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  • How to Build a Thriving Art Career Working Remotely – Veronica Winters Painting

    How to Build a Thriving Art Career Working Remotely – Veronica Winters Painting


    The art industry has significantly evolved in recent years, particularly with the growth of remote employment options. Artists are free to expand beyond physical venues or traditional studio facilities. Instead, many people are using remote work to launch successful art careers. Whether you work as an illustrator, traditional or digital artist, you may now make a full-time remote living off of your creativity. Here is how.

    Finding Remote Artist Jobs

    First, you need to know what you’re good at and what you need to learn or accomplish to reach your artistic goals. Don’t take a random job that sucks your soul out. Your future job must help you build your skills and resume. So search for jobs that excite you! You want to be a great contributor to their business with your expertise and passion. Make a list of jobs you’d enjoy doing, tailor your resume to each specific job offer, and start your search. Fortunately, there are many sites where artists can post their resumes and apply for jobs.

    Best Platforms for Remote Artist Jobs

    There are websites made especially for artists who want to work remotely. These networks put you in touch with potential clients and present you with projects that fit your expertise. For instance, many remote artist jobs advertisements are available on Jooble.com, including opportunities for graphic designers, digital illustrators, and more. Furthermore, websites like Freelancer, Fiverr, and Upwork are great for finding freelance jobs. You want to build your skills and interests and these “small” jobs could grow into a nice creative career rather quickly.

    Photo by Rachael Gorjestani on Unsplash

    Creating an Impressive Online Portfolio

    A beautiful but functional online portfolio is crucial for attracting prospective customers and employers. Your online portfolio should demonstrate your proficiency in working in a digital setting besides the traditional one.

    Key Elements of an Effective Online Portfolio:

    People judge us quickly, therefore, it’s essential to make a great impression instantly. Consider using websites such as Behance, Dribble, or your personal website with a portfolio to display your best and coherent work. Ensure it’s visually beautiful, simple to use, and thoroughly explains your job procedure. If you have different volumes of work, categorize them for easy access and presentation. Look at other sites and artists for possible ideas. Understand what makes their portfolio look great to inspire yourself to put your best foot forward with your artwork.

    Tips for Your Portfolio:

    • Curate your best work to reflect your unique style.
    • Include a short bio and contact information so potential clients can reach you easily.
    • Update your portfolio regularly with new projects to keep it fresh and relevant.
    • Please be quick answering your email and phone! No one is going to deal with you, if it takes you a week to reply to a simple email request. Check your spam folder often as many emails go in there and you might miss out on opportunities because of that.

    Networking in a Virtual World

    It’s crucial to socialize and network with others in your field! Even if you plan working remotely, online communities help you build social standing and friendships. Participate in online forums, social media groups, and virtual exhibitions besides going to in-town gallery openings or art fairs. People work with people and this skill is a must to master in today’s busy world.

    Best Platforms for Virtual Networking & how to grow your network

    Start with sites like the Reddit art community, Instagram, LinkedIn, DeviantArt and other platforms. On these platforms, you may interact with other artists, present your work, and make connections with possible customers. Instagram benefits visual artists, LinkedIn facilitates business relationships, and Reddit offers insightful user comments. Don’t be annoying, rather make thoughtful comments or messages that can build a future relationship with a key figure of your choice. So engage in dialogue, comment on other people’s work, and offer your perspectives. You may want to publish your art portfolio in free magazines to build authority. You can also take part in online competitions and challenges but refrain from the paid ones as it could be a money-sucking pit. If you just start out, use free calls for art on Submittable platform. Some of them even pay a little bit of money for covers, writing, etc. These are some of art marketing methods for gaining recognition and connecting with other artists or possible customers. Overall, be proactive in your creative career and don’t wait to be discovered. This is one of major mistakes artists make.

    Mastering Time Management as a Remote Artist

    Finding the right balance between creativity and time management is one of the main issues artists face. Working from home or studio can make you inefficient and sidetracked. Remote artists must create their own methods for maintaining productivity and fostering creative energy. Know yourself and stick to a work schedule you can manage and enjoy. It’s more about building efficiency as opposed to working long hours.

    Practical Time Management Tips

    • Set clear work hours: Create a workday-like plan weekly. Set start and end times to signify “work mode.” to yourself and others. This prevents work from leaking into personal time and promotes work-life balance.
    • Prioritize tasks: Start your day with the most urgent deadlines or projects. Start with the most complex or urgent tasks. After these high-priority duties, you can focus on personal creativity or smaller jobs. Trello and Asana can organize your workflow and prevent mistakes.
    • Take regular breaks: Working incessantly might deplete your creativity. Take breaks by briefly walking, working out, or leaving your desk to rejuvenate your mind.
    • Create a dedicated workspace: A workspace helps your brain associate it with productivity. Reduce distractions. Create a beautiful work space you want to live in. Have a window, house plants and your favorite objects to inspire you daily.
    • Use time-blocking techniques: Time-blocking allocates time to tasks. For example, you might dedicate mornings to client work and afternoons to personal projects or marketing. Leave evenings for painting. This method reduces multitasking by keeping you focused on one job.
    • Incorporate creative downtime: Read, explore outdoors, do yoga or try new painting techniques for creativity boost.
    • Set boundaries with clients and personal commitments: Remote artists often blur personal and business time. Set availability hours with yourself and clients. Never miss your deadlines and response times.
    veronica winters colored pencil art-polychromos review

    Monetizing Your Art

    Artists working from home have various earning options besides working for clients. You can sell prints, license your art, or open a Patreon page to finance your initiatives. It takes time to see the results with these ideas because you’ve got to build a community around your vision and art first.

    Exploring Different Revenue Streams

    Beyond client work, artists can make money in other ways. Popular choices include:

    • Selling digital art: Etsy and Gumroad let you sell digital copies of your art, letting people buy and utilize it immediately. These could be pdf files or high-quality digital prints that people can print off of their printer. There is no shipping cost involved that eats into your profits. Look at top best-sellers on these platforms for inspiration and see what you can offer with your creative skill set.
    • Offering online classes: Teach others via pre-recorded videos or live workshops. Use Skillshare or Udemy to expand your audience without paying a dime for files storage.
    • Creating a passive income stream: You may make money by licensing your artwork for use on goods like phone covers, t-shirts, or prints through websites like Redbubble. Once again, it’s smart to look at best-selling artists to pick up on their strategies, etc. Building a fan base is crucial to sell merchandise.

    Conclusion

    A successful remote art job demands imagination, self-control, and astute financial acumen. Those who are proactive and are prepared to adapt have many opportunities. Because of the digital world, artists can now expand their professions, connect with people worldwide, and monetize their work in new ways.

    To explore art marketing tips further, visit:



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  • Ep 144 An Art Year in Review

    Ep 144 An Art Year in Review


    Welcome to today’s art episode, and today we’re going to talk about our art year in review and our art goals for next year. We also explain why we missed an episode. This will be out last episode of 2023 so we wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or whatever you celebrate. We look forward to your company again in March after a break.

    Ep 144 Art Year in Review



    Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | RSS

    Keep up to date with all our art challenges and podcasts by signing up for our newsletter

    This podcast is sponsored by Evolve. Evolve can teach anyone how to paint in a realism style to a professional level in a year. They offer online lessons, support and also provide the materials you need. To find out more sign up for a free masterclass at https://kickinthecreatives.com/evolvewebinar

    evolve oil painting how to

    We talk about

    • General round-up of this year – What we’ve learned from it
    • What’s next – Goals for our art next year including marketing
    • How the KITC podcast will work next year

    Support us on Kofi

    Kofi buy us a coffee

    join the Kick in the Creatives Facebook Group

    If you have any suggestions for the podcast or our challenges please feel free to get in touch.



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  • My personal journey through 14 Art Galleries in Valencia

    My personal journey through 14 Art Galleries in Valencia


    VERY PRIVATE GALLERY
    My personal journey through 14 Art Galleries in Valencia

    I visited 14 Art galleries in Valencia, capturing them at their best. Below is an alphabetical list of the galleries I explored, with new additions to follow.

    My personal journey through 14 Art Galleries in Valencia
    Mo Li



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  • Discover the fusion of History, Art & Architecture in Metz, France – Veronica Winters Painting

    Discover the fusion of History, Art & Architecture in Metz, France – Veronica Winters Painting


    Brief History of Metz

    Metz

    Metz is a beautiful city nestled in the Lorraine region of France. Situated near the border between France and Germany, Metz has been a contested territory for centuries. Its strategic location has made it a target for invasion and a prize for conquest. Today, you can have an easy, 90-minute train ride from Paris to Metz.

    Its location near the German border has made it a melting pot for various influences- Roman, Germanic, and French cultures, creating a stunning cityscape that blends several architectural styles, from Romanesque and Gothic to Renaissance and Baroque. This diversity is evident in its churches, public buildings, and residential architecture. The city is renowned for its vivid stained glass windows, particularly those found in the Saint-Étienne Cathedral. These windows depict religious scenes, historical events, and local legends, and even include some modern stained glass windows made by Chagall. Metz is home to several free museums, including the Centre Pompidou-Metz, which showcases contemporary art. Despite being an urban center, Metz is surrounded by beautiful nature, including the Moselle River and its vineyards. This combination of city and nature makes it a unique destination worth your visit. You won’t see large Paris crowds, rather experience the beauty of architecture at your own pace.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsy3fdHeIiM

    Watch a short video showing the architectural beauty of Metz, France!
    metz architecture

    First settlements:

    Celts were the first known inhabitants of the region, and they likely established a settlement on the site of Metz. Later, the Romans conquered the area and founded a city called Divodurum Mediomatricorum. So, Metz became a Roman city in the 1st century CE, adopting Latin culture and architecture. The city flourished under Roman rule, with significant infrastructure development and the construction of public buildings. In the art museum, you can view some Roman mosaics, sculpture and sarcophagus of this period.

    The Middle Ages:

    In the early Middle Ages, Metz was an important religious center, with several bishops and archbishops hailing from the city. During the Middle Ages, Metz prospered as it became a free imperial city, independent of both the French and German kingdoms. This autonomy allowed the city to develop its own culture and economy. The most famous examples of the middle ages are Saint-Étienne Cathedral, Eglise Saint-Eucaire and Temple Neuf. Saint-Étienne Cathedral (12th-14th centuries) is truly inspiring both inside and outside. Dark and somber, it’s a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. It features soaring arches, absolutely beautiful gigantic rose window “Tree of Jesse,” depicting the genealogy of Jesus Christ. and many other vivid stained glass windows that cast colorful light onto chairs and floor of the cathedral. Temple Neuf (12th century) is a Romanesque church with a modest exterior but richly decorated interior. Inside this church, you may find a crypt, which dates back to the 10th century.

    Eglise Saint-Eucaire

    This church founded in the 5th century was originally located outside the city walls, on the Roman road to Mainz. It is dedicated to Saint Eucaire, the first bishop of Trier in the 3rd century. Rebuilt between the 12th and 15th centuries, it encompasses a range of architectural styles from Romanesque art to Flamboyant Gothic. A sturdily built square bell tower, the oldest in Metz, stands at its center. It dates from the second half of the 12th century.

    metz church with pentagon shape-
    Details of the exterior space of the Saint-Étienne Cathedral, Metz
    The Rose Window at the Saint-Étienne Cathedral, Metz.

    The cathedral’s foundation was laid in the early 12th century, likely around 1138. The initial structure was built in the Romanesque style, characterized by its rounded arches, thick walls, and heavy ornamentation. In the late 13th century, construction on the cathedral resumed in the Gothic style. This architectural style emerged in northern France and was characterized by its pointed arches, flying buttresses, and large stained glass windows.
    The Choir (1270-1310): The first major phase of Gothic construction was the choir, completed between 1270 and 1310.
    The Transept (1310-1330): The transept is the arms of the cathedral that extend from the nave. Its large stained glass windows, including the famous “Tree of Jesse,” depict biblical scenes and religious symbolism.
    The Nave (1330-1430): The nave is the main body of the cathedral. Construction took place over a century. The nave’s imposing height and light-filled interior create a sense of awe.
    The West Front (14th century): The cathedral’s west front features three large portals decorated with sculptures and carvings.
    The Towers (15th century): The two towers that flank the west front were added in the 15th century. They were originally designed to be much taller but were never completed.

    Stained Glass Windows by Chagall, Metz

    The Renaissance & Baroque:

    The Renaissance and Baroque periods brought new artistic styles and influences to Metz. The city’s wealthy merchants commissioned grand residences and public buildings decorated with lavish architectural elements. One of such places is Place Saint-Louis (18th century). It’s a beautiful square surrounded by elegant Baroque buildings, featuring a fountain and a statue of Louis XV.

    German Influence:

    The 19th century saw Metz become part of the German Empire. Despite the change in sovereignty, the city continued to thrive, and its architecture and culture absorbed the German art styles. The Belle Époque era brought about significant urban development, including the construction of the Porte des Allemands, a grand triumphal arch (1871). A triumphal arch built in a neoclassical style, commemorating the annexation of Metz by Germany. The arch features sculptures of German military figures and allegorical representations of the city. In the 20th century, Metz was heavily damaged during World War II but has since been carefully restored. Contemporary architecture includes building of the Centre Pompidou-Metz (2010). This is a contemporary art museum that features a large, undulating roof that resembles a boat.

    Here are a few prominent figures who lived in Metz:

    Art museum, Metz, France
    • Saint Ambrose (339-397): A renowned theologian and Church Father who was born in Metz. He was a key figure in the development of Christian doctrine and served as the Bishop of Milan.
    • Charles the Great (742-814): The Carolingian king and emperor, who ruled over a vast empire that included Metz. He is considered one of the most influential figures in European history.
    • Saint Arnould (582-640): The first bishop of Metz, who is credited with founding the city’s first cathedral. He is a patron saint of the city.
    • Saint Clothilde (475-544): The wife of Clovis I, the first Frankish king to convert to Christianity. She is considered a saint and is associated with the city of Metz.
    • Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937): The founder of the modern Olympic Games, who was born in Paris but spent much of his childhood in Metz. His family’s roots are deeply connected to the city.
    • Jean-Marie Le Pen (born 1928): A French politician and the founder of the National Front party. He was born in Metz and spent his early years there.
    A close up of a painting, Metz, France. Photo: Veronica Winters

    Major Historic Sights in Metz

    • Saint-Étienne Cathedral: A magnificent Gothic cathedral renowned for its beautiful stained glass windows and elaborate architecture.
    • Place Saint-Louis: A charming square surrounded by 18th-century buildings, featuring a fountain and a statue of Louis XV.
    • Porte des Allemands: A triumphal arch built to commemorate the annexation of Metz by Germany in 1871.
    • Centre Pompidou-Metz: A contemporary art museum designed by Shigeru Ban, Jean de Gastines, and Philip Gumuchdjian.
    • Temple Neuf: A Protestant church built in the 12th century, featuring beautiful Romanesque architecture.
    • Musée de la Cour d’Or: A museum dedicated to the history and archaeology of the region.
    • Arsenal: A former military arsenal converted into a cultural center, hosting exhibitions and events.
    • Opera House

    Metz’s possesses truly inspiring architectural blend of churches and buildings set against beautiful, clean streets, fountains and summer flowers. If you’re seeking to explore the history and diversity of France, this town is one of such charming places in France.

    Metz art museum-Sargent-veronica winters art blog
    Metz art museum, a small painting by Sargent.
    Visit the art shop now!



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  • OK Go’s New Music Video Is a Dizzying Kaleidoscope of 60 Mirrors and 29 Robots — Colossal

    OK Go’s New Music Video Is a Dizzying Kaleidoscope of 60 Mirrors and 29 Robots — Colossal


    Known for their elaborate performances almost as much as their albums, the American band OK Go just released a new music video that is very literally a hall of mirrors. Filmed in a Budapest train station, “Love” incorporates 29 robots and 60 mirrors that move in perfect synchronicity. The result is an endlessly evolving kaleidoscope that distorts reality and illusion, connecting the band and their surroundings through a trippy, impeccably timed production.

    To get a closer look at the making of this iconic video, check out the behind-the-scenes video shot from the perspective of each band member.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz9BRl7DVSM

    an animated gif of a band performing with mirrors and balloons to create a kaleidoscopic effect
    a still of a man in a mirrored suit singing in front of mirrors
    an animated gif of a band performing with mirrors and spelling out the word "love"



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  • Ep 145 Strike While the Idea is Hot

    Ep 145 Strike While the Idea is Hot


    Welcome to today’s art episode, and today we’re going to talk about striking while the idea is hot. What we mean by this is not sitting on the idea too long before you execute on it.

    Ep 145 Strike While the Idea is Hot



    Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | RSS

    This podcast is sponsored by Evolve. Evolve can teach anyone how to paint in a realism style to a professional level in a year. They offer online lessons, support and also provide the materials you need. To find out more sign up for a free masterclass at https://kickinthecreatives.com/evolvewebinar

    evolve oil painting how to

    Some of the things we discuss:

    Inspiration can be fleeting

    inspiration can be fleeting, and the initial excitement around an idea might diminish over time.

    Balance of Idea Development vs procrastination

    There is a balance. Sometimes when you have an idea you want to let it percolate in your mind a bit to become more formed. But when you do this for too long you are just procrastinating.

    Avoiding Procrastination

    Sometimes it’s better to just start and go with the flow. If you don’t work quickly maybe do a little sketch or find some reference just so you make the idea more real.

    Learning Through Taking Action

    If you do just start you will learn through action rather than pondering a million possible outcomes in your head. If the first piece doesn’t work, try again. If you decide after a few attempts that you still don’t like it at least you know you tried it. You can just chalk it up to experience and who knows something you did or learned might work it’s way into future art.

    Momentum and idea as you work

    Ideas tend to develop as we work so you will probably find that your idea will develop as you work on it

    Setting Realistic Expectations

    Sometimes we don’t take action on an idea because we love it so much we don’t want to ruin what’s in our imagination with what comes out on paper. We have to accept that it’s never going to be perfect in our eyes

     

    Support us on Kofi

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    This week’s creative question

    Q. How quickly do you lose motivation once you’ve had an idea, and how do you beat that?

    Q. How quickly do you lose motivation once you’ve had an idea, and how do you beat that?

    The best answers will be read out on a future podcast.

    You can Tweet us your answers @KickCreatives or let us know in the Facebook Group, which by the way if you haven’t already joined, I highly recommend that you do! We will put the question up there and also on the Facebook page… and of course, on our Instagram page @kickinthecreatives.

    join the Kick in the Creatives Facebook Group

    If you have any suggestions for the podcast or our challenges please feel free to get in touch.





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  • How to use Instagram for artists & creatives – Veronica Winters Painting

    How to use Instagram for artists & creatives – Veronica Winters Painting


    I’ve been using Instagram for several years to see it change and evolve. I spent hundreds of dollars on Instagram courses claiming to help me build the audience. While I don’t have a crazy following like so many artists out there, I did learn a thing or two about it with lots of sweat and tears. In 2022, I decided to share some simple truths about the social platform that you can apply to your account today to see some growth and hopefully cut on the frustration Instagram can give us. I updated it in 2024.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_ZxkNDo5s4

    Overall, I like Instagram for art. It’s my favorite social network mainly because it’s so visual and easy to present art and connect with others in the art community and beyond. Perfect for us – artists because it’s still free! I must say that there are plenty of couches who claim to grow your account if you “follow their steps and strategies”. While it could work for them, it doesn’t mean it will work for you because you’re a different person with different art, ideas, and presentation. I saw couches that simply lied promising growth, and selling their silly programs. This is not me being negative about others, rather be mindful of all of this as you work on your account’s growth. Observe, what other top art accounts are doing now to incorporate their strategies into yours. Also, the reach has declined on Instagram tremendously (remember, the Facebook pages? Same idea) so please don’t think that it’s just you doing something wrong.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69fwfG3tnAc

    This video became viral on YouTube, but I didn’t do anything special or different from my other reels on YouTube. I think sometimes it’s really just luck.

    All artists need strong art, presentation, and following. Social media is yet another place to network with people. Artists need to be seen both online and off-line. So artists must have a business card in different formats to reach various groups of collectors, professionals, and alike.

    How to fix Instagram’s storage space

    This is one of the major problems I often have with Instagram and other apps like Spotify. At some point, my Instagram takes up all the space on my half-empty Android phone! The size of the app gets bigger and bigger despite my limited use of the app. So, I tried different things to share what works for me.

    1. You must remember your account name and password before you do the reset! After that,
    2. Open the Settings tab on your phone. Click on Apps —All Apps—and you’ll see a list of all your installed apps. Pick Instagram (or Spotify or any other app you want to downsize).
    3. Click on Instagram app—Storage & Cache–‘Clear cache’ first & click on ‘Clear Storage’. It will ask you ‘Delete app data?’ Click ‘Delete’.
    4. This action will reset the app and recover the storage space on your phone. You must open the Instagram app to enter your login information again to use it.

    Why you need to be on Instagram

    1. Every art professional, gallery owner, curator, artist, and art writer is on Instagram. You can connect to or reach out to people in a very informal way. Something that was totally impossible to accomplish a few years ago!
    2. If you have no website, no worries! Art professionals check your Instagram account first, and your website second!! You can host your art portfolio on Instagram for free.
    3. You expose your art to new audiences every day, showing your inspiration and behind-the-scenes footage. In other words, you find your audience, opportunities, and art collectors on Instagram.

    How to use Instagram effectively

    • The name of your account must include your artist’s name. If it’s taken, expand on it some more by adding art/painting/sculpture, etc. The word that describes your expertise the best.
    • Treat your Instagram account like your portfolio. This means deleting photos showing what you ate or where you bathed. Think of it as your professional portfolio with the best images of your artwork available to sample. People are very quick to judge. So when they get to your account, they must see the consistency in style and theme.
    • Include yourself in some of the shots. My photos perform a lot better when I’m standing next to my painting or I’m painting… This is important and makes IG different from regular, clean product photography. People want to connect to real artists, not just our artwork. Let them see your art, studio, and the creative process! We’re always very interested in the process of making something (hint: make short videos and reels. More on that later).
    • Show your WIP shots in a carousel, placing your finished piece first. Shots of art with supplies in them work well. I think that you can experiment with wip shots in a video format since the reach is declining quickly, posting photos only.
    • Use description space to write a story about your process and art. How did it come together? What challenges did you have? Focus on inspiration, rather than art supplies. Although sometimes it can work as well.
    • Follow your favorite artists, curators, and art brands on IG. Leave meaningful comments to engage and befriend them like you befriend people in real life… This is a long-term strategy. You can’t expect to see them liking or engaging with you, but there is a chance that you can develop a meaningful connection this way. Don’t pressure people to like you. It’s annoying. Rather try to connect to someone you admire or like… I recommend doing this with people whom you love as a fan.
    • Use dm’s to connect with people as well. There are no rules here. Don’t be obnoxious but think how you can be helpful or inspiring to others.
    • Beware of spam! Don’t respond to messages stating they can help you grow your account for a certain amount of $$ you spend with them. Also, there are big art accounts out there as well that promote you for $25-100 per post. Most of these accounts are scams. Don’t waste your hard-earned money on these strategies. Some take the money and give you a following that disappears in a couple of days or a couple of months. If you see that the engagement is low on big art accounts (500k- million), it means these are not real. Some large, legit aggregate accounts post the best artists on their feeds. Most of the time, posting on their feed is not free, while the best artists can get a free post, which translates to considerable following to the artist’s account. I think the best strategy with big accounts is to use their branded hashtag, so when they look for art, they can spot your video or image. I think that this strategy is about to die off completely… You can read about a whole list of scams I’ve received, here: https://veronicasart.com/top-scams-to-avoid-on-instagram-other-social-platforms/
    • Your Instagram account will grow not only because of your daily engagement with other users but also because of what you do outside of Instagram. This is important. You have to be social and proactive showing your art and personality elsewhere and the Instagram following becomes a byproduct of your main publicity efforts that include art shows, publications, guest posting on big sites, and podcasts…
    • Getting shares with reels is the most important factor right now. It’s not likes, it’s shares.

    Reels

    Your Instagram account won’t grow by posting pictures only these days. So posting reels is a must! Look at suggested art reels to understand what becomes viral. Oftentimes, it’s not the beauty of a painting, rather it’s about tape peeling or varnishing videos… Most videos are entertaining, not educational these days…

    This is the only viral reel I had on Instagram, although there were a few others that were high in views as well.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by 💫Veronica Winters, M.F.A. (@veronicawintersart)

    • Reels. Yes, you have to deal with them. All my courses went out of the window because Instagram is having a new tantrum (strategy) in place. Have you noticed a decline in reach when you just post a photo? Instagram wants to become a video app to compete with TikTok. (I’m rolling my eyes here:))
    • My top tip on reels is to treat it as a very short demo of your drawing/painting process that’s super entertaining. The first 3 seconds of your vertical video are very important. I’ve experimented with reels quite a lot to understand what does and doesn’t work. My actual painting/drawing reels used to do well and now they don’t.
    • Posting time matters but not to the extent as the quality of your reel. Show mini-tutorials and behind-the-scenes that are snappy and unusual. As Instagram often shows you top reels in your feed, study them for inspiration and ideas. There must be a reason why it’s performing so well.
    • Frequency. In my experience, posting reels every day doesn’t do much for my account growth. I did test this for many months. It seems that the second reel would get less reach and interaction and sometimes it performs just as badly as a regular photo post. Play with your reels and timing to see if it’s the same for you or different. Let me know how it goes! https://www.instagram.com/veronicawintersart/
    • The immediate post engagement is very important for your reel to rank well. So reply to your comments instantly. Don’t delay.
    • keep reels under 30 sec.
    • Post the BEST content.
    Tip: Click on three stripes button located at the top right corner and go to your settings and then click on' upload at the highest quality' to upload your reels with max quality. If you have the creator account, you can also see Insights to understand how your videos perform.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by 💫Veronica Winters, M.F.A. (@veronicawintersart)

    Hashtags

    Hashtags are still important. However, not all hashtags are good for your business. Pick the relevant ones to your artistic practice. Avoid using large hashtags that have over 500k posts with them. The reason is that if your account is small, your chance of being seen with a big hashtag is a fraction of a second. If you do your research and pick medium-size hashtags in your niche, you increase your chances to be noticed.

    Facebook

    What about Facebook, you may ask? I think it can be a powerful platform that has a different, much older demographic. Due to some privacy changes, a lot of targeting is gone. Many people have Facebook accounts they haven’t used for months, if not years. There seems to be no algorithm showing your stuff.. However, you’ve got to understand where your customers are, and what platform they prefer to engage on, so you spend more time there. I think Facebook groups can be useful to build friendships, which is not possible on IG. I hope it’s helpful.

    In conclusion:

    To wrap up, pick one platform to be active on, almost every day. Be professional by posting your art, inspiration, and story. Don’t obsess with the numbers, rather build real relationships with people who follow you and find inspiration and opportunities by being present and social there. Respond to your fans. Add location to posts and reels. Tag yourself in reels. If you make your audio, name it. I don’t do it because I don’t do well speaking, but it might work for you. Enable ‘Upload at highest quality.’ Enable close captions. Enable “recommend on Facebook.” Post the BEST video and post a call to action in every post!

    As I’m honest, I think that competition is increasing tenfold in terms of content production. Ads take up most of the space, and if it’s going to continue like that, we will eventually get another Facebook called Instagram with lots of empty accounts… Ads will be more expensive and will take even more space, but all we can do is stay positive, mindful, and helpful. We can work on trying to make a viral reel or connecting to an art collector who loves our work despite all these factors. I know, it can be hard at times, but I think people go on Instagram and some other social platforms for inspiration and entertainment as a way to relax from daily stress and work. Therefore, try to post positive and fun content to stay afloat in this busy world of social media!

    Connect with me here:


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  • Back in Stock: Scrapers & 2 Books

    Back in Stock: Scrapers & 2 Books


    We just received new stock of the Bowen’s book, and it was charged a tariff.

    First the good news: Tariffs aren’t yet affecting Lost Art Press books. We print entirely in the United States. But some of the raw materials, including some of the papers we use, come from Canada. We follow the issue closely, and our books might not see any price increases.

    The bad news: metal prices are on the rise because of the tariffs. And the only book we import, “The Welsh Stick Chair: A Visual Record” by Tim and Betsan Bowen was just walloped by a tariff. We had to raise the price significantly. 

    This is a great book, and I hope we can carry it going forward. But no promises.

    We just got the first batch of Crucible Curved Card Scrapers in from the machine shop. These have been out of stock for far too long. I bought the steel before all the tariffs went into effect, so the price is the same ($25). I have no idea what will happen to the price with the next batch (some steel components have doubled in price in the last month).

    So buy them now while they are this price.

    Finally, we have also restocked on “Doormaking and Window-Making.” There is no price change for this Michigan-printed book.

    — Christopher Schwarz



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  • Best Places to Sell Art Online [2025] Top Art Selling Sites

    Best Places to Sell Art Online [2025] Top Art Selling Sites


    How to choose your selling art online place

    1. Hosted

    It’s hosted shopping cart software for short. It allows you to have an independent online store (not on Etsy) without having to have your own website. It’s the opposite of self-hosted shopping cart software, which you install on your website.

    • Pro: You don’t need to pay, to build or maintain your own website. You can start selling art within minutes on your social media.
    • Con: You might get too comfortable with this simple option and forget that your brand needs an artist website. Also, you cannot add new features by customizing them.

    3. Free plan

    The free plan allows you to start selling online without having to pay a monthly fee. It’s a great feature for financially struggling artists or those who don’t want to take any risks. Many hosted platforms offer this option to attract new customers.

    • Downside: Free plans aren’t really free. You might be paying more than you’d expected at the end of the day. We take Gumroad for example, the free plan takes almost 10% in total (commission, transaction fee, and listing fee).

    3. Staff Account

    Artists are presumably Solopreneurs, but this isn’t the case for many. If you have an agent, a friend, or an intern to help you out, you might want to check out the ‘staff account’ feature. You can’t just hand over all your online credentials away to another person. Many platforms and apps don’t support multiple log-ins to the same account.

    4. Payment Gateways

    Different payment gateways might have different processing times, payout transaction fees, credit card rates etc. The most popular payment gateways are PayPal and Stripe. Sometimes a platform could have its own such as ‘Selz Pay’. You can’t choose any payment gateways, you must select from a list of compatible ones.

    5. Instant Payout

    Cash flow is another very important factor in any business. If you don’t get paid for a month, would you still be able to run your art business? Cash flow determines if you will make it or break it.

    You want to get paid as soon as an order is fulfilled, but the instant payout is not a standard for every platform. Some platforms connect the payment to your PayPal so you get the money directly from your customers. Some platforms (Gumroad, Art of Where) would pay you every Friday.

    6. Number of Products

    Many e-commerce platforms that target artists don’t offer unlimited products. There is a limit of 5, 10 or 100 products. This can be very inconvenient when you sell hand-embellished works. Each work is unique, you might want to have a separate product listing for each. As you become more and more productive, you will reach the ceiling for the maximum number of products.

    7. Images per Product

    Some platforms (IndieMade, BigCartel) limit the number of images per product. It’s limiting your ability to showcase your art. Apart from images, you want HD videos instead of SD videos. Those content will help you capture the heart of your collectors.

    8. Print-on-Demand Automation

    Most of the eCommerce platforms work with Printful and Printify. Once a customer places an order, it’s automatically produced without you having to do anything. However if you want to work with some special local producers or fulfillment centers, you need to make sure your e-commerce platforms work seamlessly with the producer of your choice.

    9. Pay What You Want (PWYW)

    Pay What You Want allows your customers to price your products. You can use this as a friendly gesture for digital downloads like eBooks or customized art brushes. You can even give away freebies. If you plan to give away often, make sure your eCommerce platform doesn’t charge you for freebies.

    10. Sell Memberships Courses

    Apart from selling art, some platforms allow you to sell memberships to access exclusive content, to receive product subscriptions, or access online courses. You can use open platforms like WooCommerce to install add-ons. Alternatively, you can also use out-of-the-box solutions like Podia. With Podia, you can sell digital downloads, courses, and memberships.

    11. Sell Offline

    Artists and craftsmen might have their own studio storefronts or visit craft fairs regularly. You need to manage your inventory so you know which products are available. Also, you need a POS system to receive money if people aren’t carrying cash.

    12. Sell Multichannel

    Imagine if you are selling on Amazon and Etsy at the same time apart from your own website, it can be very challenging to manage the product listings.

    13. Sell Services

    You may ask: ‘How about selling commissioned art using e-commerce platforms?’ Commissioned works and bespoke pieces are ‘services’ that can be delivered both online and offline. In most cases, you can list them as ‘digital products’ as workarounds. By providing some price estimates and mockups, you are bringing your potential customers one step closer to placing the order.



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  • Ep 146 Being an Artist

    Ep 146 Being an Artist


    In today’s art podcast  we’re going to chat about the highs and lows of being an artist. Whether you create art for fun or are selling your art we all have our ups and downs. We’re going to share some of those today:

    Podcast Ep 146 Being an Artist - The Highs and Lows



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    Highs of being an artist

    • Buying new tools and materials
    • Planning some time in the art studio
    • The feeling of excitement you get when you are starting a new piece
    • The feeling you get when the painting is going really well
    • The excitement of entering a competition
    • The anticipation of approaching a gallery
    • Revealing your finished piece on social media
    • Watching other artists create work, either on YouTube or in a book
    • Learning something new and getting a buzz out of it
    • Making connections with other artists and potential buyers
    • When someone buys an original or print

    Lows of being an artist

    • The realisation that the new tools you bought didn’t have magical powers
    • Realising because you procrastinated and allowed yourself to be distracted, the time you had planned to spend on your art has slipped away
    • The feeling of frustration you get when a piece isn’t going well
    • The disappointment you feel when a piece is rejected from a competition
    • The disappointment you feel when your art doesn’t sell
    • Your social media post revealing your finished piece gets little or no engagement
    • Comparing yourself to other artists and realising that you can’t emulate what they are doing
    • When you go through a phase when nothing works or when you feel like you are going backwards
    • The cost of getting things framed for exhibiting when it might not sell
    • When loads of people say they love a piece of art and several ask about pricing, but then no one buys

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    This week’s creative question

    Q. What has been your biggest high of being an artist, and what has been your biggest low?

    What has been your biggest high of being an artist, and what has been your biggest low?

    The best answers will be read out on a future podcast.

    You can Tweet us your answers @KickCreatives or let us know in the Facebook Group, which by the way if you haven’t already joined, I highly recommend that you do! We will put the question up there and also on the Facebook page… and of course, on our Instagram page @kickinthecreatives.

    join the Kick in the Creatives Facebook Group

    If you have any suggestions for the podcast or our challenges please feel free to get in touch.





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