Gallery Owner Reveals How to Get Your Art Into a Gallery (Without Cold Calling)
Want to get your art into a gallery? Stop cold calling, stop mass emailing, and stop walking in with your portfolio. I've been on the other side of the gallery desk for over 20 years, and in this video I'll show you what actually works. Galleries don't say yes to strangers. They say yes to artists they already know. In fact, when Artsy asked 886 gallery professionals how they discover new artists, the top answer was through other artists (51%), followed by Instagram (44%). Both of those doors are in your hands. I call it the Gallery Trust Triangle: 🔺 RESEARCH: find the right gallery, and follow the rules they post 🔺 RELATIONSHIP: get known before you ask, with warm introductions and first visits 🔺 RESPECT: send less, follow up once, and protect the bridge ⭐ At the center: by the time you ask, they already know your name
🎨 JOIN THE ART NXT LEVEL PROGRAM Most programs teach you about galleries. Ours is connected to one. Get weekly live sessions with me and Dr. Yanina Gomez, a community...
Why Most Artists Are Afraid to Raise Their Prices (And Why You Shouldn't Be)
Your prices should grow with your career. But for most artists, the price tag hasn't moved in years, because they're afraid collectors will walk away. In this video I'll show you exactly when to raise your art prices, how much to raise them, and how to tell your collectors so they stay with you. Done right, a price increase can even make your collectors happier. I call it the Price Growth Triangle: 🔺 WHEN: read the signals and raise 10 to 20 percent at a time 🔺 WHERE: one price everywhere your work is sold 🔺 WHO: who hears first, your galleries and then your collectors ⭐ At the center, YOUR VALUE: the confidence and experience behind every price You'll also get three quick exercises: count your signals, reprice three pieces, and plan your announcement. There's also a simple early-access email you can copy. 🎨 JOIN THE ART NXT LEVEL PROGRAM Get step-by-step art business courses, a weekly live Q&A with me, a community of artists, and real opportunities to exhibit with 33 Contemporary Gall...
Why Most Artists Fail at Business (And How to Fix It)
Master the art business basics to increase your take-home pay. Compare gallery versus studio sales to boost your bottom line. Many artists struggle because they confuse revenue with profit. This video breaks down the difference between fixed and variable costs so you can accurately track your margins. We look at a real-world comparison of selling a 2,000 dollar painting through a gallery versus selling directly from your studio, highlighting how those decisions impact your artist profit. Beyond expenses, we discuss how to structure your pricing artwork strategy effectively. You will learn how to build a price ladder that caters to different types of collectors and explore various income streams to stabilize your career. Mastering the business side is just as important as the time you spend at the easel when it comes to selling art successfully. 🎨 Ready to build an art business that sustains itself? Join the Art NXT Level Academy for coaching, community and step-by-step guidance: https:...
It's Never Too Late to Become a Professional Artist: The Sculptural Journey of Maria Wickwire
It's Never Too Late to Become a Professional Artist: The Sculptural Journey of Maria Wickwire
Is it ever too late to pursue your dreams of becoming a professional artist? Absolutely not.
In this artist talk, we sit down with sculptor Maria Wickwire to explore her journey into the world of professional sculpture and the experiences that shaped her artistic practice.
What makes Maria's story especially inspiring is that she began her sculptural journey in midlife. Her experience reminds us that an artistic career doesn't have to follow a particular timeline. There is no single path or perfect age to begin developing a serious art practice.
During our conversation, Maria shares the personal story behind her work, the creative inspiration that drives her, and how her practice has evolved over time. She offers an honest look at what it means to pursue art with dedication, curiosity, and persistence.
Building a Meaningful Art Career
Every artist's journey is different. Some begin pu...
405: The Money Mistakes Keeping Artists Broke with Amber Reusch
Let’s talk about the topic most artists would rather avoid: MONEY.
You can be an incredible artist and still struggle financially if you don’t understand the business side of your career.
In this week’s episode of the Artist Next Level Podcast, I’m joined by Amber Reusch, CPA, entrepreneur, working artist, and founder of Dots & Digits Accounting.
We dive into some of the biggest financial mistakes Amber sees artists making today. But here's the big takeaway:
Understanding your numbers isn't about restriction. It's about freedom.
When you know what your art business actually costs, what you're earning, where your money is going, and what you need to charge, you can make better decisions—and build a career that actually supports the life you want.
🎧 Listen to the new episode of Artist Next Level and let's stop being afraid of the money side of being an artist.
Your art deserves a sustainable business behind it.
Episode Links:
Instagram, TikTok: @dotsanddigitsaccounting
Website...
Emergence: How Margaret Johnson Turned a 25-Year Vision Into a Solo Show [Podcast]
Margaret Johnson had been carrying a vision for 25 years — large-scale botanical paintings that brought together her childhood love of nature, her training at the Denver Botanic Gardens, and her roots as an expressive, intuitive painter. This episode is the story of how that vision finally came to life in Emergence, her solo exhibition at The Canyons Gallery at Frasier Meadows in Boulder, Colorado, curated through the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art.
We talk about what it really takes to say yes to the biggest show of your career — including how Margaret worked through her inner critic, built a month-by-month studio schedule, and used a strategic marketing plan that included personal invitations to key contacts in the art world. One of those personal invitations led directly to a new opportunity to place her work. That story alone is worth the listen.
We also go deep on what it means to work with a curator who helps you see the threads in your own work across 25 years, the unex...
The Three-List System That Helps Artists Stay Focused and Inspired
How do I stay productive as an artist without burning out?
The Three-List Habit That Keeps My Creative Life Sane
As artists, we juggle so much more than people realize. Some days feel like a beautiful flow… and others feel like we’re drowning in all the things we should be doing. For years, I tried to fit everything into one day—create, market, plan, ship, dream, build. And honestly? I burned myself out.
Then something simple shifted everything.
The Tasks We Enjoy
The studio time. The experimenting. The freedom to make a mess and follow an idea just because it feels right. These moments remind us why we’re artists in the first place.
The Tasks We Need to Do
They’re not glamorous, but they keep the engine running: emails, website updates, organizing, shipping, marketing. I may not love these tasks, but I know they matter.
The Tasks That Build the Future
These are the quiet, powerful tasks—applying for opportunities, refining your portfolio, planning ahead, building relationship...
Cracking the Code: What Collectors Really Look for in Art [PODCAST]
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:
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Why aesthetic alone isn’t enough
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How your personal story enhances your work
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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
From Basic to Brilliant: What Makes an Artist Website Stand Out [PODCAST]
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
5 Steps to Keep Your Style in Tough Commissions [PODCAST]
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.