In this episode, I talk about why self connection is vital to marketing your art. As artists we pour our hearts and souls into our work. Because our work comes from the deepest parts of ourselves, we also have to come from that same place to promote our work properly. Authenticity is everything.

However, there are so many fears that come into play! In this episode I break down how to handle those fears and how to stoke the engine that makes you into a magnet for your perfect audience.

If you enjoy this episode, definitely tune in because there will be a new episode every Friday. If you leave me a review, take a screenshot of it, and email it to me at jenny@jennykiehn.com I'll invite you to a free group coaching class where we will talk about how expand into an abundant mindset so you can create an abundant, creative life.

This week I've had the brilliant, courageous Stephanie Elizondo Griest on the podcast to talk about her new book "Art Above Everything." In it she explores how women sacrifice for their artwork and whether or not it's worth it. Stephanie interviewed over 70 women around the world who have moved mountains for their art. Some of them are in some of the harshest conditions imaginable and yet they still make time, space, and gather resources to create. Many of them do this with a desire to do good in the world and have make a huge positive impact. Stephanie has travelled all around the world to interview these women, attend their festivals, and learn about the challenges they have overcome. She helps us understand what inspires these women and makes this process sustainable for them. She also has sacrificed hugely to write her books, so we talk about the steps she has gone through to bring her work into reality. We talk at length about the concept of an "art monk" and the artist's role as a teacher, leader, and purveyor of spiritual connection. I truly enjoyed this conversation and loved reading her book. She will be touring around the US this summer, giving readings and books signings. I encourage you to check to see if your city is on her book tour. I will certainly be in the audience when she comes to Asheville.

Website: http://www.StephanieElizondoGriest.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selizondogriest/

Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/sgriest.bsky.social

This is my advice for anyone who wants to become a professional artist. It’s for people of any age - just be clear, it is never too late!!

In this episode I talk about six main points:

1. ​Get Mindset Support - being an entrepreneur for a business you are passionate about is such a journey!! You are going to grow like crazy, so it’s time to get some mindset support to help you navigate the high’s and low’s.
2. ​Get clear on why you want to be an artist. Be bold, write it down. What do you want to gain from the business you are about to create? Why do you care about doing this?
3. ​What does success look like to you? Write it down - how many hours do you want to work each week? What is your “enough” number in terms of money? What location do you want to be in? Do you want to work with customers face to face or would you prefer online? Do you want direct feedback from your customers or would you like more distance from them? All these things will affect the paths you choose to take.
4. ​Approach the “How to do it?” question with playfulness and creativity, just the way you would approach making an artwork. Building a business is a creative process. Make sure you are having fun every step of the way. What is your ideal result? How can you creatively take the first step? (Don’t get lost in strategies and tactics here - instead lean into what feels easy and what feels like a good idea.)
5. ​Make the best artwork you can make at your level. Authentically challenge yourself. You cannot fake that raw, bold authenticity. You have to actually be inspiring by leaning in and taking risks. Also, stay in your lane with this. Don’t concern yourself with what other people consider “professional”. Just challenge yourself to do the best you can from where you are.
6. ​Bare your soul when you explain why you made your work. Share your emotions authentically. You don’t have to tell them lots of personal details, but you need to be really honest about the universal truths that resonate in your work. They will be able to feel whether or not you’re being honest. This is what forms real connection.

If you like this episode, tune in every Friday because I'll be releasing a new podcast.

I've also got a really cool deal for you - if you leave me a review, take a screenshot of it and email it to me at jenny@jennykiehn.com and I'll invite you to a free group coaching class where we'll talk about how to cultivate an abundant mindset so you can create an abundant life.

In this episode I talk about how to manage fear so you can keep stepping out of your comfort zone to chase your dreams.

We talk about what to do when fear feels really large and it's taking over. We talk about how to regulate your nervous system so you can feel grounded again. Then, we talk about how to flip the script on fear and see it's coming as a positive sign. Ultimately, we learn how to put it in it's proper place so we can get on and do the scary thing anyway.

This is a hugely important skill for artists in particular. We have to be so courageous to do what we do. I hope this helps to support you!

Recommended Reading:

Hello Fears by Michelle Poler

Burnout by Emily Nagasaki

If you like this episode, definitely tune in because there will be a new episode every Friday.

To be invited to a free coaching class on how to create an abundant mindset, leave me a review (or a rating and comment on Spotify), take a screenshot of it, and email it to jenny@jennykiehn.com. I look forward to meeting you!

In this episode, I explain how to be a thought leader in your family. As artists, we often have dreams that other family members might not believe in. How do you go about creating a family dynamic to support your creativity? It's not what you think and I explain it all in detail. I've used this with my husband, my children and my parents and it has made such a difference. Take this and run with it!!

If you find this advice works for you, email me and let me know! We'll celebrate together!

If you like this episode, tune in each week because I'll be releasing a new episode every Friday. If you leave me a review, or a rating and comment on Spotify, take a screen shot of it and email it to me at jenny@jennykiehn.com. I'll email you an invitation to a free group coaching class where we can talk about creativity and abundance.

In this episode, I explain the message behind my sky paintings. I paint skies because they remind me of the deep peace and expansion I experience during meditation, when enjoying nature, and when I am deep in the flow of painting. In these moments I am focused and present, but the whole world opens up and I feel connected to something much larger and more infinite.

I also talk about four ways to create this sense of peace in your life:

1) Changing Your Environment

2) Changes to your Habits or Routine

3) Through Healing

4) Finding a Sense of Purpose

With the Artists that I coach, I go extensively through these four things, but they could be applied any person in any field.

Ultimately, peace is attainable and available for you if you want to step into it.

My print drop starts tomorrow Saturday May 10th at 9:00 AM EST and will last until Saturday May 11th at 5:00 PM EST. During that time, you will be able to place print orders on my website jennykiehn.com. This is the perfect time to get some art to bring more peace into your environment. After 5:00 PM on Sunday, it will be over!!

By the way, if you are not on my mailing list definitely sign up! All my new artwork, tutorials, and products get released to my mailing list first and they often sell before they ever reach social media. To join go to jennykiehn.com/sign-up or send me an email at jenny@jennykiehn.com and ask to join the list. :)

If you've enjoyed this episode, tune in every Friday because I'll be releasing a new one each week. If you leave a review on Apple or a comment on Spotify and take a screenshot of it, email it to me at jenny@jennykiehn.com and you'll get an invitation to a free group coaching class with me!

Overthinking is one of the biggest roadblocks to creativity and getting going with your business. In this episode, I share my tactics for letting go of overthinking in my own creative practice and business. I reference loads of wonderful people including Cathy Heller, Susie Moore, Ira Glass, Robin Sharma, Steven Pressfield, Sarah Blakely, etc.

More than anything, just know that clarity follows action. You act, receive feedback, and then iterate. Start messy and under think it. Both in making art and doing business, this is the only way forward. You can do it! Just act often and it gets more and more normal to be out of your comfort zone.

Recommended Material:

Podcast on How to Stop Overthinking by Cathy Heller

The Wart of Art by Steven Pressfield

This episode includes my number one tip for manifesting things in your life with ease. I also explain what manifesting is, easy ways to start, and told a story of how I used this tip to manifest a life changing trip and meet my husband. You can also use this tip to make almost anything in your life more fun, so the payoff is immediate.

CORRECTION: In the podcast I recommended an interview, but it turns out it's not been published publicly. Here is a link to another interview between Cathy Heller and Susie Moore which is about similar material. This one is also fabulous.

If you enjoyed this podcast, tune in every Friday because there will be a new episode! If you leave me a review on Apple or a comment on Spotify, take a screenshot of it, and email it to jenny@jennykiehn.com then I'll send you an invitation to a free coaching class about how to use your creativity to create an abundant life.