Hey art galleries, suppliers are just as important as buyers

Getting your work shown in a gallery has been and will always will be a challenge.  But I don't understand why there is still so much mystique about approaching a gallery.  Not only is it a challenge to get shown by a gallery it's often a challenge just to get the courtesy of a rejection from a gallery. 

The art market has changed a lot over the past 10-15 years with the rise of the internet.  Artists can put up a website and potentially expose their work to millions of potential buyers.  Heck, that's how I began and still earn much of my income. But galleries are still important to artists, as artists are crucial to galleries.   There is a great advantage to being represented by a gallery.  Your work reaches people who might not consider searching the web for art, and very importantly it allows buyers to see the work in person.  There is also the cachet one earns by being able to add "gallery representation" to ones resumé.

While the internet has been helpful to artists, I think many galleries see it as a threat for the very same reasons. But just as there is also a downside to the internet for artists (image stealing, bootlegging etc.) there is an upside for galleries.  They can also now reach millions of potential buyers beyond just those that walk into their show rooms.

Another thing they can do, which I don't often see, and is the point of this posting, is attract artists. Yet, galleries seem to have a notorious reputation for putting up an obstacle course for artists.  It's as if they put themselves on a mountain top to make themselves unattainable and therefore more desirable.  Of course this is not true of all galleries, and I personally have had very good experiences and relationships with some.  That idea of being difficult and unapproachable doesn't really work so much anymore, when today, artists have other options...like the aforementioned personal online galleries.

I think of it like this, if you had a gourmet food store wouldn't you want to discover and sell the most exotic and unique products that fit your style?  Wouldn't you then want to make it easy for the food makers to show you their products so you can have the best selection in your store and make your store THEE go to place for your type of gourmet food?  Why wouldn't a gallery use this same approach? 

If a gallery does have a website, they could provide artists guidelines on what they are looking for, the best way to submit a portfolio to them and tips on what they'd like to see in it? Or at least provide contact information to a person who will answer questions or peruse their submission and respond back.  Suppliers of what you're selling are just as important as the buyers.  You wouldn't make a buyer jump through hoops to make a purchase or ignore inquiries from buyers?  You should treat the suppliers, the artists, the same as a buying customer.  You could be turning away a hot new discovery or ignoring an artist who has been successful in one part of the country and is now looking to expand to another market.

Galleries should be cultivating and building stronger relationships with artists not alienating them. The internet is not going away, use it's positives rather than cursing it's negatives.

New Release: "Lust In Translation"

Taking a trip abroad can be an amazing experience, and today our tech gadgets make it easier and easier. Our devices give us direction, advise us where to eat and even interpret foreign languages. But once in awhile when you have a question of travel, just ask a local. You might not understand his native tongue but the encounter might be, lust in translation.

Lust in Translation is the latest work that will be a part of my upcoming show, Under the Sun.

While the original is available for immediate purchase from the Lyman-Eyer Gallery, it cannot be delivered until after my show.

Limited edition Gallery and Studio prints are available through BREYETTE.COM at the special first day price through Midnight ET tomorrow. 

I Won A Gaybie Award!

Wowzers, I won a Gaybie Award for Best Photo/Art Book for "Seasons of Love"! Also congrats to all the other winners of the 2012 TLA Gaybies! 

I find it particularly rewarding that "Seasons of Love" won Best Photo/Art book from TLA voters, when male erotica publishers have been shying away from art books, preferring to go with the more tried and true sellers, photography books.

Thanks to all the guys from Bruno Gmünder, particularly those who made the book possible: Joris, Stephan, Simeon, and Henning! Thanks to TLA and everyone who voted.  (I didn't even know it was nominated.)

www.breyette.com

I Could Win...And You Could Win $2500 Just For Voting For Me

Hey it's a pipe dream...but who knows...I could win.... AND you could win $2500 and a weekend getaway by going to AristsWanted.com http://michaelbreyette.artistswanted.org/atts2012. Click on 'collect' to 'collect me' and just log in using your facebook account. Thank You!

http://michaelbreyette.artistswanted.org/atts2012

Over the past five years Artists Wanted has provided over $1.5 million in cash and awards to artists, photographers and designers like you. This summer Chashama and the Times Square Alliance is working with Artists Wanted to present artists from around the world in brilliant lights on a massive scale in one of the most iconic locations in the world, Times Square New York City.

on the drawing board: one moment please

My last piece "Melt" was a bit more metaphoric.  My current piece swings me back to my little 'slice of life' scenes.  I love capturing little moments that are seemingly mundane but tender or romantic in some way. Those, to me, seem like life's treasured moments, that out shine the big flashy events.

on the drawing board: itinerary

I've begun work on my next pastel painting.  This is a section of my outline.  This is where I lay it all out, or try to anyway. It's my map for the picture.  From here I'll transfer this outline using white pastel pencil onto colored pastel paper.

Free Shipping!

I'll cover the shipping on all domestic orders at www.breyett.com, of $100 or more (international orders of $200 or more) just because it's Spring, and I like Spring! 

So if there are a couple prints you've been considering, or a gallery or framed print, now's a good time to take advantage of my generous mood, lol.

~Michael