Review of The Thriving Artist Summit -- Photographer Greg Davis

Review of The Thriving Artist Summit -- Photographer Greg Davis

I was fortunate to listen to some of the experts that shared their knowledge of the art field during The Thriving Artist Summit!,earlier this monthy. The event creator, Bonnie Glendinning is an Artist Coach. This was free to those who had opted in. There is another one coming up. Click on the link to her website and opt in if you feel drawn to it.

Photographer Greg Davis
International photographer Greg Davis approaches his art from a spiritual vantage. After hitting rock bottom, he found his calling and made it big.

What I loved was him talking about "God Winks". According to Greg, these are events in time that are sychronicities that line up. He says to listen up, be present, trust them. They are connections to the Divine. Listening and following these God Winks is what has put him on his path to international fame and recognition.

His advice:
1. Be careful what you ask for.
2. Just start, be relentless.
3. Be honest about how you feel about something. It's perfect. Be in non-judgement. Others will feel what they feel.
4. Be authentic. Let your walls dissolve.
5. Shamelessly promote.
6. Keep people interested.
7. When you meet someone, makes notes about them so you will remember them. This makes them collectors. It's a personal connection.
8. Gotta show your work.
9. Set clear intentions and trust.
10. Face the fear, what's in your way.
11. Create from the heart. You are perfect.
12. Go forward with heart in your art.
13. Totally commitment to the path of being an artist.

About the author: Mary Rush Gravelle is an artist who resides in Cottonwood, Arizona with her beloved cat, Sir Kitty. Find her work and daily comments on her facebook page. Her art can be seen on her website, maryfineart.com. She can be contacted via email at: mary@maryfineart.com.

The Thriving Artist Summit - Advice for Artists from Matt LeBlanc

Artist Matt LeBlanc tells other artists that they must put in the time to learn and hone their craft. They must also lea
rn marketing skills. He tells us to be creative outside the canvas. Build your brand, project value. Be unique.Don't be afraid of being big and bold. Building your business is a creative process. Make a vision board. Ask questions like: what do want, how will you get there, what can you do to get to the next level? Understand your personality and build from it. And, you must show your art. That is part of building your brand.

I think this is terrific advice. Does any one idea resonate with you more than another? Please comment below.

Until next week: buy art, appreciate art, make art.

Self Portrait - Part Four

Last week I told you I would talk about the next expert, Andrea Ayers, of The Thriving Artist Summit and that I might include more about Matt's advice to artists. Sorry, I changed my mind. Perhaps next week.

Here are the latest in process photographs of my self-portrait. She's coming along!

Until Next Week

• Create art

• Appreciate art

• Buy art

I would love to hear your comments on this article, please leave one if you feel inspired.

About the author: Mary Rush Gravelle is an artist who resides in Cottonwood, Arizona with her beloved cat, Sir Kitty. Find her work and daily comments on her facebook page. Her art can be seen on her website, maryfineart.com. She can be contacted via email at: mary@maryfineart.com.

Review of The Thriving Artist Summit -- Matt LeBlanc



I was fortunate to be able to listen, finally, to some of the experts that shared their knowledge of the art field during The Thriving Artist Summit!, which ended last night at midnight.

According to the event creator, Bonnie Glendinning, Artist Coach,

"the Summit has reached thousands of artists, designers, and makers in over 84 countries! Wowza Kapowza!"

I listened to a few of the experts a couple of weeks ago. However, the experts that I chose to listen to last night blew me away. I feel so fortunate to have been able to listen to them. I am grateful that I chose the "right" experts, for me, during the last hours of availability. This was free to those who had opted in. I am so glad that I did!



Artist, Matt LeBlanc

The first expert I listened to last night was Matt LaBlanc. He is Marketeer Extraordinaire. Honestly, before last night, I had known of him and was not impressed. I was curious, though, to learn more about him. His event, Fusion, has always fascinated me in how he was able to create such a sensation with his art. Now, however, I have a tremendous amount of respect for him after having listened to his story, ideas, and how he goes about his art business.

Matt LeBlanc's Fusion 2013

He worked at his art as a full-time job for five years while he was working another full-time job at an advertising agency. He would go home after work and do the family thing. After everyone went to bed, he created his art and learned more about how to create art. He is self-taught. He put in many hours in honing his craft. He began selling his art to family and friends. And the sales expanded and grew enough for him to quit his day job and dedicate himself soley to his art. He has worked hard to get where he is today. He has sacrificed time, energy, and family time along the way. It has paid off. He now has time for his family. He did it his way because of his family. He did not want to jeopardize the family's way of life in order for him to do his art.

The following is lifted from his website:

How does an artist become one of the most well-known and appreciated artists in Atlantic Canada in just five short years? By refusing to believe that an artist has to starve for his art. LeBlanc has sold over 2,000 paintings around the world in his short five-year career.

He does this by using the techniques and skills he honed over 10 years in advertising agencies – where creating an awareness and getting into the psyche of the buyer’s mind has been achieved by some very creative daring. His innovative marketing and branding activities have allowed him to move from being a part-time artist to painting full-time.

I could go on about Matt. Go to his website and learn more.

Next week I'll talk about the next expert, Andrea Ayers. I might include more about Matt's advice to artists.

Mary Rush Gravelle, Artist

Until Next Week

• Create art

• Appreciate art

• Buy art


I would love to hear your comments on this article, please leave one if you feel inspired.


About the author: Mary Rush Gravelle is an artist who resides in Cottonwood, Arizona with her beloved cat, Sir Kitty. Find her work and daily comments on her facebook page. Her art can be seen on her website, maryfineart.com. She can be contacted via email at: mary@maryfineart.com.