I hope you enjoy reading some of the articles in my blog. Please feel free to add your voice! Simply pop me an email at simkoart1@gmail.com and I'll add your comments! The more we share, the more we learn
In this space, I share inspiration, tips, and stories that might help you get the most out of your art practice. Whether you're looking for helpful tips, background information, or a behind-the-scenes look: you'll find it all here. I try to post as often as I can, so keep an eye on the blog for updates and new insights. And please share your thoughts, suggestions & comments too!
There’s a tension almost every artist knows, but not everyone talks about openly: the pull between creating from the heart and creating for the market. One painting feels deeply personal, experimental, or emotionally honest. Another feels more likely to sell because it matches what people already respond to. Somewhere in between sits the practical reality that art supplies cost money, markets have booth fees, and artists deserve to be paid for their work.
Almost all artists experience creative block from time to time. Even the masters needed a “time out” every once in a while. If you find yourself uninspired and avoiding or looking at your easel with a sideways glance, don’t despair – I have a few helpful hints that may help you out.
Emerging or self-taught artists will naturally have less information to include in their bio, and that’s perfectly fine. We all had to start somewhere! My main advice is to use plain language, and get to the point. The following are merely suggested areas you may wish to include. When asked for a “brief” bio, you should keep it in the 75-100 word range. Quality v quantity!
Art has a unique way of capturing emotion, memory, and meaning. When it’s given as a gift—whether to mark a special occasion or simply as a gesture of kindness—it often carries even deeper significance. But what happens when the recipient no longer has space for the artwork, or it simply no longer fits their style? Should gifted art be returned to the artist?
In today’s world of mass production and big-box convenience, it’s easy to walk into a retail store and pick up a reproduction or print to hang on your wall. They’re inexpensive, often stylish, and available in a variety of sizes. But if you’ve ever stood in front of an original painting and felt something shift — a connection, a spark, a story — you already know there’s no comparison between mass-produced décor and a piece of original art created by a local artist.
In the art world, it’s easy to think of success as something individual—a single artist making a big sale, getting noticed by a collector, or landing an exhibition. But when you’re part of an artist collective, that success is never just about one person. It ripples outward, lifting the whole group.
It’s a question almost every artist asks at some point: Why isn’t my art selling? You spend hours creating something meaningful, put yourself out there by exhibiting your work —and then… nothing. It’s discouraging, and it can shake your confidence.
Whatever formula you use for pricing your art, it’s important to remain consistent. Transparency in pricing your art allows your collectors to confidently make a decision whether to buy or not.
Recently I took part in Red River North Tourism's Expo (part of the Annual General Meeting). It was a fantastic evening chatting with tourism industry representatives and the occasional member who just happened to also be an artist. I learned a lot from this short evening - and the main takeaway is that networking is vitally important to the success of an artist. Networking is crucial for artists for several reasons:
There’s a tension almost every artist knows, but not everyone talks about openly: the pull between creating from the heart and creating for the market. One painting feels deeply personal, experimental, or emotionally honest. Another feels more likely to sell because it matches what people already respond to. Somewhere in between sits the practical reality that art supplies cost money, markets have booth fees, and artists deserve to be paid for their work.
Almost all artists experience creative block from time to time. Even the masters needed a “time out” every once in a while. If you find yourself uninspired and avoiding or looking at your easel with a sideways glance, don’t despair – I have a few helpful hints that may help you out.
Emerging or self-taught artists will naturally have less information to include in their bio, and that’s perfectly fine. We all had to start somewhere! My main advice is to use plain language, and get to the point. The following are merely suggested areas you may wish to include. When asked for a “brief” bio, you should keep it in the 75-100 word range. Quality v quantity!
Art has a unique way of capturing emotion, memory, and meaning. When it’s given as a gift—whether to mark a special occasion or simply as a gesture of kindness—it often carries even deeper significance. But what happens when the recipient no longer has space for the artwork, or it simply no longer fits their style? Should gifted art be returned to the artist?
In today’s world of mass production and big-box convenience, it’s easy to walk into a retail store and pick up a reproduction or print to hang on your wall. They’re inexpensive, often stylish, and available in a variety of sizes. But if you’ve ever stood in front of an original painting and felt something shift — a connection, a spark, a story — you already know there’s no comparison between mass-produced décor and a piece of original art created by a local artist.
In the art world, it’s easy to think of success as something individual—a single artist making a big sale, getting noticed by a collector, or landing an exhibition. But when you’re part of an artist collective, that success is never just about one person. It ripples outward, lifting the whole group.
It’s a question almost every artist asks at some point: Why isn’t my art selling? You spend hours creating something meaningful, put yourself out there by exhibiting your work —and then… nothing. It’s discouraging, and it can shake your confidence.
Whatever formula you use for pricing your art, it’s important to remain consistent. Transparency in pricing your art allows your collectors to confidently make a decision whether to buy or not.
Recently I took part in Red River North Tourism's Expo (part of the Annual General Meeting). It was a fantastic evening chatting with tourism industry representatives and the occasional member who just happened to also be an artist. I learned a lot from this short evening - and the main takeaway is that networking is vitally important to the success of an artist. Networking is crucial for artists for several reasons:
