Just because you don’t have Project Manager in your title doesn’t mean you are removed and immune from the challenges of managing projects (and the people working on those projects). That’s why the Coax team is talking to people from all sorts of different industries about how they manage their projects (and what we can learn from them). This is the latest addition to our popular Coax Q&A series.
“I would say that the dirty secret of most artists who are succeeding today is that they are extremely adept managers. Bohemian lifestyle be damned! Talent will get you out of the gate, but management takes you to the finish line.”
![](https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/kirsten-mccrea-credit-michael-kuby.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1568&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1568&s=19c5e48dc199272c42dd17c07c724fc4 1568w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/kirsten-mccrea-credit-michael-kuby.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3136&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=3136&s=8d6347cddff9663341295481cba5ceba 3136w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/kirsten-mccrea-credit-michael-kuby.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=4704&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=4704&s=87fd078351a2187395aa9e9c08f5ff4b 4704w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/kirsten-mccrea-credit-michael-kuby.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1024&s=933195224e090dfa0e8d4d24b0d712ff 1024w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/kirsten-mccrea-credit-michael-kuby.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2048&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=2048&s=8c0e71c22196a812ad0f19ec40330487 2048w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/kirsten-mccrea-credit-michael-kuby.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3072&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=3072&s=855add704c879848f4bd88d14266ddcf 3072w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/kirsten-mccrea-credit-michael-kuby.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=766&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=766&s=da1acf452b29e03d17699a095f5e0b5a 766w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/kirsten-mccrea-credit-michael-kuby.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1532&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=1532&s=7ce21af33e831459f5ef5e178d8b7c1e 1532w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/kirsten-mccrea-credit-michael-kuby.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2298&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=2298&s=b1b74e77c15d941156705d023dee7603 2298w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/kirsten-mccrea-credit-michael-kuby.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=448&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=448&s=729b641c8c3e44ece8e8d3284c2c457f 448w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/kirsten-mccrea-credit-michael-kuby.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=896&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=896&s=b6ea1400693a59c521eccc6e24b3e25d 896w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/kirsten-mccrea-credit-michael-kuby.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1344&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=1344&s=4b848ce532804733ea0465839aa52be6 1344w)
Vitals
Name
Kirsten McCrea
Occupation
Artist, Publisher, and Creative Hustler at Papirmass
Website
hellokirsten.com
Instagram
@hello.kirsten
Tell us about your current role. What kinds of things do you do every day? What does your job usually entail (for those of us who might not know much about it)?
I’m an Artist, Publisher, and Creative Hustler, meaning that I wear a lot of hats and every day is different. Depending on the day, I can be found painting a mural, running my art subscription Papirmass, working on the nuts and bolts of my art practice, or possibly travelling to a residency, giving a talk, mentoring other young artists, or working on a design for a client.
It’s an exciting life, but it’s also challenging. Sometimes I really crave structure and routine. Still, I have the best job in the world, because I wake up every day and get to focus on my passion. I’ve been a full-time artist for 10 years now, and am living my dream.
How much are you managing projects and people? What kind of projects? Give us an example.
Both Papirmass and murals require serious project management. Each runs on a tight deadline and there is little room for error, but plenty of room for unforeseen circumstances to crop up. And with each, I am relying on a lot of other people to come together and make the project happen.
As many an introvert will attest, management didn’t come easy. It’s a skill that develops with repeated use, and some lessons are learned the hard way. As I transitioned from being a studio artist (working alone, on my own things and at my own pace) to running a team at Papirmass and overseeing assistants on my murals, I had to develop a host of management skills.
The single biggest thing I have learned is that without clear communication and organized systems, you are setting people up to fail. How can anyone perform at their best if they don’t understand the parameters of the game? I realized early on that I had to have a clear filing system, an organization chart that lays out responsibilities, well-articulated deadlines and goals, and a clear timeline on which the project should advance. I do not excel at this side of a project, but I am continually striving to improve and I know that I’ve advanced leagues since I began.
What’s your approach to managing projects and people? What works when you need to move things forward?
I try to be an affirmative manager. I give a lot of positive feedback so that when constructive criticism inevitably needs to be delivered, it’s understood within a context of me respecting their overall work and rooting for their success. I try to treat my staff as equals, and indeed I do learn a lot from them. In many ways, I prefer the idea that we work together, rather than they work for me. I have purposefully sought out people who have different skill sets than I do, and as such we really are all essential components of the team. My staff are always more strategic, organized, and tactical than I am. I have the big, messy, creative ideas, and they help make them happen.
This being said, as we grow (Papirmass brought on 3 new people in the last year), I have realized that I will need to step back and become more of a leader. Being on the same footing works great with a team of three, but larger groups need more decisive leadership (and I’ll need to be able to deliver feedback more efficiently). So I expect that over the next few years my approach to management will change.
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Art fromPapirmass
How has your background, education, or past experiences informed the way you manage projects?
Luckily, I come from a family of managers and my step-dad is a small business owner. I think that a lot of the dinner table talk in my childhood prepared me well for entering this role.
Still, I didn’t start out wanting to run a business. In fact, I initially viewed Papirmass as an art project. Being a full-time artist was really hard in the beginning, but I was buoyed by how much I was learning. I can say unequivocally that my education, a BFA, did not prepare me for project management at all, which is a shame. One of the major downfalls of a BFA is the lack of training in how to utilize your skills once you’re out of school. It’s very sink-or-swim. I jumped in and started to figure it out.
Amazingly, this naïveté had a huge benefit: despite the low profits in the early years, I did not quit. I think that most MBAs never would have stuck out something with such a low return. However, with art, each year is exponentially easier than the one before. As your reputation grows, your skills solidify, and you add to your team, the work becomes significantly more manageable.
When it comes to managing projects, what do you wish you were better at? What do you wish you knew more about?
Like many women, I struggle at times with assertiveness and giving negative feedback. I see a lot of advantages to a team-based mentality and a positive style, but there are times I wish I could say what I need to with less hemming and hawing. I’m getting better every year, but it’s not something that comes naturally to me.
I also wish that I was better at seeing the big picture. I’m great at focusing on the short to middle term, but things become too fuzzy down the line. One of the reasons we recently expanded our staff at Papirmass was so that we could create a proper Director of Operations position, which includes project management as a core responsibility. As I said earlier, I can have the big ideas, but I really benefit from someone else breaking them down into concrete and manageable steps.
![Illustration of a guide with two faces](https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/res-communication-banner.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=882&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1568&s=5d0338950ebea502276cad2b6a878cb1 1568w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/res-communication-banner.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1764&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=3136&s=fb6524c4fabc432da4374c2f49b25fbf 3136w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/res-communication-banner.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2646&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=4704&s=ce8af23df678e3c65b7ab08a95aac0b6 4704w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/res-communication-banner.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1024&s=50abf6197d9ae027097527f277dc9493 1024w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/res-communication-banner.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1152&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=2048&s=31be9678b6f0f50e49608866acb6f36c 2048w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/res-communication-banner.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1728&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=3072&s=9d1cdfe188904d12a7bea1ae180e5156 3072w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/res-communication-banner.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=430&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=766&s=7c5f72023b58f7e3c62817f841b19b93 766w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/res-communication-banner.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=861&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=1532&s=4a5ff18b41794565842cd82477e9fb00 1532w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/res-communication-banner.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1292&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=2298&s=c1ef72b3c202f0396f6ef691c12a5b83 2298w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/res-communication-banner.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=252&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=448&s=630c943d689dc003a9383c8b321d70d6 448w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/res-communication-banner.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=504&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=896&s=0ae7473d7e89b6e03ef4c8999b0c1371 896w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/res-communication-banner.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=756&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=1344&s=a90de06dc871670faf288525b7344d90 1344w)
Learn how to pull the good stuff out of your team.
Read the Louder Than Ten Communication Guide
FollowKirsten on Instagramand check out all her dope-ass murals
![](https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/painted-floors-pattern-mix-mural-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1568&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1568&s=0fe71b210129966295a9ced91190de42 1568w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/painted-floors-pattern-mix-mural-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3136&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=3136&s=a28273c30a9cdda1112960954358abe1 3136w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/painted-floors-pattern-mix-mural-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=4704&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=4704&s=e15df24fa379d4a8a8a6ec6c9dbbdcdc 4704w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/painted-floors-pattern-mix-mural-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1024&s=c6898840fdb0146f48ca282b3da38250 1024w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/painted-floors-pattern-mix-mural-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2048&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=2048&s=367c0cfb242346a8f51336df62abe3c5 2048w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/painted-floors-pattern-mix-mural-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3072&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=3072&s=af895e68deaad605ec75a4874e182a6c 3072w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/painted-floors-pattern-mix-mural-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=766&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=766&s=6645afd9ab31bd34fc6aa9a77440a925 766w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/painted-floors-pattern-mix-mural-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1532&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=1532&s=e8f8a640e37de85706e0fa64ebbf3fca 1532w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/painted-floors-pattern-mix-mural-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2298&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=2298&s=7d4b4b3b79cdd9be02aae8775cc07537 2298w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/painted-floors-pattern-mix-mural-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=448&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=448&s=1095e2b37a6e9a15992f598768c6d256 448w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/painted-floors-pattern-mix-mural-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=896&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=896&s=3a667415f4422b955d961a141e4f149e 896w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/painted-floors-pattern-mix-mural-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1344&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=1344&s=a0b03b081e0377dbfa36158e2f63a59c 1344w)
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![](https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/hello-kirsten-chicago-pattern-mural.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1064&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1568&s=b14b1d96f24b44a3ea40cb7df793e7fa 1568w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/hello-kirsten-chicago-pattern-mural.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2128&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=3136&s=13be0c174be760f15a81f131bf6f364d 3136w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/hello-kirsten-chicago-pattern-mural.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3192&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=4704&s=c9393d9bec0e204b4827243e2667b7a8 4704w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/hello-kirsten-chicago-pattern-mural.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=694&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1024&s=0c877d22c5acf828beff6df30cd67f1b 1024w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/hello-kirsten-chicago-pattern-mural.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1389&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=2048&s=af9b77ddf0e6d8123b69e880ba21d3a4 2048w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/hello-kirsten-chicago-pattern-mural.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2084&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=3072&s=1dd7f8d6454c1624a8b8d5600221a804 3072w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/hello-kirsten-chicago-pattern-mural.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=519&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=766&s=2ce6b55acfc370db627faf0875f7ffbe 766w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/hello-kirsten-chicago-pattern-mural.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1039&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=1532&s=1d5c43a5b87ccd451b4ea6ce498f4a79 1532w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/hello-kirsten-chicago-pattern-mural.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1559&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=2298&s=76980eef804e1dbb5780d1159091536a 2298w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/hello-kirsten-chicago-pattern-mural.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=304&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=448&s=921e62afa41674f374248faf27320573 448w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/hello-kirsten-chicago-pattern-mural.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=608&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=896&s=79139e446aa15dc6d1603a5380fa6641 896w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/hello-kirsten-chicago-pattern-mural.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=912&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=1344&s=72f986d7c45eaf3cb2b68af8ee1427c4 1344w)
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![](https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/bright-colourful-mural-toronto-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1045&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1568&s=c40a8390d4100d555a1d818ef8e4d46a 1568w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/bright-colourful-mural-toronto-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2091&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=3136&s=6e9dcd8c1d4030d191f2b8f1f771ab26 3136w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/bright-colourful-mural-toronto-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3136&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=4704&s=d7049c13db277b7d4da6b78bb2b38bb2 4704w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/bright-colourful-mural-toronto-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=682&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1024&s=88953bf1616e940f6fb137fda3392da5 1024w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/bright-colourful-mural-toronto-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1365&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=2048&s=b5a72f922545eb857a74737c03b492ff 2048w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/bright-colourful-mural-toronto-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2048&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=3072&s=72b9379c70af37a51e5fbd599330c63c 3072w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/bright-colourful-mural-toronto-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=510&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=766&s=47f53d4fd5af21914e839cf941c53e55 766w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/bright-colourful-mural-toronto-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1021&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=1532&s=6b0a46bc7bcb12abfba2378a03889112 1532w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/bright-colourful-mural-toronto-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1532&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=2298&s=7b512cd4199f47d50f4edc6ea8cfdc57 2298w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/bright-colourful-mural-toronto-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=298&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=448&s=54a1c0746c65637aea79dacf62884efe 448w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/bright-colourful-mural-toronto-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=597&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=896&s=4aae9adf9ad42e30d4f78c9514fad9cb 896w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/bright-colourful-mural-toronto-hellokirsten.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=896&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=1344&s=31a8f944ce3d512d0e904cb0b17035db 1344w)
What’s your best tip or an approach to projects that works for you? Why do you think it works? What’s one pitfall you’ve learned how to avoid?
In general, breaking big projects down into small tasks is essential. I particularly find that if I am procrastinating, a great tactic is to focus on one tiny step I can take to get started.
I’ve used a host of techniques over the years to break things down and manage my to-do list. Currently, I’m utilizing Asana to manage my team, and post-it notes to keep my attention on track for the most important tasks of the day. I’m also experimenting with a “Stubby List”: allowing myself a to-do list with only 3 items on it. Focusing on the three most important tasks of the day has been helpful.
![](https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/km-postit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1568&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1568&s=bdea3262045112ddfccbacb725354c42 1568w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/km-postit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3136&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=3136&s=7a88d2ac87d8b75c5bdfc7cde5cb2fce 3136w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/km-postit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=4704&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=4704&s=30f7502e371d7eca6898aec98f967232 4704w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/km-postit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1024&s=6a363a3c2c378ce71ee0a9c4c6c996ca 1024w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/km-postit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2048&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=2048&s=ca61911c44d941e1d95ddd87c54ed3e8 2048w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/km-postit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3072&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=3072&s=6ff4000fa961f0595b140e97276e1806 3072w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/km-postit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=766&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=766&s=ce2a4d75d4aa3ef823d5bc07b5489181 766w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/km-postit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1532&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=1532&s=34dfdc73427c427d9d5d9340e54d4a5e 1532w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/km-postit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2298&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=2298&s=758d9381de782d9b64fee694a1b69ad1 2298w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/km-postit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=448&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=448&s=1036568b3ea7c0fc603afbaad2f48130 448w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/km-postit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=896&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=896&s=4ea654be3520157920bb07664edb6171 896w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/km-postit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1344&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=1344&s=933d53c8478ee0c445a4e478ea281d32 1344w)
A third tactic that I am experimenting with is engaging with email less. This has its ups and downs. On the one hand, I am able to focus on my most important tasks far more readily without feeling the call of other people’s priorities. Before, I felt at times that I could be an artist who simply answers emails all day long as their practice. There simply wasn’t enough time for actually making things! But of course, when I inevitably do sit down to conquer the inbox, there are far too many messages piled up, and I realize how remiss I’ve been in respecting other people’s timelines. It’s a very difficult balancing act and I have certainly not perfected it.
What’s one thing the average person doesn’t know about the kind of work you do?
Being an artist sounds very romantic, but the reality is that I spend a great deal of time on managerial and administrative tasks. For every romantic highlight posted to Instagram, there are grants to write, budgets to balance, job candidates to evaluate, paint orders to place... There is a perception that artists are lazy fun-loving hedonists, but please understand that most successful artists in today’s day and age have worked incredibly hard to get to where they are. In fact, I would say that the dirty secret of most artists who are succeeding today is that they are extremely adept managers. Bohemian lifestyle be damned! Talent will get you out of the gate, but management takes you to the finish line.