
Photo courtesy Wohnen mit Kunst Have a Showing at Your House If you are nervous about debuting your art to a wider audience, it can be easier to start with a group of friends and family who you already know and whose opinions you trust. Why not have showings of your work at your own home to get your feet wet? Send out custom invitations showcasing your art to get guests excited about your work, and think about ways that you can show your work throughout the party so that guests can review your pieces at their convenience. Inject Your Art into Facebook and Twitter Feeds If you are already connecting with friends and family through Facebook and Twitter, you can use these same channels to connect those close to you to your artwork. Send out updates about recently finished work or projects you are starting occasionally, and be sure to include pictures! Just be careful not to make your social media feeds entirely about your art; too much can be overwhelming.

Photo courtesy Elena Mirosedina Turn Your Business Cards into Mini Portfolios Business cards are less expensive than they used to be, which puts personalized business cards within reach for getting the word out about your art. By including only your basic contact information, you can make space on a standard-sized business card to showcase your artwork, or make use of the back to provide thumbnail images of your favorite work. Creative business cards are now all the rage, so feel free to let your imagination take charge! Show Your Work in Online Galleries There are a number of reputable online art galleries, some of which have a local or regional focus and others of which are national. If you are ready to take your artwork to a wider audience but not ready to start sending proposals to physical galleries, an online gallery can be a great stepping stone. Certain galleries allow audiences to purchase artwork, while others are just focused on cultivating art appreciation. Galleries you might consider include:
- Art Pickle. Art Pickle is an online gallery that is free to artists and users that includes an events calendar for happenings of interest to artists.
- DeviantArt. DeviantArt is an active online art gallery and social network that also provides a platform for artists to sell artwork. Basic options are free, with more advanced options included in monthly membership.
- Artist Rising. Artist Rising follows a pricing structure similar to DeviantArt, but the focus here is on making it easy for browsers to find artwork to purchase.

Photo courtesy coolhunting.com via Matteo Ventura on Pinterest Network with Other Artists The art world tends to be close-knit, but that does not mean you can’t be a part of it! By networking with other artists you can learn about the art marketing world and potentially get your foot in the door at art galleries, juried art shows, and more. Even if you are not extroverted by nature, you might find that meeting like-minded artists and participating in art related meetings is a fun way to learn. Start networking by:
- Visiting art shows in your area and talking to artists about their work
- Joining a local art league or association that holds regular meetings and shows
- Participating in artist’s workshops and seminars sponsored by art galleries, supply stores, or local colleges