Once you decide on a gallery, first call or e-mail to see if they are looking for new artists.  If the answer is yes and you can drive to that gallery, here is a list of what you need before you make that appointment to show them your work.

 

New originals (3-5)

A resume or artist statement

Your own consignment contract

extra copies of articals or other newspaper clippings on your art

 

Going prepared like a business person is a great idea. Make sure your art is presented in the best condition...no beat up frames etc. dusted and good wires. NEW originals are always the best idea. Put your best foot forward. While there at the appointment keep the topic of conversation about your art, not your personal life.

 

#1 Most local galleries don't think about consignment contracts, but they should and you definatly should. This simple piece of paper can get your paintings out of a gallery who has gone out of business or shut down by creditors.

 

It should list the name of the gallery, the title, retail price. Your NAME saying you are the owner and you are placing it on consigment with -------gallery & address. It should also say what % the gallery commision is. (you can write this # in by hand if you have not asked for this information on the phone). And any other points, such as who pays shipping of new work (which is always the artist) and who pays shipping to return a painting or ship to a buyer (that should be the gallery). Also how long of a lay away you will accept. And I like a payment statement, that I will be paid 30 days after a sale.

 

You need two copies, one for the gallery to sign and keep one for yourself IN a SAFE place. This piece of paper can protect your art from being sold against a galleries debt, or to show a court that you own them. It's a serious thing.

 

#2 An artists statement or resume, if your just starting your resume may be a tiny bit thin. So do a artists statement, on what your trying to express in your art, or if you are known for a certain style or technique. This artist statement gives the gallery something to Tell the collector who has just fallen in love with your painting. If you have a nice resume then give the gallery BOTH. Nothing wrong with tooting your own horn.

 

Getting paid, it should be a simple thing, but if you don't keep track of your inventory and what is in the gallery, a sale can go unreported to you for Months. So CALL them, have a chat, offer to exchange out work to freshen your inventory...amazing how that phone call reveils that they forgot to tell you about it selling ...or IT JUST SOLD!!

 

Don't be shy, call to just chat see what kind of interest there has been in your art, to get feed back, just checking so you can get a feel if all is well. Artists get taken advantage of when they don't keep track of their galleries.

 

Galleries who have been in business a long time are some of the best, they know how to sell to keep their doors open and have loyal artists.