Tag: art career growth
You know that feeling when you split a bill with friends and somehow end up paying way more than what you ordered? That’s how a lot of artists feel when they first see a gallery’s commission rate. Fifty percent , sometimes more , can sound like daylight robbery when you’re the one who spent months creating the work. But that number isn’t random, and understanding where it comes from changes everything about how you approach it. Gallery commissions are less about greed and more about systems. Rent, staff, marketing, shipping, openings…
They say the smartest artists don’t just apply, they study. And not in an academic sense, but in a deeply practical one. They look at who’s behind the decisions before they ever hit submit. That single habit can turn what feels like a guessing game into a strategy that actually works. Most artists treat applications like sealed envelopes , send, wait, hope. But if you’ve ever wondered why some artists seem to get shortlisted again and again, it’s rarely luck. They’re reading between the lines. They notice who’s on the jury,…
Have you ever wondered, “When do they actually decide who gets in?” You submit your work, wait a few weeks, then a few more, checking your inbox like it’s part of your daily routine. Most artists don’t realize curators are running on a completely different clock , one that rarely matches your creative rhythm. The exhibition world moves like an academic calendar, but no one hands you the syllabus. Some curators plan a full year ahead, while others work in short, intense bursts tied to funding cycles or venue availability. By…
At some point in your art journey, your work finally leaves the studio. Maybe it’s wrapped up for a show, maybe it’s headed to a collector who found you online, or maybe it’s just your first sale ever. It feels good, right? But here’s the part most artists don’t really think about , that sale is just the beginning of your artwork’s story. What happens next, who resells it, and how its price changes over time, that’s where the art world starts to get interesting. There are basically two worlds your…
Ever heard the saying “Your art speaks for itself”? It sounds nice, but anyone who’s tried to get their work seen knows that words matter too. The way you describe your process, the stories you tell, even the short lines on your website, they all help people understand what they’re looking at. Writing quietly shapes how your art moves through the world, whether you notice it or not. Most artists treat writing like a chore at first, something you do because the application asks for it. But after a while, it…
Most artists are told to focus on the work, not the numbers. But at some point, you realize your art isn’t just a practice , it’s a business that needs fuel. You start wondering how other artists manage to plan their income, handle slow months, or decide what to charge. That’s where a financial model comes in. Not in the corporate, Excel-heavy sense, but as a personal roadmap that helps you see where your time, effort, and money actually go. The idea of “financial modeling” can sound intimidating, like something meant…
At small shows, you can always spot the collectors. They move slowly, eyes lingering, heads tilting just slightly. They’re not rushing toward a sale, they’re trying to understand. They’ll glance from the painting to the artist, then back again, as if looking for a quiet match between what’s seen and what’s felt. Before they buy anything, they want to sense that the person behind the work is real, steady, and creating from somewhere honest. For women artists still finding their place, that kind of presence matters more than people realize. Collectors…
You ever notice how some artists seem to get seen everywhere , not because they’re rich or famous, but because their work somehow travels? It pops up in group shows, zines, someone’s Pinterest board, even in a random café post. And then there’s you, scrolling, wondering how your work that feels just as good, maybe even better, seems to vanish into thin air after you hit upload. Here’s the truth no one admits: being seen isn’t about being lucky, or loud, or backed by cash. It’s about being findable. And findable…
You ever notice how sometimes you spend an hour crafting the perfect Instagram post , picking just the right filter, writing a caption that feels casual but deep, tagging every possible account , and then… 74 likes. No new inquiries. No new collectors. Just a few fire emojis from other artists who also know the grind. It’s not that your art isn’t strong. It’s that the platform isn’t designed to hold it. Instagram is built to keep people scrolling, not stopping. And your work? It deserves a place where people actually…
You’ve got a portfolio that looks amazing, every piece tells a story, every image has personality, but here’s the thing: views alone won’t pay the bills. Scrolling through your work, seeing a few likes or hearts, maybe even getting the occasional compliment, feels good, but if those clicks aren’t turning into commissions, sales, or meaningful opportunities, all that time, energy, and heart you poured into creating those pieces is just… hanging out online. And let’s be honest, seeing a stunning piece of yours admired but not purchased can feel frustrating. Monetizing…