Contemporary Art: if You Paint, You Don’t Sell, and if You Sell, You Don’t Paint

The Paradox of Visual Artists

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The Saturated World of Contemporary Art and its Impact on Visual Artists

In the competitive and saturated universe of contemporary art, visual artists face a constant dilemma: should they dedicate more time to creation or focus on promoting and selling their works? This paradox, along with the challenges of a crowded market, creates a challenging landscape for those trying to stand out in the art world.

The Saturation of Artworks on Social Media

Social media has democratized access to artistic diffusion, opening doors for millions of visual artists in the realm of contemporary art. However, this democratization has also generated an oversaturation of content.

On platforms like Instagram, with over a billion monthly active users, millions of art-related images are published daily. For a visual artist, standing out in this sea of posts can be as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack.

The Challenge of Selling Art: Harder than Winning the “Gordo” in the Christmas Lottery

To understand the difficulty of selling an artwork, let’s compare it to the odds of winning the top prize in Spain’s Christmas Lottery. In this lottery, the chances of winning the “Gordo” are 1 in 100,000 (0.001%).

Now imagine posting your work on a platform with a billion daily posts related to contemporary art. The odds of a buyer seeing and purchasing your work are even lower than winning the lottery. This scenario underscores the need for strategies and platforms that truly help artists stand out.

The Harsh Economic Reality of Visual Artists

In addition to promotional challenges, many visual artists face a precarious economic situation. A study in Spain shows that almost half of the artists (46.9%) declare annual incomes equal to or less than 4,000 euros, placing them below the interprofessional minimum wage.

The economic pressure, combined with the need to seek alternative jobs to subsist, leaves artists trapped in a cycle where they can neither paint nor sell, moving further away from their passion.

Impact on Personal Life: Divorces in the Artistic Sector

Economic precariousness and job instability also affect the personal lives of visual artists. Although there are no specific data on divorces in this group, we know that 89% of divorces in Spain in 2023 were due to economic problems. In a sector as unstable as contemporary art, it’s logical to think that financial pressure can contribute to the deterioration of personal relationships.

CalleArte: an Ally for Visual Artists in Contemporary Art

Amidst so many challenges, CalleArte emerges as a solution for those who want to dedicate more time to creating and less to worrying about promotion and sales.

What Does CalleArte Do for Visual Artists?

  1. Professional promotion: We highlight your works in our online store and social networks, connecting you with buyers interested in contemporary art.
  2. Event exposure: We offer priority access to physical and virtual exhibitions, such as our Immersive Gallery.
  3. Personalized advice: We help you with marketing strategies, pricing, and artistic growth.
  4. Educational resources: With our Master Classes and guides, you’ll learn key skills without stopping creating.
  5. Network of contacts: Connect with other artists, buyers, and curators to boost your career.

More Time to Create, more Time to Live

With CalleArte managing administrative and promotional tasks, you’ll have more time to dedicate to your true passion: creating art. You can focus on painting, living fully, and developing a successful career in contemporary art, without feeling trapped by market demands.

Contemporary art deserves time, dedication, and love, and so do artists. With CalleArte as your ally, you’ll not only succeed, but you’ll also enjoy the journey towards a balanced and creative life.


The visual artist’s paradox: the challenge of balancing time and effort between creating and marketing their works.

Join CalleArte and Transform your Career

If you’re ready to take the next step in your artistic career, visit CalleArte today. Let’s make your art shine in the place it deserves.


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