Gallery Show - Commissions Question
Okay - so now I am really STOKED (as my son would say)!!! I have been asked by the owner of the Artworks Gallery in Bozeman, MT to participate in their June show. She saw some of my work when I was there last June teaching the maskmaking workshop I did at the Bear Canyon Arts school, and has been trying to track me down through my artist friends there. I am super excited about doing a show - of my masks - which will mean making a bunch of new pieces (as I only have 3 masks on hand that aren't spoken for). The owner wanted 25-30 pieces, since my masks are miniatures (ranging from 3" high by 3" wide to about 24" inches high by 12" wide). BUT since I have a full-time job, and can only realistically complete about 3-4 masks per month, I proposed I could provide 15 pieces for the show. Genise is cool with that.
I have only dealt with one gallery that was not an artist-run co-op. The other experience I had was in Port Townsend, WA - and left a sour taste in my mouth for galleries. I guess my real dilemma is related to what Elise was talking about in her blog - pricing and the art market. If the gallery wants 60% commission, and my selling price is $200.00 - that makes the gallery price for the piece $320.00. And then I'm thinking: if someone would buy this piece for $320, why am I dealing with a gallery? Of course I realise they are paying for the advertising, and have an established clientele, and all the rent and overhead, and the opening reception. So it's not like they're doing nothing. Plus - this is the first time I've ever had a gallery approach me to do a show. And it would be great exposure! And don't get me wrong - the Artworks folks sound very nice, and one of the art school business partners has his work in the gallery.
Whew! Okay - I'll stop now. It's not like me to get all discombobulated. I'm a Virgo after all. Grounded, earthy. I'm analytical. I research, research, research, contemplate, then make decisions. And I've already said yes - we just have the details to work out. And I've already started the masks. I have drawings for 7 pieces, and have roughed out 2 of them. I'll post pics soon! And after spending most of President's Day working on the masks, I have band-aids on three fingers - both thumbs and my ring finger! I was so excited to get to work carving, and my knives were so nice and sharp... at this rate, I'd better buy stock in Johnson & Johnson!
posted by Elderberry Studio @ 8:24 PM
9 Comments:
Congratulations, Jackie! It's wonderful to be asked instead of being the begger yourself! I think you have given yourself a reasonable time goal to get the work done. Enjoy it and good luck!
Cool! I hope they didn't ask you to pay any fees to show(?)! If not then truly exciting!
Have you ever met art ace Bill Holm? He taught at the UW- NW Native American Art. I'll never forget the day he brought in a nice log section and his ax. In 30 min. he managed to chop it into a decent mask! Chips were aflyin'!
Nice Troll pic too! :)
Yeah! Contratulations Jackie that is thrilling news. I'm sure you will wow them, your work is so beautiful!!!
(I'm trying this again, my stuff doesn't seem to be posting)
Elise
Elise:
Sorry your comments don't get posted right away (no-one's do) - it's the only way I've found to prevent spammers. Of course, if spammers post, I can remove their comments. Maybe I'll go back to that method. I'm really not trying to discourage anyone (except spammers) from posting! Thanks for the props!
Greg: No fees -just the commission! It wasn't like a contest or juried show, where you often do pay for sending in your portfolio/slides - and may not get chosen. The gallery owner tracked me down, and said she was really interested in me doing a show in her gallery. She has 'some collectors' coming in June, and I guess they are interested in "Native American" art. It's the first time this Eskimo girl will be showing her work so far inland! I'm really not a landlubber at all.
Bill Holm - is he the one who edits all the books on Northwest Coast art? I have a couple of his books. But I've never seen him carve - let alone in person. Yea - those master carvers are pretty amazing. I work on a small scale, and my pieces can have lots of small pieces that all have to be attached. Eskimo masks are quite different from the Northwest Coast masks that we see here around the Sound. I've made full-sized masks, but I don't have alot of room to store wood, or alot of room to work. Plus, working on big pieces gives me tendonitis bad. I have to use chisels and gouges and a mallet, plus my adze. I just really prefer working small.
Congrats on the show Jackie!
Howard: Thanks! Now of course, the dilemma is: how do I find enough time to make the pieces I've promised...I may resort to a temporary reduced schedule at work. But the darned IRS is not sending me my tax return yet!
How does that work in Canada - do you have to pay taxes annually, or is it as you get paid? I had a friend who lived in Switzerland, and she said everyone paid the same amount, based on their gross salary, and it was paid monthly (like our withholding) but you never got any back, or had to pay any more. They also had socialized medicine, and other government benefits.
Congratulations, you are so inspiring!
Hey Jackie, Taxes come off of every paycheque here. If your taxed at the correct rates then you usuually don't get anything back, but thats not taking into account all the deductions out there. It varies from province to province as well.
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