Artists Soar (TM) is a podcast for artists by 3 artists! We discuss all aspects of being an artist - the good, bad, and the ugly. The goal of each podcast is to provide solutions so artists can focus on creativity and rise above.
Episodes
Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
In this episode, artists Rachel, Julie, and Stephanie discuss the importance of creating vision boards for personal and professional goals. They explore the benefits of visualizing success and share practical tips for implementing vision boards to stay focused and inspired. If you have a question you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Key Talking Points
"Artists Soar - Vision Board"
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Creating Vision Boards for Success:
- A vision board is a visual representation of goals, dreams, and aspirations.
- It serves as a constant reminder of priorities and helps avoid distractions like FOMO or chasing unproductive "rabbits."
- Vision boards can include both big dreams (e.g., a new studio, financial milestones) and smaller, actionable goals.
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How to Make and Use a Vision Board:
- Vision boards can be physical (cut-out magazine clippings) or digital (created in tools like Canva, Photoshop, or Adobe Stock).
- Include images, quotes, keywords, or even checks written out to yourself for specific goals.
- Display your vision board prominently, such as on a desktop background or in a daily-use notebook, to maintain focus.
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Flexibility and Personalization:
- Vision boards don’t need to follow rigid rules—make them work for your style.
- Update boards with new ideas or achievements; some prefer transferring completed goals to a separate "achievement board" for celebration.
- Consider creating multiple vision boards for different aspects of life, such as artwork, teaching, or personal development.
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Practical Applications for Artists and Businesses:
- Vision boards can be used to plan large projects, like Stephanie’s idea to create a mural-style calendar showcasing monthly classes at Huntsville Art Supplies.
- They can also reflect aesthetic goals for a space, like Stephanie’s vision for an elevated, boujee art supply store experience.
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Vision Board Workshops and Classes:
- Artists Soar is hosting a vision board class as part of their business workshop series in 2025.
- Workshops will guide participants in creating vision boards tailored to their goals and values, with downloadable resources for those unable to attend in person.
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Benefits of Vision Boards:
- Provides clarity on goals and serves as a motivational tool.
- Keeps focus on long-term objectives while allowing for dreaming and creativity.
- Helps evaluate opportunities based on alignment with goals.
If you're interested in joining the vision board class or learning more, visit artistssoar.com. Until next time!
Rise with us! On Artists Soar!
Our Websites and Shops
- Are you an avid reader? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: Bubbly Bibbly
- Love illustrations and bright colors? Sign up for Julie's newsletter here: Julie M Studios
- Want to learn how to paint? Or just love painting? Sign up for Stephanie's newsletter here: Stephanie Weaver Artist
Got a Listener Question?
Email us at: hello@artistssoar.com.
Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
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In this episode, artists Rachel, Julie, and Stephanie share tips for holiday sales preparation and discuss strategies for increasing customer engagement and sales throughout the year. If you have a question you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Key Talking Points:
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Planning Ahead for Holiday Sales:
- Early preparation is essential for effective holiday sales, but strategies can also apply to future holidays like Easter, Valentine’s Day, or 4th of July.
- Gift guides categorized by themes (e.g., animal lovers, budget-friendly gifts) are helpful for customers.
- Reusable resources like pre-defined email sequences save time for future campaigns.
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Creative Holiday Sales Strategies:
- Use gift cards and coupons to attract buyers who shop at the last minute.
- Promote loyalty programs with incentives such as discounts or rewards.
- Host in-store events like “Cookies and Coloring” nights to encourage in-person engagement.
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Email Marketing Tips:
- Create automated email sequences with reminders as holidays approach, emphasizing time-sensitive offers.
- Segment your audience to target returning customers with special promotions and gratitude gestures.
- Offer free shipping or early-bird discounts to incentivize advance purchases.
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Thinking Ahead and Building Inventory:
- Start planning 4-6 months in advance to align with customer needs and trends.
- Develop seasonal artwork or products well ahead of time and promote them strategically through social media and newsletters.
- Reference pitch schedules to align creations with industry trends, especially for surface pattern designs.
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Customer Appreciation and Referral Ideas:
- Thank loyal customers with exclusive discounts, free shipping, or small gifts like stickers or magnets.
- Encourage referrals by offering rewards for customers who bring in new buyers.
- Combine appreciation efforts with a physical touchpoint, such as mailing personalized thank-you notes or small gifts.
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Additional Insights:
- Use tools like Shopify and Etsy to streamline email marketing and segment customer bases for targeted campaigns.
- Social media is a valuable channel to showcase works in progress and build anticipation for seasonal collections.
- Free shipping thresholds or pop-up sales can drive engagement and revenue.
If you have additional tips or strategies, the hosts would love to hear from you! Until next time!
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We'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts on what we chatted about? Email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Rise with us! On Artists Soar!
Our Websites and Shops
- Are you an avid reader? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: Bubbly Bibbly
- Love illustrations and bright colors? Sign up for Julie's newsletter here: Julie M Studios
- Want to learn how to paint? Or just love painting? Sign up for Stephanie's newsletter here: Stephanie Weaver Artist
Got a Listener Question?
Email us at: hello@artistssoar.com.
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
In this episode, artists Rachel, Julie, and Stephanie as we chat about what they have found to be keys to success! If you have a question you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Key Talking Points
- Define Success Personally – Success looks different for everyone; clarify what it means for you, whether it’s selling art, licensing, or balancing family time.
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Set Intentions and Remain Consistent – Establish goals (like regular family dinners or dedicated art time) and stick to them with accountability and consistency.
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Develop and Sharpen Skills – Invest in skill-building, whether through classes, online resources, or practice, to keep growing in your craft and business.
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Stay Committed in Your Own Marathon – Recognize that success is a long-term process. Focus on personal progress rather than comparing yourself to others.
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Learn from and Collaborate with Others – Seek inspiration from successful individuals in your field or beyond, reverse engineer what works, and apply it to your goals.
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Evaluate and Adjust Constantly – Treat success as a cycle: plan, execute, evaluate, and revise to stay aligned with your evolving vision of success.
We'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts on what we chatted about? Email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Rise with us! On Artists Soar!
Our Websites and Shops
- Are you an avid reader? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: Bubbly Bibbly
- Love illustrations and bright colors? Sign up for Julie's newsletter here: Julie M Studios
- Want to learn how to paint? Or just love painting? Sign up for Stephanie's newsletter here: Stephanie Weaver Artist
Got a Listener Question?
Email us at: hello@artistssoar.com.
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
In this episode, artists Rachel, Julie, and Stephanie as we chat about what we do for planning and how we've gone down rabbit holes of planning! If you have a question you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Key Talking Points
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Here are the key talking points:
- Planners as Comfort Tools: Planners help manage life's chaos, offering stability and organization.
- Different Planner Preferences: Stephanie prefers "The Happy Planner" for analog planning, while Julie favors "Mole Skins," using washi tape for color coding, as she remembers visually.- Keeping Old Planners: Julie and Rachel value old planners as records for reflection and insight, especially with busy schedules.
- Regular Evaluation: They continuously assess and refine their planning methods to stay effective, adapting as needed.
- Customization & Personalization: They enjoy personalizing planners with washi tape, stickers, and themes, adding a creative touch to organization.
- Family Planning Ritual: Sunday planning is a family event, involving meal prep and assigning cooking responsibilities, teaching kids about planning and responsibility.
- Handling Schedule Changes: Flexibility is key; tools like white-out tape and added notes help manage unexpected changes.
- Monthly Themes: Some are drawn to organizing by monthly themes with consistent colors or washi tape, keeping things cohesive and easy to track.
- Balancing White Space: Preferences vary, with some valuing white space for clarity and others enjoying decoration.
- Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): They acknowledge the pressure to follow planner trends but strive to find and stick with what truly works for them.
- Adaptability Over Perfection: Ultimately, they emphasize adapting plans to fit their needs, letting go of trends that don't serve them.
We'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts on what we chatted about? Email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Rise with us! On Artists Soar!
Our Websites and Shops
- Are you an avid reader? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: Bubbly Bibbly
- Love illustrations and bright colors? Sign up for Julie's newsletter here: Julie M Studios
- Want to learn how to paint? Or just love painting? Sign up for Stephanie's newsletter here: Stephanie Weaver Artist
Got a Listener Question?
Email us at: hello@artistssoar.com.
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
In this episode, artists Rachel, Julie, and Stephanie as we chat about networking, what works, doesn't work and ways to find networking events! If you have a question you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Key Talking Points
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Networking is about relationships, not just contacts – Focus on building genuine connections rather than just expanding your contact list.
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Consider commitment and flexibility in networking groups – While structured groups like BNI offer networking skills, they require a time and financial investment; subbing for members may offer flexibility.
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Use diverse networking channels – Explore options like local Chamber of Commerce events or industry-specific gatherings to connect with potential clients outside of traditional networking groups.
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Follow up with intention and consistency – Employ the “2-2-2” rule (contacting in 2 hours, 2 weeks, and 2 months as needed) to maintain relationships and be strategic with who you choose to engage.
- Fortune is in the Follow Up - When you network always look for golden nuggets to follow up on.
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Define your pitch concisely – Practice a 30-second introduction that clearly states who you are, what you do, and who your ideal client is. This clarity helps others easily understand and remember you.
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Bring a “networking partner” for confidence – Attending events with a friend or colleague can ease anxiety, boost visibility, and help expand connections more effectively.
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Tailor your networking to your audience – Identify events and groups that align with your target clients, such as pet owners for pet portrait artists or outdoor events for landscape artists, to connect meaningfully with those interested in your work.
We'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts on what we chatted about? Email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Rise with us! On Artists Soar!
Our Websites and Shops
- Are you an avid reader? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: Bubbly Bibbly
- Love illustrations and bright colors? Sign up for Julie's newsletter here: Julie M Studios
- Want to learn how to paint? Or just love painting? Sign up for Stephanie's newsletter here: Stephanie Weaver Artist
Got a Listener Question?
Email us at: hello@artistssoar.com.
Wednesday Oct 09, 2024
Wednesday Oct 09, 2024
In this episode, artists Rachel, Julie, and Stephanie discuss the importance of sharpening their skills and share their personal experiences on what they've done to sharpen their skills. Go to artistssoar.com to apply for the mastermind today.
We'd love to hear what worked for you. If you have a question you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Key Talking Points
- Importance of daily practice for improving skills
- Challenges with painting such as setting a timer, or limiting strokes.
- Open up Skillshare, Domestica, Teachable, Udemy, or other online courses to take any class.
- Take part in a challenge to help look at things differently like what Trekell does.
- Take a workshop and teaching a workshop makes you sharpen skills.
- Advice on loosening up painting style and avoiding perfectionism
- Encouragement for consistent effort and practice in creative pursuits
We'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts on what we chatted about? Email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Rise with us! On Artists Soar!
Our Websites and Shops
- Are you an avid reader? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: Bubbly Bibbly
- Love illustrations and bright colors? Sign up for Julie's newsletter here: Julie M Studios
- Want to learn how to paint? Or just love painting? Sign up for Stephanie's newsletter here: Stephanie Weaver Artist
Got a Listener Question?
Email us at: hello@artistssoar.com.
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
Welcome to Artists Soar, where we help you rise with your art! In today's episode, we’re diving into a topic every creative struggles with—knowing when to pivot. If you find yourself dreading a task, it might be a sign to shift your direction. But what if it's just a moment to pause, reflect, and realign? So, grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s navigate the twists and turns of the creative process together!"
We'd love to hear what worked for you. If you have a question you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Key Talking Points
- If you dread doing something, then that's an indication it is time to pivot.
- If you enjoy it, keep going, then it is a matter of finding the right audience or redirecting my interest to attract the right audience.
- Sometimes it can be a "wait" rather than a "stop", an opportunity to slow down and evaluate to see where you want to go.
- There is really isn't a wrong direction, there is a way to correct the course and you won't know until you get to the destination that the turns you took made sense.
- Try not to compare, but rather - analyze what is working and use that. Try to be confident, keep your head in your race - not theirs.
- Try to have fun in the journey. People are attracted to fun.
We'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts on what we chatted about? Email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Rise with us! On Artists Soar!
Our Websites and Shops
- Are you an avid reader? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: Bubbly Bibbly
- Love illustrations and bright colors? Sign up for Julie's newsletter here: Julie M Studios
- Want to learn how to paint? Or just love painting? Sign up for Stephanie's newsletter here: Stephanie Weaver Artist
Got a Listener Question?
Email us at: hello@artistssoar.com.
Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
In this episode, artists Rachel, Julie, and Stephanie chat about an array of topics, including a figurative oil painter's Ann Moeller seemingly overnight success but an 11 year journey to become a public art artist who has artwork on the ocean floor and on the moon! If you are wanting to get into Public Art, this is a must listen!
We'd love to hear what worked for you. If you have a question you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at hello@artistssoar.com
Key Talking Points
- No experience is lost as you take the journey to become the artist you will be.
- When you start out as an artist you need income until you develop a client list and sales.
- How to find and present for public art installations.
- There is effort that you have to put into submitting to a public art installation. It is more than filling out questions, you have to show and tell the vision as though you were an architect pitching a project.
- Embrace experimentation. A quote from Ann that we loved “The thing that came to me that should exist.”
- Places where you can find calls for public arts:
- Local and State art councils.
- https://www.codaworx.com/
- Collect rejection letters.
For more from Ann Moeller, follow and share her work here:
We'd love to hear from you, what are your thoughts on what we chatted about? Email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Rise with us! On Artists Soar!
Our Websites and Shops
- Are you an avid reader? Then sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: Rachel's Newsletter
- Love illustrations and bright colors? Then sign up for Julie's newsletter here: Julie's Newsletter
- Want to learn how to paint? Or just love painting? Then sign up for Stephanie's newsletter here: Stephanie's Newsletter
Got a Listener Question?
Email us at: hello@artistssoar.com
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
In this episode, artists Rachel, Julie, and Stephanie chat about the value of joining mastermind groups. Join this dynamic conversation as they share their insights and experiences with joining and starting mastermind groups. AND be the first to know about the Soaring Mastermind! Go to artistssoar.com to apply for the mastermind today.
We'd love to hear what worked for you. If you have a question you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Key Talking Points
- The value of surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals.
- Key points include the difference between mastermind groups and coaching,
- The ideal group size,
- And the importance of having a business up and running before joining a mastermind.
We'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts on what we chatted about? Email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Rise with us! On Artists Soar!
Our Websites and Shops
- Are you an avid reader? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: Bubbly Bibbly
- Love illustrations and bright colors? Sign up for Julie's newsletter here: Julie M Studios
- Want to learn how to paint? Or just love painting? Sign up for Stephanie's newsletter here: Stephanie Weaver Artist
Got a Listener Question?
Email us at: hello@artistssoar.com
Wednesday Aug 14, 2024
Wednesday Aug 14, 2024
In this episode, artists Rachel, Julie, and Stephanie chat about traveling with art supplies, sharing tips and personal experiences on how to pack efficiently and still create while on the go. [Tune in to hear practical advice and fun anecdotes about making art away from home.]
We'd love to hear what worked for you. If you have a question you'd like us to discuss, feel free to email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Key Talking Points
- Packing Light: Julie shares her minimalist approach to traveling with art supplies, focusing on essential tools that fit in a carry-on.
- Adapting Processes: The artists discuss how their creative processes evolve with new technology and different travel experiences.
- Photography on the Go: They cover the pros and cons of using cameras vs. phones for reference photos and how each impacts their art.
- Practical Tips: From bringing a scanner to using collapsible watercolor containers, discover inventive solutions for creating art on the move.
- Balancing Relaxation and Creativity: The group explores how to balance leisure and productivity during trips.
We'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts on what we chatted about? Email us at hello@artistssoar.com.
Rise with us! On Artists Soar!
Our Websites and Shops
- Are you an avid reader? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter here: Bubbly Bibbly
- Love illustrations and bright colors? Sign up for Julie's newsletter here: Julie M Studios
- Want to learn how to paint? Or just love painting? Sign up for Stephanie's newsletter here: Stephanie Weaver Artist
Got a Listener Question?
Email us at: hello@artistssoar.com