When Artwork Is Damaged in a Gallery: Who’s Responsible?
I recently received an email from a discouraged artist whose painting came back from a gallery with a five-inch gash through the canvas. The gallery owner—who happened to be closing…
Set Your Studio Rules: Systems That Reduce Anxiety
Over the years, I’ve learned that rules can be freeing. At the gallery, we have systems for nearly everything—how we photograph artwork, how files are named, how and when clients…
Trends vs. Voice: Color, Monochrome, and What Actually Sells
I recently received a question from an artist who noticed that neutral interiors seem to dominate design feeds these days. The question was simple but important: Should I start toning…
Stop Revising Your Art After You Share the Photo
Every artist has done it—you send an image of a piece to a gallery, a publication, or post it online, and then, an hour later, notice something that bugs you….
Should You Paint Over Old Work? A Practical Guide
We’ve been talking a lot lately about how to connect with clients—listening, asking questions, and building confidence. Let’s change gears and get practical. Every artist ends up with a stack…
Listen Like a Pro: The Overlooked Sales Skill
Most artists think selling means talking—describing the piece, explaining the process, filling the air with words that show confidence and professionalism. But in my 30+ years in art sales, I’ve…
Your Two-Sentence Pitch: Say Less, Spark More
Most artists freeze when someone asks, “What kind of art do you make?” It’s such a simple question, but it feels loaded—like every word has to prove your worth as…
Talk First, Fear Later: Low-Stakes Social Reps for Artists
For many artists, the hardest part of selling art isn’t creating it—it’s talking about it. The studio is safe. The moment you step into a gallery or event, though, the…
Two Weeks in Tuscany: Art, Food, and the Joy of Getting Lost
Carrie and I are back from two remarkable weeks in Italy, and I wanted to share a few reflections before the memories start to blur together. First, thank you to…
Negotiation Nerves: How Artists Build Sales Confidence
Every artist knows that uneasy feeling before a big conversation with a gallery or collector. The stomach tightens, the throat goes dry, and suddenly the confidence that existed in the…