By Buddy Odom

As the spouse of a celebrated plein air painter, I have had an up-close view of the creative life Kathie has led for the past 15 years. Her venture into oil painting could have easily become a late-in-life pressure-release valve, an empty-nest replacement, or simply permission to play. But a painting sold. Then another. She won two awards in her first plein air event. A website was born. A gallery sent an invitation. Something was happening, so I jumped in to help.

To this day I’m not sure if I made things better by developing a business and marketing structure or hurt things by pulling the rug out from underneath the quiet pleasure she took in painting en plein air, only to replace it with plans, goals, and objectives.

“Sweet Caroline” (oil, 12 x 20 in.) by Kathie Odom

So how did her career take off? The plain truth is this … we made it up as we went along. Guessing, researching, seeking input, apologizing, experimenting, and yes, praying. Mostly, I learned that a career is made like a painting is painted, and Kathie was the one to lead the way. Create your marketing like you create a painting. Each is a work of art. Here are our five non-negotiables.

1. Be Genuine. There are no limited-edition prints of you. Your personhood is uniquely and wonderfully made, so why not celebrate it by being the original you? I’ve watched Kathie hang onto Kathie throughout her art career. If something ever felt false or like she was taking a shortcut, she quickly turned away from it. Paint like you. Market like you.

“Coastal Cotton” (oil, 20 x 30 in.) by Kathie Odom

2. Get Better. Early on, all sales profits were fed back into the kitty for better supplies, better learning opportunities, better photos, and better frames, which resulted in better exposure. Kathie urges her students to get better at drawing: “If you think you can paint without knowing how to draw, well, good luck with that!”

3. Get Help. There are big-hearted artists teaching magic in workshops, willing painters worth trusting to critique your work, and friends who would love to bounce marketing ideas off you over a bagel and coffee (which you will buy). There are even social media wizards and next-door neighbors you can pay with a good painting stacked in the closet.

“The Resilient” (oil, 12 x 20 in.) by Kathie Odom

4. Plant Sequoias. Do something regularly over a long period of time that will mature down the road. Fifteen years ago, Kathie laid oil paints on a canvas for the first time. She has since named, painted, and catalogued 1,293 paintings. Ten years ago, we began sending a monthly e-newsletter to anyone who would take it. Her following is larger today than yesterday. It’s a tree I suggest you plant. Today.

5. Be Generous. Generosity begets itself. If you have a painting technique or marketing insight that you are keeping secret, our world will be less when you leave us one day. But if you pass it on, a mighty tree grows.

What a generosity Kathie has given me with an invitation into her world of art, and the most wondrous people I have ever known: artists.

Planting sequoias starts with a plan. Art Business Mastery is a two-day event designed to help you take the next step in growing your art business, with practical strategies and a clear plan for what’s next. Whether you’re just starting out or already earning from your art, it’s built for you.