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Melissa Iwai

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Lisa Congdon and Grace Bonney of Design Sponge at Powerhouse Arena

September 23, 2014

Last week I went to the book launch of Art Inc. by Lisa Congdon at Powerhouse Arena in Dumbo.  She was interviewed by Grace Bonney, the creator of the design blog, Design Sponge to a packed audience.  I have to admit, when my friend, Allyn Howard, invited me, I didn't even realize who Lisa was, other than an extremely successful artist.  However, her interview with Grace about her life and career was so inspirational and fascinating, I had to buy her book, Art Inc. without even flipping through it first or asking how much it was ($16.95 which is a steal) --- something that never ever happens!  As you can see, my copy, though not even a week since I purchased it, is dinged a bit because I've been carrying it around in my bag everywhere reading it and re-reading it!  Lisa spoke with candor about how she got started (relatively late in life -- she picked up a paintbrush for the first time as an adult at 32!), to how she became a social media diva and began making a steady full-time living being an artist.  The most impressive thing is just how many things she's done and continues to do!  Lisa exhibits her work in galleries, illustrates for books and editorial markets, licenses her designs for textiles, such as wallpaper and fabrics, has written books, sells her work online...  

Art Inc. is full of useful information for artists on how to actually make a living being an artist in a very practical, no nonsense, easy to understand way.  Lisa interviews many other artists as well, and talks about different income streams, from showing in galleries, to illustration, to licensing work, and how to use social media to promote one's art and brand one's business.  I love how the book includes both the spiritual component of making art (finding one's voice, dealing with success as well as struggle, learning how to say 'no') in addition to the practical, nuts and bolts component of building a business in art (pricing artwork, packing artwork, negotiating a fee, copyright issues, finding an agent, etc.)  I highly recommend it for anyone who is seriously pursuing a career in art -- whether just beginning one's career or already working as an artist!  

After her talk, I was so wired and energized even though I had been up since 5:30 am that morning.  I looked up her website when I got home and I realized I was already familiar with it!  I love her work and had bookmarked her site way back when, but I hadn't made the connection with her name (yes, I am more of a visual person).  

This morning I was blown away when I received an email from her (I had given her my business card when we met and she signed the book) asking if she could use screenshots of my website and my business card as "great examples of fantastic branding" (her words, not mine) for an upcoming course she is teaching!!  She will be talking to a live audience in San Francisco on how to become a working artist.  You can see it for free at Creative Live.  It runs from 9 am to 4 pm PST (12pm to 7pm EST) on September 30!  If you can't view it live or want to view it again, you can also purchase and download it.  

Needless to say, I said YES, screen capture away!!  It totally made my day! There is still so much I need to learn, but at least I know I'm moving in the right direction....  

Tags Lisa Congdon, Grace Bonney, Design Sponge, Art Inc. book, Powehouse Arena
← A Little Overwhelmed and My Sketchbook2014 Princeton Children's Book Festival →
Notre Dame. This is #watercolor with #fsw white acrylic ink + #staedlerfineliner. Kind of like how it turns watercolor opaque like gouache.... Anyone else try it? 
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Notre Dame. This is #watercolor with #fsw white acrylic ink + #staedlerfineliner. Kind of like how it turns watercolor opaque like gouache.... Anyone else try it? #experimenting #dailysketch #paris #myart
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Just walking, swinging an umbrella... Happy Friday, everyone! 😊😊 #peoplewatching #sketch #walking #painting #dailypaint #myart #watercolorist #urbansketch
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Stayed in an Airbnb on an impossibly charming street, Rue Servandoni last month! There was a lovely Creperie (where we ate twice!) and an amazing four 🌟 restaurant (where we ate once!) at the end of the block. It was a wonderful experience. ☺️ #paris #watercolorpainting #dailypaint #urbansketchers #creperie #lacuisinedephilippe #ink #myart #carandache
In memory of Anne Rockwell.

#kidlit #kidlitartists #childrensbookfair #childrensbooks #kidlitauthor
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More pastries... Too pretty to eat! #laparisienne #patisserie #watercolor #carandachepencils #dailysketch #myart
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Early spring on the Seine.  #dailysketch #painteveryday #myart #watercolorartists #sketchbook
Early spring on the Seine. #dailysketch #painteveryday #myart #watercolorartists #sketchbook
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Woman in green raincoat walking with a purpose reminds me of my mother. #dailysketch #watercolors #rain #people #urbanpeople #myart #sketchbook #quickstudy
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French women are tres chic, no? I could never pull off this orange and suede ensemble, could you?! #watercolorpainting #paris #fashion #dailypaint #myart #umbrella #peoplewatching #orange #urbanlifestyle
Beyond thrilled!! Going over my color proofs of Thirty Minutes Over Oregon today and got a message from my editor saying that it has been selected as a Junior Library Guild book!! So grateful to have had the opportunity to illustrate this amazing true story written by Marc Tyler Nobleman. 
@mtnobleman #wwii #jlg #oregoncoast #childrensbook #kidlit #watercolor #illustration #myart #forgiveness
Beyond thrilled!! Going over my color proofs of Thirty Minutes Over Oregon today and got a message from my editor saying that it has been selected as a Junior Library Guild book!! So grateful to have had the opportunity to illustrate this amazing true story written by Marc Tyler Nobleman. @mtnobleman #wwii #jlg #oregoncoast #childrensbook #kidlit #watercolor #illustration #myart #forgiveness
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