The Truth About How To Land A Gallery
The first gallery that invited me in as a painter was on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, the big gallery row there. Because it was my first, I wanted to be there to deliver the paintings in person, and I can remember feeling really insecure. I told the gallery owner, "This is so unusual. I'm confident in everything I do. I've met CEOs of big companies, celebrities, and world leaders, and I wasn't nervous then. But today I feel totally exposed and insecure." Frankly, it was very unlike me, which made me even more uncomfortable.
My mind was playing tricks on me:
Why would they want my work?
Maybe they don't know what they're doing by putting me in their lineup?
Maybe they're just sucking up because I own an art magazine?
Maybe they're taking pity on me and will hang my stuff, knowing it won't sell?
"Hello, Um, That's Me. I'm The Artist!"
The gallery put my work up right away, and I decided to hang around for a while. Moments later, a couple came in, walked around the gallery, and landed on a waterfall painting I had done. They lingered, talking about how much they loved it and what it reminded them of. Though I was tempted to wave my hands and jump up and down and say, "I did it! Me, yeah, me, I'm the artist, wanna own it?" I stayed quietly out of the way until the gallery owner engaged the couple about the painting, then said, "The artist just happens to be here today."
I got my strokes, the couple left saying they wanted to buy it but were not sure if they wanted to spend that much money on it, and said they would probably return, but they never did.
I wasn't devastated that they didn't buy. I had passed the test. Someone walked in and liked my painting. That was all I needed to increase my confidence. I felt like Sally Field when she received her Oscar: "They like me. They really, really like me."
Sage Advice From An Artist
Since then I've sold many paintings, and the insecurity has pretty much disappeared, thanks in part to artist Michael Ringer. Michael visited our lake place in the Adirondacks one summer, and after I showed him my work, he said, "Eric, as a friend, let me tell you that you are your own worst enemy. All you did the whole time I looked at your paintings was apologize for them. You need to understand that they are good, but more importantly, you need to know that your attitude is impacting your performance. Stop apologizing. Every one of us went through the stages you're going through. It's part of developing as a painter. Quit apologizing and start believing in yourself."
I took his advice.
The Reality You Don't Want To Hear
If you're not in a gallery, I know the dream you live, and I know how frustrating it is to be rejected. At the Oil Painters of America conference last weekend, a panel of three very well meaning gallery owners told the crowd respectfully that the odds of getting in their galleries was slim. One owner said he receives 250 submissions every single month. After the session, one of the artists in the room approached me and said, "What a downer. I guess I won't be getting into a gallery anytime soon."
Studying The Gallery Acquisition Process
For two years I've been studying the process of how to get into a gallery. It started because every artist I talked to was asking me if I could help them get into galleries, and because gallery owners were complaining about all the submissions they were getting that they ended up discarding because they didn't have time to look at them.
Though you'd think galleries would want to see what is out there -- and they do want to -- the task is simply overwhelming. They have to be prudent, or all their time would be spent looking at artists instead of chasing down buyers.
The Danger Of Being Too Aggressive
Ever hear the expression "The squeaky wheel gets the
grease"? It's true, but you not only have to be squeaky, you have to do
it without being annoying, and without damaging your reputation by
being overly aggressive.
The principles I laid out in a recent
marketing letter about the importance of continual
visibility also apply to gallery owners. If they
keep seeing your work, keep hearing your name, and see buzz about you,
it could elevate their interest in your artwork. But sending them
multiple e-mails, making multiple calls, and sending multiple portfolios
is annoying and could get you blacklisted in their minds. The trick is
achieving visibility without being targeting galleries individually.
"It Sounds Impossible, Eric!"
So if this is the case, what can you do as an artist to build your brand in the eyes of art dealers? There is no easy answer, honestly, because there are many levels of dealers, many different kinds of art represented, seasonal businesses, and different times when different galleries may be looking for artists. Even if your strategy was to barrage every gallery in America with your portfolio, one time or multiple times, it would be cost-prohibitive, and in most cases your portfolio probably wouldn't be opened or kept.
Therefore the solution is a strategy of continual visibility. Keep your name in front of art dealers by advertising in the places they're advertising (though you could be perceived as a competitor), keep your name in the press constantly by winning competitions, and find ways to brand yourself continuously.
What If The Odds Are Against You?
Yes, you might get lucky and get discovered. But getting into a gallery is somewhat like landing a part in a major motion picture. There are a few thousand galleries (and fewer in your style, your quality, your subject matter) and tens of thousands of artists. (There are over 40,000 reading this e-mail as we speak.) The odds are against you.
The only way to beat the odds is to get lucky, be introduced by a friend, or stay visible continuously so when a dealer is in the market for someone new, they don't say, "Who was that artist I saw?" but, "Let's call YOUR NAME." You need to brand yourself just like a product is branded, with continual repetition. And the benefit is not only gallery visibility, but visibility with collectors, which will increase demand.
Achieving The Impossible
When someone tells me something cannot be done, I'll work hard to prove them wrong. I love a challenge. Though the challenge of landing a gallery is daunting, you can do it if you stay visible constantly. Make it your mantra. Frequent exposure sells products, and it can do the same for you.
Winston Churchill said it best:
Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never -- in nothing, great or small, large or petty -- never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
Respectfully,
Eric Rhoads
Read
my Art Marketing Blog
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
PS: My discussions with galleries and artists led me to invent a new tool to help artists get galleries and to give galleries a place to look when they're in the market. We feature your artwork and put it in the hands of over 15,000 galleries (6,500 via a printed magazine and the balance via an electronic magazine). As a result, we have helped many artists get their first gallery or additional galleries.
The artists who stay visible see increases in calls with every issue because they know galleries are "keeping an eye on them" and because they know every gallery is in the market for new artists at different times. They are building their brand with Artist Advocate Magazine. If you want to be in the summer issue, which is coming out in a few weeks, now is the time to book. Our staff will create your ad for you and walk you through the simple process. If interested, hit reply and say, "Eric, have someone call me."
Or contact one of these people:
Kathleen Lawrence-Davis
kathleen@
530-934-3687
Lisa Freedman
lisa@artistadvocatemagazine.
914-907-9842
PS2: In the last issue, I explored your interest in art marketing seminars, and the response was strong. One person who contacted me asked me to fly to Washington, DC, in the fall for a one-day version of my two-day seminar. If you wish to be notified, please reply with "DC SEMINAR" in the subject. I'll save the e-mails and let you know if and when we do it. We would like to get 500 people. (You're under no obligation if you reply.)
We will also be planning a seminar in Austin, TX, so if you didn't respond earlier, reply with "AUSTIN SEMINAR" in the subject. The Austin seminar will be two or two and a half days and more in-depth, with a small group, and more personal coaching.
PS3: I just learned a very famous artist will be going with us on our Russian Art Cruise. He has asked me not to announce his name until next week. We have only four cabins left. If you know someone who wants to go, send them to: www.RussianArtCruise.com
great article!
I remember my first show.. solo in a local gallery, I woke up in a cold sweat a week before thinking 'WHAT AM I DOING?'
Since then I have exhibited in this small gallery three times and have another show next year building up a small following bit by bit. It takes time and constantly chipping away at the corners. I am learning the craft (reluctantly) of selling as well as making art.
I will definitely save this link for your magazine adds.
Posted by: cliodhna | May 11, 2010 at 11:57 AM
This is an excellent observation however the idea of selling online and taking control, though valuable, means the artist needs to increase their marketing efforts and time sent on marketing. The value of a gallery is leverage..they sell when you are not able to, they can allow you to paint ...assuming they are successful. The best alternative for an artist is to take control and do it themselves however it is a slower road, requires more effort, and requires more time away from the easel.
Posted by: Eric Rhoads | May 11, 2010 at 08:44 AM
Getting into a gallery is no longer crucial to an artist's career. There are many alternatives to selling original works. Online sales is very effective, and the artist gets to keep 100%. Another option is to rent a space for a month and give your own show. We've done that quite a few times and it's been very successful. I would suggest to any artist feeling defeated by the difficulty of getting into a gallery: Take control of your art sales and do it yourself! You can do it!
Posted by: Maria Brophy | May 11, 2010 at 01:06 AM
Thanks for the great article.
I first saw your Artist Advocate magazine at a B&B in San Miguel De Allende where I was staying. It was fascinating.
Posted by: Marian Fortunati | May 10, 2010 at 11:05 PM