women + art (again)

i've been thinking about women, their art, how they get their businesses up & running, and their personal journey along the way. how did they start? do they have any tricks? what were their hurdles, struggles, joys? how do they manage their finances, books, data? how have their endeavors changed their life, their relationships, with others, and within? and do they have any concrete tools or suggestions? and most importantly, do they have a spirit of encouragement when it comes to artists who are just beginning, and do they make themselves available to them? is that important? really, i just want to know their stories. the honest truth.

there's no doubt that i'm in the midst of that very journey right now. all the research. all the learning (macintosh, scanners, printers, marketing, photoshop, taxes, shipping options, to name a few). not to mention all of the searching, inward, and outward. i find myself looking for resources, communities, even blogs out there that specifically focus on women, their art, and the story of how they came to be. i want honest, daring, truthful stories.

i find it frustrating that for those women who are now successful, that some of them aren't very generous with what they've learned. what is that about? i've been lucky to have laini, alena, and DJ as huge supports to me. they are all wonderfully successful artists who have encouraged, inspired, and have challenged me to do it. to make my dreams actually happen. that yes, i can do it, and that i should do it! i've asked them all a million questions, and they have all been incredibly generous with what has worked for them, and what hasn't.

no matter where i am in my journey, i want to be that person who encourages, supports, is available, but most importantly, to be honest about the process. i know what it feels like now to have a million questions, a huge learning curve, and to be seeking information non-stop. and i also know how the ups & downs of transforming one's life can feel. it's exhilarating. it's scary. it's passionate. it's happiness. it's internal questions and examination. the questions come in and out, day to day. sometimes i think to myself, "who do you think you are?" "what the hell are you thinking?" "do you really think you can make a life as an artist?" "ha!"

it's all about the journey. i'm loving it. in the spirit of being helpful, i've added some resources to my sidebar for the inner entrepreneur in you. these are all sites i've either stumbled upon or learned about from other people. some are quite practical and others are pure inspiration. if you have others, please do share.