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 ...

Have you ever experienced that moment when opportunity knocks, but the way you ask could either open the door wide or leave it barely ajar? Let me share a personal anecdote from my own gallery, a tale of a direct plea that captured attention but lacked the finesse needed to seal the deal.

The Bold Card and the Missed Connection

Picture this: I walk into my gallery to find a card on my desk, a message proclaiming, "Dear Mr. Gomez, here's my art, let's make lots of money." A straight-shooter, no doubt. It caught my eye, but here's the twist—it didn't land the positive response the artist sought. Why? The art of asking goes beyond being bold; it's about understanding how, when, and why.

In the realm of the artist's plea, the what was there, but the how fell short. Asking isn't just about you; it's about considering the person on the other side. What's in it for them? Timing is everything, and the approach matters. Unfortunately, this artist missed those crucial nuances, leaving their a...

Hey, fellow creatives! Let's talk about the magic that unfolds when you decide to reshape your mornings. Your art career deserves more than a caffeine-fueled dash into the chaos of the day. I get it because I've been there – immersed in the news and scrolling through social media before my eyes fully adjusted to daylight. But guess what? It was like sprinting before tying my shoelaces – disastrous and exhausting.

The Morning Reset That Transformed My Art Career

Remember those days when NPR news headlines were the first notes of your day's symphony? Or perhaps, like me, you found yourself knee-deep in the world of Facebook and Instagram updates before even grabbing breakfast. It was my routine, but it left me feeling like I was perpetually playing catch-up. I realized I needed to shift the narrative.

I waved goodbye to my morning news rituals and bid adieu to the endless scroll. Instead, I started prioritizing what truly mattered – nurturing my spiritual and mental well-being before ...

Unveiling the Power of Your First Thoughts

Hey there, fellow creatives! Let's dive into a game-changing concept that's been a game-changer for me in navigating the twists and turns of my artistic journey – The Big Idea Revolution.

Every Season, A Creative Gift: Life is a series of seasons, each offering a unique gift – the chance to explore something new, a dazzling excuse to ward off the looming shadow of boredom. Why not seize this opportunity to revitalize your artistic spirit?

In Bed with Ideas: Picture this: the clock strikes 5 or 6 am, and you're still cozied up in bed. Instead of reaching for your phone, let your mind wander. Before the world bombards you with its challenges, think about the main idea for your day. This simple ritual has been my compass, leading me to discover the big ideas that fuel my creative fire.

From Bed to Canvas: Imagine if your first thoughts of the day were a positive force, steering you away from the chaos that awaits. What if your day commenced n...

Change is not just a word; it's a dynamic force weaving through every brushstroke of our artistic journey. Over the years, I've navigated the undulating waters of the art world, where technology evolves like a symphony and trends morph at the speed of thought. It's a reality we can't escape, but it's also a canvas of opportunity waiting to be painted.

Embrace the Metamorphosis

From the slow dance of email communication to the whirlwind romance of social media, the metamorphosis has been swift. What we held dear yesterday may transform into an entirely new masterpiece tomorrow. It's a truth that can be intimidating, yet the beauty lies in the acceptance.

Resist the urge to push back against the current of change. Instead, see it as an intrinsic part of life's rhythm, a cycle that, much like the night, brings renewal every 24 hours. The resistance we feel to change lessens when we shift our perspective—when we not only accept but welcome the new chapters unfolding in our artistic narr...

Are you an artist who revels in the delightful mess of your studio, where paint tubes dance with books, and brushes find solace in their dried, hardened state? For years, I embraced the chaos, using it as my shield against the orderliness demanded by the business side of my art. But here's the revelation – being a bit messy in the studio doesn't mean surrendering control in your art business.

The Studio Symphony: Where Creativity and Disorder Coexist

My studio was a canvas of controlled chaos – a haven where wood sticks patiently waited, untouched for nearly two decades. Yet, amidst this apparent disarray, I realized I needed the tools and a conscious reason to seize control. It was more than just navigating paint tubes; it was about orchestrating the symphony of my creative process.

From Disarray to Design: Unleashing the Power of Organization

Believing that disorganization was part of my artistic DNA, I stumbled upon a powerful truth – organization is a choice. When I decided to ...