Five Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered

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This article was written by Martice Smith II

Use these simple approaches and general advice to get your artworks exposed so others can be inspired and get to know you and your creations. These tips will help both new and experienced artists!

Five Ways To Share Your Creativity & Get Discovered; Illustrated image

1. Above all, be true to YOU

Create what makes your heart sing and be happy doing it!

When you’re doing what’s fresh, interesting, and authentic to you, you make it that much easier for the marketplace to find you. Yes, it’s that simple!

2. Process is messy

Be open about what you’re working on.

Now is not time time for toiling away in your studio with absolute secrecy. Ask for feedback – don’t take it as criticism. Look at it as gathering information.

• Collaborate on a project with another artist…try asking someone whose work you admire but is a contrast to your own artwork.

• Discuss or teach a class, highlighting a simple technique.

• Share sneak peeks of your works in progress, your ideas and even what you’re learning online. Accept that, over time, you will evolve as an artist and learn to embrace change.

• Keep people “in the loop” of the changing influences that relates to what you’re working on.

(For example, show a new color palette of colors you mixed yourself; explain why the #2 fine-liner paintbrush is better for drawing your stylized hair strands; or provide a quick review on chisel tipped paint markers.)

The creative process is messy and should be fun!

3. Document

Even if your eyes will be the only eyes to see it, always take a record of what you are doing.

• Photograph of your work at different stages in your process or shoot a video of you working. (You don’t need to be all tech-savvy – just use what you have and start there!)

• Give people the experience of how you shape your art work by showing them behind-the-scenes; see how they react to it. Sometimes, you really don’t know what you have until someone’s spark ignites a new perspective. You’ll never know what stage in your progress will inspire or resonate with someone else.

4. Celebrate other people’s successes

That’s right – this article is about others just as much as it’s about you… It’s perfectly fine to celebrate your accomplishments but when your friend says that she just sold her painting, express your genuine excitement for her AND take it a step further by sharing her great news with your audience as well.

Teaming up with another artist to spread the word about each others’ recent success, instantly makes a greater impact.

This can work as an opportunity to visually show what inspires or influences your own creations. Not only will you pique the interest of others with this new artist, but your friend will be so grateful that you shared in her success.

5. Let go of crutches and PLAY!

I love covering a journal page with my graffiti handwriting. Seems like I can’t get away from it…or can I?

Lately, I’ve been making an effort to leave the scribble scratch behind (or cut back on it!) just to see what other direction I’d take.

During my printmaking challenge, I used a variety of found materials (sticks, yarn, bottle caps, etc.) to re-create the grungy, uneven texture that I love. What a surprise that was!

• Push yourself to try new tools and experiment with unfamiliar techniques.

In conclusion, creativity is not an antisocial act. Let go of your ego and remember: there is no one-size-fits-all plan for everybody. Flow with whatever’s good for you.

Be open to sharing your process and allow for the possibility of people to have an ongoing connection with you and your work. All you have to do is show your work.

“Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.” ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I invite you to join the Uneek Art Letter, my monthly newsletter, that offers more art biz tips and advice that will keep you in front of the right people.

What are some ways you like to share your creativity?

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Mixed media artist and designer, Martice Smith II

Martice Smith II is creative director of Martice Smith II – Illustration & Design Studio , based in Kansas City, Missouri and owner of Uneek Art Boutique. She established herself as a freelance Illustrator and graphic designer after receiving her Bachelor of Arts Degree. Her stunning illustrations reveals her love for fashion, typography and wildlife- using a combination of analog and digital techniques.

Martice also contributes as an article writer for the Creating Mixed Media Art website.

You can see more of her work via her Facebook page or her blog.

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Filed Under: Mixed Media Inspiration Tagged With: , , ,

Small Experiments with Mini Mixed Media Canvases

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This article is written by Anjuli Johnson

Working with paper clay

As a self taught artist, constant learning and experimentation are a necessity for me to become the accomplished artist I dream of becoming.  It’s not enough for me to stick to one or two tried and true techniques- I feel the need to try nearly everything I see.  I’m sure I’m not the only one who would confess to a room full of craft supplies, waiting to be used for the first time.  There are even more supplies I have used in certain ways, that are just begging for a new technique to revamp their usefulness.

Working on a big project to figure out the best way to use these things is not usually the best approach, however.  At least, it’s not for me, an artist who frantically moves from one medium to the next in a mad rush to try and learn as much as possible.  One day at AC Moore, I found packages of tiny little canvases and easels- 2-3 inches, rectangular and square, and from that moment my ability to experiment with new supplies quickly and artfully was increased by 10.

Working with wire

I’ve learned things about so many mediums by working on my mini’s first- paper clay, ink, multiple ways to paint with acrylics, collage, modeling paste, gel medium, and lots of other things.  Not every art experiment would be good on a mini canvas, but they have been such a great thing for me in almost every aspect of my art.  They are tiny and it doesn’t take me days to finish a piece- no matter what I try, I can have several done in a single evening.  Because they are tiny, I don’t sweat too much if what I try turns out to be terrible.  I’ll recycle it if I can, or just move on- no sweat.  I don’t waste expensive materials on a piece that I might ruin through my inexperience.  They are easy to store in my tiny apartment- they don’t take up tons of already used wall space, which is a big plus.

Adding elements to texture paste

So the up side to my experiments on mini mixed media canvases is pretty limitless… and they are so fun when they turn out well.

Of course, I would love to hear how you learn to work with new materials.  What processes/routines do you have that help you grow as an artist?

Practicing collage work

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Author bio: Anjuli Johnson is a Mixed Media Artist form Raleigh, NC.  She began her art career as a scrapbooker, and it’s been an evolutionary process ever since.  She loves all things mixed media- paper, paint, pens, wire, gears, clay… the list goes on and on.  She is constantly trying to push through her fears to discover and develop her talents, meet new people, and learn from those around her.  To see more of Anjuli’s art and techniques, check out her website at www.thefarpavilion.com  and like her Facebook page.

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Filed Under: Mixed Media Techniques Tagged With: , , , ,