Since joining the WNNA I have been grateful for the generosity of advice, spirit and friendship that I have found amongst members. I recently attended a webinar I found extremely useful and insightful and I hope by sharing its message, it may also benefit others here.

For those who don’t know me, despite studying art at university, I then went on to have a career as a chef and then developing properties. Both these left no time to pursue an interest or passion in art. Three years ago I drew a line and decided to get back to painting, bravely entered the spring exhibition at Norfolk Creative Arts, Grimston and sat around thinking ‘what on earth have I done?!’. After a successful exhibition and so much support from the members of the WNNA that I met during that exhibition, I continued to paint and exhibit as the opportunities arose. I made a commitment to myself that I wanted a body of work created that I was proud of and supported me to launch as an artist. I now feel I am just about there. Anyone who knows me will recognise, that is in fact a very brave statement.

I recently signed myself up for a webinar hosted by The Byre Gallery regarding gallery success. Its aim, to bridge the gap between artist and gallery, to ensure the interactions were more positive and that there was overall less rejection (better both for gallery and artist). The crux of this being what the gallery looks at and wants to see from artists when considering and evaluating their work. I found the webinar via instagram. The one I did was free because I think it was a soft trial run for a now paid for version that they are offering. I found it really helpful in terms of ‘setting out my stall’ and what being ‘ready’ looks like.

1. Instagram – This serves so well as a portfolio of work that is easily accessible. It also enables an overview of work to establish a consistency of style and technique. A snapshot of you as an artist. It was also made clear that they look for who you are, your identity. A few photos of you and your work puts a face to the art and is really important. Less important, lots of photos of what you ate for lunch or family and pet photos! Also key to remember that it needs to reflect your current practice (not those charcoal sketches you used to do 10 years ago). They are not looking for number of followers, how many times a week you post etc.

For those who have never used instagram, it is also a great platform to follow the work of other artists (local and further afield), galleries and also a creative platform that focuses on everything from paint mixing, brush techniques and just about everything in between. It can be an inspiring place to spend 10 minutes over a cup of coffee. There are lots of members in WNNA that connect via instagram, it would be great to have a few more!

2. Artist CV – This was a new one for me as I simply assumed it was your usual resume with your art stuff added in. It’s important and shouldn’t be overlooked.

3. Open Studios – Face to face hunting opportunity for galleries looking for new talent. This is the first year I have signed up for open studios and I am looking forward to it with slight trepidation (I take that back, terrified might be a closer approximation!). Not only am I now nervous about strangers in my home and being awkward, I am now nervous that this is actually a really important platform and opportunity for me to showcase my work. That said, now I have a recognition of that. I can be prepared (as can you!).

To be clear, I don’t actually have a studio, I have my kitchen. I will be evicting my family and barricading the fridge (I have two teenage daughters). I will be setting up my ‘studio’ as it is and looking forward to connecting with visitors over a shared love of art (even if mine isn’t their bag) and failing that, a shared love of cake and a cup of tea.

4. Website – Less important than instagram but, again useful to showcase work and have a professional platform and adds to your identity as an artist.

5. Choice – choice of gallery. This was also cited as being really important. For example, a coastal based gallery is not going to want to exhibit urban cityscapes. It simply isn’t going to sell to their market base. A contemporary gallery isn’t going to want to showcase traditional watercolours. Furthermore, look who they currently exhibit. If there is someone who has work very similar to yours, the chances are they won’t want to showcase the both of you. It’s too confusing for customers. Also, keep track of who you approach. Galleries don’t want to receive the same blanket email every six months. If you are reapproaching a gallery that has previously passed on your work, then you need to offer something new and recognise the reconnect.

I hope that this is something that some of you may find useful. It’s where I am in my current journey and I want to thank everyone who has supported and contributed to the journey so far. If you want to reach out to me on instagram then I would love to hear from you. It’s great to find a community on what is a global platform.

I have not yet found gallery success but, I now feel (very almost) ready and I am committed to bravely putting myself out there for 2026. Wish me luck.

Kirsty Devlin (@kay_s_dev)