0
0
was successfully added to your cart.

Cart

Category

Uncategorized

Jan 16 2017
6

Make Room For Your Life

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Out with the old, in with the new.

Whenever I have loads to think about, the first thing I do is clean up. And when I say “clean up”, I mean I use it as a time to de-clog and de-clutter my energy by sorting, throwing and donating stuff.

This is a habit that I built for myself since I was in high school (that’s an almost 30 year-old habit to date!), long before Konmari Method became a thing. I have a mental quarterly purging system, one that started when I used to throw no-longer-needed quiz sheets, activity papers, circulars and scratch paper. The ability to purge has become automatic that I don’t notice that I do it quite regularly.

For those who find this to be a gargantuan task (it’s only massive if you allow lots of stuff to pile up), here are some ideas how to go about it without freaking out:

  • Always start within, and start in the farthest corners of our closet by evaluating clothes I have not worn in a year or two. This does not include seasonal travel clothes, however. I’m talking about clothes I say I’ll fit into one day but I know I just won’t, clothes that have seen better days, or idle clothes I’ve been holding on to for no reason at all.
  • I donate to the Salvation Army or to communities who accept second-hand clothes. Anything that’s torn, ripped, stained, snagged or hole-y gets turned into rags. I never give away clothing I myself will not wear.
  • Another space you can go to would be drawers where you stuff bills and receipts. I’m pretty sure many of us have that drawer. Yes, that one. I typically keep monthly bills good for a year for whatever reason. After a year, they all have to go. Receipts from restaurants, take-away, taxi cabs or whatever — if you still have them in your pockets or the inner sleeves of your wallet, ask yourself ‘Why am I still holding on to these?’ 🙂
  • I only buy what is needed, what is necessary, and never in excess. Cabinets are not bursting at the edges. How many pans do I really need? Check the pantry. I’m pretty sure some bottled dried herbs are 6 months to a year past its shelf life.  I just spotted two and disposed of them over the weekend.
  • The only stuff I have a lot of are my paints and sketchbooks, but that’s because they’re consumable and used for work. I also don’t buy more paint as necessary as they will dry up if stored too long.  When people look inside my closet, they’re shocked. Why? Because there’s so much space, and to think it’s a shared closet I have with my husband.
  • I donate and give things away while it is still in working, usable or presentable condition. If you have gadgets, appliances and other household stuff you no longer need, give it to someone who can make the best of it while in good order.
  • Finally, I only buy what fits in the house and things that have a direct purpose or function. If there is no room for it at home, I won’t make room for it if it’s not a necessity.  I simply won’t buy it. When you live in a building apartment where you have a booth for a kitchen, then there simply is no room for that air-fryer  or that dehydrator I’ve been eyeing for quite some time now.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Out with the old.

In with the new.

 

Jan 09 2017
1

Empowering The Professional Artist

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

What do professional artists have today that we didn’t, say, 12 years ago?

Answer: Power.

Today’s artist is a lot more empowered than he or she was in 2005.

The artist of 2017  has the strength to reach his or her client directly easily and effortlessly.  

Back in the day, we were at the mercy of mainstream media editors and TV producers.  Most, if not many, were supportive of fledgeling artists and I found myself fortunate.  Cold calls led to a big break in a major broadsheet, and being spotted in an art fair led to TV features.  For the most part, it was a struggle to be seen and heard as an artist during those times.

What gift do we have at this very moment  that we didn’t over a decade ago? Social media.

2004 saw the birth of Facebook, followed by the inception of sites like Etsy in 2005. These two factors were enough to break some of the barriers that prevented artists from reaching their clients directly.  The biggest game changer was born in 2010. It’s called Instagram.

I regret not joining sooner but luckily I had the chance to catch up.  This, perhaps, is the biggest factor that helped me get back on my feet after a 5-year dry spell of  creative block and absolutely no art.  I became active on Instagram in 2015 and by December of 2016 I have grown to a community of 28k on @thejarofsalt. The numbers definitely mean something because it opens a number of doors and builds highways to clients near and far across the planet at all times of the day. It was when I met Melissa Camillieri that I was able to make heads or tails of Instagram. It was midway through her class when a lightbulb went on in my head that I fully realised my direction and completely re-branded myself as an artist.  I know she has an online class on January 16 and I promise you it will be one of the best things you can do for yourself if you want to be more present online.

The artist of 2017 has more resources today than any time in history.

There are no excuses anymore at this day and age. When we needed to do research before, we needed access to an actual library that holds all these heavy but fantastic art encyclopaedias.  Today, anyone with access to the Internet on their phones or laptop can easily peep into museums through their websites or artist’s personal sites from wherever they art. There are also lots of mainstream articles and blogs dedicated to art and artists (such as this very post you’re reading), offering varying and mostly candid opinions about  topics you might be looking for. Blogs offer a more honest (but not always necessarily accurate) source of information.  It was through a blog that I learned the perils of re-posting photos (even with credits) and how she was sued for it. Now this leads me to my third and last point.

The artist of 2017 is informed.

12 years ago, I didn’t have the luxury of all the information swimming in the worldwide web today. Now, even art lawyers, editors and artists have blogs where I have learned a lot from. If you’re doing research about galleries (I’ve discovered that one that reached out to me was a vanity gallery) or online classes you are keen on, there are so many personal reviews available to take into consideration. Lots of things are listed online today, including material that is in the public domain versus those protected by copyrights, sample contracts, etc. I personally do not undertake a project without a written and signed contract that stipulates all the terms and agreement.  I suggest that all artists and creatives equip themselves with written documentation because it goes a long way and this is what professionals do. Full stop. 

Today is as good a time as any to uphold our rights and value as a working, professional artist and be accountable for making things happen for ourselves in this succulent new year.  Stay equipped and enjoy the creative journey up ahead!

Dec 28 2016
2

Going Online And Onto The Real World

By | Uncategorized | 2 Comments

2016 was a turning point in my career as things revved up and switched gears.  It wasn’t easy, but it was definitely onward and upward ever so steadily, excruciatingly slow but ever so surely. Putting my work online was, perhaps, one of the best things I’ve done for myself because of the personal and professional ties I’ve built over time.

With gratitude, here are some of the best people I’ve worked with, thanks to the magic of Instagram:

Working with Stabilo has been very inspiring. To have my work acknowledged by a brand I’ve been using since 4th grade (and that’s a loooong time!) has been very humbling and empowering at the same time.  My new sketchbook classes use Stabilo products in our Singapore classes and the results are simply fantastic! One of the “highlights” of working with them is being one of the first to try their soon-to-be-released color palette in 2017!

I’m not exactly someone who shops a lot and I keep a very lean wardrobe but my jaw dropped,when I saw this steampunk ring on my feed one day. Created by Inspired By Elizabeth, these rings are crafted from watch parts (the grooves move!) and Swarovski crystals. I don’t have an SLR so it’s difficult to see the intricate details. Her site, however, has all these inspiring photos of her works of art so pop in if you want to see details up close!

I conducted several sketchbook classes called “The Big Blank Page” in the latter part of the year and can I just say I am absolutely blown away by the support here in Singapore, and more so for people who made an effort to meet me here during their travels!

Will I have online sketchbook classes for The Big Blank Page? The answer is one resounding YES. See you online in 2017!

 

I have an affinity for vintage, retro jewelry and fashion. For those who follow me on Instagram, my rings have become synonymous with my creative process and regular sketchbook entries. Sometimes I really wonder if people follow me on Instagram for my art, or my rings! -_-  You can only imagine my surprise when Daniel Wellington sent me this old-fashioned leather watch.  Their simple, clean and classy large-face watch speaks volumes.

I love trees but I also love paper. It’s a bit of a personal conundrum but I make sure that I justify my paper usage as best as I can. Thus said, it was an honor seeing my work on Bookblock‘s journal. Stitched with ivory pages and rounded corners hardbound with a matte-laminated cover, Bookblock created my very own personal journal with a fire-engine red satin bookmark and elastic band. You have to feel the notebook in your hands to appreciate quality paper and fine craftsmanship.

The idea of working as a surface and textile designer never occurred to me until two years ago. For almost all my life, I always thought illustrators were limited to graphic design and/or children’t book’s illustration.  Having my work shown in New York in Printsource’s  surface and textile design show is, indeed, a dream come true. And it’s thanks to Jen of  Zoejo Design, who came across my work on Instagram and saw value in the imperfections of my work.  Thank you, Jen!

One of the keys to working effectively, in my opinion, is based on sincerity — both online AND offline. This is perhaps the most important lesson I can impart with anyone who’s keen on getting their work online and into the real world.   I’ve written about the importance of staying real on social media  and being a true professional as a working artist.  It makes life and work easy for you because posting on Instagram, or whatever platform you choose, is merely an echo of your daily life.

Although I was already online two years ago posting random kitchen escapades and late posts from travels, it wasn’t until I took a closer look at social media that I found some direction in my online existence. Melissa Camillieri did an incredibly fantastic job in helping me with the ins-and-outs of Instagram, teaching concrete steps how to make Instagram work for me.  A little bird told me she’s holding another class on January 16 so click this link to sign up!  I entered her class with 700 people in my IG and today I woke up to a 27k-strong community on Instagram.  Do know that these are not “just numbers” to me.  27k means all the breathing, thinking souls living daily lives who share their thoughts and with whom I have significant dialogue with.  This, for me, is what Instagram is all about.

Dec 20 2016
1

Me, Work And Instagram

By | Uncategorized | 2 Comments

I only wanted to post a lot of whatevers when I initially joined IG,  kept on private mode with no friends because I simply wanted to see my photos with all the filters.  It was all about the things happening in the kitchen and my travel pics. Then I got on the calligraphy bandwagon and started posting everything about that and switched my account to “public”.  I lost steam quickly and realised the discipline was not for me and faltered away.  Though I abandoned the handwriting craft, it left me with around 700 followers and I was absolutely elated.

Soon after, the tides changed and I was off to a new direction as I rebranded myself. Not so much that I decided to do a drastic thing but I decided to return once again to my own art: painting and illustrating — a career I stored away in my heart and remained hidden for 5 years during a long spell of creative block.  Within a year, I started developing my work from a clean slate. 5 years of creative block meant 5 years of empty sketchbooks and blank canvasses.  It was a struggle just to get my imagination course through my veins down to my hands.

As of this writing, my own community on Instagram has grown to 26k. It’s something that takes me by surprise every single day.

It’s nice to know there are people out there listening everyday to whatever I have to say, and for that I am very, VERY grateful.

So today, I look back at 2016 and try to peel back the layers and review the core of what I do as a working artist, how this helped build my work and relationships on social media and beyond.

Don’t play the numbers game.  

Your are not made of digits so this should not be the end-all and be-all.  Expecting people to “like” you back because you “liked” them is kinda like thinking everyone you meet will instantly be your friend, in my opinion. It’s just not realistic.

Please DON’T buy likes and followers! Such a travesty to build a name on a blatant lie.

Social media still boils down to genuine relationships. While the bulk of people who follow you might be people you probably won’t have the chance of meeting in the flesh, treat every single one of them with the same level of respect you would accord people you meet in person.  

Good manners say a lot. 

I’ve come across a great deal of people on IG who will follow you, like a gazillion posts in one day, then immediately unfollow you as soon as you follow back.  I feel people are brave enough to do so because there is no in-person transaction, so there’s no tangible accountability or “face” to lose doing something so immature and rude.  Then again, to many, it’s still about what was said in #1, at all costs.  

Work on your work before working on your post.  

What are your reasons for being on IG in the first place?

If you’re staging photos only for the sake of Instagram fame and crafting an image with too much effort for the sake of the number of “likes” and “follows”, then you are paving a very wide road for frustration filled with nothing but smoke and mirrors.   It’s difficult to share something relevant if there really is no work going on.

Focusing on our craft brings so much more real value that sharing stuff on social media is but an echo of our real life.

 On the flip side,  many highly successful establishments and people with inspiring and lucrative careers have relatively small social media followings because, really, they’re too busy taking the entire world by storm in real life 🙂

Be sincere.  

I am not going to wax poetic and attach profound quotes on a photo that has nothing to do with the text. Neither will I post a heavily edited beach shot I’ve never been to (or a photo that I didn’t take in the first place) and say that I’m dreaming about being there.

I think it’s just awkward.  What you see on my IG account, is pretty much what you will get from me in real life: my splattered workspace, the cluttered desk, my dog Jones, my sparse home, my candid comments.

My days are far from perfect so you can expect my posts to be just all about that.

Share as needed. 

My IG account is primarily all about art.  And yes, of course it’s self-promotion! 🙂

Okay, okay. So sometimes I post what’s happening in the kitchen.

But really, I’ve gone on silent/lurker mode on Facebook since the beginning of the year, for the most part.   If I have something to say, I just bug someone on chat and have a real conversation.  

Besides, there was a time when people didn’t share inane stuff ever so publicly at such lightning speeds.

I kind of want to go back to a more analogue life, if I could. 

 

Dec 17 2016
3

Thrive Amidst Your Chaos

By | Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Letting go of the need for perfection takes a lot of practice. All the what-should-be’s, ought-to-be’s and all about the self not being enough.  It’s a habit learning to thrive in your own chaos.

It’s this gnawing dissatisfaction, nagging sense of not being able to tick of everything in my to-do and to-be list. But the year that was is coming to an end in less than two weeks, and I feel like I’m still running a race against myself.  Did I mention that I am my own worst opponent? A competitive heckler with a loud, loud voice.

Sometimes, in my obsession of chasing after a never-ending list of goals, I forget and overlook everything that I have achieved. It’s so easy to be ungrateful in the constant need of wanting more.  It was my husband who stopped me one day, and exclaimed “What the hell are you talking about?? Don’t you see how much you’ve accomplished in just one year?”.

And then it hit me.

In my constant need of wanting more for myself,  I realised I have been bestowed so many opportunities that allowed me to grow and flourish — as a working artist and most especially as a human being.

I’ve always thought I had none of that artist’s angst they speak of. But perhaps the creative process has led me to face my thoughts and emotions a bit more sincerely.

The discomfort.

The little aches.

The uncertainties.

The ability to forgive faults, mine and the rest of the world.

In all the mess of my daily endeavours and the awkwardness that comes with growing pains, I found my self.  Slightly rough around the edges but fully functional and equipped to make something of myself one day at a time.

Nov 22 2016
0

The Art Of Gratefulness

By | Uncategorized | 11 Comments

If there’s one thing I learned over the years, gratitude is more than just being thankful in your heart or blurting out a perfunctory nicety. How does gratefulness hold all the pieces of my life and career together?

To be honest, I believe it’s something I tend to take for granted on many days and overlook in my so-called busyness.  Building an art career (or any career, for that matter) is not a one-woman job.  Whatever success I’ve achieved in my life is a result of an amalgamation of creativity, work and faith — mine and yours.

Being thankful, is not just a word or a fuzzy feeling. It’s really a lot of work and conscious effort.

How have I made gratitude real and tangible, really?  Hmm. Good question. Let me count the ways (5 of them, so far).

  • When I first started my art career early 2000s, there was no such thing as self-promotion because social media did not exist back then. Simply put, our careers back then relied mostly on traditional print and TV media editors.  I got lucky and writers sought me out on their own. All it took was one significant write-up in a major broadsheet to get the wheels turning.  Each time a local editor published something about my work, I always delivered a sincere hand-written thank-you note along with a small print or illustration.
  • Over time, whenever I would hit a  major milestone in my work, I would reach out to past establishments, writers and editors, to give them an update to thank them for helping me get a leg up and for giving me a chance to get my work out there.They didn’t have to do anything for me, but they did so because they must have found some value in what I do. And that is what I’m grateful for. I still touch base with many of them more than a decade later.
  • When I come across a book that has a profound impact in my life, I reach out to the bestselling author a letter via their Facebook page or email. I express how their words and insights have moved me in an unforeseen but magical direction.  Them writing me back is of no consequence to me.  But guess what? THEY DO.  Sometimes two weeks late if they’re very busy, but they write back a sincere note with an apology for their delayed response.  And they are equally thankful to hear from you and me.
  • When I used to work in the 9-to-5, I did the rounds of job interviews. And I went to a LOT! Like seriously, even the ones that may seem slightly off-tangent. But I believed in forming links through even the vaguest of job applications. Sometimes the interviewer would deem me unqualified/overqualified for the position BUT knew someone who needed someone like me.  He or she then passed my credentials to others which led me to eventually landing me a job. Every time I’d come out of an interview, I remember sending out a brief e-mail upon returning home (because back in the day you could only email from the home computer!), thanking them for their time and energy. It might not mean a lot, but it’s my way of acknowledging the other that I appreciate them for considering me worthy of their time at the very least.  Gratitude is also a skill to be practiced.  When I used to work in a PR firm, I was taught that all thank-you notes and responses after a correspondence, event or receiving something nice needs to be sent out IMMEDIATELY (no excuses nowadays with social media and smart phones!).  Now that I’m self-employed, I still continue this practice whenever I come home from any sort of  meeting, face-to-face or online,  results favourable or not. I say “thank you” not because I need to get something out of it, but I do it because I think the other deserves to hear it.
  • Finally, I count my blessings whenever I catch myself griping about something that is not up to par with my expectations.  When I catch myself in a spiritual snag, I blurt something out under my breath, sometimes struggling especially on days when things are going nowhere where I want it to. “Thank you for ____ ” or “I am grateful that ____”.  Yes, I whisper it out loud because I need to hear myself say it.  And it can be for anything, big and small, and the most trivial of things: from lying down on a comfortable bed, to having art supplies, to having all my faculties about and being  a fully abled and functioning human being, to having my husband and Jones on the couch with me, or the kind words someone shared with me that day. It’s easy to feel thankful when you get exactly what you want. The days that feel a bit more parched and wanting, however, are what I feel is the real challenge of my own sense of gratitude.

I think it’s also quite easy to dwell on what is not that it really takes will and conscious energy to embrace the is and the now.  The temptation to need and want abounds in many aspects of my life that gratitude acts as my anchor and beacon all at once, to shine the light on who and where I am supposed to be, which  is right here and now.

And that at this very moment, as an artist and everyday human being, I am gratefully enough.

Sep 29 2016
0

That One Person Who Told Me To Start

By | Uncategorized | 5 Comments

A timely post written in an old blog waaaay back in 2010.

When my entire life was on part-time everything, juggling at least three jobs to pay my overhead,  and stalling with a very indecisive art career.  This post is about that one individual who opened my eyes to a world of exponential possibilities.  I don’t think we even have a photo together.

But this story is about her. This is Myra.

***

“So, wait. You’re not employed? How do you work, then?”

She beamed, “I’m freelance and set things up on my own.”  (This was the year 2000, and I had no idea what ‘freelance’ even meant!)

“That’s hard. I don’t think I can afford an office!”

“Darling, all you need to survive is a computer, internet and a telefax”, Myra said lightly and gestured as if she were touching the items around her.

“I don’t know. I don’t think I can ever do what you do.”

Myra’s eyes widened at my pessimism then burst out in laughter, that shrill sound like a crescendo of chugging machinery and sweet song as she emphatically said, “Go for it, girl!”

Back in 2000, I was only 23 when I met this embodiment of cheer known as Myra Lopez at a modeling agency we worked for. When I left, that was when she asked me out to coffee. She was the first freelance professional I’ve encountered at a time when it wasn’t even an option for many, and I  had no clue that such a thing existed. She was a writer (and back then I didn’t believe writing was a “real” job) and worked on various media projects. She was several years my senior and I respected her accordingly and was in awe of the energy she brought with her wherever she went.

My concept of freelance back then was tied to the idea of starving artists like Vincent Van Gogh who went mad.
 
I didn’t want to go crazy.
 

I also didn’t want to starve.

Myra eventually left for San Francisco but we kept in touch through email as I sailed through one institution to the next, with her writing me to visit should I happen to be in the neighborhood.  Over the years, I stuck it out at being employed but eventually found my niche in teaching ESL and public speaking.  Still, through time, I kept tabs as I hit each milestone of my life as I responded to her brief one-liner emails “Do you already have a boyfriend?” signaling that she was busy.

Last year, I realized that I subconsciously heeded her advice all along as I carved a name in the industry one stroke at a time. When I officially left cubesville to follow a more creative life, I sent her photos of my artwork sometime in 2005 to which she responded with lots of exclamation points, “I’m so happy you’re finally following your dreams!!!”

After not hearing from her since the time I received a Christmas post card from her at around 2006, I decided to dig up her last email and write her again early last year, to thank her for being that one mover in my life. Also, I thought that in the era of Facebook, she should be somewhere there.  But she was nowhere to be found online.

What turned up in my search, however, was the worst thing you’d want to read about  someone dear to you: an obituary.

 

I now find myself juggling teaching schedules with media-related writing and editing PR content, as well as conceiving creative concepts for design and scripts. Looking back, all this began when I met a friend long ago whose media career unknowingly inspired mine.

May the winds carry this borderless message of deep-felt gratitude to the heavens above, to thank Myra for telling me to use my wings and fly.  You are horribly missed.

 
***
Sep 19 2016
0

31 Things To Draw for INKtober

By | Uncategorized | 2 Comments

I’m joining artists around the world in  a 31-day creative adventure all throughout October. It’s called INKtober, an inky illustration challenge started by Jake Parker in 2009.  It originally started as a month-long exercise just for his own practice. Last year, I chose to draw something I hated because it’s something I find hard.  So for INKtober 2015, I completed 31 faces.  I still have not decided what to draw for this year’s 31-day challenge, though.

 

My personal goal for INKtober is to repeat for 31 times one thing I typically won’t draw as a form of practice.  Here are 31 days of:

  1. trees
  2. flowers
  3. things around your house
  4. things in your office
  5. things in your kitchen
  6. dogs
  7. animals
  8. buildings
  9. faces
  10. book covers
  11. food
  12. stripes
  13. triangles
  14. circles
  15. illuminated numbers
  16. chairs
  17. shoes
  18. shapes
  19. kids
  20. toys
  21. costumes
  22. bottles
  23. glasses
  24. patterns
  25. windows
  26. dance
  27. sports
  28. robots
  29. aliens
  30. fish
  31. birds

*****

Sep 07 2016
0

Why I Created The ‘Big Blank Page’

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

 

 

Why The ‘Big Blank Page’ is not for kids.

Kids, by default, get so much support for creativity.  Whether it’s in school, weekend or community activities or even art lessons on TV programs,  kids have a slew of options to explore,  get happy and experiment with all things artful and creative.

Adults, however, have fewer choices that offer the same spirit.  Which is why I think grown-ups need me more than kids. For now.

The class is also a forum where we discuss the ghosts of our creative past: from teachers who may have made careless comments about our work, to a family who does not believe in art, topics that young kids may not have experienced or  be fully aware of, and can prevent them from participating in the discussion.

sketchbook-class-copy

Grown-ups need a break from adulting.

Many of the classes for adults I see are either structured lessons or art “jams” with hobbyists and/or professional artists — both of which can be intimidating for those who feel too shy about their own work.

Sometimes, adults want to make art without the pressure of perfection, judgment, or being instructed to draw “the right way”.

Sometimes, we just want to make a lot of nothing, enjoy the freedom of the beautiful mess,  and draw for its own sake.

Because every line, shape and color is valid.

You will draw.

I will not argue with you if your convictions dictate that you cannot draw.

But I am of unwavering belief and faith that everyone can draw. And I mean EVERYONE.

It’s just a matter of to what degree you can draw.

It’s crucial to remember  two things: 1. that what is considered beautiful is highly subjective, and 2. there is so much beauty in imperfection.

There’s more to art than being a Michelangelo or a Rembrandt. There’s also Rothko, Pollock and Matisse.  And if you can draw like you, then I believe that’s the best kind of artist to be.

Regardless of what you say or do, hemming and hawing, you will and can draw something.

If the shoe fits.

Some people like to draw flowers, others like swirly things, some like smiley faces, others like to make dots.  The ‘Big Blank Page’ acts as a springboard for your own exploration as you discover the smoothest groove for your artistic movement, what feels most natural and empowering for you to do artfully.

The creative journey is not meant to be travelled alone.

This is perhaps the paramount reason why I created the ‘Big Blank Page’.  I got tired of creating art by myself. Then I thought to myself, “Maybe there are others out there who are just like me, looking for a safe and supportive circle where we can make art freely.”

Making art, I learned, is all about community.  And this creative spirit is the very sanctuary on which the ‘Big Blank Page’ is built.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sep 01 2016
0

How Does One Become A Professional Artist?

By | Uncategorized | 4 Comments

People have asked me this: “How does one become a professional artist?”

Now that I look back, I realise that being a professional and working artist, with emphasis on “professional”,  goes beyond talent, imagination and skill.

sketchbook class

“My word is my bond.”

I picked up this principle when I worked in a bank. It is a phrase used by stock brokers on the trading floor, wherein agreements and financial transactions are made and delivered without signing any documents.  This is a value that was deeply ingrained in me ever since, and one that, I believe, makes me a valuable artist to work with.  As a working artist, it is important to be regarded as someone reliable and trustworthy, whether it comes to being punctual at meetings, responding to email messages quickly, following through on a commitment, and completing a project on or before the agreed date.

Language is of the essence.

When writing professional correspondence with clients, be mindful of your tone, choice of words and grammar. Emojis, smiley faces and LOLs are reserved for chat messages with friends.  I would also recommend to keep cute language and emojis at a minimum when responding on social media because nowadays, our chosen platform serves as a window to our work. This applies especially to the name or handle we assign to our social media accounts. So please think carefully and choose a name that can easily be spelled and remembered, and one that you feel reflects your brand best.  Finally, for as long as the purpose of the written transaction is about work, keep the language polished.  It will remind clients that they are working with someone who takes their work seriously.

Let your “office” reflect who you are.

Let’s face it. Not many of us will have workspace that clients will be able to visit.  With the internet, however, we are able to set up a virtual office, a room of our own, where people all over the world can visit at any time of the day.  Whatever platform we choose,  whether it’s Tumblr, Instagram or Facebook pages, it would be best to be mindful of the quality of our photos and the visual content that we post.  Keep the selfies, duckface and OOTDs to a bare minimum if it’s not relevant to what you do. Save the passive-aggressive quotes for your personal FB account.

Putting our best foot forward works to anyone’s advantage, which means going the extra mile with good composition, cleaning, adjusting the tilt or brightening of our pictures.

Uphold industry standards when stating your fees.

As a working artist, you get paid. And frankly, discussing money is perhaps my least favorite part about transacting art.  Good news though: it gets easier over time, I promise.  You eventually gain confidence in the discussing money as you learn to pick up financial language that is neither demanding or imposing.

But the most important thing for artists is to never undervalue yourself.  Please. To begin with, stop working for free.  Unless it’s a charity, an NGO or a cause that is close to your heart, you must get paid that is commensurate to your efforts.  Back in the day, we were at the mercy of industry movers for exposure in getting our name out there — simply because there wasn’t any social media available for us to do the work ourselves.

The promise of exposure as payment  does not work anymore in this era. Unless it’s some really high-profile client of massive proportions, or one that you think will be a fruitful springboard for your goals, exposure simply does not pay.

Be humble and grateful.

This is one practice I’ve done for as long as I can remember.  After meeting a potential client in person or over the phone, or when a project has been concluded, always send a message of thanks. This goes such a long way.

Thank them for their time and their effort to come meet with you.  Thank them for their ideas. Thank them for the experience.  To this day, I still thank the key people who gave me a break when I was just starting in 2004.  It makes such a huge difference simply saying ‘thank you’ for the opportunity to work together and for their support, big and small.

The world is small and things have a way of finding its way back to you. When you plant the seeds of kindness and exercise sincerity and goodwill, people will sense it and will be more than happy to pass your name to someone else.

Of course people will remember you for your talent, but being remembered for your character is simply priceless.