Art Is King is a Non-Profit organization committed to empowering artist entrepreneurs through education, community, coaching and connections I was recently honored to sit down with the awesome Artist mentor, advocate and total badass DTM of DeltaTangoMike.com for a one on one interview. Would you like to hear it? Here it goes!
http://www.artisking.org/blog/aik-podcast-72-asa-charles

Have you ever fell completely in love with something that you enjoy doing, get a tiny bit obsessed with it almost to the point of lunacy but somehow you get sidetracked and so involved with so many other things that you don't do it as much or none at all but when you finally do it again you wonder what the hell took you so long? Yeah? Me neither.  Really folks that's how I feel about digital Art. I love every thing involved with the process of making it.  I'm not so much talking about Graphic Design, even though I do enjoy creating logos and such to help entrepreneurs  create an identity for their companies. I'm speaking about Digital Art as a Fine Art. I'm in love but sadly as an Art form it doesn't receive as much respect as it deserves.  Why? I dunno, It can be just as detailed and pleasing to the eye as any other medium. Maybe even more work to create. For example when I'm making Digital Art I first sketch out a mock version of what I intend the piece to look like, then it's scanned in and imported to Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.  After cleaning up my sketch I meticulously recreate it using layers of "borrowed" images from the internet and vector images I create from scratch. So it's sort of like a digital collage. It's time consuming but well worth it. That's how I've been spending my free time lately
    I'm  super excited about finally getting to do some personal work I've been procrastinating on. I've been digitally recreating some of my favorite scenes from my favorite movies. I've had this idea for some time now, and even attempted to do them in acrylic paint but really glad to get back in the groove and have an excuse to do some personal projects. Look out for my weekly updates posted in on my digital arts link  and my  Facebook page to see these scenes from my favorite movies.  Thanks again!
   

Yea, It's been a while but I promise to be better with my blogging. In the spirit of progress for the new year I have two main resolutions. I'd like to learn and practice a new Art form and be more social ( like interact with people more). I figured I could at least start with updating my blog more frequently. It will be a great way to track my progress , stay motivated and give you guys some insight as to what's going on with me. Well... What's going on with me? A LOT! Besides organizing and creating new products for my online  etsy store Paint and Pleasure, I'm looking forward to working with many of my creative friends and associates . I'm strongly considering learning how to tattoo by DTM, a well respected and well rounded artist in Atlanta who offers one on one training @ tattoopartys.com I'm also working on expanding the paint classes I instruct at A Toast To Art . We are consistently coming up with more creative artwork for you to choose from our online calender... check it out online!  I'm also super excited for my web series debut. I will be shooting a pilot episode  getting interviewed by Flavadave of  Art Star.info, It should be big fun I'll post the end product when it's done.  Oh and Also I'm preparing to work on a top secret project  involving body art and cosplay :) , I'll post the pics when I can. I'm extremely thankful for all the pots that I have stirring on the fire so far this year and I welcome more creative projects my way.
Thank you!
Ash

    So I've been busy! I have a lot of things coming up I'm excited about, besides implementing the suggestions made to tighten up my Art biz from Art Star (Which really has improved the flow of things) I've been really getting the chance to think and prioritize about what it is I really want to accomplish.  I"m currently enrolled in an Art Business Certificate program, League of Art Entrepreneurs. No, we don't have any super powers...yet, but  the first two sessions has really caused me to dig deep.
    The recurrent theme that kept popping up in our meetings is commitment. Are you committed enough to be an Artist? The funny thing about an Art career is that everyone has their own ideals about what success is. For myself sucess is the joy I get while working on a project and seeing my visualizations come to life to share with others.  Sounds mushy but it's so true. I'm sure I'm not alone. Why else would so many Artists delve into such a fickle career path? Of coarse everyone seeks recognition and appreciation for their work but most simply do it for the love of their craft. They are committed to making themselves  and others happy through expressing themselves.   I've decided to keep this in mind, especially on the days where I feel like "I just want my money" and decided to personalize my very own artist contract similar to the one presented in class... Would ya like to read it? here it goes...

I Asa F. Charles am an Artist. I promise to dedicate myself to learn and practice Art continuously.  I will challenge and be honest with myself, staying humble and remain in the present. I promise to be always thankful for all the opportunities I've had and will have.  I promise to create work that spreads joy and provokes thought. I will make it my responsibility to promote Love. I will approach each project with the enthusiasm and diligence it deserves.  I will do Art for the Love of it.
Thank You!

Okay, I understand that now that I set up this blog I have to update it. So here we go.  The topic is Art and Money. How does a Freelance Artist pay their bills?  Well besides having very supportive family and friends . here are a few things that have been working for me of lately.
        I've been gaining income from a variety of different sources . As an Artist some days I feel like a Chef, stirring so many pots at the same time. I display my Art whenever and wherever I can, I've also recently started teaching Art Classes. Mainly I do a lot of Graphic Design, there is an endless supply of entrepreneurs and business owners with new products and services that need branding and advertising.  I'm constantly on the prowl for these people.  Believe it or not Craigslist.com is a good source for me. Of course their are knuckle heads out there but I efficiently weed them out with a 50% upfront policy.   
    Another site that I'm digging at the moment Freelancer.com .  The cheapest membership is like $5 a month (the one i have).  Anyway, in the beginning I played the game and set up my profile, and put in my bids for projects from people posted all around the world.  It's hard for newcomer because your customer ratings are shit,(what customers) and there are a lot... i mean A LOT of other bidders for the projects.  I've only had luck with the contests, which I think I have down to a science.  The contest are pretty much projects posted that designers can enter and win for a preset prize amount.

• I only enter the contest with Guaranteed money and of coarse the prize money has to be consistent with the amount of work needed for the project..
• I only enter the "private contests" because in other contests everyone sees your entry submitted, sadly resulting in a bunch of copycatting.
• I only enter contest that match my capabilities and style.  I  do not try to  do anything that will take up way too much of my time, or does not match my portfolio work. If I do not win the contest, no love lost, I have a portfolio piece and I didn't spend hours, if days on something that was rejected.

Sticking to those simple guidelines has payed off for me. Who else and how else does Freelancer work for you? Does anyone know of any similar sites?
  
     Lately I've been looking for ways to beef up my branding which will of coarse result in making more income.  I came across Art*Star.   At first I just signed up for the newsletter and really found the information practical and pretty much a one stop shop for artist development.  For a small fee ( they worked with my budget)  I then received what to me was like a brand audit.  They took the time and went though each aspect of my business and then came up with some solutions that I didn't even know were available to tighten up my business .  My list looks a little overwhelming :) , but all the improvements and add-ons will only make my brand stronger and eventually make me more money.  I'll definitely keep yall posted.
   
  

You stay in on a Friday night creating an Art blog.  Yes, Thank you for reading my first entry.   This is an Artist support blog with the intentions of  supporting fellow artists in all different types of media.  We will discuss Artist opportunities and local events  around Metro Atlanta. Please feel free to share your events and happenings.