Creative Director: Vision

I Create: Creative Director of My Life.

I sat across the desk from the accountant. We were going over our documents for filing taxes. We’d gone through my husband’s business documents and then I handed him my tax slips. ‘I’ve got mine here and these pages are for my own business I started last year. I had a loss, so I wasn’t sure how we go about this, and wanted to ask you.’

‘Yes, we can record that, and you have inventory? The thing to consider is, do you believe you can make money? It might not be for the first few years, but it’s about whether or not you believe you can. Otherwise, we wouldn’t record it if it just covers supplies for a hobby. So, do you believe that you can make money? That’s what matters.’

‘Yes I do,’ I replied. Yes, I felt a bit silly answering. Yes, I wondered, ‘well, can I make money?’ But it is what I’ve been working on, it is possible, I’ve seen others do it. The proof may not exist yet… for me. But selling art cards and prints is possible. It might take some time, but that’s ok.

Delusion or vision?

Delusion: a false belief or opinion.

Vision: the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be.

I don’t view my art ‘work’ being a false belief or opinion. At some point in the future, I’ll have my answer. When I look at all the shipping supplies I ordered, it looks like delusion. There is a lot of inventory. There is a lot of shipping mailer envelopes. There is a lot of cardboard backing, and print sleeves. It’s all learning though, it’s all evidence. And then I’ll know what I should change or do differently. A couple of the markets I did around Christmas time last year didn’t result in very much. So this year, I will put more planning into how I want to do that, and which markets to enter.

I can plan new cards and prints each year. It will take time, but it will all give me feedback and data. Most recently, I thought my cards are appropriate for floral or plant gifts and they are now available at Dinter Nursery in Duncan, BC. They agreed with my vision. 😊

I think it’s important to have belief in yourself that can’t be swayed, or talked out of. Some may view it as delusional, when there is no clear reason why it should work out. But when creating a life you love and you have a vision.. it’s better not to let other people talk you out of it. Make it seem too hard. Or unrealistic. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you have a false belief in yourself. There’s a quote: “most people do the bare minimum. Just go one step further and you’re in the top 1%”. So when creating your life, go more than one step further.

Until next week,

Devon

To check out my vision for yourself, my prints are here!

Devonmcfaddenart.ca/shop