Are you actually ready for a studio visit? (30-second litmus test)
Published: Thu, 08/10/23
… you need more work in the same vein, and you don’t have enough in that body of work yet
… you need to be a better artist first (whatever that means)
… you don’t have an exhibition history and you need one
… your studio is a mess, and you need to reorganize and redecorate your entire studio before you can invite a curator
… you need a larger studio to impress curators
… you don’t really have a studio, it’s your kitchen table
… and, at any rate, you need to get your kids out of the house first and you can’t because of the darn coronavirus
The reality is… those are not really prerequisites.
Whenever a student comes to me and asks, “Brainard, I want to start doing studio visits. Do you think I’m ready?”, here is the 30-second litmus test I recommend.
Ask yourself this question:
Do I have art that I am proud of?
Do I want the world to see my art?
Am I an artist?
If you answered ‘yes’ to all three, then you are ready, you don’t need to be more than you are, you just need to prepare for the visit.
Here is the exact process I recommend for that:
(I actually taught an entire workshop on this on Monday - did you watch the replay yet?)
Step 1: Curate a list of curators to invite
In the workshop, which is free for everyone, I showed you how to find curators who would be interested and enjoy talking about your work.
As a Praxis Center Member, you can also post your list in the private Facebook group and get feedback from me on your choices.
Step 2: Reach out to the curators and invite them to do a studio visit with you via Zoom
As a Praxis Center Member, you also get access to a video tutorial on how to write these letters, sentence by sentence. In addition, you can post your letter in the group to get feedback from me personally.
Step 3: Conduct the Zoom Visit
Review the replay of the workshop to understand what to say and do during the visit, what not to do, and how to have fun with it.
If you need support with this, consider enrolling in the Praxis Center as a member.
You will get access to five additional resources to help you with this step:
#1. Video tutorial on how to practice
#2. Monthly Zoom Studio Visit sessions with me for practice
#3. Zoom Studio Visits with guest curators I invite - you just missed one at the end of April, but these happen every month.
#4. Weekly Artist Round Table where you can meet other artists, ask me questions about anything and where there is often a special guest.
#5. BONUS: A ‘Hail Mary’ video tutorial on how to prepare your studio. Use this 5-minute workflow to set up your studio for a tour even if it is just your kitchen table
Here is a behind-the-shoulder video that shows how to access these resources and what that looks like and where to find them in your membership - and remember, the Artist Roundtable is every week...
https://youtu.be/Z3dYFK_HYF8
(Click the image above to play the walkthrough video)
The Praxis Center is available to support artists like you with their aspirations during these lockdown, from hosting Zoom studio visits for curators to selling your art online.
We talked about this on the workshop, but in case you missed it:
I put together an “inner circle” opportunity for some of my email subscribers.
Until the 12th August they can get access to the VIP Edition of Praxis Center Membership for $59/month (or $595/year - save 18%), and this VIP discount will only be available to a closed circle of artists who registered for the webinar.
If you are reading this email, it means you are eligible.
You can enroll at the link below:
>>> Praxis Center Membership (VIP Edition) <<<
The VIP Edition has everything you need to thrive in the Art Market - not just support for studio visits.
From online sales to studio and gallery sales.
More exhibitions, more recognition.
It shows you how the art world really works, so you can get more support from peers and collectors.
It helps you get into prestigious shows, and museums, and biennials - and finally get the kind of international recognition and raving reviews that drive sales.
It helps you get grants, and sponsors, and patrons to fund your work, with personal support from professional editors, gallerists, and grant writers.
Best part?
You learn how to get these big wins in as little as one year...
… WITHOUT having to do endless phone calls, emails and “business stuff”
… WITHOUT having to face humiliating rejection, and the dreaded silence of an email that hasn’t been responded to
… WITHOUT having to use gimmicks that make you look like a shallow artist who is only interested in sales.
Even if your work isn’t “trendy” or avant-garde
Even if you can’t write, or network, or negotiate
Even if you can’t go out to shows or are not near a big city
Here is a quick diagram which summarises what you get in Praxis Center Membership (VIP Edition):
If you’re worried about not getting the recognition and success you deserve in the Art World, ask yourself this:
Would you rather be a starving artist who toils away in obscurity or an international one with an income and generous patrons and sponsors?
When you’re ready to make the leap, join us at the Praxis Center and change how the Art Market treats you.
Brainard
PS: Since not everyone gets their emails due to spam filters, I’ll be sending reminders about this over the next few days. I don’t want you to miss out, because this will change your life, in and out of the studio.
Remember, the “inner circle” discount ends on the 12th August:
>>> Click here to join Praxis Center Membership (VIP Edition) <<<
---
--
-