“An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.”
— Edwin Land
I spend a lot of time writing about mindset.
Ideas like doing less, better. Letting good enough be good enough. Showing up without forcing outcomes. Remembering that just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
I return to these ideas because they tend to improve more than just your marketing. They shape how you make decisions, where you put your energy, and how you move through your days.
Over time, those things matter.
Still, mindset isn’t the whole picture.
At some point, clarity needs a place to land. Perspective needs something practical to lean on. That’s where craft comes in—understanding how the art market works, how collectors are reached, how visibility is built, and how systems can support creative work rather than crowd it.
Anytime you know how something works, it becomes easier to use and you get more from it.
That’s the other side of what I do.
Beyond the weekly blog, I’ve created a body of practical resources for artists. They’re not meant to be consumed all at once, or followed rigidly. They’re there to be useful when something feels stuck, unclear, or out of alignment.
Sometimes a shift in thinking is enough.
At other times, one clear piece of information helps you move forward again.
Both have their place—and I’ll keep showing up with plenty of both ahead.
Warm wishes,
Barney
P.S. I’m grateful for the time you spend here — it means more than you probably realize. I’ll see you next week.
Thank you for your gentle acknowledgement of creativity and some of the puzzling attributes that give us pause at times.
Thank you, Marian. Creativity really does come with its own set of mysteries, doesn’t it — the moments that lift us up and the ones that make us stop and wonder. I’m glad the piece resonated with you. Those pauses are often where the next bit of clarity begins to form.
Warmly,
Barney
I love interesting photos, regular good ones and I love making abstracts from some of them. If there’s a way to put a couple for feedback let me know. I love creating them and their challenges. Thank you.
Thank you, Faith. I’m glad the post resonated with your love of creating and experimenting with images. At the moment, AMN doesn’t have a feature for sharing photos or getting feedback, but I appreciate you asking. It’s always encouraging to hear from artists who enjoy the challenge of making new work.
Warm regards,
Barney
Great perspective, thanks.
Thanks, Esther — always good to see you here. I’m really glad the perspective landed for you.
All the best!
Barney