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...

Listen to the podcast or read the article below by Dr. Yanina Gomez

For artists, the journey of creation is often fueled by passion and a desire to share their unique visions with the world. However, amidst the pursuit of their artistic endeavors, burnout can creep in, dimming the creative spark and hindering the joy of creation. To prevent burnout from overshadowing your artistic journey, it is essential to implement strategies that nurture your well-being and reignite your inspiration.

In this blog post, I'm sharing 2 practical tips to help you avoid burnout and two tips to help you overcome burnout so that you can reclaim your creativity, and rediscover the joy in your artistic pursuits. Let's start with 2 tips for avoiding burnout. 

Tip 1: Prioritize Self-Care and Mindful Restoration

As an artist, I bet you often push yourself relentlessly, dedicating countless hours to perfecting your skills. Many artists do! However, neglecting...

Today, I want to talk about something that's close to my heart and an essential aspect of our creative lives: documenting and organizing our artistic journey. It's like they say, "If you do not document it, it's like it never happened." So let's dive in and explore how we can make the most of the incredible technology available to us and ensure our work leaves a lasting impact.

Embrace the Digital Age

Living in this day and age, we have a remarkable advantage—technology that fits right in the palm of our hands. Gone are the days of waiting anxiously for our 35mm camera slides to develop. We now have the power to capture, preserve, and share our artistic process effortlessly.

Documenting: More than Just Moments

Documenting our creative journey goes beyond capturing mere moments. It's about gathering valuable information and insights about ourselves and our work for the future. By documenting our process, we create a visual diary that helps us reflect on our growth, techniques,...

Join host Sergio Gomez in an inspiring conversation with artist Marybeth Rothman on The Artist Next Level Podcast. Discover how Marybeth found her artistic style, conquered fears about marketing and social media, and gain insights into her upcoming solo exhibition. Explore her use of vintage photographs as inspiration for her captivating mixed media artworks. Don't miss this episode packed with artistic wisdom and inspiration from a Smithsonian Institution, National Portrait Gallery, Semifinalist in the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2022.

Highlights:

• Uncovering your unique artistic style
• Conquering fear and embracing marketing
• Using vintage photographs as creative inspiration
• Marybeth's upcoming solo exhibition 

Tune in to The Artist Next Level Podcast with Sergio Gomez and special guest Marybeth Rothman for an engaging conversation that will elevate your art career!

Marybeth's website: https://www.marybethrothman.com/

By Sergio Gomez

A Personal Story of Pursuing a Dream

Let me share a little personal story with you. Back in 2019, when I had just begun my gallery and studio journey in the vibrant city of Chicago, I started having this wild dream. I couldn't stop thinking about curating a massive national show that would put me in the map in the art word. But oh boy, the doubts flooded my mind like a torrential downpour!

Voices in my head whispered all sorts of discouraging thoughts: "You're still a newbie, not enough experience!", "Who even knows you? You're practically invisible!", "Connections? Ha! You don't have them." And let's be honest, those voices had a point. I had every reason to believe that pursuing such a dream was a long shot.

Giving Myself Permission

But you know what? I decided to do something radical. I granted myself the permission to chase after that dream, against all odds. I said, "Why not give it a shot?" And boy, was I in for a surprise!

Fast forward to January 2010,...

In this captivating episode of "The Artist Next Level Podcast," host Sergio Gomez sits down with acclaimed hyperrealist artist Nadine Robbins to delve into the mesmerizing world of hyperrealistic portraiture. Prepare to be awestruck as Nadine shares the secrets behind her four-hour video session, where she meticulously captures the essence of a human eye in her breathtaking portraits.

Join Sergio and Nadine as they embark on a fascinating exploration of the creative process, revealing the intricate steps involved in achieving hyperrealism. Discover the story behind Nadine's remarkable video class, designed to guide aspiring artists through the intricate journey of painting a hyperrealistic eye. Uncover the thought process that led her to choose the specific model for this masterpiece and gain insights into her decision to offer this transformative experience as an online class.

In this inspiring conversation, Nadine opens up about the challenges and joys of hyperrealism, sharing...

By Sergio Gomez

Embracing the Beauty of Collaboration

Creating art is often seen as a solitary pursuit, with artists immersing themselves in the solitude of their studios, seeking inspiration from within. However, there is a vibrant and transformative dimension of the artistic journey that lies beyond the studio walls—a realm where connections with fellow artists and art enthusiasts can ignite a spark of collaborative creativity. Today, we delve into the art of connection and explore how embracing collaboration can elevate your artistic endeavors to new heights.

The Wisdom of Ruth: "It's All About People"

Imagine this: a wise friend and seasoned art connoisseur named Ruth once told me this piece of advice that resonated deeply with me. Ruth, having traversed the art world as a museum director and consultant, once said, "Hey Sergio, it's all about people. Learn to work with them, and success will find you." Her words, seemingly simple, carry profound meaning. They remind...