Thinking about showcasing your artwork but feeling a bit lost? You’re not alone! Many artists feel overwhelmed at the thought of approaching galleries or local spots. It can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be!
I'm here to share my journey in preparing for a solo show and offer some simple tips to help you get started. Whether you're a complete beginner or finally ready to take that leap, we’ll break down how to create a strong theme and bring your artistic vision to life for your first exhibition.
I’m a full-time artist working with colored pencils, creating large hyperrealistic drawings over 5 feet high and 3 feet wide. Every detail counts, making it both challenging and exciting.
Currently, I'm working on a series of 40” x 60” portraits, highlighting marginalized individuals from diverse racial and social backgrounds. This series, featuring over 12 drawings, aims to tell important stories through art, a cause close to my heart.
I'm here to use my knowledge to help you start showing your work.
The Process of Preparing for a Solo Art Show
Putting together a solo exhibition is a major endeavor, so I wanted to outline the process for anyone interested. The initial question an artist should consider is: Am I prepared for this commitment? Developing a solo show demands time, effort, and both financial and logistical planning. You'll be tied to contracts, schedules, and legal responsibilities. It's a significant commitment that requires careful preparation.
Despite these challenges, it's an incredible experience to immerse yourself in meaningful work. Whether it's about making a social statement or showcasing simple beauty through botanical, street, or home-inspired series, once you commit, you must fully commit.
Here are 8 key points to think about when preparing for a solo show:
1. Create your show as a cohesive series.
My top advice for beginners preparing for a solo show is to focus on creating a cohesive series in terms of:
Theme
Format
Presentation
Concept
While some artists use varying sizes, many gallery presentations do feature a consistent look across all pieces.
In my current series of 12+ portraits, I’ve maintained:
Same format
Consistent layout
Uniform color scheme
Matching clothing color
Identical lettering style
This consistency creates a unified, professional feel.
Cohesion is essential for impactful solo exhibitions because it:
Demonstrates dedication to your work
Enhances the overall presentation
Each piece should share a common visual language and connect through a central thread.
When I first started, I didn’t realize the importance of this. My portraits varied in:
Format (some black and white, others in color)
Orientation (some landscape, others portrait)
Framing colours
Matting colours
This lack of unity affected my work.
Over time, I learned through experience and by observing other artists. Now, my work is more focused, allowing me to better convey the individuality and experiences of marginalized communities.
Tip: For beginners, stick to either landscape or portrait format and keep all pieces the same size if you can. This won’t limit your creativity but will challenge you to rethink balance and composition. If keeping it all the same size is not possible, make sure you frame, mat and present in a cohesive look and colour.
2. Do you have the financial resources?
APPLYING FOR HELP THROUGH GRANTS
Producing a solo show can be costly, with various expenses involved:
Art supplies
Studio time
Framing
Storage
For example:
One of my portraits costs over $650 for materials and set up alone. This includes:
Mounting surface
Acid-free 100% cotton paper
Mounting adhesive
Pencils and sharpeners
Final fixatives
Back frames
Hiring of model
So, how do I pay for my materials and keep working full-time on my artwork?
One crucial element is applying for artist grants:
Many public galleries and art councils offer grants to:
Offset the cost of creating new work
Pay for framing
Cover exhibition fees
However, applying for these grants can be:
Time-consuming
Requires preparation, including:
Clear project proposal
Cohesive artist statement
Budget breakdown
Examples of previous work
It's essential to:
Plan ahead
Allow enough time for the grant application process
Funding can sometimes take months to receive.
A list of grants in Canada and the US for artists:
Canada Council for the Arts: A major funding body in Canada that supports artists and organizations through various grants for projects, research, and professional development. Learn more.
Ontario Arts Council: Offers a range of grants for artists in Ontario, including project grants, career development grants, and grants for arts organizations. Learn more.
Canada Arts Presentation Fund: Provides funding to support the presentation of arts and culture in communities across Canada, focusing on accessibility and diversity in the arts. Learn more.
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA): A significant funding source in the US that supports a wide range of artistic disciplines through project grants, fellowships, and partnerships. Learn more.
Arts Grants from Local Foundations: Many local foundations in both Canada and the US offer small grants to support community arts projects, such as the Toronto Arts Council or the New York Foundation for the Arts. Toronto Arts Council, New York Foundation for the Arts.
Many grants can also be found for local regions, for artists who are marginalized, or located in areas not easily associated with larger regional grant possibilities. Many art councils, towns, and cities offer artist grants, search the web, in your area for - grants…(your town, arts council, city, region)
You can go to:
Akimbo - A platform that lists various opportunities for artists, including grants and residencies.
Art Grants - A comprehensive directory of grants available for artists across different disciplines.
CaFÉ - A website that connects artists with calls for entry, including grant opportunities.
National Endowment for the Arts - A U.S. government agency that offers grants to support artistic endeavors.
Artsy - Lists various grants and funding opportunities for emerging artists.
Tip: For those starting out, maintaining a budget is equally crucial. While it's ideal to use the best materials available, this isn't always feasible. Choose what fits within your budget, even if it's just quality paper, and begin from there. Gradually improve as resources allow.
3. Do you have a clear theme or subject matter?
A solo show needs to be cohesive. What ties your work together? In my case, it’s the shared theme of acceptance and representation through portraits, words and objects, but it can be anything that resonates deeply with your artistic vision.
TIP
Take time to explore and research.
Investigate what contemporary artists are creating.
You don't have to focus on abstract art; find what resonates with the current art world.
Don't limit yourself to your associated groups; broaden your research.
Explore different drawing directions by visiting these websites:
Access more links to great contemporary art making here: Top Art Websites
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4. Do you have space to store the works?
It's easy to forget, but producing a large-scale series requires a place to store them securely both before and after the exhibition.
Keep this in mind when creating your work.
TIP: For beginners, once you've finished a drawing and need to store it before framing, consider purchasing glassine, a non-reactive, acid-free paper used by artists to preserve their work. You can create a small glassine envelope and use acid-free tape to assemble it.
NOTE: Please avoid storing your work on non-archival materials. Tapes, papers, or cardboard should be archival to prevent any damage to the drawing.
5. How will you present the works?
Framed or unframed? This will depend on the nature of your work, the gallery’s requirements, and your own aesthetic decisions.
Currently I am mounting all my work on aluminum composite panels custom cut at a sign shop. The work is then varnished and sealed with both a spray varnish and a liquid varnish.
TIP:
For beginners, consider the following tips for framing artwork:
Purchase inexpensive frames from big box stores.
Easily replace the plastic sheet with gallery thick glass.
Avoid spending money on non-glare glass; most buyers will reframe the artwork.
When selecting frame colors:
Choose contemporary and neutral colors like white, black, or light wood.
For mats and backing:
Use archival materials for durability.
Order easily and inexpensively from online framing shops.
6. Will you submit to more than one venue?
Understanding the differences between commercial galleries and public gallery solo shows is essential.
Commercial galleries:
Require artwork to have market appeal.
Involve considerations of pricing and sales likelihood.
Typically focus on established artists or those whose work fits their clientele.
Public galleries:
May not prioritize sales.
Focus on artistic value or cultural importance.
Often feature thematic exhibitions.
Include more experimental or socially engaged art.
Application process may resemble grant proposals.
May require securing funding for exhibition costs if no artist fee is provided.
TIP: For beginners, show your work anywhere you can. Coffee shops, mini mall shows, libraries and even local community galleries will often allow for submission of works. Go for it!
7. Believe in your abilities—you have what it takes to make it happen!
This journey is not just about mastering technical skills; it's also about enhancing your time management and understanding the business aspects of being an artist. Here are some encouraging points to consider:
Self-Assessment: Take a moment to evaluate your current skills and identify areas for growth.
Continuous Learning: Explore various learning opportunities, such as:
Online courses
YouTube tutorials (check out my channel, JeannetteSirois!)
Practice Makes Perfect: Remember, improvement comes with consistent practice. Aim for daily drawing, even if it's just for a short time.
Be Inspired: Look at the work of other artists to spark your creativity and motivate you.
Set Goals: Establish achievable goals to keep yourself on track and motivated.
Believe in Yourself: Everyone starts somewhere. With dedication, you can create show-worthy work!
I've dedicated years to honing my craft, practicing diligently for 8 to 14 hours a day. While you may not be at that level yet, remember that with passion and persistence, you can absolutely reach your artistic goals!
8. Are you ready to explore the exciting journey of creating a cohesive series? Let's dive in together!
Mastering technique is important, but understanding materials is crucial.
Effective use of materials enhances artistry and creates cohesion in a series.
Careful planning is essential when working with colored pencil.
Each piece should stand out individually while harmonizing with the series.
Embrace the process as an opportunity for growth and creativity.
Consider how each element interacts for a more unified body of work.
Every artist's journey is unique; every step brings you closer to your vision.
Keep pushing forward—your creativity has the power to inspire!
TIP:If you're a beginner, take your time and plan everything, even if you start with just five small drawings, go ahead.
Embracing the Journey of Art
Taking on a solo show is an intense but rewarding experience. It means dedicating your time and energy to something that’s deeply meaningful to you. For me, it’s not just about creating large-scale portraits—it’s about telling the stories of individuals who are often overlooked, celebrating their humanity through art.
I hope this gives you a glimpse into what it’s like in my studio as I prepare for this upcoming show. Thank you all for your patience and continued support! Stay tuned for more updates as the show comes together.
I would love to hear what others have to say on this topic, or simply ask me a question.
I love that!
– Jeannette
I really enjoyed writing this post. Creating work for others to view is a scary thought for many but is very doable. So when you feel you're ready I hope this post helps a bit in the process. Just go and do it!.