This is Lori... I'm just figuring out how comments will show up in my bookmarks of this blog.

BTW: I'm thinking that I'll work on my ebooks and blogs for now and if I decide to run a workshop at any point in the future, I'll probably rent a space and run it myself.

My husband and I are both self-employed and have both realized that sometimes it's just best to outsource certain activities that are not worth our time. For me, one of those activities is selling my work. I do a bit of my own internet marketing and the occasional mailer, but for the most part I rely completely on galleries to sell my work. I feel that at this point in my career (I have limited time with a toddler at home), my time is best spent when I'm working on making the best paintings I can do. Marketing one's own work takes a huge amount of effort, and I just don't have the time to do it at a level that would afford me the same # of sales as my galleries. I'd say about 85% of my sales are through galleries right now.

As for choosing a "dream" gallery, I've learned over the past couple of years that it's easy to be disappointed when you think a certain gallery is "the one" and then they don't live up to expectations. Likewise, some of the galleries I didn't think much about have been huge in selling and moving my career forward. I used to think it would be great to get into a Legacy or Trailside type gallery, but now I think I'd rather work with small galleries (less than 15-20 artists). The ones I have my eye on for down the road are prestigious but small and very choosy about their artists - tough to get into! I just feel like relationships are huge in the gallery world, and I'd rather work with a gallery that knows me well than be in one where I'm just another name on a huge roster of artists.

Yes, I like working with galleries and selling on my own. But I'm typing in this comment as a test.

Sally,

I hear ya on the "deadbeat" gallery that doesn't pay or care about doing a good job for you. Most of us have horror stories like that.

The best thing is to get references from other artists and if the gallery wants to sell your work, make sure you're comfortable with when and how they pay.

I'm so glad to hear that you've found a gallery that is honest and goes to bat for you. That's what they should be doing.

Karlene,

Yes, life often gets in the way of art. I've been working at all the things you mention for 15 years. When I got back into art, I gave myself 5 years to accomplish most of the things you speak of.

You're doing the right thing by learning from Daniel and getting familiar with online tools. But relax and enjoy the process because it takes years to get very good at art. Daniel is an exception, but young people seem to learn faster. I'm in my 50's and my brain is getting rusty.

Approval in the art world is slow coming for most of us. If it were easy, everyone would do it and it wouldn't be worth much. So I advise you to be patient with yourself, and be sure to enjoy the creative journey with whatever "talent" the Lord has given. He only asks that we put it to use.

Judy, I wrote those articles many years ago now, so it would be difficult to find them anywhere.

When I began painting watercolors in the 90's, I painted nearly every painting twice. The second one always came out better. It took me 6 years and lots of study with workshop teachers along with practice to get really good with that medium. It's taken me just as long to learn oils.

So hang in there. If it were easy, everyone would do it well and art would be an inexpensive commodity.
Lori

One gallery director I am trying to work with, doesn't know diddly about art. The gallery is located in a very rich, fairly rural area, with little chance of competition. She immediatly tore into my paintings, saying they are not done, and 'why would I paint white flowers?! Don't I know that everybody wants red flowers.' And one painting I had of a statue of two gossipping maidens, I painted from a photo I took in the French Riviera, two doors down from the Picasso Museum, in Cap Antibes, she said, "That'll never sell". I have been a very successful commercial artist, working in ad agencies, mostly at Leo Burnett, art directing, creating tv commercials for fortune 100 companies. Many pros in the business have said I'm agreat artist. Then this bumbling idiot, whose work she has chosen for her gallery, I would call for the most part, 'low art'. She needs me, and doesn't know it. And the people who live in the area would buy my work if they could see it. This gallery director won't reveal who the gallery owner is. I guess I will just print up a little brochure of my paintings in this series, and hand deliver it to all those mansions in her neighborhood.

Lori, I have no idea how to follow your blog, and reader's comments. This needs to be much more user friendly. Check out the Huffington Post if you want to see easy.

I think I've figured out how to read your blog. Please disregard previous comment about how I couldn't find anything. I realise now--I just have to scroll down.