Why do Your Read/Subscribe to Art Magazines?

Various art magazines I have read over the years

Yesterday, I was quietly reading through a current art magazine while eating alone in a cozy delicatessen, and a stranger comes up and asks me, "Is that Southwest Art?" I responded affirmative, and then she inquired, "Do you think artists should paint to sell or paint what they want to paint?"

Dumbfounded by this question, it got me wondering how a simple art magazine could motivate someone to approach me and ask one of those questions that will haunt artists for eternity. After we both admitted that we were painters, she then mentioned that she thought SW Art was a good place to learn about what was selling in the marketplace. I had to admit, that that was not why I was reading the magazine.

After she left to attend to her sandwich, I had to reflect upon my reasons for continuing to allow art magazines to fill up my mail box. What are your reasons? Here are some of mine:

• To keep informed of what other artists are creating
• To read the life stories of other artists, their motivations, etc.
• To read the words that writers and artists use in describing their work
• For inspiration
• For color ideas
• For researching potential galleries
• To find out about exhibitions to attend as well as to apply
• To learn how artists are using the Internet and social media
• To learn about various art business topics
• To attempt to stay current on various topics

Earlier in my career, I subscribed to artist magazines that were  important for learning technical tips, such as:

• Preparing the substrate for a particular medium (watercolor, pastel, oil, etc.)
• Picking up application tips
• Studio information
• Instruction for specific subject matter, such as water, clouds, trees, etc.
• Juried shows
• Art organizations
• Art supplies
• Etcetera, etcetera,

Having a variety of magazines has been important to me, be it one that focuses on a region of the country or on collectors or techniques or trends or business topics.  I always glean something, even if it is just a quick scan.

Other reasons I peruse art magazines:

• To evaluate my artwork in comparison to others
• To follow other artists
• To learn how I might be a featured artist in the future
• To attract fellow artists to talk to me in a restaurant...??

What would you add to the list? Why to art magazines pile up in your studio/office? :) I am sure I have missed several other reasons. Are there non-art magazines that you find helpful/interesting? Why do non-artists read these magazines?

P.S. By the way, I did give her my opinion on what should motivate an artist to paint, but I will leave that for a later discussion.