3 Big Mistakes Emerging Artists Make before and after a Show...

The following are three of the Biggest mistakes emerging artists make before and after their first shows: This information is for artists who wish to show in galleries or have an interest in taking the next step in promoting yourself as an artist.

1. You delivered your work to the gallery, had a great opening night party and now... you wait.

WRONG

Now you work. You now have a limited time while the show is up to try to get collectors or potential gallery people, art buyers, writers, art consultants, interior designers, etc. to come to the gallery and meet you there and see your work and your potential. Buy them a cup of coffee. Also how many of your friends did not make it to the opening? Invite them.

Many artists will say "I have to work, it's inconvenient, I have other plans…etc." But let me ask you this... How often do you have a show? Make time, carve out 45 minutes for your art.

2. There is some interest in your work from a family friend, relative, friend of a friend. You tell them to wait until after the show and you will give them a better deal or they suggest they wait until after the

show so you will make more money.

WRONG

This is the worst thing an artist can do and it is like shooting yourself in the foot. Artists need to establish a sales history with a gallery. In- Gallery sales are proof that a given artist is worth the risk of taking up valuable real estate on their walls. If an artist has no sales history with galleries, you will always have to "pay-to-show."

3. You delivered your work for your first show, had a great opening night, you did everything in your power to get people there to buy and nothing sold and now you think less of your work and you have lost inspiration.

WRONG

You just got a small taste. This is just the very beginning and since you received so much buzz about your work, it's time to start new work and continue the great momentum, building on the body of work you have started.

What we do at Kline Academy of Fine Art like with our recent Contemporary Show is find a community of artists whose work shows really well together. Together with other emerging artists you can climb the ladder.  Together you can garner a large crowd, together you can inspire each other and create even better shows than the last. 

You can make an impact in the art world. Your work deserves to be seen, it deserves editorial and it deserves sales! We hope these times will help you!

Check out our art community which is "by artists and for artists" at Kline Academy of Fine Art.

Another benefit for doing art... Less chance of getting dementia

We already knew art was great for us not only as a way to express our passions but also as a tool for working through many of life's challenges. We hear from our students all the time that they used their art class as a means to over come the loss of a loved one or depression, anxiety etc., but now we hear that creating can also combat dementia.

According to a report in CBC News (Click here for article) "Neurologists at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto found that artists suffering from vascular dementia may still be able to draw spontaneously and from memory, despite being unable to complete simple, everyday tasks.

"Artists compared with non-artists are better protected, he added. "Due to their art, the brain is better protected [against] diseases like Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, and even strokes. They have more reserve in their brain in order to give functions."

"So [we know], based on other neuroscience studies, that art in any of its forms uses different neuronal avenues inside the brain to do their work. And the activity, the talent and the art per se gives reserve when the brain requires that reserve."