My entire life, I’ve heard people say to me, “You worry too much.”

So, my journey of being an artist and owning a small business in these economic times comes to no surprise that it can push me over the edge with stress and anxiety.  The biggest fear I’ve had since September 2008 (when the economy collapse was heard all over the world) is, “How am I going to pay my rent?  My bills?  My student loans?”  I went from making $2000-$7000 a month from 2006-2008, to making only $9000 in 2009.  Yup!  $9000 in ONE WHOLE YEAR…  and with that comes the nagging fear of the future. (more…)

Laura Hollick – soul artist, model, dancer, radio personality, writer, owner of the Soul Art Studio, spiritual teacher, featured on the cover of magazines, vibrant soul, inspirational… and so much more!  This is why when she asked to interview me, I was so excited, honored… AND NERVOUS!!! (more…)

I sell original paintings on eBay, and every once in awhile  I get an eBay buyer who sends me an email saying how disappointed they are in my services; and every time, I feel horrible.

I care about my customers.  However, at times, I think I care TOO much. (more…)

Buy the Nintai (Patience) Print

The Orchid and Patience

At the end of its blooming cycle, the orchid is less appealing without its stunning flowers.  However, with continuous nurturing of the orchid, one day it will unexpectedly bloom again.  Your patience is rewarded.

My Impatience

Although I’m a Canadian artist, 90% of my customers used to be Americans buying art to furnish new homes and buildings.  By early 2008, I could feel the economic crisis begin to sneak up on my business.  However, in September 2008, it hit me right in the wallet.  I lost about 80% of those customers within a few months, and my struggle as a self-representing artist began. (more…)

I just recently read The Unconventional Guide to Art and Money (incl. audio interviews), by Chris Guillebeau and Zoë Westhof.

My review of this guide is:

“WOW! BRAVO on writing such a GREAT guide! I wish that I had read this when I first started out as an artist!”

(more…)

I hardly have enough time to breathe as is. I work 80-120 hours a week as a painter just to make ends meet.* I spend so much time in my art studio that I frequently get emails from my family and friends to see if I’m still alive. Every second of my life is pretty much booked solid and I just decided to start learning Japanese again. Wait… what!?!

I must be crazy!! What I really need is to catch up on sleep!

I used to know some Japanese while living in Japan. However, a decade has passed without me hearing or speaking the language, so I pretty much lost the language. The only thing I kept up was my practice of Japanese calligraphy (Zen Brushworks) **.

Since my memories of Japan are still vivid in my mind and this country is one of the greatest influences in my art, it only makes sense that I study its culture and language once again. Although I’m currently way too broke to visit Japan, I hope my studies will help me bring more depth into my art. After all, I’m always looking for ways to make my artwork undergo an evolution. (more…)

I’m so excited to announce that I’ve been picked for the Fine Art Registry’s (FAR) featured artist of the month and got another article written about me!

The article, Serene Inspiration by Georgianna Lane, is about how I became a full-time artist, where I get the inspiration for my paintings, how I use the FAR system and different websites to market myself, and much more! (more…)

Lloyd Lemons, a microBusiness advisor, writer, copywriter, marketing consultant (and much more!), posted an article on his blog called Soniei, an artist and a MicroBusiness?. The article touches on my experience and challenges of merging my passion for art with business and marketing. (more…)

I want to thank Michael McCrea, from sohohelpdesk.net, for writing such a lovely blog post about me and my roommate, Peter. It’s so sweet!

If you want to get an idea of what I was doing before all this Soniei’s Contemporary Art business, and where I met my friend Peter over 5 years ago (CDI), you must read this blog post called “Soniei’s Contemporary Art and Information Technology“.

Michael, you’re the best! I do miss the days when we used to hang out at CDI* College!

PS. For those who have bought my art for the past few years, you might be surprised that I used to be an Oracle Developer (relational database management system… say what?).

PPS. For all of you out there… if you can’t pronounce ‘Soniei’, you can always call me Melissa. Or Jimmy, or sexy nerd girl, or whatever you prefer.

*CDI College of Business & Technology, where the IT peeps chillax yo.

Many thanks to Peter Cyr who busted his behind the past week* to work on my new website for free! Jaw dropping talent!

Mr. Cyr, I still can’t believe how generous you are! Thank you so much for believing in me and my dream!!

Oh, and thank you for helping me out every way that you can. Seriously… MERCI!!!! My goal in life is to someday become your sugar-mamma.

Also, a big thank you to my parents. How many times did I call to say, “Moooooom, Daaaaaad” and they said, “How much do you need?” My financials haven’t been the greatest in the past year (do I really have to mention the economy?) and they never once told me to quit being an artist when my business went from bad to badder to badderer to badderest. I’ll pay you back every penny, and more, someday. I’ll be your sugar-daughter.

And Delia Comeau, she’s the reason I’m not naked. Seriously, everyone should thank her for this!! I’m on a super strict budget and she gives me awesome hand-me-down clothes. Also, thank you for understanding that I never have the time or money to go out but you keep being my friend. Hopefully, someday I get to be your sugar-friend.

You guys are the best and I love you all very much!!!

Also, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to all of those who have bid on my paintings on ebay in the past!! You keep my dream alive and strong!

*2 full weekends included… plus working a full time job!