For those of you who know me, and for those of you who do not (yet), it is not a secret how passionate and determined I have been throughout my professional career in the arts to help artists not only survive but make a difference with the talents they have. And yet, I cannot say often enough, it is...

Happy 10th anniversary SEA! The SEA conference is coming right up and if you have never attended you need to! Come learn more about how to turn your artistic passion into a living from other successful artists. What The Conference Offers In addition to keynote presentations, topic specific sessions...

One of the reasons I want to write books is because books, art, poetry and film, as examples, all intrinsically are built to last. Their very form offers easy “spark-creating-experience” access, like a hand full of nourishment going right into our mouth. Love that rush of energy that follows,...

January’s Entrepreneur Magazine offered these six tips on using free on-line tools: #1 Just because it’s there doesn’t mean you have to use it. “Because there’s so much out there, businesses have a tendency to be like a kid in a candy store,” says Drew McLellan. “Start...

Is it ever possible in life to get somewhere for nothing and have it be somewhere really good? Over the decades, we certainly have heard that “there is no such thing as a free ride” and that “if it’s too good to be true, it likely is”. But these days, thanks to the internet,...

My wish for you, ON CHRISTMAS DAY, will be for you TOO, to keep the GRINCH at bay! But if by chance, you simply cannot, Band mighty together, as a great big Who-Ville lot! WWHHYY????? Smarty-Arty, I hear you say? BECAUSE, with all your JOY stirring together, the grinch who came to visit, just might...

Remember me? Ryan Conrad? Juniata College Grad? Last time I blogged I shared with you my story about speaking at graduation. I am sure you have heard the expression “ a little fish in a big pond”? I am now that little fish in a big pond called Virginia Beach, and I would not have it any other way....

Add your name to a list being sent to members of congress from Americans for the Arts urging congress to co-sponsor bipartisan legislation which would allow artists to take a fair-market value deduction for works given to and retained by nonprofit institutions. By doing so you will support the artists...

About twenty-two years ago, just before I started my first business from my college dorm room, my very first step was to prepare three years of financial projections. My father had pounded it into my head that if you want to be an entrepreneur you better learn to run your business by the numbers. While...

#10 Know when to stop and cut your losses and know when to pat yourself on the back for a job well done. #9 When you have been hit hard, and knocked down, stand right back up. #8 Know success is part financial, part emotional and part about a healthy lifestyle. #7 Givers gain. Always go out of your way...