Effective Management Association Newsletter - March 2026
- leisa30
- Apr 22
- 7 min read
"The artist injects the theta1 into the culture. And without that theta, the culture becomes reactive."
- L. Ron Hubbard
Message from the Director
Dear fellow artists,
As spring arrives, it brings a powerful reminder of new growth and new beginnings. This season invites each of us to use our creative energy to surge forward and make sure our goals for 2026 are on track. With the challenges and healthy competition in the art marketplace today, understanding marketing and promotion as well as the business side of your art career is vital to success. That’s is where EMA Artists USA can greatly assist you. Read the successes below from our artist members so you can find out how much being a part of this team has benefited them in their artist endeavors. And remember that more than ever, the world today needs your art!
Cheers,
– Leisa Collins
Featured Artist of the Month: Michael Klaumann
Michael Klaumann is the founder of Full Swing Media and a seasoned veteran of the film and video production industry. With over two decades of experience, Michael has become a trusted collaborator on high-profile projects, serving as a lead editor and colorist on acclaimed works like The Untold History of the United States and JFK Revisited. Beyond the editing suite, he is a versatile director and the entrepreneur behind Happy Camper Web Hosting.
Please tell us a little bit about your art business.
My business is Full Swing Media, a production and post-production company specializing in video editing, motion graphics, and color finishing.
I’ve been working in the film and television industry since 1998, and over the years Full Swing Media has delivered post-production services for some of Hollywood’s most respected names, including Oliver Stone, Nicholas Meyer, Mike Judge, and Seth MacFarlane.
I’ve had the opportunity to wear just about every hat in the industry—both in front of and behind the camera—which has given me a well-rounded perspective on storytelling and production. If anyone’s curious, you can see more of that journey on my IMDb page (Internet Movie Database).
In general, how has the use of Mr. Hubbard's administrative technology impacted your business?
The biggest impact has been clarity and control.
First, I always have a clear picture of how my business is actually doing—not just a feeling, but real, measurable insight. Second, I have practical, actionable steps for how to respond to any situation that comes up.
Because of the administrative systems I’ve learned, I’m able to stay highly organized and operate efficiently as a one-person business in areas where it would normally take a team. At the same time, I have a clear roadmap for expansion, so when it’s time to grow, I know exactly how and when to bring people on.
Tools like surveys have also been incredibly valuable. They allow me to quickly understand what clients and prospective clients actually want, identify any issues, and resolve them at the source so they don’t repeat.
Over time, a lot of this has simply become second nature. The habits are built in—I don’t even think about them anymore, I just do them.
What piece of Mr. Hubbard's administrative wisdom have you found particularly helpful in making your business successful?
One concept that has been especially valuable is understanding and applying the client’s viewpoint.
In my work, everything I create is ultimately for someone else—whether that’s a client or an audience. By consciously stepping into their viewpoint, I’m able to understand not just what they’re saying, but what they mean, even when they don’t have the technical language to express it clearly.
This ties closely to the idea of how audiences experience art. You still bring your own creativity and skill to the project, but the work also has to communicate effectively to others.
I’ve seen many talented artists struggle because they create only for themselves and then feel frustrated when a client wants something different. For me, understanding viewpoints bridges that gap.
As a result, I often hear things like, “That’s exactly what I was looking for,” or “You understood me perfectly,” which is really the goal.
As a successful art business owner, is there one really valuable tip that you would like our readers to take away with them?
Don’t hold on too tightly to any one piece of art.
A common trap—especially early on—is creating something and feeling like it’s your only shot, so you hold onto it, overwork it, or never finish it with the idea that "I'll never be able to create anything again". That mindset can actually stop your progress.
The real growth comes from creating constantly and consistently.
Create something. Finish it. Move on.
Then do it again—and again.
The more you produce, the more your skills develop, and the more confidence you gain. Over time, you reach a point where you know you can create something great, because you’ve done it repeatedly.
Ironically, being willing to let go of individual pieces is what allows you to get better—and ultimately produce your best work.
You can find Michael online through his work with Full Swing Media, explore his credits on Internet Movie Database (IMDb), and connect with him on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Facebook for Full Swing Media.
Artist Members in Action
Sheila Zimmerman, Elegant Music
Sheila Zimmerman and her husband are the talented musicians behind Elegant Music, bringing a refined touch to every performance. In addition to performing, Sheila offers private music lessons, helping students of all levels grow in confidence and skill.
Their work has delighted countless clients over the years. As one Director of Club Events shared, “Outstanding job yesterday! I have been receiving a lot of compliments on the music. Thank you so much!”
You can find artist at Elegant Music and on Facebook.
Maria Del Bagno, Dance Create
Maria Del Bagno was named one of Los Angeles’s top choreographers by the Los Angeles Jazz Dance Foundation. Her recent work includes collaborating with renowned choreographer Alan Johnson to co-write and produce Alan Johnson – Let Me Entertain You!, a dynamic retrospective warmly received at the Paley Center for Media. She has also worked with actress Alicia Silverstone on an upcoming project and choreographed the musical Gypsy In My Soul, starring Irina Maleeva, along with Illusions, directed by Tony Award nominee Randy Johnson.
And the momentum continues—Maria is currently offering a Jazz Dance Basics Boot Camp starting April 4th, perfect for anyone looking to build a strong foundation in jazz dance.
Find out more about Maria at Dance Create.
Joel Morris, Artist
Joel Morris, a firm believer that art makes life brighter, is celebrating a major milestone—his painting The Way is now on display at the Imagine Museum as part of the Visions of the Future sci-fi exhibition, A World of Imagination. The piece captures the Milky Way framed by tall pine trees, inspired by the wonder of space exploration. After responding to a call for artwork, Joel was delighted to be accepted, with the painting debuting at the exhibition’s February opening and remaining on view through the summer.
Joel credits EMA Artists with helping him grow in confidence and share his work more boldly. In addition to this exhibition, he has shown his art at the Oldsmar Public Library, Clearwater Main Library, and Largo Public Library—with even more plans ahead for the coming year.
You can find Joel at Joel's Sketchbook of Life.
On the Lighter Side
This cartoon was created by EMA Artists USA member, Steve Gill, who spent 40 years traveling to shows all over the United States, selling his humorous artwork and making people laugh. Steve is the Resident Cartoonist for EMA Artists and his light-hearted works are included in each of our newsletters.
Poets Corner
(A snippet of future history by Doug Crowder)
One of the top bands in the Nation of West Atlantis in the early 40s was King Bruce & the Buffoons. The band featured King Bruce with his ostentatious crown, luxurious purple robe, and signature gold guitar, backed by anywhere from two to five Buffoons, adorned in various brightly colored costumes. Affectionately known as KB&B, they were best known for their hard, driving sound; but their biggest hit was a soft love ballad, which was the title track to their fourth album.
BUFFOONS, BABOONS AND BASSOONS
(Lyrics and music by King Bruce)
My friends all say
That I'm too good for you,
And don't you know, baby,
That's probably true.
After all, I'm Royalty
and you're just a peasant,
But you got a great body
and your disposition is pleasant.
That's why buffoons, baboons and bassoons
Could never keep me away from you.
Buffoons, baboons and bassoons
Could never make me be untrue.
Well, they say I got more women
Than you could shake a stick at
But all those other women
You could throw a brick at.
Cause you're the only woman
Who really matters to me
That's why I shower you
With flowers, gifts and flattery
And that's why buffoons, baboons and bassoons
Could never keep me away from you.
Buffoons, baboons and bassoons
Could never make me be untrue.
Poem and artwork by Doug Crowder EMA Artists
Digital art is titled "King Bruce and the Buffoons"
Interested in learning more about us or becoming a member?
Email us at: emaartistsusa@gmail.com
This month's quote from L. Ron Hubbard is from page 481 of the book Science of Survival by L. Ron Hubbard.
1) Theta: the life force, life energy, divine energy, élan vital (vital force), or by any other name, the energy peculiar to life which acts upon material in the physical universe and animates it, mobilizes it and changes it.
©2026 Effective Management Association Artists. All Rights Reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce a selection from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard. HUBBARD and LRH are trademarks and are used pursuant to a license agreement. WISE is a trademark owned by WISE International EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION is a registered trademark. IA #032926EUS
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