Galleries

Today I got a very long email from a young artist trying to establish herself. She is asking questions about what to paint, how to paint it, who to send it to, how to get noticed....

First of all, I am happy to help when I can, but I have to do the same thing you know- send out new images to see what galleries are interested. I write up a letter to basically pimp my art and promote it. All artists must do it: painters, musicians, writers, etc.

Here's my advice: Rule one: Believe in your art. Rule Two: if a gallery doesn't see the value in your art, then it doesn't belong in that gallery. You want a gallery to believe in your art as well. I don't want my art hanging in a gallery in which I am their lowest priority. Rule Three: Gallery owners are not the alpha and omega. Some of them merely have money and a hobby and don't know anything about art. Some of them don't like anything that has happened in art since Monet. Many of them would prefer a Bob Ross painting over a Pollock (I'm not trying to be funny, by the way). On the other hand, some of them have a vision- find those gallery owners. Kudos to Nicole at Boxheart Gallery. She always exhibits meaningful art and doesn't judge art based on how good it will look in a dentist's office!

Make sure you are creating the best work you are capable of creating. Make sure you are creating art with an impact, that can communicate. Just understand that everyone has different tastes and not everyone will like your art. Find the galleries that are best suited for your art and style. Don't be crushed when a gallery director rejects you. If the gallery sells paintings of ducks, sunsets and clowns- do you really want to be associated with them?? Find the galleries that show similar work to your own.

Believe in yourself and create meaningful art. Once you have done that, then consider how you want to exhibit it. Don't try to convince a gallery that normally exhibits living room art that your ground breaking installation belongs in their space. Know thyself.

Good luck to all.