The Laura Horn Art Podcast

This past month has been one of the busiest Richie and I have had in a long time. We launched a new online class and pulled everything together for my SALA exhibition. All while juggling our kids being at home on school holidays! Makes me sweat just thinking about it. Phew, kind of glad it is a new month! A fresh start. Speaking of fresh starts, that’s what this podcast is all about. After we hung the last piece for the exhibition, I  knew that I needed to take a few days to piece my life back together. I don’t tend to do things by halves so I decided that a total life reset was required and that there would be three parts to this ART, LIFE and BUSINESS. Join me as I share my tips and tricks for getting organised on multiple fronts so that you ready for you next phase of creative work!  You can find the show notes for this episode at  https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/53 The show notes include this week's vlog where I unbox the art supplies I ordered during my art admin day! Join me over on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/laurahornart/ 

This week Richie and I are celebrating a special milestone - one year of podcasting! We had grand plans for a fancy episode but when the time rolled around we were up to our eyeballs in exhibition prep!  If you’ve ever had an exhibition, you probably know what I am talking about. Frantically finishing things, painting edges, varnishing, trying to think of titles, printing labels and so on.   To be honest, we got so swept up in exhibition madness, this podcast almost didn’t happen at all! It was only at 9pm, the night before my SALA exhibition installation that we managed to turn the microphones on and have a conversation. Needless to say, we were a bit tired but what better time to talk about exhibitions than when you are right in the thick of it!  We hope that you enjoy the conversation and that it might just be the gentle nudge you need to fill out that exhibition application form!  You can find show notes for this episode at  https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/52 Join me over on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/laurahornart/ 

Instagram. Just when I think I have you figured out, you go and change things up again. If you live in Australia, your probably know what I am alluding to! Last week, Instagram started hiding the number of likes on posts. I have to admit, it threw me a bit at first. On the one hand, I could see the argument for less comparison and pressure on the platform but I was also worried about the impact it would have on my art business.  With mixed feelings, I decided to find out how others were reacting to this change and posted a question about it on my Instagram Stories. I was inundated with answers. So many that I decided to make a podcast about it. So grab a cup of tea and let's dig into this week's question - Do Instagram Likes Really Matter? RESOURCES MENTIONED Episode 50, How to Get Started with Email Marketing -  https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/50 Join me over on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/laurahornart/  

Are you dragging your heels when it comes to email marketing? Maybe you've gone down a rabbit hole of researching platforms? Or are you stuck trying to figure out what to write and how often to send emails?  If you answered yes, stay tuned. I've got a 30 minute crash course in email marketing for you.  Find out ... Why you need an email list.  How to get started.  Strategies for keeping it simple.  The power of pop-ups.  Four types of emails to send to your list.  It doesn't matter if you have a teeny list or maybe you haven't got one at all. It's not too late to get started. In this episode, I share all my tips and tricks for keeping email marketing simple and stress-free so you still have plenty of time to create.    You can find show notes for this episode at  https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/50  Join me over on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/laurahornart/ 

My guest today, is mixed media artist, Kelly Berghella from @bergerandstuff. Kelly recently left her marketing job to focus on her art full-time. A decision she didn’t make lightly. In fact, Kelly held onto her day job for as long as possible, all the time building the waiting list for her family portrait commissions. With Kelly now ‘all-in’, we caught up and talked about her transition to being a full-time artist.  Tune in to hear Kelly chat about:  Developing a style of art that would lend itself to commission work. Focusing on the ‘big picture’, to get through the times when she felt like giving up. Becoming a ‘time thief’ and making the most of small snippets of time. Approaching Influencers to help grow her audience.   Taking steps to make sure that she doesn’t become a ‘full-time hermit’. Recognising that there are periods of time when you have to do the hard work and it’s not always enjoyable but that the pay-off will come.  This is a very honest and refreshing conversation with plenty of tips and just as many laughs! 

We've just wrapped up the filming of our latest online class, Braver Things. As Richie was editing the videos, he had a few questions that he thought might be of interest to you guys so we sat down over a cup of tea and had a good chat.  Tune in to hear about how the class came to be and what it's all about! For more details, check out https://classes.laurahornart.com/p/braver-things. Also, don’t forget, the early bird offer for this class is running until 10 July 2019. Use the coupon BEBRAVE at checkout to save 20%! Class starts on the 25 July! RESOURCES MENTIONED Braver Things online class - https://classes.laurahornart.com/p/braver-things Join me over on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/laurahornart/ 

As the days get colder here in Australia, all I want to do is snuggle up, read books and bake cakes. Not a bad thing, except ... I have an art business to run! I posted about it recently on Instagram and well, let's just say, I am not alone. So what do you do when your energy levels are low? How do you navigate the ebb and flow of creative life, get past slumps and make the most of the times when you are at your best? This week we are sharing our favourite strategies. Things like setting a minimum time that you have to show up for, matching tasks to your mood, having a daily focus and learning how to say a 'nice no'. Richie also shares what he has been up to now that he's been let off the hook on the house cleaning side of things. And I am reminded yet again of the restorative benefits of getting away from the day-to-day and enjoying an artist date.  We hope that you enjoy the conversation and it provides you with some practical ideas to get you through whatever season you find yourself in! RESOURCES MENTIONED The 5 Minute Journal by Intelligent Change -  https://www.intelligentchange.com/products/the-five-minute-journal Artist, Simone Linehan -  http://www.simonelinehan.com/ Episode 46 with Wendy Solganik -  https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/46 

This week, I am excited to share with you that I have another artist guest. I am speaking with Wendy Solganik (also known as @willawatercolors over on Instagram).  Wendy has a wealth of experience. She ran her own fine stationery and invitation design and printing business for many years and it was super successful, but she left it all behind to focus on her own art and on her family. Since then she has been taking my online classes and exploring a more abstract style of watercolour art. With the work starting to pile up, Wendy had a question for me. What should she do with all the art that she is making?  We chat about various options including selling the work, giving it away and even putting it in the bin! I absolutely loved this conversation. Wendy shares so much wisdom and also asks me questions that I am sure many of you have wanted to ask. It’s a refreshing and fascinating conversation and one that really got me thinking. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!  To follow Wendy’s arty adventures, head over to https://www.instagram.com/willawatercolors/ 

We know marketing is key to and yet it is so hard to find the time and energy to make it happen. Other things take priority and let's be honest, often we'd rather be making art than sitting in-front of a computer writing a newsletter or planning out a social media post.  That's why I am all about 'less is more' marketing.  Today I am sharing five strategies that I have been using to save time, stay sane and get better results from my marketing efforts.  You can find show notes for this episode at  https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/45 Join me over on Instagram @laurahornart   

This week, I am thrilled to welcome artist, Ange Miller, to the podcast! Ange hosts in-person workshops, runs two Instagram accounts, provides one-on-one coaching and has recently launched an online training portal called the Art Flow Sessions. She is also mother to four kids under the age of 13! You might be asking, how does she do it? I know I was and without giving too much away, I can tell you that it involves both grit and grace. This is a story about hard work and being brave enough to listen to the cry of your heart even when you are not sure where it might take you. Ange's work truly is the culmination of decades of digging in deep and this week I am delighted to be able to share her journey with you. In this episode, Ange talks about: Juggling the many hats that come with being an artist and mum of four. Letting go of the pressure associated with a traditional art school education.  Focusing on creative confidence and teaching this approach to B.A. degree students for 10 years. Falling in love with alcohol inks and pushing their boundaries through extensive play. Collaborating with fashion label, Mimco. Doing her best work yet - empowering artists through her Chrysalis Coaching and Art Flow Online Training Sessions. To find out more about Ange's work and her beautiful offerings, head to: Ange's Instagram Art Flow Sessions Instagram Website Chrysalis Coaching Program   Art Flow Online Training - Intuitive Art Approach: Abstract Acrylic

On the podcast today I am sharing 10 things that have improved my painting over the past few years. Some might seem obvious but as a self-taught artist there’s a lot of bumbling through that happens and unknown gaps in knowledge! From making sure I have multiple containers of water around me when I paint to taping the edges of my watercolour paintings, these are the little things that when combined together make a big difference!  I hope you enjoy the tips and that this podcast makes you want to grab your supplies and get painting. I know that it had that effect on me! You can find show notes for this episode at  https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/43  Join me over on Instagram @laurahornart  

As a creative business owner, it’s ’s easy to fall into the trap of pushing hard all of the time. I don’t know how many times I say things like, ‘I’ll just do one more thing and then I’ll relax’. Of course that one thing turns into ten things and before I know it, hours have gone by and I I haven’t come up for air.  Sound familiar? This ‘one more thing’ mentality is dangerous especially in a business environment where there are so many things!  So how do you stay sane, fend off overwhelm and keep healthy?  Well it starts with being prepared to take your foot of the gas from time to time and slow down.  This week on the podcast we are sharing the strategies we are using to do exactly that. Things like having a dedicated mid week ‘day off’, stepping back from social media and hiring a house cleaner!  We hope you enjoy the podcast and it encourages you to place as much value on slowing down as speeding up! RESOURCES MENTIONED Julia Cameron, author of ‘The Artist’s Way’ - https://juliacameronlive.com/  Podcast Episode 41 - Talking with Andrea Soos Podcast Episode 39 - The Real Deal on Working Together Podcast Episode 24 - 5 Instagram Strategies for 2019  Join me over on Instagram @laurahornart 

Ooh, I have a special episode for you this week. I am talking with abstract artist, Andrea Soos!  Andrea lives in Victoria, British Columbia where she makes art nearly every day from her backyard studio. With vibrant colours and playful marks, it’s the type of work that makes you want to grab a paintbrush and start painting!  I had so many questions for Andrea, I'll admit it it was hard to contain myself. Questions like how did she develop her distinctive style? And what was it like to transition from teaching into making art full-time? Andrea is incredibly generous with her answers, sharing plenty of useful tips for artists hoping to take a similar path. I especially love the advice Andrea gives for dealing with the harder parts of being an artist on social media. Hint, it will get you off Instagram and focused on making more art! This is a big episode (my longest podcast yet) but honestly, once we started chatting we couldn’t stop! Andrea's story is refreshing, relatable and encouraging -  definitely an episode not to be missed! ANDREA’s LINKS Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andreasoosart/ Website - https://www.andreasoosart.com/  RESOURCES MENTIONED Thrive  Mastermind - https://www.thriveartstudio.com/mastermind 

What’s harder, making art or marketing it? For many artists, it’s the latter.  Hands up if you have some artwork sitting around that could be listed for sale? If you answered yes, stay tuned. In today’s episode I’m sharing five specific strategies for selling art online.  Marketing doesn’t have to be icky, with the right strategy you can increase your sales while also cultivating your creative practice. Take a Flash Sale, for example, this type of sale can provide income during a slow period, reducing your stress so you can focus on a new project. Or how about a Painting a Day Sale? Perfect for generating excitement on your social media channels and fostering discipline in your work.  The key is to find the marketing strategy that works best for you. You don’t need to do all the things. In fact, my challenge for you, is to pick a strategy, open up your planner and make a commitment to trying one of these strategies. Just one for now. Do one and do it well! You can find show notes for this episode at  https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/40 RESOURCES MENTIONED Podcast Episode 7 - Steps to Selling Your Art Join me over on Instagram @laurahornart

Have you ever wondered what it is like to work with your partner? A year ago Richie and I pooled our talents in art and videography and started making online classes. We didn't know where it would go but we both knew in our hearts that if we didn't try we'd regret it. A year on and we're still here!  It wasn't always easy though. We dropped the ball and created many things that ended up on the scrapheap.  But something cool happened. The more mistakes we made, the better we got at picking ourselves up and using our failures to make even better work and to improve our relationship.  As Richie so eloquently puts it 'We've been in the muck together, come out the other side and we are still going strong'! This week we are celebrating with a special podcast episode - the real deal on working together! Things like how it has affected our relationship, what the kids think about the business, who has the most annoying habits and what keeps us coming back for more! We are also having a big sale on all of our online art classes! Use the coupon code ARTPARTY at checkout to save 30% on ALL classes.  Coupon expires on Sunday, May 5th 2019, 12:00 am ACST (Australian Central Standard Time).  Thank you for all your encouragement, we wouldn't be here without you!