4-Month, Fast Forward Art Career Coaching and Mentoring
It’s time for a reality check, Coach.
Are you on track with your goals for this year? If things continue the way they’re going, will you end up where you want to be? Is your art career moving you steadily closer to sales, or have you ground to a halt, unsure which way to go next?
Do these questions make you wince, just a bit?
That’s good.
Because knowing where it hurts, and being willing to admit it, means you are ready to get serious about where you’re headed. You are ready to finally create the successful, satisfying art career that you know, in your heart, your art deserves – no excuses.
The fact that you’re here on this page tells me that you’re already in the top 1%. Most people talk a good game about growing their career but never jump in the way you did. And now it’s time to take everything you’ve learned, and roll up our sleeves and work together to make sure that your art finds the audience that’s waiting for it!
Launching a career in the arts challenges the best in you. Establishing a career in the arts is just plain challenging!
In my journey as a successful art-career mentor and business development coach, I’ve discovered three key success factors for creating a thriving, sustainable and fun-to-run career of my own:
GUIDANCE: Making sure I have personalized guidance specific to my unique business, visions, and gifts
PLAN: Developing a master plan that maps out the shortest path between where I am and where I want to be so I have the Big Picture.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Making sure I have focused, positive, like-minded people who want me to succeed, can be trusted to tell me the truth, and will hold me accountable for being, doing, and having what I’m committed to. This is literally a GPA system for the success and quality of life you’ve been dreaming of.
I’ve figured out a way to get you all three.
Here’s my story . . . Before I wrote my book, Writing the Artist Statement: Revealing the True Spirit of Your Work, I was hacking my way through the thick underbrush of graduate school.
And right before that, for nearly a decade, my life read like one of those “…was so poor they took my house, my car, I lost my job, got divorced, was wandering the streets in rags until…(fill in with the most amazing money making whatever of all time…).”
And before that, my survival strategy, at different points throughout my life, was to start a business: natural foods production company, small business consultant, business writer, etc. At the same time, I was struggling with an ongoing domestic drama (for this, trust me, you don’t want details…), getting divorced (one of those really not fun divorces) and then raising two daughters on my own with a financial support system that two ants could have easily carried off between them.
Meanwhile, all of my own creative dreams lay curled up, off to the side of my life where I kept asking them to wait until I’d “made it.” It took me forever to figure out that the only way I was ever going to “make it,” was if I scooped up my creativity and brought it over to the center of my life.
I had to choose what truly excited me over what I was simply good at. For a brief flash, life was yummy after the Artist Statement book was born. Until it led me into the wacky World Wide Web, where gravity simply did not operate as expected.
But, since determination is my middle name, I was 100% certain that if I just read enough, researched enough, watched how the Big Girls did it, one day virtual reality would all fall into place.
Never mind that I’d never run a business online before, didn’t have the first clue about marketing virtually, only had a one-page website directing artists to my book publisher, and didn’t even have a coach myself at the time.
No problem little lady…
… Except for all the money and time I wasted trying to do every single thing by myself (first born, only child, with a hard-won doctorate, was not helping…), wearing all the hats (oh, this one doesn’t actually fit?), trying to set up a website on my own (and this was before Word Press!), figuring out how others were marketing online (it was a different universe, after all).
… Or bursts of creativity – so many ideas, so little time – that sent me happily down a road marked “Dead End,” as I let months go by without doing any marketing at all because I was so busy creating. (Must be a reason so many people think I’m an artist, in the same way you are, when they first meet me…)
… Or the roller coaster ride of my cash flow — up one month, down the next (yup, me too…)– while I was swinging high on my excitement about the next event or product I was going to create for my artists. Life in my Entrepreneurial Studio was definitely more fun than coming out and making a living (sound familiar?).
To be honest, I wanted to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head more than once.
Luckily, I was able to work through these challenges and in the process learned so much that now I get to pass it along. And because I’ve “been there, done that,” I know how to spot a potential problem long before it gets traction.
Or once it has traction, I’ve learned how to work with it, to go with the flow – like in Tai Chi.
And I found a wonderful coach and mentor who knows how to market and build a business in a strategic, focused way. And, even more important, who knows me: my foibles, my strategies for getting off track, and who also supports me in ways I didn’t know were possible. The kind of support that reaches into the core of my bones.
I’m living proof that with the right resources, planning, and coaching (and some old-fashioned rolling up ‘m sleeves, hard work) it CAN be done. But what if you’ve already bought a bunch of resources, info and training — and you’re still not where you want to be?
Here’s the thing – I’ve heard from a lot of artists who are having an especially difficult time selling their art these days. They bump into an obstacle like the ones I mention above and their dreams slow to a trickle.
The problem is that although they might be really good artists, with really good artwork, when it comes to thinking strategically about their own art career or figuring out what to do (or not do), they’re stuck. So even if you’ve invested in products, training and support, you’re likely to still be missing a piece -
Personalized, one-on-one guidance from someone who is both incredibly strategic as an art-career mentor, and a marketing and business development coach, AND knows a whole heck of a lot of the tips, tricks, pitfalls and shortcuts of running a successful art career.
(P.S. The “someone” I’m pointing to is ME!)
I have a knack for honing in on a clear vision of your art career – how to get “there” from “here” – while at the same time helping you tune out the static that’s messing with what’s most important: producing and selling the fine art that is central to your life.
And if you’ve been getting my weekly smARTips, you know that from where I sit, the big secret is all about our ability to pay attention to the tangibles and the intangibles, the nitty-gritty external world, and the often-hard-to-define-or-articulate internal world of self.
So much has been stirred up by our conversation today. I actually sense new connections being formed between previously separate ideas, leading outward to new ways of seeing and thinking.
I greatly value this gift you are giving me. It goes far beyond a simple consultation and pushes into that generative realm of true dialog. ~Lori Wolfson
There’s one more piece I want to share with you that tends to get in the way of success: Artists seem particularly vulnerable to what I call “random acts of inspiration.” They have a tendency to get excited about new possibilities and jump from one idea to the next, often without making any real progress.
For instance, I bet there is something you’ve been putting off for weeks, months — or maybe even years. Something that you KNOW would really build your art career, if you could just get your rear in gear and get it done.
It’s okay, I get it — I’ve struggled with the same overflow of inspiration! But really, even the best of ideas isn’t worth diddlysquat if all you ever do is put it off until later.
Thank goodness it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been putting it off — because starting today we’re going to get it done!
Which of course is exactly what you want . . . but HOW?
The key is a little thing that sounds rather tiresome, but with the right support system can be just the ticket AND a lot of fun: Accountability. I know, that’s quite a leap, going from “tiresome” to “fun.”
But you know what? It’s FUN when you get to make the art you want to make, and sell it to the people who love it, so you can build a career that you and your art deserve! And that’s what accountability can give you.
The thing is, you will never achieve that kind of fun if: You have no clue what to do (i.e. what to be accountable FOR). You’re missing a like-minded, supportive mentor who can see what you’re committed to and lovingly, but firmly, hold you to it.
If you are ready to fast forward in the right direction for YOU – and stop spinning your wheels – then I invite you to receive personalized coaching from someone who has successfully helped artists move their art careers to the next level. (Again, that “someone” would be me!)
I wish I had met Ariane sooner
Ariane has changed my life. Because of her encouragement and coaching I have started studying with a teacher and mentor and will be sculpting full time when I wind down my “current” professional career. I wish I had met Ariane sooner; she is nothing short of amazing! ~Jeffrey Breslow
Here’s how this works — I will personally coach you to:
- Present yourself and your work with the right materials, at the right time, to the right people – perhaps it’s developing or refreshing your presentation materials so they are engaging your audience and not putting them to sleep – or worse, making them roll their eyes
- Determine which streams of income are right for your art, and guide you through the process of how best to use which ones
- Fine-tune your portfolio, website and/or blog so these become places that your buyers and collectors will visit again and again
- Set up a follow-up strategy for old, and new, buyers and collectors to keep them engaged and coming back for more art
- Answer all your specific questions about connecting with your “just right” audience, marketing your art and positioning yourself
- Discover how an alternative expertise (you’d be surprised at what you know…) can expand your influence and your income with the right approach and effective positioning
- Work with you every week to determine your most effective activity for that week then hold you accountable for getting it done!
Basically, I’m proposing to take you under my wing for Four Big Months, and help you make a big leap forward with your art career — and I’m not going to hold anything back!
You and I will personally dig deep into your art career to break through your upper limits. We’ll take a close look at exactly where your career is, developmentally, and figure out what needs immediate attention.
I’ll work closely with you to create the marketing strategies best tailored to you and your art so you can have more collectors and less stress about marketing yourself.
You’ll receive my personal email address for all of your questions. You can also email me with your website copy, portfolio materials, artist statement and any other materials you’d like feedback on.
We’ll also do phone coaching sessions where you can ask me any art career questions you want. I’m an open book. And if I don’t have the answer, I will know where to find it.
Not only that — you get as much coaching as you want, as often as you like. None of the usual “limit 30 minutes per week/2 hours per month” stuff — you get unlimited VIP access.
And we’ll do this for an initial four months, which is the minimum time it takes to put all the pieces into place that will move you to the next level.
After that, you’ll have a privilege that I only extend to artists who have already gone through the 4-Month Private Coaching program – access to me on an ongoing, month-by-month basis.
It’s the next best thing to having me by your side, in your studio…
Email me with your questions and to schedule coaching sessions. I’ll give you as many calls and emails as you need, just make sure to ask high-leverage questions so that we can make the most of our time together.
Oh, and one other thing… Please, no victims!
If you are prone to whining, complaining or having a bunch of excuses all lined up, I’m definitely not the art career coach for you. By partnering with me, you are agreeing to let me (directly, clearly, compassionately) help move you in the right action.
You’re making a commitment – to your art, your audience, and most importantly, to yourself. If you don’t feel ready to roll up your sleeves and fast-forward your career into the level that you know it deserves, please don’t sign up.
It’s your choice alone to succeed and make the best use of our time together. If that sounds a little tough, that’s a good sign. The best way to leave “stuck” behind for good, is to let go of old stories that don’t serve you any more.
How about the compassionate part: Part of my core philosophy (and a BIG part of my mentoring success) is that my artists and I have a great time working together. Just like making art, there’s a dollop of magic, a dash of serendipity, and some whacky side trips that end up bringing home the gold.
I love accountability as a game changer, and I love walking hand in hand with the mystery of what we have yet to know. We’re going to set this up as if it’s your best ever, imagination game show, and then I’m going to show you how to pull that into reality.
Did you know that our brains have no way to tell the difference between what we call imagination and what we call reality? And together we can use this to make sure you know what’s behind door number three before it opens! We’re going to work hard, but we’re also going to play hard, too.
Here’s what you need to bring if you want to participate in this program . . .
- You must have a way to support yourself while we put the pieces into place for your art to support you. If your art is already doing this – all the better!
- You must be 100% prepared to implement my suggestions.
- You must be serious about taking action – when you commit to reading something, writing something, or trying a tactic, you get it done, no excuses.
- You choose to invest in coaching (believe me, it will pay for itself) because the alternative of what it’s costing you to not move forward is unacceptable. Not to mention how much longer than four months it will take you on your own- each extra day with it’s own price tag attached.
You know me, I’m wired to be deeply honest. Compassionate – absolutely. (Keeps the honesty straight up and working!) So if you could use an art-career mentor who will:
- Hold you accountable each and every week
- Give you objective feedback on your website, portfolio, developing your artist’s voice, and more
- Tell you when you’re holding back – and when you’re off track
- Be your biggest ally and soul traveler, and truly commit to doing whatever I can to support you moving your career forward
- Share with you all I’ve learned about what it really takes to build a successful art career
… then step up for yourself right here and now. Can you even imagine what we’ll be able to accomplish?? Pretty exciting stuff!
This was beyond all expectations, beyond my wildest dreams.
With your fantastic indepth knowledge about what it takes to make an effective web site, I gained great insight into how to make my website tailored to being an artist.
You are able to pull together the different elements a website needs. But what really amazed me, was that I came to you for web coaching and came away with a life changing experience.
Not only did you expertly coach me on my website, but you also helped me define who I am as an artist. This would be the single most valuable thing I have done this year! The time spent with you was a turning point in my life and my art career. You can’t get any better than that! “Thank you” seems totally inadequate. ~Kadira Jennings
Your complimentary bonuses
As one of my private coaching clients, you’ll have access to materials from the last five years of the smARTist Telesummit (that’s 40 leading authorities on different areas of your art career) on an “as needed” basis, based on your specific situation — all at no charge to you.
I’m not going to do the usual thing here and add up all the prices, feature by feature, but believe me, this is a great bonus! And it’s not something I’m just throwing in to plump up the coaching offer, either; I’m making it available to you because it would be crazy to withhold information that’s going to move you forward. I’m committed to offering you everything I can that will contribute to your success.
So here’s the run down on EVERYTHING you get when you mentor with me.
- A comprehensive history of your art-career, showing where you’ve been, where you are today, and what you need going forward
- Fine tuning all your presentation materials (portfolio, including artist statement and bio; your web presence, including website, blog, social media; talking points for in-person conversations with collectors). How you present yourself and your art MUST have the same level of credibility that great art supplies give your work.
- Unlimited pre-scheduled coaching so you can pick my brains about any aspect of building, managing and marketing a successful art career (you determine length/frequency of the sessions)
- Phone check-ins as needed (5-15 min each) for need-it-right-now coaching and quick questions – An ongoing action plan customized for your situation to help you move your career to the next level quickly and efficiently
- Access to FIVE years of art-career information from leading authorities ranging from how to get into galleries, to how to whip up free publicity for your art
- Unlimited email support – send me your portfolio materials, articles and questions for objective feedback and input. Think of it this way — can you seriously imagine mentoring with me and being more stuck, with less done?! Not a chance!
In fact, I’m so confident in the work I do with my artists that I’ll give you ALL of your money back if you’re not delighted.
If you make full use of the resources and support that I share with you, I know that you’ll be thrilled with the results. And I also recognize that investing your time and money is a risk, and I want you to have peace of mind about this. So if you decide the mentoring isn’t what you expected, just let me know within 30 days of starting and I’ll give you 100% of your money back. We’ll part as friends, no hard feelings. And you can keep any materials you’ve downloaded from the four years of the smARTist Telesummit as my gift to you, too.
An investment in coaching with Ariane is an investment in myself…
Six months ago I entered the world as a full time artist, optimistic and completely naive. I started with no knowledge of what to do.
Fortunately for me, in my second month as a full time artist I found Ariane. What a gift that turned out to be. Priceless! The range of topics we covered was, and still is, amazing to me. What makes up a good website and why should I put my artist statement on it? What’s a descriptive sentence, tagline, and the value of marketing? What’s the value of a compelling title for your art?
As a wife and mom I am busy, and having Ariane there kept me focused and enabled me to accomplish so much more than if I had tried going it alone. Ariane’s skill level was always there—on all levels.
I will be able to draw on the knowledge that she has given me for the rest of my art career. An investment in coaching with Ariane is an investment in myself. I am worth it and the payoffs are huge!! ~Sarah Ballinger
Are you ready to DO THIS?!
I only take on 6 private clients in any 4-month cycle. You’re either in or you’re out. (And it’s a whole lot warmer in…) If moving your art career forward is your top priority,
fill out the contact form below and we’ll set up a time to really find out if this path is right for you, okay?
Until then, I wish you continued creative flow,
P.S. Can’t wait? Want to talk right now? Go ahead, pick up the phone.
If I’m not immediately available, give me the best times to call you back and we’ll set up a time to get all your questions squared away. 413-659-3307 (I’m most likely to answer from 2:30-7:00 pm ET/MA – Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday – Tuesday is my private client day, so you’ll won’t reach me then 