Bunch of Fine Art and Gallery Questions...

[daestwen]

Hey guys,

This isn't really a question for me, but a question on behalf of my father. He's been painting for around 12 years now, as a hobby for himself (he's retired). He's been in a couple local galleries, but is a really shy guy and doesn't put himself forward much.

Now, he's got over a hundred paintings. They're pretty well in the fine art range, but he's not really contemporary to a lot of the stuff I've seen - he mostly experiments with colour and light doing landscapes. Most of them are huge.

I really like the stuff, but I might be biased! However, since he's so shy it falls to me to really pull him into selling some of this stuff, or at least finding out if there's a market for it, etc.

So, a few questions.

1.) I'm not in the fine art scene at all, so what's the best way to look for galleries / shows / etc in my area? (Toronto, Ont, Canada)

2.) The paintings are way too big to show around, so should i put the effort in to make a full catalog of the paintings? Or just a few, and then offer to show the rest later?

3.) Taking pictures of these paintings - any recomendations? They are painted specifically to look different in different lighting conditions, so I'm having a lot of difficulty with it. Straight-on light doesn't really show the paintings off very well.

4.) Print making? I know absolutely nothing about making prints, especially not of such large-scale paintings. Anyone have recommendations for info / books / tutorials / etc?

5.) Artist representation - is it worth looking for an agent for him, or is it a cost that isn't really worth the benefit when I can learn to do it for him myself?


I have more questions but I can't think of them now. If you have anything that you think might be valuable to me, including links to other threads here, that would be awesome and most appreciated!

Thanks in advance, guys!

[RyerOrdStar]

Well, I know there's a TON of galleries at Yorkville. You might start there.

[EightArms]

Take slides, in whatever light they look right in (though they'd better look alright in everyday light, since that's what collectors have LOL )

Galleries take 40-60%, so keep that in mind when you're talking to them.

[daestwen]

RyerOrdStar: Yeah, and that's pretty close to my dad's place too, so I'll go have a look.

Take slides, in whatever light they look right in (though they'd better look alright in everyday light, since that's what collectors have LOL )

They look best in sunlight, whether direct or indirect, and I'm pretty sure most people have that. :] It's the flash/direct bright white artificial light that doesn't really show them off as well as possible. How do you make slides? Just photographs and have them developed as slides somewhere, or do you need special camera settings, etc?

Galleries take 40-60%, so keep that in mind when you're talking to them.

Yeeee, that's quite a percentage! I'm open to other ideas, too, just not really sure how one would sell fine art except through galleries?

[RyerOrdStar]

You could try the outdoor art show in the summer at Nathan Phillip's square. You do have to pay an entry fee though. But they get lots of traffic and it's mostly fine art stuff that they sell there. You could also try making prints of the art and going to various places around the city to offer them to stores. Like Pages, maybe.

[dbclemons]

Many large cities have special days where several galleries are open late to showcase their artists. Check the art section of local free papers (doesn't Toronto have one called "Now"?) to see a list of galleries or events. It's good to know how these galleries advertise in the area and what their press presence is beforehand. Tour a few of them to see which have artists that show work of a similar type and a proper space. Most galleries these days also have websites which makes that easier. Very few of them accept "walk-ins" so it's best to make an appointment first if you want to show a portfolio in person. Their website should hopefully say whether they are accepting new artists and what their policy is. Some won't meet with artists who haven't already established themselves. They may also have email links that allow you to send a request to show samples to them and always follow up. Most galleries also have exclusive clauses in their contract that limits the artist to work only with them within a specific city or region. Be sure and ask details of them to understand all they will do for you (or him.)

[arttorney]

If he can find two or three like minded artists whose work fits OK with his, and they have adequate resources among them of time and money, they could organize as a cooperative and get a space they share to show off their stuff. I make big landscapes but I am geographically remote from Toronto so I can only help with info. It's tough for everybody right now, but there is some money that gets spent on that kind of art. Look at Stephen Hannock.

The artists in the co-op would need to spell one another doing gallery sitting duty to avoid having to pay anybody. Paying for the space itself would be plenty of a burden for them. If you are a go-getter, you can help out with things like getting that gallery listed in the itinerary of whatever local monthly artwalk there is. If they are in an arty neighborhood that has an artwalk Friday every month, and they are open at that time, and listed as one of the destinations then they'll get some traffic.

If your father is not outgoing then it will help if you can be there in those little receptions because the moment of opportunity is when you see a patron pause in front of a painting and study it for a while. A shy guy will watch from a distance. You, on the other hand, could make chit chat "Do you like this painting? Would you like to meet the artist? He's right over there." etc. etc. and grease the wheels of progress.

Admittedly some people will say straight out something like "It's an OK painting but I'm just looking." but lots of others would be happy to talk to him about that painting, or paintings in general, or paintings they would like to see, etc. Maybe he actually has that other painting but it's just not on the wall today. Maybe he would be willing to paint that painting in exchange for money. If he has an online gallery it is easier for him to show that painting if it comes under discussion but is not physically present that day.

There are some regulatory issues probably including a business license from the city government and a "Resale Number" or whatever the higher level government calls the thing that simultaneously allows him to avoid paying sales tax on his parts but obligates him to pay sales tax to the government on whatever paintings he sells. (Naturally, if he sells a painting he factors that sales tax into his price).

[Samuel Gray]

If he is good, and sociable, then he could have jump start with his success in many galleries. I have been trying to go around many galleries where I live to see what is selling and what type of people are running them etc.

One guy that was running a place was telling me that even though you might be good, they want to have artwork that "fits in" their gallery. He also told me that if they don't think it will sell then they won't show it. Also, galleries tend to look towards people they can depend upon. For example someone who has sold many pieces and have been shown before or have some type of documents to show they are a badass then they will pick you over the more talented rookie. Galleries are looking out for themselves not you. They just want to use you so you just have to find a way to get your name bumped up a few font sizes and bolded for many of them to care enough. You have to be professional obviously about what you do so if your artwork is not clean and professional looking then they will try to avoid you.(sometimes) An example would be if you make your own canvases make sure you don't have use staple sticking out everywhere. I hope some of this helps

[DavePalumbo]

responses in random order:

Photos - Dan Dos Santos did a tut some time ago for his painting Moon Called which includes tips on photographing artwork (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/DSillustration/HOW%20TO/STEP15.jpg). I also recommend using an slr with a good lens and printing 8x10s for this. Practically no gallery in the world is going to load up a slide projector, if they even have a slide projector, anymore, so slides are like showing them transparent postage stamps.

there's a terrific book called How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist (http://www.amazon.com/How-Survive-Prosper-Artist-Yourself/dp/0805088482/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240432788&sr=8-1) that addresses questions about finding galleries, artist reps, contracts and standard practices, etc. It's a really good read for anyone interested in the fine art business.

and yeah, 40-60% is typical. It's alot, but it's not for nothing. Particularly for an artist who's shy and doesn't put himself forward much, it's the galleries job to not only showcase your work, but also promote you to the buyers who they've amassed over the years and to handle all the business transactions.

One guy that was running a place was telling me that even though you might be good, they want to have artwork that "fits in" their gallery. He also told me that if they don't think it will sell then they won't show it.

this only makes sense from a business standpoint. Unless it's a non-profit art space, they need to cover their end and run their business like a business.

Also, galleries tend to look towards people they can depend upon. For example someone who has sold many pieces and have been shown before or have some type of documents to show they are a badass then they will pick you over the more talented rookie.

There are many galleries which specialize in emerging and early career artists, and this is a specific market of buyers as well. Somebody with no sales history will likely do best with this type of gallery, though they're still not limited to it.

Galleries are looking out for themselves not you. They just want to use you so you just have to find a way to get your name bumped up a few font sizes and bolded for many of them to care enough.

I know there are some galleries and art dealers out there who aren't the nicest or most trustworthy people in the world, but I personally argue this position. The owners of the gallery I show with absolutely care about their artists, as do a number of other gallery owners I've met but not actually worked with over the years. They're human beings, not money sucking demons, and they want the people they represent to do well and establish long and fruitful careers. If nothing else, it benefits them for their artists to succeed (they work on commission after all) and to be happy with them (so they will continue to do business there). Beyond those reasons though, mostly my experience has been that your relationship with your gallery can and should be a positive and healthy one.

Sorry Sam, just had to argue all your points :P

[arttorney]

Other questions that didn't get answered yet:

It is pretty hard to get agent representation without some kind of track record. I kind of dodged this one because the co-op idea is essentially about self-representation, with your help. (this dodges the 40-60% commission issue too, because it may get handled in another way, but the co-op would have to get its money from somewhere, somehow).

Prints- Does he paint a lot of impasto or have a relatively smooth surface? Impasto painting will affect the imaging process, possibly, and the resulting print will just have a flat surface anyway. "Giclee" ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gicl%C3%A9e ) is a painting-to-print process that is kind of like a very sophisticated ink jet situation. It's not going to reproduce surface texture if he is into that style. Selling giclees is a way to access a lower price point than he could charge for the original and thereby make a sale of some sort. Making huge giclees is probably very expensive, but I'm pretty sure there is a way to make reduced size prints. I'm assuming you meant making prints for sale of existing paintings and so I omit discussion of the relative merits of stencils, serigraph, or litho, etc.

[Samuel Gray]

Thanks for pointing that out Dave. All of your points I agree with. I just forgot to mention that the gallery I went to was only one circumstance of many. They also take 40% of your earnings from a sale. So I don't know if that has the same varied percentage as other places.

[Samuel Gray]

Sorry for the double post but I found a the Google book version of that book How to survive and prosper as an artist for a free read.

http://books.google.com/books?id=izyIAGWhhugC&pg=PA64&lpg=PA64&dq=how+to+survive+and+prosper+as+an+artist+ebook&source=bl&ots=ZNol2V2vrg&sig=FmAAq7-7rLN3FBOnGSvF6nI-6S8&hl=en&ei=6N_vSduWKJLyMu2bwIoL&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3#PPP1,M1

[Wooly ESS]

Your Dad's a lucky dude!

I'm sorry I can't be of more help.

[daestwen]

Thanks guys, I'm really busy right now but i do appreciate all the responses - I'll reply to them more in detail after work!

[Qitsune]

You could try the outdoor art show in the summer at Nathan Phillip's square. You do have to pay an entry fee though...
Sounds like a great idea, I was looking into the Festival des arts du Village in Montreal too (I met some TO artists there as well!) And it sounds like a good low risk way to get started. Sure you have to pay a set up fee, but then they don't take a % of the sales. Additionally, you can sell art based merchandise (cards, prints and magnets with reproduction of arts on them are common) so the walk ins from the street can buy cheaper art and you can still score some sales of originals, especially if there are smaller cheaper ones in the lot.
Info is here (http://www.festivaldesarts.org/accueil_eng.htm) so if the Nathan Phillip's square one is anything like that, it sounds like a great occasion. They also have the advantage of being a short term effort and giving you exposure.


Photos - Dan Dos Santos did a tut some time ago for his painting Moon Called

I had a lot of success using those tips, if you can't afford two floodlights, I find taking pics outdoors in the shade during a sunny day works great, or during a slightly overcast day. Make sure you calibrate your white balance.


there's a terrific book called How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist (http://www.amazon.com/How-Survive-Prosper-Artist-Yourself/dp/0805088482/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240432788&sr=8-1) that addresses questions about finding galleries, artist reps, contracts and standard practices, etc. It's a really good read for anyone interested in the fine art business.

I love this book, makes you realise that selling art is more complex than just hanging pictures with a price tag and waiting for the money to pour in.

[alesoun]

In this area next weekend there's what's called "Open Studios Weekend". It's an annual event where some 40 or so artists open their studios to the public and show their work; be it painting, sculpture, pottery, jewellery-making or whatever.

Is there anything like that in your area? It might be a start....

[RyerOrdStar]

That event was a couple months ago here. One of my teachers took part. http://gillianiles.com/index.html