You need to decide and affirm who you will be in this economy. Will you devour the negative forecasts and give up? Will you pretend nothing is wrong? Will you lie low until the storm has passed?

Don’t be haunted by fears of having to be both artist and businessperson. As the title of the book says, “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” The real fear shouldn’t be in the doing; it should be in the NOT doing.

We all have them. All of us. Don’t ever think you’re the only one who has ever had a slump. Whether it’s lethargy just thinking about promoting your art or angst about getting back into the studio, a slump is a slump. Here are 10 things you can do to hasten your emergence from a slump.

Forgiving yourself doesn’t mean that you are no longer responsible for these tasks. It just means that you move on to an action that is more productive than feeling bad about something that occurred in the past.

Are you haunted by fears of promoting yourself and your art? Boo! The real fear isn’t in the doing, it’s in the NOT doing. While I usually try to be reassuring and supportive with these newsletters, I’m here to scare you this week. Which scenario will spook you into action?

When those closest to you aren’t your biggest fans, it’s time to find new friends. We all need cheerleaders in order to continue building our dreams as we go down this crazy path called life.

One of the best ways to help yourself create every day is to craft a starting ritual that you begin to use regularly and routinely. When your ritual becomes habitual you will find yourself moving effortlessly from not creating to creating.

You are in charge. You have control over words, prices, artwork, and your image. People will take as much power from you as you give them. Guard your power carefully. Accept 100% responsibility for your actions and make no excuses.

Get with the motors. Set boundaries with the anchors in your life. If you don't, if you allow their negativity to get to you, you compromise your personal and professional growth.

You work and work in your studio. You end up with a terrific body of work, but no one to share it with because you've stayed to yourself. * What if you don't know your next step? * What if no one sees your art? * What if you don't reach your potential?

If you're serious about your career, you'll be curious enough to explore the art and art of times past and the larger artworld. To celebrate Arts & Humanities Month, I challenge you to read an artist's biography (or similar genre).

Yellow symbolizes the winner of the Tour de France and others who are fighting and winning against cancer. My yellow bracelet is more than a good luck charm. It's a talisman. It reminds me that miracles exist, but I have to help them along. I can't sit back and wait for them to happen.

Take a road trip. Find out what's going on and what you shouldn't miss. Get in the car and drive. You'll be glad you did.

If you do what you love and love what you do, you'll have an easier time selling it to other people. You can create with others in mind, but focusing only on their needs diminishes your control and your passion for living.

Every action you take to advance your art career is a reason for celebration.
THINK ABOUT THIS You owe it to yourself to celebrate each baby step. This gives you permission and motivation to take the next step.

If studio time has been a little lonely or if you have a dearth of ideas lately, why not try a collaboration to spice things up a bit?

Look at your schedule and see if you have scheduled enough time to nourish your creativity. When is the last time you wandered slowly through a museum?