Guidance

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Artists all over the world rely on art fairs and festivals to promote their brand and sell their work. Many artists depend on these events…

Over the years, I have coached literally thousands of artists around the world. Jane Gray was my first! She joined my very first live cohort…

I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes a fulfilling life for a working artist, and I came up with three pillars. Tell me if…

Have you noticed how casually people talk about selling art online? Post it!  Share it!  Link it! And somehow… success just appears and money rolls…

There’s a moment in many art careers that doesn’t get talked about enough. Not when you begin. Not when you succeed. But when you decide…

Most artists spend years — sometimes decades — building a body of work. Then they leave almost no record of it. Here is what the…

I think you already know this, but the art market doesn’t work the way they say it does. So here are 10 Secrets I learned after decades in the art world.

I was doing this exercise where I imagined having a conversation with Money. As I sat there, listening to what Money had to say to me, it hit me like a lightning bolt: my relationship with Money was completely toxic.

What makes someone an artist? What makes you a real artist isn’t what you think.

This creative family wasn’t something I planned or networked my way into. It was something The Universe gifted me when I was brave enough to follow The Muse’s whisper, even when – especially when – it made no logical sense.

These two words changed art history. I filmed a short video for you right from Russell Square, where the story began. I think you’ll feel the magic of it. It’s noisy, chaotic, alive yet this place always brings me back to the moment everything shifted.

Even if you don’t see your own artwork as political, I believe that beauty itself can be a radical statement. To create art is to affirm what matters and to invite others to see the world differently.

Something I never thought I’d write to you…and yet. That little girl, that worn-out woman, the doubter who sometimes wonders if she is making a
difference in this world at all – she is walking into Paris to receive gold from an Academy that has celebrated cultural contribution for more than a century.

I’m so honored to share something extraordinary that happened last Saturday in Paris: I received the Gold Medal from the French Academy of Arts, Letters, and Science for my lifetime contributions to art and culture.

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Do you ever wonder where the magic went? That spark you used to feel when you created. The magic is still there. Let me show you where to find it.

Are you one of those artists hiding in the shadows, admiring art from afar but denying yourself the title of “artist”?

Watch this to learn how the most successful artists navigate the creative journey during difficult times.

After a career spent working with thousands of creatives across the world, I’ve discovered that mentoring other artists doesn’t just create income — it transforms both the mentor and mentee in unexpected ways.

Let’s talk about you – the part of you that works as an artist. Are you ready to be A HUGE HIT IN THE ART WORLD? 

I want to share a story with you – one that began with a barefoot teacher, a terrified young artist, and four simple words scribbled in a yearbook.

Do great artists really need to suffer? Let’s look at reality.

Every artist experiences rejection. Even artists who hit The Big Time. Even artists like you. Even artists like me.

I want to share a story with you today about an extraordinary artist who changed my life and the lives of countless others – Jaune Quick-To-See Smith.

“The job of an artist is to make an artist.” What does that mean?

As an artist, I’m most interested in truth and authenticity. And I don’t believe that truth has to be super-serious or intense. Truth can be fun!

That voice in your head that sometimes whispers (or shouts) that you’re not enough

Do what you love and the money will come…Sounds dreamy, right? But something’s missing from this popular advice.

There was something magical about getting lost in the narrow medieval streets of Avignon. What began as a simple search for lunch and a filming location for this video transformed into an unexpected lesson on how artists silence the critics within.

If you’re reading this message, you’ve most probably heard the call to be an artist. But who’s calling you?

I recently visited my friend Cecile Lindfors where she revealed what it really means to inherit an artistic legacy.

I’m so lucky I’ve spent my career surrounded by great artists photographers, writers, and poets people whose names are known and whose works are celebrated, others — equally talented who might remain unknown. This is what they taught me.

There are so many reasons why it’s important that artists share their work, and not just with collectors and art-world decision-makers.

So many artists dream of seeing their work on gallery walls, but feel shut out. In this video, I’ll be sharing the tips that will help you to get gallery representation.

Always feel like there’s never enough time? In this video, I share my own struggle with time. For an artist, that’s a crisis. So what do we do about it?

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions this year? Do you even remember them anymore? I remember mine because, for the first time, I actually…

Do you procrastinate? Procrastination is a word I often hear artists use. But procrastination can be more than just postponing tasks and projects. It can…

  Artists struggle with self-confidence all the time. Do you? Seriously, as an artist, you are always putting the most personal, the most vulnerable, the…

   I was recently talking with a group of artists about finding success. Someone asked me this question: Crista, how can I make more money…

 Let me ask you a question, Artist to Artist What kind of world do you want to live in? I believe that the world…

  Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with María Añez, a brilliant mind in the realm of art marketing from ArtPlacer. Together, we…

I was in London, on my way back to the hotel after dinner. At the train station, I asked the man next to me which…

Learn the surprising truth about making money from your art.

Wondering how to sell your art locally? With so much emphasis on selling online, it’s no wonder many of you have overlooked the advantages of…

Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of university art students. They always impress me; eager to learn, explore, and ready to change the world.…

Are You Pricing Your Art Wrong? Knowing how to price your art can be really intimidating. Trust me I know. It’s one of the things…

People often roll their eyes when I tell them I help artists to get organized. “It must be like herding kittens,” they sniff. Apparently, we…

I’m truly honored to share this news: I was recently made a Fellow of Great Britain’s Royal Society of Art! My journey has now come…

Are you a professional artist? And how does one even define “professional” artist? Here’s the thing about building a career as an artist – people…

I first met him years ago at the party of a well-known artist. The artist introduced us saying, “Michael is my London dealer.” He looked…

What does it truly mean to empower yourself as an artist? I recently sat down with Mark Baratto for a thoughtful conversation about what it…

I just wrapped up an incredible coaching call with Jason Sikes about Websites and Branding For Working Artists. We talked about the importance of having a solid website as an artist, and how it can make all the difference in building your career.

Doing art professionally can be challenging… It can be difficult to know where to start or how to scale. If you’re an artist, you already…

An artist’s life is a balancing act.   Managing finances for the art studio, honing one’s artistic skills, finding the right platform to showcase works of…

I recently had the pleasure of inviting art branding expert Michael Pilla to speak with Working Artists about how visual artists can develop and leverage their personal brand.

   Have you ever found yourself questioning if you’re good enough? Or maybe you overthink something you did or something you said? Sometimes we…

   Have you ever felt like your creativity wasn’t flowing? Maybe life wasn’t working out? Nothing was going according to plan? Have you ever…

   Artist, you cannot fail. What if that were true? What would you do differently if you knew that artists can’t ever fail? Well,…

 An artist asked how to fill his time when he didn’t feel particularly motivated or inspired to make something? I know that many artists…

  PS: Do you want to go deeper? Here’s a free workshop I led for a private group of artists. Click here to watch it…

Click on the image to watch the video or read the information below! Do you want to show your art in a gallery but can’t…

What do you want to do when you grow up? Do you think we ever stop asking ourselves that question? It seems to be one…

I’m always encouraging artists to JUMP. But what does that even mean? The jump is about following your heart. If you recognize your heart as…

 As artists, we often find ourselves at a crossroads, seeking validation and feedback, wondering if our art resonates with the world. Do you ever…

Are you an artist looking to enhance your online presence, build your audience, and connect with potential clients or collaborators? Name an artist who isn’t…

Read the first part of this blog here: Unlocking the Power of LinkedIn for Artists: 5 Reasons Artists Must Be on LinkedIn Essential Strategies You Can…

An artist recently spoke with me about her work. She tearfully admitted that she’d been too busy to create new work of any substance. She…

In the art world, people often think that the more money you make, the more talented you are as an artist.  But as someone who…

Every artist’s journey tells a story. And every story has an antagonist. The story of your artist’s journey is no different. The antagonist is the…

Who do you think you are? How many of us are afraid to say who we are and what we want? Afraid of disappointing our…

  But what about all the bad stuff that happens to artists? Get over it. No, seriously. Bad stuff is part of the deal in…

 It’s not impossible to live the artist’s life without the recognition of your loved ones, but it can be exhausting. Don’t forget that people…

   I’m always telling artists to jump, to take a leap of faith. Faith in themselves, faith in their work. But it’s not always…

 For years, I wished that I could work as an artist. Don’t we all have wishes? We wonder what life would be like, imagining…

Do you recognize this museum exhibition? I shared this picture a few years ago after I wandered into a museum gallery and discovered an exhibition…

Do you remember when you first knew that you were an artist? I do. It began when my Dad gave me a gift. Let me…

Wondering how to be an artist when nobody seems interested in your art? Keeping the faith during down times can be difficult, but it’s all…

Mickey was born the moment that his father died. His dad was rushing to the hospital to greet his firstborn son when he was hit…

What’s an artist to do when confronted with the complexities of a creative life? Create a new picture. Work through the blocks between where you…

Like many creatives, you want to become a full-time professional artist one day. Isn’t that the dream? But the path to becoming a professional artist…

Her name was Ruffian. And she was the fastest girl alive. They said she couldn’t beat the boys but I didn’t believe them. Ruffian was…

I guess it won’t surprise you know that I’ve always believed in magic. I look for those small moments of synchronicity that let me know…

It’s been nearly 20 years since I first spent time in France. Nearly 20 years since I met a beautifully talented artist from Hawaii named…

I once dragged a film crew to the Scottsdale Arts Festival. The cameras followed me as I collected wisdom from exhibiting artists. I wanted to…

Artists often confide to me that they’re afraid to put themselves “out there.” Afraid of what other people will think. Afraid of what other people…

Artist Luis Jimenez died tragically in an accident in June of 2006. At the studio where I worked, Luis was the first artist I knew…

I like a hero as much as the next girl, maybe more. Probably more. But my heroes aren’t action stars, sports legends, nor Kardashians. They’re…

All artists have dreams, wishes and goals. It doesn’t matter whether we keep our light hidden and never share our aspirations with another soul, or we…

Has anyone ever told you that your creative work sucks? If not, just wait. It’ll happen. And when it does, avoid the urge to hide…

I don’t know about you, the last years have taught me some important lessons. These lessons marked my soul so deeply that they should be…

Do you hate social media? Do you hate self-promotion? Do you hate the competitiveness? The vacuous echo? The soul-sucking amount of time it takes? I…

It was Day 16 of my crowd-funding campaign and I had only cried in public once. Twice. Online crowd-funding is not for the faint of…

An artist recently told me that for years there was a battle inside her head as both hemispheres of her brain struggled to control her…

Have you read the news,? They’re predicting that artists are being replaced by robots. That art as we know it is dead. Artificial Intelligence, they call…

   What am I doing? I’m working. What am I working on? So glad you asked. I’m really excited because I’m working on a…

As artists, we are CREATORS. And your life is your greatest creation. In his brilliant book Negative/Positive, Bill Jay wrote that artists are people who…

I have always been right! Handed, that is. It’s my dominant side and I’ve often shuddered at the thought of having to change. Life must…

My friend Mark shined the light of his creativity on all he did. We met years ago in art history class, where we fell in…

When did you first suspect you might be creative? Do you remember the delight you took in colors when you held your first crayons? Or…

  Jack was 90 years old and still the town rascal. I first met Jack when he came to my rescue in the pub. I…

It was the last day of the College Art Association conference in Washington DC and I was beat. I’d spent weeks preparing for it. And…

I believe that the best artists are Artist Warriors. But instead of taking up arms, we take up brushes and cameras and clay. Artists are…

I went all the way to France to write my book. But that didn’t make it any easier. Chapter One. Page One. The bright white…

Investing time and money into a course for artists is a great way to build your knowledge, expand your skill set, and develop confidence. And…

Have you come to a point on your path where you’re considering turning your passion for making into a career as a professional artist? But…

“But Crista,” the artist asked, “How can I make a living from my art?” “I wanna be wealthy! I wanna live on a beach! I wanna be dripping in…

One of the first questions I ask aspiring artists is, “What is it that you want?” Invariably the answer has to do with wealth and fame. Heroes…

Is your life’s journey a true expression of your self? Too many people just follow what’s right in front of them, without discernment. They choose…

As she wiped away the tears, the artist told me her story. She’d applied for a project that was a perfect match for her work.…

Artists are dreamers. Often we operate in two different worlds: the vibrant, colorful, mystical world inside of our heads and…well… the real world. The real…

I recently suffered a crisis. My relationships weren’t connecting, my creativity wasn’t flowing. I was overwhelmed and overwrought. It felt like the work was stagnant…

I found myself at a crossroads when I was eighteen years old. I’d grown up in a family where science and mathematics made proper courses…

So you’ve been thinking about how to start selling your art, and you’re feeling a little overwhelmed. You’re certainly not alone! Whether you want to…

If you’re an emerging or mid-career artist you might be asking yourself, ‘How do art galleries work? How can I find art gallery representation?’ While…

Who is this Muse that we talk about? Where does She come from? What does She want? Is She mythical like a fairy or an…

What does art-world success look like to you? How do you define failure? If you’re feeling stuck in your art practice because you’re afraid to…

 As an artist, you are meant to be adventurous and inquisitive. You want to learn,to play and to experiment. That’s a good thing! But…

I saw him across the crowded room at the high school reunion. The memories came flooding back. He was my hero, always coming to my…

Ever hit that point where creativity just… stops? Here’s my advice to overcome creative block.

If you’re an artist who’s feeling overwhelmed, try striking the word BUSY from your vocabulary. I’m serious! This is potent stuff. A few years ago…

So you say that you’ve been telling The Universe exactly what your art dreams are for quite some time now. You’ve spelled them out. You’ve…

NOTE: I have a super exciting opportunity to share with you. I’m going to France this summer, and you’re invited too! >>> Click here to…

You’ve poured your heart, soul, and perhaps a few tears into your work – and now you’re struggling with how to price your art. What…

Marketing your art can feel a lot more challenging than creating it, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If your artist dream is…

Are you an aspiring photographer looking to sell photographs online? Making money from your passion and turning it into a profitable career is possible when…

His name was Henrik. He’d been an artist in Hungary until he faced the stark reality that there were no opportunities there. London has the…

I drove to the Mediterranean Sea to look at the water.                             …

It was a Monday morning and I trudged to the gym in the London drizzle. I was wearing no make up and my hair was…

Emerging artists often ask me, ‘How do art galleries work?.’ Many artists wonder if galleries are still relevant? I tell them that even though the…

Thailand is a place known around the globe for its immense natural beauty, distinctive cuisine and a land punctuated by farmland and rice fields. But…

“It’s really easy to work as an artist!” said no one, ever. Most artists are really challenged when it comes to marketing their own work.…

I hang my head in shame to admit that I’ve been busy with more important things than my own creativity. And this is what I…

Too often, people outside of the art world get confused when confronted with art. They’re afraid that it means something secret, something they don’t understand.…

Is your dream to be a professional artist who sells your art locally? Art exhibitions are a fantastic way to increase your profile and credibility…

So you say that you want to learn how to be an artist. You have an innate ability to create and a burning desire to…

Rejection is an important part of being an artist – or any creative field actually. So it’s something that you need to learn how to…

It happened again. An artist wrote to me about a project she was offered, excited by the opportunity. She wasn’t going to be paid, mind you, but…

“Dear Crista,” the email began. “How can I achieve a high level of success in the art world?” Ah! That elusive goal of “a high…

I wanted to introduce a new voice today. Eddie Davis Eddie is the founder of ETCHster, an artist website platform. Eddie and I recently had a…

Art history is full of stories about famous white men who created breathtaking art – but what about the female artists who have made an…

One of the biggest challenges artists face when marketing their art is building an audience. If you’re struggling with this, you’re certainly not alone! Recently…

For as long as artists have been creating there have been myths about what it means to be a professional artist. Stereotypes of the ‘starving…

Like so many artists, I was working hard. Submitting, proposing, applying. But it seemed nothing was going my way and I was totally stressed. Have…

What does it mean to have a ‘calling’ as an artist? Who’s calling you? What exactly are you being called to do? Artists aren’t the…

On the 24th February 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine without provocation. I think I speak for a lot of my fellow artists when I say…

It’s every artist’s dream, but I was shocked when it happened to me.  While in Arizona a couple of years ago, I decided to visit the…

Artist, are you limiting yourself to traditional galleries, museums and art fairs to sell your art? Or maybe you’ve ventured online? While these are good…

How do you define success as an artist? It’s a difficult question to answer because everyone’s artist dream is different. How I define success by…

If I had a nickel for every time I couldn’t move forward because of money, or because there simply wasn’t enough time… but I decided…

When James Turrell heard that I was afraid of flying, he offered to take me over the Roden Crater in his two-seater plane. He had…

I have a super exciting opportunity to share with you today. I’m going to France this summer, and you’re invited too! Watch this video to learn…

“I used to have a band,” he told me. He’d played lead guitar and sang. It was the 80’s and he worked hard, toured the…

It’s not about whether you succeed or fail as an artist. It’s about the kind of person you become as you do the work. Does…

In business school, they talk about The 6 Stages of Entrepreneurship. But in art school, they don’t even use the word entrepreneur. They should. Artists…

I have a question for you: How many times have people told you that as an artist you really need to find “something to fall…

I was 17 years old and had never met a blind man before. Every day, he sat at the counter of the diner where I…

Tips on how to develop originality and find voice in your artwork.

How do you prepare for the artist’s journey if you don’t know where you’re going? Spend wisely. When I was selling other people’s art and…

There are really only two things you need to build an art career – craft and voice. And while it may be obvious what you…

Critiquing art. I’m not going to lie to you, it can be a minefield. Having others critique your art and give feedback on your work…

Looking to brush up on your craft in the new year? With no shortage of online art masterclasses available, it can be difficult to know…

Though he called himself “Framer to the Stars,” I never saw any stars in Bill’s Custom Frames. But I did see plenty of artists. Every…

For years I wished that I could be a writer and an artist. I wished on every shooting star, straining my neck from the constant…

I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather hang out with The Muse and make stuff than create an inventory. I think we can…

We all know artists who do incredible work, but fail to achieve their professional goals. It’s tragic and feels unfair. At the same time, I’ll…

Towards the end of last year we saw the emergence of NFTs and NFT art. NFTs quickly became popular amongst art collectors, artists and other…

Is procrastination preventing you from creating a successful art career? Here’s how to fix it.     Many artists I know (including myself occasionally!) struggle with…

There are several definitions of artists that I personally subscribe to, but my favorite is this: artists are alchemists. During the Middle Ages, an alchemist…

My favorite college professor taught art history. He’d started out life as a photographer, a lifelong dream since he’d mixed his own chemicals in a…

I told Andy about the special place where I ride my bicycle each day. It’s a tiny island in the middle of a pond. I…

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been curious about the religions of the world. I started visiting different churches when I was a…

The scariest thing happened when I started working as an Artist Coach ten years ago.  Back then, the space was brand new. I thought I…

When I worked as an art dealer, my schedule was relentless with travel, openings, and sales. I didn’t have time to make my own art.…

There’s no denying that podcasts have become uber-popular over the last few years. Doesn’t it seem like everyone’s got one now? There’s certainly no shortage…

Do you remember the first time that you fell in love with art? I do. I was just registering for college, trying to find who…

Rochelle Johnson grabs her inspiration from life. Specializing in oils, she brings vibrancy to paintings that communicate the human experience.  Rochelle’s artist journey began like…

Artists live in the realm of magic. But we also live in the real world, often at the fringes of culture. It’s difficult to navigate…

I recently had the pleasure of talking with my friend Linda Mariano of Redwood Art Group. Linda has a wealth of experience as the Managing…

I recently had the honor of opening the Creative Voyage Summit, hosted by the incredible artist Alexis Cohen.  Alexis invited me to set the stage…

One of my favorite writers is Seth Godin. I’ve been reading his books and blog for years because his advice for creatives is paradigm-changing. But…

I believe in the power of art. I believe that artists are leaders. And I believe that there has never been a time in our…

There are all kinds of ways to make money from your creativity. Let’s take a look at some of them. GET YOUR WORK OUT THERE Yes,…

“The true job of an artist is to create an artist,” said art historian Harold Rosenberger. I believe that’s true. Don’t you? Like most artists,…

Have you ever done something that scared the pants off you? When I was new to writing, but determined to succeed, a prospective client asked,…

A Curriculum Vitae, otherwise known as a CV, is an overview of your professional art career. It includes your work history and any achievements you…

Have you ever opened up an email that feels like a generic cold-call? You know those emails that ask you to give your art away…

Instagram has become an enormously popular social media platform. And this visual app is positively viral amongst photographers. Whether you’re a professional or a hobbiest…

Jaune Quick–to–See Smith is an internationally renowned artist with a seriously impressive bio: Jaune Quick-to-See Smith is one of the most acclaimed American Indian artists…

  So you’ve taken the jump and chosen to be an artist. Now what? Artists are always telling me what a struggle it is to…

As artists, we’re constantly questioning ourselves. And questions are good things, it’s important to ask questions. But are you asking the right ones? It’s easy…

 Last Monday we celebrated International Artists Day by meeting up LIVE in my Facebook Group. It was great to see so many artists there…

Creating a business plan may seem like a monumental task.  A lot of artists fear that it requires formal education and skills to draft a…

Artists who have a solid audience base most often see consistent sales and growth and new opportunities. But building a target audience is not easy! …

When I started out in the art world, artists were pretty limited in how they could sell their art.  The internet wasn’t popular yet so…

   Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of university art students. They always impress me; eager to learn, explore, and ready to change…

I imagine that you’ve heard of the boxer named Mohammad Ali. When he passed away, the whole world mourned. But Crista, you’re probably asking, what…

Kim Roberts wasn’t always an artist, at least not in the professional sense. A self-described “closet artist” she thought of her art as more of…

One of the first questions I ask aspiring artists is, “What is it that you want?” Invariably the answer has to do with wealth and fame. Heroes…

As this extraordinary year draws to a close, every artist I know is looking forward in hopes that 2021 will bring happier surprises than 2020.…

Say what you will about young people today. this generation makes my heart sing for the future of the planet. Over the course of my…

As much as our culture marginalizes art and artists, as much as it dismisses our efforts, and scorns our value to society, our culture also…

I travelled the world, only to find myself back where I began 7 years ago. It’s been 7 years since that day someone made the…

I often get asked how to work as an artist by people who feel stuck in their lives. They feel a sense of creativity and…

I was recently interviewed on the Passionate Painter Podcast about how to use your creative voice to build your art business. I shared a lot…

I was taking a week-long Deep Writing workshop with the extraordinary creativity coach Dr. Eric Maisel. I’ve been writing for a long time now, so…

Wayne Brungard is a self-taught metal artist and experienced fabricator. He creates bold custom art that defines space. However Wayne’s journey to becoming a sculptor,…

Rewind to the Great Recession of 2008. Galleries closed. Art dealers moved on. Curators chased other professions. Karen Jilly, a mid-career artist who unlocks beauty…

Every creative person I know has certain things in common. We crave feedback. We want our work to be seen and we desperately want to know…

Do you have a mentor? An Elder Artist who encourages you and shares words of wisdom?  I do. My friend Jaune Quick-to-See Smith is a…

Since this global pandemic began, I’ve been calling for artists to lead. But how can an artist lead when confined to their house with no…

Most artists live extraordinary lives. “Extraordinary” in the sense that they’re outside the norm, the ‘ordinary’ of what other people do. In fact, many artists…

Artists and money. We obsess about money. We want more of it. It’s not just artists, it’s our culture at large. But the myth of…

I don’t know about you, but I live at the mercy of an evil task-master. I work and slave and whenever I dare step away,…

I was speaking to a group of university students. As I finished, a young woman approached the stage. “May I ask you a question?” Of…

They tell me that I have always been creative. My family recognized the symptoms from the start. I often heard them wail, “She’s creative!” when…

Many artists sell art out of their studio, online, at co-operative galleries, or even at one of the thousands of art fairs that are so…

I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen a lot of art critiques in my day. Even though artistic taste is subjective, even though everyone…

Today I’m going to share something a little different with you. It’s an interview I gave for the book “The Business of Art.” I’ll include…

Every family has a story. They called her “Grandma Ach” because of her habit of beginning each sentence with a guttural sound of disapproval. “Ach! What…

“It’s really easy to work as an artist!” said no one, ever. Most artists are really challenged when it comes to marketing their own work.…

“But Crista,” the artist asked, “How can I make a living from my art?” “I wanna be wealthy! I wanna live on a beach! I wanna be dripping in…

Are You Pricing Your Art Wrong? Knowing how to price your art can be really intimidating. Trust me I know. It’s one of the things…

One of my favorite writers is Seth Godin. I’ve been reading his books and blog for years because his advice for creatives is paradigm-changing. But…

We all know artists who do incredible work, but fail to achieve their professional goals. It’s tragic and feels unfair. At the same time, I’ll…

I recently suffered a crisis. My relationships weren’t connecting, my creativity wasn’t flowing. I was overwhelmed and overwrought. It felt like the work was stagnant…

Every artist’s journey tells a story. And every story has an antagonist. The story of your artist’s journey is no different. The antagonist is the…

As artists, we challenge ourselves because that’s how we find The Muse.  The Muse doesn’t just sit around waiting for us. We have to get…

Have you ever opened up an email that feels like a generic cold-call? You know those emails that ask you to give your art away…

  So you’ve taken the jump and chosen to be an artist. Now what? Where’s the fabulous gallery opening in New York City? Where are…

“I’ve become known as The Heart Man. There’s even a heart tattooed right here on the center of my neck,” says the Florida-based painter, gallery…

We are all in this together! Let’s remember that first and foremost. And as we each hunker down and work to stay healthy during this…

Why am I showing off a hot pan in this picture? Read all the way through today’s message and you’ll find out! I want you…

Yes, I am still listening to podcasts for artists like crazy. Yes, I want to continue to share what I’m listening to with you! And…

How your summer’s going? I’ve been working hard on preparing for the release of my new podcast while still trying to learn everything I can…

Picture this: trying to start an artistic life with a new spouse, while living inside a tiny caravan. Regardless of the obstacles, things start taking…

Dear Artist, As an artist, let me ask you, when you look back at 2019, what achievements are you most proud of? Did you sell…

Throughout my career, I’ve worked with many other creative professionals. But my inspiration doesn’t always come from the art world. I’m inspired by people who…

I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather hang out with The Muse and make stuff than create an inventory. I think we can…

It’s a sign of the times. We’ve all got to be more vigilant about cyber-security. In fact, just a few days ago, January 28th, was…

I’m just back from Art Expo New York and it really hit home for me how important these events have become. FACT: Did you know…

Photographer Nick Levitin’s first love was the theater. Freshly graduated from Boston University, he returned to New York City in the early 70s to begin his…

I’m still working on putting my own podcast together. It’s a huge project, and is going to take some time. The Working Artist: A Step…

What’s the best way to approach art marketing? That’s an excellent question! Too many artists like to make the work but they stop there. They…

I’m thinking a lot about the art community and about you during this challenging time. I’m looking for ways that I can help, and I…

If you’re an artist you already know how important it is to keep learning. Curiosity is the artist’s calling card, and devotion to craft is…

When it comes to representing their work, artists are often their own worst enemy. For example, when I ran an art gallery, I’d receive dozens…

“I used to have a band,” he told me. He’d played lead guitar and sang. It was the 80’s and he worked hard, toured the…

His name was Henrik. He’d been an artist in Hungary until he faced the stark reality that there were no opportunities there. London has the…

Launch. The very word made me queasy. What was a launch anyway? And why does everyone have one but me? “But didn’t you already launch?”…

I brought no Italian to Rome. At the Brazilian Embassy, I tell the guard that I am to see the great artist Vik Muniz. The…

I once had an art gallery that showed a lot of photographic work and I also ran a studio where we collaborated with many highly…

Who am I? That’s a question every artist needs to ask themselves often. Because it’s who you are as an artist that will guide you…

Tami Bensen is an intuitive artist. Working without a plan, her art is about letting go. She paints what comes to her organically, which often…

FACT: Did you know that more art is now being sold at art fairs than at brick and mortar galleries? Overall, artists are now reporting that…

Artist Ann Dunbar says that one of her earliest art memories was having her first painting of a horse framed and proudly hung in the…

I think that we can all agree that it’s difficult to break into the art business. Emerging artists usually have little sales or exhibition experience…

“I create because I must. It’s the joy and flow of making work that fulfills me and keeps me somewhat sane.” Wendi Schneider is no…

I learned to do the work without expecting anything in return, and to concentrate on the things that I can do now and in the…

Adam Cook is an emerging artist in Beaumont, TX. He drew constantly as a child, but at age ten picked up a guitar and for…

Summer Lydick is a Working Artist. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in drawing and a Master of Arts in painting, Summer continued…

So you’ve taken the jump and chosen to be an artist. Now what? Where’s the fabulous gallery opening in New York City? Where are the…

Prior to quitting his full-time job, artist Gopaal Sen worked the high flying corporate life – travelling 180 nights a year. And yet he still…

It’s been exactly seven years since I stepped on that airplane to France. I was so frazzled that when I arrived, I slept for 24…

What do you want to do when you grow up? Do you think we ever stop asking ourselves that question? It seems to be one…

“Becoming a working artist has literally saved my life.” So admits Haitian-born photographer Leslie Jean-Bart. Now an avowed New Yorker, Leslie has spent the past…

He thought his career was over. Bill Jay had been a professor of the History of Photography. He’d published dozens of books and hundreds of…

My nephew Phoenix turned 11-years old yesterday, though I’ve always secretly suspected him of being 41. I’m visiting to help him celebrate his 11 years…

I’d moved to England three years earlier, living in a small town in the country. It was pretty, but also pretty lonely. Facebook was my…

Donna Skaropoulou is a painter.  Originally from the U.K., she traveled to Greece in her early twenties, and there fell in love with the sounds,…

I’ve just returned from the funeral of my dear friend Evan. Saying good-bye has got to be one of the most difficult challenges we face…

Though we’d never met before, I was just as excited as if I were meeting an old friend. She’d read my blog post about the…

Have you ever noticed how people talk about selling art online as if it’s easy? Post it, pin it, tweet it or link it and…

There I was, up the Petrohué River. Luckily I had a paddle, however much good it did me. You see, last week found me white-water…

A recent study of aging artists in New York City reveals that “artists are in many respects a model for society, maintaining strong social networks…

Jeannie Motherwell is an artist whose career has seen a solid, multi-layered path within the art field, in spite of the fact that she spent…

This picture of me is not the most glamorous, yet it’s my favorite. Let me explain. All my life I’ve been terrified of sharks. Truly…

I am a lucky girl. I’ve spent my career surrounded by great artists, photographers, writers and poets. People whose names are known and works celebrated,…

In a world that often thinks being an artist is not a responsible thing to do, The Working Artist course gave me the ‘permission’ and…

Artist David Foster has had a passion for nature photography for nearly fifty years. He focused heavily on photography during his twenties. Then life carried…

My heart stopped when I saw it. How could I have lived in this house for the past five months and never known it was…

If the word "marketing" makes you cringe, you're not alone. Most artists didn't pick up a brush, a camera, or a chisel to become a…

 Years ago, when I ran a gallery, I used to receive hundreds of emails from artists every week. “Here’s my work. Will you represent me?”…

Do you constantly find yourself up against time? Afraid you’re wasting it? Never feeling like you have enough? If time is your enemy, it’s time…

Last weekend I learned an awful lot about the professional life of artists. I attended a conference that focused on arts graduates and how they’re…

For years, artists have been told a story. That it’s not a real career. That it’s irresponsible. That if you choose this path, you’re choosing…

AI is changing the creative landscape faster than most artists expected. Some artists are excited. Some are afraid. Many are quietly wondering whether their work…

Every family has a story. They called her “Grandma Ach” because of her habit of beginning each sentence with a guttural sound of disapproval. “Ach! What…

A lot of artists tell me that they struggle with self-confidence. Do you? Do you think that it’s something that everyone else has, and for…

The Journey of an Artist No one said it would be easy. My mentor, Bill Jay, used to say that being an artist means “expressing actually…

It was on September 13th, when she was just 13 years old, that Orelle was struck by a car as she crossed 13th Street. Unlucky…

I imagine that you’ve heard of the boxer named Mohammad Ali. When he passed away, the whole world mourned. But Crista, you’re probably asking, what…

Artists ask me this all the time. And the answer is yes — but probably not for the reason that you think.Let’s start with reality.…

Artist Grayson Perry once shared a story about a group of schoolchildren visiting a museum. When the curator asked, “What do artists do?” — a…

A few years ago, I donned an apron as I shared my tragically funny story with a wonderful crowd at Phoenix's very cool RPela Gallery.…

There is a story most artists tell themselves about money. It is not true. And it’s doing a great deal of damage. I talked about…

There are three words that help guide artists on their journey. I’m going to share them with you today. 1. Faith Most artists suffer from…

Every day (or so it seems!) an artist I’ve never met in my life asks me to look at their work online and give them…

Are you interested in selling fine art photographs but not sure how to get started? A quick google search turns up thousands of tutorials on…

The vast majority of artists I work with are looking for ways to sell art online and off. They dream of one day becoming a…

I think that we can all agree that it’s difficult to break into the art business. Emerging artists usually have little sales or exhibition experience…

Artists frequently ask how to get their work into galleries. The following advice is the voices of artists who put these ideas into practice. Their…

I was having was one of those days and life was bringing changes that tinted my spirits blue. I turned to the TV, hoping to…

At the extraordinary James Turrell exhibition at Pace London, I felt as if I was falling back in time. I’ve shared so many conversations with…

Was ‘creativity’ a bad word in your family when you were growing up? Or was it a badge of honor? What did you do with…

As our world seems to be spinning out of control we are looking around wildly for what we need; leadership, community, toilet paper… But what…

An artist asked me how to fill his time when he didn’t feel particularly motivated or inspired to make something. I suggested that he use…

There was a time when my work was about dealing with art as a commodity. I sold millions of dollars worth of it. I understood…