Comments on: Do I need an Artist’s Agent? http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/do-i-need-an-artists-agent.html Live the life of your dreams Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:53:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Maria Brophy http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/do-i-need-an-artists-agent.html/comment-page-1#comment-29764 Maria Brophy Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:45:19 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=55#comment-29764 Alan, in my article I talk about how difficult it is to find an agent unless you are already a very successful artist. If you currently do not have strong sales of your work, than you will most likely have to pay a monthly fee to an agent. There are many agents that are willing to take you on for a monthly fee (sometimes as much as $2,500 a month), but it's risky. Even if you pay that fee, there is no guarantee that you will see sales. The best way to find agents is to network - go to art trade shows and find out which agencies are exhibiting or walking the show, then contact them for a meeting. Another is to ask for a recommendation from an artist who is already represented. I am not aware of any lists, however, trade shows will have lists of agencies that attend or exhibit. Alan, in my article I talk about how difficult it is to find an agent unless you are already a very successful artist. If you currently do not have strong sales of your work, than you will most likely have to pay a monthly fee to an agent.

There are many agents that are willing to take you on for a monthly fee (sometimes as much as $2,500 a month), but it’s risky. Even if you pay that fee, there is no guarantee that you will see sales.

The best way to find agents is to network – go to art trade shows and find out which agencies are exhibiting or walking the show, then contact them for a meeting.

Another is to ask for a recommendation from an artist who is already represented.

I am not aware of any lists, however, trade shows will have lists of agencies that attend or exhibit.

]]> By: Alan http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/do-i-need-an-artists-agent.html/comment-page-1#comment-29763 Alan Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:28:30 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=55#comment-29763 I am mentally ill and am not able to represent myself as I lack the business and people skills. Where do I find an agent if I am okay with paying the %50. I have never had a piece shown anywhere, but I know my paintings are relevant. I have the skill to create, but not the faculties to apply to the search for who will sell or buy. This is why I feel I need an agent, but I don't understand where to find an art agent, every article about them is the same, "There are pros and cons" "Try representing yourself" etc. I am mentally ill and am not able to represent myself as I lack the business and people skills. Where do I find an agent if I am okay with paying the %50. I have never had a piece shown anywhere, but I know my paintings are relevant. I have the skill to create, but not the faculties to apply to the search for who will sell or buy. This is why I feel I need an agent, but I don’t understand where to find an art agent, every article about them is the same, “There are pros and cons” “Try representing yourself” etc.

]]> By: Charles http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/do-i-need-an-artists-agent.html/comment-page-1#comment-20664 Charles Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:56:23 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=55#comment-20664 I agree. Artists have to take as much control of everything as possible - from representation to production to PR to sales. I agree.
Artists have to take as much control of everything as possible – from representation to production to PR to sales.

]]> By: Linda Sale http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/do-i-need-an-artists-agent.html/comment-page-1#comment-3356 Linda Sale Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:29:17 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=55#comment-3356 Thanks for your blog. It is very interesting to see how we have evolved in the art world. When I got into art many years ago, there were very few instructors except on the college level, and no free advice from anyone about technique or business or even any encouragement from other more experienced artists. It is wonderful to see artists and people who support the arts given freely of their experience and knowledge so willingly. It think your efforts to support are great. At one time those in the art world were so reluctant to share that they knew rather than understanding that no one steals your technique and really duplicates it or your wisdom, or your intelligence and the more you give the more you receive in all those areas. Thank you for your efforts! Thanks for your blog. It is very interesting to see how we have evolved in the art world. When I got into art many years ago, there were very few instructors except on the college level, and no free advice from anyone about technique or business or even any encouragement from other more experienced artists. It is wonderful to see artists and people who support the arts given freely of their experience and knowledge so willingly. It think your efforts to support are great. At one time those in the art world were so reluctant to share that they knew rather than understanding that no one steals your technique and really duplicates it or your wisdom, or your intelligence and the more you give the more you receive in all those areas. Thank you for your efforts!

]]> By: Travis Rice http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/do-i-need-an-artists-agent.html/comment-page-1#comment-3042 Travis Rice Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:07:45 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=55#comment-3042 I had been searching all day for an Artist Rep when I came across your blog. Now I've read about 9 of them and I must say thank you. I am great at creating art but lousy at selling it, even to people who seem to want it. I've had a disconnect between knowing what to do and how to go about doing it, your blogs are helping to fill in some of those gaps. If you are willing to give me any recommendations I would be grateful. I had been searching all day for an Artist Rep when I came across your blog. Now I’ve read about 9 of them and I must say thank you. I am great at creating art but lousy at selling it, even to people who seem to want it. I’ve had a disconnect between knowing what to do and how to go about doing it, your blogs are helping to fill in some of those gaps.
If you are willing to give me any recommendations I would be grateful.

]]> By: David http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/do-i-need-an-artists-agent.html/comment-page-1#comment-1073 David Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:03:59 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=55#comment-1073 It's the classic catch-22. Marketing and promotion takes a LOT of time. It is time away from creating that which you are marketing. Yet, if we don't budget any time for marketing we end up a mere hobby artist with a house full of unclaimed masterpieces. Finding the time to do both is extremely challenging. Plodding ahead will someday have its payoff. It’s the classic catch-22. Marketing and promotion takes a LOT of time. It is time away from creating that which you are marketing. Yet, if we don’t budget any time for marketing we end up a mere hobby artist with a house full of unclaimed masterpieces. Finding the time to do both is extremely challenging. Plodding ahead will someday have its payoff.

]]> By: Maria Brophy http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/do-i-need-an-artists-agent.html/comment-page-1#comment-444 Maria Brophy Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:08:18 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=55#comment-444 Jason, thanks for reading my blog. It's hard working with reps. We've been through a few ourselves, and it's never worked out quite the way we imagined it! Your photography is great, and it seems like you've put in enough hard work that you've made a good name for yourself. That goes far in getting referrals. Jason, thanks for reading my blog. It’s hard working with reps. We’ve been through a few ourselves, and it’s never worked out quite the way we imagined it! Your photography is great, and it seems like you’ve put in enough hard work that you’ve made a good name for yourself. That goes far in getting referrals.

]]> By: Jason Wallis http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/do-i-need-an-artists-agent.html/comment-page-1#comment-442 Jason Wallis Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:57:04 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=55#comment-442 Great post Maria! I had a photo Rep. Now I don't! Representing yourself is the best in my opinion -unless you have an extremely connected agent who can get you in front of the people you cannot. Jason Great post Maria!
I had a photo Rep. Now I don’t! Representing yourself is the best in my opinion -unless you have an extremely connected agent who can get you in front of the people you cannot.
Jason

]]> By: Jeff Dolan http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/do-i-need-an-artists-agent.html/comment-page-1#comment-279 Jeff Dolan Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:00:17 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=55#comment-279 If you are not willing to represent yourself, you must question whether you are truly ready to make money from your art. If not, that's OK, but you must set your expectation accordingly. If you are not willing to represent yourself, you must question whether you are truly ready to make money from your art. If not, that’s OK, but you must set your expectation accordingly.

]]> By: Gwyn Vermeulen http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/do-i-need-an-artists-agent.html/comment-page-1#comment-40 Gwyn Vermeulen Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:36:53 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=55#comment-40 Interesting, maybe my husband needs to represent me! I'll run this by him. Thanks Interesting, maybe my husband needs to represent me! I’ll run this by him. Thanks

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