I've made a full-time living off of my art for the last eight years. No gallery. Getting rid of the middle-person allows me to price my work optimally. I don't have to pay $10K do make an opening party become the work goes right from my studio to the collector. I don't attend many openings because I'm too busy doing what I'd rather do, making art.
OG TRASHCAN it is difficult, but doable. If you don’t set the goal to high in the beginning and start off and are a bit creative (and active) in your search for ways to sell or market, you can achieve a humble living. And keep in mind, that it is not a shame to have a side job or be an artist and a craftsman at the same time. I make my living off drawing, but I have for one: my craft, which is animation, like a service I can offer and have more regular big job assignments and make art at the same time. So I have two different incomes, that have drawing at their core. Learning an artistic craft to supplement the fine art is quite a good deal, to be able to make a living. At one point, you might be able to drop the more job like crafty part and be a painter/artist/whatever type full time. But that needs patience. I for one am glad, to have a skillset other than just painting, which brings me bigger amounts of money from time to time.
mugushi54 This is why I am starting a business as an Artist Agent and only charging 30%. Galleries are overrated. Also going to add a consultancy, so I can teach creatives how to run their own business. I’m currently studying for a graduate certificate in entrepreneurship in art marketing and branding, and have an artist who had already done a commission for a VIP before we met. I heard a lot of mistakes in this presentation and my BA is History, not Art.
@@nancystone3793 Very cool. I would love to make contact. I've always thought there should be more people filling the role that are. A burgeoning industry.
@@mugushi54 if you’re comfortable with it do you have any socials I can check out your art at? I want to make art my full time career as well and I’m trying to learn from others and see successful artists.
Secret of earning a living as a producing artist is a well edited mailing list... every artist needs 50 regular customers who will buy whatever they need a gift for someone... dealers and galleries take half but selling direct the artist gets 100%... add up what it cost to make and multiple by three- one to pay for materials and time, two to make another piece like the original, and three is profit... build a collector group and keep in touch with them... today it is easier than it was 40 years ago with social media... Art is a business.
@Al Jaz and he didn't carve sculptures in stone, that was Michelangelo. I´m having second thouts about it it´s worth watching the other 23 minuts with such a bad start.
I certainly hope the brick and mortar galleries don't disappear. I love going into them and seeing the work up close. The internet just isn't the same as actually being in front of a peice...
You should go to the museem drsay in Paris and view monets works and others. They really do knock you it in real life and have an undeniable thing about them that cannot be experienced from any book or video.
Art school is great. I think it's also not the only way to make it. You'll learn great info and connections, but there are ways around it if you can't afford art school. Let's be real there are so many resources put there- don't limit yourself. Find mentors, work in galleries, connect yourself with other artists, Research, pay for online classes. Use what you have and bloom where you are planted.
I went to art school in Germany and had the best time of my life. Didnt really learn technics, but had many many interesting conversations with professors, fellow students and other people at school. To say "you dont learn anything at art school" is just not true. I wouldnt be the person I am without the school.
It really depends on where you go though. And I don't think that the teacher here is saying you don't learn stuff in art school, but that it can be damaging when certain professors want to push their style onto you (happened to me). Imo I learned the most from figure drawing/sketching and from one teach that was really passionate. Art history was also great. ANd just talking with fellow students about their influences, sharing techniques among each other, that was truly a richness of knowledge you can't find by yourself. The man's just saying - you can find most knowledge online, these days. The trap in that is that you can only research things that interest you, whereas at school you get forced to learn things you normally wouldn't by yourself. But imo there's more advantages to this than disadvantages. All knowledge is worth having for an artist.
@@Roguechan good point. and you need to consider: College/universities are almost free in Germany. And you are right: There is a danger to follow the artistic vibe of the class/school, I myself fell in this trap in the beginning but was able to come our of it. Greetings from Germany!
If you’re going to emphasize the importance of Art History, get your facts straight. Of course Leonardo went to art school. He trained as an apprentice painter since he was 13! Toulouse Lautrec also studies under a painting master!!!
Studying under a master is not the same as art school. Art school has loads of extra baggage and bullcrap, while studying one on one with a master is entirely different and far more intimate and intense way of studying.
I went to art school and earned my MFA. The Number 1 thing I learned at art school was that I did NOT need art school. What we need is to learn how to market and sell art. Art school does not do that.
Agree. Indeed many art schools are taught by proud communists who frown on commerce, like it is selling out. Nevermind that they’re teaching for money.
@@karlabritfeld7104 yes make art we are artists so it’s already a given but marketing art is a completely different story learning to market as a artist is incredibly hard but possible
@@RobertScozzariknow your rights, research...many gallery owners are going to prey on the uninformed and are NOT a reliable trustworthy source for this info...they will ask you...assuming you understand before hand...many artists loose their works in lieu of not selling as a gallery claims in contract that it was understood paintings would be sold...and payment comes from that...however sometimes...it does not happen...but you cannot get your artwork back as they hold this as a "payment" for all of the effort they put into putting on the show...and whatever expenses associated. No one loves your work more than you...and if you are selling...then more will love you...for the money they can make from you...not you...just the money...Be very very careful. They potentially have the power to destroy you financially.
Bad start... Of course art schools, as we know them today, didn’t exist until the 20th century, so it’s damn non-sense to say Da Vinci didn’t go to art school. Old time artists did go through years of apprenticeship at older experienced artists. And oops, I forgot to put on my socks ! :-D
Actually ancient painters learned how to paint with a "master", so did leonardo da vinci. Van gogh was probably self taught and sold almost nothing during his life....
Betty1819 N Yes, that is what I meant about apprenticeship. Van Gogh also took some painting lessons and courses in different cities. Check out his biography.
Well, but I agree with him because modern art schools are hardly equal to learning with masters. To be honest you're learning from third rate artists and the other students. It's an art environment that may be stimulating creatively, but without the hard skills to actually achieve visions. They largely leave that to you. Practice practice practice. So what's the point of being there to practice practice practice. You can do that yourself at home. And that's his point.
Plus, as he continued the story into sculpture did he confuse Leonardo with Michael Angelo?? He did some castings, but i would suggest his influence is more within painting such as ‘smoke’ or softness & removal of lines, using value only to represent form. But who am I right?? Lol I gotta admit, sometimes I dont wear socks....lol
Good to remember also that galleries do not have to buy stock in like other retailers who are often left with huge stock which has cost money.Galleries can take paintings from artists without a financial outlay to start with which must be an advantage..
Leonardo da Vinci was apprenticed to master artist Andrea del Verocchio at the age of 14 and he worked at his studio for several years. That was his art school.
Although art school for too long can really numb your thinking, art school for a short while is really helpful. M so glad to have met the bestest teachers in the academy i went to in Florence. They are hands down the best teachers. 💕
Great dialogue. I attended the Art Institute of Chicago completed Masters....opened a frame shop and print gallery...Prospered and Survived 38 years now retired. Alan speaks the gospel....Make the connection with your skills and then your statement.....Then when you have put in the years of work and effort then and only then Build a relationship with a gallery
I was chatting to a high school art teacher who found through her years of teaching that her most promising and talented art students didn't pursue their art or go to art school.
Well when I was in high school (then one of the best HS's in the U.S.), I barely had time for an art class because I was busy taking AP classes and staying at a class rank in the top 5. However I loved art and took one class, had a great teacher who really taught me nothing about art but he had immense enthusiasm. I won piles of Gold Keys and finally his top art award for the year. Went on to college, transferred to a very good art school in NYC, got BFA and then MFA in art (Ivy League). Kept pursuing art, won lot of awards, was collected by some "rich and famous", represented in many important collections, and now the museums are finding my works. So I cannot speak for others, but for a sample size 1 I followed through after being the top artist in my high school.
@@KpxUrz5745 That is wonderful to hear and well done on your amazing achievements. You are right - I also knew of one very talented young artist in.a year above mine who continued to study art - he too became well known and won a highly prestigious art prize in the UK. He is now a well established and highly regarded painter.
Great info, thank you for sharing this video! Totally agree that contracts are so important. I've had gallery owners tell me they work on a 'handshake deal' - which is cute, but, when things go wrong, all that matters is what's in writing. I always insist on having all deals in writing - the most important thing it does is reminds us of what we agreed to.
joining or forming an art collective helps, a place where artists can network with each other, how to write a good artist's proposal to sale your self, and your work
what I liked about art school. it was a place where I can hang out with other artists and talk about our art work, and party with each other. life drawing work shops are a good place to hang out with other artists. at one of my art schools, the professor would hold these life drawing marathons where everyone would pay $20.00 each for the room and models for the weekend of drawing. every one would bring food and drink for the weekend. it was always a party.
Excellent! Many of us had no idea how to be an artist, even though we had the drive and the desire...After earning an MFA at the advice of an undergrad professor, I determined I related to outsider artists. I was told I was a natural colorist. I had extensive life drawing in undergrad and was shocked my classmates could not really capture the figure in grad school! Nobody taught me how to have an art career! Mostly anything I have accomplished was sheer luck! I am listening to you a 2nd time! Thank you!
Leonardo studied with a master that is how it was done then. School is huge but our education system is not worthy of an evolving society. Teachers and teaching especially realism has a long history of techniques and information that is lost in our education system today. This is a heartfelt talk but is purely opinion not fact. Sculpture painting and drawing have had so much research and study for centuries, why ignore it? That is what happened in the last century. A combination of new creativity with the old is a great solution. Crafting and craftsmanship is worthy of keeping. Leonardo would agree.
Here here, generations of painstakingly cultivated tradition was swept aside beginning in the late 1800s, I'm sorry to say but the Impressionists put the nail in the coffin of this tradition and it was all down hill from there, I've been to see the works of Van Gogh and Picasso and wasn't impressed, I'd take the work from the continental Renaissance to Baroque masters as well as the English Victorian and Edwardian masters over anything post modern any day. Other good masters from the 20th century would be John F. Carlson, Edgar Payne and Edward Seago, carrying on good landscape and composition standards. There are some others living I like such as Andrew Tischler a brilliant all rounder in Landscape, portrait and still life and Vladimir Volegov who exclusively does portraits and figure centric works, all in all keeping good art alive. One of the best watercolourists EVER, and I mean ever has to be Thierry Duvalaquarelle, jaw dropping stuff. Traditions in drawing and good painting techniques have completely disappeared from art colleges but online courses such as oldmasters.academy are helping to revive and maintain these.
I should think the best way to become a successful artist or a successful anything is to find a successful artist, research their career and follow their habits. And network with people who know people.
Goodness! you are the first gallerist who is down right honest about the relationship between the artist and gallery and other subjects that are bought to life for artists.
Branding oneself pure and simple and getting your brand noticed or selling people on your brand. Art is anything you can get away with. Salvador Dali is a perfect example of Branding oneself, whether it is his outward unique Eccentricity, Look, Art, Biography, Carisma, or any combination there of that adds up to one's Brand Etc... So it Behoovs the aspiring Artist to find and or create his or her unique brand and HYPE IT ! If one looks at just about any famous Artist one will find this whether the artist was aware of it or not, it may be a bit subtle but there non the less, but this is why the Artist Biography, Provinauce is so important it enhances greatly the artist's artwork, there are some artworks that are merely paint on a canvas without knowing the artist. Art is a piece, part, or extension of the artist's beingness that is the communication to the public the audience.
With all the great insight he gave and the comments are all over the place. There aren't alot of galleries that would do open uncensored talks like this.
What a wonderful, genuine and well-intended video.👏🏼 Thank you sir for your honesty.🙏🏼 Excellently produced movie clip.👍🏼And very grateful for the extensive comment section.😍 All the best in your creativity and business🔥💫🌿
Great. Thanks. This information is practical and realistic. Most artists don't know their values, values of their work and believe that galleries are in control of their works. Earthy information. Thanks again.
I love love love contracts. They define the terms of an agreement, and every "transaction" where value and potential for loss exists......is a situation that could benefit from a contract.
Jerzy Muszyński is a graduate of the State High School of Fine Arts in Supraśl, Poland (2005) and University of the Arts Poznan, Poland (2011) at the Faculty of Painting and Drawing; in 2019 I got a PhD in the field of arts. Since 2010 I’m working at University of the Arts Poznan, in 2019 I took there a position of an adjunct at the Architecture and Urbanism Painting Studio. So to sum up: gallery owner says art profs know nothing useful; art prof says gallery owner knows nothing useful. The truth, as always, lies somewhere in the middle where absolutism is what makes no sense.
Thank you very much. I am an artist in Holland and maybe it s slightly different here. But essential it is the seem. It helps me to rethink what I am doing now and where I want to go to.
Rianne Stenhuis. No, it is not slightly different here. A Dutch bank paid 80 million for a work by Mondriaan and presented it to the nation, but the people did not like it at all. It was only hailed by the museum elite. Mondriaan coveted a silly art theory, according to which his vertical lines represented the male, the horizontal the female gender. Karel Appel was also hailed by the elite, he knew nothing and happily mixed any pots of household paint which are now melting and dripping onto the floor of Dutch museums. Much of the surreptitious, meaningless art promoted by the corrupt elite is a swindle. Good luck to you if you want to be an artist in Holland.
I am all for art history! :) Van Gogh, for example, hasn't become an art genius form zero background in art and study of it. It's correct to say that Van Gogh knew art history quite excellent (being an art dealer for many years) and briefly studied in Art Academy in Antwerp (January 18, 1886 - February 28, 1886) and then quit it because he didn't find academia useful enough. It was the wind of change - the wind of impressionism and neo-impressionism that blow him of his feet and swirled towards the new and more profound directions...
Artt is a state of grace, not to be achieved butI diligent application . Every person who paints must understand what these words entail . Simple, easy so that seams !!!!
Social Media is like a sketchbook of words & ideas flowing back and forth. Judge the created work, not because you disagree with their views on a particular cause. Galleries are equivalent to Mars, the unknown territory. I do enjoy a First Friday though, but haven't been to one in like 20 years. I am very detached from galleries.
I agree with you as artist no need go to art school, because the main point is feeling and emotional, but seem now some art dealer need it as selling point in art market specially in Asian art market, so i will face on Europe and US, because they choose artist more simple is like or unlike, whatever you just a homeless man
I'm REALLY struggling with putting "art" and "rules" in the same conversation... Art that didnt follow "the rules" of its time has been proven to be ahead of what scientists THOUGHT to be true at the time... not to mention, was actually a prediction of later discoveries about space, time, color, and light.
I went to the Nova Scotia College of Art University, only teaches art. From the start of the four years you were required to produce your art. We never saw our professors art and never taught perspective but you used your own meaning of perspective. We had personal studios from the second year and were encouraged to produce our own art never copy. Colors and sizes etc had to be our own, never expectations that we would produce what was current in the art world. It was the best to encourage creativity.
Yup Dali. Most didn’t go to Art school. Internet Teach each other Composition, etc Anatomy. Perspective,Facials etc. Abstract etc. Creativity. Gallery for every Artist. Different. Network connection. Top, middle, lower then move up rotation. Fresh pricing Pay dues. Lower then go up.Social media, interviews. Opening every 8 weeks Advertising. Don’t devalue Art work. Incentive. Not hoighty toity. Friendly. How does it make you feel. Promote yourself. Contract a mistake has been made.
Leonardo studied under Verrochio for almost 10 years. Lautrec was a student of Bonnat in Paris. When the first thing the speaker says is uninformed rubbish there is no point going any further
You're doing a pretty good job of misleading these trusting folks!! Most of what you say is not even rooted in reality.... rather based on your own personal BS.
A new artist producing art of same quality as an established one but selling for less as they need to "pay their dues". This shows how artificial the art market is, relying on the name of the artist and their relationships with the gatekeepers of value, rather than the quality of their work. The business analogy is wrong. In a decent business, if you are doing the work of an experienced employee, you'll get paid the same. It's illegal not to.
Interesting talk, but as a retired lawyer, I cannot imagine it would cost $300,000 to defend a suit which can be settled for a mere $18,000. It is not that complicated and would never cost that much. Either you owe the money or you don't. If the Plaintiff will accept $18,000, then either the case was not worth much more from the start, or it had very little chance of success at trial. Quoting Yosemite Sam, "It just don't add up." -- But, the rest of the pitch is pretty good! JR
As an aspiring artist I have a question though: If it's not imperative to go to art school for a formal qualification, what are the chances of walking into a gallery and having them show your work based on just the work alone? Surely that's naive? And similarly for collectors - wouldn't a collector expect a formal training? Without art school, is an artist starting on the 'back foot' so to speak?
Tamaryn Mina art has always been a business. Leonardo da vinci seeked for a protector who paid him. Michel Angelo was paid for his art work. Artists needed always to sold their work for their living. Or art is a hobby, and your day job pay paid for the living and the art supplies
Leonardo stayed many years at Verrocchio’s workshop...Lautrec studied under F. Cormon and he frequented, like Van Gogh, the Julian academy...no school...really?
This emphasis on "paying your dues" and temporarily invalidating an artist's claim that their work/skill surpasses another artist solely because of of seniority. Then he says it's just like climbing the corporate ladder. I wonder how many artists become artists precisely because corporate structure was not for them, and is "paying your dues" really benefits the galleries and dealers more than it does the artist?
A degree from an art school doesn't make you an artist, but it opens doors. Without such a degree, you will have a very hard time to get a chance to speak to people who are important in furthering your career. But that's it already.
