Track One · For Artists

The business of making a living from your work.

Two tracks, no theory. Whether you're pricing a first sale or negotiating a fourth gallery, these are the working documents — written to be read the night before you need them.

I.

Emerging artists

First sales, first galleries, first contracts. Building a practice that can hold weight.

Pricing01

How to price your work: And why you're probably undercharging

A formula exists. but the real problem is what happens in the moment you name a number.

9 min readRead →
Visibility02

What is an artist statement: And why yours probably isn't working

What a statement actually does, who reads it, and how AI systems parse it in 2026.

7 min readRead →
Galleries03

What galleries wish you knew before emailing them

The approach that works, the approach that doesn't, and the one thing that changes the odds.

8 min readRead →
Contracts04

Your first consignment contract: What to watch for

Commission rates, exclusivity clauses, and what 'return on unsold works' actually means.

10 min readRead →
Editions05

Editions, prints, originals: The terminology you need

How edition size, numbering, and coas work: And how to set yours up correctly from day one.

7 min readRead →
Galleries06

How to get gallery representation: What actually works in 2026

Most artists apply to galleries the wrong way. here is the approach that professional artists use: And why cold submissions rarely lead anywhere.

9 min readRead →
Career07

Art residencies: How to find them, apply, and make the most of them

Residencies are one of the most underused career tools available to artists. here is how to find the right ones, write a compelling application, and use the experience strategically.

8 min readRead →
Direct Sales08

How to sell art online in 2026: The platforms, the process, and what actually converts

Online art sales fell to 15% of the global market in 2025 but remain the primary discovery channel for new collectors. here is what works, what doesn't, and how to build a direct sales practice.

9 min readRead →
Finance09

Art grants: How to find them and write applications that get funded

Grants are the least-used and most misunderstood funding source for visual artists. here is how the system works, what funders actually want, and how to write an application that stands out.

8 min readRead →
Visibility10

Your artist website in 2026: What it needs and what it doesn't

Most artist websites fail at their primary job: Communicating a practice clearly to a gallery, collector, or grant committee arriving with no prior knowledge. here is what works.

7 min readRead →
Documentation11

How to document your artwork professionally: The complete guide

Poor documentation is one of the most common and most expensive mistakes artists make. professional photography, metadata, and record-keeping directly affect provenance, insurance, and resale value.

8 min readRead →
II.

Mid-career artists

Scaling editions, structuring the business, and protecting what you've built.

Documentation01

What is provenance: And how to build it from day one

Provenance isn't just for old masters. here's how to document your work so it holds value.

7 min readRead →
Finance02

Taxes for artists: What you're probably not tracking

Studio costs, material expenses, travel. the deductions most artists miss every year.

10 min readRead →
Pricing03

How to raise your prices without losing your collectors

The psychology, the timing, and the exact language that makes the transition work.

8 min readRead →
Legal04

Copyright for artists in 2026: What you own, what you don't, and what AI changes

Copyright protects your work automatically from the moment of creation: But the scope of that protection, how to enforce it, and what AI means for artists' rights are widely misunderstood.

9 min readRead →
Pricing05

How to price commissions: A framework for custom work

Pricing commissioned work is harder than pricing existing work: And most artists systematically underprice it. here is a framework that accounts for the real cost of custom projects.

7 min readRead →
Market06

Art fairs: How they work, what they cost, and whether they're worth it

Art fairs are one of the most significant commercial and networking events in the art world: And one of the most expensive. here is a clear account of how they work for artists and galleries.

8 min readRead →
Direct Sales07

Why every artist needs an email list: And how to build one

Social media algorithms change. platforms disappear. your email list is the only audience you actually own. here is how to build one that generates consistent sales and collector relationships.

8 min readRead →