how i take my own photos

a peek inside my process: loose watercolor blooms

using one supply in different ways

One of the most important ways that I challenge myself creatively is to totally limit myself! I know this sounds like the opposite of the freedom that goes with creativity but I’ve found when I limit my supplies, techniques or color, my ideas, skills and inspiration totally evolve and grow!

For this spread I used Dylusions Ink Spray in the color London Blue as the background. I use a paper towel to spread that color around my pages.

Once it was dry, I also used the ink with a tiny brush for my line work. The result is a really pretty monochromatic spread with subtle contrast!

a peek inside my art journal- finger painted pages

coping with creative burnout

Creativity and making art is a really interesting process- as much as you would like to control and schedule when inspiration and productivity hits, most of the time you are the mercy of the process. After a lifetime of creating, learning, developing my style and growing a business, I've learned A LOT about the cycle of creativity. And today I am talking all about coping with creative burnout!

burnout from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

I used to freak out when I would hit a wall or struggle with burnout and after years of fighting it, I finally learned that the best thing I can do is embrace it!

embrace it from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

When I hit a wall, the last thing I typically feel like doing is exercising. But I've found that when I drag myself outside, move my body and breath fresh air, I ALWAYS feel rejuvenated and energized!

EXERCISE from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

I've found that when I am coping with creative burnout, it helps to focus on something totally unrelated to painting, drawing and running my business. Instead I look for things outside of my reality that are creative and interesting. My favorite is anything that has to do with cooking- for some reason watching a cooking documentary or making a meal in the kitchen instantly helps me relax while being creative in a different way.

creative things from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

A lot of the time I take myself and my creativity WAY too seriously so when I hit a wall, the first thing I need to do is lighten up and have a little fun!

have fun from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

There is an ebb and flow to the cycle of creativity and sometimes the most important thing you can do is trust the process. Creativity, ideas and energy can come and go but if you have passion and the space in your life for creativity, you will bounce back from burnout. It may take a little while but I promise it will come back.

trust the process from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

jump start a creative career

With the new year in full swing I am sure there are a lot of you out there setting goals and hoping to pursue your creative dreams. Today I have put together a post for those of you looking to get focussed and jump start a creative career.

                                     creative jump start from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

We are living in a time where we are bombarded with so much information. Through social media we are able to look into other people's lives, we face advertising and all kinds of messages about the people we should be and the life we should be living and it can be challenging to stay true to yourself or even know who you are and what you stand for. When you are growing a creative business, it can be even more challenging to know what makes you and your business unique. I think the best place to start is to quiet all the noise out there, STOP looking at what everyone else is doing and get back to the basics of your life and the things that define you. Before you can set out on a path towards a creative career you MUST take time to really identify what makes you unique, what kind of goals you have and what direction feels right for your life.

TIP: Keep in mind that defining who you are and setting creative goals for your career may take weeks, months even years of trial and error. But taking the time to define who you are will keep you authentic and provide a clear direction for your creative goals.

Once you have a good idea of who you are and what you want, I think it is important to begin putting yourself out there. This could mean anything from showing your art, selling your art, taking a class, looking for ways to be creative, connecting with others, starting a website or blog, growing a business, etc. One of the most important things in my journey as an artist has been putting myself out there and trying different things. While I had lots of dead ends, failure and rejection I was able to really learn, grow and evolve as an artist.

TIP: It can be really scary to put yourself out there as an artist because the creative process often feels so sacred (which makes rejection and failure feel really intense) but taking chances and trying different different things will help you become better at your craft.

Selling goods or handmade products (or art) is a really accessible and easy way to put yourself out there.This is something that I did for years on the side. After spending 8 hours at my day job I would spend weekends and evenings creating stock and large quantities of handmade goods or art to sell. While it was hard juggling a day job with my creative endeavors, this process really enabled me to put my art out there with a safety net (my job), that enabled me to take risks and even fail.

GOODS TO SELL:

Good to sell can really vary depending on your strengths, schedule and needs:

Hard Goods: From your art to handmade creations, hard goods or your actual handmade products are what a lot of artists and crafters want to sell. There is nothing better than making art and then putting it out there for others!

E-Goods: E-goods are another option- anything from digital downloads, patterns, digital kits, online classes and DIY tutorials can all be sold. Typically this route can take a lot of time to set up and keep fresh but in the long term it can be rewarding because you are don't have to work like crazy to make tons of products.

Knowledge or Services: Your knowledge or sharing something that you are good at is another option for selling. From teaching classes to writing articles and books to consulting- your strengths and experience can be a great way to offer something unique for sale!

TIP: Unless you get lucky, it can take a lot of time to actually sell enough products to make a decent paycheck. Don't give up if things are going slow. Instead hang in there and try making little changes to the way you sell and market your goods.

There are all kinds of places to sell art or handmade creations it is just a matter of finding what works best for you. Below I have included all the different places I have utilized over the years. 

Craft Shows: Craft shows can be a tricky venue to show and sell your work but is a great way to gain experience putting yourself and your work out there. Typically you need to apply or jury into a show, there may be a fee associated and you typically need a booth for your work. A great resource for finding all kinds of craft shows is The Crafts Fair Online Directory

Online Shop: These days selling your work online is really accessible. With sites like Etsy, Big Cartel, Storenvy and easy to access resources for building your own store (I use Shopify), getting your work online is one of the easiest way to begin selling your art immediately!

Directly From Your Website or Blog: While an online shop is the typically the way to sell, you can start small by offering things for sale on your blog or website. With resources like paypal (or online payment applications) you can add simple shopping options to art that you want to to sell. If you are starting out and want to test the market, this is a simple way to get started.

Galleries: Getting your work in a gallery can be challenging, but it is a great way to showcase your art and build your creative resume. Often you will need to send a copy of your portfolio or resume to begin the process.

Handmade Boutiques: Handmade or smaller boutiques are a great alternative to galleries. They are a little easier to gain access to and often will be interested in a variety of handmade products, accessories and art. Approaching a boutique is as simple as walking in with your portfolio or samples and asking to speak to the manager. If in person feels too scary you can always send email inquiries.

Consignment: Consigning your work to smaller independently owned stores is not a big money maker but can promote your work and provide some great experience selling in a retail setting. When you consign you split the cost of your work with the store typically 60/40. While you can loose or not make money consigning it can be a great way to try out a retail setting.

Wholesale: Selling your work wholesale is another option but is typically a better fit for those artists who are producing larger quantities of handmade goods. From selling to boutiques, stores and galleries, wholesale accounts can provide you with more steady work selling your goods, they can supplement your income and can help get your work out there. There are also a variety of wholesale trade shows where you can exhibit your work (typically an investment to apply) and attract new wholesale relationships. In the past I have really loved using the wholesale crafts.com, a resource that connects artists with buyers.

TIP: It might take some time and trial an error to find the right place to sell your art. Don't give up. If something doesn't work- give it some time and be willing to try another opportunity. Often it takes a lot of testing the waters to find the right fit.

While working as a freelancer still means you work for yourself- it is common to build relationships and work with agencies or companies that use your services. Anything from graphic design, illustration, photography and even creative consulting can all be things offered in a freelance capacity. Thanks to the internet, working as a creative freelancer has become more accessible because it is easier to connect with opportunities.

Licensing your work is another avenue to make an income from your art. From home decor to art to accessories, there are all kinds of opportunities to get your art on a variety of products. It can be a tricky to begin the process of licensing- you typically need a good body of work and lots of education and understanding of the industry. Not every licensing opportunity will be the right fit for your work but there is a lot potential to grow and expand your art business. There are some great resources out there for artists looking to learn about licensing- I really like Maria Brophy and Tara Reed for good clear information about the industry.

Not ready to jump into selling your art or handmade goods or ready to be a creative entrepreneur? There are still all kinds of ways to get your "creative fix" while making money, learning the ropes or even finding where you fit in. I spent a HUGE part of my creative journey working for other people and trying A LOT of different things. For many years my goal was to find a job that had creative elements where I could use my strengths and skills. From working at galleries, a frame shop, interior design, event planning, graphic design, creative programming for college students and marketing- I tried a lot of different jobs hoping something would fit for good. Many of these different jobs were perfect for the different stages in my life. While I spent many days in my cubicle day dreaming about making art full time, I was still able to learn new skills, take home a paycheck and have a safety net that enabled me to take risks with my art. 

Below is a list of some different paths and ideas that might look a little different from the like of a self employed artist but they are still creative nonetheless!

Galleries and Boutiques: A gallery or even a specialty boutique where handmade items are sold is a great place to be surrounded by creativity. It is also a wonderful way to learn the in's and out's of selling art. Some of the greatest lessons I have learned about art were during the days when I worked in a gallery. From understanding the public and what they liked to working with artists, putting on creative events, planning shows, handling and archiving artwork and networking with a variety of creative individuals were all things that I discovered on the job. These types of jobs (or even volunteer opportunities) provided me with a valuable education and lessons that I still reference today for my own business.

Retail: Along the same lines of working in a gallery, finding a retail opportunity that has merchandise that inspires you is something that can also provide a creative atmosphere. Flower shops, art supply stores, clothing stores, even unique cafes and restaurants are all places that can be creative and inspiring places to work while you pursue your art on the side.

Event Planning: I spent a handful of years working in an event planning position. From planning educational lectures to organizing fundraising events to hosting workshops for college students, I was able to get my "creative fix" while working on events. While I was able to get creative, I will say that working in event planning was really stressful for me and I often found myself worried and over worked. But with that said, I learned a lot of valuable skills that I have used in planning and organizing my own retreats and events.

Marketing: Working in marketing was where I really was able to learn and experience lots of creativity in a 9-5 job. From photography, graphic design, creative brainstorming, learning to work with clients and collaborating with a team all become part of my everyday tasks. Marketing can be a very inspiring and creative atmosphere to work in. 

This information is really just touching the surface of all the different things that you can do to jump start a creative career. I hope some of it is a little bit of encouragement and hope that there are all kinds of options out there if you are craving something more creative!

Have your own advice, tips or things that have worked for you? Feel free to leave comment

creating with a kid

I have my annual You, Me and the Sea Retreat in my studio next week and recently I painted a fun ocean themed mural that will serve as a backdrop for group photos. I filmed the entire process with a plan to share some tips and insight into working large (I'll save that for later this week) but my experience painting with Lucy by my side was too entertaining not to share! 

studio mural from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

Creating with a toddler by your side is NOT for the faint of heart and there are times when it is downright insanity and a big test of my patience. But the practice of allowing Lucy to create, play and go wild while I create is teaching me an incredible lesson in learning to go with the flow (both as a mother and as an artist). Painting while a toddler drips paint all over the floor, then wraps you up in paper towels, then runs around with an umbrella is crazy (and not for everyone) but at the end of the day, IT'S SO MUCH FUN and I want to have fun while I make art!

While it would be easy to exclude Lucy from my art making, I made a decision early on that I wanted to include her as much as possible. Because I made this choice, I've had to change the entire way that I go about making art. Sure, I could leave home everyday for my studio and create by myself (and there are days when I do) but I like to invite her to participate in my projects. Sharing art is a little like sharing my heart with her and while it makes no difference if she ends being an artist, I do want to her to grow up knowing the freedom, confidence and pure joy that come with the creative process.

And as challenging as it is to juggle my own creative process with hers, there is nothing I would change. This time is fleeting and precious and I will gladly take the messes, the short attention span and the insanity that comes when creating with a kid!

You can check out more of our family collaborations HERE

or read more about Life With Lucy HERE

a pottery play date

I mentioned a couple weeks back that I am busy working on a series of pottery posts and I am excited to begin sharing them! In weeks and months ahead I have some fun pottery tutorials and clay inspiration coming your way.

For those of you new to my blog (or my background), my parents are potters and I've spent my entire life around clay.  I was introduced to clay long before painting and spent a great deal of time dabbling in pottery as a kid. Growing up my mom and dad ran a successful pottery business from their home studio- I spent my childhood watching my dad throw pots on the wheel and my mom run a wholesale tile business. My brother and I spent weekends and summers at craft shows and art galleries so it's really no surprise I grew up to be an artist!

While my dad taught me how to throw on the wheel, it never really stuck, I always preferred sculpting and hand building and then I fell in love with painting and it was all over for me! But now that Lucy is getting older we've wanted to get her playing on the wheel or at least witness the process. Recently we planned a family play date where we all took turns, with my dad's help, playing on the wheel. Throwing on the wheel is hard and it take tons of time and patience to actually make something but the process is exhilarating! Needless to say we had a BLAST! It took a while for Lucy to warm up to it all (ironic that the kid who loves dirt, mud, sand and paint wasn't excited about getting clay on her hands) but with a little encouragement she finally jumped right in. Here is a peek into our creative session:

                                               pottery from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

Normally I don't laugh at my crying child but the fact that she was so upset by the clay on her hands was just hilarious- especially because she spent the previous day painting with her hands. 

Much better :)