Recently, I was approached by the executor of the estate of Susana Santos/Yakama Tygh Valley. Susana was a well known painter, sculptor, and writer, dedicated to interpreting the rich legacy of Native people. She was also a tireless advocate for the rights of indigenous children and tribal fishing. In Susana’s short life, she created a […]
Your Art Wants to Leave You
Please don’t take this too personally but your art wants to leave you. As an artist, if you are creating work and letting it pile up in different rooms and closets, you are denying your art the experience of engaging with the world. If you are not releasing your art because of fear or […]
The Parking Ticket That Ended It All
My bank cut my line of credit in 2008. America was in the heart of the Great Recession and I needed the credit line in-between a lull in sales to pay some bills for the art gallery I owned in Portland, Oregon. I pleaded with the bank not to cut the line of credit but […]
The Few, The Proud, The Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs are not born, they gradually evolve. You don’t meet them often. As a former school teacher I would occasionally see an entrepreneur being created. They were the kid who fell off their bike and got back on. They were the ones who when bullied on the playground would crack a joke and get the […]
Murder of a Muse
I have worked with hundreds of artists for over 35 years. Each has had a story, a muse, and a tormentor. No two artists are alike for each had their passions, their dreams, and typically their own form of self-sabotage. Self-sabotage is interesting. It reminds me of a good murder mystery. The writer in a […]
Secret Knowledge Conference
Are you ready to grow your art business? If so join me at the Secret Knowledge Conference for 2016 on Saturday, November 19, at the Jupiter Hotel, 800 East Burnside St, Portland, Oregon 97214 https://www.secretknowledge.org/ I will facilitate a workshop on the Seven Secret Steps to Building an Art Business. We will cover the following: How […]
Five Star Guitar Wins Awarded Top Small Business in Oregon 2016
Working with Five Star Guitar in Hillsboro was a pleasure and it was so exciting to see them win the SBDC’s top small business in Oregon award for 2016!
12 Steps to Success for a Small Business:
Focus. I mention this first because typically this is the most difficult thing to do for creative individuals. However, it is the key to success. You are developing your niche and are becoming known for your niche. Know your value and communicate to others the value your product or service provides. Some of […]
Just Say “No!” To Affordable Art Shows
I am about to post something that will get some artists mad. I want them to be mad and I want them to change. If the artists do not change, the art market will not change in Portland, Oregon. What I am asking artists to do is to say the word, “No!” This is a […]
The Business of Art With Bonnie Kahn
Update, I am postponing this workshop until the spring. Beginning January 13th for four weeks on Wednesday evenings I will be offering a workshop on the business of art at Waterstone Gallery in Portland, Oregon. This workshop is limited to eight artists. The work will be intensive. However, by the end of the workshop the […]