Galleries · Painting for Drawing Dropouts

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Galleries

On the subject of galleries: from

Galleries will help you be known more often than provide lots of sales. Being know will allow you to sell your art at the prices you desire to sell at. In galleries be prepared to leave your art for extended periods of time.

How do you get your art into galleries:

Getting into a gallery begins with spending a day visiting galleries to determine which gallery is a fit with your art. Second step is to put on your salesman hat and start a conversation with the gallery owner. Conversation should be about the art on display in their gallery NOT ABOUT YOU as you are trying to build a relationship. Remember they have tons of artist that stumble in with hopes of getting their art in the gallery. Be different, different stands out in their mind, be humble. If you do this step right they will actually ask to see your art. Make it their Idea to want to see your art because it is always better to negotiate from a position of power.

Once the relationship is started you should do return visits often to build the relationship. Believe it or not they will get around to asking you if you have any art they can display in their gallery. Don't jump up and down and drool at this point. The key is to hold back slightly and pick the right show to make your arts day view. It is really easier than you think.

Rejection will happen:

Yes, you will be rejected. The best way to experience rejection is to rush into a gallery without doing your research. Even if the gallery is a fit for your art the owners personality may not be a fit for you. It is ok that that happens, some gallery owners simply have a superiority complex. Most rejection can be prevented by doing the steps I laid out above. Do your homework, gallery visits, website visits, look for any clue that will give you something meaningful to the owner to talk about. It is ok to tell the gallery owner that you don't feel they are a fit for you and your art. WHy do we as artist so easily surrender control to gallery owners.

Galleries are not for every artist.

What is everyones thoughts on galleries Vs Art shows / festivals?

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