Last week, to my surprise, I was on the front page of the Life Style section of a local newspaper called the Posey County News. Of course, I did know there was an article about me coming out I just wasn’t expecting quite the spectacle. My friend Pam Robinson interviewed me on the phone a few weeks prior and wrote a fantastic piece that took half the page.

It all came about by me being asked if I’d be willing to read a children’s book for the Dial-A-Story by my friend Stan Campbell who’s the marketing director (I think) at Alexandrian Public Library. I was thrilled to be asked, so of course I agreed. I didn’t want to turn down this opportunity.

It turned out that I got to read two books. Splat the Cat by Bob Scotton and Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy E. Shaw. It was a lot of fun. Memories of reading to Asher when he was little came to mind. Those days are long gone, but I still have fond memories of those times.

Pam, the newspaper writer, had seen a post on Facebook where I’m wearing headphones and had just recorded the children’s books. It was just a quick selfie and not a very good one, at that. Had I known it was going to be on the front page of the Life Styles section then I might’ve tried to get a better one! Ha ha lesson learned there. Oh well. It is what it is, right?

So the conversation came up from that post and off we went. I have to brag about Pam, she took what I gave her and crafted a really well written piece that I’m so proud to share. In fact, she makes me sound better than I actually am! I’m a little embarrassed by it. It’s wonderful to have friends that want to make you look your best, and Pam did that for me. I couldn’t be more grateful.

A little plug for my friend: Pam Robinson is a writer, journalist, creative and all around genuinely good person. She’s taken an art class from me this past fall and she’s bought several pieces of my art. Also, I happen to know that she’s always trying to better herself in her chosen creative field of writing among other creative endeavors. I’m glad I can call her friend.

Art Business Advice for my creative friends

If you’re an artist/creative and you have the opportunity to get any kind of PR (public relations) then jump on any opportunity given to you. They don’t come around easily or often. So, if they’re not coming around for you, then drum up your own visibility. Have something already written up about yourself and your business that you could easily have a journalist download from a PR section of your website including some photos they can use.

This year especially, I’m trying to take more action in my art business. Aiming for more visibility and not shying away from it. Face it, these days there’s a lot of noise out there. If you have a creative business, then you cannot stay in business long if your work isn’t visible and it’s known that it’s for sale. My paintings won’t sell themselves if they stay in my studio and I don’t tell anyone about them.

It’s definitely work, and it takes a lot of effort and time. But it’s imperative to your business. Not letting opportunities like this newspaper article or even reading those children’s books pass me by is a way I’m getting more visibility. I encourage you today to do the same. The world needs your special artistic gift. We also deserve to be paid for it.

Learn more about being a creative entrepreneur by listening to my new podcast co-hosted with my friend Lori Rivera, The Creative Type.

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←First 2023 Public Art Exhibit at Alexandrian Public Library /  Springtime Robin Painting Class ⟶

Learn more about me on the ‘About’ page under the additional links menu. I’m an artist – a painter mostly and an avid gardener. I paint a variety of subjects including birds, koi fish, my gardens, ponds and flowers as well as anything having to do with nature especially trees and tropical scenes. I also enjoy painting abstracts and have started created more and more of them. My most favorite thing to try to achieve in my painting is is mystery and telling mystical stories.

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