The Nest is Moving....

I've got big news from the Nest… it’s moving three states away! I got an unbelievably amazing job offer so I packed Vaughn up with everything I own and am off to the next great adventure!

I’m not telling folks exactly what the job is here or on my socials yet. I want to feel a little more ‘at home’ there before I do. However, I am letting my Birds of a Feather monthly letter readers in on it now so if you’re a little curious what could make me leave Florida less than three weeks after returning and where I’m ending up, pop right over here;)

1.8.2021

Lots of Creepy Fun in My Upcoming Newsletter

… so if you’re not signed up, you aughtta be!!

I just finished my Skull Trio and before the YT vid even comes out or they’re posted on IG, I’m sharing them with my Birds of a Feather folk. These photos are from before I added in all the bugs and resin… wait til you see them now!!

I’m also including a few vacay shots from the Florida springs I just visited last week along with the usual personal artist talk about what it’s really like being a working artist that I don’t share anywhere else.

I’m still putting the finishing touches on the letter, but expect to see it in your inbox this weekend!

And you can sign up HERE if you’re not already on the list. Yay!

8.20.2020

April Newsletter Sneaky Peak

I’m working on my next Birds of a Feather monthly letter this week, although I have to admit, with this world turning on end and my laptop breaking down for two weeks, it’s been more like two months - yikes!

This time I’ll be sharing progress shots from the two other murals I’m working on concurrently this week and next.

Yep, that’s two murals in one building at the same time. I love it!

I’ve also got some pandemic positivity and some fantastic ways for you to spend some that abundant time learning new creative skills right from your living room.

And last but not least, I’m gonna let you in on a lil secret goal I’ve been working on that I’m finding quite challenging so that I’ll know in the next few weeks I will have to be accountable for keeping up with it and trying my best. It’s so much easier to fail in secret so I find that if I tell folks about my aspirations, then I’ll be forced to push myself through the tough part and see concrete results.

Are you on board to get my letter yet? If you’re subscribed to the Birdie Blog then you will be for sure, but if you don’t know or you need to, pop over here.

4.9.2020

How to Write a Newsletter

Today we are going to tackle a task that every serious artist should be doing on a regular basis: writing a newsletter. I know it’s easy to think that social media posting is enough and is the best way to connect with your online audience, but it’s only half the battle.

Tune in to see why it is soooo essential for any pro artist to put out a regular newsletter, and then learn a super simple formula for engaging your readers every time. A good newsletter is like a fun lil present in your audience’s inbox so don’t look at this as bullet points of your finished ‘to do’ list, try to figure out how to make it an exciting lil story of your recent artsy adventures.

Check out this newsletter here and sign up to receive mine every month here!

Choose 2-3 Exciting/Interesting Topics

• New piece of art or product

• New venture in your art biz (ie, teaching, new social media platform, new service offered, upcoming exhibition or collaboration)

• Recent achievements

• Recent difficulties

• Recent adventures (that fit in with your audience)

The Details…

• Expand each topic into 1-3 concise paragraphs and include photos and links as needed

• Break things up into bite-sized chinks to make it easy for your audience to read and digest

• Don’t make too long/ too long winded or they won’t read next time

• Include a CTA (call to action)

• Include a PS

Tips

• Be real! Be yourself and upbeat

• Use a friendly conversational tone in 1st person

• Turn any shared difficulties into a positive learning/teaching moment

• Offer exclusive content

• Occasionally offer an exclusive deal or sale

• Include clear pics of you in action or at work on a project

• Use consistent branding throughout (more branding info here)

• Have website and other pertinent info in your footer

• If you can, gather locations of subscribers so you can tailor email blasts to them about upcoming local shows or events

I use Mailchimp for my email service, but Mad Mimi and Squarespace also offer newsletter platforms as well.

It’s as easy as that folks! And if you ever need help with your own small art biz, just fill out this quick application to see if we’d be a goof fit for a little one-on-one art mentoring via webcam.

And here’s last week’s vid all about branding and looking like a pro.

8.9.2019

Are You In the Know?

Aloha friends, just wanted to drop a quick note to let you know I’ve got some big changes about to go on in the Nest (and no, it doesn’t involve hula hooping per se, although there is always a bit of that involved;)

If you’re someone who likes to know all the details first and uncensored, you should pop your email below because once a month I send out my Birds of a Feather letter discussing all the up close n personal goings-on in my Nest. You can learn a lot about a Bird from her Nest, ya know?

And just for fun here is a progress shot of one of my recent paintings. Her arm will come up in a subsequent 3D resin layer. See more completed 3D works here and follow my Instagram @caleighbirdart for lots progress shots.

[Hula Hoop photo by Stephanie Stein Photography]

4.23.2019

Fear of Failure?

Do you ever fear failure? I suppose all of us do to a certain degree... Perhaps a better question would be does your fear of failure ever prevent you from doing what you want or know you should be doing?

 I have recently realized that I have more of a fear than I thought I did and it has been preventing me from branching out in certain aspects of my art business. It's not a fun thing to acknowledge (especially out loud!) nor to experience, but I feel like admitting there's an issue is always the first step towards growth.

I truly want to be more brave when it comes to sharing my work in person! Plus, if there's anything I've learned by listening to successful artists it's that you will fail a thousand times before you make it....

Right now I'm putting my fears in the spotlight and doing my best to overcome them. I know that the more I attempt to share my work, the easier it will become and the rejections will sting less than the successes will soar. Just gotta take a deep breath..... 🤗💙

((Excerpt from my Birds of a Feather monthly letter that will be going out in just a few days. If you're interested in a more personal peek into the ups + downs of this working artist's life drop your email below or pop over here to get added to my special list 💜))

drawing from life, pastel + chalk 6x9 inches

:: originally published August 19, 2018