On Being a Fearless Artist ~ Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas

First, should you miss any messages from me between now and year's end, please accept my wish for you to experience a wonderful Holiday Season and to take the New Year by storm filling it with success, prosperity and joy. These days, it supposedly is politically incorrect to broadcast a "Merry Christmas" wish. For me, the sentiment behind saying it transcends personal religious views. On that basis, I wish you all a "Merry Christmas" however you celebrate the season.  

Being known for something, or as something, pays benefits

Most successful artists spend time thinking about how the body of work they are creating will be perceived by their collectors, galleries and supporters. It is a smart thing to do and can pay handsome dividends when managed properly. The look, the feel, the message can each gain a life of their own. One need only look the creative output of artists as wildly dissimilar as Hazel Dooney, Yuroz, Jack Vettriano, or even Thomas Kinkade to get what I mean. Their art is instantly recognizable and thus more bankable as well. You will get no argument the career trajectory of each is completely unique. It is likely some will take umbrage seeing these names linked in the same sentence.

For some artists, being predictably unpredictable pays benefits

Then there are those artists who refuse to be categorized. Bob Dylan is a perfect example. I do not think he will ever quit breaking molds or going his own way. His new fun zany polka-infused "It Must Be Santa" video proves the point. As a counterpoint, you will find the rest of his Christmas album of standards played straight down the middle. Not what you expect from a 68-year old folk-rocker who was born Jewish, converted to Christianity, and who is his own words in a recent interview on his Website is a "true believer." 

A quick check for the sales ranking of "Christmas In the Heart" on Amazon.com remarkably finds it at #17 on the Bestseller list. This is an astonishing feat for this musician who in his career has gone from what one Amazon reviewer accurately describes from myth to 'has been' to legend.

Help the hungry and homeless, Dylan's royalties in perpetuity go to feed and shelter them

While few artists of any sort will have a career spanning the length and breadth of Dylan's, all can take heed his fierce and fearless approach to creating his music on his terms. That he has been able to continue to bring his fans along for the ride for five decades proves one can dare to challenge the status quo and still be successful. Perhaps it is in that context Dylan is best defined as a "true believer."

Recognizing the world wide problem of hunger, Bob Dylan has donated his proceeds from the record, in perpetuity, to organizations around the world to help with hunger and homelessness. If you are a fan, or just want to do some good, buy the CD or download it. Either way, you will help as 100% of Dylan's royalties will be donated to worthy organizations.

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Take your career to the next level at the 2010 SmARTist Telesummit

If you want more help on you career from me, I will be one of the eleven speakers the 4th Annual SmARTist Telesummit. Click hereto sign up now or to get more information about the topnotch panel of presenters who are ready to help you catapult your career this January. With the impressive lineup Arianne Goodwin has put together, you are sure to get a very positive career boost from your investment in time and money.

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