Category: Advice

Getting Back into Work Flow

My family and I returned home from our adventures on the road two days ago, and it feels good to be back in the studio.

Over the years I developed some tools to help myself get back into the flow of work after time away (even if it’s just one night). One of the tactics I use is to leave some unfinished work to do so I can jump right back in. When we left two weeks ago I left an unfinished drawing, and after two sessions I finished it yesterday morning. It’s a drawing of a possum skull my mom found in the woods. I keep a collection of small animal skulls in my studio because they are beautiful and wonderful to draw.

Possum Skull pencil drawing

I’m also conscious of how relaxed I feel from being on vacation, and I’m making a concerted effort (in the most relaxed way of course) to maintain this vibe. (Yes, I said vibe because it’s summer and I’m relaxed, ok?) What this translates into  is noticing when work or life is making me anxious, and trying to let go of the tension in my shoulders or wherever it happens to be. You might say I’m living mindfully. Aha! Do I need more vacation to keep working on this kind of awareness?

One thing is for sure, I’m missing being able to watch entire stages of the Tour de France like I did on holiday. Cyclists in the Tour rode up Mont Ventoux, or the “Giant of Provence” yesterday – not once, but twice!

In honor of this beast of a climb, below is the “Ventoux”  painting recently commissioned by a collector, one of the Epic Rides custom series.

I have a few open slots for commissioned paintings in the next few months. Email me if you’d like to chat about a possible custom painting of your own.⁣

And if you’d like to commission an artwork and want to spread out the cost over time, I’ll be happy to set up an interest-free payment plan for you. Read more about this here or simply email me to chat.

Ventoux painting

The Ultimate Guide to Building a Studio Practice

I was recently invited to write a post for The Abundant Artist Blog on the mindset needed to build a sustainable creative practice, and I’m happy to share with you that it’s live!

artist jessica singerman painting in studio

“For many people, when they think about an artist at work, they envision uninterrupted marathon hours of studio time… something that isn’t realistic for most artists.

A studio practice needs to be sustainable – meaning you can keep it up for many years, whether you have family obligations or other jobs – without burning out. There are obvious necessities for a studio practice – like space and time – but to sustain a practice for a lifetime involves your mindset.

What is mindset? Simply put, mindset is the way you think. You can reframe the way you think to make your thoughts work for you, not against you.

I talk about the artist mindset in two ways: the mindset for your creative practice and the mindset for selling your work. In this post, I dig into how to cultivate an artist mindset to drive your creative practice. How do you prioritize the making part of the equation and keep creative momentum?

With mindset, people often focus on having a positive outlook. Positivity is part of it, but I advocate having a resilient mindset. The resilient artist mindset means being equipped to keep making your work even when you don’t feel like it. Develop the tools to carry you through lulls in your work and to break through blocks. Recognize that life might not be all kittens and roses, and you will have challenging moments. Having resilience lets you know that you can and will work through external and internal obstacles.

I’ve found nine keys to building a resilient artist mindset and sustainable studio practice…”

Continue reading this post on The Abundant Artist blog.

Interview with Terrific Tips for Business is live!

Artist Jessica Singerman and CJ Howard interview

Last week artist CJ Howard and I had a great conversation about running a business as an artist during these crazy times. Listen or watch for insights on what it’s like to make a living as an artist and for plenty of tips for up and coming artists.

Watch the video below.

Listen to the podcast on any platform. Find all the links here.

Enjoy!

Looking for art & creativity coaching? Learn about what we can do together here.

Art at work helps boost business

“The Field You Think You Own” in a shared workspace. Click this image to find it in the shop.

As if we needed more reasons to own art….

It has actually been scientifically proven that having original art in workspaces boosts productivity, increases creativity and reduces stress in addition to a host of other benefits. So in addition to making your workspace look amazing, artwork will actually help you run a better – arguably more profitable business.

Here are a few ways this works:

Creativity begets creativity

Does it seem counterintuitive to spend money on something that could potentially distract a worker’s attention? Well the truth is that because art makes for a generally more upbeat space, it helps make happier workers, who are therefore more productive. Deutsche Bank owns the biggest collection of corporate art in the world and even hosts artist talks so their staff can engage with artists. This opens up broader views into socio-political aesthetics and eventually helping generate new ideas that can be used with clients. In other words creativity begets creativity.

Given the automatization of well, everything, creativity will soon be our most important asset as humans. It’s one of the things that differentiates us from AI right?

Where to install corporate art?

In a lobby, art makes a statement and sets the tone for everyone who enters the building. In boardrooms or other meeting areas, artwork can help break the ice or stimulate ideas and conversation.

Exhibiting art in the work place helps shape the branding and character of a company for those who work within the company, partners and prospective clients. Art improves the culture in a shared space by creating an optimistic and inspiring environment.

Tax Benefits

In some cases, original artwork can be considered “furnishings” and can therefore be tax deductible. I would recommend talking to your CPA to check this in your region though because I’m no expert.

Art Leasing

If your company is looking to support local living artists, but not in a position to buy original artwork, then leasing art may be a good option. In this scenario, art is rented for a monthly fee, allowing you to try some artwork for size or to change the look of the office. Learn more about renting art from me here.

I love these concepts – not just because I’m an artist – but because I think high quality art should be accessible to as many people as possible. Not only does it add beauty, but it inspires new ways of thinking and ways to engage with others.

What do you think about art in the work place? Let me know! Email or call me at (336) 283-0185. I’d love to hear from you!

References:

Forbes

The Guardian

University of Exeter

My new online watercolor class available now!

I’m super excited to announce the launch of my first online workshop Little Watercolor Square! This is my most popular class available for the first time in digital form for you to enjoy wherever and whenever you are.

If you are starting from scratch, if you have some experience and want to learn more, or you’re trying to rekindle your art practice, this is for you. In the workshop, you’ll learn how to use watercolors, how to mix beautiful colors, and how to make a vibrant watercolor painting using geometric abstraction. This is a very practical workshop that will give you tools you can take to continue making artworks wherever you are. You’ll learn how to paint mindfully, for relaxation and enjoyment.

The workshop is inspired by a daily project I made a few years ago when I made a small watercolor painting each day for a year. The paintings were inspired by the poetry of nature: color and light in the landscape, seasons, and the passing of time. It was a kind of meditation for me and it led to making my book of watercolors.

The class is available to purchase for two weeks, but you’ll have lifetime access to the class materials so you can review whenever you want. You’ll also be invited to join the private Facebook group where you can meet your classmates, share your work, ask questions and get feedback.

Have any questions about the workshop? Email me.

I’m excited for us to get started on this art adventure.

Start Learning

Feel free to share this post with anyone you think will be interested and with friends so you can take the workshop together.

 

Mindfulness Practice – Yoga Mountain Pose

Hi everyone! Here’s your little meditative break – with Mountain Pose! This is an easy yoga pose that is grounding and helps with breath awareness. You can practice yoga and mindfulness anywhere.

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Free wellness – Yoga breath awareness with neck and shoulder release

Hi everybody! Here’s your little break for the day… some breath awareness and tension relief in the neck and shoulders. Enjoy and share freely!

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Sign up to receive my weekly email to get more content like this, to see behind the scenes in a working artist’s studio, and to get special freebies just for members of my Insider’s List. I look forward to getting to know you!

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Free wellness – Yoga Three Part Breath

I’m going back to my yoga teaching roots and offering free ways to help relax and lessen anxiety. Here, learn the three part breath. Share with everyone and be well. ❤️

Want more positivity in your life right now?
Sign up to receive my weekly email to get more content like this, to see behind the scenes in a working artist’s studio, and to get special freebies just for members of my Insider’s List. I look forward to getting to know you!

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Good Books for Creative People

good books for creatives

Here is a list of books, in no particular order, that I like and keep on my bookshelf for when I need inspiration, a boost, or just a kick in the pants. I’ve linked each one of these to its listing on Amazon, but I encourage you to go find these at your local bookshop instead!

Damn Good Advice (For People with Talent!): How To Unleash Your Creative Potential by America’s Master Communicator, George Lois

It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be: The world’s best selling book by Paul Arden

The Art of Asking: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help by Amanda Palmer

Clear Seeing Place: Studio Visits by Brian Rutenberg

365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life! by Noah Scalin

Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon

Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon

Art & Fear: Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles & Ted Orland

I will update this list as I come up with other books that I find helpful. And if you have any suggestions, drop me a line! I’d love to hear what you’re reading when you need a creative boost.

11 things athletes do that will make you a better artist

Jessica Singerman racing short track
Racing short track – Photo credit: Mike Byrd

While I’ve been making things since as long as I can remember, I’ve also been training and racing since I was a kid. I’m still trying to figure out the relationship between athletic performance and creativity as an artist, but in the meantime there are some habits I have learned as an athlete that serve me well as an artist.

  1. Show up. You can’t win if you’re not at the starting line. In this case, winning means making the work. If you exhibit your work, find avenues to show it.

2. Commit. Started something? See it through. It’s ok to have multiple projects going on, but make sure you finish them.

3. Setbacks will happen. Get up, dust yourself off, and keep going.

4. Learn from your mistakes. If something doesn’t work, move on. Try another approach. DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP.

5. Strengthen your mindset. Practice staying positive.

Jessica Singerman painting
Painting – Photo Credit: Tim Bowman

6. Keep working on basic skills. It’s helpful to return to basics every so often to keep your skills and your eyes sharp.

7. Cross train. If you are primarily a painter, draw or make three-dimensional things. Do other stuff that feeds into your artwork. Read. Go for a hike, a bike ride, a run – something that will get you moving and out of the studio. You will get your best ideas when you are not in studio.

8. Walk away. When we do something for hours on end and things aren’t going well, it’s hard to see clearly what’s happening. When you can’t figure out what to do, get some space from it. That may mean just taking a few steps back to get some distance. Or it may mean working on another project or getting out of the studio to come back with fresh eyes.

9. Fear: As an artist, you might be afraid of using a certain medium, afraid of color, afraid of showing your work, afraid of failure, or afraid that you’re not making the right decision. Don’t let fear paralyze you. Fear can be a good indicator that you are stretching yourself. On the other hand, some fear is helpful to keep us from doing stupid stuff. Learn to tell the difference.

10. Keep a regular schedule, whether that means late night, early morning, or middle of the afternoon studio time. Stick to your schedule.

11. Be kind to yourself. You can only go so far if you don’t sleep enough, eat right, and get exercise. You can only burn the candle at both ends for so long. Don’t feed into that starving artist myth.

Looking for more advice for artists? Check out my latest interview with the Winston-Salem Journal. We talk about my background, work process, challenges, and some more tidbits to help you in your path.

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Thanks for reading!

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