galleries

Evita Tezeno

The Art Biz ep. 175: Why I Want Partnerships with Art Galleries with Evita Tezeno

Not content with the status quo, Evita Tezeno aims for recognition by prestigious honors like the Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellowships

She aims for the stars! “Higher than the heavens,” as she put it to me.

And she knows she can’t get there by herself. She needs strong gallery representation and a team of people behind her, and she’ll tell you why. This is the story of an artist who fully appreciates her gallery.

The Art Biz ep. 175: Why I Want Partnerships with Art Galleries with Evita Tezeno Read

Artist and instructor Adele Sypesteyn

The Art Biz ep. 163: Leaving Gallery Representation to Reach More Art Buyers with Adele Sypesteyn (remix)

Have you ever been so focused on a goal you thought was right for you that you missed opportunities that might have been better?

You just knew that this one direction was the path you needed to take. And you might have ignored that it wasn’t working or didn’t feel like the right fit. Adele Sypesteyn discusses adjustments she has made to her art business over the years.

The Art Biz ep. 163: Leaving Gallery Representation to Reach More Art Buyers with Adele Sypesteyn (remix) Read

Jeremy Tessmer, gallery director at Sullivan Goss

The Art Biz ep. 123: Qualities Galleries Are Looking For in Their Artists with Jeremy Tessmer

If you’ve ever wanted to shoot the breeze with a gallerist, this one’s for you.

You’ll hear how Jeremy views an artist’s professionalism, what he thinks of online platforms, and how he taught himself art history (and why that was important to him). He also shares the 3 qualities he looks for in artists he represents.

The Art Biz ep. 123: Qualities Galleries Are Looking For in Their Artists with Jeremy Tessmer Read

Virginia Folkestad Exhibition at Sandra Phillips Gallery in Denver | on Art Biz Success

Why Artists Should Embrace Galleries

The way we promote, sell, and buy art is rapidly changing, but there are still many good reasons to consider gallery representation.

Here’s a list to remind you of the upside of working with a gallery. . . .

A gallerist acts as your agent. A good gallery will be your advocate and business partner. They will work to manage your career and help you raise your status and prices.

Why Artists Should Embrace Galleries Read

Adele Sypesteyn

The Art Biz ep. 36: Reaching the Other 99% for Your Art Business with Adele Sypesteyn

Have you ever been so focused on a goal you thought was right for you that you missed opportunities that might have been better?

Chances are good that you can’t answer that question because you were so myopic. You just knew that this one direction was the path you needed to take. And you might have ignored that it wasn’t working or didn’t feel like the right fit.

This week’s podcast guest, Adele Sypesteyn, has been making a living from her art for 4 decades. But she never gets too comfortable with income coming from a particular source. She pays attention to changes in the marketplace and economy. And she educates herself.

The people who go into galleries are 1% of the population.
I wanted to reach the other 99%.

Listen to learn how Adele made the decision to pull out of her galleries and how she easily replaced that income.

The Art Biz ep. 36: Reaching the Other 99% for Your Art Business with Adele Sypesteyn Read

Ali Cavanaugh painting

The Art Biz ep. 33: Reinventing Your Art Career with Ali Cavanaugh

In 2014, Ali Cavanaugh had 11 galleries representing her work throughout the U.S. and even overseas. It was all she could do to paint fast enough to supply these galleries with new work.

What a great problem to have, right? But something wasn’t sitting right with Ali. So she asked each of the 11 galleries to return her work. One by one they sent back what few paintings remained in their inventories.

There was no animosity. Ali greatly appreciated all the work the galleries did on her behalf, but she was no longer satisfied with the status quo.

She had begun to reconsider not just what her business model looked like, but the art itself.

She decided to take control and be very deliberate about her next moves.

In episode 33 of the Art Biz Podcast, you’ll hear about:

  • Ali’s first steps as an artist and initial gallery representation.
  • Why galleries weren’t interested in work behind glass.
  • How Ali took 6 months to teach herself a new watercolor technique and why it was important to do this.
  • How Ali used her blog to attract press coverage and

The Art Biz ep. 33: Reinventing Your Art Career with Ali Cavanaugh Read

Tracy Miller Gallery event

The Art Biz ep. 22: Opening and Running Your Own Gallery with Tracy Miller

A lot of my students and clients have mentioned their desire to open a gallery. And some have done so without putting much thought into what it takes and … later regret it.

I’m excited that artist and gallerist Tracy Miller is on this episode to talk about her experience running Tracy Miller Gallery for the last 7 years.

She talks about selecting a tight focus for her gallery, which she feels was critical for its success. The artists she chose to work with are in the genre of New West and have some experience under their belts. They are also savvy professionals.

She also reveals why she chose the specific location for the gallery and the many challenges—including wildfires and city-wide flooding—she overcame while running the business.

Tracy, who spent much of her time networking and connecting to people and businesses in the community, offers at least three pieces of advice for anyone interested in opening a gallery.

1. Work at another gallery for awhile. She learned a great deal by working at a large space for 5 years.

2. Crunch the numbers. And know the numbers. Tracy knows not only her average monthly sale in dollars, but the average sale for surrounding businesses.

3. Figure out how you will continue to have studio time. If you say you’re an artist, you must be making art and serving as an example to the artists in your stable.

Tracy also discusses her decision to

The Art Biz ep. 22: Opening and Running Your Own Gallery with Tracy Miller Read

The Art Biz ep. 19: The Investing Artist: Art, Real Estate, and Legacy with Mary Erickson

I met Mary Erickson in person for the first time at the 2016 Plein Air South in Apalachicola, Florida. We bonded over cocktails and oysters. (Mary is the only person who has ever convinced me to eat oysters.)

I was immediately impressed with Mary’s business savvy, as I know you will be. Her art sales have paid for her lifestyle, which is comfortable and adventurous, but far from extravagant. She is a discerning investor and wise with her finances.

Mary says she paints so that she can buy real estate so that she can collect art–paintings by other artists. You’ll hear all about it in the latest episode of the Art Biz Podcast. You’ll also hear about:

  • How she started selling and why she believes being involved in your community is key to an artist’s success.
  • How she keeps up with the 8 different galleries that represent her.
  • Mary’s legacy project: High Ridge Gardens, a bird sanctuary and artist retreat on her property, which she will leave with a funded endowment.

And you’ll learn the one finance book Mary recommends you read (if you only read one).

I hope you’re inspired by this conversation with Mary Erickson. Click on continue reading to listen in.

The Art Biz ep. 19: The Investing Artist: Art, Real Estate, and Legacy with Mary Erickson Read

Karin Olah speaks at her opening. Photo courtesy Alicia Leeke.

5 Crucial Things To Do After Your Art Opening

Your art opening is not the end. It’s only the beginning.

It’s common for artists to be bummed after an opening. So much work went into making the art, promoting the event, and installing it. No wonder you’re deflated when you wake up the next morning.

This is when you must soldier on. You have artwork hanging in a public space, and it’s the perfect time to get some things done that couldn’t happen if your art had stayed in the studio.

The fun starts now with these 5 To Dos.

1. Schedule a Photo Shoot

When your work is hung in a beautiful setting, you want pictures!

This is no time for amateur hour. You need fantastic photos to use in your promotions and to document the occasion.

Get photos of:

5 Crucial Things To Do After Your Art Opening Read

Leslie Neumann with her paintings Beauty deep Within and Fateful, Faithful. Each 60 x 45 inches.

Are Art Consultants Right For You?

This article is excerpted and summarized from an interview with artist Leslie Neumann for our members. Leslie generously shared her experience working with art consultants. The key points here are provided by Leslie and with include my annotations. If you have a solid studio practice and welcome the challenge of commissioned work, art consultants might

Are Art Consultants Right For You? Read

Scroll to Top

Your Artist Mailing List: Rethinking + Assessing

Get a transcript of episode 182 of The Art Biz (Rethinking Mailing Lists for Artists) followed by a 3-page worksheet to evaluate the overall health and usage of the 3 types of artist lists.

Where can we send it? 

To ensure delivery, please triple check your email address.

You’ll also receive my regular news for your art business.

Privacy + Terms