Mark E Shellshear.

  What are you doing each day is helping you to accomplish your goals or hurting your chances of accomplishing your goals? We must always be doing what will help us to accomplish our goals and that is usually the hard stuff, the stuff that we don’t feel like doing. If we only do the stuff we feel like doing, then we won’t accomplish very much, because most people don’t feel like doing anything hard or confronting. If we want to live our perfect life then we are going to have to dismiss, I don’t feel like doing that, and deal with the fact that the hard stuff has to be done. What we must do to accomplish our perfect life. Create good Art. Now the hard stuff, sell and market our Art and ourselves and make regular videos, that’s marketing also. Follow up on customers. Personal development, which includes regular exercise. You do not have to feel like doing it, but you do it, the hard stuff, because that is what will bring you your perfect life. If the perfect li...

We can all be influenced and inspired by great Art and admire great Artists, but that does not mean we should be their clones, our desire must be to seek out the new and challenging and create new original work and push the boundaries of Art. Create beautiful original paintings, that's got to be better than being a copy of someone else. A copy no matter how well it is painted and it can be painted even better than the original, but it can never be an original painting ever, it is destined to always be a factory copy and no more. Now just because these copies sell does not make them legitimate Art, no it just means that someone bought them. They can call it Art if they want but it is not Art it is a copy and a fake. Art is something that comes from within, it’s not designed to shock and tantalise, it is to move peoples emotions, to touch their inner soul, to change them for the better, that is what great Art does, copying will never capture the true essence of being the...

This thought is what stops most Artists from achieving the greatness within them, because the idea that I can do what ever I want to do, is so hard. Why? Because we all want someone to tell us what to do or tell us we are doing the right thing. We seek permission and validation not freedom. We do this because if it fails we can blame someone else, but if we go out and be original, new and create work never seen before, if that fails it is our fault. Fear stops so many from creating great, original, new Art. You do not need permission, just go and do it. You do not need the approval of others, listen to your muse and your approval comes through doing your new original work. ...

  Fertile ground, does not mind what kind of seed you plant it because it will cause it to grow and return to you an abundant crop. The mind is fertile ground also and it does not care what you plant in it, it will also cause it to grow and return a harvest of the same . What are you planting into your mind? As a person thinks in their heart, so they become. Positive in, positive out. For all Artists and creative people the least amount of negative stuff you put into your mind the more positive, creative work you will produce. Artist beware what you are feeding your mind, it may be hindering you from fulfilling your destiny as an Artist...

Change comes by small incremental steps which lead to big changes in our lives, it takes time, patience is needed. Change comes by learning a little, action it into your life, acquire the skill, then learn a little more, action it into your life, acquire more skills and repeat the process. Change takes self discipline and patience, the rewards of success are worth a little pain. Always taking the line of least resistance, produces an very unsatisfying life. Self discipline to change and a little patience, produces a successful life. If you will change, everything will change for you. .

Somet imes Artists when you get the first excuse you assume the sale is over, they have not said no, just an excuse and they are still looking at the painting and talking . Do not assume its over, keep them engaged in the painting and ask questions , you will be amazed how many of then do decide to buy and they say I will take the painting, without you asking for the sale. They want to decide to buy and they want to buy, but they do not want to be sold to, it is the story we tell ourselves. When you assume the sale is over you lose enthusiasm and your passion will subside, so always assume it’s on and ignore the excuse and even the first no . This is eas ier said than done I know, because we don’t like to hear excuses and we take it personally , like we are be ing rejected, so learn to ignore excuses unless the y walk away and are not interested any more. Important if they do start to leave, continue to connect with them and keep building the relationship, they will...

When I get asked for advice I often say, don’t do what failed Artists do. I know that this seems very simplistic, but some the great keys to life are simple. We all know Artists who have failed and if you listen to them you will learn what not to do. They can all tell you what is wrong with Galleries, the Art market, the collectors and everything else within the Art business, but the one thing they don’t blame is themselves. It is easy to blame things we can’t fix, but hard to fix the one thing we can change, ourselves. When we realize that we are the road block not the circumstances of life, because life happens to us all, we can then begin to make the changes in ourselves and change our world. Change comes from within, and when we change, everything changes.

  First never lose sight of your principal goal, that is what we are working towards. So we must focus on productivity, if we are not producing the work we will not go forward. We must focus on achievement, wins are important and you must celebrate them, even small wins, rejoice in every sale. Focus on opportunities, always be looking for an opportunity in everything you do, you never know where the next sale or commission may come from, so never write anything off until you are certain it is a dead end. It is always about getting up the next day and working until you are finished, no excuses, do not finish tomorrow what you can finish today. Be a closer, close your day properly, all today’s jobs finished.

Most Artists spend to much time worrying about the wrong things that most often the stranger is unaware of, people buy because they desire something and then they want it, most just say I like that, I want it and buy it. We still have to meet the stranger and connect with them and build a relationship, but even all that does not guarantee a sale unless they want the painting, they are moved emotionally. Of course if you have done all I have said and they like you and trust you, then you have a far greater chance of them liking your original painting and then wanting it. People seldom buy because they need something, most buy because they want something, they desire it. That is the emotion we want to arouse when they see our original paintings. If they desire it, then they will want it and will buy it. We need to major on the relationship between you and the stranger, build desire for your original painting by story telling it enthusiastically and describe how much you l...

Unfortunately no one is going to educate people about Art, other than people do it themselves and yes your time, effort and creative ability isn't recognised, it will be if you become famous, but for the average Artist it will not be recognized, unless you educate people. Instead of saying someone should do this, if we see a need, meet it. We as Artists can educate every person we come across as we explain our Art to them. Now we are to do this in a way that will win these people to us, most people are interested in the Artistic process, the Artist and the why of the painting, so story tell your Art. If we want people to love and appreciate our Art, tell them about it, why you love the painting, what the painting is about and how you created it, teach people about your Art, that’s why we make videos and write blogs about our Art. Don't say what should happen, be the one to make it happen. It is easy to point out problems, but it takes courage to be part of fixing ...

Watch out for group think and the pressure to conform to the Artists narrative, be true to you and your vision, be different and do different. There are no rules in Art, so innovate, take risks and get attention of strangers, you will be amazed at what doors will open to you and the people you will meet and connect with. Strangers need to know your name and recognize your face attention is a very valuable commodity. Be passionate and enthusiastic about your Art work, they are contagious like the common cold, spread them around and infect as many strangers as you can. Be the Artist you dream of being, work hard, tell your story, make those videos and connect with strangers.

People attach themselves to stories and people love the romance of the Artistic life, so tell your Artistic story to them, because your life is different to their life, you are an Artist. Allow them to be romanced by your story, but you cannot be, you must be down to earth and understand clearly that Art is work and they are your customers. You have no time to be romanced by your own Artistic life, but you always have time to tell your Artistic story to interested strangers. .

What will you do? Just wait and hope? No do not hesitate, don’t let the “thief” talk you out of it, you will have to be the one to make your success happen, you have to do it. No one will give you permission, So you give yourself permission. No one will give you initiative, You have to take the initiative. Please don't wait for someone to tell you what to do, they won’t, take responsibility of your Art career and do it. Get on social media and promote yourself and your Art, it's free. Tell your story in a blog, make a video, no one can stop you, it's the internet, you are a creative Artist, be creative on the internet and get attention. You just have to make the decision to do it. Be the Artist who makes a difference, c reate change.

When  a stranger buys y our Art work, you need to befriend them and build a relationship with them and turn them into a friend and collector. Strengthening that relationship by i nteract ing with them direct ly by e-mail and other social media platforms, build s a stronger relationship and friendship through after sales service. Collector relationship is so important, because this collector will now promote your work when people see it in their home, they will follow your career, be at your openings and best of all be talking about you. They will be your best word of mouth promoter. They want you to succeed, it is now in their best interest to talk you up, they have invested in your work and your future, so they want you to succeed. Every stranger you see, pass or meet is a potential customer, get yourself in front of strangers, make friends, connect with them and build relationships your Art future depends on this.  

Always do the opposite to what failed Artists do. Don’t criticise, encourage others. Don't complain, complement others. Don't blame, accept responsibility for your life. Don't make excuses not to work, procrastination is not a virtue . This is the rule of life. If you don't want to be a failure, then don't do what failures do. If you want to be successful, then do what successful people do. Read that book. Watch that tutorial. Act on what you learn. Success always leaves directions.

When do we as professional Artists and as a body of professional Artists get to a place where we do not accept artists copying other Artists work? When do we mature to a point where we speak out and say no to excuses and alibis, that are given to excuse blatant copying? Why are we so insecure and so afraid of criticism that we will not speak up? Must we cower under the illusion of brotherhood and say it’s ok to copy because they are a good person, a good person wouldn’t copy another Artists work, because it is stealing. We excuse it by using words like reproductions and representations, knowing full well we are excusing what we would be deeply offended about if it was done so blatantly to us. Friends we are bigger than this, we want original Art work, not reproductions of another Artist. By copying we expose our own lack of original thought and ability to be create our own original works, are we Artists or just a pale reproduction of someone else, much more creative and...

Easy and safe is working in the Art factory where you are told what to do and you comply, no thought needed, no initiative needed, just rinse and repeat, so you can tell yourself that you have not failed, but you are also not going forward, you are stagnant, but you are safe. Dangerous is pushing the boundaries, doing new original Art works, being criticised because you don’t comply, upsetting the status quo, pushing for change, rocking the boat, this might seem like a dangerous place to be ,but it is a safe place to be because you are bringing change in yourself and in your Art world. Don’t settle for safe, it’s not a safe place to be, strive for change, it’s dangerous and scary, it will upset others, but change is what is needed in the Art world. Many will say no because they are comfortable and safe and don’t want to change, it’s so easy to give up within and become stagnant, but the Art trail blazers and the true leaders will say lets go and make whatever changes are necess...

Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot an Art career, because you can, and do not let anyone tell you there is a certain path you have to follow, there is not. Make your own path and work hard, think outside the box and be original, in other words be you. Learn what you need to learn, read that book, do the YouTube seminar, listen to that podcast, it is all out there for you for free, but you have to find it, learn it and do it. Enter every Art show and Art competition that you can, exhibit anywhere and everywhere, join groups and the most important make videos. Be the first one to walk up to strangers at Art shows and talk about your work, have your handouts ready to give to every single person you meet. Name, email and phone number on the back of every painting and give great after sales service, a monthly news letter. If you do this you will get attention, connect with people and build a following and a great Art career. .

We find ourselves in this covid time with the many challenges we are facing that we are trailblazing and going forward without a map, it will not be easy, but it is exciting. Experiment and go forward, being willing to be first to do something new. One thing I do know is that it is all about connecting with people, building groups and building relationships, doing videos and selling our Art work. Today an Artist can talk by video chat to their collector from another country at any time, show their new paintings, do the transaction with PayPal or one of many different payment systems on their web site and ship to anywhere in the world without ever having to step into a Gallery or Auction house. Those who embrace this challenge will build their Art business and get known.

As Artists the thing that is hard to do, is getting strangers to understand that you have something worth buying. We need strangers to want to talk about our Art. We need strangers to want to buy our Art. We need strangers to refer others to us, because they love our Art. By using social media, we can build relationships with our potential customers and through that conversation we can connect and build trust and eventually permission to sell to them. Everything you paint is for someone, but not for everyone, as everyone will not like your Art, don’t be offended by that, it’s just life. When you find that person who loves your Art, you can sincerely say, “I made this, it’s for you.”

It is so important as an Artist to remember you control the brush and the outcome of your painting. So do not paint to others expectations, paint you always. People will always offer good advice and direction, but it is your passion, your creativity, your painting, so let you and your Muse control the final result. Learn to see with you imagination and paint your imagination. So many Artists are intimidated by the opinions of others that they paint what others want rather than what they, the Artist wants. See with your imagination and paint what your imagination sees and always follow your Muse. Paint to change the world, do not let the world change you. .

If you want the next 10 years to be the best 10 years of your life then you will have to change. Just work on those little bad habits that you know you have, a little self discipline makes such a difference. Little changes brings big change years down the road of life. If you know you are shy and you have trouble talking to strangers or making a speech, work on that and fix that, do a course, read books, practice giving a speech in front of a mirror. You will be surprised how you can overcome the fear and learn to speak in public, it’s just another skill to learn. What makes the difference among Artists is the Artist themselves, of course their work must be of a high standard but if everything is equal with the paintings, then the Artist makes the difference. Make a difference to your Art career, work as hard on you as you do on your Art, if you become a better person, then your world will become a better place, and you will be a better Artist .  

One of the most important things that we can do is to learn to accept that our collectors do not see our failings they only see you the Artist. We also need to see ours as the Artist and not see all our failings and weaknesses, because if we are wise we will be working on them and overcoming those liabilities and getting better and better every day. Accepting the fact that you are a gifted Artist will make such a big difference the next time you are approached by a collector or buyer. Your attitude about yourself is reflected in how you respond to those who admire your work, do not be to humble and say it is nothing or even joke about it, when someone says that your work is wonderful, say thank you, and look them in the eye as you say it and take that as permission to talk about your work. You deserve your complements, you work hard and your paintings reflect that, just smile and say, “ Thank you so much, yes I did this.” .

The things we think about. Become the things we say. Which then becomes the things we do. Think, say, do the three most powerful instruments for our success and so often we waste them. The careless use of any of the three could be the reason why success has not visited you yet, or the reason why it has left. Wrong thinking, negative thinking. Be very wary of unnecessary, careless words that pull down others and especially ourselves. Be careful of not giving our best when we work. Think positive and creatively, as a person thinks, so are they. Speak words that uplift and encourage, you shall have whatsoever you say. Work hard when you work, the miracle is in the work. Think, say, do and be the best Artist that you can be, always.

Many Artists say how unfair it is and how hard selling is and I agree, if you don’t know how to sell. Most hope that they can stick around long enough to get known and that could take twenty years. If you want people to buy your work ,you must give them a reason to act. They must know you exist. They must know who you are, know your name and can recognise you. Most just hope they will get known, but if you make videos and story tell your Art, people will get to know you very quickly. Give buyers a reason to act but getting in front of them and getting known.

I talk a lot about the need for Artists to make videos and do self promotion, only because I truly believe it is the way to get known. We are all trying to build our Art business stronger to get well known, to sell our Art, to make a difference and to change our world. As much as most people don’t want or like change, everything can and will change. It seems like this is how it will always be and then along comes a virus and everything changes. Change is important, so be the change you want to see in your life and change your world.