Comments on: Facilitate Payment for the Sale of Your Artwork

By: Theresa grillo Laird

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:53:50 +0000

I once had the experience of having to wait 6 months to get paid. I’d made multiple calls which were usually met with some version or another of we’re having trouble collecting. At that time, the gallery was owned by two people but I usually saw only one of them. Finally after many calls to her, I happened to reach the other partner. When she heard I was still trying to collect, she said of course you need to collect! A check was waiting on my next visit. Sometimes it pays to contact the more silent partner.

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By: diana

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:07:57 +0000

Absolutely 100% correct

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By: Christine

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:02:35 +0000

The artist gallery relationship is a partnership–communication is essential. Check in with them often–find out what is happening. If they are not reciprocating with communication & glad to hear from you–you are (at the very least) on shaky ground. Get something in writing. But the artist has responsibility as well–you can’t just hand over your precious work and forget about it. If your work is in a gallery that is far away, you are at greater risk–be a squeaky wheel. The problem with the current gallery setup for artists is that galleries take your work without any investment on their part. What other retail business do you know that gets all their merchandise for free? If you have had to pay for your merchandise, there is a much higher motivation to sell it & get your investment back. In the old days galleries actually bought work from artists–or had a deal with an artist they believed in to pay them a stipend for a certain amount of work. That allowed the artist to live & work while the gallery dealt with sales. Of course, many artists were taken advantage of in that scenario as well, because they gave all their power away.
My advice–only deal with people you trust. Become a friend or at least involved with what’s happening. Be responsible for your own work.

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By: Sari Grove

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:45:10 +0000

My first step is to walk over to the gallery in person …In August, I did this & discovered that the sidewalks up & down the street had all been torn up for repairs. When I got to the gallery, lo & behold, they were gone…It made sense & I didn’t blame them for leaving (I was supposed to be in an upcoming show-wouldn’t it be great if artists were compensated when galleries just up & close? I guess that’s a rhetorical question…hmmm.)…On my way home, I stopped in on a health centre type store, just to realign my chakra or whatever you call it when you are depressed about something…The owner said “How are you?” & I ended up telling her the truth…A hug later, I now had a new showing opportunity…& now, I have my art & my healing environment in the same locale…

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By: Michael Newberry

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:30:04 +0000

Alyson,
Excellent points.
Related to this from the perspective of the gallery owner, in mid-October I made a sale of Wray painting in which I had to pay out a small percentage to someone helping me, and to Wray. I waited to do this as I wanted to make sure the collector took possession happily. The collector wanted and paid extra for a different frame, which, unfortunately, they didn’t like. So I took back the frame and reimbursed the collector. The collector is now happy with the painting in their frame of choice, and checks (for the percentage of what ultimately sold) went out to Wray and the helper two days go on December 1st.
Fortunately for me, everyone was very gracious and understanding.

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