Has your art ever been rejected in a juried art competition? Were you confused because after seeing the exhibition you asked yourself, my work is just as good, if not better, so why was it … [Read more...]
Popular – Articles
The Joys of Being An Art Curator
Earlier in my art career I organized exhibitions throughout NYC, NY in galleries, cultural institutions and corporate venues. Now I curate them online. It's been extremely rewarding for me to promote … [Read more...]
How to Create Successful Art Exhibitions Using Themes
Enhance The Mood, Increase Attendance, Attract Publicity and Get Financial Sponsorship for Your Art Event You probably already know by now that at one point in my art career I organized many art … [Read more...]
Are Your Art Materials Making You Sick?
As an artist it's wonderful to imagine the treasure trove of art materials to choose from to create your art. Before selecting your supplies, have you ever stopped to consider how toxic the … [Read more...]
Interviews With Successful Art Professionals
You'll find many articles on this website on a wide range of topics to help you achieve your fullest potential as an art professional. You'll also find more than 20 interviews I've had the pleasure of … [Read more...]
Taking The First Steps To Launching An Artist Group or Organization
If you are an artist you know what artists need better than anyone, at some point in your career you may feel compelled to launch an art organization. If you have a strong desire to help fellow … [Read more...]
Topic Ideas For Your Art Blog Posts
Whenever an artist client asks me how they can drive more traffic to their website (after they have created a well-designed and functioning website) and set up their social media pages, I frequently … [Read more...]
Free Online Resources for Artists
Do you have an appetite to acquire more knowledge and growth in the areas of creativity, art sales, and art marketing tools to help you advance your art career, although you're on a tight budget? … [Read more...]
Challenges and Rewards of Teaching Art to People With Special Needs
If you’ve ever considered teaching art to individuals with special needs but didn’t know what it takes, it’s helpful to have first hand knowledge from experienced teachers. For this article I … [Read more...]
How Helping Others Led to A Rewarding Art Career
One of the many guiding principles that has helped me in my life and career was from Booker T. Washington (1856-1915), a prominent American educator, author, orator, and advisor to U.S. presidents. He … [Read more...]
Helpful Art Business Facts For Every Professional Artist
Some of the most valuable assets you can use in your art career are the simple and straightforward facts that stand the test of time. However they often are the ones we forget so easily. Here are some … [Read more...]
5 Powerful Principles Used By Financially Successful Artists
Have you ever wondered why some artists are financially more successful than others? Chances are they know that taking care of business requires an awareness and effort beyond the walls of their art … [Read more...]
It’s A Good Time for Artful Spring Cleaning
No matter what season it is, now it's a good time for artful spring cleaning. Physical and emotional clutter and debris can cloud the creative mind. In this article I suggest some of the areas that … [Read more...]
Dealing With Dealers and Art Galleries
Whether you're just flirting with the idea of being in a gallery or have been offered a contract, you want to be prepared with the questions to ask before you join, improve your relationships with … [Read more...]
The Art of Creating Positive Grooves In The Brain
How our brain works is fascinating to me. For instance, the way we perceive the world is based on our beliefs -- a collection of what we know on conscious and unconscious levels of awareness. Brain … [Read more...]
More Than 140 Simple and Powerful Ideas to Achieve Your Art Career Success
In this article "More Than 140 Simple and Powerful Ideas to Achieve Your Art Career Success" you'll find a wide range of popular articles I've written to choose from that offer you easy to follow, … [Read more...]
Valerie Patterson’s New Book “Art to Start the Conversation”
It is a pleasure to announce Valerie Patterson's book "Art to Start the Conversation", published by ABCarlson Publishing, distributed by Ingram, will be released on January 16, 2023. This book … [Read more...]
Advice For Artists Who Suffer From Creativity Overload
Are you feeling overwhelmed by having too many creative ideas and projects going on at once? Do you have trouble deciding which style or medium is your strongest direction? Many artists I know face … [Read more...]
How to Improve Your Art Website Visitor’s Experience
When was the last time you visited your own website from an objective perspective as though you were discovering it for the first time? What was the experience like? One of the easiest ways to … [Read more...]
Helpful Art Organizations and Resources
As an art professional your art career success depends on a variety of factors including being well informed about the wealth of opportunities available for you. To help you keep abreast of them you … [Read more...]
How To Choose The Best “Opportunities For Artists”
You cannot avoid them. “Opportunities For Artists” come pouring into your email every day and they are advertised and shared aggressively throughout social media. There are so many to choose from! … [Read more...]
The Golden “Keys” to Attracting Art Buyers to Your Blog
When I suggest to an artist client they start an art blog or that they post more often, if they want to drive more traffic to their website and increase their art sales, the response is usually, “But, … [Read more...]
Do You Have A Memorable Art Tagline that Describes Your Art?
A tagline is short phrase that describes your art as a distinctive, unique and inimitable presence. The best kind of tagline is one that sends an immediate message, captures your target customer's … [Read more...]
Can You Define Your Art Customer Profile?
What makes successfully selling artists different from artists who are struggling to sell their art? They know why their art is selling. They know the unique characteristics of their art work and why … [Read more...]
Let Your Personality Shine When Writing or Speaking About Your Art
Your Artist's Statement is frequently requested from galleries, museums and the press. Throughout your art career there will be many occasions where you will be asked to write about your art and/or … [Read more...]
The Multi-Faceted Creative Evolution of Digital Art
Digital Art first came about in the 1970's but it took until the end of the 20th century to become a viable art form. Today, with the widespread availability of digital cameras, software, many … [Read more...]
Are You Turning Away Art Buyers?
An Artist's Behavior Can Either Sell or Repel This article is based on an experience I had when I attended an artist's open studio event. Her artwork is beautiful and she displayed it with care, … [Read more...]
Ways to Increase Your Email List As An Artist
You may already know that having and growing an email list is a valuable art marketing tool if you want to increase art sales and gain other important career opportunities. Many artists ask me, how to … [Read more...]
What Artist Friends Learned and Experienced in April 2020 During COVID-19
April 2020 was a very challenging month for many of us, as it was the second month of being in isolation. For many artists it meant adjusting to a new and welcome routine, such as acquiring more time … [Read more...]
An Inspirational Anagram Message to Artists
I hope you're having a rewarding and creative week. Today I encourage you to spend time celebrating your unique strengths and unlimited creativity. Anagrams are fun tools to make ideas memorable so to … [Read more...]
Pantone Color Institute Has Announced Its Choice of “Peach Fuzz” for 2024
When interior designers, corporate art consultants and other industry art professionals are hired to help their clients one of their most valuable resources is the Pantone Color Institute. When you … [Read more...]
How to Write Your Artist’s Biography: The Important Basics
In "How to Write Your Artist's Biography" I explain what it is, why you need it, suggestions on what to include in it. A compelling and memorable Artist’s Biography reaches out and connects with … [Read more...]
Famous Black Artists Who Have Confronted Racism and Inequality
They Broke Barriers and Raised Awareness (Originally published on May 17, 2020 and updated in April 2022) As we try to cope with the horror of one pandemic we battle another deadly and appalling … [Read more...]
Being Objective About Your Art Isn’t An Easy Task
How to See Your Art From A Juror's Perspective When I was a professional artist it puzzled me how often there was a difference between what the galleries or my collectors chose and what I thought … [Read more...]
Artists Share How Their Fathers Influenced Their Artistic Pursuits
Artists Share Memories and Pay Homage to Their Fathers and/or Fatherly Role Models This was published in June, 2021 I frequently post questions for my artist friends on Facebook and I always … [Read more...]
How Are You Unique As An Artist?
You'll Find Out When You Answer These Questions! Many artists inform me that they love the challenging exercises I offer them on this website. The list of questions you'll find below is one of the … [Read more...]
Your Relationships With Art Galleries & Agents & The Written Agreement
Take Your Time, Discuss the Details, and Get Them in Writing! When a gallery or agent offers you an exhibition or representation, they may tell you verbally what they plan to do for you. It sounds … [Read more...]
Free Tools to Create Social Media Graphics to Promote Your Art
Have you noticed more artists are creating eye-catching social media graphics that are making an impact? Did you know that social media graphics get shared more often than regular texts and images? Do … [Read more...]
The Pantone Institute Color of the Year for 2025 is “Mocha Mousse”
The Pantone Color Institute, pantone.com, is an extremely valuable resource for artists, interior designers, corporate art consultants and other industry art professionals. When you visit the Pantone … [Read more...]
Problems With Free Art and Discount Prices
An artist recently told me she tripled the number of subscribers she had after she offered a free print when they signed up. Now, she has a list of people who like receiving free art. What she doesn't … [Read more...]