Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will you find an artist a gallery?
No, that is not what I do. I may be able to point an artist in the direction of galleries that have similar aesthetics to your work, but that would only come after some hard work on the artist’s part. My job is to make sure that the artist’s presentation materials are the best they can be and then to help them do the research into suitable galleries and venues. I do not recommend artists to galleries or make introductions, unless I’m asked to do so by the gallery.
2. Why is it so hard to do all this marketing stuff for myself?
I can’t say definitively, but I know it’s pretty universal for most artists to struggle with it. First, we do the artwork, which takes discipline and an emotional, intellectual and spiritual investment. It’s difficult to then muster the resources to market and promote your work too. It can be exhausting, emotionally charged and discouraging for artists to pursue career opportunities without information, support and focus. This is where I can be of tremendous help.
3. What if I live far away from you?
Most of my consulting work is via mail and email. After all, before most galleries will look at your work in person you will need to send them a slide packet. Most of our efforts will be spent perfecting this packet – i.e. slide quality, slide order, resume, statement and the suitability of the venue to your work. Once we have worked together and gotten that far, you might consider taking a trip to Chesterton, Indiana where I offer the two day workshop Artists on the Verge (of Success). In this workshop you will be required to bring lots of work where we will discuss the presentation and hold mock gallery interviews.
4. Why do I need an artist’s statement?
Artists are sometimes resistant to writing statements because they feel their visual work needs no words. However, in most occupations, people at advanced levels of their career are asked to articulate their intent, motivations and process. The refusal to write about one’s work may signal a naiveté about the art world. Creativity is a visual, analytical and spiritual undertaking and in the larger art market you will be expected and required to talk intelligently about your work.
A good artist’s statement assists your audience in understanding your work and will always add something for the viewer.
I help artists to get the process flowing and then to distill the important information into a concise statement that feels right for the artist.
5. Should I take my own photographs?
Generally speaking – NO! However, about 10% of the artists I have worked with do a very good job of it. The only way I can judge the quality of your slides is by looking at them in a projector.
6. How can I find a good photographer?
If you live in the Chicago area I have names of a few people that I recommend. You should ALWAYS insist on seeing slides of artwork the photographer has shot before hiring them. That is the only way I have come to recommend someone. If you live in a small town where there are not a lot of photographers, I suggest calling the nearest small museum and asking the gallery staff who they use to photograph the permanent collection and exhibitions.