Okay, I admit it, I L O V E using Instagram!!
Last Friday, I had the good fortune to attend a private VIP event with Instagram expert Sue B. Zimmerman. I posted a selfie of us on Instagram and Irene Cohen who follows me there commented, “Looks like fun…let us know about it on your blog.”
And I thought well YES, why not? Heck I even have a category called The Business of Art. Sue touched on a lot of things at this event but since my connection with her really started because of Instagram, I thought I’d share reasons why, as an artist, you should be on that platform. (Thanks Irene!)
1. Instagram Is VISUAL!
Well Duh! A picture speaks a thousand words and Instagram is ALL about pictures. Add a caption and some hashtags but basically, it’s the pictures that matter. So show your work to the world! And because this is about showing off your artwork, take good-quality photos – make sure the painting isn’t reflecting light, isn’t skewed, isn’t washed out, isn’t partially blocked. Show it full on in all its glory!
2. Instagram Is A Perfect Place To Let People Know Who You Are
It’s not only about your art, it’s about you and your art life. You can show behind the scene shots of your studio, the hanging of an exhibition, participation in an art event, or photos of life and art that inspire you.
3. Instagram Is A Great Place To Connect With Others
The obvious connection is with artists who are friends and with those artists you admire and who inspire you. But you can also connect with commercial galleries and public galleries (great places to be inspired!!). There are some online galleries who will feature your work if you use a specific hashtag. You can also connect with people you admire outside of the art world. You just don’t know where a connection will lead.
4. It’s Super Fast And Easy To Post On Instagram
One of the things that attracted me to Instagram was its ease of use. If you have a smartphone, you can snap photos, edit them, and upload then and there. Quick as a wink.
5. Instagram Is Easy To Consume and Engage On
Have a few minutes waiting for a doctor’s appointment? Have a quick scroll through your feed (these are images from people you follow). See something you like? Double click the photo or click the heart icon to like it. See something that makes you go Wow! Then leave a quick, “This makes my heart do a flip!” comment. Believe me, the receiver will be happy to hear from you. You never know where these connections will lead.
6. There’s Instant Gratification On Instagram!
As artists, we need all the encouragement and support we can get! Instagrammers are super at engaging. It’s easy to get likes and there’s nothing like those notifications of likes coming in to make a gal or guy happy! It’s a great place to get feedback on new work if you want it. Just ask. In the same vein, remember to like and engage with others.
7. Instagram Offers A Fun Excuse To Use Emojis!
If you’re one of those who like emojis but hesitate to use them on other social media or in communication, then Instagram is the place for you! It’s practically mandatory to use a few. So go ahead and add them to your heart’s content.
8. There’s Always The Possibility Of A Sale on Instagram
Last but not least, by showing your work to the world, you may connect with someone who’s interested in buying your work or commissioning you to do a piece and that’s the coolest thing of all. The great thing about Instagram is that it’s your very own exhibition space and it’s on view to the world! Instagrammers see the image and if they like it will tell you so and they may even share it. And then sometimes, someone falls in love with a piece and wants to buy it. You just never know.
I hope I’ve convinced you that Instagram is a perfect platform to show off your paintings and show off who you are. There’s a lot of talk about authenticity these days and Instagram is a grand place to be authentic.
You can follow me @GailSibleyArtist
I Need Your Input!
I plan on starting an account for howtopastel on Instagram but sadly, the handle howtopastel is already taken. Three usernames I’m toying with are:
– @howtopasteldotcom (I can’t actually include the symbol of a dot ‘.’)
– @howtopastelwithgail
– @how2pastel
Which do you like best? I’m trying to keep it as close as possible to the official HowToPastel name. I want to start this SOON so please send me your thoughts ASAP. Thanks!
REMINDER!
I’m delighted to be teaching at the Pastel Artists Canada ICAN Conference in Aurora, Ontario. Not only will I be doing a workshop on Using a Limited Palette and a session on Values, but I’ll also be teaching a workshop on Blogging and Social Media. So if you want to know more about Instagram (among other things), be sure to register. Click here to get registration info.
Did you like this post? Was it helpful? Inspiring? Do you want more along these lines? Please let me know by leaving a comment!!
Until next time,
~ Gail
40 thoughts on “Instagram And 8 Reasons As An Artist You Should Be On It!”
Howtopastelwithgail
Thanks Carol!
I vote for @how2pastel
Easy to remember and type
I liked your post. Interesting
Thanks Gina – for the vote and for the compliment. Are you on Instagram? And if not, have I inspired you to give it a try??
Gail, I always enjoy your posts and I’m really looking forward to meeting you and taking your limited palette course at ICAN.
I vote for either of the last two names but especially the one which includes your name.
Helen
Helen, I look forward to meeting you at my course.
And thanks for the votes 🙂
@how2pastel is the best choice. Love your blog!
Thanks Connie – for the vote on possible Instagram name and vote of confidence 🙂
Wow! Thanks for the shout out! I look Instagram and follow a wide assortment of people. I love your suggestion of following galleries and other art organizations…something I never thought of. Maybe I will get someone to notice my work that way.
By the way I like “how2pastel”.
Thanks, Irene
Well it was you Irene that started me thinking about this blog! Thanks again for that. And I hope you don’t mind that I screenshot your account. Just hoping to set you up with a few more followers.
And thanks for the name vote.
I definitely don’t like the spelling out of the word dot.
I think the other two are dandy especially
@howtopastelwithgail, totally out of laziness, because I don’t have to reach up to tap the #2.
BTW, I rarely write to tell you that I LOVE your website and I am amazed to see all these well selected pastel delights that I wouldn’t otherwise see. I often click to the artists’ websites to see more. I appreciate all that you do Gail. Thank you sincerely.
LOL! Shelley I had to read your comment a couple of times to understand what you meant by “I don’t have to reach up to tap the #2.” I finally figured out that you literally meant it – as on your keyboard! Thanks for the vote.
And thank you too for your rave review of my blog. I appreciate it!
If I was choosing, it would be how2pastel…..it is neat, short and concise.
I did read up the technical aspects of Instagram, though. It seems the Instagram software that you install on your smartphone is the kind that has the ability to read your phone-memory contents, etc; so I’d be wary of what personal/private information I stored on the phone itself. I did actually download the software to a Lenovo tablet that I own (it has smartphone capability)….I was given an on-screen message regarding the potential probing activity of the software, such as “it will get access to: read your own contact card; modify or delete the contents of your SD card; find accounts on the device”, etc etc.
Just something for people to keep in mind, before jumping in with both feet and their personal phones.
I can certainly understand the attraction of the idea, but if I were to join it I’d be using a connection-gadget with as little personal info on it as possible.
Hi Chris,
Wow that’s kinda scary. I hadn’t hear anything about this before and I asked Sue B Zimmerman and she hadn’t heard about that either. I will look into it. Of course it’s wise not to keep any secure info on your phone (eg passwords!). We tend to think everything we do there is private and secure when in fact, it just ain’t!
And thanks for the vote 🙂
Hi Gail any exposure is good! Well for the most part. I love Instagram. I like how2pastel!
Yes, for the most part!
Glad you are a lover of Instagram too 😉
Great article, Gail. I like “howtopastelwithgail”
That way, we’ll always know which of our many pastel crazed friends is sending it!
Thanks,
Peggy
Glad you liked the article Peggy.
And thanks for the vote….and the reasoning behind it!!
I really enjoy your “How to Pastel” fun and informative…I like how to pastel with Gail…be well
Eve, lovely to hear from you. Always encouraging to hear good things about howtopastel.
And thanks for the vote.
How to pastel with Gail
The others sound commercialized.
Love your blog. I very much look forward to reading it each time!!
Aw Kim, thanks for you vote of confidence. Warms my heart.
And another vote for howtopastelwithgail..
Howtopastelwithgail.
Thank you for the Instagram walk-through. I had never thought about it, so I appreciate your tutorial! Thank you!
Glad I have you intrigued about Instagram Ellen. Let me know if you have questions about it.
And thanks for the vote!
“how2pastel”
As close to original as you can get. Simple, straightforward + intuitive in today’s electronic social media environment. Good luck!
Thanks for the vote and why you chose it. I can see this is going to be a close call!
Love your work. You have convinced me to use Instagram. I like the title, either with your name or how2pastel. I don’t understand hashtags. What are they? And why use them? Can you do an article on them?
Thanks so much Carol. Glad I have convinced to use Instagram. Hashtags are a way for people to search for a topic. Say you use a hashtag #abstractpastels. If you click on that hashtag, it will take you to a page of images using that hashtag. It’s a great way to be discovered AND to discover others who might inspire you. I can certainly expand this into an article. Anyone else interested??
I like the one with your name the best. I too love your blogs for info and especially for the fabulous choices of art works you pick and publish each month. Super inspiring!! Many, many thanks.
Thanks so much Carol!! That’ll keep me collecting and curating my monthly picks 🙂
And thanks for the vote.
@how2pastel
🙂
Wow! Thanks for the shoutout Gail! It is very appreciated!!! Wonderful post. Instagram has been amazing for me for many of the reasons you listed. I have found many amazing and inspiring artists and it allows me a safe forum to post and develop my art work. It really is a great tool and I am grateful we have it. I vote for the second choice, I like your name in it. 😊
You’re most welcome Suzanne. I wanted everyone to see your wonderful drawings and applaud your 365 daily commitment!
Thanks for confirming the wonder of Instagram and for telling us a bit why you use it. As you say, it’s a safe place to show and develop one’s work.
And thanks for the vote. I can see this decision still isn’t going to be easy – no clear winner! Egads.
Howtopastelwithgail 🙂
🙂
Thank you for this! I’ve toyed with Instagram and Pinterest, and have not been on either for some time. I will revisit it now.
I like how2pastel, because it’s simple!
Yay!!! Glad it’s convinced you to give Instagram another try!
And thanks for the vote.
Howtopastelwithgail
And yay, that’s the one I went with!!