HELP! I AM ARTIST

Official Trailer: Why you should be listening to this podcast!

How do you turn your creativity into a meaningful profession?   My name is Sonja Smalheer. I am an artist, art coach and course creator and I'd love to show you how. When I graduated from the Art Academy I learnt how to paint, and how to draw but I had no idea how to earn a living with my creativity.  I was not prepared for a life as a working artist. This often left me quite frustrated. Sometimes on the verge of calling it quits, throwing away my brushes and giving it all up. But I am so glad I didn't. After many failed attempts and valuable lessons learnt,  I discovered ways to turn my creative dream, of being a working artist, into a reality, now giving me the freedom to live the life I love. I created the Help! I Am Artist Podcast, because no matter where you are on your creative journey, whether you are just starting out or maybe you have been a working artist for a while, you too can take steps to turn your creative passions into a meaningful sustainable profession.  The Help! I Am Artist Podcast is filled with fresh inspiration, step by step practical insights and interviews with artists who are experts in their field. If you are a smart artist or one in the making, who is looking for new and exciting ways to get your art out of your studio and into the hands of an audience that's appreciative and willing to pay it's worth, then you are in the right place. Happy Listening! P.S. Do you want access to more inspiring content then head over to https://www.sonjasmalheer.com

Setting up an Art Routine

I hear artists say this all the time. 'If only I had a big break! If only I was so lucky.' Sure, sometimes circumstances work in our favour but generally we need to just show up and get to work for it. The sum of all the little things you do during your day will far outweigh the chances of a big break or a lucky strike to come your way. So instead of waiting for fortune to come knocking or some lightning bolt to boost your art career, it is far more effective to set a goal, make a plan and get to work. This starts by setting up an effective art routine. When you do something consistently, it will become second nature and overtime cost far less energy and effort. In this 2nd episode of the 'What Successful Artists get Right' Series I will be looking how setting up an art routine will help you build continuity which will become the driving force behind a successful art career. This episode comes with a free art resource and a worksheet including practical exercises to help you take your next steps toward making a living with your art and establishing an art career.  

Art choices that define you

Some artists just seem to have it all. They are getting all the attention and their art seems to be selling like hot cakes.  What are they doing that makes them stand out and get noticed?  In this series I will be taking an inside look at what successful artists are doing right. Often fear, insecurities and the drive to be perfect keeps us captive. We are unable to move past them and create with the ease and freedom we so long for.  In part 1 of this series I will be highlighting 8 artist types that find it difficult to move forward to find their creative best. Take a listen and find out what you can do to move past those things that limit you so that you too can turn your passions into a meaningful profession. This episode comes with a free art resource and a worksheet including practical exercises to help you take your next steps toward making a living with your art and establishing an art career.    

Using Social Media to Get More Eyes on Your Art

Artists can no longer ignore the amazing opportunities social media offers to promote and sell art. If done correctly artists can use the unique qualities of each platform to effectively connect with their art followers and start to build engaged art audiences. In this episode I share 10 tips how artists can use social media more effectively to stand out and get noticed. This episode comes with a special resource. If you want to find effective ways to use Instagram Stories to promote and sell your art then this resource is for you. Download your free guide on https://www.sonjasmalheer.com/story

What Artists Need to Know About Working with a Curator

In today's episode we draw back the curtain and take a look at the role and work of an art curator.  Aniko Ouweneel is my guest and shares how she uniquely weaves together her expertise as a cultural historian and her vast experience as an art curator.  She has co-organized and designed more than 30 exhibitions, she has juried showed, authored books, lectures at universities and writes a regular art blog. She is a member of the A. Toth Sander Art Foundation in which she treasures the art of her grandfather, A. Toth Sander; safeguarding the legacy of this world renown avant garde artist who exhibited with artists like Picasso and Leger. I can safely say that she is an expert in her field and has art rooted deep within her DNA.  Recently I had the privilege to work closely with her when she commissioned one of my textile installations for an exhibition celebrating the 700th year of city rights of Culemborg in The Netherlands. I experienced first hand how the roles of curator, artist and themes intertwine to compose an art exhibition and I am convinced her insights will be of value to you. In this episode Aniko Ouweneel shares more about: The role of the curator, What artists need to know when working with a curator, The relationship between the theme, the art and the location, A huge international exhibition she recently curated in the inner city of Amsterdam which attracted more than 10 000 visitors, Find out what made this exhibition such a success. Aniko shares some valuable insights to help artists develop their skills and grow in their art career. This episode comes with a special resource. This practical guide is here for you to download and will help you find your pricing sweet spot and take the guessing out of pricing your art.  https://www.sonjasmalheer.com/price