What's the biggest mistake artists make with galleries versus selling direct?

The fundamental shift is understanding that selling direct allows you to build relationships with collectors yourself, rather than having galleries do it for you. Many artists are initially terrified to talk directly to buyers because galleries handled those conversations. But building those direct relationships becomes the best part of the business—you meet wonderful people, they share their stories, and you develop genuine friendships. Additionally, the gallery model means you’re dependent on the gallery being open and actively selling for you. With your own website and marketing systems, you control when and how your work is presented, and you can keep your ‘gallery’ open consistently, even when traveling or dealing with life challenges.

---

Asked by an artist transitioning from galleries to direct sales · Answered by Kimberly Cammerata with Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2024-10-30