I used to be a liberal with my recommendations.

Or perhaps I should say lack of.

In the spirit of being friendly and accommodating, I’d be happy to support any direction, style or medium an aspiring artist would like to work with for their art.  My teaching style is very nurturing, developmental, therapeutic and as such, I don’t like to deter the courage or adventurous spirit of a fledgling.

And there is some truth still to that because I’ve seen some amazing work using the most frustrating materials.  On the other hand, I’ve seen folks work with expensive tools and supplies and fail miserably.

So in my latter years of instruction, I’ve found that sometimes you CAN blame your failure on the paint brush.

And sometimes, the fault is yours.  A good instructor will guide to the right conclusion.

There is an element of customer service in education.  Preventing frustration by recommending the right tools for the skill level of the student. 

And there should also be a strong sense of customer service when one goes to buy materials - or to buy for the artist in their life.

Whether during the holidays or beyond, here are some questions to ask when shopping for someone else, or for identifying what kind of artist you may be:

1) Is the pursuit as a hobby or part of a career?  Also, what is the endurance or patience level of the artist like?  Investigating a medium is great fun but many treat it like a new year’s resolution and fall short.  Don’t go the whole 9 yards and waste money on an expensive setup for an impulse.

2) For the professional or serious student, the preference for a certain brand may all ready exist.  There are premier brands for everything, but economy doesn’t necessarily mean poor quality.  When in doubt, ask them! 

3) Kits are nice for the undecided, but some are kid-oriented quality and others are professional grade.  The price should be a clue, but look at what’s inside the box too.  Sometimes package deals combine both and you’ll find that the element the artist will enjoy the most is in shortest supply.

4) How-to books are fun - if the artist likes to read.  Many wax philosophical and ramble on about uninspiring approaches.  So make sure the how-to addresses the style the artist is attracted to. 

5) Buy from a specialty store.  Big box retailers with an arts and crafts section will not know how to direct you like a store that’s dedicated to the pursuit.  Also, the staff of a specialty store is likely to have first-hand experience with various products.  If you’re looking for clay advice, ask for someone who dabbles in sculpture - you’ll be glad you did.

In my experience, the store I would recommend locally for pricing, service and quality of selection is United Art and Education (and no, I don’t own stock) I am careful about whom I recommend for service because of how it reflects upon me.  But I have never been disappointed with United Art and Ed.  If you subscribe to their mailing list (e-mail or snail) they even send coupons!

For photography as an art form, Sunny Schick is the best resource in town - and they’ve never failed me either.  In fact, once they convinced me NOT to buy something in their store because of the direction I was planning on going with the project.  (That’s integrity!)

Regarding materials, there are many different medium, but here are a few brands that have never let me down:

For all things drawing or coloring: Prismacolor

For drawing paper: Strathmore

For acrylic paint: Liquitex

For pastels: Grumbacher or Rembrandt

In the categories of sculpture, the fabric arts, and some elements of painting (such as canvas, brushes or watercolor paper options) much success is dependant on the effect you want to achieve and therefore the correct tools for the job are important.  I’ve found brand to be irrelevant.

Happy shopping!

I love Halloween!  As an artist, I find it inspiring.  My mind fills with ideas for décor, atmosphere, and the ever-exciting “what will I be this year?”

Of course I’m allowed to enjoy it as an adult – it makes for great role modeling for my children.  They too become infected with my zest for the holiday and all the imagination-building fun. 

So in the spirit of creativity, I have the following design-on-a-dime costume ideas for kids-of-all-ages:

1)      Skip the mask:  Masks are fun but can also be expensive, hot and hazardous.  Anyone who remembers the plastic “blinders” with the single rubber band will agree.  If you couldn’t see or breathe very well, at least you could look forward to the rubber band breaking and snapping you in the eye.  Parents, try makeup instead.  A little rouge and you have instant clown.  Some well placed mascara and voila – instant diva (or princess) (Tip: Avoid grease paint unless you like scrubbing tired cranky dirty children for hours.)

2)      Oh the many joys of garbage bags:  plastic is a great insulator and trash bags come in more than one color.  They can also fit over just about any layered undercoating.  Uses:  Togas, robes, even capes if trimmed carefully.

3)      Go cerebral:  A good costume isn’t always obvious.  Sometimes it’s more fun to have a conversation piece.  Ask the kids to make up an obscure super-hero like Captain Happy – dress them all in yellow and let them canvas the neighborhood laughing.  Or put a small chair on their head and go as “gum” (get it?)

4)      Size can be everything:  Fit more than 1 kid in an oversized sweatsuit and you’ve got 2-headed monster!  Dad’s clothes and a little extra stuffing and you have “mini-me” or your home-made “Hulk.” Try the opposite effect with undersized clothing and be “The Incredible-growing-child” (a little faux 5 o’clock shadow will enhance the effect.)

5)      Wrap n’ roll:  T.p. your child and instant-mummify.  Some well-adhered holiday paper and you have “The Walking Gift.”  Save the empty rolls for horns, fake noses, spikes, anything you can imagine.

When it’s all over, you’ve spent some quality bonding time in the pursuit of free sugar.  You could even say you’re making a political statement (“old-fashioned”, “timeless”, “economical”, “just like I wore when I was his/her age”) You may even be surprised by some of the ideas your child can come up with. 

Enjoy it while you take your inspector’s cut of the candy.

The price-gougers, the cost-cutters, the bargain-basement operators.  Sounds pretty good to the average shopper doesn’t it?

But have you ever purchased something that didn’t live up to the bargain?  That cheap pair of shoes that you had to replace 3 more times in a year, the bulk jar of ketchup that you used just as fast as the regular size, the generic brand electronic device that (”oh by the way”) doesn’t have all the features as the real deal.

The same holds true with services.  Of course everyone has budgets and as service providers we want to be sensitive to those budgets.  Unlike Congress, when there’s no money for something - there really ISN’T a way to pay for it.  And when you’re hanging out your shingle, you don’t want to out-price everyone.  The market can only bear so much.

But the other side of the coin is some things just cost what they cost.  I’ve never known the price of gold to be up for a haggle.  It may rise or fall, but does that have to do with one person’s decision (conspiracy theorists need not comment here!)

So when you’ve achieved the highest degree, the most experience and can do things the best, you’re worth your investment.  Are you a ”Nike” or a “K Swiss”?  Are you a “Coke” or a “Faygo”?  Are you a “Rolls Royce” or a “Chevy”?  All are good brands and I’d take any of them if they were offered.  They simply cost what they cost. 

The hardest thing you may ever have to do is take pride in your skills and abilities and even tell a potential (or current) client “I don’t need your business” - or even fire them! 

If you’re doing your best and “you’re worth what you’re worth”, you’re dealing with business that will never respect you anyway and (even if they go with a cheap competitor) it reflects on their ethics - they’ll get what they pay for:  Low quality, suspicious business practices (maybe even illegal) and ultimately you dont’ want to be associated with any of that!  Trust me, they’ll be replaced with the kind of clients you want (and most likely will not only be able to afford you, but never think twice about doing it right.)

Ultimately, the things that shouldn’t be open for negotiation are your character and integrity.

I’m writing this one from a creative’s perspective, but it could apply to anyone who works hard and believes in the work that they do.

When you’re “living the dream”, whatever that dream may be, it’s very easy to trade off the important things in your life (health, personal growth, fitness, loved ones, etc.) as a price.  The saddest part is that you don’t have to.  It’s all about balance and maintaining a sense of mortality.

When we’re young, we’re unconscious. We’re limited only by our imagination.  Reckless abandon and an invulnerable sense blind us to the big picture.  It’s why we equate age with wisdom.  Slowing down causes us to reflect more (have you ever seen a memoir by a 20-year old?)

The trouble is that the momentum of youth can often carry over into the rest of our life - and along with it high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease, and all other sorts of nasty.

Ironically, the good habits and achieving balance also follow the same advice and direction of an efficiency expert.  If you work hard but also play hard (or rest hard) then you’re going to be sharper, stronger, healthier, more productive AND have all the other priorities in your life maintained (loved ones, your faith, smelling the roses, etc.)

In the grand scheme of things, you’re just a blip on the timeline.  Recognize that life was here before you and will carry on (”some how”) without you.  Savor your time and make it last because you’ll be judged by how you lived (and eternity is a loooooong time)

It’s an ironic and saddening human characteristic that many creatives face - Backlash.

You receive a lot of support and encouragement to develop, achieve, succeed and then face (sometimes) the same people and their green-eyed monster.

To put this into further context, while the backlash can come from anywhere it’s unlikely to come from anyone who truly cares about you.  That being stated, you also must realize how very special you and your abilities are (while staying humble, of course!)

It’s truly rare, given the grand scheme of things, to find someone who a) Knows what they want to do with their life; b) Actually sets out to achieve it and; c) Achieves it!  To meet someone who’s “living the dream” can sit uneasy with many who haven’t discerned the above.

The backlashers probably won’t actively undermine your career like some arch-enemy in a comic book, but they won’t necessarily sing your praises either.  If they were once your biggest fan, they may start to realize that they’ve been living vicariously through you and that they haven’t amounted to a hill of beans.  Such an epiphany is shocking.

The backlash could come from your competition as well - this speaks to business ethics which, sadly, not enough people or corporations follow.

So how to deal? 

1) Stay the course:  Obviously your clients like you and what you represent.  Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke. 

2) Educate your clients on your abilities, any new developments or products.  They may be looking for “something different” and just not know you do that too.

3) Treat every good client like you would your own family.  Develop loyalty and compassion.  When you’re able to forge even a quasi-personal relationship, clients will be less likely to want to change.

4) Be sensitive to budgets when necessary.  Sometimes the decision is out of the hands of your relationship - even long-standing.  Sometimes contacts change.  Turnover is inevitable.  If they’re all about “who can do it the cheapest” though, they’ll always look for a way to low-ball you - you don’t need clients like that.  Some day they’ll learn you always get what you pay for.

5) Keep walking the high path:  Always say the nicest (honest) thing you can about anyone you may be associated with.  You never know who-knows-who and how they may be judging your character.  If your reputation is strong, anyone who tries to tarnish you will only do themselves the dirt.

I like to be ideal and dismiss the notion that anyone would fail to see the big picture - there’s plenty for everyone (especially in our society) and there’s room for all sorts of styles, talents, abilities, and skills.  However this is sadly not the case.  Lean on your support network, keep your focus strong and your conscience clear. 

Against backlashers, success is the best revenge anyway.

To be an artist means that you’ve probably received one of the following:

1) A galvanization of adversity and are too stubborn to quit (like many many many success stories, by the way) 

2) A strong network of friends and family who have always said “you can do it!” and helped you believe just that.

3) A combination of both (like yours truly)

I wish to speak to “#2″ because it is perhaps the most powerful and yet the most fragile.

Whether it is a multitude of loving supporters or just a precious few - even 1 - It’s important to remember that their support is unsolicited, inspired and honest.  It takes a lot of energy to be positive and even more to share those feelings with others.  If it’s not reciprocated, one gets tired and eventually unlikely to continue acting as such.

So the message?  Say “thank you!”  Tell them you appreciate their support.  Stay humble.  They’re most likely the foundation that helped you achieve greatness in the first place.  Without them, it’s equally likely you’ll crumble.

Like many artists, I’m very sensitive to my environment.  Who I interact with, how the weather is, what’s playing on the radio and so on, are things that affect many of us creatives and non.  To recognize these influences and make a mental choice about how to deal with them helps keep focus, channel inspiration, and even turn a frown upside down.

But then there are rainy days, maybe even flooding your basement, compiled with a car overheating, coupled with a fight with the Mrs., exacerbated by the devaluing of society, adding insult to injury by the dismissive nature of non-creatives (or whatever combination piles up on you sometimes) and you’ll think “THAT’S IT!”

“What’s the point?  I’m taking my ball and bat and going home!  I give up, I’m going to find a mindless job, and work until I die!”

It’s easy to lose perspective.  It’s important to stop and count your blessings.  For example, the poorest person in America is still richer than most of the rest of the world. 

But success is a relative concept, isn’t it?  With a progressive society, comes progressively “raising the bar” - whether it’s done for us or we even do it for ourselves.

So what to do when you’re “full?” You “don’t want to play anymore?”

Hope and faith are a big key to overcoming adversity.  Our character is shown by how we handle pressure.  Leaders panic, but don’t necessarily show it.  Victors still fear, but know that success is worth the struggle.

And it’s important to have a good support network around you - Mom, friends, spouse, kids, whomever you can rely on to say “everything’s going to be all right.  Here, have some chocolate!”

But is that enough?  How do you truly overcome - spirit, mind, body, all of it?

Like our adversities which seem to pile up when we’re at our weakest, so too must our fight encompass all the areas under attack.

So, develop an “adversity emergency” kit and keep it handy.  Here’s one formula:

A c.d. with your favorite song to play on repeat

A big bar of chocolate

Your favorite scene from your favorite comedy movie on a DVD for instant playability

All the lights are on in the room you’re in

You have your best friend/mom/grandpa/etc. on speed dial

A bubble blowing kit

A collection of those squishy stress ball things.

Make sure you’re wearing comfortable clothes

Ignore or shut off e-mail/business phone/anything distracting

And do the above in any order OR all at once!  Granted, it may confuse the heck out of whomever is on the other line of your cell phone, but DO IT.

When depression attacks, fight back.  Recognize your limitations and “break the glass”

And your formula may be entirely different from above, but always have a good one - not one you’ve tired of.  Keep it original because your challenges are going to be coming from all forms and areas, I guarantee it!

GO ROCKY!!

I come from a very supportive family.  I don’t remember a time when I didn’t feel encouraged.  I never had a conversation with my parents where they tried to convince me to do something “just to pay the bills.”  If anything, my upbringing was of the “American Dream” mentality - “GO! DO IT!  WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?  MAKE IT HAPPEN!”

And there are a lot of success stories who didn’t have such a strong support network and still turn out just fine.

However, there is something remarkable about the transition from childhood to adulthood - particularly just after graduation from college (which I recommend, by the way - in our time, a bachelor’s degree is the equivalent of a high school diploma - pretty soon you’ll need a doctorate to work at McDonald’s!  “You want fries with that?  How about my dissertation?”)

But I digress. 

You’ve graduated.  You’re firmly an adult and ready to tackle the great, big world.  It’s exciting, it’s filled with limitless potential.  You’re ready to relate to everyone on an adult level.  Everything has changed.

For an artist - or any creative person, for that matter - the down side is that everything has changed in the way the rest of society relates to you.  Your family is still there, supporting, loving, cheering for you, but everyone else wants you to constantly “prove yourself”

You need experience to get the good job - isn’t that what college was for?  To learn how to do the job?

You need references to be considered trustworthy - but family doesn’t count.  Aren’t they the ones who know you best?

You have a “probation period” before certain security/benefits/status takes effect - what is this, “buyer’s remorse?” 

You actually have encounters with people trying to tear you down - judging you, hoping you’ll fail.  And they may not be the kind Mom always said “were just jealous”

And when you return to the source of your training/preparation/guidance in college you find that while they were willing to help you get into debt, they aren’t very good at training/preparing/guiding you back out of it.

I’ve never heard of a business artist program in college.

I’ve never encountered a support network for creatives.

I’ve never seen/heard/received career guidance from an art professor (to anyone - not just me) that lead to a legitimate, sustainable opportunity for employment.

It’s a drop-off you didn’t know was there.  Scary!

Your family still loves/believes/encourages you, but if they aren’t creatives, that’s about all they can do.  The rest of the world is firmly set against your failure.

And this is a depressing reality.  Even other artists from supportive backgrounds will undermine your abilities.  Jealousy, contempt, ego, many base emotions abound - as if there were no potential for any success - as if there’s only a very small piece of the pie left and everything else is saturated. 

From what I’ve seen, there’s a lot of room for a lot of talent in this world.

So what is a creative to do?

The first step is to recognize this transition before you’ve emerged from the cocoon - years before.  Prepare yourself for it mentally, spiritually and physically.  Believe in the power and beauty of your abilities.

The second step is to begin networking NOW.  Don’t be afraid to collect reference letters in grade school if you have to.  Long-standing relationships speak volumes.

Next, grill your professors about everything you want to learn.  If they can’t teach you and you can transfer out to another school that will, DO IT.  Many creatives “can’t but teach” - I’ve run into a LOT of art teachers who can’t even draw!

And while you’re in school, LEARN BUSINESS!  The ability to relate to the non-creatives (who usually have the money, by the way) on their level will generate opportunities galore for you.  You’ll be educating them and making them re-define their terms and stereotypes. 

It’s never to late to start these processes.  Do not accept your current station and think of yourself as “too old” OR “too young” to do anything.  You’ll continue to learn until you die.  Don’t “get busy dying!”

When you’re the exception to the rule “about artists”, then you’ll gain trust, loyalty, employ-ability, and success.

Just like Mom and Dad always thought you would.

Some days you just don’t have “IT”

But what is “IT” anyway?  And where did “IT” go?

Does somebody else have “IT” instead?  Maybe “THEY” have “IT” (and who ARE “THEY” anyway?  “THEY” sure say a lot also, don’t “THEY”?)

At any rate, when you’re an artist - especially one who hopes to support himself and even a family (such as yours truly) to not have “IT” can make the difference between a great day - the best of your life - and a total stream of 4 letter words describing the day.

So, kids and Kidettes of-all-ages, here’s the answer:  “IT” is your inspiration.

“IT” can be called many other things - your passion, your love, your reason for being or doing or living.  And when you’re out of focus or lost perspective on that priority (which again, is relative) you simply aren’t your best self.

Coming back to the artist’s mind - we have to struggle daily - a virtual wrestling match - between 2 natures.  There is the pragmatic side, which is steeped in a strong work ethic and yet can be subject to popular culture and ideas; and then there is the free-spirited side, which asks “why not?” and is allowed to dream.

Conjoin these odd couple roommates with the need to be sensitive to influences and you can appreciate why so many artists seem distracted.  Very few succeed in making eye contact for long.  And it’s not because they mean to be disrespectful, but rather the “wheel” is always turning.

Now let’s make things a little bit more complicated.  Very few artists are good at business.  The strength of the creative mind exists opposite of that which can be analytical in an capacity applicable to legal, accounting, networking, or other suit-and-tie matters.  So to be an Everyman artist, you have to be baby-blue-collar.  Not white, not blue, but somewhere in between.  You have to translate the creative to the non, and the non back to your understanding or vision of greatness.

Overwhelmed yet?  Do you see why so many people do this stuff as “just a hobby?”

The solution to keeping “IT” is to be a bit of one’s own therapist.  The external sensitivity needs to be balanced by internal reflection - in a checklist format:

1) Did I get enough sleep?

2) Did I get quality sleep?

3) Did I have a good breakfast?

4) Did I miss my coffee?

5) Am I wearing comfortable clothes?

6) What’s playing on the radio?

7) Is the sun shining?

And so the list goes on.  You can make your own list, starting with your perfect world.  Be reasonable and not so absolute - such as “if I had a million dollars, I’d be totally happy.”  You have to make a list of things that are within the realm of your illusion of control (again, the pragmatist versus the dreamer) otherwise, you’ll just end up seriously depressed.

It will also help if you begin the list on an ideal day (weather-wise) - so that you aren’t making a list of what you don’t have from the obvious start, and riding a downward spiral of curses instead of blessings.

Best of luck to you, kids and kidettes, keeping “IT” alive and well 24-7!

A good parent always wants the best for their child. But what do you do when you don’t know much about your child’s interests? Often times children will exhibit talents and skills that the parent does not possess. Mom or Dad wants to foster this, but how?

When it comes to a child’s artistic ability, too many parents are a blank slate. The best first step to take is to admit to your child that you don’t know what path to take, but are willing to find the answer. Children are highly perceptive, and if a parent tries to placate them with less than qualified direction, they will grow to resent it, themselves for their poorly developed skill, and in many cases, Mom or Dad.

When it comes to the arts, there is no wrong genre to pursue. A creative child will embrace the initial opportunity to sample and explore various outlets for their creativity. Drama, dance, music, visual and written are just a few options. Specialization can come later. On the other hand, you may have a renaissance child on your hands and they’ll develop many different skills. Regardless, observe carefully and talk to your child about how they feel and if they enjoy the experience, and encourage them to succeed. Make sure they give whatever they pursue an honest chance (the “college try”) but don’t pressure them to continue if it is truly counter-productive to their creative development.

Still not sure how to begin? Your child’s music or art teacher can be your best partner in your quest. Ask them their opinion on the best avenues to pursue. Many will be aware of after school programs, weekend workshops, summer camps and so on to pursue.

Another great source can be the parents of other creative children. Talk to your child’s friends and their family about your interests. You’re sure to find support and direction – or at least have help looking for a good program.

It can only help them in the long run. Intellectually in holistic brain development; socially in expressing themselves creatively and without pressure or shame for what they feel; vocationally in that employers appreciate those who have a variety of interests – they are the better problem solvers, better at “thinking outside of the box” and consequently, better leaders.

Here are a few fun lessons to try at home together that will “jump start” the creative process in you and your child:

1.) For creative writers, play a little stream of consciousness. Write continuously for as little as a minute – no matter if it makes sense or not. Set a timer and let your thoughts flow. Not only will you be able to determine your frame of mind, but it will also help you settle down and focus better on more developed projects.

2.) For visual artists, pick an energetic piece of music – classical works best, something with a variety of tempo and intensity. Lay out a large piece of paper and grab a handful of crayons. Let the music be your guide and draw how it makes you feel. Ask yourself, “if the music was a color, what color would it be?” Don’t worry about the “quality” of the work. Just explore the space. Practice a variety of lines and shapes.

3.) For the musically inclined, a similar experience with piano or drums can be quite fulfilling. Have them “play an emotion” and try to guess what it is. The more a child can tune into their feelings, the better they will be at dealing with their influences – both pro and con.

4.) For the child that likes to dance, try a little competition. Play some fun music and take turns “topping” each other. It’s all tongue-in-cheek, but it will give them the security to challenge themselves while they develop new moves.

Remember, the potential is limitless!