Hi Reader, Greetings and hello again: Space and science dictate the parameters of the New Year. Like clockwork, it arrives in sync with our orbit around the sun—predictable, familiar, and oddly comforting. It’s a natural juncture that invites reflection on the days that will fill our next trip around. Whole industries exist to capitalize on this moment. Calendars, planners, apps, consultants, books, and courses arrive on cue. Planning has its place—but no amount of it can predict the outcome...
17 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Greetings and hello again: This week’s post touches on something I’ve seen proven over and over again in my work. The ideas that ultimately matter most rarely arrive fully formed. More often, they take shape because I stay engaged long enough for something helpful to emerge. It’s tempting to think inspiration comes first. In practice, I’ve found it usually follows action. Beginning — even imperfectly — creates momentum. Momentum brings clarity. And clarity makes better ideas...
24 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Greetings and hello again: There are truths in the creative life we all recognize but rarely say out loud. Talent isn’t distributed evenly. Life doesn’t break fair. Some people get one great moment; others never get the break their work deserved. Excellence is hard to repeat — in the arts, in sports, in anything that demands a mix of talent, timing, and luck. Most of the time, we make quiet, instinctive decisions about how much we can give, when to push, and when to let go. And...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Greetings and hello again: The stretch between Thanksgiving and December tends to invite more opportunities than anyone can reasonably take on — projects, plans, courses, collaborations, and ideas that all look good in the glow of a long weekend. Today I wrote a short piece about a single clarifying question that’s helped me avoid some painful detours and make kinder choices for my future self. I also included a brief scenario you might recognize — the kind of opportunity that...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Greetings and hello again: For nearly 20 years, I’ve shared a special Thanksgiving reflection with this community, and this year’s message feels especially meaningful. In “On Being Thankful,” I write about clarity, gratitude, and finding peace in the present moment—things that matter just as much as any marketing strategy when you’re building a sustainable creative practice. I also include Tracy Chapman’s “Heaven’s Here on Earth,” a song that’s been part of my Thanksgiving...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Greetings and hello again: One of the most common questions I hear from artists is: "How should I price my work?" But here's what most artists miss—pricing isn't just mathematics. It's psychology. The same piece of art can feel like a bargain at one price and overpriced at another, not because the work changed, but because of how the price is presented, positioned, and experienced by the buyer. In today's post, I've updated one of my most popular guides on pricing psychology with a...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Greetings and hello again: There's a familiar piece of advice floating around the art world: "Hang your art anywhere you can—restaurants, lobbies, coffee shops, whatever. You never know who might see it." On the surface, it sounds harmless—even hopeful. But here's what I've learned after decades of working with artists, publishers, galleries, and buyers: Your art deserves better than being background noise where no one comes to buy art. What appears to be marketing is often just...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Greetings and hello again: Over nearly 40 years, I’ve written nine books, taught countless artists, and published a weekly blog for two decades. Along the way, I’ve created hundreds of guides, courses, and resources to help artists thrive in today’s ever-changing art market. Now I’ve gathered the best of it all in one place — the Brain Trust Goodies page. Think of it as an MBA in Art Marketing — except this one’s free, practical, and rooted in real-world experience you won’t find...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Greetings and hello again: Nobody wants to think about emergencies, but here's the uncomfortable truth: as a solo artist-entrepreneur, you are your business. If something happens to you—illness, injury, family crisis—who pays your bills? Who fulfills orders? Who communicates with your collectors? Most artists I work with pour everything into creating and marketing their art. But very few have a plan for when life throws a curveball. In this updated guide, I walk you through exactly...
2 months ago • 1 min read
