RedDot Podcast | Episode 013 | "What Should I Paint?"

Many of you know that I love art history and deeply enjoy reading about the artists who made that history. Earlier in the year I had a number of you reach out to me and recommend that I pick up Ninth Street Women, a new book that tells the story of five women who were fundamental in shaping Abstract Expressionism, but who have been neglected by art history. I was hesitant at first because I've already read and learned so much about this period, but as the recommendations kept coming in I finally decided I better see why this book was receiving so much attention. I picked up a copy and am so glad I did. Ninth Street Women opened up a whole new understanding of the period for me.  In this episode of RedDotPodcast, I'm joined by the author of Ninth Street Women, Mary Gabriel. In the book Mary tells the fascinating story of Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler. Mary's book is captivating - epic in its story, intimate in its details. In our discussion, Mary tells how she came to write the book, and gives an introduction to the story of the struggles and triumphs of these five amazing women. Pick up your copy of Ninth Street Women on Amazon or at your favorite bookseller.

Sculptor Paige Bradley draws inspiration from relationships and an inner dialog about the human form. Bradley now works out of a studio in Stanford, Connecticut, but in the past she's maintained studios in New York City, and in her hometown of Carmel, California. Bradley's work has been featured in galleries across the United States, and her sculpture is in collections around the world. In my interview with Bradley, she shares insights about her life-long journey to express her vision and overcome the challenges that face artists as they strive to build a career. When I asked Paige if there was ever any question about whether or not she would pursue her art as her profession, she says there never was. "I didn't allow the question to even come in." she says. "There were days where it was dark, and I didn't know how I would pay bills, and it seemed hopeless and scary, and I was sleepless . . . but within 48 hours, usually, an angel would walk in to my studio and buy a sculpture from me. It just felt like the universe always sent me a signal that I was on the right track." To leave a comment about this episode, go to the Podcast Page. While you're there, be sure and join our mailing list!

Artist Ashley Anne Clark lives on remote Prince Edward Island in Canada's maritime provinces. Clark focuses on wildlife subject-matter and shows her work in galleries in Canada and the United States. In her early thirties, Clark is still in the early phases of her career, but she's already learned a lot about the business. "It's good to remember that it is a journey, and can be a struggle at times," Clark says, "but as long as you just keep pushing forward and keep letting stuff out and keep creating, and eventually you'll be moving forward."  To leave a comment about this episode, go to the Podcast Page. While you're there, be sure and join our mailing list!

Nancy Balmert wouldn't change a thing about her nascent art career. Balmert began painting in 2000 and was mentored by fellow Texan Dalhart Windberg. She has since been picked up by galleries in Scottsdale, AZ, Texas and New York. In this episode of the RedDot Podcast, I interviewed Balmert and asked her to share the story of her journey as she transitioned to pursue her art career. To leave a comment about this episode and your experiences with rules and regulations, go to the Podcast Page. While you're there, be sure and join our mailing list!

As you interact with potential customers, it’s inevitable that you will run into challenging situations. In today’s podcast I ask how important it is to develop rules to deal with those situations. Should you have try to anticipate every situation and have a policy in place to deal with those situations? How important is it to be consistent in your interactions with your clients? To leave a comment about this episode and your experiences with rules and regulations, go to the Podcast Page. While you're there, be sure and join our mailing list!  

A lot of my writing and podcasting is about the process of preparing to present your work to galleries and about how to establish relationships with gallery owners. In today's podcast I'll look at what happens when a relationship with a gallery doesn't work out, and how to end the relationship. To leave a comment about this episode and your experiences ending relationships with galleries, go to the Podcast Page. While you're there, be sure and join our mailing list!  

How often should you email your followers and collectors? When a gallery sells artwork, should the artist expect to receive the client's contact information? We'll discuss these issues in this week's RedDot Podcast.  To leave a comment about this episode and your experiences reconnecting, go to the Podcast Page. While you're there, be sure and join our mailing list!

Last week I talked about the importance of reestablishing contact with art buyers who have fallen out of contact. New Jersey artist Thom Reaves left a comment about an amazing experience he had reconnecting with a past buyer. Hear his story in today's podcast. To leave a comment about this episode and your experiences reconnecting, go to http://reddotblog.com/reddot-podcast-episode-014-reconnecting-with-long-lost-collectors/. While you're there, be sure and join our mailing list!

If you've been selling art for any length of time, it's likely you have lost touch with some of your past buyers. Reaching back out to past buyers is a great way to resume your relationships with your buyers and can lead to additional sales. In this episode I will share some experience I've had reconnecting with long-lost collectors and I'll share strategies you can use to reconnect with past buyers. To leave a comment about this episode and your experiences reconnecting, go to http://reddotblog.com/reddot-podcast-episode-014-reconnecting-with-long-lost-collectors/. While you're there, be sure and join our mailing list!

Artist's frequently ask me what the most popular styles of work are and what sizes are selling best. I have to answer these questions very carefully. Join me in this week's podcast as we explore the ins and outs of trying to decipher the art market.  Read more about the how to sell your art and understand the art market by visiting our blog at www.reddotblog.com