| I was once asked by a friend of a friend to display | | | | to appear to fussy to the printer to p... him off. But I |
| my pictures in an upcoming exhibition. The organiser | | | | wanted to be satisfied with the final result. The final |
| of the event had seen my work and liked it, and | | | | prints were made and I was happy with the end |
| thought it would be ideal for the theme of the | | | | results. Seeing the final prints, the reality of the |
| exhibition. It was also an opportunity for upcoming | | | | exhibition started to kick in, knowing the event was |
| artists to get exposure. | | | | just over a month away. |
| When I first found out, I was in an initial state of | | | | The printer, recommended a friend of his who was a |
| shock, then excitement came over me and then | | | | good picture framer, in his own words "would not |
| suddenly fear started to set in. As it was my first | | | | cost me the earth". Based on his recommendation, I |
| time displaying my works in a gallery. I was not | | | | went to see the picture framer with my prints. We |
| prepared, and I had no idea what to expect. The | | | | discussed frame sizes, the style of frames to use, |
| event organiser wanted to meet me to discuss the | | | | borders for mounting, reflective glass or not etc. |
| event and select prints from my portfolio. Luckily, I | | | | Whilst this was all taking place, I collected some |
| had put together my portfolio some time back so it | | | | flyers from the event organiser and started self |
| came to be useful when called upon. Fortunately, the | | | | promoting the upcoming event. By leaving flyers in |
| meeting went well with the event organiser. We | | | | shops, local businesses, and spreading the word |
| agreed on which prints to use in the gallery and the | | | | through friends, emails, and Facebook etc. I also |
| commission the gallery would take on each print sold. | | | | made several visits to the gallery leading up to the |
| Shortly after the meeting, I was introduced by the | | | | event to decide on where to hang my prints. |
| event organiser to an artist that was currently | | | | The opening night of the exhibition would be a |
| exhibiting their work in the gallery. She mentioned, | | | | private view and a chance for the public to meet the |
| this was a good opportunity for me to ask the artist | | | | artists. Therefore, the artists would have to provide |
| lots of questions on what to expect and how to | | | | bottles of wine etc. for those attending the private |
| prepare myself. The artist, a well known and | | | | view. |
| established painter had displayed their work in galleries | | | | On the night of the private view. I turned up early |
| across the world. The artist, gave me one of the | | | | before the guests arrived and brought my portfolio, |
| most important pieces of advice I still use today. He | | | | together business cards and a book for guests to |
| said "Always believe in your work". He went on and | | | | leave their comments. Also, a price list of the prints, |
| said, you will get positive and negative criticism from | | | | coupled with a written overview of my work on |
| people. Criticism is sometimes important and | | | | display. |
| sometimes unimportant. If you believe in your work, | | | | Overall, the private view was a success. I made |
| this will help you shrug off negative criticism. | | | | some good contacts and got a lot of good reviews |
| Everyone is entitled to their opinions and everyone | | | | from those that attended on the night. The exhibition |
| has a different view on a Art. I thanked him for his | | | | would continue for a month, and during that time I |
| time and advice, and left with a new outlook on the | | | | made several visits to review the comments book |
| event. | | | | and check for any sales. I sold several prints during |
| I have always been someone who cringed or felt | | | | the exhibition and landed a some paid jobs off the |
| uncomfortable when someone complimented my | | | | event. |
| work. I would always say "Thank you" politely and | | | | Looking back on the event. I know now there is a |
| then try and change the subject or conversation. I | | | | distinction between Art and commercial interests. As |
| already had in mind the type of questions I would | | | | an upcoming artist you need the exposure and your |
| have to answer. The things I feared most was | | | | first break. It is important to remember galleries are |
| dealing with negative comments and having to | | | | out to maximise their profit, plus they have a |
| respond to them. | | | | reputation to keep. So be weary of the galleries |
| One of my first challenges in preparation for the | | | | commission they will charge you for each sale of |
| exhibition, was to find a good printer and also | | | | your works. Also, galleries have a tendency to |
| someone to frame my prints. I had already agreed | | | | choose the artists work to display, that they feel |
| we would use 20 x "A3" prints for the exhibition. | | | | bodes well with other artists in the gallery or the |
| Most of my art work was a mixture of 35mm colour | | | | theme of the exhibition. |
| b&w film and digital images. | | | | Some artists host their own viewings by hiring |
| With this in mind, I shopped around until I found an | | | | galleries to host their event. This way, the artist |
| established printer with a good reputation for creating | | | | takes a larger percentage of sales. |
| exhibition prints. To reduce costs, I would do most of | | | | Also it is worth keeping an up to date portfolio of |
| the re-touching of the images myself. This reduced | | | | your work, as this shows potential clients your |
| the overall cost considerably or get charged by the | | | | various styles, and helps you land future work. |
| hour. Although, in hindsight, I would have preferred if | | | | It is important to take into account when pricing your |
| this was done by a Professional. As the time spent | | | | work the commission charge per sale, printing/framing |
| on re-touching never ending. | | | | costs and the other additional costs you may incur. I |
| During this time I was going back and forth to the | | | | found the comments book was great for feedback |
| printers to review print samples before he made the | | | | from visitors to the gallery. Preparation is key, as you |
| final prints. As a complete novice, some of my | | | | want your first exhibition to be a success. |
| images I had never printed before or printed to that | | | | And last but not least enjoy yourself!!! |
| size. So this was quite a challenge, as I did not want | | | | |