Come on, Summer!

Summer is usually a miserable time of year for me. As a horse trainer and riding instructor, I feel like I spend most of every day trying to help horse and human deal with the heat and bugs. Lessons slow down between people traveling or weather issues, either thunderstorming or just plain too hot. Trying to keep horses in training becomes more of just keeping them a little fit. Consequently, money comes in a lot slower, also.

This year is looking a lot different. I have a lot less horse care responsibilities, so I feel like I have more breathing room. That breathing room has been taken up by art commissions! I’m wrapping up a series (I can’t wait to brag on these!) and have more to follow. I also have a long list of my own ideas that leave me itching to put brush to canvas. I’m going to keep myself busy!

Meanwhile, I’m figuring out the administrative side to this business: from getting out my email newsletter (I’m definitely NOT spamming, lol), keeping track of expenses (and income, yay!), preparing for taxes (now including sales tax), making social media posts, how to ship pieces out, keeping track of my hours actually working on art (and keeping an eye on what I’m making per hour). A successful business needs to be run like a business. There is no escaping that!

At the same time, I’m still going for some continuing education where I can find it. Like horses, art is a never-ending journey. I am always striving for improvement, usually by watching tutorials, attending workshops, studying the masters and always practice, practice, practice.

tools of the trade

And this is where things can get difficult. A financially successful artist must sell art so therefore must create art. They can get trapped into creating art they think will sell and get away from what is authentic to them. They lose vision and the heart that goes into the work to make it appealing. Eventually, they will lose the following they had gathered. I have been learning from artists I admire, not just how to paint and draw better, but also ways to keep my fire lit. The ways to wear a business administrator hat and an artist hat, making sure they stay separate but feed each other.

I have plans and ideas to continue to grow and pursue my art and my art business. I’m excited for studio time this summer. So bring it, Summer! I’m ready to honor Mother Nature with the best art I can produce!