The elegant art of saying thank you


 

The gracious art of sending a personal Thank You note has almost disappeared from the human landscape.  Quite often these days, we say thanks through our electronic devices and social media.  Expressing appreciation is important, no matter how it gets done, but nothing replaces a hand-written note.  The receiver knows you had to go out of your way. 



Doors & Hallways, Organic Zen, Watercolor, Diana Campbell Rice



The personal note expresses you in so many ways...it is tactile and offers info about your tastes and sentiments.  Stuck for something to say?  I offer an article with the words needed for many occasions, including professional.  Please feel free to use in your notes.  Just scroll down on this site until you reach the topic titled Pages.  Click on Write a Memorable Thank You Note...and you have a great resource for a penned Thank You card.

Need a card?  I offer those too, and at great prices...$2 per card in the sets... for beautiful, professional art prints.  Here is the link.  http://dcrdesign.us/ 

Enjoy, and write that Thank You note, you will make a lasting impression!

Diana

Schedule Creativity? Yeah, it works!

Where did the time go?

Working Out Life, Native American Series,
Watercolor & ink, Diana Campbell Rice

Lately, I find my self more and more involved commenting on face book than writing my blogs -- including this one, which ties directly to my sales site.  So, I knew it was time to have a discussion with myself about priorities, creativity and a plan.

Creating art for the specific purpose of selling -- either originals, prints or notes -- is just like any other business.  You have to work at it.  Marketing, promoting and selling art is a necessary part of the business plan and these days, it includes social media. 

I write because I really, really enjoy it.  This blog shares my art, philosophy and some good tips for other artists.  I paint and draw because I love it.  So, how does that fit into a creativity plan?

The Plan
1.  Just like a job - you go to work at a certain time and finish at a specific time.  Pick the times that work best for you (a schedule) and stick with it.  Think about your daily routine and schedule a time frame when you won't be interrupted.
2.  Give yourself some adjustment time in the studio -- 15 mins. or so to mental review your project for the day.  Think about your work -- gather your ideas.
3.  Make sure you have the supplies you need -- nothing is as bothersome and disrupting as running out of paint, paper...
3.  When you are in the studio at your scheduled time, avoid distractions, including, kids, spouses, friends, and phone calls.  Often, people don't get it that when you are creating in the studio, you are actually working.  You have one goal -- create -- don't confuse that with laundry, food prep, house cleaning, chatting with friends or appointments.
4.  Dress the part -- I love my painting clothes, apron, etc.  Wearing them is the signal for me that I am ready to paint.
5.  Take care of yourself and prepare for your work day -- eat something before you start; have a beverage handy and take regular timed breaks.
6.  Build in a schedule that includes all the activities you need to get done -- for example -- Mon./Wed./Fri. - create/painting time; Tues. - blog, social media, return emails, work-related phone calls; Thurs. -- all the other stuff it takes to keep the studio flowing -- meetings, shopping, errands, mailing, responding, packaging, etc. (You can mix and match on Tues./Thurs. because life happens).

I am working with my creativity plan with good result.  I hope these ideas help you put together a plan that keeps you creating!

My art is offered at http://www.dcrdesign.us/. 

Cheers,
DCR