A question from a friend.

One question for you. “In your opinion, why is it that women have such a difficult time in breaking through to the 'big time' so to speak in the art world? Thanks.”

This is such a good question and really made me think, so I will say what I think, with this caveat, that it is only my opinion.

I do not think woman or men are more talented than each other, so for me talent does not come into it.

We are in an industry that wants longevity of sales, a student comes out of art school gets into a gallery and sells through the Galleries for years. Most men can do this but it is much harder for women, in the beginning out of art school they are seen as the same but what if the female Artist decides to have children.

Unfortunately once they have children and are now full time raising children and have to earn extra money, they often leave the art business as it is not stable enough to guarantee a steady income. They leave the business to raise their children, still paint a little but the pressure of life keeps them away.

Once the children are grown and she decides that she wants to paint again, she unfortunately has to start at the beginning and rebuild her career and this is very hard.

The male student on the other hand does not have to deal with this as much and can continue their career even if they have a day job, it sounds very unfair and in many cases is, so what does the female Artist have to do?

Once you come back into the industry understand that you are having to start all over again, but you have one advantage that your male counterparts do not have, you can reinvent yourself, mostly they are locked into a style and selling regime and are caught, many are just factory artists.

You are not, you are free to pursue your career as you please.

The pitfalls for women re-entering the Art market is that they try and do it like they did before and that is frustrating as it takes to long.

The thing to do is push the boundaries, don’t ask will it work, make it work.

If the local Gallery will not show you, set up your own gallery on the side walk, you will get attention and you will get noticed and that is what you want. If you wait around to be discovered, it will not happen, so make it happen.

The other thing you have to do is produce work and lots of it.

You have years to catch up, so every painting done is another one done and this so important, you have little time to rest, paint.

Also you have the freedom to market as you wish, you can again experiment and do things differently.

Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot do it because you can and do not let anyone tell you there is a certain path to follow, there is not.

Make your own path and work hard.

You do not need to do courses and get coaches, you are very capable of doing it yourself.

Learn what you need to learn, read that book, do the YouTube seminar, listen to that podcast, it is all out there for you for free, but you have to find it, learn it and do it.

Finally enter every Art show and Art competition that you can, exhibit anywhere and everywhere, join groups.

Be the first one to walk up to strangers and talk about your work, have your handout packs ready to give to every single person you meet.

Name, email and phone number on the back of every painting and give great after sales service.

If you do this you will get attention, connect with people and build a following.

You do not have time to do it the old way, so do it your way.

Use the “thief” to direct you, it says no, you say go and ignore criticism, it is hard but remember no criticism is good it is designed to stop you, so just roll right over it and when you meet a stranger who loves your work and wants to buy it, just say with a big smile,

“I did this, it’s for you.”

Empower yourself, go forward and be the best Artist that you can be.

Please feel free to share.

Watch “ The Mark Art Show” on my Facebook page or please click on the link below,

https://www.facebook.com/100002529820315/videos/1419552688139045/

If you would like a free copy of my book, “Thoughts from an abstract life.” Please PM me on Facebook and I will send you the link for your free copy.