When I first started my career as an artist over thirty years ago, the art world looked very different from what it is today. Back then, there were gatekeepers everywhere—dealers, galleries, consultants, and agents—who controlled who could buy art and who couldn’t. These middlemen often went so far as to hide the identity of buyers from the artists themselves. It was a system that artificially inflated prices, made art feel elitist, and left artists with only a small fraction of what collectors actually paid.
For a long time, I thought that was just the way things worked.
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Early Career: Mass Production and the Illusion of Success
In my early years, I worked in the decorative art market. My job was to mass-produce dozens of paintings each week for corporate clients—hotels, restaurants, and office buildings. On paper, it looked like I was a “successful artist.” I was getting paid. My work was out there in public spaces. But in truth, it wasn’t the fulfilling, creative career I had imagined.
I was just one cog in a machine, producing art that was more about filling wall space than expressing my unique vision. Looking back, I see how limiting that system was. I was taught in art school that very few artists “make it.” At the time, that felt true.
The 2008 Crash: A Forced Pivot
Then came the 2008 financial crisis. Practically overnight, galleries stopped buying work. Dealers didn’t have cash flow. The whole system that kept artists like me “afloat” came crashing down.
At first, it was terrifying—but it also forced me to pivot. I started selling directly to people at tent shows, live events, and collaborations with local businesses. This was before social media, so there wasn’t a simple way to reach collectors online. Still, these grassroots efforts showed me something powerful: I didn’t need a middleman to sell art. I could connect with buyers myself.
That realization was life-changing.
Enter Social Media: A New Kind of Gallery
When the internet and social media entered the scene, everything shifted. For the first time in history, artists had a platform where they could show their work to the entire world—instantly and for free. No gallery application. No mailing slides. No begging for representation.
At first, galleries resisted. Many told their artists not to have websites or social media accounts, afraid it would undercut their control and commissions. But the truth was undeniable: Instagram, Facebook, and later TikTok became the new galleries. They were democratized spaces where artists could share not just their finished work, but also their process, their stories, and their lives.
I’ll admit, I was late to embrace social media. But once I did, I realized its power; it wasn’t just about selling. It was about building relationships with people who truly loved art.
The New Collector
Here’s what excites me most about this shift: art collecting is no longer reserved for the wealthy elite. Today, collectors come from every walk of life. They’re teachers, nurses, entrepreneurs, parents, students, people who simply love art and want to bring beauty into their homes.
This democratization of art is flattening the entire art world. The old hierarchies are crumbling. Gatekeepers have less power. Artists can stand on their own, building communities of collectors who value authenticity, connection, and story over prestige.
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A Flattened, More Human Art World
What we’re witnessing now is a healthier ecosystem. Artists are no longer powerless at the bottom of the food chain. Collectors no longer feel like outsiders in a secret, elitist club. Instead, we’re meeting each other as equals, creators and supporters, humans to humans.
This is the art world I always dreamed of. One where artists can thrive, where collectors can feel welcomed, and where art itself is liberated from the chains of exclusivity.
And it’s only the beginning.
Final Thoughts
The art world has gone through a seismic shift in my lifetime, and I believe it’s shifting for the better. Yes, it’s messy. Yes, it’s still evolving. But it’s also more open, more accessible, and more connected than ever before.
To my fellow artists: lean into this new era. Don’t wait for permission. Share your story. Connect with people. The world is ready for your art.
To collectors: thank you for being part of this journey. You’re not just buying paintings, you’re building lives, supporting creativity, and shaping culture.
Together, we’re creating something beautiful: a flattened art world where everyone belongs.
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If you’ve ever felt like the art world was closed off or rigged against you, know that you don’t have to play by the old rules anymore. At Milan Art Institute, we teach artists how to master their craft, grow their confidence, and thrive in this new, connected art market.
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