#101 MASTER CLASS — THE POWER OF INTENTION

Jan 8, 2025

Is there a difference between an intention and a goal? In this Master Class, Nick weighs in on this question and identifies what’s unique to each. While a creative mindset is essential for both, intention is driven by purpose, whereas goals focus on outcomes. An artist’s intentions keep that vital connection with the heart strong. Nick will share tips for crafting clear, meaningful intentions and helpful tools to cultivate and maintain a thriving practice in art and life. This Masterclass is going to set you up for your best year yet!

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28 Comments

  1. Really appreciated this. So helpful to write this all down too and give our thoughts some exposure even if just to ourselves. I’m excited to make a vision/intention/manifestation board with all this information now Thank you! ☺️🙏🏽🥰

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  2. Oh goodness ! What an inspiring speaker you are Nicholas. Thank you so much! Well my first Intention is to answer one of these questions a day for as many consecutive days that I need. Gratitude to you for this.

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  3. Thank you, Nick! This is just what I needed to hear. I took notes and will go over them and make a plan! It feels exciting. Overall, I am happy with my life and have been able to do things that bring me joy. I have been somewhat stalled out with my art. I will examine what I can do to make changes. I feel guilty because I have invested in my art over the years but it has not made money. I do feel so grateful for having successful exhibitions, creating work that is meaningful and being true to my self. I am fortunate to have the financial resources to buy art materials but I am mindful of what I spend. I am fortunate to have a supportive partner throughout my career. He has worked and supported me and our three children (who are now independent adults) and this year he will retire. He still encourages me to work on my art. He recently suggested that I hire an assistant and I am considering this idea! Another issue is that I would like a bigger studio. This is a challenge with the price of real estate but I am willing to start looking as my challenge. So my challenge is to stop feeling guilty about being an artist. I need to stop feeling guilty about spending money on things that will help my work like working in a bigger studio. I also tend to shut down when I’m not happy or stuck in my work and don’t talk about it to people. I am considering a challenge of posting on Instagram for the next month. Anyway, I am feeling motivated and looking forward to setting my intentions for 2025. I greatly appreciate all that you do and the Art2Life community!

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  4. my intention this year is to submit paintings to summer exhibitions (The Mall Gallery, Royal Academy, Diserning Eye) . I have submitted to 3 already and deciding what to submit to the RA, I keep telling myself .. just go for it and do not fee,l not good enough.. to keep going – not to be put off by disappointment. Do NOT give up.

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  5. Nick, you messed me up real good! THANK YOU! I could never reach any of my goals and used to feel so defeated every time. Oh golly, can’t sleep now either. TOO EXCITED! This Masterclass has been life changing for me. I so appreciate all you do for us Nick,
    Deborah

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  6. Thanks for this Masterclass! I have been working toward improving my practice and this really provided me with a structure to move me forward. I had set my intention, have begun building my habits, and initiated a challenge, Part 2 is where I need to begin working. This will help me move in the right direction with fewer detours and stops! Love the PDF!

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    • Thank you, just what I needed at this time .

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  7. Excellent. Can’t wait to dive into this process this way. It seems synchronistic that in the numbering system, this lands at Master Class #101…it’s foundational for our lives as artists and as ever-growing human beings!

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  8. Nick – Thanks for the reminder to stop and think about what we are doing and why (or what we are NOT doing and why!!!) Being intentional on a macro and micro level is a great challenge. Thank you for breaking it down and providing a digestible framework for inquiry and action.

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  9. Wow! This information hit me at a wonderful time. I am on vacation and injured my knee so walking is not possible. I packed oil crayons to start using because they take up limited space, but I only enjoy acrylics. I have not painted for months and really need to get back to it! I have isolated myself but that will change today. I will seek out medical help so I can plan on surgery needed, will buy acrylic paint so I will regain my fun and reclaim myself. I’m glad this will not be published, but I have been woken up and ready to reclaim myself, thank you, Nicholas!

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  10. Thanks Nick so much. I have had a really weird ‘negative’ week this week so far (not aided by the cold, dark weather we have in the Uk right now!) and watching this masterclass has reminded me of how powerful and motivating I find listening to you and feeling part of this community is. I know immediately of one intention and that is to stay connected to The Academy and Art2life much more than I have done recently, it really helps me to keep positive and confident in everything I do. I am now going to spend a bit of time to answer ‘the questions’. Thank you, I feel so much more inspired than when I woke up this morning.

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    • I so totally relate to what you wrote Ashleigh (also in the UK!) and have kind of drifted away from Art2L and watching Academy videos ( big family stuff happened in September) and began the year feeling flat, a bit dis-spirited and watching those imposter thoughts popping in again….”I’l never be a real artist, why bother… “ etc etc….suddenly Nick’s video pops up and after listening while putting away the last of Xmas, and folding laundry, I suddenly feel all inspired and motivated to get out the bullet journal, answer all the questions and get back in the saddle!!! Also here comes that warm feeling of being part of our lovely A2L family again! Very grateful, thanks Nick!

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