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Artist | Teacher

@taraleaver

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Art courses | Happy Artist Studio | Artnotes
Helping you to make art like YOU since 2013
👇 No longer teaching, but plenty of free art things to enjoy!

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Back in 2008, I was finally on the road to recovery after 2 decades of depression - part of which involved 'getting my art back.'

In 2013, I launched my first online course, helping other people do the same.

Since then, I've built courses, workshops, and a membership, sent hundreds of Artnotes, self published 3 books, and helped artists all over the world make progress on their own artist paths.

I truly believe that a world with more self aware, self expressed artists is a kinder, more generous, happier world, and it's been an unexpected joy to get to contribute to that.

I have juggled helping other artists and making my own art for 13 years, and after a lot of soul searching, I've decided it's time to let the teaching go.

Whether that's forever, or for some as yet unspecified time, I don't know.

It's time to give my full attention to my own art practice, and whatever else wants to come through me now.

A part of me is afraid - of judgement, of disappointing people, of regret, of 'losing' what I've built.

But the wiser, deeper part is calm and ready, trusting in whatever needs to unfold next.

The official closing date is September 21st, when access to all courses and the membership will be revoked. If you have purchased a course or are a member, I'll be in touch soon.

And if you're curious about what comes next {me too!}, I've set up a form where you can drop your email, and I'll be in touch when I have a better sense of where I'm going.

No obligation, and I won't email until there's something to share. But that way you won't have to hunt me down {which may prove difficult, as I'm also coming off here and won't be sending Artnotes or Studio Notes}.

If you'd like to do that, the form is at the usual link.

There's never going to be enough room in an Instagram caption for all I want to say, for all the gratitude and all that this funny little made up job has given me.

So I'll just say, thank you. 🩵

{And the full story will be up on Substack soon! There's a link to that too.}

PS. I'm leaving the blog and various free offerings available at taraleaver.com for the foreseeable future.

PPS. My art remains available at taraleaverart.com by @taraleaver

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2 months ago

If I say the words 'successful artist' to you, what immediately springs to mind?

The classic equation of Fame + Money + Acclaim?

And does that feel a bit unrelatable and out of reach?

{Some of it might not even seem very appealing!}

I heard someone talking about switching from 'only' to 'already' recently, and it's made a big difference in how I think and feel about things.

If I'm investing in a success equation like that one above, it's very easy to think in terms of 'only'.

I only get in the studio a couple of times a week. I've only made one collection this year. I only sell so much of my art. I only make so much money a year from it. I only show in x number of galleries. I haven't had a solo show and only exhibit in group shows. I only have however many followers or email subscribers.

That 'only' is giving me a seriously limited perception of success.

And because of that, it's going to limit what I can accomplish, because I will act in accordance with what I believe.

Also, it feels pretty crappy!

But what happens when I switch from 'only' to 'already'?

I already get in the studio a couple of times a week. I've already made one collection this year. I already sell my art. I already make this much money a year from it. I already show in x number of galleries. I have already exhibited in x number of group shows. I already have however many followers or email subscribers.

Try it! Think about what you're lamenting in terms of 'only' when it comes to your art, whatever it might be, and then substitute the word 'already'. Can you feel the difference?

'Only' shuts down possibility.
'Already' throws the doors wide open to it.

If I've already done or have THIS, then what else is possible? What can I do next?

Tell us an 'only' you're going to switch to 'already' in the comments!

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#happyartistmovement #happyartiststudio #happyartistthoughts #inmystudio #artpractice #studioscenes #mystudiotoday #doitfortheprocess #artprocess #paintingprocess #creativeprocess #artiststudio #artistlife #lifeofanartist #ourstudiotime #inherstudio #homeinthestudio #createeveryday #artistatwork by @taraleaver

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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14 days ago

Sometimes, making your art in collections can be a surprising way to make discoveries - about your art, your subject, and yourself.

In fact, sometimes you already have a collection - or, as in Delia's case, more than one - and not actually realise it!

When Delia Taylor-Brook took the Create a Collection course, she had an epiphany about how a collection can come together, as well as learning what she needs to help her keep going and complete the work.

There's a lot of permission in what she shares, so hop on over to the blog {via usual link} to find out how Delia made creating in collections work for her.

taraleaver.com/blog by @taraleaver

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3 months ago

Sometimes doing something we’ve always done in a new way can bring an entirely different perspective that we didn’t even imagine was possible.

{I'm learning this afresh this year, in my Year of Experiments!}

And that’s what happened to Nancy @nancycarolstudio when she tried out creating her art in a collection, as a participant of the Create a Collection course earlier this year.

What I love about Nancy’s story is that she made two different kinds of discovery.

At one level, she found a deep love for the urban forest near her home, and a way to collaborate with it to create meaningful, beautiful art in a new-to-her way.

And she also discovered that creating art in collections comes with all sorts of beneficial – and often unexpected – side effects.

Hop on over to the blog to find out what Nancy unearthed with this project, and to see her glorious new collection! And do cheer her on in the comments or over on her Instagram!

taraleaver.com/blog by @taraleaver

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4 months ago

New free thing incoming! 💫

I recently sent a survey to the lovely Artbotes readers. (Artnotes are my emails to artists sharing thoughts, stories, offerings, and practical tips you can take to the studio, out most Mondays.)

As a thank you for responding to the survey, I offered to create a video answering any art related questions they might like my thoughts on...

There were so many the video has become a small series!

The first video is out tomorrow (Monday), and if you'd like to listen in as you make your art - or do the dishes - sign up at the usual link and I'll see you in your inbox bright and early tomorrow morning!

taraleaver.com/artnotes by @taraleaver

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4 months ago

It was such a delight to chat with Nicole Cloutier for her podcast 'It's all Poetry' recently.

Each week Nicole has a guest and they discuss the etymology and meanings of a single word. Our word was - of course - art!

Small in letters but not in scope! We did our best to explore this multifaceted, meaning laden word. Listen in wherever you listen to podcasts, or head to the usual link to go straight there!

There were so many things I thought of afterwards - always the way for me! - but we covered some interesting ground. Love to know if you enjoy it, and what that tiny but mighty word means to you?! by @taraleaver

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5 months ago

If you've seen any of my recent posts, you may know that doors to my course - Create a Collection - are open right now, and we start tomorrow!

If you've been considering it, here are a few notes to help you decide either way.

⭐️ Who is Create a Collection for?

It's for artists* who want to try working in collections, or develop the way they're doing that, so that they can build a solid body of work they can offer for sale in ways that feel good to them, and feel confident about the quality and distinctiveness of their art.

And it's not just for painters! I'm a painter, so that's my lens, but this course would also work for any artist whose work could be created in batches. The principles apply across the board.

For example, this approach works well if you work in charcoal, pastel, collage, mixed media, on paper, panel or canvas.

It'll be particularly helpful for you if you:

👩🏼‍🎨 Want to develop your voice as an artist and be clear about what that feels and looks like

👩🏼‍🎨 Want to build a sustainable practice that feels good and is realistic for your life

👩🏼‍🎨 Know that your mindset is making it all harder than it needs to be but are not sure how to shift it

👩🏼‍🎨 Know that some gently structured guidance and a 'container' of time and focus works for you in accomplishing your goals

👩🏼‍🎨 Would benefit from feedback, answers to your questions, and guidance from an artist who's been there and understands the ins and outs {me!}

👩🏼‍🎨 Want to connect with a small group of kindred artists working on the same thing for support and friendship

* If you have trouble calling yourself an artist, it's still for you!

If you're still not sure, ask me any questions below or in the DMs - I'll be happy to help, and I'll be honest about whether I think this one's for you {or for you right now}, or not.

In the meantime, head to the usual link for more info and to join us!

taraleaver.com/collection

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#happyartistmovement #createincollections #createacollection #createacollectioncourse by @taraleaver

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7 months ago

You might have seen that I reopened enrollments for my Create a Collection course recently.

I've been talking about making art this way - in multiples instead of one by one - and how it can benefit us as artists in all sorts of different ways.

But hang on a sec...

🤔 "Can't I just create a collection on my own? I mean, how hard can it really be?!"

And of course, you totally can. 😊

It's not hard at all, but that doesn't mean it doesn't come with complexity.

And some people find support helpful, especially if:

👉 it's something they haven't done before
👉 they struggle with their mindset around their art
👉 they find that they get more done with some accountability

This course is for artists who have either considered creating in collections and not been quite sure how to go about it, haven't got round to it, or have tried it and got stuck for whatever reason.

{Caveat: If that reason is that making your art in collections is just not for you, that's totally valid and you don't need this course!}

The benefits of taking the course are that you're doing it with guidance, including:

🎨 how to use this way of working to build a process for your own best results

🎨 dealing with any mindset stuff that comes up {it usually does!}

🎨 getting clear on the entire process from first ideas through to finishing touches

🎨 thinking about, and/or preparing for, what you want to do with your collection when it's complete

🎨 actually getting started on creating a collection!
{And potentially finishing it, although there's no pressure to do that.}

All of that in an intentionally small group of other artists wanting {their versions of} the same things you do, going through the course with you.

And access to me - as someone with years of experience in this - for questions and feedback too.

If you don't feel you need any of that, then that's your answer. 😊

If you're curious though, and would like to create a new body of work that truly reflects YOUR voice and feels good to make - we start Monday! Find out more and join us:

taraleaver.com/collection

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#createincollections #createacollection #createacollectioncourse by @taraleaver

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7 months ago

I used to make one painting at a time.

It’s a completely valid approach and works for many artists.

It didn’t work that well for me though - I’d start a painting in a flurry of excitement and wild abandon, and gradually paint myself into a corner. {Literally!}

Marks would get tighter, I’d obsess over a single area until it felt right, only to find it had thrown the rest of the painting out, and frustration and stuckness were frequent visitors.

Not to mention the ever growing stack of Unfinished Ones, staring at me reproachfully from the corner.

When I switched to painting in collections, it's not an exaggeration to say everything changed.

Swipe through for just 5 of many reasons that making your art in collections can open up a whole new world for your practice.

Curious if it could work for you?

I've opened doors to my Create a Collection course this week, and you can find out all about it by going to the usual link, or DM me and I'll ping it over to you.

I'm also happy to answer any and all questions about your unique situation and whether I think it'd be a good next step for you, so please just ask!

We start Monday!

taraleaver.com/collection

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#happyartistmovement #createincollections #createacollection #createacollectioncourse by @taraleaver

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7 months ago

Many artists make one piece - be it painting, drawing, collage, sculpture - at a time.

I used to do that too, and it worked for a while.

But I kept running into the same sticking points -

👩🏼‍🎨 Not confident about knowing if a piece was finished

👩🏼‍🎨 Stalled out and unsure how to finish a painting

👩🏼‍🎨 Lots of paintings that looked very different from each other

👩🏼‍🎨 Confusion about what was 'my style' and what was heavy influence from those who inspired and taught me

The solution for me was creating my art in collections - and it really did change everything.

It's not for every artist, or every kind of art.

But if you're struggling with the same things I was, and you'd like to try a new way - I made the Create a Collection course for you, and doors are open for our Spring Session.🌱

It offers:

⭐️ a gently structured process you can adapt to how you work and what you need.

⭐️ practical ways to navigate the mindset shenanigans {what I call the demons}, so you can move forward with purpose and confidence.

⭐️ a 6 week guided container that shows you how to go deep with an idea, and start to bring it to life in a group of artworks that hang together beautifully.

⭐️ a small group so you can get my best attention and support, plus the camaraderie of fellow artists travelling alongside you.

If you're interested in learning more, head to the usual link - doors are open and we start on Monday!

taraleaver.com/collection

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#happyartistmovement #createincollections #createacollection #createacollectioncourse by @taraleaver

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7 months ago