"Creating Moments of Joy"

"Smile!" digital image by S'zanne Reynolds

"Happiness," we are told, "is becoming a focal point of business and here’s why: When you create moments of joy throughout a customer’s encounter with your product, you are more likely to experience the ripple effect that an emotionally positive experience can have on your business." --Ladies Who Launch

I appreciated the above statement as it applies to art. Everyone expresses creatively with a different purpose. For me, I enjoy creating art to express a moment of joy, reflection or some emotional chord that resonates with myself and the world around me, and therefore, with the viewer.


"Romping Around" digital image by S'zanne Reynolds

As artists we are developing an encounter that we hope will draw the observer into the experience of our creative endeavor. If a work is made with integrity of observation, with love and tenderness of line, and with a pure heart towards color...the art speaks for itself and the creative experience is heard, seen and felt with joy...be it performance, poem or painting...be the emotion pain, sadness or joy.


"Jumping for Joy" digital image by S'zanne Reynolds

With so much despair in the world, it's comforting and humbling to remember that there are infinite ways to console others with the joy of our creative truth and expression.

"In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love." ~Marc Chagall

To read the whole article from Ladies Who Launch, click here.

Never Make Assumptions

"A Painful Commission" by S'zanne Reynolds

Commissions are often a challenge for many artists. I've learned the hard way, never to make assumptions or you can lose the sale, or worse--your client.

Don't assume, for example, that they'll understand why you're taking so long to finish a painting. Explain the process and keep clients updated with the progress, or lack of progress.

Be realistic setting a timeline, and don't be afraid to communicate road blocks or explain why the work may take longer than expected. Keep the lines of communication open and don't ignore any problems.

What you see in your head, is not necessarily what they'll want. Discuss the plans for the work and define the details as much as possible. If they can't point to a particular piece in your portfolio that they like and want you to emulate style-wise, then don't take on the job. You cannot be anything other than the artist you already are at the moment.

And, don't assume, they'll want to purchase the piece upon completion. Have a backup plan and offer them another painting for the same value as the non-refundable deposit.

If you don't currently have a dedicated block of time to complete the commission, say 4-6 hours a day for 2-3 weeks or however long you plan for it to take, ask them to come back in 6 months or put them on a waiting list. Accepting commissions too far in advance of your availability will make you look like you're not really interested in doing business with them, and it may potentially build tension and frustration for all concerned.

We all want our clients to be happy with our commissions, and we desire to act with integrity and professionalism. But even the best intentions can go awry. Click on LadiesWhoLaunch.com for some good guidelines on setting goals, expectations and desired results to help avoid the pitfalls of bad planning and unexpected outcomes in any business.

Art is, after all, a business...the business of creativity!

The Consistent Vision

"Successful businesses operate from a consistent vision, anchored in a business plan, executed by a well-led team operating from a rational, not emotional point of view.

Many entrepreneurs start businesses from passion, which functions very well as a starting point. The trick is to maintain the passion but operate your business from a sound base of logic.

Your business is a mere hobby unless you establish and follow a business model that (eventually) turns a profit. This may sound hard, but it’s really not, especially when this is the foundation from the very beginning.

When you solve problems from a logical point of view, not an emotional one, you make choices that serve the business and not your ego. Keep asking yourself if feelings are getting in the way. If they are, reestablish your determination to operate from logic.

New habits are created over time. Give yourself a break and focus on applying more and more logic to every aspect of your business. As this becomes your norm, business becomes easier."

Good advice from Ladies Who Launch. I like to ponder the ways in which to apply this "consistent vision" to my art business...with something that looks like intention fueled by passion, followed by unstoppable creativity, that hits the easel with with regularity and persistence....and eventually translates into a painted canvas.

Focus on Your Dream

Snow Dreams, 12x12 pastel

“My father encouraged me to focus on my dream instead of the obstacles to achieving it.”

So often we focus on obstacles and lose site of our true mission and why we started something. We get caught up in the hardships of success and the more masculine business aspects; writing a business plan, strategic long-term planning, securing finances, etc. We see obstacles instead of solutions because in the moment our imaginations are not expansive enough and won’t allow us to go beyond a certain way of thinking.

That’s why it’s crucial to keep your eyes on the dream. The dream is where you started and fulfillment on it is where you’ll end up. Everything in between remains to be seen and obstacles along the way are just that—obstacles, not hindrances to dream achievement.

--from Ladies Who Launch at ladieswholaunch.com