Ep 21. Client Spotlight: Tracing Shapes in a Non-Linear Artistic Career with Tara Dorey

Becoming a creative freelancer can be an exciting career move, except no one has really taught us HOW to do this “job”. More often than not, what you’re doing is very different from another creative freelancer. When people congratulate you with messages like “you’re your own boss now”, you secretly cringe and worry about your next week’s schedule, your next month’s paycheck, and that project that you really want to say no to but are scared. Not to mention, you promised yourself that this would be the year to restart on your personal art project, but half a year has gone by and you’ve made zero progress on that. Ouch. If all these hurt a little, I feel you. As a creative entrepreneur myself, I am pretty much also a freelancer, and I coach other creative freelancers on their journey as well. So today, I invited one of my coaching clients, Tara Dorey, to come on the podcast and discuss the life of being a creative freelancer. As an artist, arts educator, and former Executive Director of a small and mighty arts organization, Tara is someone I deeply admire and have been humbled to partner with on her journey to grow her practice. Key highlights of this episodeTara’s journey on becoming a full-time creative freelancerHer take on non-linear growth in creative careerTara’s key takeaways from our one-on-one coachingHer ritual organizing her week, setting intention, and celebrating mini-milestones The importance of talking more openly about money and money mindset in the arts If you’re curious about the final image Tara and I created in our collage, see here.About the GuestTara Dorey is a visual artist with a focus on collaborative and community engaged art making. Her practice includes arts education and facilitation, public art and murals, as well as project management and community engagement, practices that bridge her backgrounds from a Bachelor of Fine Art in Drawing & Painting from OCAD University and a Community Arts Practice Certificate from York University. Currently, Tara is studying a Masters of Education with an Arts in Education emphasis, at OISE, University of Toronto. Find Tara at on her website: taradorey.comOr connect with her on Instagram: @tara.doreyAbout BettyFollow me on Instagram @bettyxcoach for more resources and my behind-the-scenes story working as a creative and a coach for creativesWant more raw reflections on creative practices? Subscribe to my emails hereMy 1:1 coaching program is OPEN! I help creatives like you to grow career, practice and income by embracing exactly who you are. My clients have been able to deepen their craft, make big career moves, and make happier money without overwhelm.Book a free consultation call here: https://practice.do/me/betty-xie/book/coaching-free-consultationLearn more about the program at xiebetty.com/coachingThe Everyday Talent Podcast is produced by Betty Xie and Benice Detoon.