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Words to ACT on:
Keep an Optimistic Attitude with a Sense of Gratitude
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 Established artist Anne Marchand navigates her full time career with elegance, grace and resilience. A native of New Orleans, Anne credits her "optimistic attitude with a sense of gratitude and wonder has been key to helping go through the inevitable droughts of being a creative person. Taking the time to research and implement new strategies for staying on track helps maintain a strong foundation in my business."
 Anne received her MFA degree at the University of Georgia before settling in Washington, DC where she now maintains her studio. A member of the A.C.T. 301 community, Anne paints award winning paintings and murals. Music and color is in her blood. She is currently working on her next series, Leela - a love poem to the universe. You can see Anne's work here: http://www.annemarchand.com.
Anne recently shared an hour of her time to mentor members of the A.C.T. 101 community. Here are a few excerpts from our interview:
Anne's 50 words of wisdom for all artists
"Find balance in your life between making art and art business. Be open to unexpected opportunities and wear two hats well, the boss and the worker. Go at a pace that feels right. This is not a race. It is life. Make it fun and imagine it joyful and blossoming."
A.C.T.: What peak moments have you had?
Professional moments like the dedication of my first public art mural, publishing my first posters, seeing my abstract paintings exhibited large scale in a public venue, being recognized in the community have all been exciting. A peak moment was attending a lecture recently on art and the holy. The poetry introducing this lecture, connected to the nature of art to transform life; "crossing the street ... living in the orchard ... and plucking the fruit" became metaphors for living a life of imagination, desire and wonder.
A.C.T.: What obstacles have you encountered in your business and how have you handled them?
For most working artists that I have known, cash flow has been a challenge. I keep good inventory, expense and sales records. At the beginning of the year, I edit goals and do an income projection. When new opportunities arise, I weigh them according to personal and business goals. When I get off balance with the creative or business cycles, I step back and adjust activities. I handle rejections by filing them in a special X File that allows me to immediately move on to new opportunities.
 Other resources that have built over time are the support of family, friends and collectors. An optimistic attitude with a sense of gratitude and wonder has been key to helping me through the inevitable droughts of being a creative person. Taking the time to research and implement new strategies for staying on track helps maintain a strong foundation in my business.
A.C.T.: What advice would you pass on to other artists at all levels?
Break the myth of the starving artist. First of all, don't believe it! Use imagination and good business practices to fuel your creative desires. When it seems hard, persevere. When creativity seems to be on a plateau, experiment and persevere. When personal or business success comes to you, accept it with gratitude. Your preparation has paid off. Keeping a positive attitude during cycles of change, will add a sense of richness to you and to your companions lives. Enjoy yourself and keep creating!
A.C.T.: How has your involvement in the A.C. T. community of professional artists furthered your career?
Connecting with opportunities that promote your art in the public eye is another part of the creative cycle - your audience. Learning about resources and sharing ideas with other professional artists in Artist Career Training is a good way for any artist to gauge their readiness and to get the tools that they need to begin or continue to share their work with the world.
The continuity of a monthly A.C.T. 301 teleconference and the community of other professional artists have helped bring my attention to areas in my business that need development. Whether you are just beginning as an artist or your career is in full bloom, you will find Artist Career Training to be supportive in strengthening your commitment and preparing to implement your goals.
To hear the full interview, click below:
Read the full interview here: www.artistcareertraining.com/featured-artists/
Anne has been getting lots of visibility. Click here to see her interview with Kate Smith of Sensational Color "Saturated, Intuitive Color."
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Make this year count! Get a taste of the programs that have contributed to Anne's success and happiness with these telephone classes and our live workshops.
A.C.T. Life Matters! TeleSeries 2009
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009
"Channel Your Inner Felix Unger to Release Your Creativity"
Aletta de Wal interviews Eve D'Onofrio of Organized Tranquility. Reserve your seat now:
Organizing yourself, your art business and your art studio does not have be your third grade teacher's idea of neat. Reducing clutter and streamlining habits releases creativity from the bonds of habits and tosses "stuff" that is no longer useful.
Organization is a life-long process. It involves the relationship between time, expectations, and clutter. It also involves our emotions and self-concept. Would you like to be more organized? If so, decide what your most important goals and commitments are. Then evaluate all of your current commitments. Do they support your goals? Or do they serve other people's interests? The more honest and realistic you can be, the more successful you will become!
AC.T. Life Matters! Workshop
 Drawing a Life That Matters!
Join Aletta de Wal and Patrice Federspiel in Honolulu on Wednesday, February 18th, 2009 for "Drawing a Life That Matters!"
Recall the joy you felt as a child, crayons in hand, freely drawing your life's experiences with confidence. Bring that ease back into your life. Use it to create more of what you want and less of what you don't want.
A creative environment of multi-sensory, non-toxic materials, simple instructions, a few local companions provided. Course fee: $65.00 Travel to warm climate sold separately. Reserve your seat now.
A.C.T. Money Matters! TeleSeries 2009
"Pricing Your Art with Confidence"
Part 1: "Math is Your Friend" Thursday, March 12th, 2009 Reserve your seat now.
Part 2: "Balancing Value and Price with the Market" Thursday, March 26th, 2009 Reserve your seat now.
If you haven't yet received your bail out package, don't hold your breath. There is a better way to make sure that you get paid what you deserve for your art. Get up, get organized and get cash flowing.
From a fellow artist who attended the preview for A.C.T. community members: "I listened to the Alexandria Levin recording today. She made a tough subject - pricing one's art - sound so sensible! I ordered her book. Thanks for thinking to invite her as a guest speaker. She was very good." A.C.T. 201 member Huguette May.
What are you waiting for?
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 CONTACT:
Aletta de Wal, M. Ed, Director & Artist Advisor,
Call: (650) 917-1225 (USA-PST/CA)
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P.S. If you read this far, you deserve a little reward. Watch this time-lapse video of mural painted in Clarksdale, MS tribute to six great bluesmen of the Mississippi Delta. http://budurl.com/899r.
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Tired of Reading?
You can listen to the interview with Anne Marchand by clicking the link below:
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