“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…
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 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…
So here’s the thing: starting an art career as a woman comes with a whole manual of unspoken rules that no one bothers to hand you. Professors might talk about composition and critiques, but they rarely cover what to do when a gallery offers you “exposure” instead of a paycheck, or when you realise your male peers are charging double for work that’s the same size as yours. It’s not that women artists aren’t talented or driven; it’s that the system comes with invisible speed bumps you only notice once you’ve…
🎊 Let’s Welcome 2025 Together 🎊 Flat 25% off!. View plan