Q. How many artists are you working with?

Over a period of 15 years we’ve provided exposure and worked with well over 10,000 artists.

Q. Looking at your web sites there are the whole range of expressions from kitschy and naive to Avant-garde and progressive. What is your criteria for working with an artist?

We are very eclectic and look for some signs of imagination, creativity, and determination. We try not to be judgmental and believe that it is not anyones role in art to determine what is good art or what is bad art.

Q. Why is there so much bad press about World Art Media?

In the past 10 years only 5 or 6 individuals have posted complaints. Almost ALL are anonymous, have never had direct contact with us.

We see no legitimate complaints and we try not to give them any attention. They are entitled to their unfounded views and opinion and to hide their identity on line. We see no clear motive except that they are disgruntled, frustrated, unhappy individuals and instead of spending time and focusing  on their art work simply take it out on someone else.

Q: I want to put as many different kinds of art as possible on my website. I think that increases the chances that everyone who visits will find something they like. Is this a good idea?

A: I’ll answer your question with a question. How often do you see a solo show at a good gallery where all the art is different? In one way or another, everything’s related — variations on a theme, you might say — either unified by the show statement, the appearance, or some other variable. You see, what happens when you throw a miscellany of artwork onto your website is that you confuse people. They can’t figure out what you stand for or get a coherent grip on where you’re going or what you’re saying. And confused people don’t buy art. It’s like walking into a store and seeing that they sell bananas, handbags, motor oil, and dog grooming supplies. You take one look, turn around, and walk right back out.

Q: Should I put selections of work from throughout my entire career on my website?

A: That depends. If your website is meant to be an online retrospective of your art, then yes. But if it’s intended to sell art or get you shows, stick with what you’re doing now. If you want to put up older works, limit them to art that’s reasonably relevant to your present direction, and clearly separate them from your current work. The less relevant it is, the more you should think about leaving it off the website. Plus, you don’t want potential buyers to get interested in art you no longer make. And please — do not put up everything you’ve ever done since your first scribble at age two.

Q: Should I have lots of sold art on my website to show how well it sells?

A: No. Imagine walking into a store, seeing something you like, taking it up to the checkout counter, and being told, “Sorry — this one’s sold. You’ll have to find something else.” People who see lots of sold art may be impressed with your ability to sell, but they also get the impression that all the good stuff’s gone, and all they have to choose from are the dregs nobody wants. If you want to put sold art on your website, be purposeful about it. For example, put up a handful of pieces that have sold to significant collectors, businesses, institutions, or organizations.

Q: You say to show locally at first and gradually expand from there. So does that mean I contact all the galleries in my area about possibly showing my art?

A: No. Hold off on introducing yourself to galleries in your area, and especially on requests for them to show your art. First, familiarize yourself with each gallery, one by one, see what kinds of art they show, narrow your focus to those that offer art similar to yours (and artists with similar career accomplishments to yours). Good times to do this are during exhibit openings or at other times when galleries are busy, so you can circulate in relative anonymity and assess the situations. Do your research in advance, determine who might be a fit, and save making contact for later.

Q: I’m interested in showing at certain galleries. What kinds of things should I say when I walk in to talk about my art?

A: I could probably write a dozen articles about this, but for the sake of brevity, and assuming your art is a fit with the gallery (which you have hopefully determined beforehand), here are a few pointers. Introduce yourself, go slow, make sure they have the time and appear willing to talk. If yes, then talk about them, not about you. Demonstrate that you’re a genuine fan of the gallery, not just another artist looking for wall space. Assuming you survive those formalities, briefly explain why you believe your art is a fit with the gallery and back those claims up with FACTS about the art and artists the gallery shows — the more facts, the better. Assuming you survive this, suggest that perhaps at some point they might like to look at your art. Good luck!

Q: I’m having trouble getting shows at galleries. Do you have any suggestions for getting my art out there?

A: Try group shows, juried and non-juried shows, renting temporary venues with other artists and showing together, non-art venues, anything to get your art before the public. Whatever it takes, do it. Find out whether any of your friends or associates has access to public areas of buildings, meeting rooms, or similar spaces. Throw yourself a show. Try showing at places like coffee shops or restaurants, lobbies of office buildings, at someone’s private home, and so on. The more you get your art out there, the more people see it, and the greater your chances of eventually landing a gallery. Build your resume one line at a time, no matter how insignificant an event that line represents. In the long run, it all counts.

Q: I don’t put prices on my website because I want people to contact me about my art. Is this a good idea?

A: No. People don’t like to ask prices because they don’t want to feel bad or be embarrassed when the prices they ask for (which they won’t ask for) turn out to be more than they can afford. How would you like walking into a store where nothing is priced, and having to ask how much anything you’re interested in buying costs?

Q: Should I have a blog on my website?

A: Yes and no. Yes, if you update it regularly and develop an interesting storyline. That way, you attract attention, a loyal readership, and you show everybody how dedicated you are. No, if your entries are going to be unrelated or sporadic like maybe once every few months, because then you show everybody how undedicated you are. Realize up front that maintaining a good blog takes time, effort, and commitment. If you do it right, you’ll benefit.

Q: I paint big — between 3 x 5 feet and 4 x 6 feet. I’m having lots of trouble showing and selling my work. Any suggestions? Are there special galleries or places to show big art?

A: Here’s the deal with big art — people who buy big art (and galleries that show big art) generally like it to be by big artists, big in name that is. A few galleries cater to commercial concerns like corporate clienteles who need art for large spaces, but again, they tend to have very specific requirements for what they show. The truth is that most people who buy big art do so to impress, and one of the best ways to impress is with the stature and reputation of the artist who makes it. So if you’re early in your career or are still building your resume, think about sizing down. Big paintings are OK to a point; they generally make your smaller pieces look better — kind of a coattail effect. But the key here is to think seriously about producing more medium or smaller sized works, not only because they take up less wall space (and storage space), but also because they’re more affordable. In general, the more options you can offer to buyers size-wise, especially early on in your career, the better.

Q: I keep sending my art out to galleries and no one is interested. What am I doing wrong?

A: If you send your art to galleries you don’t know or who don’t know you or who aren’t familiar with your work, this won’t be productive and chances are slim that ever you’ll get a show. Or if you send your art to out-of-town galleries without first establishing a local or regional profile, this likely won’t be productive either. You have to network in your community, target specific galleries, make sure they sell art that’s similar to yours, and be able to state clearly and concisely why your art is right for them.

Q: Should I invest in a website to show my art?

A: Yes, but don’t expect to make sales anytime soon after going online. The problem with getting traction for a new site is that people who don’t know who you are can’t type your name into search engines — which makes you mighty tough to find. Best procedure is to design a basic website and combine it with traditional face-to-face networking in your art community. A good starter website should include your statement, bio, resume, images of your work with prices, and how to get in touch with you. And no fancy shit like flash or music or blinking caterpillars that move all over the screen and you have to chase ‘em down to click on ‘em. When I go to an artist’s website, I don’t want to be tortured by some whack-off web designer’s tech tricks. I want to see art — that simple and no more complicated.

Q: Should I rent wall space at a pay-to-play gallery?

A: Depends on the gallery. Some are genuinely artist friendly, charge reasonable prices, and perform valuable services for their local communities by providing aspiring artists with a venue.

Q: Do I need to explain my art in terms of art history and talk about where it fits in?

A: Not really. About the only time you do that is when someone who understands art history asks. Most people don’t know enough about art history to fill a thimble. And of the few who do know, most can figure out where your art fits in for themselves. What they want to hear is your story — why you’ve dedicated your life to making art, how you’ve chosen to express yourself through your art, how you make your art, why it looks the way it does, what it represents, and how it conveys your commitment, beliefs, feelings, and opinions. A good honest story trumps an arcane disquisition on art history approximately 100% of the time.

Q: Should I mention names of important artists who influenced me when I talk or write about my art?

A: No. For example, if you say your art is influenced by Warhol, the attention is immediately off you and on Warhol. By invoking famous names, you leave yourself and your art open to being compared with those names, and unless it compares favorably, you’re screwed. It’s your art and you’re the one who made it, so keep the focus on you. Let the critics drop names on your behalf — that’s their job.