The Online Course to Help You Grow Your Art Business
Everything you need to know to effectively sell your art & become a confident, professional working artist
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INTRODUCING
In Just 12 Weeks You'll Get all the Tools you Need to Set-Up & Run Your Art Business No Matter Where You are on Your Artist Journey
Let's do this together
Your art is precious and what you create matters.
But as an artist, maker, and creator you know better than anybody else that your art won't just magically sell itself.
It's time to turn your art dream into action steps so that you can start to sell more art and see growth in your art business.
This comprehensive 12-week course is a step-by-step training for smart artists ready to turn their creativity into a sustainable, meaningful & profitable profession.
The Working Artist course has been written with the artist in mind.
I'm convinced that the lessons, worksheets, video's and teaching sessions will help you grow as an artist and build a sustainable art business.
Art Expert Guest Teachers 2021
We are proud to announce the 2021 guest faculty of The Working Artist course.
They're true experts in their field and are excited and motivated to generously share their insights and practical art advice with you.
Each of the teachers will be my guest in one of the live sessions during which you'll have access to them to ask all your burning artist questions.
Marijke Willems
Photographer
Photography has never been a career choice, rather a natural metamorphosis from childhood games to her everyday passion. Award-winning, South African photographer, Marijke Willems is eager to share the foundations of a powerful image and how artists can use photography to elevate & promote their art.
Este Macleod
Illustrator
Artist, Teacher & Illustrator Este Macleod was born in South Africa but now calls Berkshire home. Este’s images are licensed on a wide variety of products and her art can be admired in galleries in the UK and abroad. Este will be sharing her art licensing secrets and how she set up her successful art business.
David v.d. Linden
Gallerist
David and his partner Renee own and run a beautiful gallery Bonnard in the South of The Netherlands. David will lift the curtain to the world behind the gallery door and during our session, he will share practical tips and insights for artists that are considering gallery representation.
Mitzy Renooy
Fine Artist
Not every artist has a traditional art school background. After many years in the film industry, Mitzy Renooy found her way to painting. She went on to graduate from the Master's Program at the Classical Academy in Groningen, The Netherlands, and now paints full-time. Mitzy will be sharing more about life as a working artist and what steps to take to prepare yourself for this challenging and inspiring career.
Mareth Warren
Watercolorist
Mareth graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in Art History, followed by a stint in the Peace Corps in Micronesia. Her love for art and people have since taken her around the globe. She expresses the wealth of images planted in her artist's mind in colorful representational watercolors. Mareth will share more about her artistic journey and how getting into the right headspace can make all the difference in your art career.
Mish Maudsley
Artist - Graphic Designer
Mish Maudsley is known in the art world as a contemporary urban artist, creating artwork inspired by her travels, wild skies, and wanderlust women. As an alumnus of The Working Artist Course Mish will share her experiences of setting up a virtual exhibition and how artists can use the online space to effectively connect with their collectors.
"I have my first solo exhibition opening next month."
"Sonja made me realise that being intentional is vital when you're selling your art - nothing JUST happens. I now have my website up and running and my first solo exhibition is opening next month."
JANE BEAUMONT - U.K. FINE ARTIST
"I started to think like an entrepreneur."
"I'm a stone sculptor from the South of Germany. Before I started the Working Artist Course I was already working as an artist. The course helped me become more conscious of my core values, why I make my art, and that this really matters in my personal life and also in my art. I started to think more like an entrepreneur and sell my sculptures and take next steps. Two words that are new in my vocabulary are Bold and Intentional…….and that's how I will keep going."
MONIKA MEYER - STONE SCULPTOR
"I took steps I might never have dared otherwise."
"The Working Artist Course is such a beautiful course. It taught me so much about the depth and breadth of artistry and entrepreneurship. No matter where you are on your art journey this course gives you concrete starting points to build upon. The challenges in the course helped me to take steps that I might never have thought of or dared otherwise."
CARIEN MOOIBROEK - DUTCH FINE ARTIST
SONJA SMALHEER - ARTIST, COACH & COURSE CREATOR
"This course has been a long time in the making. When I graduated from the art academy my certificate said I was an artist but I had no clue how to actually set up & run my art business."
"All I've Learnt I've Poured into this Course."
"ONE OF MY GREATEST JOYS IS EMPOWERING ARTISTS TO FULLY EMBRACE THEIR CREATIVITY & SHOW THEM PRACTICAL STEPS TO TURN THEIR PASSIONS INTO A MEANINGFUL PROFESSION. THIS COURSE IS THERE TO SHOW YOU HOW!"
- Laying a Strong Foundation
- Moving from a Hobby to a Profession
- 5 Keys to Working Artist Success
- Owning your Gift
- Building a Vision
- Artists Affirmations
- Finding your Artistic 'Why'
- Discovering your Artist Success Path
- How to Navigate the Seasons of Creativity
- Setting up an Effective Art Routine
- Defining your Art Goals & Planning to Achieve them
- How to get more YOU in your Art
- Unlocking your Creative Superpowers
- Working in Themes & Series
- Attracting Collectors
- Taking Commissions
- Elevate your Art
- Cultivating an Expert Status
- Pillars of Art Business Success
- Unravelling Art Marketing Myths
- Turn Followers into Raving Fans
- 7 Rules to get your Art Price just Right
- Exploring Diverse Revenue Streams
- Managing your Artist Income
- Creating a Marketing Plan
- 3 Types of Art Marketing Strategies that actually Work
- Finding & Connecting with your Art Audience
- Branding your Artistic Voice
- Creating Prints, Reproductions & Licensing your Art
- Writing a Stellar Artist Statement
- Public Speaking Tips for Extrovert & Introvert Artists
- Crafting Emails your Followers Actually Read
- Newsletter, Blog & Content that Promote & Sell your Art
- Create a Portfolio that has the WOW Factor
- 10 Best Tips to Photograph your Art
- Film like an Expert, Go LIVE like a Pro
- Resources, App’s & Tech Tips to make Compelling Images
- DIY your own Photo Studio
- Prepare & Style a Personal Photoshoot
- Ingredients of a Winning Art Website
- Creating, Communicating & Storytelling through your Website
- App’s, Resources & Plugins to Optimize your Website Performance
- Setting Up your Online Shop
- Artist Website Reviews
- Finding a Platform that Works for You
- Using Social Media to Promote & Sell your Art
- Attracting & Nurturing an Engaged Online Community
- Writing an Effective Post
- Social Media Planning that doesn’t feel like a Full-Time Job
- Working with a Gallery
- Do’s & Don'ts of Setting Up Show’s, Workshops & Art Retreats
- Start to get the Attention of the Press
- What to do when the Pressure is On! Dealing with Doubts, Deadlines & Dismissals
- Preparing for Progress & Promotion
- Celebrating your Success
- Join an Active Art Community
- Daily Art Conversations
- Meaningful Connections
- Encouragement & Inspiration
- Sharing Tips & Tricks
- Networking with other Artists
- Access to a Closed, Students-Only FaceBook Group
- Weekly 60 - Minute Group Coaching Session
- Additional Live Teaching per Module
- Live Q&A Sessions to Answer all your Burning Course Questions
"I can now set goals for my future as an artist."
" I've gained a lot of knowledge and I can now make plans and to set my goals for my future as an artist. The Working Artist Course made me think differently how to combine my day job as a Communications Advisor and being an Artist. I am not there yet, but know I have now the tools to do something about it and make it happen."
CALINDA ROMPA - DUTCH FINE ARTIST
"I've everything I need to build my art business."
"I've followed several courses in recent years but none of these have given me the peace and confidence that I'm a maker. Everything that I was scared or insecure about is now on paper and in the downloaded video's, available when needed. Step by step I'll build my business. I was always in a hurry without any clear vision, and at a certain point sales stopped. I didn't have goals and lost my drive. I only saw a huge mountain and expected the promised land to be behind it.. Guess what: the mountain has exploded and the promised land is all up to me to create. Thank you so much, Sonja! The future seems bright and clear!"
SUSANNE TER HEERDT - DUTCH FINE ARTIST
"This course teaches you to be a confident artist."
"The Working Artist Course allowed me to feel taken seriously as an artist. I had the sense of not being alone in my struggles of being a creative.
This course teaches you how to become a confident artist. I now know how to create a business with my art even in these different, new times. Sonja reveals everything you need to know and what to do to be a successful artist."