Your Art Matters

I was in a studio session a couple of weeks ago with one of my members, Varvara. We were talking about how distracting it can be when you see the work of others and think 'ooh, I want to make art like that’. We then go on a pursuit to make that type of art and sometimes it works and sometimes it really doesn't. In this week's episode, I talk about why this happens and also how liking our work can change from one week to the next and that's ok!  Enjoy 😊  P.s. Our Make Your Mark course is starting on 3rd June. It’s a 6 part sketchbook course that is ran by my dear friend Sharon Griffin who helps you delve into your creativity, whilst exploring your artistic voice. It’s such amazing course and it’s really helped me tap back into my creative side over the years.  Kirsty Thomas took part in Make Your Mark and had this to say:  “I just wanted to say thank you for MYM course it’s woken me up after 20 years I feel alive and looking at everything so differently - I started to take pictures of people's front doors!!!! Nice ones! Thank you both so much. I also joined the hub and love it.”   You can find out more and join our waitlist here: https://uas.unitedartspace.org/mym/ 

Being paid to: Have a community of people around you. Make art all day. Use your studio space. Learn from you. Have a break. These are some of the ways you can create a membership platform where people pay you on a monthly, quarterly, 6 monthly, or annual basis. I know this sounds incredibly daunting and scary to many, as it did for me when I first started!  I have had many questions about knowing if a membership is the right decision for you and your art - so I am giving the download it today’s episode. I also take you through the steps Sharon took to create a pop-up membership that earned more that £15,000 in one month. Stu’s Full Membership Experience Course has opened for enrollment, click >>here<< to learn more:

Wow - this was a bumper LIVE episode as we talked with artist, Bonny Snowdon. Bonny broke down her whole journey from not making art in 30 years to self-taught, fully booked artist with thousands of students. Bonny kindly shared how she managed to increase her pricing by building a waitlist and managed to exit her fulltime job to fulltime artist within 12 months. Celebrating £ 1 million in turnover this year, Bonny has overcome challenges and set backs but found success as she works daily on her mindset and beliefs. Bonny spoke of her success and credits her mindset and the people she has around her.   This was such a great episode, we may have to bring Bonny back for a round 2 as we could have kept talking. If you want to learn more about Bonny, click here: https://www.bonnysnowdonacademy.com https://www.instagram.com/bonnysnowdonacademy Want to learn to draw an otter in 7 days? Bonny is hosting a coloured pencil week where you will do just this :) https://www.bonnysnowdonacademy.com/coloured-pencil-week-may-2024  

This was a live podcast where I brought in my mentor, Stu McLaren. We talked about my past and how Stu has impacted my life in the most profound way ever. We talk about how you can use your creativity to impact others and make money at the same time. Imagine being paid to make art? With money coming in month after month.  I get paid to make art, and I don’t have to sell it - how crazy is that ? This episode is super special to me as Stu has shown me ways of living I never knew possible and I have a feeling some of you need to hear this - so enjoy. Here are what others are saying about this episode: I am SO GRATEFUL I didn’t miss this - Nikki McDiarmid I discovered you during a painful moment in my life 4 years ago, you have helped me believe that my art not only matters to me but to others too.  I am following your recommendations and growing as an artist.  Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart - Lia Pintaryrelajar2206 (YouTube)

In today’s podcast, I set out to talk in-depth about how a free training I took back in 2016 changed my life in the most profound way. Although I do talk about it - I don’t go into detail as I find it emotional to talk about. To think that back in 2016, when I signed up for a free workshop with Stu McLaren, and how my life is unrecognisable now moves me to tears. I spent years in emotional turmoil, lost and struggling financially. Stu taught me not only how to create a membership platform, but how to find myself, teach others, build confidence and armed me with incredible knowledge. In today’s episode I share insights into how you can use what Stu teaches to not only make more money from your creativity, but to enrich your life  

My son was getting quite angry and upset as he wanted to buy an Xbox but didn’t have the money.  We can all relate, I am sure - there are many things I want but don’t have the money :) So, our motto is every problem has a solution - and so we created a project plan and worked out how he could earn the money. He decided to sell his art and we broke down the steps of how he could do it. I share behind the scenes today of what we created as the lessons here relate to us all as it comes down to setting a financial goal and finding a way to hit it.

What if I told you the mistakes you make are increasing the value of your art? We often disregard our mistakes, which can impact our confidence negatively.  Yet, our trials and errors are what make our art great. This is what I talk about in today’s episode. What if you are a beginner? With no trials and errors? Does this devalue your work?? Nope, I also talk about this in the episode.

Making art that sells - a term some people love and for some it brings feelings of guilt, shame and a sense of selling your soul. This week, I explore this topic as it relates to making art with the intention of selling. For me two primary considerations contribute towards sales: Making art (or anything) that is like you - by this I mean leaning into what makes you unique.  Your art reflects you, and the more you understand this, the more you can communicate this.  This applies to what you make, identifying what makes your work different to everyone else, and also leaning into your story - as there is a story behind every artist and every artwork. Learning what people want - this means either getting to know your audience, if you have one and learning what sells.  A particular frame?? A certain animal??  Or if you don’t have an audience, it’s about looking at a particular area of art you are interested in and looking around to see what works.  Taking note of scale, frames, patterns, colours and so on. This what I talk about in today’s episode. If you haven’t signed up to the next FREE art workshop called The Art Of Your Life, click here to register: This workshop is run by Nicholas Wilton and it starts on 4th March.  It’s delivered over 3 days and replays are available. It is an entire week of teaching from Nicholas, designed to help you make art that is stronger and more like you. A lesson in how to make art that stands out from the crowd.  

I remember looking at my painting and wondering what was wrong with my creation. It didn't seem right, but I couldn't determine why.   It was like when I had found an inspirational image and tried to replicate what I saw but failed miserably.   I've taken courses in drawing, acrylic, life drawing, watercolour, textiles, collage, ceramics - the list goes on. The one thing I have learned over time is that art is a language.   It doesn't matter how many courses you take; if you don't learn the fundamental elements that contribute to what art is, you will always struggle.   I’ve learned this is a surprisingly common challenge…    So common, in fact, that my friend Nicholas Wilton has decided to address it in his upcoming FREE workshop. Click here to save your seat in the free Art of Your Life Workshop! Specifically, he will be covering the first 3 (and most important) stages in the Art2Life Process, including DESIGN: Why so many people with lots of education, degrees and experience still struggle to make art they love How to master composition in a way that will quickly elevate your art   VALUE:  How to strengthen your discernment — that internal compass — that tells you when to go further, pivot, or pull back with your art How to create a beautiful kind of depth and balance in your art   COLOUR:  How to add a vibrant new level of dimension AND subtleness to your work with a perspective on color you haven’t heard before! How to feel more confident in your creative choices — so you can begin making art MORE like YOU.

A wonderful talk with artists as we delve into the success they have experienced since working with us. We discuss hoe they use the Best Year Yet process and how their journeys have evolved over the years from taking action. Lisa shared how she was shaking like a leaf when it came to sharing her only drawing with us - this was 3 years ago.  Today, Lisa sold work and sat in her studio on the call. You can learn more about today’s featured artists here: Simone Paterson Jane Powell Lisa Potter Jenny Stevenson  Enjoy

A wonderful live podcast episode where we bring in artists who share how they plan their year ahead. We talk about having goals, not having goal, having a calendar, not having a calendar and all the different ways you can adapt our best Year Yet training to design your life in your own way. A super session if you are keen to do more of what you love in 2024.  

I know this title may make some people feel uncomfortable - those who give give give and never put themselves first, for example. However, when we break this down - it’s simply connecting with what truly matters in life and focusing on this. You can do more of what makes you happy. It’s not about greed or hurting people along the way so we can satisfy our needs only.   When you feel content, fulfilled and happy - this will impact everyone around you.  In this episode, I will share the steps I take when ‘getting what I want’. I will talk about  Wishing and Dreaming  Planning and focusing  How to have faith when you don’t believe  How to handle fear  IF YOU WANT TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE EVENT, HERE IS THE LINK   

Let’s reflect on 2023 together.   One of the best ways to move forward and achieve success is by reflecting and today’s podcast was recorded live.   We took time to:   Consider what you want and don’t want.   Get clear on what you really want in 2024. Learn from mistakes and from what went well.   Most of all, paying attention to how far you have come.   When you reflect on what’s happened, you can do more of what works, do less of what doesn’t work, and aim for what you REALLY want.   If you want to download the reflection worksheet that accompanies this episode, you can sign up to Best Year Yet and receive instant access here:   >> SIGN UP TO BEST YEAR YET <<  

Last year I bought a house, which was a big deal for me.  As a single parent, who used to be in masses of debt and unemployed for years - to get to this point today in my life is mind blowing. For years I struggled and found life difficult. Art was my saviour. Art has taught me so much and that is why I am so passionate about helping others understand why art matters. This year I am going to be talking about this topic A LOT!!! This year is the year my book will be published and unveiled to the world. Owning my own house and writing a book have been on my vision board for a LONG time,  and they materialised because I never gave up. I have always been very intentional about designing my life and stepping out of my comfort zone. This has come from years of practice and this is what I want to share with you in my FREE workshop, Design Your Life and Have Your Best Year Yet. This is the process I follow: Reflecting Creating a vision  Making a plan Focusing on the right tasks  Taking action  I can’t want to share these steps with you and take the course myself!! Here is this week’s Vlogcast where I share my insights from my new living room :)

In this final Vlogast of 2023, I want to wish you a very healthy and ‘happy’ end to the year. I know it’s not an easy time for some people.  I was reflecting on how I want everyone to be happy.  I want my members, followers, children, friends, family - all to be happy. I strive to make people happy and fulfilled, but this isn’t always possible.  It’s not realistic. In this episode, I talk about the term happiness and how it comes and goes in my own life. Thank you for all of your support in 2023.  

I always say you are one person away from an opportunity. Suvi is a UAS HUb member and last week, she shared her surprise as she was invited to exhibit next year, and it came from a simple act with no expectations. Suvi had created some lovely cards featuring her artwork and decided to give them to local shop owners as a seasonal greeting. One of the shop owners contacted Suvi and asked if they could exhibit the work for 3 months during their busiest season !! I talk about this in today’s episode, as it has got me thinking about the power of creating digital and physical cards  

When you begin to take control of your life to feel more fulfilled and happy, you often realise it’s not about the house, the amount you earn or the studio you have.  These goals are great, but true fulfilment comes from inside.   I know this can sound a little wishy washy, but this has been the biggest lesson towards me finding tons of contentment and happiness in my life.   No matter how many goals I set and achieved, there was always a feeling of not having enough, or fear of it being taken away.   When i work on what really matters - the internal - this is when my life starts to feel easier.   In today’s episode I share a great insight from Mid valley as they share the 3 most important questions to ask yourself when it comes to designing your life.   What do you want to experience ? How do you want to grow? How do you want to give back to the world?   The key is to answer in 90 seconds and not overthink.    You can tune into today’s episode, where I talk more about this:   If you want to go deeper into this process, you can follow the steps on the Mind Valley website:   https://blog.mindvalley.com/3miqs/  

Your art won’t sell You should paint flowers, you will make more money  You are not good enough  People aren’t buying art right now    Have you ever taken a different direction because of the view of a few??   By this, I mean a couple of people out of the billions of people in the world gave their view, which diminished your dream—diminishing your confidence? Or did they influence a change of direction that doesn’t feel right?   We have to be careful not to accept the view of a few when we have a goal or destination we are passionate about.   Unless the view of a few are aligned with our mission and have great advice.   But, even then - someone who may appear to be in the know and have fantastic insight can be wrong.   I want to talk about this in today’s short bite-sized episode.  

If you could live on your own terms with no money, worries, or responsibilities- how would you be REALLY living?? It amazes me how many people live a life they think they should live.  Myself included.  I fall into the trap year after year of making decisions based on what is expected or what I think others will like. I intentionally reframe this thinking and check in with what I REALLY desire. This is a question I ponder at this time of year.  I love the cycle of coming towards the end of a year.  It’s time to shed old skin, relight fires that burnt out and re-navigate my compass. I love reflecting on how I design my life going forward.  I can feel shifts in my own life that have been brewing for a long time, and 2024 is going to be a time of change for me - I have some exciting plans - but these plans are only coming to fruition as I spend time going through the Best Year Yet program!! I would love you to join me - the event starts on.  18th January 2024 But, when you sign up, you get access to the Best Year Yet Prep immediately. Best Year Yet is a process of designing your own life.   You can learn more here:  

I went to an event recently called ‘Chill and Prosper’ by Denise Duffield Thomas.  Denise has a book out with the same name.   We spent 2 whole days talking about money.   I cried, laughed, felt confused, and gained clarity - it was an incredible 2 days of focusing on my money mindset, and I am excited to share my insights with you.   In today’s episode, I share what I took from the event, including why I was given a card that said:   ‘It is safe for you to live and travel first class’.   This brought up lots of feelings of not deserving!!!  It's such an exciting topic. Enjoy