So many ideas in a sketchbook

and a time consuming business to run behind the scenes.
Ah, the life of a self employed artist in 2025.

Big collaboration with my Author friend - project spread - upcoming - very excited!

Big portrait idea I cannot WAIT to get started on.

I want to make this clear - this is not me complaining.
I thoroughly enjoy a lot of what I am doing.
I love making reels, I love editing long form videos and I actually love updating my website. I don't see it as a chore a lot of the time - more like the extra limb to my art practice.
I enjoy writing this blog, I can find cheer in making social media posts and I adore connecting with people.
Learning the ropes for digital marketing and the absolutely overwhelming intricacies of SEO has taken me a good amount of my time so far and I still have a long way to go!

​But I still have playing in my head fellow artist Angela's no.1 piece of advice: 

"Don't forget to keep making art!"

Her work (beautiful)

Reflect, 2024, Oil paint and gold leaf on wooden panel, 50 x 70 cm - Angela Marie Nicholls.

I try to remind myself daily what it's all for - so I can keep making art and being creative.
I try to keep making it my no.1 priority even when things get super busy/super tech heavy.

So what don't you enjoy?

Setting up my art shop was not easy - I had no idea I was going to have to understand 3 different platforms in order to outsource.
The successful combination of Printful, Stripe and Weebly felt like an algebra lesson.
​I did that moment out of ratatouille where the critic yeets back to his childhood in his head. Information overload. Help! I want to draw instead! 
Trying to link it all up took a lot of brain power.
I knew setting up a non-outsourced print shop at the moment wasn't a great move for the physical space I'm in. Plus - I'm pretty clumsy and there is paint and glue everywhere in my space...
​In the future - I'd love to.

Learning what SEO is was a minefield too. It took a good few hours on a course before it started to click. I felt the resistance of all this new information on the first day - I was so, so grumpy.
I took myself for a walk like some kind of stir crazy dog.
Grit my teeth kind of stuff.​

Digital marketing also feels like standing on a stage every day going,
"hey guys. it's me again. I do art."
On rough days it's tough - just like any job can be.
I'm constantly resetting my mindset about why I'm doing all of this.

​I asked the host of the Kick Off Digital Marketing course how long it was probably going to take until it all started to make sense - he said "3 months". So I took a deep breath and said, "ok".

Beyond that - I can already see the potential for burn out in this type of job.
You are doing the work of an entire team.
So, I'm trying to be as patient as possible with my growth with that in mind.
Keep my work/life balance as decent as possible - sitting down each week and each day to see the lay of the land.
​
What is essential?
What can I set to post so I can have my weekend?
How long is this piece going to take?
Trying to ask the smart questions.

But I think most importantly.
What support can I get?

I am very much looking forward to working with The Kings Trust - It's free and for those under 30. (I turned 31 on the 23rd May and I made it in - phew).
- I'll post about it soon to update anyone who is interested.

The Kings Trust