Welcome to your
ARTIST MASTERMIND+
Community
A safe place
to grow your
skills & confidence
Get the very best advice, training, support, & positive pressure from a Master Artist alongside a small group of artists, just like you!
Taking your talent to the next level is tough to do on your own.
Whether you’re trying to find your unique artistic voice, or wanting to hone your technique, or unsure of how to sell online or approach galleries with your work, you’ve come to the right place!
I had the good fortune to get the mentorship I needed from Master Artist, David Langevin. It launched my confidence and art career! Now I’m determined to give every artist that same opportunity, through AFFORDABLE ACCESS to MASTER ARTISTS, who are eager to mentor, train, and share their expertise with you.
And since COMMUNITY & SUPPORT ARE VITAL to growth, we do it all in trusted small groups.
Join the community and experience for yourself the game-changing power of PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING & the motivating, POSITIVE PRESSURE OF MENTORSHIP, from an established, successful, MASTER ARTIST, who has walked the road before you.
This is your year to overcome obstacles, find success & experience joy!
~ Julie deBoer Artist & LevellingUp Co-Founder
Featured Master ARTISTS
CAROLYN LORD
JEAN PEDERSON
ROBERT BURRIDGE
What to expect...
2-hr monthly
videoconference session with MASTER ARTIST, NAVIGATOR & small group
Practice-based HOMEWORK
& ACCOUNTABILITY
INFORMATIVE INTERACTIVE & HONEST conversation
Navigator permanently assigned to your group, accountable for your growth trajectory
CONFIDENTIAL discussion board & access to session RECORDINGS
CHOOSE a new Master every 6 months to bring NEW EXPERTISE & SKILL TRAINING
TESTIMONIALS FROM OUR ARTISTS…
…signing up for Veronica’s group was the best decision I made towards my art career. The group is amazing and Veronica is very encouraging and full of info to share! Janice our navigator is awesome. We just had our 1st informal group meeting yesterday and it felt great to have other artists to talk to. Super happy that I joined LU. Ned is amazing! I feel like I am going to art school. Thanks again for the brilliant idea of LevellingUp. I just love the idea that art is not competitive. I am no where near looking to sell anything and I may never, but I always feared there was great competitiveness out there so it would be hard to find comradery and support. I am so glad that is not the case. Mark’s work is so incredible, but he’s so humble about it. His process is different than mine, but his angle, his method, his way of seeing things is fantastic. That’s why I’m here—not to paint like he does, but to learn by osmosis. In my opinion, people should be jumping all over his class LevellingUp has helped me immensely with my confidence in showing up for my own work, continuing to make art in my own terms and unapologetically so. It has been such an honour learning from one of Canada’s best contemporary artists, Julie Himel. It’s been one of the best investments i’ve made for my self and my art career. The reason I joined LevellingUp is because I have learned that there is so much to be gained from the experience of others, not just from this instructor but the other participants. If someone is willing to share their lessons learned with you, why wouldn’t you want to seize that opportunity? I’ve been getting mentored by @artistheatherpant @levellingup and I’m loving it!I’ve learned SO MUCH, not only from my mentor but from my group. (I feel like networking has been difficult and this has given me a venue to network and ask the many pressing questions that I have had) I’m finally meeting other artists like me and getting encouragement, support, & feedback that’s really making a difference. Sometimes taking a chance turns out to be one of the BEST things that happens to you. “Levelling Up” @levellingup was that “chance” for me; and I couldn’t be happier. Teaming up with a Master Artist and new art friends was the push I needed to move into the art world.I’ve learned SO MUCH, not only from my mentor but from my group. I’m expanding my art community, and getting encouragement, support, & feedback that’s really making a difference. I’ve not only joined my second group with @levelling up but one of their moderators @heatherkinehan just gave a presentation to artists on some tips and tricks on promoting art on social media. Love it! A few months ago I joined @levellingup with Julia Veenstra @jveenstraartist which was a definite turning point. Not only is Julia a brilliant mentor, with @heatherkinahanart as our positive and well organized navigator, the other artists in the group share their experiences and support one another. The experience has been a turning point for me in terms of how to set up my art as a business. It’s been a real game changer. Back in September, I joined the @LevellingUp community as a participant in & facilitator for their Artist Mastermind+ program. I already feel this has been turning point in my life as an artist. It’s too early to tell where it’s all going to lead, however the possibilities are very exciting.🙌🙌🙌It’s only been four months, yet I’ve learned so much from both the Master Artists mentoring the groups, as well as my peers. Plus the connections I have made are amazing!! It’s been great chatting with fellow artists, sharing our journeys, goals, worries & successes. It’s all about artists supporting artists!♥️ Levelling Up has provided me with a way to network with artists in a way I didn’t know existed. The community that has emerged has been very beneficial in taking my art to the next level. And having a circle of art friends has been very encouraging. I’d highly recommend Levelling Up to other artists. We created a warm community of like-minded artists challenging and supporting each other in goal setting and accomplishments achieved. Creating connections with other artists and learning from accomplished Masters has helped me find a better path for my own work.Ana
Jo
Holly
Aggie
Lisa
Niki
Pam
Jane
Heather
Pamela
Diana
Jodi
Meet Jane
She’s joined 3 Mastermind Groups and here’s what she has to say!
For ASPIRING, Emerging & PROFESSIONAL Artists
AM I AN ASPIRING ARTIST?
As an aspiring artist, you have been creating on the side, as a hobby, and now you're ready to take it to the next level!
YOU'RE INTERESTED IN:
- technique - color and composition
- art critiques - get feedback on your artwork to help you narrow and hone your style
- supplies and tools - where to save and where to spend
- marketing - learn to write your artist statement and CV, build your brand, launch a website, maximize your social media
- price artwork – because your time and talent have value
Am I An Emerging Artist?
As an emerging artist, you have been painting regularly and feel fairly confident in your one unique style.
You've taken workshops/courses and have already been selling your work to friends, family, and in community shows, markets and beyond.
Now you're ready to take it to the next level!
YOU'RE INTERESTED IN:
- art critiques - getting expert feedback on your artwork
- selling - learn how to sell your artwork
- pricing
- building your brand and marketing, leveraging social media well
- earning a steady income in an unsteady economy
- how to approach galleries and/or go solo successfully
- business skills - learn the mechanics of creating and sustaining a business as an artist
- production - studio set-up and time management to maximize production
- art licensing - what products to create, how to find a reputable producer
Am I A Professional Artist?
As a professional artist, you have become established and successful as an artist – so now what? Mastery!
- You have a well-defined style & display strong technical skills
- You have approximately 10 years of dedication to your craft (CV/resume demonstrates approximately 10 years of shows, exhibitions, gallery representation)
- You may have started teaching others technique skills
- You worry about the risk of getting stagnant in your art growth by the distraction of commercial success
What do they learn?
- Connecting your personal voice to your craft. Personal expression of how you feel about life, communicated in your own unique way. Challenging your motives: are you painting from a place of passion, or due to pressure?
- Differentiate your work. Stand out from the crowd.
- Never stop pursuing excellence in your work. Hone the subtle nuances of technique and work in your unique voice.
Be the First to Know!
When you join the Artists' Network you'll get FIRST DIBS on all NEW Mastermind Groups.
You'll also, receive helpful advice, articles and book suggestions to help you level-up your talent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I start?
Choose the group level – aspiring or emerging – that best matches where you are at in your artist journey. Aspiring artists are generally focused on developing their signature style, and want to focus on technique, materials, colour and composition. Emerging artists are generally focused on making their passion a profitable career, and want to focus on sales and marketing, achieving technical excellence, and making their studio time efficient.
After picking your level, choose the Master Artist who aligns with your medium, your subject matter, and who personally resonates with you. You’ll be spending a lot of time with your Master, so make sure you choose a Master who you believe will truly help you.
Why am I being charged for my Mastermind Session before we meet?
- a 2-hr live & interactive group mentoring session with your Master
- access to your private discussion board on LUchat, so you can:
- get to know the Navigator and the other artists in your group
- suggest topics for your Master to address in an upcoming monthly session
- support each other’s work on the assigned homework
What is the curriculum?
After you register for your Mastermind group, we’ll email a Member Profile form for you to fill out. In this form you’ll tell us about your goals, your challenges, your current skills – all the stuff your Master needs to know to be able to help you out.
Before meeting you, your Master will review your form to understand how to best help you. The curriculum is not pre-decided. The mentoring and training your Master Artist will provide depends on what YOU need to learn. It will be tailored specifically in response to what you’ve told us about YOUR goals and challenges.
What happens in a Mastermind Group?
There are a maximum of 8 Member artists in each Mastermind group, plus a Navigator facilitator, plus the Master.
Your group meets with your Master Artist once monthly for a 2 hour live mentoring session using Zoom. Between monthly sessions, you get support and encouragement from your artist peers on LevellingUp’s private discussion board, LUchat.
During the first hour of each monthly session the Master provides feedback on the homework you completed since your last session. The second hour of each session is spent in new teaching, with the teaching focused on what your Master feels you need to know next to progress on your artist journey. Every session ends with a homework assignment related to the teaching.
Since there is no homework to review in the first session, the first hour of the first Mastermind session typically has the Master ensuring they fully understand the needs of each Member. This time is also a great opportunity for you to get to know the other artists in the group.
Our Members tell us the safe community their group provides gives them the encouragement and support essential to venture out into new territory.
What happens between my monthly mentoring sessions?
LUchat is a discussion board that we’ve built specifically for our artists. There’s an area on LUchat that’s completely private to your group, and your Navigator will also be there to connect with you. Recordings of every monthly session are also posted on LUchat just in case you miss a session or want to review the discussion.
Your group’s Master will not generally connect on LUchat. The availability of a world-class Master Artist is extremely limited, so take full advantage of the face-to-face monthly live videoconference sessions. Your
Navigator will bring questions raised by the group on LUchat to your Master, ensuring your needs are addressed in the monthly sessions.
How long do I stay with a Master?
By bringing in a new Master, your learning journey never needs to grow stale, and you can access the wealth of experience our many different Masters have to offer.
Changing out your group’s Master is optional, and your Navigator will help you through this process.
What do I get for my money?
Our Members tell us they discover 4 key benefits at LevellingUp:
- You get to know (and to be known by) and become part of the community of a successful & skilled Master Artist
- You’ll develop skills – both technical and business – in just a few months that otherwise would have taken years, if not decades
- With face-to-face conversation and feedback on homework assignments, you’ll learn quickly how to take your artwork from good to excellent
- You get to connect daily with a safe and trusted community of your fellow artists, giving and receiving encouragement, helpful ideas, and opportunities to network
What is a LevellingUp Navigator?
Every group includes a Navigator. Navigators are not Master Artists, and are also benefiting from the Master’s mentorship. As fellow artists, they understand your challenges and successes. As experienced facilitators, they’re well equipped to ensure your group runs well and you get full value from your time at LevellingUp.
Some of the things your Navigator does are:
- Ensure the monthly sessions run on schedule, and everyone gets a chance to speak and share
- Support the Master with preparation
- Help everyone with the technology
- Help your group select a new Master (your Navigator will stay with your group after your Master changes)
Can I join a group that has already started?
That means the group you’re joining may have already been meeting for a while. Don’t worry that you’ll feel left out or left behind! Your Navigator will be sure to bring you up to speed – and because mentoring is all about responding to your personal needs, the Master will work very hard to ensure your questions are addressed.
How does the billing work? What am I committing to?
We do encourage Members to plan to spend at least 6 months at LevellingUp, as it takes time for your skills to grow and for meaningful community to develop.
The monthly billing is automatic, and you have access to your account so you can cancel anytime.
What happens if I’m not happy?
In case its ever needed, we also offer a 90 day full money back guarantee.
PARTNERS
90 Day Money Back Guarantee
We are committed to providing value to you so that you see measurable growth in your art journey and become a raving fan! If after 90 days we have not provided that value, please let us know and we’ll provide you with a full refund.
Artists
Welcome to Your
Master-Led Community!
Artist Mastermind+
What You Get!
Chose Your Master!
Work with a Master Artist of your choice, face-to-face, for 2 hrs, every month. ALWAYS LIVE & INTERACTIVE
There’s MORE! …
“Sometimes taking a chance turns out to be one of the BEST things that happens to you. Levelling Up was that “chance” for me; and I couldn’t be happier.”
~ Pam (Emerging Artist)
private chat group
CONNECT with your small, trusted group, throughout the month
- Discuss the homework together
- Share your progress
- Get feedback & encouragement
- Make friends along the way!
“Teaming up with a Master Artist and new art friends was the push I needed to move into the art world. I’ve learned SO MUCH, not only from my mentor but from my group.”
GROW YOUR SKILLS & CONFIDENCE
Business Advice -> Learn how to make a viable living, doing what you LOVE.
Technique Training -> live demos, art critiques, advice on tools & materials, studio set-up … and more
Artist Network of Support -> FEEDBACK, ENCOURAGEMENT, ADVICE, SUPPORT, COMMUNITY!
“I feel like networking has been difficult and this has given me a venue to network and ask the many pressing questions that I have had. I’m finally meeting other artists like me and getting encouragement, support, & feedback that’s really making a difference.”
~ Niki (emerging artist)
Featured Masters
CAROLYN LORD
JEAN PEDERSON
ROBERT BURRIDGE
Find Your group
Learn From The Masters
TAKING YOUR TALENT TO THE NEXT LEVEL IS TOUGH TO DO ON YOUR OWN.
Whether you’re honing your unique style or approaching galleries with your work, you don’t have to go it alone. I had the good fortune to get the leg-up I needed to launch my art career early on. And now I’m determined to give every artist that same opportunity, through affordable access to Master Artists who are eager to mentor, train, and share their expertise with growing artists.
And since community & support are vital, we do it all in trusted small, supportive groups.
Join a high-trust Mastermind+ Group for artists to experience for yourself the game-changing power of peer-to-peer learning AND the motivating, POSITIVE PRESSURE of mentoring, from an established, successful, career artist, who has walked the road before you.
I look forward to joining you and curating your experience so that you can overcome the obstacles that keep you from reaching your goals.
Julie deBoer
Professional Artist | LevellingUp Co-Founder & CMO
For ASPIRING and Emerging Artists
WHAT IS AN ASPIRING ARTIST?
As an aspiring artist, you have been creating on the side, as a hobby, and now you’re ready to take it to the next level!
YOU’RE INTERESTED IN:
- technique - color and composition
- art critiques - get feedback on your artwork to help you narrow and hone your style
- supplies and tools - where to save and where to spend
- marketing - learn to write your artist statement and CV, build your brand, launch a website, maximize your social media
- price artwork – because your time and talent have value
What Is An Emerging Artist?
As an emerging artist, you have been painting regularly and feel fairly confident in your one unique style.
You’ve taken workshops/courses and have already been selling your work to friends, family, and in community shows, markets, and beyond.
Now you’re ready to take it to the next level!
YOU’RE INTERESTED IN:
- art critiques - getting expert feedback on your artwork
- selling - learn how to sell your artwork
- pricing
- building your brand and marketing, leveraging social media well
- earning a steady income in an unsteady economy
- how to approach galleries and/or go solo successfully
- business skills - learn the mechanics of creating and sustaining a business as an artist
- production - studio set-up and time management to maximize production
- art licensing - what products to create, how to find a reputable producer
Am I A Professional Artist?
As a professional artist, you have become established and successful as an artist – so now what? Mastery!
- You have a well-defined style & display strong technical skills
- You have approximately 10 years of dedication to your craft (CV/resume demonstrates approximately 10 years of shows, exhibitions, gallery representation)
- You may have started teaching others technique skills
- You worry about the risk of getting stagnant in your art growth by the distraction of commercial success
What do they learn?
- Connecting your personal voice to your craft. Personal expression of how you feel about life, communicated in your own unique way. Challenging your motives: are you painting from a place of passion, or due to pressure?
- Differentiate your work. Stand out from the crowd.
- Never stop pursuing excellence in your work. Hone the subtle nuances of technique and work in your unique voice.
Be the First to Know!
When you join the Artists' Network you'll get FIRST DIBS on all NEW Mastermind Groups.
You'll also, receive helpful advice, articles and book suggestions to help you level-up your talent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I start?
Choose the group level – aspiring or emerging – that best matches where you are at in your artist journey. Aspiring artists are generally focused on developing their signature style, and want to focus on technique, materials, colour and composition. Emerging artists are generally focused on making their passion a profitable career, and want to focus on sales and marketing, achieving technical excellence, and making their studio time efficient.
After picking your level, choose the Master Artist who aligns with your medium, your subject matter, and who personally resonates with you. You’ll be spending a lot of time with your Master, so make sure you choose a Master who you believe will truly help you.
Why am I being charged for my Mastermind Session before we meet?
- a 2-hr live & interactive group mentoring session with your Master
- access to your private discussion board on LUchat, so you can:
- get to know the Navigator and the other artists in your group
- suggest topics for your Master to address in an upcoming monthly session
- support each other’s work on the assigned homework
What is the curriculum?
After you register for your Mastermind group, we’ll email a Member Profile form for you to fill out. In this form you’ll tell us about your goals, your challenges, your current skills – all the stuff your Master needs to know to be able to help you out.
Before meeting you, your Master will review your form to understand how to best help you. The curriculum is not pre-decided. The mentoring and training your Master Artist will provide depends on what YOU need to learn. It will be tailored specifically in response to what you’ve told us about YOUR goals and challenges.
What happens in a Mastermind Group?
There are a maximum of 8 Member artists in each Mastermind group, plus a Navigator facilitator, plus the Master.
Your group meets with your Master Artist once monthly for a 2 hour live mentoring session using Zoom. Between monthly sessions, you get support and encouragement from your artist peers on LevellingUp’s private discussion board, LUchat.
During the first hour of each monthly session the Master provides feedback on the homework you completed since your last session. The second hour of each session is spent in new teaching, with the teaching focused on what your Master feels you need to know next to progress on your artist journey. Every session ends with a homework assignment related to the teaching.
Since there is no homework to review in the first session, the first hour of the first Mastermind session typically has the Master ensuring they fully understand the needs of each Member. This time is also a great opportunity for you to get to know the other artists in the group.
Our Members tell us the safe community their group provides gives them the encouragement and support essential to venture out into new territory.
What happens between my monthly mentoring sessions?
LUchat is a discussion board that we’ve built specifically for our artists. There’s an area on LUchat that’s completely private to your group, and your Navigator will also be there to connect with you. Recordings of every monthly session are also posted on LUchat just in case you miss a session or want to review the discussion.
Your group’s Master will not generally connect on LUchat. The availability of a world-class Master Artist is extremely limited, so take full advantage of the face-to-face monthly live videoconference sessions. Your
Navigator will bring questions raised by the group on LUchat to your Master, ensuring your needs are addressed in the monthly sessions.
How long do I stay with a Master?
By bringing in a new Master, your learning journey never needs to grow stale, and you can access the wealth of experience our many different Masters have to offer.
Changing out your group’s Master is optional, and your Navigator will help you through this process.
What Do I Get For My Money?
Our Members tell us they discover 4 key benefits at LevellingUp:
- You get to know (and to be known by) and become part of the community of a successful & skilled Master Artist
- You’ll develop skills – both technical and business – in just a few months that otherwise would have taken years, if not decades
- With face-to-face conversation and feedback on homework assignments, you’ll learn quickly how to take your artwork from good to excellent
- You get to connect daily with a safe and trusted community of your fellow artists, giving and receiving encouragement, helpful ideas, and opportunities to network
What Is A LevellingUp Navigator?
Your Navigator is a growing artist just like you, and is provided by LevellingUp to ensure your group operates well, and to ensure your learning needs are met.
Every group includes a Navigator. Navigators are not Master Artists, and are also benefiting from the Master’s mentorship. As fellow artists, they understand your challenges and successes. As experienced facilitators, they’re well equipped to ensure your group runs well and you get full value from your time at LevellingUp.
Some of the things your Navigator does are:
- Ensure the monthly sessions run on schedule, and everyone gets a chance to speak and share
- Support the Master with preparation
- Help everyone with the technology
- Help your group select a new Master (your Navigator will stay with your group after your Master changes)
Can I join a group that has already started?
If a group has space available, you can join anytime. That means the group you’re joining may have already been meeting for a while. Don’t worry that you’ll feel left out or left behind! Your Navigator will be sure to bring you up to speed – and because mentoring is all about responding to your personal needs, the Master will work very hard to ensure your questions are addressed.
How does the billing work? What am I committing to?
Your Mastermind group membership is billed monthly, and there is no minimum commitment.
We do encourage Members to plan to spend at least 6 months at LevellingUp, as it takes time for your skills to grow and for meaningful community to develop.
The monthly billing is automatic, and you have access to your account so you can cancel anytime.
What happens if I'm not happy?
We truly want LevellingUp to give you the support you need, so if you find your first choice of level or of Master isn’t a great fit, we’re happy to help you move into a different group.
In case it’s ever needed, we also offer a 90-day full money-back guarantee.
PARTNERS
90 Day Money Back Guarantee
We are committed to providing value to you so that you see measurable growth in your art journey and become a raving fan! If after 90 days we have not provided that value, please let us know and we’ll provide you with a full refund.
