38 How to contact an art gallery?

Maybe you're starting an art business and thinking about contacting an art gallery to show your work. It can be quite difficult to get your art into a gallery. I entered several art galleries in the past and in this video I tell you how it worked out and I will give some advice. I hope it's helpful!
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[@lilliann3705]

This was such wonderful insight regarding contacting galleries-yes, it has been difficult in my experience. I only wish I could afford one of your paintings. Your work inspires me.

[@paintingsofwaves_mikewoning]

Holy smokes, this advise is GOLD! Dank je wel man, dit is echt goed advies waar ik wat mee kan (of eigenlijk mee kan gaan doen). Have recently made the decision to want to try and take my art seriously. Feels strange, unreal and to be honest, a little arrogant to say this aloud. But... I want it. Mostly because I just want to paint more. There are so many ideas in my head but I just don't have the time... anyway, great advise coming at the right time. Synchronicity? I don't know and don't really care; I'm having some of it. PS I recognized this gallery straight away... awesome gallery. I spoke to the owner (David) a while back, who encouraged me to share my work some time. I still feel like I need to get better before I share... still though, nice how a video like this gets me energized to reach out. THANKS!

[@Bobbziee]

you articulate your message so well

[@avialbersbenchamo4797]

Honesty I was looking for you, thank you!

[@jeffreyroberts7438]

Fine art has always been a difficult road to follow. I did an Hons degree in fine art but ended up having a career in advertising as an illustrator. Always remember art opinion is subjective not objective, so never get depressed if work isn’t accepted! Everyone needs that bit of luck to succeed, a break from someone, and then you are off and running! I’m now retired, so I’m finally able to go back to my fine art roots and paint the things I want too, I will also start a web page to potentially sell some work, we’ll see! Your work looks beautiful! Good luck.

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Fine arts is not a profession, it’s a hobby. To have art as a profession, meaning living fully from selling original fine artworks, is practically impossible. Titus is a fine artist, but even he is unable to just earn with art… he’s hustling here on KZbin and selling his book too, because he’s got a family to feed. Art is no longer a real profession, there’s way too much competition and zero demand (people are broke and obviously don’t buy art). Art teching is a profession, but doesn’t require any degrees (but you earn minimum wage). Illustration or graphic design are better professions. I’m hoping you can add extra income from fine arts, but those chances are very slim.

[@SingYourselfWell]

Thank you, Titus, this is great and very helpful.

[@silvahovhannesian4762]

I love your style in everything! Thank you!

[@michaelmcewan432]

Thanks for the great information and all your work is fantastic

[@tombungard170]

Hey Titus, I wanted to tell you that your way of giving insights and your calm and clear type of videos feel very nice and caressing to me. Thank you

[@zoyadonovska9233]

Получих отговори на въпроси, които смятах, че само аз си задавам. Понякога откриваме пътя по трудния начин. А друг път сме вървели по съседната пряка, докато търсеното решение не ни намери само. Но ако мислим, че това е нашето, пред трудности и неразбиране, не бива да отпускаме ръце. Често най-тъмно е на зазоряване. Благодаря, че сподели своя опит❤

[@ninner196]

Hang in there!😊

[@jeffreyschlotter2518]

Excellent video. It’s nice that you were able to film in the galleries.

[@meredith7236]

Beautiful work at the gallery

[@iranewhitehouse3953]

Titus. You are so much much better than you think you are, your work is wonderful!!! I am addicted to your work.

[@sandradonofrio413]

Beautifully done. I am relieved that I don’t care anymore. I paint for myself only these days. Easy explanation for this: I am old and disabled. Art is my joy; however much is accomplished matters little in the broader context of my life. I do art as I am able. Please keep your hand away from your face. ❤

[@saraht4973]

A terrific message. Amazing advice. You have the way of communicating. Thank you

[@2209009pm]

Loved it Titus, thank you for posting these videos, I look forward to seeing them every week.

[@marildetesilva1410]

I Loved the tutor at the Gallery , it's an incredible place , your incomparable art brings New inspiration and expectations of kindness and knowledge that your brushstrokes alone instill passion for what you do ! --- thanksyou ☺️ ---- Titus Meeuws painter🖼️👏👏👏👏🎨🖌️🙌🙏

[@marildetesilva1410]

,👍

[@ninner196]

So well stated Titus. I have felt embarrassed because I had to step out of a commitment that involved full media coverage and displaying for a month at a gallery because of my health. I wasn’t overly excited about the venue just due to the set up and how one walks through it plus leaving my paintings in an unlocked walk through building besides their commission on my work was ridiculous. But there are really great galleries that do care and I have been thankful for their patience. I have stepped back for a year and working for next year. Our community Art involvement is pretty strong and quite honestly not too many that work really well in wc and oils. So I have a year to stock up and get ready. Your answer was so spot on.😊

[@gary5737]

E=MC2. Art is emotional. Emotion is personal and fluid. Emotion is relative. Your sense of humiliation, Titus, is relative to others'. Your art is a projection of your unique humanity . . . love it. Thank you for being you and for the nature of your expression.

[@TitusMeeuws]

Thank you so much, that's lovely

[@drakeart1]

Great video...thanks!

[@philipdawson7132]

Loved the story, really funny, and a image of how life is sometimes. I look forward to seeing your videos each week.

[@billmccaffrey1977]

I know what you are saying all too well. I few years back I explored doing custom furniture on a serious scale. I had sold a few dozen custom pieces including complete dining rooms. There always seemed to be several customers wanting my work, but only a few understood the cost of designing and building one off designs. I had a line I wanted to commercializes o I checked into doing this. It was over whelming in that to show your work you had to enter shows, which meant you had to be accepted into the show and every show wanted unique works. The only other answer was to create and staff your own showroom and hope that the people would come. I can only imagine how hard it is for you as an artist to build a reputation with Galleries and then support them with unique works. I think most people don't stop to think about how hard it is to build a reputation and have the right opportunities to show your work. To me this was always to hard part and the most work. Creating a piece was easy and fun. I wish you the best success and a long and happy journey.

[@rosinelenoane779]

Very intersting advices ! Thank you so much, Titus :)

[@BokuPower]

I like this channel, and I like your advice on galleries. Thank you!

[@orlywachtel]

Good Luck with the new gallery 😊

[@ethankaufmanmusic8644]

I love the new house portrait! I love the composition, the close-up view of the house with bold simple shapes and an intimate feeling. also the wonderful play of warms and cools, blue tones against the warm browns! beautiful!! The gallery advice was very helpful too. I think it's a great idea to connect with another artist and to think about showing together as well as having them introduce you.... :))

[@johnburman966]

I paint and draw, have done all my life. My battle is only with myself to do my best work, not to please the market. I have sold a few paintings but would like to meet a gallery owner without a dismissive attitude....have had a few depressing encounters... yet I know people like my art when I sold in markets. Thanks for this well thought video.

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Getting into a gallery is way harder than promoting yourself! Start posting on social media regularly and spread your unique ideas. You can find your own customers and sell to them directly, without bending down to any nasty gallery owners with their pretentious attitudes. No need to have our sensitive self-confidence shattered. We can create our own success! Even Titus is hustling here on KZbin, so can you.

[@fmj9346]

Thank you. Very much appreciate your insight and experience. I am re kickstarting my art career again, not in oils as I became allergic to it. I have been working hard on watercolours over two years and now feel ready to go. It has been wonderful and difficult. Going to galleries is always difficult and very anxious making. I hope it goes well for me and for my fellow artists. Best of luck. Xxxx

[@ArmesArt]

Totally bemusing maar gezellig

[@eduardosuarez4239]

Todos tus trabajos pictóricos son muy apreciados.... felicidades gran maestro....🇲🇽🇲🇽....

[@nickrodis6862]

Thank you

[@marlan6431]

Some of the artists in US are now attaching the paintings to thin board and varnishing. I think they feel it allows them to compete better with oils because then you don’t need glass. Have you thought about that? Just curious. Your work is wonderful!

[@ninner196]

❤ I have done that because I no longer have the space or health to work in a fourth medium. I do it in an archival manner using wood panels and having the proper barrier between the wood and the painting is important. I treat the wood first even sealing it. Then I use thicker gesso to affix the wc painting. I will say that it is better to use heavier 100% cotton than the thinner because the wetness of the gesso can come through but if one isn’t able to afford to do so then just apply one application and let it dry then on the second one affix the painting. I use matte spray varnish no gloss but I suppose that one could mix it with satin, I have done both. I then apply Dorland’s soft wax and buff it out and frame it as one would an oil painting. Using varnish that has a way of being removed for archival purposes is important so they don’t yellow. Yes the best thing is to see wc without the glare and I have had success with that because it’s lifetime matches that of the oil painting. Again of course it depends on how innovative the gallery owner would like to be. Assuring that every precaution has been taken in preservation helps. I have done mixed media with wc and professional lightfast colored pencils blending with odorless mineral spirits. Both media mingle and allow for the inability to distinguish where one ends and the other begins. I also do the same with pastels but again being very careful to maintain it like “babies to be adopted.” I think people are curious to see the process too so even leaving work partially undone but very sketched, not like I would normally sketch for a wc but done professionally and suggesting color, shadow and depth but leaving it undone has great appeal even for hung Art. Every gallery is different and don’t take a no like your work is not of value. Beautiful question. I don’t know how it works where Titus lives.😊

[@natv6294]

Hey, I’m new to your channel and found your videos very helpful and informative. I really like your background, would you mind giving a studio tour? I always like watching these and get inspired. Thank you so much for creating content anyways! Really like the channel,

[@StudioTerrafemina]

✨👍✨ Yes Helpfull ✨✨✨

[@JohnWolffPortraits]

Everything you said strikes a chord! Whether one is seeking a new gallery or a new job, putting oneself out there can be humiliating…depending of course on the nature of the contact. Over here in the US we call it ‘cold contacting’. Fotunately I don’t need to deal with a gallery since I am retired and only do portraits anyway. I was wondering if galleries in the Neatherlands have a similar pricing agreement as here in the US….40-60%, usually 50% to the gallery owner. Also, does the gallery owner have any rigid rules about his geographic selling area? Very often they place restrictions on that and worry about selling competition…

[@TitusMeeuws]

Hi John, thanks. Yes, the pricing agreement is the same here, 40% en some take 50%. The rules about selling areas are similar as well, but this depends on the gallery. For myself I always watch out with this so the gallery and me can remain friends.

[@aeastman59]

AI may change so much about our artwork protection - my friend was looking on the internet and she found AI copies of her paintings being sold on a site without her permission.... so putting images online may become risky in some ways now and in the future...

[@mister_66]

I can't work so much, and I envy you

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Why can’t you?

[@AI-xs4fp]

My orphan children need a home. ☺

[@Artstudiovaneijk]

Galleries..tja, ze nemen teveel commissie 30,40% over een schilderij wat 3000 kost, dat is werken voor de kat zijn k. Persoonlijk doe ik geen galleries meer, een grote afknapper, en dan de attitude van die gasten die een galerie runnen, tja of dat je geld oplevert als kunstenaar ? Verkoop al 30 jaar mijn eigen werk , zonder galerie.

[@MohamedzakymohamedIlsisi-vx1wt]

الغباء وحش يارب نفهم

[@leststoner]

don't, learn to sell your own work.

[@michael4250]

Someone who can't get into a gallery telling you how to get into a gallery.

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

He is definitely in galleries, dear jealous troll!