We are kicking off Season 9 of the Artists Next Level Podcast with a powerful conversation with Dr. Yanina Gomez, author of the groundbreaking new book, Today’s Working Artist: Weekly Mindful Reflections to Awaken Your Potential.

As artists, we often focus on creating beautiful work, but we sometimes forget to take care of the most important tool in our creative process: ourselves. Dr. Yanina’s book is a refreshing guide to maintaining a balanced mindset, emotional wellbeing, and finding the clarity you need to thrive in your art career. In this episode, we dive into why a weekly reflection book is a game-changer for artists and how it can support you in your day-to-day creative journey.

Why Today’s Working Artist?

In our chat, Dr. Yanina and I discuss how Today’s Working Artist stands out from other books on creativity and mindfulness. Unlike traditional books, which can be long reads that require a big time commitment, this book offers weekly reflections that are short, impactf...

Have you ever found yourself holding back, waiting until everything feels perfect before showing up for your audience? If so, you’re not alone. Every artist faces this inner struggle, and I get it—our work feels so personal, and we want every detail to be just right. But while you’re busy fine-tuning every post, polishing every word, and tweaking every image, someone else out there is already showing up for your audience. Today, I want to remind you: perfection isn’t the goal. Showing up is.

Stop the Inner Critic from Stealing Your Success

Those voices inside telling you that your post, image, or caption has to be flawless can sabotage your success. These are the same voices that lead you into the comparison game, convincing you that everyone else is more talented, has a better studio, a larger following, or lives somewhere more inspiring.

But here’s the truth: the audience that resonates with your art isn’t there for perfection—they’re there for connection. And connection comes fro...

Have you ever felt out of sync in your art career? Like you’re always just a step behind, fighting an invisible force that holds you back? I’ve been there. It took me years to realize that our creative journeys are cyclical—they come with rhythms, seasons, and flows. Recognizing and honoring these rhythms is essential to finding fulfillment in your art practice.

When you ignore your natural creative rhythm, you can feel overwhelmed or even disoriented. You might think something’s wrong, but often it’s just a sign that you’re pushing against your rhythm instead of moving with it. The good news? Once you identify your rhythms, you can use them to propel you forward.

What Are the Rhythms of Your Art Career?

Some rhythms in an artist's life are obvious. Take preparing for a show, for instance. There’s a flow: creating new work, delivering it, setting up at the gallery, promoting it, opening night, and then, for many, the "post-show blues." These are the visible beats of our work.

But t...

As artists, we often focus on the skills we need to improve, the connections we want to make, or the next big exhibition we hope to secure. But how often do we pause to reflect on the why behind our work? What truly drives us? This is where understanding your values comes in—and it can be a game-changer for your art practice.

In this final post of my Artist Branding Framework series, I want to explore the powerful role values play in shaping your art. Let’s dive into this often-overlooked, yet essential, part of your creative journey.

The Artist Branding Triangle: Your Art, Story, Influences... and Values

In previous posts, I introduced my Artist Branding Framework as a triangle. At the center of the triangle is your art. The top corner represents your story—the narrative that makes you unique. The left corner holds your influences—the artists, movements, and experiences that shape your creative expression.

But today, I want to focus on the third and final corner: your values. Thes...

As artists, we often think of ourselves as lone creators, working in solitude to bring our visions to life. But here’s the truth: none of us create in a vacuum. Every time we step into the studio, we’re influenced by the world around us—by the people we’ve met, the experiences we’ve had, and the art we’ve seen. These influences play a major role in shaping what we create, whether we realize it or not.

So, today I want to ask you a powerful question: Who or what has influenced your art the most?

What Are You Bringing Into the Studio?

This is the second element of my artist branding framework, right after your Story. It’s all about your influences—the people, events, or circumstances that have shaped the art you make today.

Think back to the first time you picked up a brush or pencil. What inspired you to do that? Was it a specific artist whose work spoke to you? Was it the words of a teacher or mentor who saw something in you? Or was it something more abstract, like the environment ...

As artists, we often focus on the work we create, but today I want to talk about something equally important—your story. Why? Because your story is the heart of your artist brand. It’s what makes you unique, memorable, and connects you to the world. In a sea of creators, it’s your story that sets you apart. If you’re not sharing it, you’re missing out on one of the most powerful tools in your branding arsenal.

The Power of Storytelling: A Connection That Lasts

Think about it for a moment. Since the beginning of time, stories have been used to connect us. Long before movies, books, or plays, humans shared stories around the fire. Our stories are what make us human—they create emotional bonds that no technology or algorithm can replace.

Artificial intelligence might be able to generate a beautiful narrative, but it can’t live that story. That’s where you, as an artist, hold the power. You have lived experiences that are uniquely yours, and those experiences shape your art in ways that...

The One Thing You Might Be Overlooking in Your Artist Brand

When it comes to building a strong artist brand, there's one essential element that often gets overlooked. Ironically, it's the most important part: the art itself.

Before we dive into marketing strategies, storytelling, or how to attract collectors, let’s focus on what truly makes your brand work—the art you create. I’ve seen too many people rush into marketing tactics, skipping over the art altogether. But without strong work at the center, everything else falls flat.

If you're an artist struggling to connect your brand with your true self, this might be the missing piece.

Why Your Art Should Be the Heart of Your Brand

In the branding framework I teach, we always start with your art at the core. It’s not just about creating a logo or figuring out your social media strategy—those are secondary. The truth is, your art carries the essence of your brand. It’s what speaks to people, connects with them emotionally, and builds...

As an artist, you invest countless hours into your creations, pouring your heart and soul into every brushstroke and detail. But how do you ensure that your art resonates with the right people? How do you transform casual viewers into passionate collectors? The answer lies in crafting your artist brand.

Your brand is not just a logo or a catchy tagline; it’s the essence of who you are as an artist. It embodies your unique story, your vision, and the emotions you want to evoke through your art. When you create a brand that authentically reflects your identity, you naturally attract collectors who are drawn to your message and the work you produce.

Why Your Artist Brand Matters

In a saturated art market, standing out can feel overwhelming. With countless artists vying for attention, it’s crucial to establish a brand that resonates. Think of your brand as the bridge connecting you to your audience. A strong brand communicates not just what you create but also why you create it. It allo...

When I was in art school, no one ever mentioned branding in relation to my art career. It wasn’t even on the radar. Later, when I took marketing classes and spent 15 years working in advertising, I knew a lot about branding from a corporate perspective. But I didn’t connect it to my life as an artist. They felt like two completely different worlds.

That changed the moment I had to step into the real world as a professional artist—promoting my name, showing my work, and knocking on doors. That’s when I realized branding wasn’t just for businesses. It was something I needed to embrace as an artist. And at the core of branding? It’s simply your reputation.

Branding Is About How People See and Remember You

I know branding can feel like a dirty word. For many artists, it feels like something corporate, something outside the art world. But the truth is, branding is everywhere, even if we don’t like calling it that. Whether we realize it or not, we’re all building a brand as artists.

For ...

As artists, our studio time is sacred. It’s the moment where our ideas, emotions, and experiences come together to shape the work we create. But have you ever thought about what you bring into the studio each day? I’m not talking about your art supplies. I’m talking about the emotions, distractions, and mental baggage that show up with you when you walk in the door.

I realized recently that whatever I bring with me into my creative space—whether it’s stress, joy, or even distractions—has a direct impact on my work. It shows up in the art I make, whether I like it or not.

The Weight of What We Carry

If I walk into the studio carrying negativity or frustration, I can feel it interrupting my creative flow. That inner tension shows up in my work. But when I enter with joy, peace, and excitement, my art feels lighter, more connected, more me.

And it’s not just our emotions that we bring. It’s the news of the day, the politics of the world, and even the business side of things that creep...