I have been a full time artist for almost 20 years and I have shown in many galleries.... they are a waste of your time. 9 out of 12 galleries still owe me money and have for years. They will sell your work and not tell you it sold and not pay you and they also sell it for more than they tell you so they get to keep more than half. Galleries will NOT give you info on who bought your work even if they go out of business. They will not promote you. They will keep your work in the storage room and not show it. They try to represent 5000 artists at a time. They will get rid of you as soon as your art is "out of fashion". I made 6 figures repping myself and painting part time..... then I decided to give galleries another chance. What a mistake. I made 25K in one year between 3 galleries. And these are some of the top galleries in the nation in the richest areas like Beverly Hills, Jackson, WY, Malibu, etc.. You will do a LOT better learning how to rep yourself. Also, forget museums. Its a pipe dream. Its all political nowadays. I wasted a decade and a half on them. Now that Im repping myself again, I have a wonderful life and work when I want and paint what I want... NO commissions. Good luck.
@byronbuchanan3066 , I would love to see a video done by you, about what you've been through in the art world, with a lean toward what DID work for you, after the negativity and dishonesty that you were dealt, while trying your best in how you used to think art sales *should* be earned. Diversity is the kiss of death? Please do tell more. Thanks 🙏💖✨
I and many other artists coming across your valuable comment would love to know the name of the galleries that wronged you. It would be incredibly valuable for the few of us who are still willing to give galleries a shot to know which ones to avoid at the least. ❤🖤
galleries will never die as long as hummus and wine are a thing but posting your work on the internet makes a lot more sense. pretty soon you'll be required to provide video evidence of the creative process as authenticity will become a real issue in this digital age.
So funny when she said Sonoma. I worked for John Annesley stretching canvas and building panels for years. He started doing it in 1967 and I learned a lot. It's all a story is what he told me.
Me too. I don't plan what I do ahead of time. I choose my materials and colours but most times the topic emerges as I begin. It's possible that anything you do is part of a cohesive body of work. A piece of the puzzle that is you
Thank you very much for being willing to share your talent. I just found you and am so glad I did. I had become very frustrated with my paintings because I could never make mine turn out like the instructor's. You reminded me to paint my way! I’m ready to start another painting remembering to have fun and follow my instincts! BTW, I hope you don’t let the small minded negativity to discourage you. You are great…just the way you are. 👍
I really enjoyed this video. I learned soooo much from this video. I think you put the confidence back in me. I’m not a bad artist. I’m just not knowledgeable about the industry process and that’s why these videos are so important. Funny how you mentioned Hawaii. I live in Kailua on the island of Oahu. Yes, our local galleries OnLY want flowers, fish, beach scenes and hula girls. Not my thing.
Just loved the video. So much of information , knowledge . Learning from all your experiences. One suggestion: Please….please….please try to number your videos in case I want to go back to it again else I spend a lot of time searching.
I've bumped into your youtube page a couple of weeks ago completely unawere of its content and its been mindblowing the amount of knowlege you put out there! I've been an illustrator/tattooer for 20 years now and Im baby steping into this field of art business. since the pandemic my artwork has been my passion and Im selling a few drawings here and there but it didnt let me in that gallery mode yet. This episode will push me to take that extra step and I will follow those advices 100%!!! You are going to here it from me soon! Greetings from Brazil!
Same, I've been tattooing for 14 years, now I'm binge watching these channel and think I should invest my time in paintings. Never thougt about this. Greetings from Germany
I’m fascinated with the paint that’s behind Ellie! Wow I can see how amazing that piece is and it’s way in the back! I swear as soon as I get my finances in better shape I will be buying some of their master pieces! I agreed with all this statements! Also Galleries want you to be very famous so they can market more effectively and easily in social media, I know some that want me to get my art work there and I haven’t even get filled a whole collection yet.. just cause they know me and know they can market me anytime.. they like story lines and great backgrounds from the artists.
This was an amazing video and very helpful. I’m a wanna be artist and putting the cart before the horse. I like to plan ahead. I can learn skills. Wish me all the blessings! ❤️
What's needed are more galleries with different styles. That would help both artists and buyers, which would help the galleries make money. People would know, "Hey, that gallery is where I can show or buy abstract art!" or "This other gallery is where I can go to show or buy classical art!" Etc. When there's only one gallery in a small town (which is where too many galleries are located - single gallery towns/villages), and there's only one style that's treated as even valid at all, it really leaves both artists and buyers in a lurch. It's a little better in the larger cities, but not by much, when you look at it from a per capita standpoint, especially if the galleries are all in the downtown area, but most of the population lives in the burbs and works somewhere between those and the downtown area itself. Online galleries are supposed to take care of this, but they're all going the way of DeviantArt, which is really just sad. Even Etsy really isn't a great place to try to sell art if you want to actually support yourself. That's what most artists are left with though.
An excellent, down-to-earth, honest conversation about art. All three of you were a joy to listen to and learn from. I have been in a fine art gallery for my abstract art, but I was shy about the selling process. I see that now and am moving forward. Thank you for this advice. I am following you and smashing the like!
In the begining she is right, you have to just try anyway- that's the point. even if the gallery is more traditional and you bring your portfolio you never know what they may have planned or if they are looking to expand or if they received any emails or customers looking for pieces like that but wanting to stay loyal to the gallery! ITS A BUSINESS they want to make money. end of story. They may say no to a show, but may ask to keep your information and contact you at a later date. Cast a wide net especially if your just getting going. Dont listen to the beginning f this and think "of that's too traditional, I'm not going to even go," Think " Oh this is more traditional! Let me go in at a different angle or ask more questions and see if I can figure out how I could be an asset to them or have them represent me! They have online galleries now! So their customers can buy online and from experience. It works! I've sold more are online this year. Im the only Black and white modern contemporary abstract artist at the gallery. everyone else is Colorful, impressionistic, photography, whimsical and figure work.
I freaking love you all AND this video! I was bummed today, unclear of which way to go and heard this! You all have helped me so much in this video!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!
Oh my gosh Michelle, we’re so happy to hear that!!! If you’d like to have even more instruction from Elli and Dimitra you should check out the Mastery Program here: masteryprogram.com ❤️ it’ll teach you everything you need to know to start your art career and more🔥
Just found your channel! Excited to dive deep into your content. I have always been leary of trying to get into a gallery. Thank you for all of your perspectives.
I draw and design and paint in many different styles that look nothing like each ither to my eye, but my best friend says she can always recognise my work no matter how diverse. Not syre that translates to people who don't know me. It's hard to judge sometimes
Hello and thank you for the great advice. As I was watching the video, I became curious of what the 3 speakers work looks like. I'm actually surprised there are no links in the description of the video.
Does the email approach really work? I've heard so much about how that's one thing that galleries don't like; when you contact them. They won't even open your email because they get so many everyday. But I guess it's a hit or miss or maybe it depends on the gallery.
It depends on the galleries that you reach out to, the timing of your email, the quality of your art and the subject line that you use. A gallery would probably be more likely to open an email that with the subject line "This could be a huge win-win" rather than the first thing that comes to mind like "Artist submission" or "Application for your gallery". Getting them to open the email is your foot in the door. The timing of your email is out of your control, that's why you email 100. The type of gallery/type of art in a gallery that you reach out to will determine whether your art will resonate with them. Do your homework and make sure that you're actually trying to provide the gallery a win-win. Let them know why you'll be valuable and an asset to them outside of just having great art. Do these things and you will get into galleries if you have skillful art.
Sometimes gallerys will put out online when they're looking for submissions and what kind of art they want. - someone who is also worried about how unsolicited work would be received, but trying desperately anyway.
Useful ideas can lead to a purposed goals time scales are the detriment as is commitment needed turning corners to focus is challenging but so is life itself.Insightual for crossroaded hopefuls like myself
What about getting involved with a local guild ? what are the thoughts on running The gallery once a month ? some of the demands of galleries that are run by the Artists , where you have to serve sometimes 2 to 3 days a month working for Gallery ? This takes time away from painting is this worth it?
Love your podcast but I would really like to know who started this myth about “Cohesive Body of work”. I have studied the history of many of the great historical artists and they were diverse in their interests- mediums and styles. Picasso was especially rebellious against this notion. Why do we now want to put artists in a box. Or worse make up excuses to exclude great artists for this mythological BS reason?
Thank you!! The whole style of impressionism started on that exact concept. Monet, picasso, Matisse. It all started as them wanting to do it their own way instead of the 'right way'
People love to label things rather than study them - often a commercial painter benefits from this. All your paintings looking similar lets people label you so that they are comfortable - they think they know what they are buying. Notice that these folk almost never mention that the art should be good, but constantly repeat that it be 'sellable'. That is their concern. Split yourself off from the concept that good = sellable; two very different things.
I do think the famous people do have a cohesive body of work. She is just saying 30 pieces that could be sold together. They want them to be matching so you can say, “I bought a Carissa.” Or you can look at a Picasso, Keith Herring, or Georgia O’Keffe and know it is them without looking at the signature.
Excellent conversation, I enjoyed it so much. Thanks. I’m in Australia & was wondering how much in Australian dollars is your 1 year mastery course please?
So. If you find yourself in a gallery that makes poor business decisions affecting the value of your work, do you drop that gallery, and how do you do it? Is it done to give notice? Do you give a more acceptable (to the gallery) reason than "I don't like your business model"? This might be an issue if a more "upscale" or important or famous gallery offers to represent you. What happens in that case?
Can anyone help me out? If you sell someone your original painting and they sell it years later, what are the rules? Apparently I was told you are entitled to a percentage of the profits? Or is this just another myth ? Great video by the way
To get into Affordable Artfair you need to be represented by a gallery, I read. I find that a shame! There should be more Art fairs where also artists would have the chance to show their art without spendeng thousands of Euros Here in Germany even the Discovery Art Fair in Cologne is very expensive I think although you can get in without a gallery.
I saw in Instagram, there was a group of independent artists (like 3-5 of them) who made their own group thing , like a collective, so they can get into Affordable Art Fair. I don’t know the mechanics, if they registered themselves as a gallery. I just know they named it by combining their names and they represented themselves.
😂 just do your thing and show it around. If some curator will like it you're in. Do not paint for the gallery market or youll miss the whole point of making art. Ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing first. Do not think u are going to get into Gagosian without the right contact either. They are talking about minor commercial galleries where the level of work is not even in the secondary market.
I am always surprised a delighted what gets chosen and I think location is important and don't play by the rules cause you never know my biggest wins are usually random left field, this is too ad min for me
LOL, as a professional ‘fine artist’ for 40+ years, works in important galleries on three continents, in numerous publications and collections, and from a family that owned one of the finest galleries in the country, I can confidently say this; the ‘key’ is being a very very very good artist. Period. Quality always sells. If you are not that good, get another job. Nobody needs mediocre art, regardless of your desires. Sadly, the vast majority of ‘art’ is completely mediocre and is not ‘art’. It may be painting etc, and quite lovely even. But that is decorative craft, not Art. Also, the vast majority of collectors have absolutely no idea what they are looking at. Hence it IS possible to make a living as a mediocre decorative ‘artist’, but if you want to be a real artist, you must be really really really good. And if you are, it’s easy to get into almost any gallery anywhere. It is. Focus on being a genuine and great artist and your ‘gallery’ problems will be solved. If you can’t do that, well, maybe rethink the reason for your frustrations. Not hating on anyone, just being painfully honest.
18:32 Artists with specific styles are stuck in creative limbo, inside a dull iteration of a once original thought. There's nothing more tedious than seeing the same thing, rearranged, playing over and over again.
Yes, we agree! It is always good to be open minded to seeing your style evolve over time as we all do as individuals! We think you would really enjoy Art Club, if you are interested in this; it is a really cool subscription where you can have access to hundreds of videos that are like this and also offering valuable and insightful new Art techniques. Here is a link below to check it out: www.artsocial.com/users/art-club/browse
This makes me feel disgusted. I will just stay in my cave. Art is my way of self exploration, I paint what I feel, what I'm driven to paint. If this key element is taken away from me then I'm not an artist anymore. But thank you for info. It's useful to know.
I think it's a shame that an artist has to jump through fiery hoops just to get their work in a gallery, even a small local gallery seems to be more trouble than it's worth!
If you are going to start with a statement like "probably go and watch that before you watch this" then GIVE US THE LINK..... I have no idea what THAT is or where to find it. Frustrating dude.
some constructive criticism.. this whole video was unorganized. the artists / hosts had no chemistry. in fact it felt like their egos were in the way of trying to prove they were right rather than help the people who were watching this. yes: viewers want to hear anecdotes about artists who are in the scene. but there weren’t really any tips? it felt like the stories were nonsense. where are the “strategies” offered in the video title? lastly, the only time you consider and ACTUALLY TALK to the viewer is at the very end when you sell some course! very tacky on y’all’s end…
With todays tech, I can't get around the idea of giving someone 50% commission for putting my work on their gallery wall. Why whore yourself out chasing fame and fortune. Treat yourself and your work as a brand. Start small and work your way up.
You guys are hurting my brain! Sellable art is called interior, design design and decorations are 100% different than ours! Why don’t you create art and use words to describe that art style instead of sounding like a bunch of high school kids who want to abstract paint and sell it?
