Members Interview
Think about your portfolio the way a professional thinks about their toolkit. Even the sharpest tool becomes dull if it is never maintained. A portfolio can look fresh and powerful when first created, but over time it risks becoming outdated, cluttered, or less representative of your artistic direction. A regular checkup is not just about adding new work, it is about asking whether the story being told still reflects your identity as an artist today. Many artists forget that jurors, curators, and potential buyers are looking for clarity. If your portfolio…
When someone opens your portfolio, you want them to instantly sense your vision , like they’ve just stepped into your creative world. Cohesion is what makes that happen. It’s the invisible thread that gives your collection purpose and connection. This doesn’t mean every piece should look the same, but they should feel like they’re part of the same family. Imagine your work speaking the same language, each piece adding to the conversation instead of shouting over one another. Without cohesion, even your most skillful pieces can seem scattered, leaving viewers unsure…
Painter and writer Joann Renner talks about her path from early pastel lessons on the New Jersey boardwalk to creating work that encourages people to notice and care for their surroundings. In this interview for the Women In Arts Network, she shares her process, the challenges she has faced, and the lessons she hopes to pass on to other creatives.
1. Why You Don’t Need to Show Everything Let’s start with a truth that trips up so many artists: more is not always better. When you’re putting together a portfolio, the instinct is to throw in everything, thinking, “The more they see, the more impressed they’ll be.” But here’s the kicker, a bloated portfolio can overwhelm jurors and dilute your strongest work. Every piece should earn its spot, not just fill space. Think of your portfolio as a conversation with a friend. You wouldn’t talk non-stop without letting them digest your ideas,…
The Places We Call Home" invites women-identifying and non-binary artists worldwide to share personal interpretations of home in all its emotional, physical, and symbolic forms. With the final deadline of September 23, 2025, this free, international virtual exhibition is a chance to join a global conversation on belonging, memory, and identity. Any medium is welcome, from painting and photography to digital and mixed media. Submit your work today and let your vision of home resonate across the world.
1. Why “More” Isn’t Always Better Most artists assume that the key to unlocking opportunities is having a giant, polished portfolio filled with dozens of works. But here’s the truth: quality beats quantity almost every time. A small body of work that’s intentional, cohesive, and authentic can outshine a massive gallery of random pieces. Think of it like a restaurant menu. If the chef offers fifty different dishes but only cooks five well, the diners will remember the bad ones more than the good. On the other hand, a short menu…
Curation is not just about what you show. It’s equally about what you choose to leave out. Whether you’re an emerging artist building your first portfolio, a mid-career creative planning a solo exhibition, or a curator selecting work for a group show, the decisions you make shape how people experience your art. And guess what? Those decisions aren’t just logistical. They’re emotional. They’re strategic. They’re everything. In a world where attention is short and first impressions are long-lasting, curating with intention is one of the most powerful tools an artist can…
In this Women In Arts Network interview, Ava Grayson shares how she turns life’s challenges into multi-dimensional works of mixed media. She opens up about her process, the techniques that give her pieces their layered effect, and why working from a place of truth matters more than following trends.
Why It’s Time to Show the Messy Middle We all love the final piece, the polished canvas, the perfectly lit photograph, the sculpture that stands proud and complete. But what about the versions before that? The smudged pages, the failed attempts, the half-formed ideas that eventually led you there? Most artists hide those moments. But here’s the thing: they’re gold. Audiences are no longer content with just the result. They want to know the story behind it, the hands that shaped it, and the journey it took to arrive. Including works…
What does “home” mean to you? Is it the walls that sheltered you, the sound of rain on the window, or a memory that lingers long after you’ve left? The Women in Arts Network invites women-identifying and non-binary artists from around the world to explore these deeply personal ideas in our International Virtual Exhibition, “The Places We Call Home.