Building your artist community.........

Hi Loves.

How are you today?

I'm tired to be honest.  I've received the most fabulous gift from a Lovey...a tripod.  I could hardly speak when I opened the package.  I researched how to weigh it down and played with the recordings a bit until I found the right one.  I was excited and nervous all over again.  I blundered a few times but decided to keep it in the video as it shows I'm human.  Someone believes in me and it put me in a bit of shock.  I haven't had that since my Mom was alive.

I've had struggles this week of the unsupportive kind.  I've had to wait for phone calls to end, the feet to stop scuffing, slamming doors and just plain orneriness.  Days like this make it hard to keep a positive personality.  I find myself sighing, tossing supplies and rushing the projects.  I find myself grumping through the video.  Finally the process of creating  beauty has overtaken the negative and you can hear/see the difference.  All of this leads to my subject matter of building an artist community. 

When building a community, its important to understand your connection.  You have to be polite, courteous, respectful, honest, sincere and open-minded.  There are many ways to project your image to build your community that will eventually turn into a brand.  The main and only rule is that you HAVE to show heart. 

I've opened myself up by sharing the reasons why I'm awkward and I found a bit of success when I did a tag video titled "TAG:  20 Questions about Me."  I explained the loneliness of an unfulfilled life and how art has literally saved me.  Art and building my supplies has given me a purpose unlike the real purpose of my life that pertains to taking care of others before I live my life.  This helped my viewers and supporters understand my shyness.  The personalization of the questions took a load off my shoulders and I learned I'm not the only lonely person out there. 

Now's the time to bring your community closer.  Give them a name and start personalizing your responses to their comments/questions.  Keep them involved lovingly and sincerely.  Provide nicknames and name your community.  I've named my community 'Lovees'.  Each of my subscribers has the word 'Lovey' in front of their name.  I mean what I say and how I respond to them.  They matter to me.  I've changed a few of their names as we've built a relationship but they are still in my 'Lovees' community.  They now reside in your heart.

Its not dwelling on the negative/positive aspects.  Its the developing of a relationship to your viewers and supporters.  They not only want to see your art but they want to know you as well.  A connection.  A spark.  Interest based on common factors.  A community of like minded individuals that seek a place to be themselves.  No judgements, no cruelty...a safe haven for all walks of life.  The humility of your existence is what helps people relax.  They are more focused and prone to communicating with you.  Therefore, marketing is done by word-of-mouth.

As you build your community, its extremely important to understand that you can't forget the people who helped and aided in creating your success.  I have about a million pet peeves of YouTubers that I've watched for years.  I've been loyal and understanding.  I've commented and the response, while they were small, was warm.  The bigger they grow, the less connection they care to maintain.  They say "I just don't have the time to answer every single comment.  I can't put effort into the people and maintain quality.  I'm just too busy now that I've built my brand." 

I can feel the 'disconnect' as my viewing and support is no longer needed.  Here's a few pet peeve examples to avoid when responding:

1.  Thanks   (Its not warm and shows a half-assed attempt to be polite.  A shrug off.)

2.  Thanks.....  (I find this rudest of all responses.  It denotes that they are waiting for more.  My viewing wasn't enough for you?  Full of ego.)

3.  Ty  (Okay...now I've stopped watching your videos, following your blog and now I am questioning why I ever liked you to begin with.)

The proper way to respond would be to add their name behind the 'thank you.'  This will let them know you see, hear and still care about them.  Use a sequence of icons when responding.  They will remember you by this.  You don't have to use them constantly.  Your viewers will respond in kind and its best when responding back to use the icons.  *Remember that without them, you'd still be nothing special.*  Below are some that I use and maintain:

1.  <3  (I have heart and they do too.)

2.  : )  (Smiling.....they've made you happy.)

3.  *Hugs*  (Welcoming and inviting.)

4.  *Love*  (Its not sexual or flirting.  Its what everyone needs every single day.)

I don't want to hear excuses unless its technology that prevents you from responding or personal crisis.  I've heard many complain that they have a life.  Guess what?  Your 'community' has a life as well.  Don't break the bond that helped you.  Its unforgiveable.  They've helped pay for your equipment and paid a few of your bills.  Have you shown support in return?  Have you taken the time to respond to them, ask about their life and just said "I appreciate you"? 

One final and important thing:  Don't brag!  "I"......"Me"......"I'm".....!  Just stop right there.  You should always be humble and appreciative.  I can't tell you the times I've had to bite my tongue and sit on my fingers to constantly avoid telling them off.  We get that you are now successful but success is still breakable like the connection you once had with your community.  Your community is happy for you but don't keep the "I" going.  You didn't do this yourself.  Oh no you didn't.  Your community lifted you high on their shoulders and marched the struggles with you. 

I've seen quite a few people become successful and then within a period of time find themselves back where they started.  They scratch their head in confusion and wonder 'Why?'.  They have no one to blame but themselves.  You can be professional and be warm at the same time.  You've made a deadly mistake to your brand success.  You cut the ties that circulates you.  You can't come back from this.  You are now fake and annoying.

These are slow going and completely honorable ways to build your community.  Life has beat many people down and gave them a callous.  Consistent caring and sharing will have you steadily creating your community.  Its not easy but nothing in life worthy ever is.  Enjoy the journey with great people and your journey will take you far.

Everyday is a new day to open the door to your heart and learn to art.  Lets go play!

Love & Hugs

Theresa (Cracked Heart Studio)  <3

Artistic thoughts......

Hi Loves!

How are you?

I haven't given much time to this blog as I've been thinking those artistic thoughts.  Everywhere on social media I see people planning their 2017.  I can't do that.  I've learned that in life planning gets me nowhere but down a path of disappointment.

Generally, I take it one day at a time.  If I do decide to plan, its all about what videos I'm going to bring to YouTube.  The ideas for art and videos are beside me in a notebook.  I run through my mental list of art supplies and pull things out randomly.  I very seldom plan videos though until the day of or night before. 

I've been slowly adding 'real' art pieces to my channel.  I know people don't have a whole hour to waste on my videos but I do that for me.  I miss communicating and having someone actually listen.  I've been told that people don't want videos from the same person day after day.  However, there are a few that have them on there day after day that do the same thing.  I try to switch it up.

I'm not one to go with the grain as most people do.  I set out to make my own path.  If I have to add structure to art, I'm giving all my supplies away.  I just can't do that.  It takes the freedom of being an artist away.  Almost like having your brushes chained to the table as you try to lift them with one finger.  It just doesn't work for me.

I've been asked to open a store and I've given it serious thought.  I have to have time to create amazing products and a place to store inventory.  All of that adds to challenges that I have to sit down and logistically think through.  I have limited space as it is and limited time that is my own.  If I'm elbows deep in painting, I can't just leave the paint to tend to other matters.  Complicated at best. Everyone has to find their own way and pace.  If I rush this, I'm going to have mistakes that are costly and hate what I love most. 

I've done tons of research.  I've learned that if you don't love what you do failure will happen.  I've learned that people want art as it stimulates their mood and offers inspiration in times of struggles.  I know for me that staring at art was a way to keep my mind off the situation.  The hospital that cared for my Mom's Cancer had art throughout the entire building.  I can still see this beautiful watercolor rose in soft pastel colors of vintage pink and mint green.  The bright bold colors on the walls of the Cancer wing.  Art sticks with you and its valuable to the mind.

As I walk slowly on this path, I'm trying to avoid pot holes and big branches.  I don't expect perfection but I don't want to fall either.  I've made a few mistakes and I'll own up to them.  I've put too much of my real life out there and people are like "WTF?!  Is she for real?!"  Sadly, yes its all true.  I thought this would help the understanding of my awkwardness.  It actually increased it as one person is afraid that I'm going to bring doom to them.  I wouldn't EVER let that happen.  Another reminded me that its not all "about me".  Good to know but it is all about "them".   Some just pass it off as storytelling.  Everyone has a story to tell is my only response. 

I've always thought that artists would be the least cut-throat to be around.  You know the type that beat on a drum and splash the rainbow just to evoke happiness.  Sadly, my fantasy was overruled.  Some want all your support.....while others what nothing.  Balancing the hurt and wonder of it all makes it seem like walking on glass would be easier.  I won't give up believing that art is full of heart.  I must remember to read the signs in 'their' behavior.  I can't stand having to have my guard up around people all the time but lesson learned.  Its best to tip toe than run into a brick wall.

I'm shy, honest and caring.  Faults not assets.  I am outgoing but only with myself and how far I have to push my comfort zone.  Art is my way of leaving a pretty pretty footprint to mark that I lived that day.  My heart is cracked but not broken I say loudly.  All the goodness that makes my heart has to shine through or it won't be seen. 

The best challenge I will gladly accept is finding supplies frugally.  I am a pro at spotting deals!  Seriously, everyone thinks I have sooooooo much stuff.  I have things I use constantly that need to be replaced.  I also have items that I've had for 15 years that are now being used.  All bought on a deal.  I find comfort in my supplies.  Its smart business to find items on sale while you are out and about. 

Enough of my rambling artistic thoughts for one day.  I do hope you get out of your comfort zone a tiny bit and stretch yourself to new heights.  Stand strong in who you are and fight with your paintbrush not words of hurt. 


Everyday is a new day to open the door to your heart and learn to art.  Lets go play!

Love & Hugs

Theresa (Cracked Heart Studio)  <3