Rachel Sheree Sculptural Ceramic Artist
Check out her interview with ArtSHINE here
Have you heard the phrase “a starving artist”?
Isn’t the notion of the starving artist such a cliche?
Yet why does it persist?
Why do we have the expectation that artists must “suffer for their art”?
Well, we’re here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way. Unless you choose to be.
You do have a choice!
You can be an artist and also live well and live the Business LifeStyle you have always wanted.
The first step along that path is to acknowledge that you’re actually deserving of living well. Yes. it’s something that seems obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many artists and designers that we’ve worked with start off with a belief that they can’t (or shouldn’t!) make money for following their passion and doing what they love.
Stop refer yourself as a Starving or Poor Artists. You would not believe how many artists online and offline refer themselves as “Starving Artists.”
The truth is if you believe you are a “Starving Artist” then you are. You need to break the chain and believe in yourself and art. Believe that you can make it as an artist (Without Starving) and set take action!
It’s been our experience that the subject of finances and “cash flow” is generally low on the list of priorities, if not avoided altogether.
At ArtSHINE we work through a simple “Cash Flow Concepts” formula to help our clients start on the path of increasing their wealth and generating the incomes that they truly deserve for simply doing what they love.
Whenever a new Art or Design business venture is started, it is very important to have detail financial forecasting and particularly if you are a full time in your art and design business. A good financial forecast will give you a good idea of what to expect each year and will even drive you to reach your goals and dreams sooner. These should all be realistic and should not be over forecast. A lot of new artists and designers are shy away when we asked them about “Money & Finance” and we also met some artists who were focused too much on profits too(a rare case). As an Artist or a designer your attention should in fact be on cash flow, budget control systems so you don’t spend too much at the start. When you have your finances in good order, we will ensure you that your art and design business won’t run into a hole because of poor spending and not enough revenue coming in your business.
At the start we work with you to get a clear understanding of your current cash flow. Ask yourself these questions:
- Where is your money going right now?
- How do you generate income?
Once you have an understanding of what’s happening for you right now, you have the perfect opportunity to make some real decisions.
- Are you happy with the ways you spend your money?
- Is your income sufficient for your current Business LifeStyle?
- What will you need to sustain the lifestyle you aspire to?
Moving to the next level is all about having a plan, and increasing the number of ways that your art & design practice can be making you money. We help you step by step with your cash-flow projection so you have a fairly good idea of your cash flow from month to month.
We’re very clear that it’s certainly not about “Selling-out”, or making some crass compromises. Many artists & designers assume that they somehow have to change their art to be successful financially.
In fact, we’re very clear that the opposite is true. You don’t necessarily need to change your art; you need to get very clear about who you really are, and find those things that are unique to you. At ArtSHINE we refer to “Your QUIRKS“
Cash flow is one of the key fundamental elements of art and design practice that we focus on during the ArtSHINE Coaching Program.
Why?
Because financial stress doesn’t usually enhance creativity. We believe it’s critically important for designers & artists like you to understand the power of financial control.
Financially successful designers & artists focus on what you’re good at; your art and creativity.
Successful designers also understand and use “Cash Flow Concepts” to manage finances and leverage the analytical help of advisors like accountants, agents, business coaches, IP advisors, etc as they’re needed along the way.
