Monika's Art Boutique-Studio & Gallery

Are you an art studio owner and looking for success ideas? This week, have a look at our suggestions for running a successful studio. Whether you are an artist working solo or working with a collective to operate a studio, there are many ways to create success for your business! Here are our top three tips this week! 

1) COLLABORATE 

Collaborating with others is by far one of the best methods for running a successful art studio. Some ideas are to Invite other aritsts to show and sell their work in your space. You could even ask local businesses in your area to promote “One Free Painting Class” or a “$10 OFF” promotion when they sell their product and you could do the same for their company! It’s a great thing to work with others, and an even better thing to help one another grow business.  

2) OFFER WORKSHOPS 

Offering workshops in your studio is a sure way to help others be creative but also bring in new clientele. Are you a painter? Why not host a painting workshop or even teach regular classes? You’ll find that when you help others learn how to create art, you’ll be inviting many new clients to see your space, learn about your art and possibly even book your space for something they are thinking of. We recently had a painting student book a baby shower painting party! How cute is that? 

3) HOST EVENTS 

Another excellent way to help you run a successful studio is to host events.and openings. A small gathering where you open up your studio to the general public is great but you can also think outside the box too! Why not host a birthday party art sale or a fundraising event where you sell your art with partial proceeds to a good cause? Remember that briging people into the space is your goal-but be creative in your approach so that the events are interesting and different! Wine and cheese always help too! 

Do you run a studio? We would love to hear from you! Be sure to send us your ideas and how you succeed in running your studio. You can always email us or comment our our posts! If you think this post might help another studio owner, be sure to share! 

We’re open 11-4 today! Two full painting classes 11-1 and 130-330 but also a great sale on this month! 10% off all merchandise in store plus 50-75% off select work by owner @monikablichar! Great time to start your holiday shopping! Come on by! 1335 Pemberton Avenue, #NorthVancouver #art #jewellery #fashion #accessories #artwork #cards #books

Friday the 13th today! Our next event in Vancouver is also on #fridaythe13th Are you ready? Dress code: black, white and red. Join us to see, experience and meet over 100 artists including artisan vendors from Canada, USA, Europe and more. Live entertainment, fashion, music and of course, #northamerica’s largest #bodypaint competition. RSVP: www.theartworldexpo.com #art #vancitybuzz #vancouver #artvancouver #vancouverart #artists #bcarts #red #black #ehit #glam #friday13

Did you register for @artworldexpo yet? We are looking for amazing artists to work with this year for our 6th annual event! Criteria: professional art, unique and interesting and of course, ready to be on team awesome! #teamawe #teamartworldexpo #artworldexpo #adelleairey #artist #callforart #art #vancity #vancitybuzz

Visit our website for our latest #artworldtip on how to sell your work online! www.theartworldexpo.com Be sure to register for the show-early bird gets the worm! #artists #artworldexpo #arttip #artsales #artcareer #artist

The kids at our studio are working hard in the after school program! They’re creating something special for the holidays! We’ll post more via @mabstudio-stay tuned! #artists #artforkids #northvancouver #art #yvr #vancitybuzz #artworldexpo (at MAB Art Studio & Boutique Gallery)

Thank you! SOLD! #monikasnovbersale 20% of my November art sale goes to an emerging artist who needs some help this holiday season! I choose an artist to support each Christmas, so by purchasing one of the #monikasnovembersale pieces, you’re supporting an emerging artist follow their dream! Artist doesn’t even know it yet! Visit @monikablichar for most recent art sale items! #artsale #studiosale #artistshelpingartists #abundantartist #artworldexpo #artists (at MAB Art Studio & Boutique Gallery)

We are now booking Princess Painting Parties! $29/child includes 2.5 hour booking, paint/canvas, professional artist instructor, a princess themed mask for each guest plus a wonderful surprise for the birthday girl! Book your party in November, use anytime, and we’ll give you a 10% discount! Call the studio today to book your party! #painting #northvancouver #paintparty #artclass #paintclass #paintingclassses #northvan #vancouver #yvr #langley #coquitlam #burnaby #whiterock #delta #abbotsford #mission (at MAB Art Studio & Boutique Gallery)

Top Mistakes to Avoid when Being Creative

by Monika Blichar

Over the years, I have seen many art students come through our studio and art programs. From adult only Intro to Painting Classes, Art & Wine Nights to our Sizzlin’ Studio Summer Art Camps, I have come to realize that there are many things that prevent us from being truly creative in our lives. Here are my top tips on what not to do when you are tapping into your creativity!

1) Being closed minded.

We’ve all heard it before: being open minded in life opens many doors. The same rule applies to being artsy and accessing our creative genius. The worst thing to do when you are starting a new arts hobby, class or project is to be closed minded and block yourself off from the opportunity to allow yourself to express yourself. While you might be trying something new and feeling uncomfortable, the most important thing to remember is that you need to relax and allow yourself to enjoy a new experience! When you are open minded, you never know what will come your way!  You can be sure that you will allow so much more to happen if you are open to it!

2) Being hard on yourself.

Just because you can’t draw or you have never painted before and the student next to you is the next Rembrandt, doesn’t mean that you have the right to be hard on yourself! Everyone is different and just like we all are unique in our own way, so is art and artistry! Everyone creates at their own pace, within their own inspirations, and above all, from their own unique forms expression. Be gentle with yourself without comparing yourself to anyone else!

3) Giving up too quickly!

We all start things we don’t finish. I mean, most gyms are the busiest in January and quickly fizzle in the months of February, March and April because we all give up too quick! The creative process, as with anything, takes a lot of time to fully enjoy and develop. Sometimes, all you need to do is work on something else, take a break, get the opinion of someone else and then go back to your project when you are feeling more inspired! Simple as that, no giving up allowed!  (Take note: Let’s not give up on our exercise plans this year! Visit our friends at Team Fitness for inspiration: www.facebook.com/teamfitnesscanada)

Hopefully you enjoyed these tips and if you are interested in painting classes, be sure to join us in studio for some fabulous sessions with other amazing people in our community. The studio is open for classes 4 days a week and we invite all of you to join us for some relaxation, inspiration and creativity!

Interested in class? Check out our site at www.mabartstudio.com for more information or give us a call at 604 999 6177.

November is here! Our feature artist this year is Sherry Violette! We’re excited that her art is here-very wide variety! We’ll post all the pieces and prices shortly! Some great ideas here for gifts! #art #mabartstudio #artgallery #gallery #northvancouver #northvan #artforsale #westcoastart (at MAB Art Studio & Boutique Gallery)