I was talking to a fellow artist last week about the in’s and out’s of being an artist and in that conversation I found myself saying quit profoundly:
“Just tell me what you want me to paint and I will paint it”
This was on the heels of a discussion about how the gallery system tries to manipulate the artist voice and steer the artist in one direction or the other to make them produce work that in invariably the same but sale-able.
It is kind of a double edge sword. On the one hand we want to sell our work so then why not produce what the market wants and your sales are hence forth guaranteed… aren’t they? The gallery said they would be. But on the other hand, hum… are you copping out?
We want to paint, sculpt, print what we want to paint, sculpt, print and the dam market is suppose to come breaking down our doors to get it. But they don’t. So you compromise and paint, sculpt, print what the market wants so that you can paint, sculpt, print what the hell you want and decorate your own walls and the walls of your family and friends (hey that’s their job, to support you with their walls).
So tell me what do you think about creating what the market wants so you can create what you want?
Galleries usually know from experience what sells but like everyone they can be overly cautious and sometimes don’t take as many risks as they could but if we were paying the lease, utilities, insurance, and staff for a gallery how much risk would we be willing to take? I think we compromise if a gallery is willing. Make what they feel will sell but also make some of what you want and with luck they will take both and expose their clients to both kinds of art. Ultimately the sales will determine whether or not they’re willing to continue. Let’s face it, they can’t hang what will not sell, it isn’t good for them and it won’t do you any good if you are needing to make money at your art. The market will determine what you end up taking to the gallery. If a fruit vendor puts out oranges and no one buys them he will soon stop putting them out, on the other hand it’s wise to at least try the oranges and see what happens. People won’t know what they like if they haven’t yet tried it.
Like you say Kim an artist can always provide what the gallery wants while still making the art that’s in your heart. Perhaps this is less satisfying but commerce will always win out. If that art is unacceptable to the gallery the artist can always market it to galleries in other locations. If that doesn’t work an artist can find all kinds of ways to get this art seen by having studio parties/shows to try to sell it. If that doesn’t work either it can be donated, given away or like you say hung in your own home and those of your families and friends for the satisfaction of sharing it.
In the end if an artist needs to make money from their art then they must compromise with the gallery and find other avenues to show their other work. If the artist doesn’t need the money then lucky them, they can make whatever art they want.
I like what you said about the gallery exposing their clients to different art by the same artist. It seems that “the system” wants us to always be that same but we need to grow as artists and sometimes that means change.
This brings me back around to my question: can you be a part time professional? Reality is, most of us do need money to keep life and limb together (wouldn’t it be nice to be independently wealthy?). The decision I made, long ago, was to educate myself into a second career, one that fulfills me intellectually and emotionally, and that pays well enough I can do it part time. It’s taken years, but I’m finally at a place where I can balance studio and job.
Of course then I added a child, spelling death to balance altogether, but that’s a whole other complication!
I don’t see a lot of difference between having paid work outside of art and choosing to paint “what sells”, at least some of the time, though I’m told there’s a risk of “diluting your brand” by showing/selling work that isn’t your best. Personally, I’d rather do something financially reliable than pour my artistic energy into painting by rote, but that’s my choice. We all do things to pay the bills. There shouldn’t be judgement attached to it.
I have that second career as well and feel very fortunate that I too can say that it fulfills me both intellectually and emotionally.
As for my art; if a request to alter my art practice causes anxiety then I don’t do it. I think instinctively an artist knows whether or not they are compromising their artistic integrity.
A good gallery owner can provide insight into your art practice and perhaps provide some “what if’s” that may help you grow as an artist. But I think the artist has the choice to utilize suggestions or not.
I agree with you Francis – “there shouldn’t be judgment attached”