+• Finding inspiration

• How to connect ideas

•Vision-board exercise

• Developing an action plan

•How to evaluate afterwards

• How to create a body of work

for a submission

The Art of Managing Your

Career

Part 7- Guest Robyn O’Brien

+Last class… Gallery research

What did you find?

Explain why one gallery appeals to you or why you think you would

like to submit there

If you didn’t have time to do some research use my list and pick one

that would work well for you, and one that would not be a good fit

Why is it important to search out these galleries, even if you do

not have a collected body of work, or cohesive submission?

What do you gain as an artist from submitting, even if you don’t

get a show?

Did anyone find anything new or interesting?

+Finding inspiration and ideas

How do you search for ideas or a source of inspiration?

Do you find that it depends on mood, weather, surroundings, time of day, people you are with, going on a trip… etc

What are some common ideas you keep coming back to lately?

Alternatively, what is something that excites you about this idea?

Try some exercises if you in the mood to produce but can’t seem to find inspiration

Vision boarding

Automatic writing

Loose drawing

Let the idea find you!

Planting seeds and leaving yourself a trail…

+Finding inspiration and ideas

Once you have an idea and direction, planning it out is an

important next step

Ok! I have an idea, now how do I make it happen?

What do I need to consider?

Does some of my work already fit into this idea?

What do you want to accomplish?

Are you trying to make some money?

Do you really want exhibit or show somewhere?

Are you looking to do commissions for private sale?

Ashley's Webite

Planning and action plan…

+Making an Action Plan

How many pieces will I do ?

What is the central theme or idea ?

How much time will it take ?

Or should I create a deadline?

Before you begin…

Once you’ve made the commitment put a plan in place

+Making an Action Plan

What kind of supplies do you need?

Do I need help getting these supplies?

How much money do I have to commit to this project?

Do you have the time to commit to the project?

Do you need a group to help you stay on track?

What parts of the project are you struggling with specifically?

Now you start!

Commit to your plan… Do you need help completing it?

+Looking at the plan again…

Always take notes, and keep working on your plan. Don’t loose the trail!

Look at the big picture. Don’t get bogged down by the small details.

Maybe you started out with too big of an idea?

Is there a smaller version of this idea you could start with, and then let it expand later on?

Be honest with yourself!

If this project has turned out to be stressful and no longer enjoyable, scrap it. Start something new that does excite you!

If it’s the right project you will want to take a leap of faith and give it a try

Don’t be afraid if the result is not what was planned

Maybe revise your plan, or just go with the direction your new plan is taking, but always write it down!

Check in with yourself, stay on track!

+Planning stages…

Idea!

• Vision-boarding

• Writing it down

• Talking about it

Action Plan

• Time

• Deadline

• Space to work in

• Supplies

Support

• Artist group

• Out of the Shadows

• Friends

Make it happen

• Supplies

• Money

• Learn new skill

Look at Plan again

• Talk it over

• Stick to it?

• Rework the plan?

• Start a new plan?

How to plan ahead, and how to keep it flowing

+Submitting

Ask yourself some key questions:

Do I have the right amount of work for the submission?

Does this collection of work have a central theme, story to tell or a special technique?

Do I have a project description and proposal ready?

Use your action plan!

Have I updated and edited my artist statement and CV?

Am I able to get these images of my work onto a disc?

Go over submission guidelines in detail before you submit!

Are you ready for a submission?