Members Interview
Dr. Evilletown shares how her early days in public school and a creative household laid the groundwork for a life in the arts. In this interview, she opens up about making work that deals with injury, memory, and the future of our environment. She also talks about why she continues to create, how she knows when something’s working, and why stepping away sometimes helps her show up better.
Why Every Portfolio Isn’t for Everyone Let’s start with a truth many artists overlook: your portfolio isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. It’s tempting to create a single file with your favorite works and use it for every opportunity, but here’s the problem: what appeals to a gallery may not speak to a school admissions panel, and what collectors love might not be the same as what a curator is looking for. Different audiences have different needs, priorities, and expectations. Understanding who will view your portfolio can drastically change how your work is…
Consistency vs variety: Why the Balance Matters Every artist eventually hits a creative fork in the road: should your portfolio show off your range or lean into a single, focused aesthetic? It’s the classic consistency versus variety debate. Both have their merits and pitfalls. But if you’re building a portfolio that gets noticed, you can’t just choose one blindly. You need a strategy that aligns with your goals, your style, and, most importantly, your story as an artist. A consistent portfolio communicates professionalism. It shows that you’ve honed a voice and…
“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” – Rachel Zoe After an incredible journey of submissions, thoughtful interpretations, and stunning visuals from around the globe, we’re thrilled to unveil the next chapter: the official launch of our Fashion Virtual Exhibition. This open call was more than an invitation to depict garments or trends it was a call to explore how fashion intertwines with culture, identity, and self-expression. Through fabric, silhouette, texture, and concept, artists shared stories that go far beyond the runway. What emerged was…
Your Portfolio Is More Than a Showcase A lot of artists think of a portfolio as simply a place to show their best pieces. That mindset, while understandable, misses a crucial opportunity. Your portfolio is more than a gallery of good work. It’s a story, a curated experience that tells viewers who you are, how you think, and what your artistic evolution looks like. When you stop seeing your portfolio as a brag board and start seeing it as a journey, the narrative flow becomes your best tool. Think about the…
Luna Jay Yvelisse talks about growing up in New York, raising a child while chasing her creative practice, and making work that isn’t afraid to speak back. Her story is filled with the kind of moments many artists face: doubt, exhaustion, joy, and starting over again. Through it all, she keeps showing up for herself and her community—one sketch, one piece, one prayer at a time.
“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” – Dr. Seuss After months of heartfelt reflection and beautiful submissions from across the globe, the moment we’ve all been waiting for is here. This open call has been a beautiful reminder of how deeply personal and yet universally felt our childhood memories are. Through sculpture, painting, photography, mixed media, digital work, and more, artists responded with powerful reflections on the fleeting moments, emotions, and symbols that shaped their earliest years. This open call was more…
Start With a Clean Slate If you’ve been an artist for any length of time, you probably have hundreds of works scattered across sketchbooks, folders, and hard drives. The temptation to cram everything you’ve ever made into your portfolio is real. But that urge can backfire quickly. Before you even begin selecting, take a deep breath and start with a clean slate. Literally. Open a new folder and only add pieces that you feel excited about today. Not yesterday. Not five years ago. Today. Doing this helps you break away from…
1. Your Portfolio is a Not a Scrapbook Let’s challenge a big idea: that your portfolio must tell your growth story. What if instead, your portfolio is about clarity, not chronology? In today’s saturated creative world, your audience isn’t looking for your origin story; they’re looking for a clear, bold window into your current identity as an artist. Growth is messy, non-linear, and often deeply personal , and that’s beautiful. But when someone’s browsing your portfolio, they have limited time. They’re seeking cohesion, not a diary. Your job isn’t to take…
In this conversation, Carola Helwing shares how her background in dance shapes her painting, why she sees creativity as something that grows with you, and how she stays connected to her work even when life gets busy. From early memories of painting to global exhibitions, she opens up about what keeps her curious and moving forward.