Comments on: Approaching An Art Gallery

By: Willis Notwick

Willis Notwick — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 07:30:39 +0000

Hmm is anyone else using dilemmas while using pictures on this blog page loading? I am endeavoring to determine out if its a concern on my end or if you’ll find it the blogging site. Any suggestions might possibly be dramatically appreciated.

By: seattle painting

seattle painting — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:12:58 +0000

How to get FireFox or any browser up first on reboot?

By: blood orange mediafire

blood orange mediafire — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:53:43 +0000

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By: videncia

videncia — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 06:44:42 +0000

This is getting a bit more subjective, but I much prefer the Zune Marketplace. The interface is colorful, has more flair, and some cool features like ‘Mixview’ that let you quickly see related albums, songs, or other users related to what you’re listening to. Clicking on one of those will center on that item, and another set of “neighbors” will come into view, allowing you to navigate around exploring by similar artists, songs, or users. Speaking of users, the Zune “Social” is also great fun, letting you find others with shared tastes and becoming friends with them. You then can listen to a playlist created based on an amalgamation of what all your friends are listening to, which is also enjoyable. Those concerned with privacy will be relieved to know you can prevent the public from seeing your personal listening habits if you so choose.

By: Julie Chapman

Julie Chapman — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:21:46 +0000

Larry - I’m not talking about a degree (I certainly don’t have an art degree), but some of the business basics mentioned in my original post that show your commitment to your work. It is indeed the end result that counts - but how does the gallery owner know that you are committed to continuing to paint, grow, and partner with him/her? There are loads of people out there who enjoy art, but would not necessarily make good partners with a gallery - and it’s a business relationship as well as a creative one.

Again, take a look at Cay Lang’s book - she talks about what can go on your bio (resume) to show your credibility and commitment when you’re just starting out.

By: larry jewett

larry jewett — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:13:10 +0000

A lack of resume implies that you’re not serious about your art

I don’t see what not having an fine arts degree has to do with selling paintings.

I am certainly no art expert (far from it), but when it comes to deciding what is salable, I would think that a gallery owner should be able to tell far more from looking at your paintings than from your art resume.

Perhaps my experience as a software engineer is coloring my judgment here. I don’t have a degree in CS (my degree is in physics) but when it comes to programming, that has made little to no difference. It’s the end result that counts and not the degree.

Apparently, the art field is fundamentally different?

By: Julie Chapman

Julie Chapman — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:24:32 +0000

Tania - I’m glad this has been of some use! Cay’s book is fabulous and will get you thinking about your whole art career more effectively from a business perspective. (Art IS a business - nothing wrong with those two words together!).

Larry, I wanted to comment on your post of 9/13…if you look at it from the gallery’s point of view, they want to invest in artists who are committed to their careers. As a business-person, would you want to spend a lot of time working with and promoting someone who is approaching his art very casually? Galleries only have so much time and resources to go around, and they want to spend it on artists who are committed to their art, to growth in their work, and to partnering with their galleries. A lack of resume implies that you’re not serious about your art (and I can’t say whether you are, but not having business basics such as this in hand doesn’t help). Cay Lang addresses this in her book, including how to handle what goes on your resume (bio) at the beginning of your art career.

By: Tania

Tania — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 02:47:35 +0000

Thanks Julie!
A “30-second elevator pitch” is something I never would have thought of - but when you say it, I think, “duh!” And I tend to over-think things, which makes me a poor quick-on-her-feet speaker. Having a “spiel” would make that a lot easier.
And I just got a copy of “Taking the Leap” so this is very timely, too

By: larry jewett

larry jewett — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:09:49 +0000

I approached a gallery once after i took Julie’s workshop a few years back and, quite frankly, was so turned off by the whole thing that i have not approached one since. The gallery owner did not even want to see my slides until I gave them an “art resume”. When i told them I had none, they essentially told me “thanks but no thanks”.

This was not a big time gallery in NY City, mind you, but a no name one in Podunk (the small town where I live). Good grief. What a bunch of nonsense.

I’m not a professional artist so it’s really not important, but if that’s the way galleries operate in general, I’d have to say “thanks but no thanks.”

Personally, I would hope that the internet will eventually allow artists to sell their work without the middle man. I realize that attitude would not make me popular with the galleries, but I think it is absurd that a gallery should be getting upwards of 60% of the sale price on an artist’s efforts.

It really makes no sense now that people can view — and buy — an artist’s work over the internet.

By: Susan Fox

Susan Fox — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:10:06 +0000

Great post! One of the major things on my “to do” list this winter is to put together and send packets to my “hit list” of galleries that I think would be a good fit. The info I got in your workshop has been very helpful as I’ve kicked my marketing plan into action in the past two years. Oh….marketing plans……how ’bout blogging on that? Having one has made a huge difference for me.

Got a hour or so ride on a real Mongolian horse (Chinggis Khan’s Horde and all that) with a modified Mongolian saddle day before yesterday. I think that it will improve any paintings I do of Mongolian horsemen and women. Have you tried any of the horse events that you are painting these days, like roping or barrel racing? Or are the visuals so strong that you don’t think it would make a difference?