Between school vacations, travel plans, holiday parties, and gift shopping, there's no doubt the holidays are stressful. When you add running your own small business to the mix, that stress is sure to double...trust me! With your time already limited, you'll want to be as prepared as possible for the holidays. That's why I've put together a helpful list of things you should do before the holiday season really kicks in! 

When most small businesses think about "branding," they tend to shy away. I've heard people say, "it's not worth the time and effort; I'm just a small business." I've also heard, "I already have a logo; that's my brand." Believe me, both of these views couldn't be further from the truth! Whether you consider yourself an artist, an entrepreneur, or a small business, creating a brand should be at the top of your to-do list.

I recently received GOLDEN's OPEN Acrylic Colors, a new line of paint formulated to extend working time, which allows artists to practice techniques typically only accomplished with oils. 

As a portrait artist, this new line was especially exciting for me. Here are some things I learned during my first painting session.