Not really. About the only time you do that is when someone who understands art history asks. Most people don’t know enough about art history to fill a thimble. And of the few who do know, most can figure out where your art fits in for themselves. What they want to hear is your story– why you’ve dedicated your life to making art, how you’ve chosen to express yourself through your art, how you make your art, why it looks the way it does, what it represents, and how it conveys your commitment, beliefs, feelings, and opinions. A good honest story trumps an arcane disquisition on art history approximately 100% of the time.
Do I need to explain my art in terms of art history and talk about where it fits in?
January 30th, 2009
I keep sending my art out to galleries and no one is interested. What am I doing wrong?
January 28th, 2009If you send your art to galleries you don’t know or who don’t know you or who aren’t familiar with your work, this won’t be productive and chances are slim that ever you’ll get a show. Or if you send your art to out-of-town galleries without first establishing a local or regional profile, this likely won’t be productive either. You have to network in your community, target specific galleries, make sure they sell art that’s similar to yours, and be able to state clearly and concisely why your art is right for them.
I’ve been making art for several years and have been in a couple of group shows at local galleries. Should I contact major galleries and try to get shows?
January 28th, 2009Let me ask you a question. If you’re in a band that plays local bars and nightclubs, should you try to get a gig at Madison Square Garden? The art world is like anywhere else. You work your way up; you don’t skip steps.
I want to put as many different kinds of art as possible on my website. I think that increases the chances that everyone who visits will find something they like. Is this a good idea?
January 27th, 2009I’ll answer your question with a question. How often do you see a solo show at a good gallery where all the art is different? In one way or another, everything’s related– variations on a theme, you might say– either unified by the show statement, the appearance, or some other variable. You see, what happens when you throw a miscellany of artwork onto your website is that you confuse people. They can’t figure out what you stand for or get a coherent grip on where you’re going or what you’re saying. And confused people don’t buy art. It’s like walking into a store and seeing that they sell bananas, handbags, motor oil, and dog grooming supplies. You take one look, turn around, and walk right back out.
