Even the most successful artists have limits when it comes to reaching a wide audience through gallery shows. Galleries exist as little worlds of their own which attract a certain type of people, typically those who are educated in the arts or of a higher social class. While gallery exhibitions are important for building up a reputation and making sales, relying solely on gallery shows can be very limiting to emerging artists. Too often, artists leave their works in storage [...]
When you type a phrase into a search engine like Google, did you ever wonder why some sites come up as number 1 whereas others are so far back in the results that they are virtually obliterated from existence? All search engines use very complex algorithms to determine which websites come up first in the search results. An entire industry known as SEO (search engine optimization) has sprung up from business people attempting to manipulate the algorithm in their favor [...]
In today’s digital era, any artist who is not using the internet to promote his/her work is remiss. While the internet should not be used to replace traditional promotional methods, such as gallery exhibitions, it can be used to enhance other promotional efforts to gain you more exposure. Setting up an artist’s website is very easy and can even be done by yourself for no or minimal costs. You have three main choices for making your artist website. 1. Build [...]
When applying as an undergraduate to an art university, you are expected to present a portfolio of your artwork. For most potential students, portfolio preparation is a nerve-wracking task because they are plagued by the question of whether they are talented enough. What is important to realize when preparing your art portfolio is that you are not showing off your talent. Rather, you must convey your potential. An undergraduate art portfolio must consist of a variety of media and styles [...]
Haven’t had a gallery show in a while and are antsy to show your work? Why not take it out into the street! Street exhibitions, legally called vending, can have major perks for the artist. You will immediately be able to get exposure for your artwork from people just walking down the street. Since a selection of people on the street is going to be much more diverse than the people who attend gallery openings, you can expect a greater [...]
Even the most successful artists have limits when it comes to reaching a wide audience through gallery shows. Galleries exist as little worlds of their own which attract a certain type of people, typically those who are educated in the arts or of a higher social class. While gallery exhibitions are important for building up a reputation and making sales, relying solely on gallery shows can be very limiting to emerging artists. Too often, artists leave their works in storage [...]
Your art has been sitting in your studio unseen for months and you are desperate for a gallery show. Then you see it: a “Call for Artists” or “Competition” in a gallery which sounds wonderful and very esteemed. You apply and are accepted – only to realize that there is an X thousand dollar fee for exhibiting at the gallery. Should you pay to exhibit or is it not worth the expense? The amount of galleries who charge artists for [...]
Every piece of art is going to has distinct requirements for shipping. However, the basic process in determining these requirements is generally the same. The first thing you need to do is ask yourself a series of questions about the object and transportation: What artwork do you want to ship? From and to where is the artwork being shipped? Who will be handling the work while it is being shipped? How long will the shipping process take? Your shipping needs [...]
Do I have to pay taxes on the art I sell? You must pay taxes on all income, whether through sale of your art or from a regular job. Do keep in mind that you can deduct many of the expenses associated with the art sale, like material costs, transportation, and your studio space. I sold an artwork through a gallery. Do I pay taxes on the full price or the price after commission? You will pay taxes on the [...]
When you type a phrase into a search engine like Google, did you ever wonder why some sites come up as number 1 whereas others are so far back in the results that they are virtually obliterated from existence? All search engines use very complex algorithms to determine which websites come up first in the search results. An entire industry known as SEO (search engine optimization) has sprung up from business people attempting to manipulate the algorithm in their favor [...]