MentorMe is a free resource for creatives who wish to learn from their peers.
Beautiful Bizarre Magazine is passionate about supporting artists and the industry. Through research and consultation, we seek to develop new ways to encourage, mentor and inspire emerging artists as they explore their creativity, develop their technical skills and find their personal style. This has led us to launch this Beautiful Bizarre Magazine initiative MentorMe, a regular free resource for creatives who wish to learn, grow and be inspired by their peers.
This free Q&A resource will provide insights into how some of the most esteemed artists have made a name for themselves in an increasingly competitive market, how they make a business of being an artist, how they found their niche, intimate details of their practice. In each guide a different group of artists and photographers will share their insights, personal experiences and advice with creatives that wish to grow and evolve in their artistic practice.
When you subscribe to MentorMe you will be sent an email with download links for all previously released editions, then when each new edition is released you will be automatically be sent an email to download the latest and greatest MentorMe!
We hope you find value in the MentorMe guide. If you have any specific questions you would like to see us address in future guides, please feel free to reach out directly to my Editorial & Curatorial Assistant, caitlyn@beautifulbizarre.net
Click the below headings for more information on each edition and to download the guides:
MentorMe Edition 1
Edition 1 Mentors: Audrey Kawasaki, Mab Graves, Jana Brike, Fin Dac, Troy Brooks, Sarah Joncas, Mahlimae, Sheri DeBow, Young Chun
Edition 1 Mentors respond to the following 3 questions:
- How do you market yourself and your art to gain recognition from galleries and collectors?
- How do you set a price for your work?
- What are your top tips for others who wish to be creative but feel stuck, don’t know where to start, or feel like they aren’t “good enough” to do so?
MentorMe Edition 2
Edition 2 Mentors: Caia Koopman, Jim McKenzie, Kindra Nikole, Brian Viveros, Hannah Yata, Nicomi Nix Turner, Rodrigo Luff, Martin Wittfooth, Derek Gores
Edition 2 Mentors respond to the following questions:
- Have you changed your initial artistic field/medium since you begun your artistic journey? Or have you remained true to your original medium and passion for what you wanted to create? If not, where has your artistic journey led you and why?
- What obstacles have you encountered as an artist, and what were you able to do to overcome or navigate those to become stronger and more effective?
- How did you find your personal style? When did you feel you have reached a place where your work was recognisable and you could continue confidently with the same work?
MentorMe Edition 3 / Special Edition
Edition 3 Mentors: Jan Corey Helford, Director of Corey Helford Gallery; Ken Harman Hashimoto, Director of Spoke Art Gallery and Hashimoto Contemporary; Heidi Leigh, Director of AFA Gallery New York; Kim Larson & Bradley Platz, Directors and Co-Curators of Modern Eden Gallery; Gary Pressman, Director of Copro Gallery; David DeRue, Director of Future Gallery; Melissa Walker, Director of Distinction Gallery; Erica Berkowitz, Director of Haven Gallery; and Corinne & Jon Beinart, Directors of Beinart Gallery.
Edition 3 Mentors respond to the following questions:
- How do artists get their work seen/shown by a gallery?
- What is the biggest NO NO for artists when seeking Gallery representation?
- After artists are given the opportunity to exhibit, what are the top 5 do’s and don’ts for artists working with galleries?
MentorMe Edition 4
Edition 4 Mentors: Jeremy Mann, Tran Nguyen, Kevin Peterson, Joel Rea, Lori Nelson, Rebecca Leveille, Brandi Milne, Kris Kuksi, and Kathrin Longhurst.
Edition 4 Mentors respond to the following questions:
- What advice would you give your fellow artists on how to get gallery representation?
- What are the 3 main do’s and don’ts for Galleries when working with artists?
- What are the benefits and disadvantages of selling your work through a gallery rather then privately?
MentorMe Edition 5
Edition 5 Mentors: Kate MacDowell, Jane Burton, Miles Johnston, Marco Mazzoni, Juz Kitson, Peca, Redd Walitzki, Ewa Prończuk-Kuziak, and Josh Keyes
Edition 5 Mentors respond to the following questions:
- How do you keep rooted in your values/beliefs and your personal views as an artist whilst speaking to a large group of people?
- Tell us about your journey. What are some of the ups and downs you experienced along the way?
- How did you overcome traditional “contemporary” art expectations to create work in your unique style?
MentorMe Edition 6
Edition 6 Mentors: Ryan Heshka, Kate Bergin, DULK, Kristen Liu-Wong, Victor Grasso, Adrienne Stein, Chris Guest, Rose Freymuth-Frazier, and Crystal Morey
Edition 6 Mentors respond to the following questions:
- Has the rise of social media and the internet affected your practice and sales for better or worse?
- Does the amount of time you spend on an artwork reflect in its price? Is there a good time for money ratio?
- What are some of the greatest challenges you’ve encountered trying to make a living from your art?
Happy Learning Mentees!