Several weeks ago, I shared my thoughts on why keeping politics out of your art business can be a sound strategy. While I still believe this approach helps maintain focus and professionalism, it’s hard to ignore the recent 2024 election results and the ripple effects they might have on our world—and more specifically, on the art market.
The conversations I’ve had since the election reveal a full spectrum of emotions. Some artists I know feel a renewed sense of hope, while others express deep concerns about what’s coming next. As I’ve reflected on the landscape before us, I want to offer a perspective rooted in my experiences across three decades in the art business.
Since the early ‘90s, I’ve seen the art world navigate through massive shifts—the dot-com bubble, 9/11, the Middle East conflicts, the Great Recession, major elections, a global pandemic, social unrest…the list goes on. Each of these events felt monumental, and each time, we wondered what effect they would have on the world of art. And, as always, the world kept turning, and art continued to matter deeply to people. In fact, it often mattered more.
Through it all, art has served as a constant—a way for people to find peace, beauty, and perspective. Collectors continued to acquire pieces, and artists kept creating. The experiences of the last few decades have taught me that, if anything, challenging times underscore the value of art in people’s lives. Art connects us, brings calm amidst chaos, and allows people to bring a slice of beauty into their homes.
That said, I won’t deny that times like these can make the art market more challenging. There are years when sales flow easily, and others when we feel a bit more friction. Yet, sometimes events we expect to have major impacts on our business don’t end up affecting us nearly as much as anticipated. Case in point: this year has been strong for us at Xanadu Gallery. Just a day after the election, we saw one of our biggest days of the year. Collectors were still coming in, still passionate about bringing art into their lives.
So, how do we approach times like these, as gallery owners and artists alike? What should we do when the world around us is unpredictable or when events unfold in ways we might not have wished? My advice is simple: keep creating, keep sharing, and keep building relationships. Focus on what matters to you and your work.
And remember the classic British slogan: Keep calm and carry on. Anxiety and panic don’t serve us well in times of change. Instead, our strength as professionals in the art world lies in our resilience. As we cope with challenges and adapt to them, we lay the foundation for long-term success—not just in business, but in our lives.
Certainly, it can be difficult not to get caught up in emotions, especially when we face so much uncertainty. The art world is no stranger to both joy and fear. But each time we push forward and continue to do the work we love, we strengthen our resolve and become even more resilient. And really, what is the alternative?
For me, the answer is to keep showing up. Today, as I head into my day at the gallery, I look forward to the conversations I’ll have, the collectors I’ll meet, and the art I’ll share with them. For those of us in this business, this is the core of what we do—offering people beauty, inspiration, and maybe a little bit of peace in a world that doesn’t always feel peaceful.
If you’re an artist, gallery owner, or art lover, I’d love to hear your thoughts: how do you stay grounded during unpredictable times? Do you feel your art practice or business shifts in response to current events, or do you find solace in consistency? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments, and if you’re not already subscribed, join the blog to stay connected.
Addendum: Keeping the Focus on Resilience
I appreciate the many perspectives each of you brings to our community, and I value the thoughtful exchanges that happen here. To keep the conversation constructive, I will be moderating comments to avoid discussions of specific policies, candidates, or political debates. While these topics certainly have an impact on our lives, they can often lead us away from the core message of this post.
My goal is for this space to be one where we, as professionals in the art world, can discuss how to find resilience and continue doing meaningful work during challenging times. I encourage you to share your insights, personal experiences, and strategies that help you remain focused, creative, and engaged despite external events. Let’s keep the discussion centered on how art can uplift and sustain us—and, by extension, those who experience it.
Thank you for keeping this space positive and valuable for all!
Thank you for this, Jason; I appreciate your calm voice of reason in the midst of chaos.
Boy I have tried to keep politics away from my art, but that’s been near impossible because I was soo passionate about having a woman as President. Now I can see that as this shifted and I fight for our democracy among other thing like environment, climate change and women’s rights its really going to impact my art…there’s no way it can not…it’s who I am. I feel at this point if any one wants to stop following me, not buy my art, etc I am absolutely fine with that. I’ll take the hit because “well-behaved women seldom make history” is my slogan going forward!!!
Bravo.
Instead of collapsing, and the election did not go as I had hoped, I will continue to make the best art I can and use the best materials and keep on showing up every single day. No time to mope. If I get depressed, I’ll do what I did early this morning: Go outside in the freezing cold and let the stars shine into my heart and soul.
Love your article. Wise words indeed. You named all my feelings about the level of media attention and generally so much reaction to the results. I have made time today to concentrate on what I need to do next. Check I am totally prepared for my shows and plan administration tasks I needed to address. However my favorite task was preparation for my next submission, which was very grounding. It was relatively relaxing to settle into my normal routine. Art is so many things ! My general feeling is life goes on for sure and ‘everything settles down in the end’ (words from a dear friend no longer with us). So just keep DOING and Embrace the day ! Plan your next project! Switch off, settle down, and know everything will be ok.
Jason, I agree that the issues in politics and the world are unpredictable with reference to art. When we went into lockdown for Covid, my first reaction was uh oh now what?. However, with all those people at home with little to do except get on their computers and look around, I had one of my biggest years ever in 2020. It seemed like every time I sat down at my computer, I had another sale. 2021 was almost as good. I guess the position we have to take is to look for where the sales might come from in the present environment. I hadn’t realized that folks looking around and spending time in their offices and homes would produce lines like, “my office/wall is so boring, I need something to wake it up”, or “this place looks like hell…I need a change”. Those are the words I loved hearing along with the standard, “I have a lot of big white empty walls”…..and for those who have a lot of windows, I often suggest that they drywall over them so they can hang some art……kidding.😁
For my collectors I sell to the most……when the stock market goes up, when oil jobs increase, when interest rates go down, I do better and I think it’s going to be that way now. That is my personal opinion, and I am not open to discussing politics here so please don’t start.
Hi Dave, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU! I’ve been making a living as an oil painter for 34 years. I’ve experienced the very same.
Upward Stock Market + Increased Oil Jobs + Lower interest Rates = More Disposable Income for Collectors to purchase My Art!!!!!
I have two major one artist shows next year and I’m excited! Praying for you to have LOTS of sales and Happy Painting.
Mikki Senkarik
http://www.Senkarik.com
Thank you Jason, for giving us your insights and thoughts at this time.
I was on another artist zoom group today. the consensus was, artists have to keep working. Many people look to art as a stability and the higher level of humanity.
My personal motto is “eyes on the horizon.” The optimist recognizies the long form.
But this feels different (48 hours in.) for many reasons including local ones.
I will tell you that my usual color sense has been skewed. I have tried to make an image I’ve been working on to “work”. And it’s not.
Everything is perception and our psyches are fragile. And yet, I know work is what I have to do.
I don’t as yet have a large following which means I do not have a luxury of hunkering down while the dust settles.
The real answer to these times, I think, is Make more art, more beautiful, more prophetic, more determined, more insistent. It’s what the artists after the Great War 1919 were compelled to do. And they were war-damaged too but look what happened. It’s our turn at whatever level we are at.
Jason, I have been following and reading your blog for quite some time. I haven’t produced much art lately but am selling prints well at small events. I starting to create a new website just for original oils. I’m approaching 80 and had several medical ailments. Long term cancer battles, and others. I’ve had a 50 year career as an artist mostly at art fairs.
I recently came up with a visual image I haven’t seen anyone offering I also did not “win” the election but in the last 46 hours I suddenly have amazing energy to “keep moving forward”, I’ll start gathering canvases tomorrow!!!
Meditation and deep controlled breathing are relaxers.
Today I coped with my torrent of tears and fears by meeting with my tribe to get our hands in the mud to create a new ceramic piece or glaze those that have been bisque fired. We agreed to shut out the news for a day and that allowed us to talk about “normal” stuff and laugh and smile together. A member of the group for some time had asked me if she could bring a friend who was interested. i agreed, and when she came to the door she immediately keyed in on one of my collages. Then followed a good discussion of various pieces of mineI have hanging (or standing) around our home. Instant connection! It was a great day because of this and I’ll probably sleep better tonight.
Jason, thank you for your insight and guidance. When challenging times make it difficult for me to create as usual in the studio I pivot from painting to drawing. Drawing has always centered me and brings calm into my life. As this shift begins to heal my mind I begin to add mixed media into my pieces. This challenge leads to more experimentation in my work and exciting pieces to emerge.
Thanks, Jason. Fortunately, I’m a bystander in the chaos (for the moment) because I’m in Australia. I know quite a few of my artist friends in the US are despondent; others are the opposite, so your advice to just keep working is sound to get them through. The first sentence of the last paragraph is really a good focus to give.
This article is what got my art act together again. Thank you. I have been quite paralyzed these past 2 days and now feel more present, in the day. This is what I needed to make positive steps today and reach out to others who may be floundering too.
As I watch the birds gather on the feeders outside the window I have a sense of hope and peace. For me art is a means of emotional expression and runs the full range. I know whenever I have strong feelings they can be harnessed to drive or power my work. So I concur with many who have already spoken, CREATE, no matter your politics CREATE! It’s who we are and what we do!
Thank you for your calm words and for pointing out that despite the election results we must “carry on”. The day after the election, I met with a group of artists to discuss a possible group venture. Note: we are a group of artists in Canada and we were all hoping for a different result in the US election. The meeting went well and we seemed to throw our energy into what we could do in a positive way. Sometimes, you just have to pick yourselves up, dust yourselves off, and start all over again!
It seems we all feel the same way about the disaster. I am in deep shock and am trying hard not to give up on my country- and whatever higher powers there are beyond ourselves.
I continuine to paint even though all my sales efforts are ineffective. I just find peace in the process.
I have located exactly where in my body the negativity hits me. The next step is to cleanse that place and put a permanent shield on it that only lets good energy in. When the horror show in my mind starts I instantly blink my eyes as a signal to return to the mindful present and be thankful for it.
I’m working at making this a new, permanent habit.
Thank you for being a voice of calm and hope in a turbulent time. You remind us that we need to focus on creating beauty in the world.