Getting into studio art/selling works?

Question

For those artists out there....how did you get involved with selling/commissioning works? How did you first go about this? Did you have much in the way of professional training before hand? What were some of the major difficulties? The more little tidbits you can give me, the better. Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

Purely serendipity. I painted only for my enjoyment, but co-workers started buying, referred me to others, started getting commissions, & then met an artist affiliated w/a S.F. gallery who gave me more work than I could handle, so I quit my job. From there, I made contacts with galleries across the country. I had no professional training, but that's not to say it has no value. The major difficulties were finding galleries with INTEGRITY; always, always have a comprehensive contract, keep signed consignments, records. At the start, it's best to choose galleries near you, so you can be sure they're showing your work (at least some of it) at all times. Their representation, wall space, staff, & promotion is the reason for their 50% (most common) share of retail. If a truly good gallery, they also have their finger on the pulse of what is "marketable" & if that's your goal--listen. You may be "locked into" an image that they're selling well, but if you have no conflict--geographically--between one or more galleries, you can sell different images to each. KEEP ON TOP OF THEM AT ALL TIMES. By this, I mean, be alert to little "red flags"--a cheque promised & not sent to you; "insufficient funds" (of course!) & if you just "happen" to be in the area & not one of your pieces is on the wall, if they stutter & say things like: "Oh, we're just putting up a show" (or taking one down). Don't believe it. If you want to discuss anything with them, be professional & make an appointment. I dropped out of 3 galleries in Carmel when I saw that, if I made an appointment, they'd have one of my paintings in the window, but if I just "happened by" there wouldn't be a single painting of mine on exhibit. When a gallery selects an ENTIRE WALL to your work, you know they're serious--they know you sell, & they want to make money, too! Choose galleries in areas that have other things going that attract people--restuarants, shops--not off the main drag. Artists have made a bad reputation for themselves by not showing they also have a business mind. MOST galleries will take advantage of that. Bottom line, often, the best you can do business-wise isn't enough--since there are more scam artists in galleries (no pun intended) than not. I'm currently in litigation for some $37,000. from a gallery with whom I'd had the best of all relationships for over eight years--found out the owner is felnonious, & got himself into deep $$ doo & thus has used mine. (This is a matter of public record.) Talk to artists represented by the gallery you choose, but also--artists can be gossip mongers, so don't believe EVERYTHING you hear. It's certainly not the easiest business to be in, but you'll learn lots through experience. & sometimes, lose lots. I don't mean to be a downer, after all, I've stuck it out as long as I have! & have probably given you more "tidbits" than you asked for! I truly think you have to have a passion about being a painter, & it's all worth it.

Answer 2

It took a long time for my wife to convince me I was good enough for a showing. I had a friend who opened an underground gallery and he asked me to show as the second featured artist. I hung 35 paintings out of about 100. I didn't sell anything that first time out, but in the four years since, I've had 50 shows -- solo, group and competition -- and have donated a dozen pieces to high-visibility fund raisers. I've now sold about 60 pieces from shows, private sales, commissions and competitions, largely due to exposure from the public exhibitions, a web site, postcard mailings, and email notices. Key is marketing, marketing and more marketing.

Answer 3

I have a webpage, I took paintings to local galleries. I started off doing one portrait for a client......I now have a waiting list. I have a degree in Art, but getting my work out there.....I have done on my own.And I'm still learning as I go. One tip....Have your client sign a contract, and pay for part of the commission up front.