For the past 30 years, I’ve never painted on an easel. Yep, you heard that right. My entire art career has been built around painting on walls, floors, and tables—any surface that allowed me to move freely and work on multiple pieces at once. This has been my artistic language. Even in college, I asked my professors for walls instead of easels. It’s what I knew, what felt right, and where my creativity thrived.

But this year, something changed. I felt the need to shake things up in my studio. So, I went out and bought my first-ever easel. That’s right—after decades of creating without one, I finally took the plunge. And to make things even more interesting, I bought a cart to keep only the materials I need for one painting at a time, forcing myself to focus solely on that single piece.

Why the sudden shift? Because sometimes, we need to step away from what’s comfortable in order to grow.

Breaking the Habit: A New Way of Working

This whole...

In this episode of the Artist Next Level Podcast, host Sergio Gomez dives deep into the world of art collecting with two passionate and dedicated patrons of the arts, Steven Alan Bennett and Elaine M. Schmidt. Known for their remarkable collection of figurative realist paintings, the Bennetts have not only made a name for themselves as influential collectors but also as philanthropists who are shaping the future of women in art through The Bennett Prize.

The Bennett Prize: A Vision for Women in Art

Created in 2018, The Bennett Prize awards $50,000 to a woman artist to create her own solo exhibition of figurative realist paintings. The prize gives women artists the opportunity to shine and gain well-deserved recognition in the art world. But The Bennett Prize is more than just an award. It is a movement to elevate women painters and open new doors for them, particularly those who may have yet to reach full professional recognition. With the prize’s inaugural year seeing over...

In this episode of the Artist Next Level Podcast, host Sergio Gomez sits down with two remarkable artists, Yochi Yakir-Avin and Lisa Yves, to discuss their innovative project, "Painting Life in Pictures." This collaboration beautifully blends visual arts and theater, offering an immersive experience that evokes nostalgia and introspection.

Yochi, an accomplished visual artist, and Lisa, a multi-talented musician, songwriter, and theater writer, share how their backgrounds and artistic journeys have culminated in this unique project. Set to take place on August 30 and 31 at the Frank Gallery in Pembroke Pines, Florida, "Painting Life in Pictures" features Yochi's installations of oversized nostalgic images on sheer fabric, complemented by Lisa's evocative play. 

Tune in to hear about the inspiration behind this project, the creative process, and how their work connects with audiences on a deep emotional level.

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Are you an artist who revels in the delightful mess of your studio, where paint tubes dance with books, and brushes find solace in their dried, hardened state? For years, I embraced the chaos, using it as my shield against the orderliness demanded by the business side of my art. But here's the revelation – being a bit messy in the studio doesn't mean surrendering control in your art business.

The Studio Symphony: Where Creativity and Disorder Coexist

My studio was a canvas of controlled chaos – a haven where wood sticks patiently waited, untouched for nearly two decades. Yet, amidst this apparent disarray, I realized I needed the tools and a conscious reason to seize control. It was more than just navigating paint tubes; it was about orchestrating the symphony of my creative process.

From Disarray to Design: Unleashing the Power of Organization

Believing that disorganization was part of my artistic DNA, I stumbled upon a powerful truth – organization is a choice....

Stepping into the spellbinding world of art, one lesson stands out like a masterpiece in an empty gallery: trust. It's the lifeblood of collaboration, the intangible force that infuses our creative journey with purpose.

Trusting the Artistic Partnership

As an artist who took the courageous step into gallery ownership, I discovered firsthand that trust is the currency of our realm. It's not a fleeting emotion but the foundation upon which our dreams are built. Imagine the relationship with a gallery as a canvas awaiting your art. It's not something that happens overnight; instead, it's a masterpiece constructed stroke by stroke.

You trust the gallery to believe in your vision, to champion your art with the same fervor you hold. Simultaneously, the gallery trusts you to weave your magic on their canvas, delivering your finest work punctually. Trust isn't granted; it's nurtured, like a budding work of art.

As Fragile as Precious Artifacts

But here's the intriguing part: trust in the...

By Sergio Gomez

As artists, we all know the struggle of putting a price tag on our creations. It's one of the most challenging aspects of our journey. How do we determine the value of the art we've poured our heart and soul into? At first glance, the idea seems ridiculous. But let me assure you, my fellow artists, we've all experienced this dilemma at the start of our art careers.

The Constant Questions

As we grow and mature in our artistic endeavors, the same questions continue to haunt us. When should we raise our prices? How should we charge now compared to a year or two ago? These questions are valid, and they reflect our desire to navigate the art market with confidence and fairness.

Starting with Self-Worth

Today, I want to discuss a vital starting point in this pricing conundrum: self-worth. Step one is to believe wholeheartedly that what we offer as artists holds tremendous value. It's time to silence those nagging voices of doubt and truly embrace the fact that our...

Join host Sergio Gomez in an inspiring conversation with artist Marybeth Rothman on The Artist Next Level Podcast. Discover how Marybeth found her artistic style, conquered fears about marketing and social media, and gain insights into her upcoming solo exhibition. Explore her use of vintage photographs as inspiration for her captivating mixed media artworks. Don't miss this episode packed with artistic wisdom and inspiration from a Smithsonian Institution, National Portrait Gallery, Semifinalist in the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2022.

Highlights:

• Uncovering your unique artistic style
• Conquering fear and embracing marketing
• Using vintage photographs as creative inspiration
• Marybeth's upcoming solo exhibition 

Tune in to The Artist Next Level Podcast with Sergio Gomez and special guest Marybeth Rothman for an engaging conversation that will elevate your art career!

Marybeth's website: https://www.marybethrothman.com/

By Sergio Gomez

A Personal Story of Pursuing a Dream

Let me share a little personal story with you. Back in 2019, when I had just begun my gallery and studio journey in the vibrant city of Chicago, I started having this wild dream. I couldn't stop thinking about curating a massive national show that would put me in the map in the art word. But oh boy, the doubts flooded my mind like a torrential downpour!

Voices in my head whispered all sorts of discouraging thoughts: "You're still a newbie, not enough experience!", "Who even knows you? You're practically invisible!", "Connections? Ha! You don't have them." And let's be honest, those voices had a point. I had every reason to believe that pursuing such a dream was a long shot.

Giving Myself Permission

But you know what? I decided to do something radical. I granted myself the permission to chase after that dream, against all odds. I said, "Why not give it a shot?" And boy, was I in for a surprise!

Fast forward to January 2010,...