Exhibitng paintings

[jeanette1976]

How do i go about getting my paintings exhibited and shown in cafes and local galleries? Do i need to pay much commission and do well known local art galleries only take the better pictures from more famous artists?

I'm not confident that my paintings are great although my mates think they're fine, so I'm a bit wary of asking to put them in an exhibition but desperate for extra �3000 to pay for my new course at uni and can't do it on a barmaid/ waitresse's wage!

Thanks

Jeanette

[jno]

if it's just a cafe, why not ask the owner? If they don't normally display pictures, they might be pleased with the opportunity to brighten up the walls. You could come to whatever deal you agreed on - perhaps you'd frame the paintings and offer them a cut of the proceeds of any that sold?

Galleries would be a much more formal affair, and I don't know the answer there.

[shaneystar2]

A friend of mine who is quite an accomplished artist started off by having a stall at her local craft fair .She put them up along with other things she fiddles about doing such as embroidery,tapestry and so on .She was approached by someone from the library who then said would she be interested in having a few of her pictures in an exhibition they were holding and from there she sold some and got a couple of commissions .She now has a web site and is doing quite well ..If you were to tout them round to independent galleries they take a hefty cut .
Try approaching your local library or somewhere like that or is there an Art College in your area they may be able to give you some pointers.Our local supermarket has pictures from local artists in their eatery .Anyone can exhibit and it costs nothing .

[jeanette1976]

Great idea... I was hoping to be commissioned by eateries and trendy bars.... maybe I could simply go in with a bunch of pictures or portfolio of my work... of course, I'd first have to find the time to paint a new portfolio's worth and figure out where to store all my canvases!!!

Great idea though... thanks!