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...

Let me ask you something: Are you making art for yourself, or for Instagram?

In today’s fast-paced world, it's easy to fall into the trap of creating just to keep up with the demand for content. Social media has turned into a relentless machine, and if we’re not careful, it can start to take control of our creative process. Before we know it, we’re rushing to finish pieces—not to express ourselves, but to feed the endless cycle of posts, likes, and comments. But is that really why you became an artist?

The Dangers of "Insta Art for the Gram"

I call this phenomenon "Insta art for the Gram." It's when you rush your art, not because you're inspired or have something to say, but because you need something to post. It’s all too common these days, and the result is Instagram being flooded with art that lacks depth, meaning, or thought. A few quick splashes of paint, some trendy colors, and boom! The next piece of Insta art is ready for the world. But does it really matter? Does it resonat...

For the past 30 years, I’ve never painted on an easel. Yep, you heard that right. My entire art career has been built around painting on walls, floors, and tables—any surface that allowed me to move freely and work on multiple pieces at once. This has been my artistic language. Even in college, I asked my professors for walls instead of easels. It’s what I knew, what felt right, and where my creativity thrived.

But this year, something changed. I felt the need to shake things up in my studio. So, I went out and bought my first-ever easel. That’s right—after decades of creating without one, I finally took the plunge. And to make things even more interesting, I bought a cart to keep only the materials I need for one painting at a time, forcing myself to focus solely on that single piece.

Why the sudden shift? Because sometimes, we need to step away from what’s comfortable in order to grow.

Breaking the Habit: A New Way of Working

This whole experiment is completely opposite to how I’...

I still remember the day I got the keys to my first art studio like it was yesterday. I was just a college student, and near my house, there was this old school building that was renting out classrooms to artists for next to nothing. My friend and I scraped together what little money we had and rented one of those rooms. It was big and empty, with high ceilings, its own water faucet, and massive windows along one wall that flooded the room with light. That place was pure magic.

It was in that studio that I first believed I could really be an artist. It was the first time I felt like I was growing into the person I dreamed of becoming.

The Evolution of Studio Spaces

Fast forward about 30 years, and I’ve worked in all kinds of spaces. From tiny kitchen tables to large industrial warehouses, basement corners to beautifully lit lofts, I’ve seen it all. Some studios felt like a dream come true, while others were far from glamorous. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: great ...

As I sit here reflecting on the events of this past weekend, I’m reminded of how fragile life—and art—can be. Hurricane Helene tore through Asheville, leaving devastation in its wake. The arts community wasn’t spared. Artists I know personally have lost everything—studios are destroyed, artwork is gone, and families are reeling from the chaos. Yet, amidst all this loss, one thing still remains: hope.

The Power of Hope in Times of Crisis

Hope is often the last thing we cling to. It’s the thread that keeps us moving forward, especially in the face of hardship. As artists, hope fuels our creativity. Each brushstroke, every drop of ink, paint, or pixel carries with it the potential for something beautiful, meaningful, and extraordinary. Even when our art doesn’t turn out the way we envisioned, hope keeps us trying again.

But hope isn’t just a quiet, internal feeling. It’s something we can give to others. Right now, our fellow artists in Asheville need that hope. They’ve lost their tools...

In this episode of the Artist Next Level Podcast, host Sergio Gomez dives deep into the world of art collecting with two passionate and dedicated patrons of the arts, Steven Alan Bennett and Elaine M. Schmidt. Known for their remarkable collection of figurative realist paintings, the Bennetts have not only made a name for themselves as influential collectors but also as philanthropists who are shaping the future of women in art through The Bennett Prize.

The Bennett Prize: A Vision for Women in Art

Created in 2018, The Bennett Prize awards $50,000 to a woman artist to create her own solo exhibition of figurative realist paintings. The prize gives women artists the opportunity to shine and gain well-deserved recognition in the art world. But The Bennett Prize is more than just an award. It is a movement to elevate women painters and open new doors for them, particularly those who may have yet to reach full professional recognition. With the prize’s inaugural year seeing over 600 en...

In this episode of the Artist Next Level Podcast, host Sergio Gomez sits down with two remarkable artists, Yochi Yakir-Avin and Lisa Yves, to discuss their innovative project, "Painting Life in Pictures." This collaboration beautifully blends visual arts and theater, offering an immersive experience that evokes nostalgia and introspection.

Yochi, an accomplished visual artist, and Lisa, a multi-talented musician, songwriter, and theater writer, share how their backgrounds and artistic journeys have culminated in this unique project. Set to take place on August 30 and 31 at the Frank Gallery in Pembroke Pines, Florida, "Painting Life in Pictures" features Yochi's installations of oversized nostalgic images on sheer fabric, complemented by Lisa's evocative play. 

Tune in to hear about the inspiration behind this project, the creative process, and how their work connects with audiences on a deep emotional level.

More Info:
https://www.artscalendar.com/event/painting-life-in-pictures/...

Join us on this exciting episode of the Artist Next Level Podcast as we sit down with the dynamic duo, Picardo and Marsha K Lucas, a creative couple who are determined to make waves in the worlds of art, fashion, music, and dance. Now based in Miami, Picardo and Marsha share their inspiring journey of collaboration and career growth in their new vibrant city.

Picardo, an Afro Caribbean multidisciplinary artist, mesmerizes with his drumming performances, spoken word storytelling, and rhythmically composed paintings. His work creates a powerful visual experience, engaging viewers through an expressive dialogue of color, gesture, and organic lines. Picardo shares his unique process of using art to express his emotions and experiences, revealing how visualization became his storytelling mechanism during his journey of learning English.

Marsha K Lucas, an abstract painter, branding model, dancer, and performer, brings her own creative flair to the partnership. As an independent artist ...