More Adventures In The Life of A Business Owner/Artist

So, here I sit trying desperately to get this website finished, updated and what have you's. And all I can think is if my followers could only see me.  "What would they say?" "What would they think?"  I am a hot mess. My hair is all over the place, I'm still in my jammies and its two o'clock in the afternoon.  I'm talking to myself, screaming at the computer and pulling my hair out.  I'm sure some of you would think "how does this woman get anything done?"  Honestly, sometimes I have no idea.  Seriously, I don't know how I do some of the things I do.  My mind is constantly all over the place.  Racing from one project idea to the next.  For example, I am suppose to be adding more products, eh I don't like that term, art? (no that sounds kind of arrogant, right?) "My Creations" that sounds a little better, I think. Or do I sound like a mad scientist?  Ugh! (Did you just see what happened?) OMG! I need to stop.  Instead of adding more items, I am writing a blog because I got frustrated with the computer not playing nice with me.

Ok, let me explain a bit.  See what I mean? I'm a hot mess.  My thoughts are all over the place.  I want my passion to become a thriving business and in order to do that you have to have business plan, a goal and schedule to follow to achieve these goals.  There's like a huge list of what it takes to make a business, to get it up and going.  You have to build your brand, your reputation, your style and targeted audience.  (Why do I only want one type of audience? I don't know) And there are so many legalities and they vary from Federal to State to Local... Like why can't we just make it simple for those wanting to start/setup a business.  Interesting Fact did you know you didn't have to ask the government permission to start up a business in the early 1900's?  Yeah, in my process of researching what I needed to do, I found that little tid bit of information.  Ooops!  There I go again, going off topic.  Sorry, guys that's just my brain and how it works.  My poor husband has such hard time keeping up with me and my constant changing of topics.

Anywho,  back to making my passion for arts, painting and creating into a business.  I love what I do, I love being able to paint. I love being able to re-create, repurpose and upcycle an old forgotten piece and make it meaningful again.  But I need to be able to feed this passion(and pay the bills) and in order to do that I need to sell what I have already transformed and recreated.  In order to do that I need to follow all the rules, regs and requirements that make a business legit, accountable, responsible and successful.  It's never-ending.  It's downright exhausting.  I mean how do people do it?  I know they do it because there are successful small businesses everywhere.  So, when I think of that I think, "am I doing something wrong?"  Is there an easier, smarter way?  Or do I just keep plunging along and hope for the best.  Hence, my appearance currently.  You know, the jammies, hair pulling and screaming at the computer.  It's not a pretty sight.  Trust me.

I also have this problem, like many others I paint furniture but that isn't all I do.  And I don't stick to one style of painting.  I don't use the same colors over and over.  I don't do the same patterns.  I use a lot of different textures, create depth through colors, layers, waxes, papers and whatever else happens to talk to me.  I let the piece talk to me.  I experiment a lot, sometimes it works out and people get me. Other times not so much.  As an artist, I'm not really into following the trend or rules, but I also know trendy is what is selling.  So it is really hard for me to narrow down my path, my style and my brand.  

I've read countless books/articles and have been taking classes, watching how-to videos on growing your business presence online.  One of the big things that repeatedly gets said through all these webinars is "Online Presence"  "You need to do videos, live videos and teach your technique" Or "hold classes"  That sounds amazing, right?  Wrong.  I hate how I sound and look on screen.  When I decide to paint or create, I'm not dressed up.  I don't have make-up on, my hair isn't done... I'm a total disaster.  And often I don't know what I am doing to a piece until I start working on it and just becomes what it becomes.  How do I teach what I often don't know yet until it happens?  Sometimes it's 3am, I can't sleep because an idea popped into my head and I just go and do.  No one wants to see that. No one wants to see a 51 year old woman at 3am in her jammies painting a piece of furniture.  I mean really, who wants to see that?  And would anyone ever take me seriously?  I think not.  Not to mention, I think my husband would have me committed if he heard me at 3am talking to myself in front of a camera. So, I have been trying to figure out who I am as an artist?  How can I relate or reach my audience without being untrue to myself?  What can I do differently that would inspire my audience/followers?   I don't want to be like everyone else,  I don't just want to follow the herd.  I want to be me, branch out and inspire others.  I want my brand or style or art to make others smile, feel happy and joyous.  Maybe it moves them spiritually or emotionally.  Maybe it reminds them of simpler and happier times.  Or maybe it will make them think of current times and change.  I don't know.  

I know I just babbled a lot,  I hope you stuck with me during this.  I usually don't like to show the vulnerable side of me, I tend to keep things locked in but I figured part one of building my audience is "putting myself out there"(so I am told)  So, this is me.  My name is Patricia.  I am an artist, furniture flipper, furniture refinisher and one hell of a hot mess.  I am a mom, wife and creative entrepreneur.  And I am just trying to be the best version of me I can be. 

I hope you will follow me along this crazy journey.  I will be doing videos (eventually, I'll build the nerve up, I promise).  I will be creating some blogs of how I created looks and even some how to videos (DIY) so you can challenge yourself too.  After-all, it's no fun doing this alone.  Hugs and Kisses.  Until Next Time, God Bless