By Sergio Gomez

Hey there, fellow artists! Today, I want to share with you a season I'm currently experiencing - a season of waiting. You know that feeling, right? It's that in-between phase of life where things are uncertain and the answers seem far away. As I sit here writing this message, I find myself anxiously waiting for our big move from the bustling streets of Chicago to the vibrant shores of Miami. Let me tell you, relocating my home, studio, and gallery businesses has turned into quite the journey.

In the Art World, Waiting is Part of the Journey

Now, let's talk about those waiting seasons in our art careers. Maybe you're eagerly anticipating the outcome of a show you entered, or perhaps you're anxiously checking your inbox for news about a residency program you applied to. It could even be that you're waiting for a response to an email you sent to a gallery. We've all been there, my friends, and it's during these waiting periods that we often find ourselves learning the...

By Sergio Gomez

Today, I want to share a personal experience that recently took me on a nostalgic trip down memory lane. As I was tidying up my studio, I stumbled upon a hidden treasure—a box of slides containing my art, neatly organized in binders. It was like stumbling upon a time capsule of my creative journey.

A Glimpse into the Past

Curiosity consumed me, and I couldn't resist the urge to revisit those early days when I was immersed in the world of art school. With sheets in hand, I held them against the light, peering into the rich hues and intricate details of those paintings from the early 90s. It was an incredible experience, like rediscovering a part of myself that had been quietly tucked away.

The Threads That Connect

As I immersed myself in these visual time capsules, something remarkable happened. I noticed that some of the artistic elements I use in my work today had their origins in those early paintings. It was a powerful realization that my creative evolution...

By: Rashmi Ghosh

When it comes to choosing between decorative art and thought-provoking art, I always choose the latter. Art should touch your heart and hit you like a thousand bolts and make you think, ponder, and reflect. Art comes from the depths of our beings and transcends all religions and geographical differences. This is something our minds capture and our brains relish, the emotions a particular art evokes in our consciousness.

(The Thinker by Auguste Rodin – Source: The Thinker | History, Description, & Facts | Britannica)

Art has long been revered for its ability to move, inspire, and challenge our perceptions. Beyond its aesthetic value, art has also served as a powerful medium for social and political change. In recent years, a growing number of artists have embraced their role as ambassadors of environmental consciousness, using their creative talents to raise awareness and inspire action on urgent ecological issues. I admire the work of Edward Burtynsky,...

In this video, I'm going to teach you how to navigate the ever-changing art world. From navigating the art world online to understanding the art business, I'll teach you everything you need to know to stay ahead of the curve in the art world!

By Sergio Gomez

Years ago, I stumbled upon a concept that completely transformed my artistic journey: the scarcity vs. abundance mentality. It opened my eyes to two distinct mindsets that artists can adopt, each with its own profound impact on our creative lives.

The Scarcity Mindset: Fear and Isolation

In the world of art, the scarcity mindset can be all too familiar. It's the belief that everyone is out to steal from us, that we must guard our knowledge and connections at all costs. We may even think that others should go through the same struggles we did, fearing that someone might surpass us on this artistic voyage. It's a mindset rooted in fear, isolation, and a constant need to protect what's ours.

The Abundance Mindset: Sharing and Collaboration

But then, there's the alternative—the abundance mentality. This is the mindset I wholeheartedly embrace. Instead of hoarding our knowledge and experiences, we believe in sharing them generously. We understand that when we lift...

By Drew Harris

If there is one piece of advice I can offer, is to remove the word “should” from our  vocabulary as artists, particularly when it comes to valuating our work, past, present and future.

The Challenge of Finding the Right Balance

Far too often, I hear artists lamenting on the fact their work is under-valuated, or in some cases, over-valuated and not selling. Finding a perfect balance is never easy as it is often dependent on market indicators such as regional, national or international economics, and often, dare I suggest, it’s based on trends in the market, so if you are not trending, it doesn’t mean you “should or shouldn’t” charge more or less, but remain consistent as trends tend to be cyclical and less stable. Your pricing however, must remain stable, growing as you grow as an artist.

Maintaining Stability in a Fluctuating Market

As the art buying market fluctuates, our work, even when correctly valuated may seem as...

By Sergio Gomez

Listen to Sergio in the Podcast

Read Sergio's Blog Post

Today we're diving deep into the psychological challenges we face when pricing our art. I can tell you, from my own experience, that pricing artwork can be a challenging and often uncomfortable task for many artists.

Emotional Attachment to Our Work

First and foremost, it's essential to understand that our artworks are not just products; they're deeply personal expressions of ourselves. Each piece is a part of us, infused with our ideas, emotions, and hours of hard work. This emotional connection makes it challenging to assign a monetary value to our creations.
Take one of my abstract figurative paintings, for instance. It's not just paint on canvas to me. It's an exploration of life cycles and personal experiences. How do you put a price on something so intimate? This is a struggle many artists face.

Fear of Rejection or Devaluation

Another factor at play is our fear of rejection or devaluation. We fear...

By Sergio Gomez

Pull up a chair, grab your favorite sketchbook, and let's have a heart-to-heart conversation about something we all know too well: the ups and downs of being a creative soul. If I had a dollar for every bad studio day, I would be rich. I know, right? It's like we're all part of this secret club where creativity can sometimes be a wild rollercoaster ride.

When Inspiration Takes a Rain Check

We've all experienced it. That moment when we eagerly step into our sacred creative spaces, ready to dive into our art, only to find our minds drawing a complete blank. It's frustrating and disheartening, especially after completing a new series or a commissioned project, or returning from a rejuvenating vacation. And sometimes, it strikes when our thoughts are scattered all over the place. It's as if the creative "magic" has vanished, leaving us questioning our abilities.

The Comparison Trap

To make matters more challenging, we live in a world where social media bombards us...

By Sergio Gomez

As artists, we all know the struggle of putting a price tag on our creations. It's one of the most challenging aspects of our journey. How do we determine the value of the art we've poured our heart and soul into? At first glance, the idea seems ridiculous. But let me assure you, my fellow artists, we've all experienced this dilemma at the start of our art careers.

The Constant Questions

As we grow and mature in our artistic endeavors, the same questions continue to haunt us. When should we raise our prices? How should we charge now compared to a year or two ago? These questions are valid, and they reflect our desire to navigate the art market with confidence and fairness.

Starting with Self-Worth

Today, I want to discuss a vital starting point in this pricing conundrum: self-worth. Step one is to believe wholeheartedly that what we offer as artists holds tremendous value. It's time to silence those nagging voices of doubt and truly embrace the fact that our...