Why gallery representation isn't for me - yet.

Many up and coming artists seem to think a key goal is to get their artwork into a gallery. I don't! There are good reasons for wanting to get into a gallery but there are also good reasons not to. Here I explain why it's not for me, despite being offered the opportunity and why it's good for you that I don't.

Gallery exhibition? Maybe one day.

Having made a success of advertising and promoting my artwork over the last year you'd think it would be a good time to get into a gallery. Surely it's time to get my paintings sold from a smart and sophisticated gallery setting. And what about all those potential new customers? Well, not so fast!

I was recently approached by a gallery to ask if I'd be interested in them representing my work. This sounded both exciting and flattering. I'd finally become a real grown up artist! But then I did some research…

First of all galleries, at least good ones, don't typically approach artists. It is more usual for an artist to approach a gallery and have to sell themselves. So that was the first red flag.

High sales commissions equals higher prices

Then I discover that they take 51% of the sales! This would have the knock on effect of pushing my prices up by at least double just so I could make the same money. This would also increase all of my prices thus making a lot of my paintings unaffordable to those who have previously bought from me.

Restrictions imposed - no personal sales

Another issue I had was that the gallery insisted that only they could sell my works. I wouldn't be permitted to sell from my own website or other outlets. I would be allowed to show and advertise my work though.

Free giveaways banned

Another restriction was that I wouldn't be allowed to give any paintings away for free or leave any in cities to be found by lucky recipients. I get a great deal of enjoyment out of doing this and found this restriction a step too far.

But there are positives to galleries

Okay, galleries can't be all bad, and they're not. My experience is based on one instance and probably not very representative of the wider industry. Galleries can put your work in front of a wider, interested audience. The presentation and setting for your work is more professional. A gallery may be able to advise on trends and help you develop your works to march potential customer needs.

But getting into a gallery doesn't mean relaxing

Of course, it might seem simple. Put your work into a gallery and let them do all the hard work for you. After all, you're paying half of your sales to them do you don't need to do anything, right? Wrong! You still have to self-promote and still have to engage with potential customers whilst still doing what you should be doing - painting. I'm only touching on this subject very lightly but gallery representation doesn't mean zero effort on your part.

So would I ever use a gallery?

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss galleries. At the current time they're not for me. Equally, I may not be for them right now. They do have their place though and reputable galleries may well be able to open up opportunities that I couldn't reach without help. However, for now, I'll keep to personally advertising and promoting my work. It's working.