenge, 21 days in my art world, here: www.bit.ly/myartworld21
Joining in with Tara Leaver’s 21 Days in My Art World challenge to reach more potential collectors and get used to sharing my work more easily! Want to join me? www.bit.ly/myartworld21
 In summary
- 21 day challenge/invitation on Instagram to get us all connecting more, clarifying our own processes, and feeling more comfortable with putting our work out there.
- If you’re not on Instagram, you can join in in the private FB group for all course alumni and Artnote subscribers; join here
- You can join in without signing up for emails, but should you wish to receive daily ideas and encouragement, click the button above
- Help spread the word by sharing the image containing the prompts or one of the suggested snippets above
So will you be joining us? Any questions or clarification required please leave a comment!
Dear Tara, Thank you so much for this wonderful offering. Perfect timing as I look at the rapidly escalating pile of canvases in my art space. I have been stuck for a few months and thankfully just beginning to feel some lubrication again, but a major relaization is that I dont want to add more paintings to that pile without some outflow, so what do I do with them all??!!! is a question that is currently on my mind. Are they good enough to sell? should I give some away? who would want them? are others experiencing this??
Excellent Fiona – glad you’ll be joining us! And yes, the point about outflow is a good one. Energetically speaking inflow needs to be balanced with outflow so that things CAN flow! And I can assure you that others are experiencing all those questions and wonderings!
I am an “armchair whatever-it-is” which in this case is an “armchair artist” meaning i am interested but rarely get up and do it. E.G., in March of this year i finally finished a painting i started 12 years ago. Then i went back into armchair mode again and got a half-dozen art how-to books from the library. They all had projects which i read the instructions but then moved on until i found one that was just my speed: “paint a landscape sort of like this one in the book” and sort-of is just my speed. And i could use supplies i bought 12 years ago too. But i am about ready to settle back in my armchair with this project only a quarter done. I don’t want to do that so i am hoping this challenge keeps me up on the painting stool.
Tommy
Hi Tommy – love that idea of armchair mode! Am there myself just now, more or less. 🙂 Glad you’ll be joining us for the challenge. A bit of gentle accountability can be a huge help. 🙂
Thanks Tara for starting this. I have been only working in my sketch book because of constant travel. No room for paints. I will be in Brighton 3 1/2 months starting September 1. I am an in between person . I do abstract drawings and realistic drawings and just feel at a standstill. I’m hoping your prompts help me. We have sold our home and belongings except our car. We have no storage unit either. My husband is retired but I will never retire from art! I have joined your newsletter and a free class before ,but what can I say, I’m here again.
Hi Sheryl! Glad you’ll be joining us!
Lovely set of prompts, and a great timescale too 🙂 It’s scary getting work ‘out there’ at the beginning. Online is great to get you comfortable with the idea and then real world opportunities are good too – look for local exhibitions or festivals you can submit to. It doesn’t have to start massive – my first public show+sale was as part of a church summer fair and it was such a boost that it inspired me to keep going.
Exactly – it’s totally valid to start small {and probably advisable!}. I’ve found online to be a really gentle way in to learning how to share my work and ask for the sale.
Hi Tara
I’d love to join in with this – it’s such a good idea. I’m doing Open Studios and am part of an art trail in June as well, so Is it ok to hashtag these throughout this 21 day challenge. Just checking before I join up. Thanks.
Of course Penny! You can use up to 30 hashtags so go for it! 🙂 Glad to have you along!
Are we to post paintings during this challenge? I have one I did almost twenty years ago that was hung in the Student Show at the Indianapolis Art Center. I don’t think I can do this style again, and not sure I want to — it drove me crazy. But I guess I would say that’s my favorite painting. of mine. Although I get more pleasure out of the easy breezy flow-y ones that would not win awards. Or maybe I was supposed to name my favorite painting by any artist?
The general idea was to share your own work, although it’s all open to interpretation and what you’d like to share with your audience. 🙂 People love to see where an artist has come from, so if you fancy sharing that painting from twenty years ago that’ll work beautifully. Some have shared their favourite painting ‘today’, some ever, some from the past. Whatever you’d like to share!
Help! I don’t see where/how to post a painting photo. It’s probably obvious to everybody but me!
thanks!
You can either do it on Instagram or in our FB group! 🙂
Hi Tara,
I’m intrigued but I guess I’m too late this time!? Just read about your 21 days in my art world .. today May 25th. Perhaps I could join in another time?
Not at all – jump in any time! It doesn’t matter if you miss a few days – we’d love to have you! Just start where you are. 🙂
Hi Tara, I just registered to join the challenge , but it is a bit scary for me….I am really, really a beginner, so I hope I dare to jump into the big world of more talented people, but I Guess that’s just a part of the game…..so, I am ready to try it ????
Welcome Veronique! You’re in good company, from beginners to full time artists. 🙂
Dear Tara, I have been receiving & saving your blog, I love the inspiration & encouragement you give, just reading your list of 21 Gave me idea’s.
My husband & I are recently retired, we retire, him to the sun house me to my art room, & meet for meals & a chat & pottery classes, We are both still learning but we have had a weeks gallery for the last 3 years in a local art gallery & do very well, it gives us a project to aim for every summer & boosts our confidence & pays for the gallery & our equipment for the next few months. So I hope this will give your Artists hope & Ideas. Thank- you Wonderful Tara.
That sounds like such a wonderful arrangement – meeting to eat and discuss and then doing your own projects in between! Love the gallery set up too – it does make a huge difference to have something specific to work towards I think.