“The act of making something new makes us vulnerable.”
That is a comment by artist and creative business consultant Lisa Sonora Beam, who writes and teaches about a variety of challenges that creative people face in developing a piece of artwork, a small business, or themselves as the central element of a creative endeavor.
She notes people may “experience a kind of mythic divide” between their creative work and business practicalities.
“This split can create tension and even trauma for the creative soul who is blessed with passion and purpose yet cursed by the seemingly mysterious realm of strategies and skills that are necessary to make an idea real.”
Her book “The Creative Entrepreneur,” she says, “addresses the three main issues that can result in creative business failure: emotional and psychological blockages, faulty thinking about the creative process, and a lack of practical business knowledge.”
One approach she finds very helpful for herself and clients is visual journaling:
“It is one of the most powerful tools I know to gain insight, solve problems, and explore new ideas without the pressure to produce a product… it is an appealing and unique vehicle for entrepreneurial explorations. If you have trouble with the word journal, call it a sketchbook or a notebook. Sketches and notes are never confused with the work they ultimately inspire.”
She thinks “Those who gain the most from the visual journal process are able to separate process and product. They are able to think of and use their visual journal as a container for their inner process rather than treat it as a work of art.”
From The Creative Entrepreneur: A DIY Visual Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real by Lisa Sonora Beam.
This is one of her videos about her online class, Creative + Practice:
Lisa Sonora notes
“The thing I’m asked most often is how I am able to make a living as an artist. I could tell you about Paypal buttons, affiliate programs, social media techniques, pricing your work, marketing your work, branding your work, selling your work.
“But the true secret to my success an artist and creative entrepreneur has to do with just one thing: Creative Practice.
“The secret is not in your products, services, packaging, messaging, pricing, and the other details we get hung up on when trying to earn a living from our art. The secret is in having a Creative Practice.”
Visit her site www.lisasonora.com to learn about her programs.
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Resources :
Eric Maisel, PhD is author of more than 50 books, and his interests include creativity, the creative life, and the profession of creativity coaching, which he founded. He leads creativity workshops in places including Paris, London, Rome, Dublin, Prague, San Francisco, and New York.
About his teaching programs, he notes: “I want to share with you the ideas, lessons, tactics, and strategies that I’ve learned over the years that I know work.”
Learn more about his multiple products and programs in article:
How to have a more successful creative life – Eric Maisel programs.
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The Right-Brain Business Plan: A Creative, Visual Map for Success by Jennifer Lee.
Making Your Creative Mark: Nine Keys to Achieving Your Artistic Goals, by Eric Maisel, PhD
From the book: “You may be wishing for bestsellers, eye-popping fame, and huge paydays. Yes, these things are certainly pretty to think about! I am not against any of them. However, your best life in the arts, even if it doesn’t include stardom and huge piles of money, may still be a beautiful and rewarding thing.”
Audio interview : Susan Kirkland: Designer and Creative Services Entrepreneur.
Articles:
Creative Pros and Creative Entrepreneurs.
Ane Axford and Marie Forleo on Being a Highly Sensitive Entrepreneur.
Eric Maisel on his course “Your Life in the Arts”
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Douglas Eby (M.A./Psychology) is author of the The Creative Mind series of sites which provide “Information and inspiration to help creative people thrive.”
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