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...

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...