In this engaging new episode of The Artist Next Level Podcast, Sergio Gomez is joined by NYC-based art advisor Pato Paez to decode what truly captures a collector's attention. This isn't just about technique or talent—it’s about the intangible connections that art creates.

Together, they break down the emotional, narrative, and visual elements that elevate art from something good to something unforgettable. You’ll discover:

• Why aesthetic alone isn’t enough

• How your personal story enhances your work

• What collectors are silently searching for

🎧 Listen to the episode below and take your art to the next level.

👉 Ready to build a meaningful and successful art career?
Join our Artist NXT Level community today at www.theartistnextlevel.com

In this episode of The Artist Next Level Podcast, Sergio Gomez explores what separates a basic artist website from a brilliant one. If your website is just sitting there without building trust, driving opportunities, or representing your brand effectively—this conversation is a must-listen.

Learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to turn your site into a tool that works for you.

🎧 Listen to the episode below and start thinking about how your digital presence can elevate your art career.

👉 Want more strategies, support, and insight for growing your art career? Join our free Artist NXT Level community at www.theartistnextlevel.com

One of the hardest parts of being a professional artist is navigating commissions that push you outside your stylistic comfort zone. But what if you could accept these challenges and still create something that feels 100% you?

In this episode of The Artist Next Level Podcast, Sergio Gomez shares a 5-step strategy to help you stay creatively authentic—even when the brief feels off-brand. From setting style boundaries to adding your final touches, this episode is your guide to thriving under creative pressure.

What you’ll learn:

• How to set expectations and define your style lane
  
• The right client questions to ensure alignment
  
• The importance of checkpoints and mid-project feedback
  
• Why documenting your process keeps your vision sharp
  
• How to inject your signature touch at the final stage
  
  

🎧 Listen now and level up your approach to challenging commissions!

👉 Want more tools and support on your artist journey? Join the Artist NXT Level community here.

Are you feeling frustrated with Instagram and wondering what’s actually working for artists right now?

In this episode of The Artist Next Level Podcast, Sergio Gomez breaks down the most important Instagram updates every artist needs to know for 2025. Discover how the platform is distributing content today, what kind of Reels are getting the most traction, and the truth about hashtags that could surprise you.

Sergio provides practical tips to help you increase visibility, stay aligned with current trends, and focus on what matters—creating art.

🎧 Listen to the full episode below and take control of your social media strategy this summer.

🚀 Join our Artist NXT Level community for free at www.theartistnextlevel.com and get access to weekly insights, artist resources, and a supportive community that helps you grow.

When the systems that once worked begin to fail—whether it’s galleries not selling like before, Instagram reach dropping, or too many shows and not enough sales—it’s time to rethink your approach.

In this powerful new episode of The Artist Next Level Podcast, Sergio Gomez explains why now is the time to shift your mindset and embrace entrepreneurship in your art practice. Thinking like an artrepreneur doesn’t mean selling out—it means being resourceful, inventive, and willing to explore new solutions.

This episode challenges artists to take initiative, step outside the traditional paths, and start solving the real problems holding them back. Whether you're looking to generate more income, build stronger connections, or increase visibility, adopting an entrepreneurial approach is key.

🎧 Listen to the full episode below and take your art career to the next level.

👉 Want more support, training, and community?
Join our Artist NXT Level membership today at www.theartistnextlevel.com
Su...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...