​Life, Creativity and Business Coaching for Artists and Creatives

Is it possible to be an artist or creative, make real and meaningful art work, get it out into the world in ways that feel good,  and still live a sane, healthy life?

Yes 
The myth of the starving artist does not have to be. You do not have to suffer for your art! But in this culture, it takes some serious work to get away from it.

It is completely possible to satisfy the artist in you that needs to breathe and be seen, maintain balance and integrity as you are engaged in all of life's needs, and get your work out into the world in a way that feels good and effective. 

Your art is essential

You know that your creative work is essential to your own health and well-being. You have felt that. Life is flat and soulless if you are not engaged in some way in your own creative work. 

I am always surprised when forget and then return to it and suddenly life is easier and juicier.

Your work  is also essential to the culture we are all a part of. If you allow your creative exploration to develop with honesty and depth, you not just tapping into your own truth and places of growth, you are also tapping into our cultural depth.

Every culture needs its artists to illuminate those places of disquiet, of visioning, of soul.

Sometimes you need help to make room for it and to really give yourself permission to go into the discovery and unknown.

What do you need to succeed as an artist?

How would it feel if you had someone who has been there and understands on a profound level where the struggles are? 

​With a good coach by your side, instead of getting stopped by the fears and frustrations that are endemic to following your creative dream, you can move through them, gaining profound insights in the process, and step into a sense of momentum and courage. It is those very parts of yourself that seem to want to keep you down that, with some transformative work, end up being your greatest allies.
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Coaching for artists helps with these issues:
  • clarifying and motivating your creative direction, goals and purpose
  • finding and leaning into your true creative voice
  • letting go of the harsh inner critic
  • establishing and maintaining a work rhythm that makes sense for you
  • where and how to get your work out into the world
  • getting in shape physically in a way that feels good
  • decluttering work and life spaces
  • finding comfort, clarity and ease around money


These are some of the parts of a coaching relationship:
  • Awareness: developing a sense of compassion and non-judgment as you become aware of what is really going on- where you are getting stuck and what parts of you are acting out. This can be a slow unfolding- like pealing layers off an onion.
  • Transformation: by using the imagination as the bridge between the cognitive mind and the psyche, you can not only illuminate the stuck places, but you can transform the parts that were causing friction into parts that help you succeed
  • Practicalities: getting down and dirty with breaking your goals into logical, doable steps, letting go of the too-much and prioritizing what stays. Clarity, kindness and listening for the true call of self.
  • Compassionate accountability: when it gets tough- you can so easily be distracted away from your goals- having someone walking with you helps you stay focused on the path.

Only you can decide the best path for you, but sometimes you ache to have someone else tell you what to do. That does not work. With a coach by your side you hear and trust you own true calling and you can assess clearly where to put your efforts and how to present yourself to your best advantage.

Stop holding yourself back and discover how rich your own insights are and how deep your  well of resources.
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Hi, I'm Val Gilman, MFA

I'm a coach for artists and creatives and the founder of Taproot Arts and Insight. Trained as a Psychosynthesis Transformational Life Coach, I work primarily with artists and creatives helping them create lives of balance and nourishment as they discover their most compelling work and bring it out into the world. 

I understand the struggles both from my own journey, I have been through a lot! And also from all the people I have taught and coached.

I have been a sculptor, working with a deep sense of discovery and following what is compelling for more than 30 years. During that time I have been a solo artist and I have found success in craft shows and through galleries and on-line sales. I have taught at the college level, through community studios and out of my own studio.  You can read more about my journey on my about page.

Together we look at what you want to do, what is getting in the way, and how to move forward. These conversations are fascinating and deeply inspiring as we transform the very parts of yourself that seem to want to keep you down into valuable members of your internal team. It is thrilling to get all your voices into alignment and see how easy things become.

I provide compassionate accountability. I support you in clarifying your true purpose, setting tangible and achievable goals that are in alignment with your values and beliefs, and fit into your life, developing tools and resources to move in your own positive direction, and manifesting your richest, warmest, loveliest self and life.

Cost

​Monthly fee for individual coaching 

3 Sessions a month:  $610/month
Recommended for the first 3- 6 months

2 Sessions a month: $420/ month
Recommended for continuing the work once the groundwork is established

Taproot Community for Artists and Creatives

If you ever feel like you are out there on your own an it is hard to get the momentum and accountability to get into the studio,
  • Tuesday  9-11:00 am EST co-working group. It is really magic how it works to get you focused.