Let’s Dispel Some Myths and Make Way for New Options
Every week at least one artist will ask me how and where they can find fine art agents. It is an important topic for most artists I know and rightly so. After all, having fine art agents who will sell your art work for you is like discovering manna from heaven.
The truth is; however, there are many misconceptions about fine art agents. In this article I strive to dispel some of the myths that many artists believe about fine art agents. I also offer advice to help you as an artist know where to find fine art agents, what their criteria may be, and the many options and alternatives you have.
I receive many emails from artists inquiring if I am a fine art agent. Although I am not an art agent I am eager to share some of the many things I know about the subject.
The Definition of Fine Art Agents
Also known as fine art representatives, the definition of fine art agents relates to those individuals who are in positions and have the authority to act on behalf of artists.
As we know it in the world of fine art (similar to the world of commercial art) fine art agents function by attempting to sell the works of artists. They may also pursue other income generating opportunities on behalf of the artist, such as lecturing, teaching, licensing and publishing.
How Fine Art Agents Get Paid
Fine Art Agents earn their income by receiving commissions of the sales from any and all works. The percentage may vary, depending on the relationship. Typically the percentage for fine art agents is lower than the 50% commission that galleries earn however, I know of fine art agents that also charge 50% commission even if they don’t have a brick and mortar gallery.
Fine Art Agents Are Not Regulated
We know that gallery owners and private dealers represent artists and serve as their agents. But the truth is anyone can represent an artist and assume the role of an art agent. Same as being a gallery owner, it is an unregulated business profession, that does not require any special skills or licenses.
The large category of “Fine Art Agents” includes corporate art consultants, art advisors, interior designers, and galleries. However, as you will learn later in this article fine art agents don’t necessarily have to be members of the art profession.
What Criteria Do Fine Art Agents Use?
Most fine art agents (and galleries) select their artists on two major factors: unique talent and marketability.
What makes your art desirable is if you have a unique style and medium, have excelled in your area of expertise, have received acknowledgement from your peers, and have very little competition. The more attributes you have like these the more attractive you are to fine art agents.
If you sell your art regularly and have had steady price increases every year for at least three years in a row, you are in a strong position to attract fine art agents and other professionals who will be willing to invest time and effort in selling your art work.
Even if you have few sales that shouldn’t prevent you from developing relationships with professionals who are in positions to buy art for their clients.
Where to Find Fine Art Agents
Many fine art agents discover talented artists at Open Studio events, alternative exhibition venues, online exhibitions, art fairs, major galas, referrals, and word of mouth. Many agents discover artists while surfing the Internet and traveling to fine art districts around the world.
I recommend that you perceive every art professional and art enthusiast as a potential art agent. Don’t sit around and wait to be approached. I suggest you think outside the box when trying to acquire fine art agents.
Don’t ignore your most supportive fans, followers, friends and students. If anyone of them has expressed a serious interest in helping you they are viable candidates. Be prepared to offer them a worthwhile commission if they introduce you to buyers or sell your art work directly.
Artists as Fine Art Agents
Before you dismiss this idea please consider it seriously. Some of the best fine art agents that artists can have are found among their artist friends who are not in direct competition with them. I know several artists who enjoy a mutually beneficial practice of introducing their art buyers to their artist friends. Some do it without compensation, others create a formal arrangement with referral fees and commissions. This is wonderful, often neglected, opportunity. If you belong to an artist’s group discuss the subject at your next artist group meeting!
More Fine Art Agent Options
Consider hiring someone to provide art agent services either on a freelance or part time basis. Don’t under estimate a recent art school or college graduate who has taken courses on art management, arts administration or sales and marketing. A young aspiring person who may even have some gallery employment experience and has a desire to acquire more sales experience may be an excellent ally.
You may also be surprised to learn that some college interns, who will work without payment in order to earn credit and build their resume, will assume some of the services and more that you desire from an art agent. Activities may include book keeping, generating art business leads, social media promotion, and website and blog maintenance.
Not surprisingly many spouses and relatives prove to be among the best agents. They have a personal interest in the artist’s success. They can also approach the process of selling without the fear of personal rejection.
You Are Your Best Agent!
It all begins with you. Before you work with any other fine art agents first become your own best agent. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and get busy with the administrative tasks and business owner responsibilities.
Develop business skills that include professional relationships, selling, marketing and promoting your art work.
Project a confident and enthusiastic attitude about your art in person as well as in social media.
Wherever you go be prepared with flash drives or printed brochures with your art work on them and distribute them freely to prospective fine art agents.
How Galleries May View Fine Art Agents
If your primary objective is to find gallery representation, keep in mind many galleries prefer to work with artists directly. When they are contacted by fine art agents, they may decline because they don’t want to split the profits with a third party.
So, in most cases it is best for you to approach galleries directly unless the fine art agent has already established a working relationship with the gallery.
Protect Yourself
Don’t consider a business proposal from an agent until you have developed a relationship that is based on respect, trust and reputation. As with all business relationships you need to first thoroughly check their credentials and reputation.
If they pass your initial scrutiny, make sure you have written and signed agreements with anyone with whom you engage in artist-agent activities. If you leave any work in their custody, make sure you have a signed artist consignment agreement.
I hope this article has answered your questions about fine art agents, dispelled some of the myths, and motivated you to take action. Most of all, I hope you are encouraged to think outside the box and be creative in your searches for fine art agents.
Build Relationships With Art Consultants and Art Advisors
Depending on where you live there are art consultants and art advisors who provide such services as art acquisitions, appraisals, collection management, estate planning, corporate collections and more. A good advisor finds appropriate artwork for collectors, so you can see the many benefits you’ll derive by establishing relationships with them. Reach out and let them know about you and your artwork.
The Association of Art Advisors (APAA) is an organization of  advisors and curators. Its members represent the highest standards of professional practice. Visit the Association of Art Advisors (APAA) website to locate members in your area and learn about their specific services.
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Actually, I believe great Artwork sales itself. Then all that is needed is publicity. Generating publicity can be as simple as displaying a single work on any busy sidewalk and stand there with it and talk with all the passerby. Guess I can think of at least a hundred ways of generating publicity and if your work is truly outstanding, then it just happens.
Many of the greatest artists didn’t have great agents but rather had a wealthy enthusiast’s support. I’d rather spend my time looking for a wealthy enthusiast than searching for an agent. Great business people are like great artists, both are able to recognize a gold mine when they see one….
Claude, thank you for your insightful comment and excellent points. Your statement “Many of the greatest artists didn’t have great agents but rather had a wealthy enthusiast’s support” brings to mind my article “How to Create An Art Patron Plan”. All the best to you!
I’m an established artist of over 30 years and well versed in approaching galleries and doing my own promotion but I seem to have come full circle in that this year I have no exhibitions lined up with galleries and no longer seem to fit in anywhere, so thought perhaps about an agent.
However, I’ve never understood how that works financially, galleries take 50% and I’d always imagined that an agent might take a good cut too of course. But even at say 20%, leaving the artist with 30% would barely cover the cost of materials and at 50% you’d actually lose money!
Thank you for this insightful article Renee!
I also love Claudes idea of generating publicity by standing on a busy sidewalk!
I’d love to know what other innovative publicity ideas other artists have tried.
Thanks for all that you do Renee.
You’re welcome. I’m delighted you read the article and enjoyed it. I love Claude’s idea too. Artists are very clever and can apply their creativity to solve their art marketing challenges. There are several articles on this website that contact advice from fellow artists. Here’s a good one: Artists Share Practical Advice and Words of Wisdom With Fellow Artists
Thank you for the rich and helpful information here & in your other articles. I’m immersing myself to assist a dear friend who inherited a gallery and substantial fine art collection that he wishes to sell …or transition to a passionate successor./dealer/artist. How would you recommend one find entrepreneurial artists seeking gallery ownership? I can provide links for you to pass on but I didn’t want to include here without your permission. Please advise and thanks for sharing your calling and advocacy.
Very true and precise! Thanks for sharing your informative blog with us! This one is the best!
Hi,
My art is the the hands of private collectors, public galleries and even national collections, both at home here in the UK and abroad.
Now I would like some of my more commercial pieces to reach the wallart, glicee, print market. i.e. for a company or companies to produce reproductions of my original paintings that they then market and sell.
Any advice on how to do this would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Hadrian, Thank you for reading my article “The Truth About Fine Art Agents”. You will find several articles with advice on selling your art such as selling to the corporate art market and healthcare art market. We have not published any articles about the reproduction market. However, here is an article I found on the Artsy Shark website: “Artist FAQ: How Making Reproductions of Your Artwork Can Help Your Career”. All the best to you!
Excellent information; thank you. As a lark just wondering if you can recommend an agent that likes to handle geometrical abstracts. I have been creating geometrical abstracts since around 1969. My reason for just wanting a personnel agent is so I can delve back into my abstract artwork concepts, period. Having to try to market my own stuff has only held me back from enjoying the creative aspects. Any reference to this kind of sincere agent would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Fleetis Miller
Dear Fleetis, You’re not alone. I don’t know of a single artist who wants to take time away from their creative process to do the art marketing. That’s why this website is designed to make the process easier. As suggested in the article you just read, think outside the box and consider the concept of “agent” to be among those who have already expressed interest in your artwork, usually those closest to you in your immediate surrounds and geographic location. Also, in terms of finding agents interested in geometric abstract art, there are many resources to use, starting with the Internet searches such as the keywords geometric abstract art + your region, city/state/country. Wishing you creative bliss and career success!
Renee,
Thank you very much for this very comprehensive summary of the role of art dealers, agents and
Expanding ways to grow followers, buyers and networking.
You always provide very relevant information. I appreciate your expertise and enjoy sharing
Or forwarding rich content with others.
Honestly, you remind me that creative products must be marketed / sold. This
Must be more of a priority to me, even if it’s not the easiest.
Thank you Renee.
Sincerely,
Vicki
Thank you Vicki. Yes, it’s true. If an artist wants to achieve the goal of having their art as their source of income, they assume the role of an artist in business, which led to the term “Artrepreneur”. However, it’s not always the easiest challenge. Artists can seek other ways to financially support their careers. You’ll find many articles on this blog to help artists increase their income, such as “Creative Ways to Supplement Your Art Sales”.
Hi Renee,
Thank you for this kind, quick and comprehensive article. I appreciate it and will read more of your work.
You’re welcome Shawn. Your pencil drawings and photographs are amazing. Thank you for keeping us informed about the current world of fashion with your blog “Fashion Examiner”.
Hi Renee!
Another really helpful article. Thank you. I do the marketing and promotion for my husband, John Davis Held’s artwork and have been calling myself a marketing director. Should I change it to Fine Art Agent? I have learned so much from your posts, articles, and website.
Thank you Kirsten. That’s a great question. How you introduce yourself depends on the people you’re contacting and how you want to be perceived. The two titles can have different meanings to different people. For example, if you’re contacting art galleries they may be concerned about legalities and sharing sales commissions with an “agent”. However, you both have the same last name they’l figure your association out so why not just introduce yourself as John Davis Held’s wife who assists him in his art business matters. We can discuss this in more detail in our consultation.
Hi Renee,
You may be interested to know that I googled for “art representative” and this page was the second result. I’m glad, too, because it’s a really great article. Thank you.
I’d like to describe what I’m up to. Your comments would be appreciated.
I have become the de facto artist representative for Virginia Stewart (www.viewsfromwithin.com). I’m relatively well educated in art, but I have no direct experience in sales, and in fact have avoided anything sales-like throughout my life. Virginia joined an adult education program I founded in 2009 in her late 50s. She had studied art at the Pennsylvania Academy long ago, but did not genuinely pursue her desire to become an artist until we had worked together for a little while. Over the next 10 years she has honed her technique and style, and now I’ve become her primary cheerleader. A year ago (2018) we developed her statement, bio, resume and list of works and scanned images of her work. We’ve been submitting her work to shows, and they’ve been accepted. She has sold a few works. We’ve also developed some posters that are being offered at Surrealism Today. I appreciate your suggestion to use students and recent graduates in art-related fields. I will soon contact Columbia University Career Services (where I worked for a few years decades ago!) to try to identify someone who would like to write and submit articles to art journals. I’ve also begun the process of donating some of her works that I commissioned to a museum.
Ultimately I hope to find for Virginia a truly competent agent who knows the art world considerably better than I do, and who would have a much better sense of where her style would be most appreciated (that is, finely rendered illustrations of surreal organic forms).
We’ll keep plugging away. In the meantime, if you have any thoughts you’d like to share other than what you wrote in the article or in your responses I’d be delighted to hear it.
Cheers,
Richard Liston
Richard, thank you for your comment. It looks like you’ve done an outstanding service for Virginia, who is a very talented artist. You don’t need to have a sales and marketing degree to express your enthusiasm for an artist and share her art with others. You may be the best agent she’ll have. I’m glad you’ll be trying some of my suggestions in this article. If you type “sell art” in the search box above you’ll find many articles with ideas and you’ll be an expert in very little time. When I write my articles I keep in mind that my audience ranges from the creative individual who has no sales or marketing experience to the most experienced. And, I hope Virginia will also read my articles so you can share ideas. Please subscribe to my email newsletter so you don’t miss learning new ways to sell Virginia’s art and find new opportunities for her. Please also visit my two other websites: Manhattan Arts International and The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS — where we just launched an online art exhibition “The Healing Power of Color”. Best wishes to you both!
Can you tell me how can find a fine art agent that isn’t with a gallery?
Looking for a person not a company.
Robert, in this article I’ve explained the different individuals who can be defined as fine art agents in terms of what services they can offer. They may or may not be associated with a gallery and often referred to as “private dealers”. Unfortunately, “fine art agents” as a group or organization, does not exist in the way that galleries are members of the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA). You may try searching “art agents” in your area on social media and do a google search.
I have learned a lot from the information you have presented on fine art agents. I will start by stating I was a combat photographer in Viet Nam in 1968 and in most of 1969. I have hundreds of images of the war and the culture of the people there. These are my images as they were a part of the 10% i was allowed to consider for (training purposes) and were sent to me buy my commander after i had to be air evacuated back to the states. I spent 5 months in the Philadelphia Naval Hospital do to head trauma. I paint and use various mediums and emphasize this part of my artistic ability along with unique drawings I create. In my 70 years i have never sought any publicity or exhibitions of my body of work. If you are curious you can see a little of what I create at (charlesbenkert.com). A brief comment would be appreciated if you think my work is of any value in the world of fine art. In any case at 70 I truly enjoy creating it and could never imagine not waking up and going to my studio.
Dear Charles, thank you for your comment. Thank you for your service as a combat photographer in Viet Nam. I was looking forward to viewing your art. When I visited your website and tried to visit your art pages I was sent to a page that states: “The owner of http://www.charlesbenkert.com has configured their website improperly. To protect your information from being stolen, Firefox has not connected to this website.” I thought you should know this so you can fix the problem. Wishing you continued joy and peace with your creative talent, Renee
hello.. Dear Renee first of all i want to say that i am a fan of your useful works and advices to peoples I am a painter who loves realistic art. In the place where I live there is no great interest in the fine arts, although I sold a few of my drawings for low prices even though it was a wonderful paintings by the testimony of all my friends and family I need an art agent…! I need to sell my drawings abroad to people who value art…! i need your help… thank you
gaston
Thank you Gaston for your kind words. I’m delighted that you’re enjoying the articles provided for artists. I’d be delighted to help you. You didn’t mention where you live, but I’m available for phone consultations to help artists in the U.S. and Canada.
hello
Many thanks for the prompt reply..
i live in Tunisia.. north africa
but i understand from your conversation that you can only help artists only from U.S. and Canada
right ?
Yes, Gaston, I’m sorry, I only conduct phone consultations with artists in the U.S. and Canada. In the future I may arrange email consultations, so please check back in a few months. In the meantime, I hope reading the articles here will provide answers to help you with your art career.
i hope so… and I’ll be in touch.
thank you so much 🙂
Hello, Renee! Thank so much for this information. Perhaps it could be useful for me. I am a pasta sculptor and the author of the book about the scale models out of pasta. This is some special kind of art. Originally it was an idea for an advertising campaign for a local pasta factory. Perhaps I need an art agent for promotion of my works. I live in West Ural, Russia, but distance is not so big problem for me.
I can send a link to my page if it could be interesting for work with me.
Thanks.
Serghei.
Dear Serghei, I’m glad the article I wrote is helpful to you. I’m sorry, at this time I’m not offering consultations to artists outside U.S. and Canada. Best regards, Renee
I’m looking for an agent, not waiting for an agent to find me. Where do you find an agent to hire??
Hi Mary, that’s a good question. Ask everyone you know in the arts to offer recommendations such as fellow artists, arts organizations, and galleries. Also consider individuals outside of the art profession who have sales and business experience. For example, a recent retiree who is an art enthusiast with a knowledge of art history and a background in sales experience could be a good choice. Don’t hire anyone before you conduct a thorough investigation of their credentials, experience, and reputation and a clear understanding of what you expect they will do. I recommend you have a contractual agreement. Read “Your Relationships with Art Galleries & Agents & The Written Agreement”.
I am so glad I found this site as I am in total quandary of what to do. Though I have been painting for years I have rarely ventured out. I did have a featured showing in Sedona, Arizona last year, and many years ago I was in a Beverly HIlls, California gallery. I live in Prescott ,Arizona a very laid back business attitude. I would love to get my work in galleries and work with interior designers as would a million other artists. Any ideas would be so appreciated.
Welcome Carol, I’m glad you found my website too! Here are some ideas: First and foremost, create your own website (for example carolstanleyart.com). Read all the articles that resonate with you on this website where you’ll find tons of free advice. You may enjoy reading “Selling Your Art to Interior Designers and Art Consultants”. Also Subscribe to receive my free weekly newsletter. And, if you need personalized advice consider setting up a consultation with me. Last, but not least, follow your passion and inspiration and keep building on your artistic strengths as an artist.
Renee ,My sister has painted oil on canvas for many years ,she has not shown her work for fear of rejection but I think her paintings are amazingly unique . I want to see her receive the recognition her talent deserves . I am considering showing her art to some well known galleries as her representative .I wonder if it would help to tell them I am non commission ? I created this g mail acct for the sole purpose of sending samples to galleries .
Timothy, Thank you for your question. Sure, when you approach galleries be honest and introduce yourself as her brother. However, you may discover depending on where you live, and the type of galleries, they will require she have exhibition experience. To reduce the likelihood of rejection suggest that she join arts organizations and seek alternative (to galleries) exhibition venues, and lesser known galleries where she can build up her resume and her confidence. Also introduce her to this website so she can acquire knowledge about the business. Read How to Approach New York Art Galleries. and Advice About Getting Into New York Art Galleries. You can apply the advice in both articles to galleries anywhere. Best wishes to you and your sister.
Great article Renee. Thank you for sharing such great insights.
I have picked up recently my long love for painting after working a little over 30 years in the advertising business. So… I’m a passionate artist looking for someone to help me show my work all over the world if possible. I hope someday to find such a person that feels the same love for my work as I do.
Thanks again for such a great article.
Joe Cortes
Renee,
I am a student at Mississippi State University, and I have come across your article while looking into a business idea. I would like your input on the idea to see if it is worth pursuing.
As a little bit of background about me, I am a sophomore accounting major. I already have experience in creating a business through a local taxi service I started. You can check it out at http://www.cowbellcarts.net! I also have purchased a modest quantity of art throughout the past year from local art students amounting to roughly $200.
My idea is to create a website that connects student artists to consumers and takes a small commission when the art piece is sold. We will handle all of the shipments, connections, and other business related activities in exchange for the commission. I have spoken to the artists I have purchased work from, and they believe it is a great idea.
Do you believe I would essentially be acting as an art agent? What would be your strategy on connecting consumers with the website? What kind of licenses or contracts would I need to consider going forward? What would be a reasonable commission for the website to take?
If you would like to talk further, I would love your feedback.
Thank you,
Cameron Maddox
Dear Cameron, Thank you for your visit and comment. You have an interesting idea. I would need to know more about the details to provide the best possible answers. Feel free to send me a direct email to arrange a consultation. Best wishes, Renee
Renee, thank you for this very informative forum. I, like others who have posted here, am an artist but am not as comfortable as I would like to be in selling my own art. I print (giclee prints) for other artist and myself and primarily only sell signed prints of my work. Marketing my work has been a bit challenging for me as I believe that I am my own worse critic.
I have a website, but have trouble marketing this site and getting folks to visit and buy my work. I’ve recently had a few of pieces licensed through a couple of colleges, but again, struggle with the marketing of the work. Social media is a way to get it out there but not necessarily a way to reach a buying audience.
Thanks again for the forum – Troy Cottrill
Hi Tony,
Thank you for your comment and positive feedback. You have an very attractive website at cottrillslandmarkart.com. It should be a very popular website for the service you offer. I can see some issues with the website and the reasons why you aren’t getting attention may be a combination of: live networking, social media marketing, email news marketing and attention to SEO. I also didn’t see any google analytics tracking on your site. That would be a good place to start and it’s free. Just google it. 🙂
If you want me to help you develop comfortable and effective marketing efforts, I offer consultations and one consultation can make a huge different. Please check out this page: https://renee-phillips.com/career-coaching-for-artists/
Best regards,
Renee
What about those of us who are liquidating our collections? I have, for example, one major work from the modern Art Deco revival period. It is a mural, 24 feet long, oil on canvas with lots of provenance. Because of its size, historic significance to South Miami Beach, and because it was produced by an artist who mostly does public works which are permanent installations which do not come up for sale, I need a very special agent who can work with either the wealthy or developers who can handle a work of this size, even though it is in two panels and can be hung that way. Are there art agents for this type of work, or do we have no other choice than auction houses? Museums are interested in this type of work but are looking for donations primarily. Are there art agents out there who are reputable and work for retiring collectors? How do we find such people? Your articles are helpful, but a little scary in that regard.
Dear Mr. Lowenstein,
Have you considered contacting the artist directly about this matter? I’m not an expert in secondary market sales, but that’s what I would do.
Renee doing some research and came across you..I am a marketing professional with a fine srts background.
I am putting together an exhibit; American portraits. Watercolors and drawings. 50 portraits. 50 states.
50 stories. I have 26 done right now,
Realistic-contemporary.work.
Some famous, but most not.
For NY I did.a large watercolor.tribute of 9-11 with a kneeling.firefighter exhausted, with the devastation kneelng.and smoke in the background. Quite emotional.
A reminder.of Americans, our diversity, and our unity
Do you know a southern Californian agent? Or would you.consider taking on a exhibit project.for.25 cities?
Just asking…
James Mills
Newport Beach Ca
714-900-6113
Hi James, Your project sounds very interesting, not something I can take on now, so I shared the info with a few people I know. If they are interested they will contact you via email. I hope it works out. If you get stuck and need some career advice I’d be happy to serve as your career consultant. All the best, Renee
Hey James, That’s cool that you offered Renee a spot. I am an artist from Ireland. If you like my work maybe we can do a show sometime. http://www.ogmadagda.com
Need Help..
Need a comprehensive agent..
I live in Boston area, i have a studio I west Concord, mass
I have 100s of pieces..I work with oil on large canvas..
I have sold many on my own.. but i need exposure ..
I have a news wedside on the way..
But this is active brigittedesart.com
Dear Brigitte,
100’s of pieces. You are certainly prolific! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. You are fortunate to live in the Boston area where there are many opportunities to get exposure for your artwork, through arts organizations, juried exhibitions, alternative spaces and galleries. Approach them with confidence, strive to continue to get exposure for your art, and focus on building positive relationships with other art professionals and build your team of supporters.
I wish you continued success,
Renee
Hi Renee,
I haven’t actually sold my work yet, but I’m thinking of doing it in the next year or two. I work as a temp and give everyone I work with a painting on my last day. If I do a rough draft or a painting I don’t like, I’ll cut them in strips, laminate them and donate them to the library. I gave a lot to the church, some to hang on the wall permanently and some for people take in return for donating a small amount of money to the building fund.
I’m trying to figure out what direction I’d like to turn next. Should I sell my watercolors? I think I’d prefer to work through an agent rather than market them myself because I’m not much of a business person. But how does that work. Does the agent give me a paycheck? Are the state and federal taxes and commission taken out of the check? Will I have to figure out what the tax will be myself and hold onto it? How much or this sort of thing does the agent do?
Thanks,
Pam
Dear Pam,
What a kind generous person you are to give your art away. Now, it’s time to create an art business plan if you want to start selling your art and focus on profit. Here’s a good article for you to read on how to write a business plan: http://www.renee-phillips.com/create-your-art-business-plan/
There are different kinds of agents and there is no one way they all handle the business. I don’t give tax advice; instead I leave that up to the financial and accounting experts. I suggest you google art business, financial and tax related topics on selling art.
Of course I can go into these topics in more depth in a private consultation if you wish.
Best wishes,
Renee
I just came across your blog and read thru the entries. Very informative! I’m an emerging photography artist who specializes in NYC images. On my own I’ve sold about 60 finished pieces, to law firms, financial and real estate companies corporate offices all thru word of mouth. But am struggling to find an agent for selling or even anyone to talk to.
Hi Michael,
Congratulations on selling your photographs directly. That is no small feat.
Your photographs are stunning. Don’t give up exhibiting your art in as many ways as possible and promoting yourself in social media. Spread the word about it. Use networking and self-promotion and, sooner or later you’ll be approached. Before that happens I wish you many profitable sales.
Best regards,
Renee
It is as challenging as John Brownson and others have described. I was represented overseas by an art firm in Dubai but it did not translate into the work as hoped. Networking, having a good track record of projects that were successful – and the accumulation of a sizable amount of inventory in order to have show – are key. The latter has been my achilles heal since most of my work is commissioned but I have to go after those projects – rarely is it by referral except through previous clients. Still seeking the Holy Grail of representation (solid work leads)
Garrett
A fantastic article! 🙂 Some of it describes the experiences I had with an art agent that was not good. I will share some of my experience and advice.
If an art agent asks you to pay upfront fees for representation, in full, do not pay. A deposit is fine but only after you get to know the person and research their credentials.
The problem with my art agent was she looked good on paper, even some credentials were good but looking back there was not enough credentials to back her up and she was a bit hard to find on google – this is where the warning bells should start. If it takes a couple of pages of google to find the art agent, let that art agent go.
I also had the bad experience of her withholding all my artworks after cancelling my exhibition at the very last minute just as we were leaving our hotel to go to my exhibition opening night! I had been visiting overseas in Europe from Australia. The thing I look back on in regard to this part was, when we arrived in Europe, the art agent made no effort to message/email me to ask how I was, ask if I had arrived safely and did not ask how we could go to set up the exhibition. No, nothing. Except an angry message on the day demanding to know why I had allowed people to buy tickets to the opening night for free – when in fact she had sent the special free ticket link to me to send to them and they had not clicked on the link until on the very day. That should have been warning bells, but also she got offended many months before when I questioned her in an email about the costs, she got defensive. That is another warning bell I should have listened to. So another thing, if an art agent gets even slightly defensive, walk away!
The other thing, an agent that communicates with you, if they are organising an exhibition, is they will let you know they have paid a deposit (with your money!) to the venue, and show you receipts or better still, they will tell you they are happy for you to pay the fees for the venue AFTER the exhibition. And the art agent should communicate with you clearly the plans they have for the exhibition, not give you vague details and so on. Be wary of art agents that don’t communicate clear enough and ask you for too much money.
Wow! I’m sorry you went through all of that, but I’m glad I came across your experience. Thanks for sharing, I’ll keep it in mind while I proceed in my career!
Dear Chelle,
The way you were treated is despicable and unacceptable. I appreciate that you chose my blog as a platform to share your painful experience. Thank you for taking the time to write the details of your ordeal. I’m sure, by doing so, you will help many other artists pay attention to those warning signs so they can avoid the abuse you suffered.
Best wishes to you,
Renee
Thanks for this informative article. Many possible options to consider. I would really like to know how the very established artists sell their work. I know Warhol worked with an art dealer in his time. He employed many people in his studio.
Hi Andrea,
Thank you for your comment. As you well know to become established requires a lot of hard work, commitment, networking and some luck thrown in for good measure. Being in the right place at the right time. Please enjoy reading the many articles on this site regarding selling your art. Here’s a link to a variety of articles on the subject: https://renee-phillips.com/?s=sell+your+art
Best wishes,
Renee
not all “art” finds a niche in the “art world” of museums, galleries, auction houses, critics, historians, journals, etc. to find your niche requires an art writer/ historian educated in whatever genre or oeuvre into which your art can be classified … in my own case, I am redeveloping abstract modern design from the early 20th century with works representing elements from Bauhaus, Constructivism, Cubism, along with artists such as Kandinsky, Klee, Delauney, etc. merged with Islamic Arabesque & Geometric patterns.
Finding the right critic / writer / agent / galery owner, with the specific knowledge, eye & experience is a challenge.
I have many art fans Who are telling me I should sell my sculptures out west and get a marketing agent.
This article will help me move in that direction. Thank you.