Galleries aren’t there to make you money, but it can introduce you to collectors who you can sell stuff to on the side. Think of galleries as an advertising tool.
Great tips and observations, Trent. Also, it's good to know that by changing gears and making adjustments, it is possible to make a living selling art these last couple of years.
Absolutely! I've always tried to have several "side gigs" in another aspect of art, whether making prints, or doing local shows, or something else that utilizes the art I'm already making...it's saved my neck several times.
What surprises me after watching Trent's video is that it appears there is no written contract between artists and galleries. I have worked for many years as a musician performing in nightclubs across New England and after getting stung a couple times I started presenting a contract to any venue that expressed an interest in hiring my band. After that there were zero problems getting paid and in fact just by mentioning the word contract in our conversation I could tell that they perceived my act as being more professional. It actually became easier to ask for more money after I started mentioning the contract and easier to seal the deal as well. It definitely got rid of the clubs ( jerks) that might consider stiffing you.
You're right, I didn't mention contracts...contracts ARE good, and help both parties understand what's expected. I should mention, though, that I've had wonderful success with a few galleries without signing a contract, and I've had a terrible disaster occur (lost close to $100k of work to a dishonest gallerist) even after an "ironclad" contract. It's mostly about reputation, in my experience.
hey trent! I've been having a blast making abstract art and I was wondering when does an artist knows when he or she is good enough to start looking approaching galleries? Or should I look to sell online like artfinder or esty? How do/did you go about starting to sell?
Hi Yvette! Yes, I'd absolutely love to!! I can't even tell you how close I was to doing that in Cache Valley just last year. I regret not taking the risk...I had the money and the plan, and it probably would've worked. I'm now on the lookout for another suitable space.
where is a question. I live in the East and and have started doing Western Art. I would like to look for a gallery in the West. I was always told you needed to stop in every once in a while to see how they handle your work or sold. How do you handle this?
Hi Trent, thank you for this video. I love your work, and I saw you've won a lot of awards. Is it necessary to take part in competitions? Or maybe galleries do not pay attention to it?
This is a great topic for another video...I'd love to share a list of contests I participate in! The short answer is: no, they're not necessary, but they can look good to galleries and collectors. For me, it's more about holding myself to a standard.
Great info, thank you! I’m actually considering a co-op gallery in a quaint town with lots of foot traffic. There is a very small monthly fee and just a little commitment to help run the place, but the artists keep 100% of sales. I’m not sure how it will go, and I know there are other groups like this that are high strung lol. But hopefully this is a good one.
Update…this co op gallery had ZERO marketing activity for the past several years. Absolutely no promotional attempts online, no community presence, no highlighting their artists, just reliant on foot traffic. I politely bowed out! Thank you for your advice in this video. It helped me dodge a bullet!
Keep track of the galleries that don't respond to your email... How hard is it to copy a rejection letter to your email and press send... You don't want to deal with them. They are not professional. 💖🌞🌵😷
Yeah, I feel ya. I guess the quick answer is just to keep trying until you happen to find that perfect one…and once you do, work with them as you would a best friend so you can both benefit from that relationship. But yes, I’ve had that problem too…it’s pretty tough to finally find a gallery only to find that they don’t actually show your work on any of the good walls. Do one of two things: You could either immediately begin a search for a better one (quit that one only after you’ve found a better one), or work with them to get what they’ll actually show for you. It might be worth having that conversation, as they obviously saw something they liked in your work in the beginning.
Lovely to see you posting new videos thanks for the tips for making boards
Galleries aren’t there to make you money, but it can introduce you to collectors who you can sell stuff to on the side. Think of galleries as an advertising tool.
Great tips and observations, Trent. Also, it's good to know that by changing gears and making adjustments, it is possible to make a living selling art these last couple of years.
Absolutely! I've always tried to have several "side gigs" in another aspect of art, whether making prints, or doing local shows, or something else that utilizes the art I'm already making...it's saved my neck several times.
Your videos are always interesting. Thanks for posting them.
What surprises me after watching Trent's video is that it appears there is no written contract between artists and galleries. I have worked for many years as a musician performing in nightclubs across New England and after getting stung a couple times I started presenting a contract to any venue that expressed an interest in hiring my band. After that there were zero problems getting paid and in fact just by mentioning the word contract in our conversation I could tell that they perceived my act as being more professional. It actually became easier to ask for more money after I started mentioning the contract and easier to seal the deal as well. It definitely got rid of the clubs ( jerks) that might consider stiffing you.
You're right, I didn't mention contracts...contracts ARE good, and help both parties understand what's expected. I should mention, though, that I've had wonderful success with a few galleries without signing a contract, and I've had a terrible disaster occur (lost close to $100k of work to a dishonest gallerist) even after an "ironclad" contract. It's mostly about reputation, in my experience.
@@TrentGudmundsen So true. Without getting lawyers involved the contract can be worthless.
I wish it were easier...but I tend to go with my gut, and I'm usually proven right.
Glad you are back.. always love your videos..!!
Glad you like them! Thank you. :)
hey trent! I've been having a blast making abstract art and I was wondering when does an artist knows when he or she is good enough to start looking approaching galleries? Or should I look to sell online like artfinder or esty? How do/did you go about starting to sell?
Great tips....thanks Trent
You bet!
Hi Trent! Glad you're back doing videos! Have you ever thought of owning your own gallery?
Hi Yvette! Yes, I'd absolutely love to!! I can't even tell you how close I was to doing that in Cache Valley just last year. I regret not taking the risk...I had the money and the plan, and it probably would've worked. I'm now on the lookout for another suitable space.
where is a question. I live in the East and and have started doing Western Art. I would like to look for a gallery in the West. I was always told you needed to stop in every once in a while to see how they handle your work or sold. How do you handle this?
Hi Trent, thank you for this video. I love your work, and I saw you've won a lot of awards. Is it necessary to take part in competitions? Or maybe galleries do not pay attention to it?
This is a great topic for another video...I'd love to share a list of contests I participate in! The short answer is: no, they're not necessary, but they can look good to galleries and collectors. For me, it's more about holding myself to a standard.
Great info, thank you! I’m actually considering a co-op gallery in a quaint town with lots of foot traffic. There is a very small monthly fee and just a little commitment to help run the place, but the artists keep 100% of sales. I’m not sure how it will go, and I know there are other groups like this that are high strung lol. But hopefully this is a good one.
Update…this co op gallery had ZERO marketing activity for the past several years. Absolutely no promotional attempts online, no community presence, no highlighting their artists, just reliant on foot traffic. I politely bowed out! Thank you for your advice in this video. It helped me dodge a bullet!
Keep track of the galleries that don't respond to your email... How hard is it to copy a rejection letter to your email and press send... You don't want to deal with them. They are not professional. 💖🌞🌵😷
True
I've just watched the video and I need to ask. How do you get your work into a gallery that actually wants to show your work ?
Yeah, I feel ya. I guess the quick answer is just to keep trying until you happen to find that perfect one…and once you do, work with them as you would a best friend so you can both benefit from that relationship. But yes, I’ve had that problem too…it’s pretty tough to finally find a gallery only to find that they don’t actually show your work on any of the good walls.
Do one of two things: You could either immediately begin a search for a better one (quit that one only after you’ve found a better one), or work with them to get what they’ll actually show for you. It might be worth having that conversation, as they obviously saw something they liked in your work in the beginning.