Free Inspiration

Are You Playing In The Land Of No?
As she wiped away the tears, the artist told me her story. She’d applied for a project that was a perfect match for her work. She had all the right qualifications. She was certain that she’d

Every Artist Makes This Choice
Is your life’s journey a true expression of your self? Too many people just follow what’s right in front of them, without discernment. They choose what’s easy and available. They don’t realize that we can

Validation
One of the first questions I ask aspiring artists is, “What is it that you want?” Invariably the answer has to do with wealth and fame. Heroes named include Damian Hirst and Andy Warhol. And then I sigh,

Is Your Art Making You Wealthy?
“But Crista,” the artist asked, “How can I make a living from my art?” “I wanna be wealthy! I wanna live on a beach! I wanna be dripping in jewels! And I want my art to pay for all of

The End of Procrastination
Procrastination is a word I often hear artists use. But procrastination can be about more than just postponing tasks and projects. It sometimes becomes a reason to turn on yourself, and bring all of your doubts to

Are You Ready to Become a Professional Artist?
Have you come to a point on your path where you’re considering turning your passion for making into a career as a professional artist? But this is where many artists ask me, “How do I know

Is The Working Artist Masterclass the Right Art Course for You? – An honest assessment
Investing time and money into a course for artists is a great way to build your knowledge, expand your skill set, and develop confidence. And artist masterclasses, courses and programs are invaluable to artists at all

What Is An Artist?
I went all the way to France to write my book. But that didn’t make it any easier. Chapter One. Page One. The bright white of the paper glared accusingly. How do I begin? At

The Ghosts in Our Blood
It was on September 13th, when she was just 13 years old, that Orelle was struck by a car as she crossed 13th Street. Unlucky number 13. Orelle spent the remainder of her short life in

Are You An Artist-Warrior?
I believe that the best artists are Artist Warriors. But instead of taking up arms, we take up brushes and cameras and clay. Artists are warriors of the spirit. Like any warrior, artists must be tested,

How Having Fun Can Save You *no, seriously
It was the last day of the College Art Association conference in Washington DC and I was beat. I’d spent weeks preparing for it. And then 4 long days either in meetings or chasing more meetings.

He Did It His Way
Jack was 90 years old and still the town rascal. I first met Jack when he came to my rescue in the pub. I had just moved to England, to Tunbridge Wells, a small town

When Did You First Suspect You Might Be Creative?
When did you first suspect you might be creative? Do you remember the delight you took in colors when you held your first crayons? Or the thrill of building sand castles on the beach? Maybe you

The Artist Who Made Everything Better
My friend Mark shined the light of his creativity on all he did. We met years ago in art history class, where we fell in love. Not with each other, mind you, but with Vincent Van

What’s the gift?
I have always been right! Handed, that is. It’s my dominant side and I’ve often shuddered at the thought of having to change. Life must have heard me and had a chuckle at my expense. Last

No time for creativity? Eat more cake!
I hang my head in shame to admit that I’ve been busy with more important things than my own creativity. And this is what I teach other artists not to do! Here’s the story: You may

How Artists Find Their Brand
“It’s really easy to work as an artist!” said no one, ever. Most artists are really challenged when it comes to marketing their own work. Are you? Maybe you can’t place your finger on what your

From Sweatshop to Art Studio
Thailand is a place known around the globe for its immense natural beauty, distinctive cuisine and a land punctuated by farmland and rice fields. But what about Thailand as a place known for galleries and art?