Wow! My own personal coach!

Handy dandy... he showed up in my email today. The incredible artist Robert Genn offered his services and for FREE! The advice he generously provides resonants with the daily self-talking I give myself only he words it so much better. Maybe I'll listen to him:

"Find a sanctuary where you can comfortably work.
Dedicate at least two hours a day to your art.
Have more than enough equipment and supplies.
Set short- and long-term goals and keep track of progress.
Think of your work as exercise, not championship play.
Explore series development and exhaust personal themes.
Work alone with the benefit of books and perhaps tapes.
Replace passive consumption with creative production.
Use your own intuition and master your technology.
Feel the joy of personal, self-generated sweat.
Fall in love with your own working processes.
Be forever on the lookout for the advent of style.
Try to be your own person and claim your rights.
Don't bother setting yourself up for rejection.
Don't swing too wildly and damage the well-being of others.
Don't jump into the ring until you're feeling fit.

If you can stick with this regimen for a couple of months, I
can pretty well guarantee your progress. If not, then at least
the exercise will let you know the job's not for you. "

He articulates so many of the important steps in the process of artmaking that one often isn't fully aware of. You, too, can get his artistic wisdom emailed directly to you twice a week by following the link below. He generates a stimulating discussion with many talented artists about the business of doing art. He also has an artist's directory which lists some of the best (and even me!)