As I began to vocalize a few of the excuses that I had made to myself in the week or so prior, I realized that they were nothing more than just that ? excuses. I hadn't even noticed until then. It was the vocalizing of them that caught me off guard. Audibly hearing them pierce my ears shook me to realize that, like a saboteur in the night, my fear had quietly crept in to my mind and all but destroyed my excitement for the idea. [...]

'Bridge in Cologne' by Gonzalo Ruiz Navarro was selected as a Finalist in the July 2011 RayMar Art's Fine Art Competition. [...]

Carl Baratta is a professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). He also instructs painting at the Oxbow School [...]

Selected Upcoming Exhibits by Informed Collector Artists [...]

I think it helps to remember that a co-op gallery is a business, first and foremost. And that running a business is a separate skill-set from being an artist. A really different skill-set. And most co-ops are run by artists. Uh-oh. It's a little like asking your veterinarian to build your addition because he bolted your dog's broken leg together and now it works just fine. Because he can use a screwdriver in surgery doesn't mean he's a carpenter. [...]

So what are some ways to reduce the likelihood of lengthy conversations between artist and art exhibit opening attendees -- lengthy conversations that can result in numerous interruptions and shifts that may potentially spur hard feelings? I have a few suggestions that I would like to share... [...]

Remember, you don't have to answer every question at face value. Know that people are looking for a reason to validate why they are attracted to your work. Give them that good reason and watch your sales soar. [...]

'Bully-Boy' by Carol Norton was selected as a Finalist in the July 2011 RayMar Art's Fine Art Competition. [...]

I have always had an interest in art and psychology -- and how it can be applied to art marketing. [...]

Our esteemed judge, Lindsey Bittner Graham, has completed the judging of the September 2011 BoldBrush painting competition. [...]

If you are at an impasse and just cannot seem to find your muse, perhaps it is time to let something go. You might find in its passing the freedom to see with fresh eyes and a connection to a new audience. [...]

'Facing The Elements' by Brian LaSaga was selected as a Finalist in the July 2011 RayMar Art's Fine Art Competition. [...]

Without getting into arguments with people about art quality and whether or not we can ever call any piece of art "good" or "bad," (for the record: yes, we can), much of the work produced by the many artists milling around this village was of amateur quality ? you've seen it; you know what I'm talking about. [...]

'Snow on the Plains' by David Grossmann was selected as a Finalist in the July 2011 RayMar Art's Fine Art Competition. [...]

'Mucha and Peonies' by Michelle Dunaway was awarded Best of Show in the July 2011 RayMar Art's Fine Art Competition. 'Remembering Home' by Michelle Dunaway was selected as a Finalist in the July 2011 RayMar Art's Fine Art Competition. [...]

Face it -- there is nowhere near 99% of the art world represented within the mainstream art world of today. Only a small percentage of artists who are alive and creating today can thrive within that power structure -- and find a place within the social/political viewpoints that tend to be accepted by the art market powers that be. [...]

Selected Upcoming Exhibits by Informed Collector Artists [...]

There is no substitute for experience. The only way to gain experience is to practice. Paint as often as possible. Question as you go. [...]

The problem is that the mainstream art world, as in the world of high profile art galleries, and other major art world players that have what one could describe as a parasitic relationship to them -- such as the big name art magazines -- are clearly influenced by art collectors who fall within the 1%. [...]

Now, I am not a scientist or professional marketer, but curiosity does drive me many times, and it was mainly curiosity that drove me to put out the survey in the first place. So this time I wanted to share with you some of what you have written. [...]

'End of the Season' by Carol Arnold was selected as a Finalist in the July 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

The Occupy Wall Street movement has lit a fire of protest throughout the United States and abroad. It appears that the mainstream art world is not protected from the flames. In the last month groups such as Occupy Art World, Occupy Museums, and Occupy Chelsea have emerged -- all railing against the influence the 1% has had on the direction of art in the United States. [...]

Look for your chances to dance in the rain and then go all out. Act silly and don't care who sees you. Relax and fully enjoy the moment. Life is too short to wait. [...]

Obviously the scenarios mentioned above are just two examples of bad art exhibit opening etiquette. That said, they appear to be -- at least to me -- the most common lines that are crossed by artists during an opening. These two paths can impact how gallery visitors view you as an artist -- in the extreme these two paths can turn people off from your artwork. The last thing you want to do is make a lasting negative impression that blocks future possibilities and potential. [...]

Maybe this will never happen to you, but if you do this long enough, it probably will. And when it does, the crucial thing is to get help fast ? in my case I found someone whose opinion and character I trusted and laid out the whole small, silly scenario, and let her walk me back into the light. To this day I still don't know how I found myself so securely locked and trussed in that dark room with such breathtaking rapidity. [...]

'Summer Fruits' by Debra Pero was selected as a Finalist in the July 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

The clearer your understanding of who your ideal collector is, the better you will be able to attract them to you and your art. [...]

'Ode to Toast' by James Johnson was awarded Second Place in the July 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

Articles about success in art are a staple of art marketing blogs. We writers offer you opinions about success, how to obtain success, where to find success -- the list goes on. Success, success, success, success -- it is a constant bombardment for artists who follow the suggestions of various art writers. These suggestions can be inspirational for some artists and a pitfall for others. [...]

I recently read a comment from a fellow artist. The artist exhibits at summer art fairs, and has had a not so great summer. Vowing to not quit, she's planning to "cobble something together" to keep going. I want to know: how does to "cobble something together" equate with being an artist? Doesn't being an artist mean you've got some statement to make? Something MORE than I can "cobble this together" and sell it to you? [...]

Selected Upcoming Exhibits by Informed Collector Artists [...]

James Panero is the managing editor of The New Criterion -- he also serves as an art critic for the publication. The New Criterion is a New York-based literary magazine that focuses on cultural and artistic criticism. Panero also contributes regularly to publications such as The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Art & Antiques Magazines, The Weekly Standard, and Forbes. [...]

This series of using news values to punch up your artist statement has come to an end. So what have we learned along the way? [...]

'Captured Light' by Cathy Hillegas was awarded Third Place in the July 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

Is there room for your own work to improve? Be honest now. There's always room for improvement. Consider making some changes so that your work becomes more marketable. And this last bit of advice is serious...grow a thicker skin. Don't take rejection personally. Someone out there rejected your work, not you, and there's still a lot of people out there that didn't reject your work. [...]

'Olivia' by Aldo Balding was selected as a Finalist in the July 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

If you've never done this before, it's fun to play and experiment. If this information is yawningly old hat, then why not take a break in the kitchen and whip yourself up a batch of muffins? [...]

'Winter's Splendor' by Michael Godfrey was selected as a Finalist in the June 2011 RayMar Art's Fine Art Competition. [...]

Think about who this person is. Write it down. Describe him or her in detail. Christine Kane stresses the importance of knowing and communicating your ideal client's needs, objections, desires, and even doubts and worries. So go ahead and identify who that person is. Write it down. Look at what you wrote. Is a penny-pincher on the top of the list? [...]

'Lupz' by Edgar Silva was selected as a Finalist in the June 2011 RayMar Art's Fine Art Competition. [...]