Members Interview

This might be perhaps the question that pops up the most in emerging artists’ minds: how do I create a career path that feels intentional, manageable, and actually sustainable, rather than overwhelming and chaotic? The art world can feel like a storm of opportunities, deadlines, social media demands, and endless “what ifs,” and figuring out where to start, or what to prioritize, can feel paralyzing. Feeling scattered does not mean a lack of talent or ambition. Many artists face the same challenge of balancing creative growth, visibility, and practical needs like…

Ivan Shishkin was born on January 13, 1832 (Old Style) ,  or January 25, 1832 (New Style) ,  in the town of Yelabuga, Vyatka province, Russia. He studied art first at the School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture in Moscow (1852–1856), and then at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg (1856–1860).In 1860 he was awarded the Academy’s Gold Medal and granted a stipend to travel and study in European art centers ,  Munich, Prague, Düsseldorf. His exposure to the techniques and realism of the Düsseldorf school helped shape his…

In this interview, Australian painter Alyssa Joy Black talks about how time spent sitting in her garden during a long period of illness slowly guided her back into painting. She shares how this shift changed her practice, what helped her start creating again, and what she hopes people notice when they stand in front of her work.

Deadline Extended! You now have until December 30th to submit your work for the “Faces” exhibition. This is your chance to share your unique vision, join a global community of artists, and have your work featured alongside extraordinary creations from around the world. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this inspiring showcase every face tells a story, and we want to see yours.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover” couldn’t be more true when it comes to open calls. On paper, they seem simple: submit your work, wait, maybe get picked. But if you’ve tried it, you already know it’s never that easy. Each call has little hidden rules, unspoken expectations, and tiny hints that can make the difference between getting noticed and getting lost in the pile. Here’s the thing, reading between the lines is what separates the submissions that feel random from the ones that actually hit the mark. You have…

The last thing artists expect is needed to stay consistent is emotional skills, but let me break it down for you. Most of us think being consistent is all about discipline, rigid schedules, or hours locked in the studio. Like, “if I just grind long enough, I’ll magically produce every day.” But the truth is way messier, and way more human. What really keeps you showing up is how you deal with the doubts, the distractions, the little inner voices that whisper, “Maybe today isn’t worth it.” That’s where emotional skills…

Stepping into Christine Dimaculangan’s studio feels like entering a quiet corner of her world. The air smells of oil paint and wood, and her walls are lined with studies, notes, and photographs that guide her next body of work. In this studio visit, she talks about her routines, the tools she keeps closest, the way she lets ideas settle, and how she moves through the space while working on several paintings at once. It is a warm look at how she builds her practice day by day, inside a room that…

They say professional athletes train an average of 20 hours a week, not in sporadic bursts, but with carefully structured routines that balance effort, rest, and recovery. Artists are no different. Creativity is a muscle, and without consistent exercise, it weakens, grows rusty, or fizzles out at exactly the moments you need it most. Most artists drift between frantic studio marathons and long stretches of inactivity, leaving ideas unfinished and momentum lost. Building an art routine you can actually sustain is less about forcing productivity and more about creating conditions where…

Choosing which open calls, exhibitions, or opportunities to pursue is rarely straightforward. The art world is full of invitations, submissions, and deadlines, all promising exposure, recognition, or a boost to your career. But not every call actually moves the needle. It is easy to chase opportunities just because they are visible or prestigious, without pausing to consider whether they align with your vision, your audience, or your long-term goals. Understanding the difference between noise and value is essential. Some calls bring nothing but temporary visibility, while others can connect you with…

This article looks at five women who have shaped their lives around clay through steady practice, patient experimentation and close attention to the world around them. From glaze research to handbuilt forms, coloured porcelain to thoughtful functional ware, their approaches vary widely, yet all share a commitment to slow work, careful observation and a willingness to teach and support others in the field. Together, they offer a clear view of how contemporary ceramics grows through curiosity, routine and long-term engagement with material.