Comments on: Showing or Selling your Art

By: Ann Rea

Ann Rea — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:31:57 +0000

That’s right Cory! You have all the power, if you want it!

I would add help your reps help you. Know your market, your unique selling proposition, I could go on and on, and I will!

By: Daniel Edlen

Daniel Edlen — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:31:54 +0000

Great post. I always ask the question whether anything’s sold. The nice thing is that most people aren’t upset at the question. I can’t say that about galleries, but shops that happen to display art are very candid.

Peace,
@vinylart

By: Cory Huff

Cory Huff — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:18:43 +0000

I’m with Ann. There are some artist reps who are good, some not so much. They should have no problem providing references. It’s important to feel comfortable with people that you are doing business with.

I agree with Ann even more on the point that you are your own best rep. No one can sell your art like you can. People buy from passionate people, from people they know, like and trust, and no one can establish that relationship with a buyer like you can. You have all the power, if you want it.

By: Ann Rea

Ann Rea — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:38:49 +0000

Hi Liz,

That’s a very broad question. Like any profession, there are some artist reps who are good at what they do and those that are not.

The point is how well they represent your work and do you have a clear and fair written contract.

I believe that you will always be your own best rep.

Ann

By: Liz Kitchens

Liz Kitchens — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:56:01 +0000

Hi Ann,

Your article is balm for my artistic spirit. It feels as though all I have succeeded in doing with my artwork is “showing” it rather than selling it. My New Year’s resolution is to focus on sales. What do you think about agents or artist’s reps? Thank you for this article.

By: Ann Rea

Ann Rea — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:45:34 +0000

I would add, ask for references if you are planning on working with an art representative.

By: Ann Rea

Ann Rea — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:28:36 +0000

I agree with you Daniel. Thank you for contributing.

By: Daniel Sroka

Daniel Sroka — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:21:55 +0000

The same caution should apply not just to alternative spaces (like a bank or cafe), but to opportunities to show you work in more traditional spaces like a gallery or art show. The conventional wisdom is that to sell your art, you must get it “out there”. Yet many traditional venues for art are actually poor places to *sell* art. Just because your art is “seen” doesn’t mean it will also sell.

One gallery I know has great sales — if you are happens to be 3D (sculpture, craft, etc.). They rarely sell anything that can hang on a wall. So for a 2D artist, having your art hang in such a gallery might feel like a good idea, yet would actually make poor business sense. You have to be careful and do your due diligence, even when the opportunity sounds good.