Hi, I’m Alisa
Today I work directly with visual artists, my favorite kind of people.
When I first chose self-employment, I had no idea what I was doing!
I flailed around, just like you probably have, and was easily overwhelmed. It became clear that my creative community was all in the same boat and needed the same kind of help.
I started building what we needed, one artist at a time. Through trial and error I learned that while there are best practices, everyone has unique needs. A big part of this work is adapting the practices to your specific way of operating in the world.
My previous career spanned two decades training people how to excel at their jobs. I did this in challenging environments, with few resources. Standard! This is the skill set I use to serve my clients.
Something I’ve learned
Most people think they need more info.
There’s only a certain quantity you need.
If you don’t have it, go get it. There are loads of books and online resources, and other people teach robust programs for artists. If you’re not sure who they are, get in touch and I’ll point you in the right direction (away from the scams).
Once you have the info needed, you have to take action.
This is the hard part.
And is where I come in.
I help my clients create a plan of action (strategy, project planning, organization) that works for their brain then, and this is the important bit, actually do it.
Why I help artists
I do this work because I believe art will change the world.
It is so wildly unlikely that I exist, or that you exist. But we do. And while we’re here, I believe our work is love. Love of self, of each other, of other beings, of the Earth, of the universe.
Art is part of the cycle that creates love.
That’s what the pictures you make can do.
I want you make those pictures, put them out into the wide world, and get paid for them.
Getting paid is what ensure more pictures are made. It is a virtuous cycle.
Personal Values
- Compassion
- Courage
- Collaboration
- Inclusion
- Environmental stewardship
Business Values
- Education + practice
- Holistic attention
- Adaptable persistence
- Community building
- Social contribution
The Managing Director of Human Affairs
I’m supervised by a very opinionated and entitled cat. He ensures I’m grounded in the present and reality. His reality, of course.
When I’m not working
A favorite pastime is being completely absorbed in galleries and museums. I’m the person who reads every single label and write up, while my partner patiently waits, flicking through his phone.
Summer often finds us loading a canoe and paddling into the Canadian back country for a disconnected recharge.
“Street Cred,” if you want it
- Bachelor of Communication & Design (Illustration), Ontario College of Art and Design
- Certified Training and Development Professional, Schulich Business School
- Member of the Southern Ontario Natural Science Illustrators
- Early in my career I showed my art at outdoor art fairs in the Distillery District, Nathan Phillips Square, at the University of Toronto’s Science Rendezvous and other science related events, and at the Red Eye Gallery in the Distillery District.
- My corporate career spanned both financial technology and digital marketing at companies like Fidelity Investments (pensions and 401ks), OANDA Corporation (currency trading), Oracle (digital marketing), and Intuit (taxes!)
- In just a few years of starting my business I’ve worked directly with over 25 visual artists!
FAQs
I’m a trained illustrator who then spent over two decades training adults to excel at their jobs. This is the same skill set I use with my clients. It’s my goal to help other artists get their pictures into the world and make a living from their art. I want to see more artists making their art and sharing it, and being paid for it.
I’m also deeply compassionate and understand how hard all of this can be. I won’t force you to do things you’re not ready for. Instead we’ll go at the pace that works best for you and move you toward your goals.
Yes, I am. My art practice is secondary to my coaching business at this time. But I still love drawing and painting. I usually work in watercolor and acrylics.
Philosophically, I don’t think we ever stop being artists. You may get rusty, and forget some things, but you’ll always be an artist.
That handsome man is Truffle Cat. He’s a big boy and likes to throw his weight around. With a few exceptions, he prefers to do exactly what I’d rather he didn’t. We’ve had him for about 10 years. He’s got some chronic health conditions, so we’re not expecting another 10 from him. But he’s a happy camper and spoiled rotten, as he should be.