So, you’ve been working 40 hours/week on your art career for years? That’s amazing! THAT’S what a real artist does. Makes all the sacrifices that this implies – including personal sacrifices – to dedicate the big hours necessary for high levels of success in the arts. Nice job!

As you can see above there are also artists who work upwards of 60, 70, 80 hours/week, so that’s an option for you as well – if it’s an option. To get to be able to dedicate 40 hours/week to your art career means you were born with money or you partnered up with someone who will earn money while you create (smart) or you’re piling on an extra 40 hours/week on top of your other 40 hours/week that you dedicate to your job.

If the first one sounds like you, then please come in an buy some art from us – and fast! If the second one sounds you then congrats on finding a stable, money-producing partner; I’m sure you help out a lot around the house to make up for it. If the last one sounds like you, then wow! That’s a lot of dedication. 

If you’ve been doing this workload for decades than chances are you’re also very successful. If you’ve been doing it for just a few years then you’re on your path to success. If you’ve just been doing it for a couple of weeks then keep at it, but please don’t keeping reading this post: switch to one that will have advice tailored to you. The advice in this post is only for folks who have been working 40 hours/week on their art career for years.

Everyone wants to be where you’re at, but few have the stamina to be able to do what it takes to get there. Huge hours, lots of stress, lots of dealing with disappointments and challenges, building your brand, learning and growing and learning and growing, often worrying about how to pay the bills early in your career. Our hats are off to you! We know how hard it is because we’ve been there. Thank you.  

Are you selling work, but just looking for a new city/space to show in? Feel free to TEXT us and leave a message with your full name and city and the words “40 hrs/week”. 

We’ll Google you and your website will pop up with your incredible art and hopefully some links to some media as well. Don’t sweat it if you don’t have much media at this point; some day you will, just keep up that solid work ethic. 

If you look like an amazing human being creating stunning art that fits into what we’re doing then go ahead and text us and we’ll get back to you as soon as we get a free moment to schedule a meeting with you: (509) 270-5804.

And, because you’re a smart artist you also understand that our hands are extremely full keeping our business alive and thriving and focusing on the artists that we have already committed to work with so we won’t be able to reply to all inquiries. We care deeply about the artists we already represent. We also respect our commitments and prioritize those over others. Calling you up and explaining to you why you don’t fit right now into our program sounds like a terrible way to spend time for both you and us, doesn’t it?

Thanks again for doing the work, putting in the time. We hope things work out and we can work together. If you’re working 40 hours/week and you reach out to us and we don’t get back to you quickly rest assured that we’ll put you in a special category and monitor your career and the minute things change and we have an opportunity for you then we will reach out. Thank you!

In the meantime, here are some great articles written by a highly successful arts advisor in California with decades upon decades of experience in the art world : Absolutely Essential Artist Tips, What Galleries Look For In Artists, and Common Misconceptions About Galleries.  

These articles will be especially helpful for those artists who are successful professionals, but haven’t started a new relationship with a gallery in a while. The relationship between a highly successful gallery owner and a full time artist are among the coolest relationships ever, but you want to get off on the right foot and the above articles will put you in the right frame of mind to successfully begin a healthy relationship with a peer. Enjoy!

Lastly, we hope the above articles opened your eyes, but didn’t shock you too much. There’s some great info in there from an experienced arts professional. One thing that we would suggest is that if we don’t reply to you quickly you may wish to start to slowly build a relationship with the gallery. It’s one thing we see missing in Spokane.

 
In communities all over the world as we speak artists are developing relationships with galleries. Slowly, purposefully, thoughtfully. They’re attending First Fridays, they’re bringing their friends along to the galleries they want to show in, they’re buying work from the galleries (this is a no brainer, but nobody does it in Spokane – best way to show you really support a gallery is to literally support that gallery - to purchase a piece – it makes a great first impression), they’re getting their friends to buy work, they’re “liking” and “sharing” all the gallery’s social media to get on the gallery’s radar, all the while working on their work, developing a following, and creating a fantastic web presence.

It’s work, alot of work. Okay, a TON of work, but if you’re a real artist you won’t be afraid of putting in the time. A real artist, just MUST create and will do everything necessary to eventually succeed. We know. We’ve been there. We’ve done that work and achieved success. And we know lots of people who have as well. It’s possible, but very difficult. Now’s a good time to get going…