Pearls from artists* # 469
*an ongoing series of quotations – mostly from artists, to artists – that offers wisdom, inspiration, and advice for the sometimes lonely road we are on.
I feel artists are at the cutting edge of everything created by humans in our society. I would love for artists, young and old, to remember that for the Art World to exist, the first thing that is necessary is art. No gallerist, museum director, preparatory, or museum guard would have a job without an artwork having been created.
Without remembering this, artists can lose sight of their power and worth. We begin to believe that the Art World came first and that we need to change, appropriate, adjust, or edit ourselves and our work to fit into this world. This does not need to happen, and should not happen.
Stephanie Diamond, artist, New York, NY, in Art/Work: Everything You Need to Know (And Do) As You Pursue Your Art Career by Heather Darcy Bhandari and Jonathan Melber
Comments are welcome!
Posted on August 25, 2021, in 2021, An Artist's Life, Art Business, Art in general, Inspiration, Pearls from Artists, Quotes and tagged adjust, appropriate, art world, artists, artwork, believe, created, cutting edge, director, everything, gallerist, happen, Heather Darcy Bhandari, humans, Jonathan Melber, museum, necessary, ourselves, preparator, remember, society. Bookmark the permalink. 9 Comments.
barbararachkoscoloreddust.com 
Thanks for this, Barbara. My mother once heard a galleries say, “I could make good money if I didn’t have today the artists.”
that was a gallerist saying if I didn’t have to pay the artists. thank you spell check
Sheesh! As if he/she would even have a job without us.
Hi Barbara,I was going to ask you about send emails to gallery representation.We were in ICP and then I went to Paris and was taught by the famous Jane Atwood.I asked her about the possibility of surviving without galleries and she quickly and loudly said,”No”.A century ago in France,Picasso was tired of the official salons and invented his own.And I know that some people in US were trying to do something outside the gallery system.I am glad you are going well.Thank you so much for these “pearls of wisdoms” which I am going to make a necklace!Lastly,is there a post about getting out of rut where I am in right now?Best wishes.Geoff Wong.
Hi Geoffrey, I don’t think it’s “either or.” Artists have to do it all. For example, I am currently represented by four galleries but I still work with two assistants who run my very active SM program. Most recently I began exhibiting with a New York-based group of young artists. They bring new energy and are fun to be around. I’m glad you are enjoying Pearls from Artists and love your comment about “making a necklace.” One thing I do when I’m in a rut is buy new pastels. That gets me working in a different way. Other times I take a break and go away for a few days. A change of scenery always brings new insights. The work we do as artists is relentlessly difficult. Make sure you are taking the best care of your physical health that you possibly can. Eat right, exercise, get plenty of sleep. Good luck and please let me know if this helps.
Thank you so much,I am thinking of sending emails to galleries as I would like to be represented.I used to hate this idea but now I have changed my mind.Also,I am thinking of hiring consultants and am interested in Brainard Cary whose book I just bought.Lastly,I would try your ideas for getting out of rut.You are kind and helpful.I remember your studio and one day I hope to go to your show.Best wishes.Geoff
Geoff, if at all possible, appear in person at the galleries that interest you, look at their current exhibition, chat them up, and ask about their submission policy. Then when you email them to introduce your work, include comments such as, “I found your latest show of work by so-and-so riveting” and ask questions about it. It shows you are doing your homework. Galleries are overwhelmed and seldom open email from people they neither know nor have at least a casual connection with. Ours is a face-to-face business so getting to know the right people is crucial. In my experience consultants are a waste of time and money. I bought Brainard’s new book, too, but haven’t gotten very far yet.
Your reply is really PEARL OF WISDOM because it is experience speaking.As a photojournalist more on the fine arts side,I am starting to look at galleries now when I am over 50,,after having exhibitions,photos published and some small awards.I thank you from the bottom of my heart.Best wishes.
My pleasure, Geoffrey. I know all the mistakes artists make because I have made them!