Welcome to the new home of the Artist Initiative

You're here either because you met one of our artists, attended a workshop, or stumbled across some of Nerissa's writing.

We're Artists Who Work, and we're happy you're here.

Find resources and products that will help you run a creative business here. You can also contact us to schedule a very engaging workshop or seminar for your audience.

Email us at help@artistswhowork.com.



Monday, March 17, 2008

One Great Resource


Okay. Great couple of weeks.

I haven't been writing because I've been working on a few grants. That won't happen again--because there's a lot of juicy material I could be sharing about that process.

One thing's for sure: every part of your the work you are currently doing can help you make money (sustain yourself) in your future.

TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED.

Anyhoo, on to the resources.

As a self-sponsor, you've got to create some rituals that support you while you support yourself. I stumbled across Zenhabits while checking out the blog of one of my fav artists, Pharrell. It's not about converting you to a Buddhist monk; it's about creating habits that help ease your life.

Monday, March 3, 2008

The Hustle

So, I was talking to a fellow entrepreneur yesterday about the hustle.

"Are you as tired as I am?" she said.

In two words, HELL YES.

But I'm okay with it. You've got to be strong because if you're like me (and Anne Lamott), you're unemployable.

I mean, I can hold down a gig. I can shuck and jive with the best of them, and I'll answer the phone with the best, "Brown, Black and Schuman, how can I help you?"

But, always in the back of my mind, there is another part of me that has already thrown the chair through the window like One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, and gotten the hell out of there.

It's not that I can't hold down a gig. It's just that independent thought isn't always highly applauded. Establishing a recycling plan, using fair trade coffee, and working with the local artists on their next marketing blitz may not be corporate priorities. Well, except maybe for these folk, but we don't usually go to work for them.

So, we hustle.

Before it was a dance, the hustle used to have a bad name.

Now, ask any single mother what she's doing at work.

"Hustlin' to make ends meet."

Don't be afraid of it. Get some tips from some bad-a(shut your mouth) folk who've been doing it. It's the attitude that says, I've got someplace to be, and no jive turkey or backwards situation is going to stop me. It can be a bit tiring when the whole world wants you to be mediocre.

But visionaries can't afford to be mediocre. It kills the spirit.

Hustle on, Tiff.