I present Artist As Brand classes predominately at Colleges and Universities. However, when I have the opportunity to work with small groups of people, or even better with one or two individuals then the focus goes incredibly deep and it is amazing what can be be revealed!Joan Marie is a talented, high energy, extremely positive, forward looking, visionary artist who flew in from St. Luis to Los Angeles for a mentoring session. Talk about commitment! Her daughter Brittany Bishop a Landmark Forum representative and biofeedback assistant joined us to see about getting more clarity about her career path. We had some amazing breakthroughs!One of the segments of the AAB curriculum is to create  a Vision Board that defines those parts of ourselves that bring us tremendous joy. These parts turn into specific projects or products that are then directed toward a niche audience. It is surprising that most artists do not use an inside out approach to defining their talent and its potential.Even though Joan is very intuitive she was not certain of what she really wanted to create. After some digging it became apparent that latent theatrical talents (dancing, acting, lecturing) had been hidden from sight, but now they burst forth with the power of a tidal wave. Now her art vision includes a very personal theatrical production (in the works) that will include all her paintings and a message of confidence and hope to people everywhere. It is auspicious that Joan has been a high school art teacher for decades!

Joan's Core Virtue

Brittany is a very smart, self confident individual but was still defining her career path. It became clear that she was intimately connected with the science of the heart and nature, specifically the trees. It was also learned that she loves EDM's (Electronic Dance Music) and events. So we put these elements together and now she is researching how to produce an EDM type show that connects people's hearts to the trees or more succinctly, to their own essential nature.

Brittany's Core Virtue

It is an honor and a blessing to facilitate this work with people and a joy to see the result! In fact no sooner had Joan returned home  The Mogal Muse Magazine printed an article about her! Go Joan!

Get your hashtag mojo on! #HashTagMojo These little symbols have power to move your visibility up the search engine chain in a big way. It's all about metadata folks. There are some great resources and articles about how to use hashtags effectively.Overall view on hashtags- Here.Trending hashtags- Hashtags.orgAnd why its ruining the English language- Here.Ha!

Have you ever wondered why political discussions turn into emotional rants with little logic or factual basis to support them?

It's because perception is an act of creation. 

How we perceive the world and our reality is unique to each of us, but much it can be influenced by the tribe we associate ourselves with. The tribe usually starts with our family, relatives, friends, but may be as large as our towns, cities, states, countries. As humans we like to be in the company of people who have similar values and perceptions. Living in a tribe supports specific views which can nurture and protect but can also become rigid and unforgiving. This paradigm is especially evident when it comes to politics.

I just read a fascinating and informative book, "AMERICAN NATIONS" by Colin Woodard that explains why “American values” vary sharply from one region to another—how an idea like “freedom” as understood by an East Texan or Idahoan can be the polar opposite of what it means to a New Englander or San Franciscan. Woodard reveals how intra-national differences have played a pivotal role at every point in the continent’s history, right up into the 2012 election cycle.

There isn’t and never has been one America, Colin Woodard argues, but rather several Americas. The original North American colonies were settled by people from distinct regions of the British Islands, and from France, the Netherlands, and Spain, each with unique religious, political, and ethnographic characteristics. Some championed individualism, others utopian social reform. Some believed themselves guided by divine purpose, others freedom of conscience and inquiry. Some embraced an Anglo-Saxon Protestant identity, others ethnic and religious pluralism. Some valued equality and democratic participation, others deference to a traditional aristocratic order.All of them continue to uphold their respective ideals today, with results that can be seen on the composition of the U.S. Congress or the county-by-county election maps of most any competitive presidential election of the past two centuries.What does this have to do with Artist As Brand you ask?The parallel  is that your vision and art like a presidential candidate will attract and resonate with the values and perceptions of specific fans, patrons and collectors. It is simply a matter of finding your market tribe! These people vote by investing in you and your products. The AAB Workshop and AAB Workbook go into the details of how to do that.

©Greg Spalenka

This post by Daniellexo, Etsy’s Seller Education Coordinator reflects on the evolution of ideas and how a good idea can spark a great one.

One morning I woke up to a Facebook message from one of my favorite college professors. I was excited to hear from her; she taught me so many lessons about creativity, and I often think about her when I’m sketching or working on new designs. Soon after we connected on Facebook, I caught one of her updates,

“Even if they seem like good solutions, avoid ‘clenching’ ideas. Hold them lightly, let them evolve and swim. Good ideas often transform into great ones if you give them enough room to play!”

I think I’ve had good ideas, but I know I often don’t give my ideas enough room to play. I wondered why that was, and I set out to write my own plan of attack. Here’s that plan-

©Greg Spalenka

Whenever artists decide to go it alone, make their own way,  fear comes along for the ride. As freelancer for so many years I understand where this fear comes from. The goal of being secure in your finances, being safe in general  (food, clothing, shelter) are real considerations and pounded into our brains since we were kids. However fear is also an illusion. What would it feel like if the concept of security was an illusion too? Would it freak you out? We live in an unpredictable world.What I have learned over thirty years of going it alone is that security is an illusion. Making friends with that reality brings a sense of freedom and empowerment. I can do what I can in this moment to live in my highest potential and reap the fortunes of what life has to offer. It is a mind set most people are not used to. The following is short post by Chris Guillebeau that touches on this concept too:Micro-entrepreneurship is changing the world. The best opportunities in the new economy are centered on creating your own assets.It doesn’t matter who wins the U.S. election, at least not in terms of how the economy affects you. No matter what happens, the unemployment rolls will continue to be full. Perhaps even worse, many people will remain underemployed by working at jobs that offer few benefits and little opportunities for advancement.Speaking of opportunities, however, there are now more than ever before. It’s never been easier to take matters into your own hands. All over the world, people are thinking differently about risk and security, and many of them are taking action on their new perspectives. This is a good thing.What is risky? Whether you work a “real job” or strike out on your own, relying on someone else is risky.What is secure? Creating your own freedom through side projects, independent work, instant consultancies, and creative self-employment of all kinds.What is freedom? The ability to make your own choices.Ultimately, freedom relates to value, which is taking responsibility for yourself by making something valuable for someone else.More...

Cedar City Airport

I departed the plane at Cedar City airport and walked into what appeared to be a living room or a snuggly lodge in the mountains. Plush chairs, side tables with plants, wood paneling and a fireplace greeted me with a down home quality I had never experienced in an airport before. It was really nice!When Ben Sowards invited me to present a workshop at Southern Utah University I jumped at the opportunity. Ben had taken the workshop at BYU two years earlier and now wanted to share the experience with his students.Cedar City is known for Bryce Canyon Natl. Park. and its Shakespeare Festival. It has many cute Inns and Bed & Breakfasts. I stayed at the Big Yellow Inn an elegant Georgian Revival Bed & Breakfast.

The students, faculty and alumni at SUU were so warm and friendly I felt embraced like family. Ben took me to the Centrum Arena where I lectured to an audience of two hundred.

Some of the SUU Workshop Participants (Ben is on the left)

The workshop was more intimate and filled with a group of enthusiastic students, alumni and faculty. I love seeing the lights go on in people's hearts and minds when they dive into the work and see themselves clearly. For many it is a powerful and cathartic when this happens so there are always tears at my workshops. This group jumped in with open hearts and much transformation was realized.

After that first realization they focus on melding their talent with the entrepreneurial spirit. There is real excitement when they recognize the potential of their unique ideas becoming reality. Building an industry around their creations instills a sense of freedom. It still takes fortitude and hard work but at the end of the day the productions are their own and so is the prosperity.

Student, Vachelle Thomas had this to say: "The Artist As Brand workshop was truly transformational. I feel so hopeful, like I have never felt before, and I want to thank you. I've spoken about the workshop daily, with people who attended and with others, to refine my core virtue statement and to sound out opportunities."

That's the spirit, Vachelle! I am looking forward to seeing the results of this group's passion.

The morning before I flew back to LA, Ben took me to see the sun rise over Zion's Kolob Canyon.

It was spectacular.

Thanks Ben! And thank you to all my new art spirit friends in Cedar City.

All photos by Ben Sowards.

Christine Brown

One of the best parts of teaching, lecturing and presenting workshops for higher education is the people I meet. I love connecting with all the talented, passionate individuals who enjoy teaching and inspiring others to greatness. Some of these special people work in the Career and Professional Development departments. Recently, I lectured at the AICAD and CIAD conferences at Ringling College of Art and Design and learned much about this group of professionals who guide students toward career opportunities.

Let's celebrate one of them!

Christine Brown is the Director of Career and Professional Development at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University.

GS: Tell us about your journey to becoming a Director for Career and Professional Development at Kendall.

CB: Like most people it was not a straight and narrow path but more like a bouncing balloon. It was a journey of learning about myself. I started out in college studying biology and chemistry, then becoming very interested in law and finally graduating with a Business and a Paralegal degree. There was something common in my choices of the various majors and it became more apparent when I began to volunteer at the local Women's Resource Center. I wanted to empower people. I discovered that whatever occupation I chose, working with people to improve their quality of life had to be a big component of the job. Whether graduating with a law degree and working for children's and women's right's or becoming a health care provider I wanted to make a difference.I had a couple of wonderful mentors who saw my passion. They provided me with the opportunity and training to work and volunteer helping students in a college environment as well as at the Women's Center. You cannot help but grow and flourish when you are doing what is your passion. I worked in Career Services at the business college where I received my degree, then asked to interview for the Director of the Career Office at Kendall in 1998. I have been here since and enjoy coming to work everyday.

Besides the paycheck, the real pay off is the box of letters and thank you notes I receive from people who feel that I made a difference.

.GS: It is wonderful when your work is aligned with what you love. What do you feel is the most important and fulfilling facets of what you do?

CB: That I have the opportunity to meet so many students, alumni, and people in the business community, then bringing these constituents together.GS: After returning from the AICAD and CIAD conferences it was apparent that much of the career councilors work is gathering statistics for government funding, fulfilling accreditation requirements, and seeking out job openings for graduates. The amount of bureaucracy you must wade through is immense. How do you prioritize these responsibilities and how does the student fit in?CB: We have had to be smarter in the way we work. Technology has become and important part of the equation in delivering services and information to our students and alumni. I am a one person office with an assistant which I share with another director. When I started enrollment was 550. We are now at an enrollment of 1400 so I have to be creative. I believe my mission is to prepare these students to be self-sufficient and resourceful. I still meet with students one-on-one, but the traffic is down due to the technology we have implemented. Students today like having 24/7 access online to services.GS: Self-sufficiancy is vitally important to sustainability. How do you learn the needs, and ambitions of your individual students?CB: Shut-up, Listen and Observe!GS: Sounds like good advice!It appears that the success of much higher education today is determined by its job placement capabilities. Preparing and plugging graduates into industry positions is a priority. I have never seen curriculum that focuses on creating an industry around an individual's talent and vision. Any thoughts on this?CB: I do not place people in jobs. I provide them with the skills to manage their careers whether it is job searching or starting their own business. Many of our alumni who come to the college and share their stories with our students are running their own consultancies. I personally would like to see more business-related classes geared towards artists and designers. West Michigan has some great support resources for anyone wanting to start a business. Just by the nature of art and design, most artists/designers should be prepared to negotiate contracts, work with clients, price their work, understand their markets and create new markets.GS: It has been my experience especially over the last decade that more and more students as well as professional artists are looking for ways to create a living from their own creations and stories. Have you noticed this shift at Kendall?

Yes, entrepreneurialism is on the rise.

.With the all the new community resources, business education and venture capitalists in West Michigan, I see more people making that leap. It is great to see how many of our graduates have opened their own design studios, art businesses and galleries. I recently met with our new college President who asked me what ideas I see in the future for Kendall. My response was to develop an entrepreneurial center/incubator for artists and designers. Guess what? He liked the idea and said he was sure there were grants and funding for this type of endeavor.

GS: Wow, that is awesome. Go to the top when you want to get something done!  The entrepreneurial center/incubator for crowd funding etc. are ideas all colleges/universities can implement now.You were instrumental in bringing me to Kendall last year to present an Artist As Brand workshop, and are now having me return again this November. What has been the feedback of the students, faculty and alumni?CB: I had students and alum who attended the weekend session call or stop by my office to thank Nancy and myself for sponsoring your visit. It was a great success and attendees felt they were connecting the dots of their life, aspirations and their work. There was excitement in the room because they felt like they had a focus and a direction. It was always there inside of them, but you gave them the window to look inside and discovery it themselves.

Artist As Brand Workshop at Kendall 2011

GS: That is wonderful to hear, thank you. I look forward to returning! One of the goals in the workshop is to bring clarity to an artist's personal vision, then connect that to a plan of action. I find that there is tremendous empowerment when tapping into ones own volition and seeing success rise from it. How do you define success?

Success to me is living the best life you can and becoming an inspiration to others.

GS: Sounds like a Heart Virtue to me!Art is like fashion, it changes and morphs throughout the years. Any suggestions for an artist’s sustainability and final pearls of wisdom?

CB: Stay connected with your art community and do whatever it takes to remain inspired to create.

1.  If you're not making mistakes, you're not taking risks, that means you're not going anywhere. 2. Don't be afraid to ask for help! 3. Trust yourself.

Inspiration is the word! Thank you Christine for sharing your journey, and insight into the world of Career & Professional Development! See you soon!And thank you to all the Career Service professionals who are beacons of light for students everywhere.

If your work is well done, has integrity and is imbued with love it will most likely reflect exceptional value and longevity. So it is with Blog posts. The following post by Chris Guillebeau is from 2010 but still vital as ever:I’m a big fan of Jim Collins’ work, especially the modern day classic Good to Great.Even if you’re not interested in business, the book is inspiring and practical. Nine years after publication, it’s still kicking ass, and deservedly so.I recently re-read my favorite passages, and I especially liked the introduction Jim used to convey how much the book meant to him before publication.

As I was finishing this manuscript, I went for a run and an odd question popped into my mind: How much would someone have to pay me not to publish Good to Great?It was an interesting thought experiment, given that I’d just spent the previous five years working on the research project and writing this book. Not there isn’t some number that might entice me to bury it, but by the time I crossed the hundred-million-dollar threshold, it was time to head back down the trail. Even that much couldn’t convince me to abandon the project.

One hundred million dollars! Can you imagine creating something you love so much that you wouldn’t part with it for less than that? Wow.Aside from making sure I have enough to live responsibly and have my adventures, I don’t focus a lot on money. But I think Jim’s right: most of us have some kind of walk-away price. It’s good to know what it is, because then you know how valuable your work is—even if it’s something you keep to yourself. More...

I have heard artists say, "My art is not a product!"If you sell your art it is a product. If you create an edition of prints it is part of your product line. One of my favorite indie artists, Jeff Soto just started a product line of clothing.The name Stormcloudz came to Soto several years ago- "A storm cloud can be one of the most beautiful, powerful and sometimes dangerous forces of nature. I think the same can be said of art. It can be beautiful and at the same time it has the power to make people think and great art can make people act! I titled my last NYC art exhibit Stormclouds and thought that someday it could be a fun name for a brand."A brand you say? Jeff Soto is the brand, Stormcloudz is the name of the company.

Stormcloudz is rooted in Soto's love of the natural world, with designs featuring owls, skulls, flowers and mythical beasts. Visually the line takes inspiration from Soto's involvement in different artistic genres- graffiti, gig posters, skateboard graphics, illustration and fine art. It is very much an apparel project designed by an artist for people with artistic, creative minds.Currently, Stormcloudz apparel can be found online at Tilly's.He also asks to keep in touch on his Facebook page, Twitter feed and website. He would also like you to get involved! They have stickers and want to give them to you. Send a self addressed stamped envelope to:STORMCLOUDZ Stickerzc/o F4D Studios9960 Indiana Ave, Ste 9Riverside, CA 92503Jeff Soto is turning into an Artist As Brand master! Go Jeff!

Another year of Comic Con and finding my purpose in it. Go to the Spalenka Eye for more.

I have everyone repeat after me in my workshops, "Keep going and don't stop!" when it comes to creating your art empire. We can come up with all sorts of excuses to not do the work. Steven Pressfield in his book, The War of Artcalls this apathy, laziness, lack of confidence, resistance. You can call our avoidance to doing the work by many names but the solution is always the same; "Keep going and don't stop!"The Writer's Den is a Blog for writers, however visual artists will relate to spirit of its posts. The flow chart above is from the site. Replace the words with your artful purpose and you will understand the message completely. Amazing how all the arts are connected.

Every so often I will see a movie whose essence reflects a strong independent vision, purpose and soul. The movie can be fictional or documentary but the common thread is a story that focuses on the goals and aspirations of an individual or individuals whose  commitment, and sometimes sacrifice to succeed becomes a powerful testament to the human potential. My goal with Artist As Brand is to see a world filled with empowered art spirits sharing their art and stories, being appreciated and supported. I love films that remind us to stay true to our dreams and not to give up.Bill Cunningham is an 80+ New York Times photographer. For decades he has been chronicling fashion trends and high society charity soirées for the Times Style section in his columns "On the Street" and "Evening Hours." This documentary is about an artist who works in industry, but you almost never know it because of  Cunningham's passion for his craft, humanity and love of people. You will be touched by Bill Cunningham New York, directed by Richard Press.If you have other films you feel have a strong AAB message please share them with us.PeaceGreg

I am honored to be returning to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco to present a two day Artist As Brand workshop.

***

Academy of Art University

July 7-8, 10:00- 8:00, Saturday/Sunday

540 Powell st. San Francisco, CA 94105

Limited to 20 participants

Do you have stories and visions you want to share with the world? Whether you are a student who is ready to start an art career, a teacher who wants to make income from their creations, or a professional artist who is tired of pumping out work for the film, game, publishing, and advertising industries, this workshop is for you. Get ready for the future of art career sustainability.Come prepared for some serious introspection on personal goals as well as mind bending concepts on perceiving your art career differently. You will learn how to connect with your fans, patrons and collectors directly. I guarantee you will not look at your talent the same way again.

Some testimonials from last years AAB workshop at AAU

“I want to thank you for your dedication and hard work. You are amazing. I believe that small business ventures are essential to the health and wealth of our country. You have found a path through the forest of corporate trees and soon it will be a well traveled road.” -Shelley Masters, Artist, Muralist, Teacher“I’m very thankful to have taken your workshop. I’ve learned so much. I’ve even blogged about you on my artblog check it out dianepascual.blogspot.com" -Diane Pascual, Artist, Writer“Greg’s seminar will provide the spark to get your creative fire burning bright!” -Dan Dion, Photographer“Clarity and direction have been issues for me… The workshop helped me take my broad ideas and narrow them down to manageable starting points.” -Summer Love, Environmental Designer“Thank You Greg!! For planting seeds in my mind for what is possible in developing an art business.” -Cameron Chun, Artist

Sarasota here I come! I will be presenting two Artist As Brand lectures at Ringling College of Art and Design as well as performing a two day Artist As Brand workshop. All Florida artists are invited.I am honored to be to speaking at the AICAD and CIAD conferences June 6, and 8 which are being held at Ringling this year. AICAD (Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design) is a consortium of 42 leading art schools in the United States and Canada. CIAD (Careers In Art and Design) is for Career Services professionals who work with artists and designers helping define career goals, direction, and advancement. My goal is to inspire higher education to advance curriculum in the area of independent art businesses.

***

The Artist As Brand workshop will be held at the Marriott Hotel.

June 9-10, 10:00- 8:00, Saturday/Sunday.

$295 for Ringling students, faculty, alumni.

$395 for all others.

REGISTRATION CLOSED

If you are serious about the future of your art career sustainability, this seminar is for you. Come prepared for some serious introspection on personal goals as well as mind bending concepts on perceiving your art career differently. You will learn how to connect with your fans, patrons and collectors directly. I guarantee you will not look at your talent the same way again.

Spectrum Fantastic Art Live debuted in Kansas City last week with an aura of inspiration. Truly one of the most amazing groups of talent in one place I have ever experienced. Much credit goes to Arnie and Cathy Fenner along with their dedicated team. They pulled together a professional show that included educational panels and speakers as well as an awards show that blew the lid off any other art awards show existing today. Academy awards look out! I presented the Institutional, Silver and Gold winners on the stage of the beautiful 1927 Midland theater. More pics on the floor of the show here and  here.It was wonderful seeing sooo many friends and their creations all in one place. It reminded me of Comic Con in the very early days. I was selling posters, prints, postcard sets, music, as well as signing lots of books, Magic cards, and meeting new collectors. Roxana was doing even better as her scents had people sniffing the air and making a beeline to her elegant showcase.I moderated a panel titled, Artist As Brand, Rise of the Artist Entrepreneur with Michael Whelan, Donato Giancola, William Stout, Virginie Ropars, and Arnie Fenner. Lovely group with much synergy. A large crowd joined the conversation.Three days before I set up a booth with Roxana for the show, I presented an Artist As Brand® workshop at the Aladdin Hotel to ten individuals who traveled from across America to experience the seminar together. More on this soon. Greg Montana was Skyped in for a live coaching session and Roxana gave an inspired presentation too.The poignant documentary film by Maria Cabardo, Better Things, Life & Choices of Jeffrey Catherine Jones premiered at Spectrum Live too. This is a beautiful biopic. Well done!

Last week Roxana and I were invited to West Liberty University to be a part of their annual MadFest (Media Arts and Design Festival) and to present a one day Artist As Brand workshop. Essentially it was two very full days of presentations, looking at portfolios, judging artwork, web design, animations etc. as well as presenting awards to the winners. High schools from the surrounding area were invited which brought a youthful vitality to the event.The workshop was filled with 21 faculty, students, and alumni who came to some striking realizations about themselves and their artful path. One of the students Seth Miller, a talented photographer is creating a short film based on their interviews. I can't wait to see it!The past two days have not only left me feeling spiritually and emotionally invigorated, but have immensely enhanced my confidence and eagerness to begin working as a freelance artist. Thank you so much again for taking the time to plant seeds of knowledge in West Liberty's creative minds. The wisdom you share and bring out in fellow artists is truly priceless.-Victoria Lavorini, Graduating Student

"I have a clearer vision of where I want to go as you have greatly helped with the HOW.  Thank you for your insights..."-Bev Beatty, Alumni"Your generosity and sharing of experiences was greatly appreciated."-Brian Fencl, Chair Journalism, Communication Studies & Visual Arts

"The Artist as a Brand Workshop was very beneficial for me. It helped me define my purpose in relation to my artwork and made me believe in myself and the possibilities I will have as a freelance artist."

- Chloe Woods, Student

"It was very inspiring! I would like to stay in contact with you and keep you updated on my work and progress through the rest of my time at college, and as an artist.

"

-Sean Ritner, Student

Kinkade at Comic Con 2010

Whilst studying at Art Center College of Design I met a fellow student who rode a motorcycle to school, dressed in dark clothes and always sported a leather jacket. He reminded me of the Fonz in the television sitcom Happy Days. Thomas Kinkade was only at Art Center for about a year but he definitely left an impression. He would tell me stories of hopping trains (like a hobo) with another student James Gurney (Dinotopia fame) to create plein air paintings in the countryside, then hop the train back home. Upon returning he shared these little painted gems of landscapes with me that reflected a passion and intuitive understanding of natural light.

He disappeared from school and it was not until almost a decade later in 1989 that I ran into him at a New York Society of Illustrators event. Now he was married, a born again christian, and dressed in a very conservative suit. Whoa, what happened to the Fonz?! Bringing me up to speed on his rising success advertising his art in magazines like House and Garden, Kinkade proceeded to show me one of his iconic Cottage paintings hanging on the wall of the gallery. Whoa, again! This was not my idea of great art, but it did show his ongoing fascination with capturing unique qualities of light.

Fast forward another decade and the “painter of light,” grew into franchised galleries filled with reproduced artwork and spin-off products in excess. His paintings/prints ranged in cost from hundreds of dollars to more than $10,000. At it's peak Kinkade’s Media Arts Group, once a publicly traded company, took in $32 million per quarter from 4,500 dealers across the country! Talk about a large niche market.

Art critics despised the work, but this was not a concern for Kinkade. Ultimately time will determine what great art is anyway. In the meantime, if you are making art you love and selling it to fans, patrons and collectors who cares? Is the art kitsch? It is a sell out? If your art is aligned with your authentic purpose then these are irrelevant questions. Kinkade was perfectly aligned with his vision.

Did he make mistakes with over marketing and selling his work? Absolutely!

Whether it was ignorance or greed, 4,500 dealers selling your craft is a huge error in judgement. When you have too much of anything being made or manufactured it will create a glut in the market dropping in value. In 2010 Kinkade was dealing with lawsuits and filing for bankruptcy. He was also struggling with other personal challenges which appeared to reflect a life out of balance.

It was during the 2010 Comic Con that Kinkade stopped by my booth to say hello. He gave me a recap of the past twenty years, the good and bad, the successes and mistakes. At one point he became very enthusiastic about a micro-chip that can be placed into an art print or other limited edition object essentially removing the possibility of someone counterfeiting your artwork. Overall he was very positive and  looking to the future. I enjoyed seeing him.

He was 54 years old when he died last Friday. I reminisced on my career and wondered what pulling in $100 million dollars a year making my own art would have looked like. I had a hard time imagining it.

It is obvious he didn't!

As of yesterday one of his galleries just sold a painting for $150,000.

Whatever your opinion is on Kinkade as an artist, as a business person, or as a person will not change the fact that he made an indelible mark on millions of people who own his work. He loved what he was doing and it resonated with a HUGE group of supporters. It took time for him to build up those numbers, but he believed in his vision and never stopped promoting.

Onward and upward,

Greg

When I registered my trademark for Artist As Brand® last year I had no idea I would be challenged on the mark. But there was a fellow who had a company called The Brand Artist who felt my company name infringed on his business even though we did very different things. My lawyer had a conversation with the owner and that pretty much ended the confrontation. Which brings up the issue of why you trademark, and why you will want a lawyer to help you do it.You trademark the name of something that you feel has unique, solid worth and will most likely have some longevity attached to it. It really is that simple. You trademark these facets of your creative properties because you want to protect the investment you have made in this product. Having the law behind you in the case someone decides to lift your name for their own purposes can have some weight when push comes to shove. I always felt the name, Artist As Brand® was special, even if it is controversial in some fine art circles. It is amazing how fast a catchy name or slogan can create "brand" awareness. I have seen this work with the power in those three words.Hiring an ethical, reasonably priced lawyer to help you through this process is very important. The whole process is going to cost $2000-$3000. That is a lot of money you may say. It is and it isn't. If you are serious about protecting your sweet idea for the life of your business then it is very much worth it. Finding a lawyer you can trust is vital. Here is one of the best I know- Mathew Saunders of Saunders & Silverstein LLP. msaunders(at)massiplaw.com  Tell him I sent you.There many factors that come into play when the United States Patent and Trademark Office decides whether your mark is valid or not. I will not go into these details but suffice to say, there is a legal jargon attached to the process which can be confusing unless you have someone like a lawyer who can make sense of it all.One of the most important reasons for doing this right is that trademarks have taken on new importance in the internet era. The internet is ripe for intellectual property abuse, but big corporations like to push their weight around too. Check out this story in the New Yorks Times about the controversy surrounding the name, Pretzel Crisps. It's a crazy world.It is good to have some understanding of how this legal world turns and know your grand ideas can be protected for the long run.PeaceGreg

In July 2010 I met a young artist name Ray Sumser selling a poster of his art in front of the San Diego convention center during Comic Con. I included him in an article I wrote about street artists called Artist As Brand Grassroots. At the end of last year I noticed he had started a Kickstarter funding event that did very well.For those who are not familiar with Kickstarter.com it is the world's largest funding platform for creative projects. Every week, tens of thousands of amazing people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields. It is a new form of commerce and patronage. This is not about investment or lending. Project creators keep 100% ownership and control over their work.It is such hit that sponsors will curate pages. Even colleges like SVA and RISD have gotten into the action supporting their alumni and students.

What's amazing is the amount of money some projects acquire. How about Joshua Harker's, Crania Anatomica Filigre sculpture which pulled in $77,271. Or the comic The Order of the Stick which pulled in a whopping $1,254,120! What?! You heard right, check it out.

Bottom line is if you have a great idea Kickstarter can help you start funding it.

Every year we have "wins" even if they are small ones. Sometimes we are so focused on experiencing the big win, that the little ones get pushed aside. Stop and smell the roses my friends!I have some accomplishments to share with you from AAB participants who were with me over a year ago. These individuals have much to show and tell so I am going to present them one by one over the weeks to come.

Sandra Chang-Adair is a force of nature.

I am going to let her share what she has been up to. You will learn much if you read it through-"This may be interesting for your students. My husband, Dustin, is a 3D animator who worked for 10 years doing special effects in Hollywood. Seeing the eventual outsourcing of visual effects to foreign countries, he decided 2 years ago to try his hand at developing an iPhone game. So he created "Poker with Bob", a poker game with a 3D Pixar-like character talking "smack" back to you. He launched the game after programing and working nights and weekends for 2 years in May of 2011. By July, Caesar's Palace contacted him, bought the IP from him and hired him as a consultant on the game. We packed up and moved to Las Vegas. So the lesson here is hard work and dedication does pay off, we should all learn from his focus and concentration. Anyway, I will recap what I've accomplished this past year and what I've learned. I updated my sandrachang.net and Banzai Chicks websites.1.) Did extremely well selling Banzai Chicks merchandise at the San Diego Comic-con 2011. Made a big splash with my 2 Mord'sith (Legend of the Seeker) costumes as well (I actually sold more stuff to guys on those days). I shared a table with my husband (you can see his Poker with Bob) stuff. I have to show off my costumes (it cost a lot to get them made), I know it doesn't have much to do with Banzai Chicks, but it's fun!2.) Did also very well with Banzai Chicks at the Wondercon 2011.3.) Got into Unique LA (a hand-crafted design show) in the summer. Didn't do as well as I hoped, they stuck me along the narrow hallway near the bathrooms, so my space was not as visible from the main showroom. I did learn that a design/fashion show was probably not the best venue for my stuff as much as comic book conventions, but it could be that my location was bad or too much competition with jewelery.4.) Did the 2 day Pink Parlour show at the Santa Anita Racetrack (a show geared towards woman and Kitsch). I did fairly well. Got to put some of my stuff on consignment at the Pinky Star store in West Covina (the proprietor of the show owns this store). The Banzai Chicks merchandise didn't sell as well, so in September, I removed my merchandise. To my disappointment, they had stuck labels underneath the arm holes and ruined some shirts with holes from the plastic tags. I think if any of your students want to put stuff on consignment, they have to be careful with whom they are dealing with.5.) I got my stuff into Happy Six, a Kawaii type boutique in Santa Monica. I had my eye on that store earlier this year and I met a friend of Diana Levin's who knew the owner, Sophie Snow. I befriended her on Facebook and Sophie started following my tweets on Twitter. So I sent her a message asking if I can be in her store. She agreed right away. It's consignment, but Sophie is a great person to deal with. She is meticulous with the invoicing and consistently sends you an inventory of goods sold and a check  every month. She is also expanding to an online store which she requested I participate in. She is a good example of how networking on Facebook and Twitter can work to your advantage. I also got a deal going with an Australian publisher through Facebook called Centauress. He wants to publish art journals and license my artwork on the cover. He is in the process of making his company public and rewriting the contracts for the artists.6.) I sold a few items wholesale to a boutique in Burbank called Audrey K and a boutique somewhere along the 5 from LA to San Jose, but when I inquired about more business, I never got a response. I had stuff in a store in Highland Park called Studioroot 66, but they closed down because of the bad economy during the first quarter of this year. When I moved to Las Vegas, I was at a carwash called 7 Hills and I noticed they had handmade jewelry for sale. So I have some of my Banzai Chicks jewelry for consignment there. It's an odd place, but who cares. I will have to do my homework and scout out for more places to sell my stuff in Nevada.7.) I met a friend of my husband's at the San Diego Comic-con that works at Applehead Factory, a Branding Company. As a favor to my husband, he agreed to help advise me on branding Banzai Chicks. He said my next step was creating a bible and later a style guide. He sent me some examples of transmedia bibles for other intellectual property as samples. So I am working on a Banzai Chicks Transmedia Bible. So I started developing  the  Banzai Chicks universe and characters in more depth and plan to lay it out in a cohesive package. I designed and reworked some new characters and mascots. I'm hoping that he can help me shape this into a viable property for licensing. It's going to be a lot of work. 8.) I developed some new Banzai Chicks jewelry. I engineered Interchangeable Magnetic lockets and rings. There is a magnet inside the locket or ring and I have my characters inside glass lids with washers attached to the backs of them. You can switch out the glass lids on the locket or ring. This is my best selling item at conventions. I also designed three types of bracelets and dangle glass earrings.kawaii-mika-the-punk-girlbanzai-chicks-glass-interchangeablesweet-cartoon-girls-hearts-charmcute-cartoon-geisha-chibi-glass-pierced9.) After neglecting my Etsy store for over a year, I decided to give it a big push in December (just in time for the Holidays). I bought a macro lens for my camera and a lighting kit off of Amazon. I bought background paper from the scrapbooking department in Michael's and studied product photography (as well as a layman could off the internet). I worked on improving my photographs to make my Etsy store look better. I also bought search ads, but I discovered that the best trafficking tool is to constantly listing new items so they show up on the front page. The shop stats on Etsy really helps.10.) I created a Zazzle store that has sneakers (and stamps) and a Spreadshirt.com store to sell T-shirt designs I don't have the money to manufacture and screen print myself. I learned how to create artwork for a flock print (a t-shirt with a velvety, soft surface) using vector art created to certain specifications. I get occasional orders from these online stores.zazzle.com/banzai+chicks+giftsspreadshirt.com/banzaichicks11.) Besides Banzai Chicks, I sold 4 painted sexy girl pin-ups to Hustler Magazine.12.) I finally signed a contract with SQP Publications with Sal Quartuccio, the owner, for a 48-page sexy pinup book. I've been trying to get this deal going for 3 years now, and I was able to connect with him during the San Diego Comic-con. Persistence pays off. The book is slated for an end of 2012 or early 2013 release. I can fill about 1/2 the book with paintings I'm created before, but I have about 22 more paintings to make between now and the end of next year. I love doing Banzai Chicks stuff, but the other part of me loves making realistic fantasy paintings. Here is a painting I'm working on for the book, it's not finished yet, but it's coming along nicely.

13.) Did a 3-day art exhibit, San Francisco Erotic Art Exhibition, in September. This was crazy because I just moved to Las Vegas and two days later, I had to drive up to San Francisco. I didn't sell anything, but met some great people and the exposure was good. The show was on Mission Street and was in a high trafficked area, but over all, very few pieces of art actually sold. I also participated in several smaller art venues, the One-day Character's Show in Hollywood hosted by Diana Levin (You Go, Girl!) in February; Women on Top, An All Female Artist Exhibition in Oxnard hosted by Patty Arellano in April; and Ladies Night, another all female art show in Oxnard run by Gloria Centurion in June.14.) So that's it. I'm a full-time artist now in Las Vegas. I was able to quit my stressful graphic design job. On the personal side, I got two certificates in kung fu at my school, Beijing Taichi and Kung fu Academy in Santa Monica before I left (had to test on a bunch of forms and fighting) -- a Certificate in Traditional Kung Fu and a Certificate in Traditional Weapons. My school does not issue black belts unless you win in a national tournament in an advanced division and I didn't compete. In Las Vegas, I joined a kung fu school recommended by my Los Angeles Sifu, the Sifu at the new school is a 32nd generation Shaolin Monk from China...how cool is that? After 2 months, I'm already a yellow sash and have learned 3 new forms."

Did I mention that Sandra was a force of nature?! Thank you Sandra, your an awesome inspiration.Onward and upward everyone!Greg