Yeah, vanity galleries that take advantage and make 2,500 or more off an artist who just wants exposure. I turned it down, my stomach gave me a warning sign. Not to mention, it would go agaisnt everything I believe in, being true to yourself and to be an artist you shouldnt have to pay to show your work. Your work will be enough, and they will trust it. Yes, with exeption of other costs for preparation but a fee? to show? no, absolutely not. That means they want a deposit down for them, incase you dont sell. again, that goes back to what you were saying about bussiness.

Its really ironic you mentioned that, because only untill recently after my last show and investing into my website I thought about the money I spend vs what I take home from selling one painting from the show i worked so hard for. The business aspect, I am now forced to ponder about, which is uncomfortable i might add because I can not do basic math. ( thanks to my creative dominant right side brain) The percentage from the gallery owners is a problem trying to keep your art at a reasonable buyable rate. And in the end, the shows, expierence, more paintings, improvement in your work, education…well who is this all for? and why? ego? if so, or just personal fufillment, why? without it, could you survive and keep your identity and deal with transformation. The real meaning, and that is all an artist should work for, not letting other distractions diminish that energy. You have brought SO many questions on the surface for me, that i needed for years. direction to find direction, thats a start at least.
Yes, thankyou i definetly need to wear the bussiness hat more often! and carry a calculator when someone tells me 40% thier taking after telling me 30% when I first met them. You definetly cant wear your heart on your sleeve at the same time you got your business hat on! lol
thanks for the reply
you should write a book, or teach classes/seminars of these topics, ill be there for sure.

What comes to mind is how hard it is to be an artist, and to want to be “out in the world”, no matter what the cost or opportunity. To think about art as a business, to wear 2 hats, a creative hat and a business hat is necessary. When wearing your business hat, it is a good rule of thumb is to consider what is the return on your investment. It is called ROI – every business considers it. We need to as well.

Will the particular show, the fee you pay, be an investment in your career. It always comes down to what does success mean for you, and then weigh every investment against it.

Anyway, you got me thinking – thanks. More to come…

Thankyou, very much apprietated!

Demystifying the professional art world for artists taking their first steps – at any age, not just straight out of college! – is soooo needed.

I found this post both inspiring and empowering and my takeaway is “Any One Can” – if they feel passionately enough about their work and are prepared to apply these principles consistently to get that work out into the world.

Woo-hoo!! Now we just have to get on with it!

Thank-you!