There have been times during the last several “Covid” months, when I admit I have questioned the relevance of my work. At a time in which there are so many things to worry about, so many things to do and so many ways to try to help those in need, it almost seems extravagant to focus on art while much of the world is suffering. But, as I have been reminded many times before, it is precisely in these times when art is the MOST … Continue Reading
A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success.” Bo Bennett
Our summer juried shows are a mixed blessing for me. Each year I marvel at the infinite and diverse ways in which artists find to express themselves. I admire and respect each and every artist for the extraordinary effort they make every day to share their gift. Again, we were happily overwhelmed with a large number of excellent quality entries, and the competition for this show was very stiff.
Most juried shows, … Continue Reading
“Creativity is the residue of time wasted.” Albert Einstein
Originally posted 6 years ago, this article from the ArtAdvice Archives is particularly relevant today in light of the “Shelter at Home” guidelines. This virus set the PAUSE button on the universe…but, for artists, it has been mostly business as usual. I have loved watching all of the various ideations that artists have come up with to deal with the stay at home orders. The only difference is now, through social media, the rest of the … Continue Reading
It’s time to apply to our Winter Juried Show. Applications can be made through the CAFE website. https://www.callforentry.org/ CaFÉ is a program of the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) a regional nonprofit arts service organization. Registration for artists is FREE and provides access to hundreds of exhibition and sales opportunities. Deadline for applications is October 10. Here are some tips to remember…good luck!
The level of success an artist achieves when entering juried shows, obviously relates to the … Continue Reading
It’s been well over 4 years since my last post…not sure how many people this will reach. But, the time has come to officially announce my UN-retirement from the art world. This world has served me well and I know that my participation has helped many artists come to a new understanding of their career development. I am so proud of all the work I have done, all the great shows we did at the gallery, and all of my participation in developing the art community in … Continue Reading
It’s time to apply to our Summer Juried Show. Applications can be made through the CAFE website. https://www.callforentry.org/ CaFÉ is a program of the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) a regional nonprofit arts service organization. Registration for artists is FREE and provides access to hundreds of exhibition and sales opportunities. Deadline for applications is May 10. Here are some tips to remember…good luck!
“Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
The … Continue Reading
Kandinsky on the Spiritual Element in Art and the Three Responsibilities of Artists
by Maria Popova
*If you do not already subscribe to Brain Pickings, please consider signing up and/or donating to this wonderful blog.
“To harmonize the whole is the task of art.”
“Art is a form of nourishment (of consciousness, the spirit),” 31-year-old Susan Sontag wrote in her diary in 1964. “Art holds out the promise of inner wholeness,” wrote Alain de Botton half a century later in … Continue Reading
In case you are wondering where we have been and what we are doing, here is a brief update. The last six months have been quite a wild ride. I am feeling very blessed and ready to tackle the New Year. However, I must admit, I do enjoy the extra time that not having a full rotating exhibition schedule gives me. Katy, Cameron and I continue to be busy doing the things that we do best…helping artists get the exposure they want and their work deserves. We … Continue Reading
“Who in the world am I? Ahh, that is the great puzzle.” Lewis Carroll
It’s not something you can turn off. It bubbles up when you least expect it. If you would allow it, it would consume every waking minute of every day. You work hard to fit in to the normal world…family obligations, work, the challenges of everyday life. But, admit it, all you can think about is that unfinished painting, sculpture, poem, or whatever, fill in the blank. You know you are different. You may … Continue Reading
Remember that part of the movie when Tom Hanks was stranded and Ed Harris put everything Hanks had in his spaceship on the table and ordered his staff to make something that will fix it? That is such a beautiful metaphor for life. It seems like since closing the gallery I have had to look at all the pieces I have left on my table and see what I want to make. I have always loved helping artists, and will continue to advise and consult artists as … Continue Reading
Almost 6 years ago to the day, this article came out in Ventana Magazine describing the reasons why I decided to move Sylvia White Gallery to Ventura. I feel exactly the same way today. It has been a labor of love and an incredible honor for me. Ventura is unique in more ways than one. Small town vibe, beach weather, no traffic, reasonable rents, respect for the environment, architectural integrity and authentic living. But, it is the very special art community … Continue Reading
It’s been 35 years of consulting with artists, 50 articles written and now blogged on ArtAdvice.com, 8 different offices/gallery spaces, hundreds of workshops, thousands of exhibitions and … Continue Reading
For most emerging and mid career artists, the single most important thing you can do for yourself is decide to spend 2-3 hours per week “doing your homework.” My gift to you this holiday season is a fairly extensive list of resources for you to peruse on a monthly basis, searching for viable opportunities. For artists that need to develop a “paper trail” for their resume, there is no better way than entering juried shows and competitions. There are a number of websites that offer exhibition opportunities … Continue Reading
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present. ~Babatunde Olatunji
The holidays, which are an unusually a stressful time for most people… are even more so for artists. Visual artists, who have to cram art making into an already full life, are now faced with the additional burden of dealing with traffic, crowds, guests from out of town and unnatural amounts of spending. So for all you last minute shoppers, I have compiled a list … Continue Reading
Dear Artists, I feel like I have just been grounded by my parents…Facebook is not allowing me to have any more “friends” because I have reached the limit of 5000 on my personal page. If you would like to stay updated on my activities, please go to my Sylvia White Gallery page and LIKE me. Maybe we can sneak out of the house and have a cigarette in the … Continue Reading
“Art is not what you see, but, what you make others see,” Edgar Degas
Most people don’t realize how much courage it takes for an artist to show their work to people. Courage, as defined by Mark Twain, is not the lack of fear, but rather being able to move forward in spite of it. In my previous article, If You Are Addicted, I introduce the notion that there is a difference between making art and making a painting (sculpture, photography, or whatever your medium is). … Continue Reading
Join CaFE today… step by step instructions HERE
If you are one of those artists who has been procrastinating about looking for opportunities to get your career in gear, no more excuses. You need to sign up today for CaFE, callforentry.org. It is a website operated by Western States Arts Federation and it is completely FREE for artists to register. You do need to have some basic computer skills before you tackle this, so if you are not there yet, ask any 10 year old to help … Continue Reading
My father was a quiet man. An early immigrant from Russia, he came here as many Jews did, seeking the freedom and independence that America was known for. Eventually, he became a successful business person, establishing the first jewelry store in a young, new city called Beverly Hills. He was loved by all. He was kind and generous and treated important movie stars and store clerks with the same respect…he never discussed his politics. He lived through the extreme consequences that would be felt by … Continue Reading
“Do not let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.”
John Wooden
I am faced with a difficult challenge in the coming weeks. Each summer, our gallery hosts a juried show that offers a solo exhibition or group exhibition to selected artists. Most juried shows, are by nature, an eclectic blend of a juror’s vision. By definition, this show is a subjective and singular vision, based on my personal tastes and aesthetic. So little research has been … Continue Reading
I love being a gallerist. I love art and I love artists. I’ve devoted the last 30 years to helping artists develop the skills they need to manage their careers. Yet, still, after all these years, I just can’t believe some of the things artists do. If you haven’t already done so, please take a moment to read one of my archived articles, “5 Surefire Ways to Annoy a Gallery”. I’ve updated the list here, with a few of the most egregious crimes I’ve experienced lately. … Continue Reading
“Who in the world am I? Ahh, that is the great puzzle.” Lewis Carroll
It’s not something you can turn off. It bubbles up when you least expect it. If you would allow it, it would consume every waking minute of every day. You work hard to fit in to the normal world…family obligations, work, the challenges of everyday life. But, admit it, all you can think about is that unfinished painting, sculpture, poem, or whatever, fill in the blank. You know you are different. You may … Continue Reading
“Creativity is the residue of time wasted.” Albert Einstein
It’s summer, time for relaxing by the pool, laying at the beach, taking a vacation from work, spending time outdoors, with family and friends, reading junky novels and just doing nothing, if you feel like it. The only problem is…if you are an artist, you rarely feel like it. One of the most misunderstood ideas about artists, is the notion that they can work whenever they want to. Catch an hour in the studio after the kids … Continue Reading
“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind. ” Lionel Hampton
By the time most artists come to see me, they are usually beaten down and depressed by the struggles of the artworld. They have been abused by their galleries, taken for granted by their collectors, misunderstood by their families and exhausted from juggling real life with creative need. It is so easy to forget how special you are, when there is no one around to remind you, but you. … Continue Reading
A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success.” Bo Bennett
Our summer juried shows are a mixed blessing for me. Each year I marvel at the infinite and diverse ways in which artists find to express themselves. I admire and respect each and every artist for the extraordinary effort they make every day to share their gift. Again, we were happily overwhelmed with a large number of excellent quality entries, and the competition for this show was very stiff. The … Continue Reading
Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you’ll be criticized anyway . — Eleanor Roosevelt
When you look at a piece of food on your plate and decide not to eat it, do you know why? You may be able to answer that question by saying you don’t like the taste, or you are not in the mood, but that doesn’t really address the root of the question, “Why?” Can you tell me why you don’t like the taste? Can you tell me why … Continue Reading
“It won’t always be summer: build barns.” Hesiod 700 B.C.
A lot of people don’t realize that the art world revolves around a seasonal schedule. Galleries begin their season in September, usually after Labor Day, often opening with their strongest artist and continue until about the middle of June. Many galleries use the summer months to mount group shows of gallery artists, or shows that they wouldn’t consider during their “prime season.” Generally, the magazines and gallery guides follow suit by issuing combined July/August issues. For … Continue Reading
“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” ~Abraham Lincoln
It’s not something we like to think about, but collectors, as well as artists, need to face the fact that owning art, regardless of whether it is yours, or it is acquired, comes with certain responsibilities. There are the obvious responsibilities concerning documentation, insurance, protection, care and handling. There are even laws that … Continue Reading
We humans are strange creatures. Even when you take the creative element out of the equation, most people are never satisfied. It makes sense that would be true for creative types, as the essence of creative process depends on the need to improve whatever was last. After all, if an artist felt they had created an ultimate masterpiece that could not be improved upon, what would motivate them to start the next project? The irony in this, of course, is every artist DOES feel … Continue Reading
“A bank is a place that will lend you money only if you can prove that you don’t need it. ” Bob Hope
There has been a lot of talk lately about the economy improving. I don’t know about you, but not many people I come in contact with have experienced much change. Nonetheless, change is happening, maybe not as fast as everyone would like, but there is hope on the horizon. One … Continue Reading
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you are successful.”
If you haven’t taken the time to think about how YOU define success, you are doing your career a disservice. With all the artists I have talked to over the years, I have found there is a wide spectrum of what an artist wants. Some artists could care less about ever showing in a museum or gaining any historical significance, they just want … Continue Reading
“When bankers get together for dinner, they discuss Art. When artists get together for dinner, they discuss money.” Oscar Wilde
Maybe it was growing up in Beverly Hills that gave me an acute sense of monetary reality. Regardless, as a child, it became apparent at quite an early age that money was a central issue in most people’s lives and I needed to pay particular attention. So, it would naturally follow that “the Money Stuff,” would eventually find it’s way to Art Advice. If you are an artist, … Continue Reading
“Who in the world am I? Ahh, that is the great puzzle.” Lewis Carroll
It’s not something you can turn off. It bubbles up when you least expect it. If you would allow it, it would consume every waking minute of every day. You work hard to fit in to the normal world…family obligations, work, the challenges of everyday life. But, admit it, all you can think about is that unfinished painting, sculpture, poem, or whatever, fill in the blank. You know you are different. You may have … Continue Reading
“Only put off until tomorrow, what you are willing to die left undone.” Pablo Picasso
The beginning of a new year always puts me in a pensive, introspective mood. It just feels like the right time to sit back and reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, and develop a plan to move forward towards new goals. But, being a creative thinker can have it’s drawbacks during this time of reflection. It’s easy to overlook how far you’ve come, unless you develop a quantifiable system of measuring. For a lot of artists, achieving a goal “doesn’t really count,” because by … Continue Reading
“You only have to do a very few things right in your life so long as you don’t do too many things wrong.”
Warren Buffett
If you are lucky enough to have scheduled a gallery interview or studio visit, it’s a good idea to keep some key issues in mind. Your goal is to make sure this will be an enjoyable and profitable experience for all concerned. Showing your work and/or having people in your studio can be a major stressor for most artists. You need … Continue Reading
“We were having one of those really great first dates, the kind you can only have if it’s not really a date.” Sarah Jessica Parker, Sex and the City
After reading the article “Matchmaker, Matchmaker”, you should have a fairly good idea of how to determine which galleries are appropriate for your work. Once you’ve narrowed your target list down to those galleries that you feel relate to your work, and would be a good fit for you both stylistically and as a match for your career … Continue Reading
“Anyone who has never made a mistake, has never tried anything new.” Albert Einstein.
I know what you are saying, “Ok, I give up, I’ve just mastered building a website and using my email, what the heck is social media?”In plain English, it means, the days of direct mailers and catalogs are over. The new generation of artists, gallery owners and consultants are programmed for faster, higher quality marketing techniques. Thanks to social media networking sites like Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter, we are able to connect 24/7 with … Continue Reading
“Knock, knock,”
“Who’s there?”
“Another artist with his portfolio under his arm.” (Sigh)
To many artists, being an artist isn’t “real” unless you have a gallery to exhibit your work. Although there are several other options available to artists in terms of showing and selling their work, it seems, for some, there is just no substitute for getting gallery representation. To this end, many artists are willing to bend over backwards, do insane things, make ridiculous claims, and, in short, embarrass themselves. The truth … Continue Reading
“As sure as the spring will follow the winter, prosperity and economic growth will follow recession.” Bo Bennett
Artists are more susceptible than most to the economic downturn as fine art has long been considered a luxury, primarily for an audience with extra discretionary income. In times like these, even the very wealthy feel uncomfortable spending on what may be perceived by others as an extravagance. Smart collectors know this is the best time to buy and fine art is one of the safest places to “park” … Continue Reading
“Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match…” Fiddler on the Roof
One of the most difficult aspects of being an artist doesn’t take place behind the studio walls. It is an unpleasant, sometimes degrading aspect of your career: promotion. Nevertheless, as an artist, you need to develop a method to promote your work and still maintain your integrity. To minimize the unpleasantness of this particular responsibility, the method you devise should complement your personality and temperament. The problem begins when you decide it’s time to start approaching … Continue Reading
“Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.” Mark Twain
Do you have any idea what your expectations are for yourself as a professional artist? Most artists carry the same dreams and hopes…getting discovered, finding a patron, being famous, selling work. The reality is those things happen only for the very few. So, if you have not given any thought to what your dreams are, please take a moment to read Success, What is it, who has it and why do I want it so badly. to … Continue Reading
“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” Henry David Thoreau
The first step in trying to price your work is discussed in detail in a previous ArtAdvice article called Matchmaker, Matchmaker . It involves visiting galleries on a regular basis to determine where your work fits in to the current art market. When going to galleries, study the price lists of artists whose work is similar to yours stylistically, as well as in size and medium. Ask to see … Continue Reading
“But that’s what being an artist is – feeling crummy before everyone else feels crummy. ” ~The New Yorker
Almost everyone has experienced loss in one form or another at some point in their lives. After the tragedy on September 11th, most of us don’t have to look very far to find someone who has been touched by loss. For artists, learning how to recognize and cope with loss will help them in understanding the … Continue Reading
” An artist without a website is virtually homeless.” Sylvia White
Planning Stage
Long before you talk to any website designers, or start to think about the colors, features and format of your site, you need to spend some time thinking about what your goals are for having a website. Building a website is like building a house. The more time you spend thinking about how the house will be used, and in planning the foundation, the more options you will have. Spend a moment writing the … Continue Reading
“People always fear change. People feared electricity when it was invented, didn’t they? People feared coal, they feared gas-powered engines… There will always be ignorance, and ignorance leads to fear. But with time, people will come to accept their silicon masters. ” Bill Gates Every once in awhile, even today, I come across an artist who is still resistant to the idea of using the computer. Okay, there might have been some justifiable excuses 10 years ago, “I don’t want to spend my time learning about something … Continue Reading
“Have no fear of perfection, you will never achieve it” Salvador Dali
Visual artists are constantly worrying about what the standard artist/gallery relationship should consist of. Feeling insecure about how to handle these negotiations are natural…artists are not business people and are often ill-equipped as well as inexperienced at handling their own business affairs. Following is a set of guidelines that I recommend artists use when considering establishing a relationship with a gallery. Remember, the ideal gallery does not exist. The best way to use this information is as a standard, by … Continue Reading
Collectors of art fall into two basic categories. The first is the collector that decides to live with art, buys it until all the walls are filled, and then stops. The second revels in the experience of collecting, and like the artist, feels compelled by some greater force to continue with this passionate relationship, regardless of the decorative or functional aspects.
What many collectors don´t realize, is the process is not over once the piece is hung. It becomes even more vitally important to become a responsible collector … Continue Reading
” A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself.” Abraham Maslow
Living with an artist isn’t easy, particularly if you are the significant other. So, after living with and working with artists for over 20 years I’ve put together a few suggestions for you to share with your partners. One of the first things most non-artists have a hard time understanding is the concept of addiction and how it is related to art … Continue Reading
Art Licensing is an exciting area in the licensing market and can possibly supplement and artist’s income and increase exposure. Licensing is defined as leasing the right to use a legally protected name, graphic, logo, saying or likeness in conjunction with a product, promotion, or services. It is usually accomplished by a formal agreement between the owner or agent of the mark (the Licensor) and the prospective Licensee who is either a manufacturer, supplier of services or an agent on behalf of them.
Licensing is an industry that … Continue Reading
Artists often ask me whether or not it is worth it to rent a gallery to put up their own work. In general, I discourage the idea, unless artists have looked realistically at their goals and expectations. In many cases, renting a gallery space can be a very effective way to market yourself to other galleries and generate income from your collector base.
Before I begin the discussion about rental galleries, I need to go over the common practices of conventional galleries. Although there will always be exceptions, … Continue Reading
“Actors search for rejection, when they don’t get it, they reject themselves.” Charlie Chaplin
Most artists harbor the fantasy that if they could only find one art dealer that loved and believed in their work, their career would be set. They secretly believe that there exists a special person that can catapult them to fame. Many artists spend most of their careers searching for “the perfect gallery.” And, as all quests towards perfection, it is never ending. If they already have a gallery, it’s not good enough; if … Continue Reading
“To see far, is one thing…going there is another.” Constantin Brancusi
Artists who regularly visit this website have acquired a lot of information on how to conduct their business practices. It’s not easy trying to keep track of all the activities necessary to become a working professional artist particularly since most artists are just not suited for the day-to-day practical aspects of running a business.
Making art and making an art career are two different things. A lot of artists are already pressed for time, trying to fit their … Continue Reading
“Artists can no more speak about their work, than plants can speak about horticulture.” Jean Cocteau
There are many times when an artist is asked to compose an artist statement. Sometimes, it is in response to a specific inquiry by a gallery or collector, sometimes in response to a particular grant proposal or in conjunction with a curatorial statement or exhibition. Other times, artists just feel the need to explain their work. Most of the time, however, artists are not the best suited for this particular task. Regardless … Continue Reading
“Do not fear failure, or over-estimate success.” Ernest Hemmingway
You’ve worked hard to develop a cohesive body of work. You’ve done your homework, worked diligently to do the research to find a place to exhibit your work. Perhaps you fell into a lucky situation and been offered an exhibition. How do you prepare for it to get the most out of this valuable experience? Well, the first thing is to realize that this is not … Continue Reading
“Art is not what you see, but, what you make others see,” Edgar Degas
Most people don’t realize how much courage it takes for an artist to show their work to people. Courage, as defined by Mark Twain, is not the lack of fear, but rather being able to move forward in spite of it. In my previous article, If You Are Addicted, I introduce the notion that there is a difference between making art and making a painting (sculpture, photography, or whatever your medium is). Expression of your unique form of creativity is an addiction that very few artists … Continue Reading
Learning how to document your own artwork can be time consuming and expensive. Having good quality slides of your work, however, is an absolutely essential first step in seeing yourself as a professional artist. Nine times out of ten you will not have the opportunity to show your original work. Remember that the purpose of sending slides is to generate interest in seeing the actual work. Your slides must adequately reflect the color, detail, texture, and size. Hiring a professional fine arts photographer is the best way … Continue Reading
“Listen carefully to first criticisms made of your work. Note just what it is about your work that critics don’t like – then cultivate it. That’s the only part of your work that’s individual and worth keeping.” ~Jean Cocteau
There is no easy way to accept dealing with rejection. The only thing that may help alleviate some of the feelings associated with rejection is by understanding how and why it occurs in the first … Continue Reading
There are a lot of valid reasons why an artist should think about reproducing their work. There are also a lot of reasons NOT to. In most cases, artists start to think about doing prints of their work as a way to increase sales or generate interest in their work. But, unless you are also prepared to take on the additional burden of marketing, printmaking is not always the right option for artists.
Before the incredible introduction of the technology that led to the iris printer, artists were limited in choosing ways to … Continue Reading
If you have ever thought about trying to become an art collector, either for pleasure or for investment purposes, the art world doesn’t make it easy for you. Galleries are cold, uninviting, scary and intimidating places to visit. Even a seasoned art world aficionado can feel awkwardly out of place when entering the inner sanctum of a public commercial gallery. The quiet hush, ominous white walls, cavernous spaces and contemporary art that defies understanding can be overwhelming to the novice. Gallery employees don’t make it any easier. … Continue Reading
The advent of digital technology has revolutionized the print market for both artists and collectors. Traditional printmaking techniques such as lithography, intaglio, and other more traditional methods, are very closely monitored by the master printer and/ or the publisher. It was important to specify exactly how many printer proofs there were, how many artist proofs there were and how many numbered prints were made to complete the limited edition. As the prints were distributed or sold, the publisher would document how many went out and to whom. … Continue Reading
The Internet has become an unavoidable fact of life. Over just the last few years we have seen radical changes in the way this new technology is changing the way we live, think and shop. Although many artists, collectors and galleries continue to have fears and concerns, even their reluctance is slowly beginning to erode as they accept the inevitability of this powerful, wide reaching tool. In regards to the artworld, there are basically three different types of websites :
Originally published in Artweek, July 1995, Volume 26, Number
7
” . . .artists can no longer sit back and take the attitude that
the work speaks for itself . . .”
After opening a second office and gallery in New York last September,
I have spent a good deal of time accumulating frequent flier miles. On the
average, I spend one week each month in New York, which has been a real
eye-opener for me, a native Angeleno who has been actively involved with
the Los Angeles art scene for twenty years. … Continue Reading
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/08/booming/a-bond-forged-in-crucible-of-the-art-world.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0