Cultivating Your Creative Life

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- 99 -

So, what does it take not only to survive but also to thrive as an art-

ist? Some may say luck or raw talent. But I happen to believe that a

good part of success is based on action. It is my personal thought

that energy is the building block of life, and when you put energy

into the world through creative work and action, the universe must

respond. Positive action brings positive response.

There is certainly some fear involved: fear of rejection, fear of

being broke, and fear of failure. But getting wrapped up in fear only

restricts your work and prevents you from taking action. Only by

working with consistency and resolve do our lives begin to change.

[ l earninG to fully listen H elps us understand tHe

situations around us. ]

Roots &

Branches

C H apter 7

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- 100 - CULTIVATING YOUR CREATIVE LIFE

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[ FLOAT smOOTh LY INTO ThE dIRECTION

OF YOUR dREAms. ]

“Do you want to know who

you are? Don’t ask.

Act! Action will delineate

and define you.”

—Thomas Jefferson

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ROOTS & BRANCHES - 101 -

For me, taking action means creating and sharing my work on a regular basis. And it goes beyond

sitting in the studio and working. Attending that art opening or gathering to socialize and network

can be taking action.

One breakthrough for me that involved taking action was attending the New York International

Gift Fair. A lot of the press I initially received came from that show and got my career off to a solid

start. I also made licensing deals with several companies to use my art on their products, for either

royalties or a flat fee.

Before I attended the show, however, I went to just check it out. I studied booth displays, the

inner workings of the fair, and how it all came together. After I traveled back home, I prepared my

application. I wanted to be accepted into one of the juried sections for artists, designers, or crafters.

Once I was accepted, I set some goals for myself. I wanted to receive a certain number of new

wholesale accounts, along with making more contacts with press and possible licensing deals. I

spoke these goals out loud to my partner before the show began.

When the show finally came, I was overwhelmed with joy when I had a line for buyers waiting to

place orders just as my booth was opening. This was several years ago, and I know things may have

changed since then at wholesale shows. Still, that experience was instrumental for me at the start of

my career. I did, in fact, not only meet my goals, but I also surpassed them.

Please know that attending a wholesale trade show can be a huge undertaking. Lately, I mostly

sell retail out of my studio storefront, along with on my website. Store buyers and licensors tend to

find me solely through my website now. I may exhibit at trade shows again someday, but the direc-

tion of my career has taken me on a different course as of late.

(RAY)

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