Enrico Trujillo

Growing Your Artist Footprint Online—Simple Steps I’m Taking (and You Can Too)

 

Being a (new) working painter in Northern New Mexico means managing brushwork and personal bandwidth. If you’re dreaming of turning your art into a living, the web may be your second studio. I just finished a deep dive on my own online presence—comparing it to three Taos‑area stars (Jerry Jordan, Jivan Lee, and Mark Maggiori). Below are the moves I’m making next and why they matter. Think of this as a roadmap you can steal, bend, and remix for your own career.

1. Make Your Website a Gallery, Not a Guestbook

What I found: My homepage was a polite hello, but buyers had to dig to see work or prices. The pros lead with big, crisp images and an “Available Paintings” section one click from the front door.

Your takeaway:

  • Put your best‑selling series front‑and‑center—hero slider or grid.
  • Add a simple “Shop” or “Inquire” button under every image. No price guessing games.
  • Compress images so mobile visitors aren’t stuck in loading limbo.

2. Collect Emails Like Handmade Pigments

Social algorithms change weekly, but an email list is forever. None of the big Taos names skip this step.

Do this now:

  1. Embed a pop‑up (Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or Flodesk).
  2. Offer a freebie—wallpaper, mini‑ebook, or printable coloring page.
  3. Send one friendly studio update each month. Keep it short, add a picture, and invite replies.

3. Feed the Instagram Machine—Reels First

I post finished canvases, but Reels (15–30 seconds) get 3‑10× the reach. Plan three Reels a week:

  • A 15‑second timelapse of a sky wash.
  • A 15‑second plein‑air scene with wind and birdsong.
  • A 30‑second story behind a portrait.

Use niche hashtags—#taosartist, #southwestart, #newmexicotrue—plus five broader art tags. Swap the “link in bio” to a Linktree so followers can hop to your shop, newsletter, or latest video.

4. Turn YouTube Into a Slow Gallery Tour

Long talks are nice, but viewers click away fast. Re‑edit your footage into 6‑minute lessons—“Mixing Taos Sky Blues” or “How I Block a Portrait.” Use bright thumbnails and search‑friendly titles so folks find you when they Google “oil glazing demo.”

5. Try a Limited‑Edition Print Drop

Paintings sell one at a time, prints let 50 collectors buy at once. Choose two crowd‑favorite pieces, set an edition size, and launch by email first. Scarcity builds buzz, and you’ll learn what subjects actually move.

6. Build a One‑Page Press Kit

Curators and journalists are busy. Give them:

  • Short bio and artist statement.
  • Five hi‑res images.
  • Show history and upcoming exhibitions.
  • Contact info.

Host a PDF on your site and link it in every email pitch.

7. Track the Right Numbers

Art is soul work, but data keeps the lights on. Each month jot down:

  • Website visitors and email sign‑ups.
  • Instagram follower count and average Reel reach.
  • Newsletter opens and artwork inquiries.
  • Pieces sold and average price.

If a metric flat‑lines, tweak one thing and test again—new subject, fresh hashtag set, or different email subject line.

Final Brushstroke

Authentic art still wins—none of these tactics matter if the work doesn’t move people. But visibility and clarity shorten the distance between a studio wall and a collector’s wall. I’m rolling out these steps over the next three months. Join me, share your wins, and let’s keep Northern New Mexico’s creative fire burning bright.

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