You Are Not An Artist

I explain in this latest episode why I'm closing down my art business of 10 years.

In this episode I talk about finding inspiration and all the things associated with how we find it and how we lose it. I go in depth about the chemical interaction that happens in our brain and why it plays a major role in our career progression.

In this episode I've brought back the podcast from our hiatus. Every Wednesday at 730PM CST I will be conducting a live Q & A on my YouTube channel and recording the podcast as well as answering questions based on the topic for that week. This week was all about experiencing burnout. If you'd like to view the live recording it's on my channel. You can participate in the discussion by commenting on the video. I also provide some free resources.

Hey it's Alejandro! Sorry about the audio quality on this episode. I was driving! On this episode I discuss our decision to go on hiatus this summer and why it's important to balance work and life. Thanks for listening!

More at AlejandroCastanon.com

More at alejandrocastanon.com

More resources for this episode: Lesson Page Blog Video Checklist Inventory Objective: Create 100+ Original Pieces to Sell This is where your creative process is already going to come into play. It's time to create inventory. This means you are going to create 100+ pieces of work. Remember, you are starting a business. You have to have inventory to open a store. Having over one hundred pieces of work ready when you open your art business will do many things for you: Allow you to spread your art into competitive spaces such as local government buildings, restaurants, vendors, etc. Have a show-ready inventory for art shows and local events Show a consistent style of art. This will allow clients who want commissions to feel more comfortable hiring you. Allow you to create a robust e-commerce inventory of prints, merchandise, and originals. When you are creating inventory, it's important to remember that your customers are not going to all be able to afford or house your largest pieces. You must create art in a large variety of sizes. It can be tempting to only create large pieces as they sell for the most money. However, this will hurt you in two ways: 1) it will take you too long to create, store, and replace inventory when your pieces are all over 30X40 and 2) you will be losing customers who can afford and house smaller pieces of art. ​While you are creating your inventory, it will help you out immensely if you document as you create. This means taking process pictures, timelapse videos, videos of you talking about an art piece. You're not throwing up anything on social media yet, but after creating 100 pieces and having documentation for each piece, you will have a surplus of content for social media. This will give you both credibility and your customers will feel like they are getting to really know you. The last bit of advice we have does not to get to 3 or 4 pieces and decide you need to try to sell them. You are not to the point where you are publishing or selling your work. This is not the time to post to social media. It's not the time to be getting your art into the community. Throughout your career, you need to maintain a fresh inventory. This means if you sell 3 or 4 paintings, you'll have to start all over at 0! You need to always have 100 on hand. Any you sell or give away must be replaced. Do yourself a favor. WAIT! The sales will come. Inventory Objectives: Create 100+ pieces of work in various sizes. Document your process of creating each piece. Do NOT try to sell your inventory before you've even opened.

We discuss each of these mini-objectives in further detail in the resources below: Lesson Page Blog Video Checklist _______________________ Developing a Creative Process Objective: You have a reliable process that allows you to transition into a place where you can create regardless of external circumstances. Developing a creative process might seem like a superfluous thing to do. After all, you've spent all this time mastering your art technique, why do you need a creative process? A creative process is a ritual that helps you begin creating so that you are able to create whether you feel like it or not. A creative process is essential to scaling your business. Without it, you will not have the stamina and endurance it takes to build the art career you desire. When you are beginning to find your creative process, you have to get familiar with the feeling of being in the flow. What is the flow? Biologically, the flow is moving your brain waves out of beta and into an alpha brainwave state. However, you might recognize it when you lose the sense of time or lose the sense of your problems. When you are doing an activity that gets you into the flow, you are not focused on yourself, your problems, or the life around you. You are hyperfocused on the task in front of you. As wonderful as this place is to be, the flow, or alpha brainwaves, cannot be forced. You cannot think yourself or make yourself get into the flow. It's a lot like falling asleep. To fall asleep, you have to close your eyes and pretend to sleep. Then, when you least expect it, ploop! You're asleep. ​ Just like falling asleep, you need to create a ritual that will allow you to fall into the flow. This is a different process for everyone. For some, it's listening to music. Others, it's getting a snack. You might walk around the block, make your favorite drink, or light a candle. It doesn't matter what it is as long as it makes you feel good. We're aiming for warm and fuzzies, here! Once you have found your ritual, it's time to get some mileage built up! It takes time and consistency to rewire your brain. This is how you create a habit. Your ritual will not work the first time. It won't work the second time. It won't work the 25th time. It takes time and consistency to teach your brain that when you begin your ritual it's time to get into alpha. Your ritual is your trigger for your mind. Eventually, your body will learn to automatically get into flow when you begin your ritual. But, this comes with months and months of being dedicated. ​ This is where making a commitment is vital and, if you live with others, a team effort. Just as we talked about in lesson one, it is critical that you spend time on your art. Not simply the art itself, but in creating mental stamina for the art business. Spend money on time, not supplies. Work with the people in your house. Agree on set times, in advance, that you will be creating. Your kids will be okay. Your spouse will be okay. Protect your creative time just as you protect your time with your kids, significant other, or friends. It must be non-negotiable. However, it also doesn't need to take over your life. You need friends, your lover, your kids. You need to go watch a movie, binge Netflix, and pet the cat just as much as you need to work on your art. We'll discuss this more in the blog. ​ It is imperative that you create a system for creation for yourself. This includes working in time for your life around your art. This is also non-negotiable. Without inspiration from your life, your art is nothing but hollow productions. Your life makes your art yours. ​ Creative Process Objectives: Find the flow and become familiar with what it feels like. Create a ritual Create a habit Make a commitment

Check out our resources below as we discuss each of these action steps in detail: Lesson Page Video Blog Checklist Objective: Creation and art skills are embedded subconsciously. You create from a place of mind-body connection where the technical components of creating art are no longer a conscious activity. The first step in the creative process is often the one everyone wants to skip. Building your skillset is all about learning and practicing each of the techne of art until you master them. Many artists want to skip this step, often because they can copy or mimic from reference materials. However, when they try to create original works of art, they find they cannot translate what they see in their head to paper. This is caused by a lack of technical skill and muscle memory between the eyes, the hand, the arm, and the mind. Like practicing the piano, an artist's ability to create comes from practicing a skill over and over again until they no longer need to consciously think about the skill in order to execute it. ​ This seems daunting, but consider when you first began driving a car. The first time you drove you were overwhelmed by everything you had to do. You had to force yourself to push the gas, look at the rear-view mirror, turn the wheel, hit the blinker, watch your speed, stay in your lane. It was a lot! Each action you had to think about consciously. You'd say to yourself "Put on the blinker. Hit the brake. Watch that blue car, it looks a little iffy." ​ However, now, after years of driving, sometimes you get in the car and arrive at your destination without even realizing you drove! Your subconscious can now drive the car. ​ This is the point you need to arrive at when creating art as a professional artist. You need an autopilot for artistic concepts. ​ Before you panic, we can break this objective of mastery down even further: ​ Mastery Objectives: Master traditional art concepts Develop a style Hone a specific medium or mediums that complement your style

More resources for this podcast: Lesson Page Blog Video Checklist _________________________________ Phase One is the often overlooked step in creating an art career. When starting out, artists often try to compete with established professional artists who are well into Phase Two or even Phase Three of their careers. It's all too easy to compare yourself to these artists and try to replicate their efforts. However, this causes an artist to become frustrated by a lack of results and their inability to create art at the scale and speed of professional artists. Stopping to master the four steps of Phase One will allow an artist to launch themselves into Phase Two prepared for success both in their sales and in the creation of art. Phase One Objectives: Build your artistic skillset Develop a creative process Create a 100+ piece inventory Foster a local community. Phase One is 60% about mastering your technique. Mastering your technique means that you have practiced art concepts so much that creating art is now muscle memory and subconscious actions. You no longer need to think about creating. It's second nature. This takes time. Remember, phase one should last at least two years for the artist who has not mastered traditional art concepts. However, mastering technical skills alone is not enough to ensure you will be ready to grow your business. You also need a solid creative process to help you create regardless of external circumstances. A creative process is a ritual that helps you begin creating so that you are able to create whether you are having a bad day, good day, or the world's gone to hell in a handbasket. This process is vital to your success because as a professional artist you will have to create when you do not feel like it. After you have completed honing your creative process, you will need to create inventory. This means creating over one hundred pieces so that you enter the art market with credibility and variety. This is just a bare minimum and many artists actually suggest creating upwards of 400-800 works ready in your inventory. We'll talk about that more in-depth. Once you have created your one hundred plus pieces, you are ready to begin putting your work out both online and in person. It's time to foster your community. This is where you will begin working with local businesses to display art, begin participating in art events, and working with your local community.

Last week an artist from Scotland reach out to me for help about their art career. they reached out to me on Instagram private message and I was excited so excited to set up a zoom call so I could find out how I could help them achieve the results they wanted for their artist career.

As promised from my blog, here is the podcast where I dive deeper into explaining how artists should be using social media. Thanks and enjoy!

In this episode I talk about how artists can pivot during this strange and critical time. Businesses are shutting down due to the attempt to contain the COVID-19 virus. There is good news for us as artists. Good news for those who have been selling online and good news for those that want to start. I outline some of the things you as an artist and even as a business owner can do to pivot during this time. You can also read my blog article of the same title here: https://www.alejandrocastanon.com/post/coronavirus-vs-artists

Hey folks! I recorded this podcast episode while on my drive back from Houston. It sort of piggy backs on the last episode before it. I talk about how to find more meaning in your art and where to find examples of how art with a meaning has a better response and reaction. Thanks for tuning in! I'll be posting another episode soon. P.S. I got my number wrong twice lol!! It's 3253405742 text if you have a question or a comment.

I love doing interviews like this one. My friend of over 20 years Rafael Gomez is an expert digital marketer and an incredibly self aware individual. He is currently working on a book about his thoughts on fear, and the way we live our lives. We got into a great discussion about fear and I just hit record button without telling him (he caught on quickly). This is a very genuine conversation with a lot of insight and some nsfw jokes at the end. Like I said we are best friends so it goes off the rails at the end. But totally worth it.

In this episode I welcome back Shelby. We have a very deep discussion about what current hustle culture is doing to entrepreneurs. The mindset of a life of just work work work is distracting from a good life. We also discuss how this applies to artists and where we shame ourselves into working for what we think we will make us happy.

Sorry for the audio. I was driving when I recorded this podcast on the way back from Houston. I thought I'd multi task. In this episode I've made some interesting insights into this podcast and how to proceed. I hope you guys enjoy it!!

In this mini episode I wrap up some thoughts about this last quarter of 2019. 2020 is upon us and now is a great time to start setting some goals for 2020. I also give some tips on what to be striving for and how to set up those goals and achieve them.

In this mini episode I talk about TikTok. Some of you may have heard of it and may be wondering if it's worth your time. I can tell you that it is and why. Also please head over to the IG page and follow us. There is also a FB group for more in depth conversations.

I sit down and interview a young loca artist that has just started showing his work in town. Jose is an ASU graduate with a BFA. We discuss his inspiration and goals as an artist.

Here is a mini episode on what your buyers are thinking before they make a purchase. There are four critical requirements almost every art buyer thinks before they make a purchase. Head over to our new IG account and look for the latest post for this episode!

This is a short episode where discuss the benefits of Instagram's recent announcement that they are doing away with likes for U.S users.

I had the privilege of sitting down with Michael Pritchett. Mike is an artist and gallery owner of Sirril Art Gallery in Salado, TX. He has been an artist all his life but eight years ago he left his full time job in Dallas to pursue his dream of being a full time artist in a small town. You can find him online on: FB - https://www.facebook.com/SirrilArtGallery/. And on IG - @sirrilartgallery

I am back with new episodes and more interviews with artists of all types! This episode I sit down with Shelby Seymore. Shelby is a “fan girl” that uses her inspiration to fuel her creative flow and create incredible short stories, and art pieces. She is truly a renaissance artist of the modern age. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram: mylavenderforest or visit her website www.shelbyseymore.com

My surprise guest this week is 2nd LT Benton Washington. Benton is an Air Force Academy graduate and an NCAA running back. We talk about life, purpose, and why he listens to the Small Town Artist Podcast. Have a great week!

This is a crucial episode if you really want to make a good effort at creating an art career. Our insecurities and fears play an important role in how we see ourselves and our art. It permeates into every aspect of our lives. Have a great weekend!

Moving On and Letting Go is the theme of this episode. Out with the less useful and onward with the most. This week is all about detaching yourself from parts of your career that do not serve a purpose. I let go of my gallery this week in order to reach a higher more important goal/dream. What part of your career are you attached to for purely emotional reasons? Is it costing you money? Time for an inventory check and assessment. Check out the podcast for more. Have a great week!

PURPOSE is this week's podcast theme. I apologize for posting late. Our scheduled guest had some schedule conflicts. This week I talk about finding your purpose and using that bring you back from a slump or a difficult time in your life. Purpose is what drives us but it is also part of your art, and your long term goals. I talk about how to define it and use it. As always checkout the podcast FB group The Small Town Artist Podcast. Referenced in this podcast is also my website where I have my artist purpose statement on the homepage (www.alejandrocastanon.com). Thanks for listening and have a great week!

Welcome to the fourth episode! Things are moving right along and in this podcast episode I talk about where to begin. This is the biggest question most artists have with get started. But before we talk about resources and tactics we have to talk about mindset, planning, phases, and fearlessness. Checkout the episode and then go to the FB Group: The Small Town Artist Podcast. There we will start some discussions and share ideas.

I interviewed artist Ryan Dalgliesh about his experience as a full time artist in a small town.Checkout the tour of his studio on Youtube: Alejandro Castanon Find him online at: www.rtdalglieshfineart.com Instagram: rtdalgliesh Facebook: RTDalgliesh Fine Art

In this episode I'm going to share a bit of how I started my journey as a small town artist in West Texas and how I made living in a small town work.

This is the first episode of the Small Town Artist Podcast. In this intro I will explain what we will focus on and how we are unique and empowered as small town artists.