March 8, 2023

93. Martina Flor – My Biggest Ahá Moment This Week

In this short, solo episode, I tell you about this epiphany that I had a couple of days ago, when I was struggling to find a way to find a literary agent to help me publish my upcoming book.

For many artists, reaching out for help might sound negative because it would mean that you can't do things by yourself. But that's only natural, and accepting the fact that sometimes there is an easier way to achieve what you want by asking for help to your close circle is the first and most important step towards actually achieving it.

Mentioned in This Episode

Sign up for my Lettering Tips newsletter ➡️ https://www.martinaflor.com/letteringtips

Follow me on instagram ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/martinaflor/

Take my Ultimate Lettering Quiz ➡️ https://www.martinaflor.com/quiz

February 28, 2023

92. Martina Flor – 3 Tactics To Attract Dream Assingments—Even If You Haven’t Launched Your Business

In this solo show, I share strategies and tactics that you can use to advance your career as a lettering artist or illustrator. Today I’ll be speaking about strategies to get out of your way, share your work and start attracting dream assignments. Last week we released the episode with Ken Barber, and he inspired me to record this one. Go check it out: https://youtu.be/lHIgFYPtAtU

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Mentioned in This Episode

Sign up for my Lettering Tips newsletter ➡️ https://www.martinaflor.com/letteringtips

Follow me on instagram ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/martinaflor/

Take my Ultimate Lettering Quiz ➡️ https://www.martinaflor.com/quiz

February 20, 2023

91. Ken Barber – Secrets To Mastering A Skill, Finding Models & Mentors, The Importance Of Honest Feedback, Perfection, Acceptance & Patience

Today, I’ll be having a conversation with Ken Barber

Ken is a lettering artist, type designer, author, and educator. For 30 years, he's made distinctive logos for global brands and created dozens of fonts. He blames his obsession with letterforms on Don Martin comics, Santa Cruz skateboard graphics, and speed metal logos. Ken's work has been featured in a few fancy museums, including the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. He’s an instructor at The Cooper Union in New York City, and teaches online lettering workshops with his wife, Lynn, to students around the globe. Currently, he's the type director and studio letterer at House Industries. Ken has written several books on design, including his award-winning Lettering Manual published in 2020.

Oh, this conversation with Ken was full of takeaways. Ken shared wise insights learned throughout his career of over 30 years making and teaching lettering, things like having mentors, putting your foot in the door as a lettering artist, developing your own voice, and navigating the ups and downs of a career. Ken spoke openly about the things that he did to become a master in his craft and go from amateur to pro, and the good news is that these are all actionable steps that you can follow to do that as well.

As a personal note, I have been wanting to interview Ken since day one, because I know how much value and insights he has to share. Now, after almost 100 podcasts under my belt, I dared to have him on the show and conduct the interview, which I dearly share with you today.



Listen:
Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Mentioned in This Episode

Sign up for my Free Lettering Masterclass ➡️ https://www.martinaflor.com/masterclass

Sign up for my Lettering Tips newsletter ➡️  https://www.martinaflor.com/letteringtips

Follow me on instagram ➡️  https://www.instagram.com/martinaflor/

See full show notes ➡️ https://www.martinaflor.com/podcast

Ken’s instagram ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/typelettering/

Ken's workshops ➡️ https://www.eventbrite.com/o/ken-barber-32145213327

Ken's website ➡️ www.typeandlettering.com

February 14, 2023

90. Martina Flor – From Amateur To Pro: When Are You Ready to Make A Living With Your Skills?

In this solo episode I touch on how to make the transition from amateur to pro. You have invested so much time into honing your skills and doing great work, and you’re now wondering: how do I turn my passion into my livelihood? In this episode, I share with you actionable strategies to start making that transition – and engage other people who would keep you accountable along the way. What do I mean by that? Listen in on today’s show and find out!

Listen:
Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Mentioned in This Episode

Sign up for my Free Lettering Masterclass ➡️ https://www.martinaflor.com/masterclass

Sign up for my Lettering Tips newsletter ➡️ https://www.martinaflor.com/letteringtips

Follow me on instagram ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/martinaflor/

February 7, 2023

89. Martina Flor – How To Build Confidence As An Artist

In this solo episode I speak about building confidence as an artist.

Have you ever wondered why other lettering artists, illustrators, and creatives act so confident? Well, they have worked hard into developing their self-confidence, and today I’m going to share with you a few things you can do to develop your own.

You’ll discover how little it is about finding external validation and how much it is about focusing on things that you can control. And good news! No matter whether you self-identify as an introvert or an extrovert, developing confidence is something you can do. Listen in on today’s show to get the details. 

Enjoy!

Mentioned in This Episode

Sign up for my Lettering Tips newsletter ➡️ https://www.martinaflor.com/letteringtips

Follow me on instagram ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/martinaflor/

Sign up for my upcoming lettering masterclass ➡️ https://www.martinaflor.com/masterclass

January 31, 2023

88. Mary Kate McDevitt – Making Your Splash As An Artist, Overcoming Creative Block,Mental Health & Reaching Out For Help, And Teaching What You Know

Mary Kate McDevitt is a lettering artist and illustrator living and working in Vermont. For over 12 years, Mary Kate has worked creating custom lettering and illustrations for clients including The New York Times, Target, Penguin, American Express and has published books with Chronicle Books and Workman Publishing.

She is not only one of the key figures in the lettering and illustration industry, but she has also done a lot to further the career of other artists by sharing what she knows. And in this episode, Mary Kate also lets us have a peak at the person behind the artist. 

During our conversation, Mary dived deep into one major creative block she experienced in her career. She shared what she felt, how it affected her, and the steps she followed to get out of it. 

Among other things, we spoke about social media, client outreach, relocating cities, online teaching, finances, and more — all things relevant to you regardless of whether you are an experienced artist or designer or you’re just starting out.

If you’re looking for a mask-off conversation with an experienced professional that is willing to speak openly about her struggles, this is for you.

Listen:
Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Mentioned in This Episode

January 24, 2023

87. Martina Flor – Stop Practicing

When you are a lettering artist, an illustrator or a creative of any sort, investing time into honing your skills is the right thing to do. This is the thing you want to be known for and it pays off. Now, how you invest your time is paramount to actually getting you there where you want to be and in this episode, I share actionable tactics that you can use to get the most out of the time that you are already allocating to your craft – let that be an hour a day or a week.

And it’s just about a mindset shift. What do I mean by that? Listen in on today’s show to get the details, but the takeaway is that your mindset when you sit down to create can make the difference between making it as an artist or not.

Listen:
Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Mentioned in This Episode

Sign up for my Lettering Tips newsletter ➡️ https://www.martinaflor.com/letteringtips

Follow me on instagram ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/martinaflor/

January 17, 2023

86. Martina Flor – Hello again! Now Stop

WE'RE BACK!! In the first episode of this 4th season of the podcast I want us to think of the goals you have for this year but also stop to celebrate what you have accomplished so far. Everyone's journey is different, and everyone’s goals are different, but there's one thing that brings us together in this podcast and that is having found our happy place and what is the work that we’re passionate about. This is what’s leading our trajectory and our vision, and that’s huge. During the show, I’ll tell you what’s there to expect from this season. I’ll also share the story of Mary – I know her very well and I’m sure you know her too.

Listen:
Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Mentioned in This Episode

Join my Lettering Quiz challenge ➡️ https://www.martinaflor.com/quiz

Sign up for my Lettering Tips newsletter ➡️ https://www.martinaflor.com/letteringtips

Follow me on instagram ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/martinaflor/

See full show notes ➡️ https://www.martinaflor.com/podcast

December 22, 2022

How To Plan For A Kick-Ass Year

I bet you are planning for 2023 and thinking of all the things you want to accomplish. In this post, I’ll share with you my personal success system to do just that.

I used to plan my years doing like everyone else does: writing down the things I wanted to accomplish in my life and business.

Because of that, I had trouble hitting my goals as I felt that every new year added more overwhelm. I had way too many things on my plate.

Does this sound familiar to you?

I don't use that system anymore. Thanks to that, my business has continued to grow steadily throughout the past years.

This is how my system works:

#1 Reflect.

Look back at the things you accomplished this year that brought you joy and results.

These are some of the questions that can get you started:

- what were my favorite experiences?

- what felt easy?

- what felt hard?

- what did you love creating and working on?

- what do you never want to do again?

- what brought in the most revenue?

This will give you a lot of information about what works financially and what makes you happy.

I often say to students at The Lettering Seminar that "the solutions to your drawing are in your drawing". Observing and being critical of your work can be a powerful tool.

​Likewise, observing and being critical of what happens in your life and business can be powerful. After all, you want to strive for as many happy moments as possible!

​#2 Identify the big players

​Once you answer those questions and put a finger on what works, you move on to applying the 80/20 rule.

And you may wonder what the hell is that rule, Martina? 

​The 80/20 principle, also known as the Pareto Principle, is an aphorism that asserts that 80% of the results are driven by 20% of the efforts.

This rule applies to your creative work and your business, too!

Identifying what that powerful 20% exactly is and doubling down on that is what will help you thrive without burning out or spreading thin.

What are the things that are bringing the best results for you? How can you do more of it?

​#3 Simplify.

Eliminating complexity is the third part of this process. How can you let go of the things that don't serve you anymore?

Letting go is freakin' tough. Especially after investing a fair amount of time (and perhaps money) in something.

But holding on to it will keep you away from using that time and energy on the things that really matter and have an impact on your results.

Lastly, look at your notes, what are you left with? Do these goals light you up? There you are, you got it!

Now is the time to wrap up your sleeves, and draft a plan that will help you accomplish them.

In this podcast episode, I walk you through this system so that you can start planning for a kick-ass 2023 today.
​​
Click here to hear me guide you step-by-step.

Would love to hear back from you with some of the things that you have lined up for next year.

On my side, I know that nurturing my community of lettering artists and finding new ways to connect with you is my main goal for next year.

Sparrstraße 20,
13353 Berlin, Germany (by appointment only)
+49 (0) 30 33877574 

Sparrstraße 20,
13353 Berlin, Germany (by appointment only)
+49 (0) 30 33877574 

Sparrstraße 20,
13353 Berlin, Germany (by appointment only)
+49 (0) 30 33877574 

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©2019 Studio Martina Flor. All rights reserved.

 

 ©2019 Studio Martina Flor. All rights reserved.