"Hands Up!" Time to celebrate by taking a breather from creating...just for a moment, only - just for a moment!
On Tuesday, November 9th, I discovered I have been awarded one of the First People’s Fund “Artist in Business Leadership” grant for 2011. I have applied to the FPF for a couple of their grants for about 5 or 6 years. If any of you have applied and not received a grant yet, ask them what were the key points that you had not met. There is a trick to grant-writing; you gotta provide what the grantors want to see and what they want to hear. Of course, I am very happy to have this support; it comes at a very good time. This grant assists in paying for various aspects of my business (i.e. website updates, blogging, new brochure, new business cards, publication of my first book of robes, etc.).
Celebrating with popcorn! Yah! (If you are grossed out by this photo, it's your own fault for looking!)
As part of the grant-writing, FPF asked a few questions: What motivates me to create? What is my most rewarding experience in creating my work? What is the greatest challenge in establishing my art career? What have I done to promote my business? I don’t know if anyone has ever asked me these questions, so I had to think about my life as an artist and what are the things that are true for me. I share with you my answers.
“I cannot say if I’ve ever been asked what motivates me to create? I just create; I never thought about why I have a powerful drive, though I’ve had this passionate drive as far back as I can remember. Could my motivation be inspired by the humpback whales cresting beside the boat, the eagles nesting outside the window not a stones throw away, the ebbing of the tides reflecting a sunset on a lonely beach? Is it the smile on a toddler’s face dancing to a drumbeat for her grandmother? Is it a weaving student’s eagerness to learn another trick-of-the-trade in Chilkat weaving? The appreciation of a client’s cry as they receive their first button robe? The creation of another wild, colorful painting offsetting the grey skies of Southeast Alaska? Salmon running upstream; tender smoked salmon with steamed rice for dinner? Am I motivated by the gift of dreams that may provide concepts for a new robe design, a tune never sung, the planting of a tree in someone’s honor? Am I motivated by the mourning of my father, the pending passing of my mother, another clan matriarch? Does motivation, passion and creativity have a beginning and an ending?
My most rewarding experience in creating and selling my work is the level of patience and gratitude that has grown in me as I have evolved as a student into a practicing artist, entrepreneur, cultural instructor and an elder-in-training eager to continue learning, expanding and sharing.
The greatest challenge in establishing my art career was the financial illiteracy; I had zilch education in that department during my entire career. I jumped into doing business and all that is required to run one. It was never a thought to get educated. I experienced the school of hard knocks, yet I persevered; I learned by trial and error. I did pretty well considering. However, I want assistance as I really begin to take clear action to expand.
For the first time, I created a Marketing Plan this past Spring 2010. I have not looked for outside sources to finance my business. All expenses have always been financed out-of-pocket. (Most of the income I make goes right back into my business.)
This past Spring 2010, I took a few classes at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They included the (above mentioned) marketing class, introduction to accounting, introduction to new media and intermediate painting. My website is the only online market I use. In the near future, I will be included in the Redtail Native American online market as soon as the new venture is launched.”
Okay...celebration is over; time to get back to work!