Making Magic and Listening to My Heart

Make Room for Magic  

Listen to My Heart

Become More Elegant and Efficient with My Actions

Keeping it real. I spent a lot of time at home writing and 

setting up the infrastructure of Mary-Gail King, Inc. and 

found I wasn't painting enough.  This is the space between 

my bedroom and kitchen.  I was able to sneak in still lifes

on a regular basis!

It wouldn't surprise me if a lot of you are also planning the year ahead.  I feel fortunate to be surrounded by passionate entrepreneurs and artists whose greatest joy is to share their talents with others. Let 's see what else we have in common;)  Over the next few weeks I'd like to share how I approach manifesting in my business and my life.  It's very specific and so powerful that I hesitate to state my goals because naming them literally makes them happen when I use this approach.  It always blows my mind.  

Here goes! 

Set my intentions
Evaluate where I've been
Remind myself of my purpose/ my why 
Sneak Preview of Tactics

Step One Set Intentions:

• nurture even more loving, uplifting relationships
• paint 
• dig deeper to grow in body, mind and spirit; 
• take an extremely service centered approach to sharing my art and my business knowledge to very specific people and groups of people.

Step 2:  Evaluate

This past year I developed a larger vision for my career.  It's been a bit less exciting than things I've done in the past, but I've learned and quickly applied what I learned.  I dug deep to envision the direction I want to take in the next 10-15 years.  

An office like this makes it all worthwhile.

As a sole proprietor,  I was painting 30 hours per week and teaching 6-10.  Since I logged my hours I also found myself doing the marketing, gallery sitting, press releases, openings, etc. during my "off" hours.  That kind of workload probably sounds familiar to most of you. I'm grateful that much of it doesn't feel like work.  The only problem is that if I'm not working, I'm not earning.  I also had a hard time investing in my retirement.  It's literally time to make a run for it!  What to do, what to do?  The magic word is LEVERAGE.  Leverage everything.

Step 3: Overall Purpose, where does my greatest strength lie?  

Getting my head around the fact that what I do is what other people do while on vacation or when they retire….someday has been important.  That still blows my mind.  

Step 4:  Sneak Preview of Tactics:

I'll keep most of these details behind the scenes for the moment, but rest assured I've identified and developed a system that is powerful and works.  It will allow me to move into the year and make some magic both for me and for those I am able to touch through my teaching and artistry.

This makes me happy and I hope it makes the new collector

who purchased it happy as well.  It's a joy to find new levels

of skill and poetry that others want to live with.  It allows

me to make room for more.  Thank you!!!

For a sneak preview of the nuts and bolts I've systemized to help me & you make money selling your art go to:  Monetize Your Art.

You can also look at my website for  classes and workshops. Mary-Gail King, Fine Art

The schedule is up to date through through February 8!  There are lots of FREE events for artists and non-artists who want to try something new,  basic/ intermediate painting classes, and unique workshops and networking events to power your business ahead.  If your resolution is to change the course of your art career and tap into your creative potential, come join me!

Ring in the New

Ring in the New

The difficult is done at once. The impossible takes a little longer.

New Year's resolutions have a pretty bad reputation.  Personally I'm setting myself up for success and setting goals I can achieve, so I'm keeping George Santayana's quote handy.

I thought I'd spend a couple of minutes looking back at some past achievements before I move forward.  It's easy for me to ignore where I've been because I'm focused so much on where I'm going.  Of course the biggest challenge of all is to just enjoy the journey.  Here goes.

I look like a French Musketeer!
It's a bit of a caricature, but this is me in my zone.  Aka heaven

I've been involved in juried art shows in one form or another for the past twelve years.  The first one I got into I was voted in as a People's Choice from an adult ed class sponsored by the Conejo Valley Art Association.  That was well over ten years ago.  The second show I got into I received first place in the amateur division of the Ventura County Fair.  Laura and I enjoyed ice cream cones with my winnings.  The thing is that I hit the ceiling in the amateur arena right away.  It's not that it was too easy; it was just evident I needed to set my sights higher.  I also did well when I turned pro.  I was slowly juried into regional groups and even achieved signature status in the California Gold Coast Watercolor Society.  These have been important to me as I've built a reputation and credentials.  However, it's just as important to continue to stretch and grow.  I'm getting involved in some national groups and continue to refine my painting skills and create more beautiful art.

Here I am in all my bold, feminine glory.

One of the most amusing compliments I've received was from a fellow artist whose work I admire.  He meant it in a very positive way and I'm still proud of the sentiment behind it.  He said I paint like a man.    I think he was referring to the bold approach I have.  My work has a feminine perspective but I do cherish the fact that I'm daring with it.  Actually most, if not all, of the women I know are bold.  Like does attract like.

Moving forward here are the dreaded resolutions:

1.)  I'll do larger scale non-representational work in the studio using the plein air work as a jumping off point.

2.)  I'll continue to paint outdoors to keep my inspiration going.  

3.)  I'll be doing more workshops and special events. 

4.)  I'm getting trained in public speaking and brand development and will be traveling with that. 

5.)  I'll be strengthening my business with better client communication and a consistent promotion strategy.  Streamlining social media use will be important. I'll have to separate the personal and professional a bit.  The blurriness won't be good for me as the business grows.

6.)  I'll also figure out how to spend more time doing what I'm good at and getting help with what I'm not so good at.

Some of these just build on what I'm already doing.  The new things will be more challenging. 

I'm headed to Joshua Tree for a camp called Enlightened Warrior with Peak Potentials at the end of the month.  It's all about creating success in spite of any obstacles.  It's off the grid and outdoors so I'll be tired, challenged and, yes, in heaven.  Between the goal setting I'm working on right now and the jump start Warrior will give me I plan on achieving amazing things this year!  I hope you'll come along for the ride.