“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

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