THOUGHTS & WHAT NOTS
30-60-90
My life as an full time entrepreneur has been built on a 30-60-90 day business plan. We have just past the official 60 day mark since leaving my corporate job. With that being said, it’s also time to pivot, just slightly. I have a few small things slated that will be announced in the next 30 days. I’m looking forward to the opportunities that I am being given here in Miami. It is so different, in a good way. I felt confident with the decision to move here, and work on Alchemist. Now I’m really understanding the ideology of autonomy and collaboration in my daily life.
Autonomy means “independence or freedom, as of the will or one’s actions.” The condition of being autonomous allows a rational individual to make an informed and un-coerced decision. Work culture contains different eco-systems. Each company works differently to explore innovation, creativity, and final product. These categories function to encourage and cultivate talent, collaboration and autonomy working together to achieve that harmony. At Alchemist I use these ideas to develop projects, balance my schedule, and explore opportunities.
The first 30 days I did analytic studies, strategy research, and business plan development. I focused with the mantra “Make and Market”, which served me well. The magic was in the plan and execution of ideas, making phone calls, writing emails, and reaching out through social media. I also moved across the state which delayed certain things I wanted to do. I lost my business planner, with the concise outline of what needed to be done. It was a very interesting month. But I made things happened, I showed up and rolled with the punches.
Over the last 30 days my focus has been on relationships, community collaboration opportunities, making small objects, and designing large scale installations. I have worked with Alex of Luma Visual to explore the beauty of technology projected onto the handmade. I have met with Prism Creative Group to explore community opportunities and developing relationships with the greater Miami market. I have been listed on the Support Local FL directory. I submitted a few small art pieces to exhibitions pending acceptation. Through these decisions on how to spend my time, I’ve been making progress towards goals for Alchemist Productions and my personal art practice. That’s probably the biggest challenge, the integration of designing a company with value and purpose while maintaining my personal practice as an artist.
Progress is important, and so are results. Progress can be invaluable to a business plan, and heed results of goals. My business plan has been mostly outreach to the community, and the progress has been amazing. Although I want larger projects, understanding the cultural insights and desires will influence and inform my next move. Assimilating with my new community is key to creating brand statements and strategy that will deeply connect to the culture. I am looking forward to the next 30 days, the pivot, and restructure of my brands business plan to deliver an everlasting experience for my clients, and the community.
Undivided Attention
It has been 30 whole days since I left my 6a-3p to give undivided attention to my personal art practice and Alchemist Productions. Over the last month I have been busy, making progress and truly living my why. Here are a few real entrepreneur moments and art thoughts for you. You know I love coffee and I figured I could have it whenever I wanted because the accountability of showing up somewhere is completely and solely on me. Well, that resulted in me staying up until 2 am like I did in my 20s and then not being able to get up in the morning until 9 o’clock, which is late for me. Understanding my personal boundaries has been eye opening.
Every part of my daily routine has changed, except where I make art everyday. At some point I’ll dedicate a post to the idea of rituals. But for this one I want to talk about where and how I’ve been spending my time. My lifestyle has shifted towards what I need to do to directly support my personal objectives, not the objectives of someone or something else. That might sound a little selfish. I believe the best way for me to grow as an entrepreneur and artist is to clear away things that I can no longer serve and no longer serve me. I started making, taking from older sketches of things I've been wanting to construct, and just doing it.
This is the beginning of creating content to contribute to others and develop content based on my personal practice. I’ve been having meaningful and constructive conversations with other creatives that believe and support the same core values and ethics as me. Its a beautiful thing when you start to find your truth and your tribe. Jared and I finalized the details on our move to Miami. This is both exciting and terrifying. I am excited because I know the arts community is vibrant and welcoming. I am excited to build relationships with people who have the same values of art and life. I am excited to contribute through the work I do with Alchemist. I’m scared because its something new, and different. The culture is one that will take some time for me to get to know. The best part is that I know I’m more than ready to take on the magic city. I just hope it's ready for this Magic Maker.
“In our culture, imitation-based experience dominates reality-based experience. I find this an awful thing. But there are artists who know from the bottom of their souls that art is about the experience of reality. The reason we have art is because you can’t get a real experience from the world.”
I may sound a bit like a pollyanna but I do believe that you get back what you put out into the world. I will continue to put out the positive ideas and attract the people who relate with those ethics. I am an optimistic artist and I don't think there is anything wrong with that. Being optimistic has served me both mentally and spiritually. Without it I don't make the best work I know I can and I don't give myself the opportunity to overcome fear. These next 3 weeks are very full. My undivided attention is going to shift again as I tie loose ends with the current pieces I am making, moving, and continuing to develop relationships where I can serve communities I believe in. This adventure is about experience. Its about making the art that challenges how we perceive the world around us. Its my experience that I want to continue to show the world and thats what makes it art.
The next blog post will be getting to know other people who contribute to their communities. Keep your eyes and ears open! Its getting real.
Discovery
The art world today consists of a variety of concepts that endure the evolving culture of each individual and region. Fashion, and interior design do the same thing. Real estate has a power over the final image; what people are experiencing on a daily basis. It’s all connected. These are a just few discoveries I’ve made since my art education and practice began in 2004. What is socially acceptable? Who is your audience? What is going to excite the audience? How are objects arrange in space? What are the leading trends? Fashion retailers, interior designers, and artist explore these topics while procuring goods, finding inspiration, and curating spaces.
My personal art practice has taken these questions and answered them with a range of unimaginable experiences for a wide demographic in gallery spaces, science museums, window displays for top retailers, and corporate real estate with co-working brand initiatives. Each time I am able to take concept to reality, I happily get my hands dirty. I’m uniquely qualified to foreseen spacial compositions, and interactions between art and product/brand because of my experience working in retail for the last 6+ years. Customer experience, researching market trends combined with influences of a playful cultural lifestyle are the foundation of Alchemist Productions. Abstract expressionism, minimalism, pop art, and mid century modern architecture, and interior design influences as well as current market trends and pop culture shape concept. How I handle materials, process, and image expressing an abstract narrative with the brand lifestyle creates the final image. These are reoccurring themes in my highly-curated sculptural art installations and display presentations.
Initial discovery or first impression of an environment can draw the audience in and guide the journey evoking a feeling and response. This conceptual idea has proven to expand customer base, employee performance, and create cultural awareness. “Almost all (86%) of buyers will pay more for a better customer experience, and 89% of marketers expect customer experience to be a primary differentiator…. improved experience can grow revenue by five to 10% over the span of three years.” (according to Shopify) I create the elements that utilize the foundation of your brand/client culture and lifestyle responding with handmade sculptural installations to craft an immersive experience.
My personal aesthetic is eclectic to say the least my range of material manipulation and considerations in palette set me apart of many fine artists. This is something I have learned during my art adventure. Decision making is tried and true in the art making process. Alchemist Productions is a lifestyle brand that conforms to your brand while maintaining my touch-of-hand, like the Midas touch in a way. I use a form of alchemy when I am material testing, discovering the perfect combination of materials, textures, and colors that will push the boundary of experience uncovering what will excite the audience right now. I truly believe that how I handle materials, the decisions I make in response to concept, architecture and audience is special because it’s my own. People respond to fun. Storytelling is central, and fostering relationships is key. Creating continuity with your specific audience and brand. There are a multitude of ways to respond to any situation, mine is unique to my experiences. And my experiences are influenced by the history of art, current fashion trends, and cultural lifestyle awareness.
