Kevin,
That`s exactly what I thought I`d propose to them,but the artist is not the one to make sales proposals, that are not to the gallery`s advantage. Well I guess it`s just pure logic, and that`s the very same percentage that did not quite fit me...A friend of mine says: "the world always belonged to the merchants". How right is that! Anyway, you seem to have some experience with galleries. How does one know for how much actually the work is sold? Just by receipt showing and one gets paid accordingly?I don`t know Kevin, it seems... forget it! Ciao. Nelson.

This is the hard part. You have to be able to trust the gallery. If you do not have a good feeling about them you will never be able to sleep at night. It took me a long time to find one I could feel good about. They came Highly recommended and have never tried to hide anything from me. Beginners luck I guess.

Kevin,
This the question I didn`t have an answer for yet, but it`s just as you say. In all, if one adds the gallery mark up to what we want, then anything thereof is not of much importance after all. Thanks again. nelson.

When i price my work I always price it with the percentage added on....usually 50% , like what a gallery would take. This is on my ready-made items not the custom work.
Therfore if a gallery wants it I'm covered..if a client is interested I have a little play on the price....can go down a bit.....SteelyJan
being in a gallery means exposure and is well worth it...if you can make the work which is condusive for selling.

Janet,
I think you are right too. Sometimes one may have a hard time selling a sculpture at a reasonably high price, but gee, galleries have contacts, customers seemingly willing to pay whatever the dealer asks. So if I may not be able to sell something for X $, I`d better not worry about the extra price or mark up the item will have on... and go with them, well I will try. thanks Jan. nelson.

Gallery representation is good. The gallery should be willing to promote your work and the retail price should be decided up front and your percentage should be based on that price. If the gallery chooses to reduce the price they should contact you or take the lost revenue from their percentage. I have actually seen galleries that charge 60%.

Do not undersell your gallery. It is a bonus to you if a client chooses to buy directly from you. If a piece is not selling, pull the piece and put in a different piece. Keep your production as high as you can afford. It is good for buyers to see new and fresh pieces. Be patient. Verify that the gallery does not want exclusivity and if they do what area does it cover. Get your work out there. If no one sees it no one can buy it. Exposure is very important.

Keep clean and acurate records with images for each piece you make. Make sure each pieces is signed and dated. Record time spent making the piece and cost of materials. Even if you find the scrap metal or it is given to you... consider what it's cost is if you had to buy it new.

Consider donating a piece to a charitable auction and have that donation advertized. Some folks hire a college journalism student to write up an article about you and you can send it to the local newspaper.

Hope some of this is of help.

Best,
Fred

Fred Zweig
Metalsmith

Hi Fred,
More useful comments coming in ... all this input makes one feel a bit more secure about getting out there by means of a gallery. The one I`m talking about has a branch in the U.S. and another one in South America. First I`m sending some pics of my work as they ask me too. Hope they like some of my sculptures. They better than anybody know what`s more saleable for them, and what style work their clients are after. If they like any, the next part is if they will like the prices, that might be more tricky yet. We`ll see said a blind man...Thank you Fred! nelson.

Hi Peter,
Try hard to find something I`d disagree with you, but couldn`t find it, LOL. That word RUDE really fits this 50/50 deal the usually push. No pain no gain... Thanks Peter for your input. Nelson.

Hi Paula,

It makes sense,after all, the mark up is transfered to their clients, and amazingly the galleries will probably sell more readily at higher prices than the artist himself at reasonable ones. That`s the way it goes... but that`s fine and everybody should be happy! Thanks . nelson.