Make Your Art No Matter What audiobook cover - Moving Beyond Creative Hurdles

Make Your Art No Matter What

Moving Beyond Creative Hurdles

Beth Pickens

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Make Your Art No Matter What
Claiming Your Time+
Rethinking Income+
Money & Fear+
Emotions & Relationships+
Self-Promotion+
Spirituality & Mortality+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the book, what is the primary purpose of conducting a 'time audit' for one week?
  • A. To establish a rigid, highly structured daily regime for maximum productivity.
  • B. To identify habits that aren't serving you and open up space for art-making.
  • C. To calculate exactly how many hours you need to work to quit your day job.
  • D. To prove to others that you do not have enough free time to socialize.
Question 2 of 7
How does the author suggest artists reframe their thinking about employment and income?
  • A. Artists should tie their artistic worth directly to the amount of income their practice generates.
  • B. Artists should only take jobs that are directly related to their primary artistic medium.
  • C. Artists should quit their day jobs immediately to force themselves to monetize their art.
  • D. Artists should view employment simply as a tool that funds their life and creative pursuits.
Question 3 of 7
What are the 'Three As' recommended to help artists navigate the paralyzing fear of rejection or creating 'bad' art?
  • A. Awareness, Acceptance, and Action
  • B. Anticipation, Avoidance, and Articulation
  • C. Ambition, Assertiveness, and Achievement
  • D. Analysis, Adaptation, and Application
Question 4 of 7
When dealing with negative or stressful thoughts that hinder creativity, what is the author's key advice?
  • A. Suppress the first thought immediately so it doesn't manifest into reality.
  • B. Accept that you cannot control the first thought, but you can control the second thought and subsequent actions.
  • C. Trace every negative thought back to a childhood trauma before attempting to make art.
  • D. Use meditation to completely clear your mind of all thoughts before entering your studio.
Question 5 of 7
How does the book distinguish between solitude and isolation in an artist's life?
  • A. Solitude only happens when working in public spaces, while isolation happens in a private studio.
  • B. Solitude is forced upon you by society, while isolation is a deliberate choice to improve focus.
  • C. Solitude is a nurturing inward journey, while isolation is a toxic, fear-driven retreat.
  • D. There is no difference; both are equally harmful to a sustainable creative practice.
Question 6 of 7
To overcome the discomfort of self-promotion, how should artists adjust their mindset about marketing?
  • A. View marketing as a way to demand validation and attention from critics.
  • B. Remember that marketing is not about promoting yourself, but simply about sharing your work.
  • C. Treat marketing as a necessary evil to trick algorithms into promoting your personal life.
  • D. Delegate all marketing entirely to professionals because artists cannot be objective about their work.
Question 7 of 7
According to the final section, what positive impact can accepting death and life's impermanence have on an artist?
  • A. It encourages artists to work faster and produce higher volumes of art to ensure a legacy.
  • B. It helps artists detach emotionally from their work so they are less hurt by criticism.
  • C. It justifies the 'tortured artist' trope, allowing creatives to dwell comfortably in sadness.
  • D. It allows artists to live with greater intention, build meaningful connections, and appreciate life.

Make Your Art No Matter What — Full Chapter Overview

Make Your Art No Matter What Summary & Overview

Make Your Art No Matter What (2021) offers a clear path to overcoming the challenges that keep artists from creating. With a mix of practical strategies and heartfelt encouragement, it addresses the real-life hurdles that artists face, from time management and financial concerns to self-doubt and burnout. Whether you’re a seasoned creative or just starting out, it will help you make space for your art and build a sustainable, fulfilling creative life.

Who Should Listen to Make Your Art No Matter What?

  • Aspiring artists
  • Established creatives
  • Freelancers and entrepreneurs

About the Author: Beth Pickens

Beth Pickens is a consultant for artists and creatives, offering guidance on navigating the challenges of sustaining an art practice while building a meaningful life. Her writing, which also includes the book Your Art Will Save Your Life, blends practical advice with compassionate insights to support creative lives. Based in Los Angeles, she also leads workshops and courses on grant writing, financial planning, and the intersection of art and personal growth.

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