Those of you who know me know I love to teach. For the first time ever I’ll be sharing three decades’ worth of knowledge and experience through a pioneering online course — Make Art That Sells. I’ve spent a year working on this with the brilliant producer Beth Nicholls and we are ready to roll. Make Art That Sells starts TODAY! – Lilla

Join other artists from around the world for AN EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY TO GET DIRECT ACCESS TO ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING ART AGENTS, and TAKE YOUR WORK FROM ‘GOOD’ TO ‘GREAT’ OR FROM ‘GREAT’ TO ‘SUPER-LUCRATIVE’. We will show you what is hot now, what is on the horizon, and where your work fits in. This course is a collaboration between Lilla Rogers Studio and Do What You Love, and we are both proud and excited about it.

Find out more and register here.

Here’s what you get:

IN DEPTH INSIGHT INTO TEN* OF THE THE MOST LUCRATIVE MARKETS FOR ART – from home décor, gifts and bolt fabric to papergoods, baby apparel and children’s books.

These are all potential places to sell your work and Lilla explains exactly what makes art sell in each market. (*insight into five of the ten hot markets is shared in each part of the two-part course)

EXPERT ADVICE FROM THE PEOPLE WHO BUY ART, through a series of exclusive interviews with industry leaders who collectively buy millions of dollars of art every year. Find out exactly what art directors look for in each market.

We are talking Anthropologie, Paperchase, Chronicle Books, Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Real Simple Magazine…

The opportunity to hear REAL TIME CRITIQUE WITH LILLA while the class is live.

Each week we provide a creative assignment. Lilla will view every single submission and share a supportive critique of several participants’ work so everyone can learn and grow as the course progresses. This is not like art school soul-destroying critique. This is real world how-to-get-your-work-sold valuable and confidence-building critique.

This is not ‘yet another general business course’. This is a unique combination of PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO BUILDER AND ULTIMATE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO MAKING ART THAT SELLS.

Find out more and register here.

But be quick – class starts TODAY and we are only holding registration open for latecomers until midnight GMT on Thursday!

We are thrilled to announce that the winner of the Global Talent Search will be featured in Where Women Create Business, the fantastic new business magazine from Stampington. This special feature will be part of a campaign of international promotion for the winner, and we are grateful to the magazine’s creator Jo Packham for providing this fantastic opportunity for our winner.

Have you secured your place on the Global Talent Search? The winner will receive two years’ representation from Lilla Rogers Studio, along with a host of licensing deals which will be announced over the coming weeks – stay tuned!

Find out more and register here.

Image: navyblur

Who is this woman that has been to every continent on earth, hosted her own talk show in Japan, been chased off the Great Wall of China by rock-wielding bandits, and now is the star producer of Do What You Love, which produces ground-breaking e-courses as well publishing the hugely popular MOYO Magazine alongside my artist Rachael Taylor?

I am proud to be collaborating with Beth on our e-course Make Art That Sells and the Global Talent Search. I was eager to know more, so I asked Beth all the questions I have been dying to ask this outstanding woman since we first started working together. – Lilla

Filming Make Art That Sells

Lilla: Beth, earlier this year we spent an incredible week together working intensely on our project and making complex videos. You fascinate me! You are such a powerhouse. So wise about art and business and new technology and marketing and fashion and being a top e-course producer. And all in a cool way, so gracious and easy. I’m turning the tables and interviewing YOU! I am very curious about you.

When we were filming my course, I witnessed your high standards like when you had me re-do a take. But you didn’t obsess and you knew when it was a take, and moved on. How do you manage such high standards without being a perfectionist? You move on quickly. Can you speak to that.

Beth: Filming with you was so much fun Lilla! I think quality is crucial for so many reasons – because the people who take the course deserve (and increasingly demand) it, because we have reputations to uphold, and because I believe that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing properly. Having said that, I am someone who likes being very organized, and I was conscious that we had a huge amount to get through in the time we had. So I think it is a combination of not settling for something I am not be proud to have my name on, but also realizing that if you don’t finish, no one is going to get any benefit at all. As Steve Jobs said, ”Real artists ship” – it is so important to FINISH things!

Lilla: You are very positive. I never heard you complain, or have an unkind word. Or, (unlike me) curse! Do you stay conscious of being positive? I find that the most successful entrepreneurs are optimists. Can you speak to that? Is that your experience?

Beth: Not so long ago my younger brother said to me “You are so ridiculously positive. You do realize it’s not normal, don’t you?” Well who wants to be normal? Seriously though, it is true that my automatic reaction to something bad happening is “Well at least… didn’t happen” – I do tend to look on the bright side. I think I have always been positive and upbeat, seeking out opportunities and trying to see the silver lining in things that go wrong.

I think you have to be an optimist in business – so much of it involves taking a blind leap, and if you sat there weighing up every risk you would never move forward. I would call myself a calculated risk taker – I think things through, and then make a decision and go for it. If you can except that some things will work, some things won’t, and whatever happens you know more than you knew yesterday, then you will make progress.

Lilla: When I asked you what you love best about your work, it always went right to your love of helping people and watching them blossom. You don’t focus on your own success or your drive (which you have aplenty!). Can you speak to that?

Beth: There are a lot of ways to measure success, but when I think about what really makes me happy in my work, it is all about impact, not financials. Of course selling more means that you are reaching more people, and the potential impact is larger, not to mention that you then have more freedom to invest in developing new opportunities, but for me it does always come down to the difference we can make in people’s lives. Seeing other people thrive spurs me on. Every one of us has the chance to be an inspiration to others in one form or another. There is no better feeling when someone tells you that you have helped them find their path and live the life they used to dream about.

Lilla: How did you know e-courses would be huge? You got in early, strong, and top-notch. Do you have a sixth sense of cultural trend? Why e-courses? Did you fall in love with the idea? How much was the fact that they can be very lucrative enter into it? Since money is a huge part of business, did that factor into your decision to go full steam ahead with e-courses, and now e-magazines?

Beth: Three years ago I did not even know what a blog was. The online world was very new to me, but as soon as I discovered my first online course I was hooked. It screamed potential to me.

As an example The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design actually came out of me wanting to do a part time course in the subject at university but realizing that it cost thousands, required me to be in once place at a fixed time, was a very long time commitment, and did not include much real life business context. The course I have created with Rachael Taylor is the antithesis of all those things – it is much more reasonably priced, accessible from anywhere in the world at a time to suit you, packed with industry insight and real business advice, and is split into three modules so you can fit it around a busy lifestyle.

From there we developed a portfolio of other courses which allow the teachers to reach a much wider audience than they could in person, and allows very inspiring connections between class participants.

It is true that e-courses can be very lucrative, but it is important that they are of excellent quality, and that you don’t underestimate just how much work is involved (thousands of hours!) – as you will know from developing Make Art That Sells!

From the Do What You Love retreat (image: navyblur)

Lilla: Sometimes it takes months for career twists and turns to reveal their spiritual or bigger purpose. How have you dealt with career disappointments? Do you find that they are always for the better? Or do you just make the best of things?

Beth: Before working in the creative world I was in the sports industry – male dominated, full of egos and a very different atmosphere all together. I worked on England’s bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup – a major global sports event that we would have used to benefit children all over the world. I was very passionate about the event, and our plans for the event to leave a global legacy were described by FIFA as outstanding. I had worked on sports event bids before and without doubt England’s bid was the strongest I had ever seen.

But then the time came to vote on who would host the event, and we absolutely bombed, only getting two votes and going out in the first round. Amid cries of bribery and corruption, and rumours that the people voting had not even read our bid book, I was disgusted, deflated, and determined to change from working with huge organisations to working with individuals, who have the power to make significant changes in their own lives.

And that is when Do What You Love was born – out of the ashes of my biggest ever career disappointment. There is a lesson in everything.

Lilla: Both you and I believe that the secret of life is organization. Why do you believe that? Is anyone successful without being organized? Do you have your fave organizational tip to share?

Beth: I do think organization is key – and if you aren’t an organized person, then you need someone to help you be organized. There are a limited number of hours in the day, and being organized allows you to make the most of what you have, and make more time for doing the things you love. My top tips would be:

– make useful lists (break them up by project, work backwards from the due date, prioritise)

– assign a time to get something done (or it won’t get done)

– say no to things that don’t help you get closer to where you want to be, or that don’t light you up

– file things where you can find them

– understand what time of day you have your best energy, and build your day around that

Lilla: What’s next for you?

Beth: Well, I have just got married, and I am preparing to move house this summer, so lots of fun on the home front!

In terms of business, we have some exciting new courses coming out later this year, along with a relaunch of our website in June, and some big top secret things planned for 2014.

I am a paper obsessive so longer term I hope to also set up my own stationery label as a side business – might need your help then Lilla!

About Beth

Beth is an award-winning entrepreneur with a strong sense of social responsibility, who has worked alongside some of the world’s most well-known brands and has been instrumental in raising over $10 million for charity.

Beth founded Do What You Love, to give creative women the tools and inspiration to do what they love for life. This includes groundbreaking retreats and e-courses that have been described as ‘life-changing’, ‘awe-inspiring’ and ‘transformational’. In 2010 she was selected by Marie Claire Magazine as one of the UK’s 16 most exciting young female entrepreneurs. Beth was chosen as a finalist for the Digital Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2012, in the Education Entrepreneur category, in recognition of Do What You Love’s pioneering online courses, and in 2013 was awarded a place as one of the ‘Top 42 under 42? entrepreneurs in Yorkshire.

Beth drinks tea with milk every morning, and often dreams of chocolate. She got married in April 2013 and now goes by the name of Beth Kempton. Find out more here

Find out more about Beth on her website or blog, or connect on Facebook or Twitter. And if you are interested in learning how to make more commercially viable art whilst staying true to yourself, then join us for Make Art That Sells. But you’ll have to be quick – it starts Monday! Find out more and register here.

Take a moment to hear Suzy Ultman, one of Lilla’s most successful artists, talk about her experience with Lilla, and why this class could be so good for you! (scroll down to see video)

Are you the next big thing? Are you ready to have your work shared with the world? Do you want to take your art career to the next level? If so, listen up. This is for you.

Here at Lilla Rogers Studio we are on the lookout for new talent and has launched a Global Talent Search to find it!

The winner will be represented by Lilla Rogers Studio for two years internationally, and win a host of licensing contracts. This would be a turning point in your career.

Somebody has to win, and it might just be you!

How would you like to be represented by one of the top artist agents in the world, and see your work on products made for cool clients and distributed internationally? How would you like to be in demand, with hot new gig after hot new gig? How would you like to thrive as a full time artist or designer?

We are giving you the opportunity to get all this with the 2013 GLOBAL TALENT SEARCH.

For everyone who enters this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your work. If you make the shortlist you will be featured in our online gallery. Your work will get in front of our incredible judging panel of top art directors and other industry experts including Anthropologie, Chronicle Books, Paperchase, Design*Sponge, Quarry Books and more. (See here for our incredible line up of judges!) The process also features a public vote to pick a ‘People’s choice’ finalist.

Along the way you will have the chance to respond to professional level creative assignments, which in themselves will be valuable portfolio pieces.

So what are you waiting for? Find out more and ENTER NOW!

And if you know anyone who is ready for this exciting opportunity, please be sure to tell them about this!

Lilla Rogers Studio is proud to be working with Do What You Love to bring you this amazing opportunity. For further information and full Terms & Conditions please see www.lillarogers.com/global-talent-search

Click here to find out more about Make Art That Sells

You know when you have been working on something HUGE for months, and then the moment comes when you unveil it to the world?

Today we officially launch Make Art That Sells – a pioneering new online course where I share my decades of experience in the business to help you take your art from good to great, and great to lucrative. Never before has an art agent shared so much about how to make commercially viable art for ten of the most exciting markets. Find out more in this short video.

Registration is open now: CLICK HERE TO SECURE YOUR PLACE.

Hurry! The first 50 people to register get a free signed copy of my book ‘I Just Like To Make Things’, so grab your spot now.

See you in class!
Lilla

Filming Make Art That Sells with Lilla Rogers [Image: Beth Nicholls]

BETH NICHOLLS, PRODUCER OF LILLA’S E-COURSE, MAKE ART THAT SELLS, WRITES: There are more and more e-courses popping up all over the internet and some are better quality than others but generally I think this democratisation of education is fundamentally a really good thing. Gooodbye restrictions of location, timing, access etc, hello flexibility, anytime/anywhere availability, and international connections. Do What You Love has come a long way since we launched our first e-course two years ago, and we make it a priority to keep learning, researching, trying new things. When you have delivered courses to thousands of people in more than 50 countries, you soon realise that technology can be scary, but it is also fascinating, and is absolutely your friend if you can take the time to understand it, or find someone else who can!

We are often asked for hints and tips on developing e-courses, so I thought I’d share some behind-the-scenes images from the filming of Make Art That Sells with top artist agent Lilla Rogers, which opens for registration next week (we already have a massive waiting list so get on it if you are interested!)

[Image: Beth Nicholls]

This brand new course is particularly exciting for us because we get to work with industry veteran Lilla Rogers, who is sharing what she has learnt over three decades as an illustrator and top agent. Lilla is an incredible woman – so knowledgeable and savvy, yet so philosophical and kind. She cares for her own artists like a mother hen, and I am thrilled that we get to expand her virtual nest through Make Art That Sells!

I travelled to Boston last month to film with Lilla and our professional cameraman Kevin Balmer, who joined us from Portland. Prior to the trip we had spent hundreds of hours developing the curriculum, drafting the content, selecting images, building the virtual classroom, planning the production schedule etc all via the miracles of email and Skype. By the time we all got together at Lilla’s studio for four full-on intensive days of taping, we were so excited to get going with the filming piece. Fortunately Lilla is a natural in front of the camera, and was able to share her insights and knowledge eloquently, generously and often humorously on film. Her studio is a colourful, visual feast, full of real products that feature her artists’ licensed work, and we can’t wait to share the videos with participants when the course launches.

Here is a sneak peek of us at work!

Make up (always worth getting a professional on the case when you are filming in HD – thanks Maura) [Image: Beth Nicholls]

Getting the mic on [Image: Beth Nicholls]

Talking through the talking points! [Image: Beth Nicholls]

Lights, camera, action! [Image: Beth Nicholls]

Me in Producer Mode [Image: Beth Nicholls]

Always time for some art from the illustrator in Lilla! [Image: Beth Nicholls]

I hope you enjoyed that little behind-the-scenes tour! If you have ever wanted to learn how to make art that sells, directly from someone who has sold art for products worth over $100 million, then get yourself onto the waiting list for Make Art That Sells. You will be the first to hear when we open for registration next Tuesday (and you can bag yourself an exclusive discount!)

BETH NICHOLLS, PRODUCER OF LILLA’S COURSE, MAKE ART THAT SELLS, WRITES: We are so thrilled to announce an incredible line up of top industry talent as contributors to the upcoming new course Make Art That Sells. Not only do you get access to Lilla Rogers, one of the world’s top agents, you will get industry insight and advice from a host of art directors, senior designers and others at the cutting edge. These include:

ANTHROPOLOGIE: Lauren Graham, Producer

CHRONICLE BOOKS: Kate Woodrow, Senior Acquisitions Editor

PAPERCHASE: Gemma Parris, Card Buyer

EK SUCCESS BRANDS: Deb Tagtalianidis, VP – Creative Direction

ROBERT KAUFMAN FABRICS: Evie Ashworth, Design Director, Retail Division

REAL SIMPLE MAGAZINE: Alexandra Mooney, Senior Designer

OOPSY DAISY: Carly Gray, Creative Director

… and more to be revealed soon!

We already have a MASSIVE waiting list for this course, so if you want to be among the first to be notified (and bag an exclusive discount) then get on the waiting list now. Registration opens next Tuesday, February 26, 2013 when all course details, price and date info will be released.