Tag: artist branding

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…

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…

 Let’s Take a Look Together You’ve got a portfolio, maybe on your website, maybe tucked in a PDF, maybe in a beautifully curated Instagram grid. But when was the last time you gave it a real, honest look? Not a scroll-through. A review. Your portfolio is more than a gallery. It’s a mirror of your growth, your taste, and the version of your creative self you’re presenting to the world. Whether you’re trying to land clients, get into galleries, or just want to feel more aligned with your work, learning to…

Commissions can be a beautiful bridge between creativity and income. Whether it’s a a mural for a cozy café, or a custom sculpture for a collector’s home, commissions allow you to get paid for your unique vision while serving someone else’s dream. But how do people know you’re the right artist for the job? That’s where your portfolio comes in. Your portfolio isn’t just a gallery, it’s a trust builder, a proof-of-concept, and a conversation starter. It’s the tool that helps potential clients visualize what you can do for them. In…

Let’s Be Honest, Talent Alone Doesn’t Get You Hired You can be the most wildly gifted illustrator, designer, or mixed-media genius around, but without a portfolio? You’re a mystery no one’s willing to gamble on. Potential clients want proof. They want to see what you’ve done, how you think, and whether your creative rhythm matches theirs. A portfolio takes your talent from invisible to undeniable. Think of your portfolio like a passport. Without it, you can’t enter the world of paid creative work. Clients, agencies, and collaborators use it to gauge…

What’s This Portfolio Actually For? Let’s be real, figuring out how long your portfolio should be is a bit like packing for a trip. Too little and it feels like you’re underprepared, too much and it becomes a hassle to carry. The truth? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on where your portfolio’s going and who’s flipping through it. Are you applying for a residency, a grant, or finally updating that website your cousin’s been nagging you about since 2022? Every opportunity has its own expectations, and that changes the…

Updating your art portfolio regularly sounds like something only superhumans do… or people who somehow enjoy spreadsheets. But for the rest of us (who maybe have 37 unfinished paintings, two open calls bookmarked, and no idea what year our artist bio was last updated), it can feel like a lot. So, what if we made it… not stressful? What if your portfolio timeline felt more like a cozy studio ritual than a looming admin task? This guide isn’t about turning you into a marketing robot. It’s about crafting a flexible rhythm…

Portfolios often get framed as some intimidating final boss for artists. Like it’s this sacred document where everything must be polished, flawless, and ready to impress every gallery on Earth. But let’s flip that idea. What if your portfolio didn’t have to feel like a stiff job interview? What if it felt more like your favorite sketchbook, carefully curated, full of intention, and unmistakably you? This guide is here to help you do just that. We’re not just talking about uploading high-res images and calling it a day. We’re diving into…