When I talk and write about creativity and making money with art questions and comments always come up about productivity. For many artists the challenge is not creating, the challenge is sitting down to create. Productivity is challenging because it is so unique to the individual. A technique that works for my personal productivity may not work for yours. This is why I have not spent too much time on the subject of artistic productivity here on Art Palaver. But I do understand it is part of the artistic process and tips and advice can be very useful. There is always the chance that I share something I’ve stumbled across that really hits home with you and makes you an art producing machine. With that thought in mind I present you the Todoodlist.

Simple Project Management

I’ve known of the Todoodlist (To-Doodle-List) for quite some time now but only after reading a recent review of it did I decide to buy it and see if it worked for me. I like things to be simple and the Todoodlist is so simple that I really can not tell you too much about because if I did I would be giving it away, it is that simple.

Non Technical

The first great thing about the Todoodlist is that it is not based on gadgets or modern technology. It is not a way to configure your Outlook, tweak your Blackberry, or an app to download for your iPhone. It is a simple system based on good old fashioned paper and pencil. Two devices that have proven themselves as useful for centuries.

Visual

This is why I believe it might hit home with you artistic minded folks. Did you notice the “doodle” in Todoodlist? The system is visually based as opposed to a text base “to-do list.” Again I can’t say too much other than I am having fun and my project management is becoming a work of art suitable for framing.

The Bottom Line

The Todoodlist is cheap at $14 for a 97 page e-book PDF download. It contains 7 good essays on how to think about productivity and project management. It is entertaining to read. There is no risk in trying it because the author offers a “30 day no-quibble money back guarantee.” And you get to learn about the best writing surface there is in the world. (hint: it is edible)

I highly recommend giving Todoodlist a shot if you’re a visual thinker who has yet to find an effective productivity system. I am one of those and it is working for me.

One Bird Down, One More to Go

In my last post I mentioned that I am hoping to begin generating revenue from this blog. This post is a good example of how a blogger generates revenue from a blog. All those Todoodlist links up there are “affiliate” links. Which means that if you click on them and then decide to buy the e-book I will get money. In this case $7 for every book bought through my links. This can be a good way for a blogger to offer valuable information and to trickle in a little bit of income through a post. You not only get a great product you also get to support the blogs you read. Kind of like a PBS tote bag but without the annoying pledge drive.

I will always let you know when I am using an affiliate link with a brief disclaimer at the end of the post. And when you hover over the link text should pop up letting you know that as well. My goal is to always be a straight shooter with you.

If you have read and used Todoodlist let me know what you think about it in the comments. And if you buy it check back in and let us know how it is going.

Live to create!

Being A Productive Artist And Earning Revenue As A Blogger is a post from: Art Palaver The Artist Marketing Resource.

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In case you haven’t heard the global economy is not doing so well. People are getting laid off and companies are going out of business left and right. It is in the news everyday all day, which has people spending less money, even those who still have their job. This is not good news for artists.

How do you sell your art, which enables you to keep making art, when people are worried about the economy? First things first, define our own economic reality. Turn off the television, put down the newspaper, and don’t go near a radio. Don’t let the media define your reality. Then start promoting yourself like your life depends on it. 

When spending is down and sales are harder to come by self promotion for the artist becomes even more important. But what are the best ways to do that? That is a tough question. Especially when many artists dread the promotion and business side of art. Which is exactly why Alyson B. Stanfield wrote I’d rather be in the studio! The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion. (Pentas Press 2008).

Alyson knows that you are an artist because you like to make art, not because you want to be a public relations person. Which is why she packed her book full of tips and ideas on how to effectively promote your art so you can spend more time in your studio. She breaks down the Table of Contents into a “Table of Excuses.” Excuses such as, “There aren’t enough hours in the day to do it all,” and “I don’t live in an art town.” Just to name a few.

The book is a great 264 page tool to help any artist find new ideas and new ways to promote their art. It is well organized and easy to read and understand. I like it because it is a book that is formatted in such a way that it is easy to pull information from it without having to read it cover to cover.

The author also has a blog with a lot of good information in relation to selling and promoting art. You can find it at http://www.artbizblog.com/.

Have you read this book? What do you think? Leave a comment please.

Art Book Review | I’d Rather Be In The Studio is a post from: Art Palaver The Artist Marketing Resource.

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“Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.”- Steven Pressfield

I am sure you know the feeling. The feeling of satisfaction after a productive day. After a full day spent creating. That feeling of knowing you showed up and answered the muse and did your job as an artist. Do you know that feeling? Do you experience it often? I don’t experience it nearly enough. You will often hear me say that “life gets in the way.”

But why is that? I like to create. I like when my camera is in my hand or the brush is being dipped in fresh paint. I have more ideas than days in my life, even if I live to be 200. Being productive in the studio makes me truly happy. Seems like it would be easy. But it is not easy is it? Why? Because of Resistance, with a capitol R. That is what Steven Pressfield argues in the War of Art. (Warner Book 2003)

The War of Art is 165 page manual full of strategies for identifying and overcoming resistance in your creative life. I’ve read a lot of books on productivity, most in relation to business, this is by far the best one I have read for helping an artist be productive.

The book is divided into three books. Book one defines the enemy and is quite an eye opener. The author points out, “Resistance kicked my ass from East Coast to West and back again thirteen times and I never even knew it existed.” Resistance is in your life, it is everywhere. Inside you, outside you, everywhere. The first step to fighting it is identifying it.

And it can be fought, that is what book two of the War of Art tackles. To fight and beat Resistance the artist must become a professional. (in contrast to the amateur.) Somerset Maugham was asked if he wrote on a schedule or when inspiration struck. “I write only when inspiration strikes,” he replied, “Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.” That my friend is a professional.

The final part of the book deals with moving beyond Resistance. The author firmly puts his boot on your boat and pushes you away. Away to sail newly discovered seas as an artist who has overcome Resistance and is ready to live the unlived life within us. Moving away from Resistance and closer to the Muse.

This book is easy to recommend. It is small and paperback and can be found for under $10. It is full of practical advice and inspiration. Well worth the read.

The War Of Art is a post from: Art Palaver The Artist Marketing Resource.

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