The Question:

Dear ArtSlut, I was recently invited to become an exhibitor at a coop gallery in Tampa. I’m happy they thought of me, but have questions & concerns. Plus, it seems pretty expensive. They want $1,400 + me, to work in the store two shifts a week. Is that normal? Do you have any advice on coops & how they might affect my career in the long run? I need to make some money & am kind of afraid to make such a commitment. Thanks, Jane

 The Answer:

Hey there, Jane - you commitment-a-phobe. There are lots of ways to look at this & things to consider. Without question, you make more money selling your own stuff than you do using the old fashioned 50/50 consignment gig, which btw, is not greed on the gallery’s part. It’s MANDATORY for their survival & they do you a great service by letting the world know of your existence - assuming they do a good job. Most galleries fail in the first year, because there are all kinds of expenses that we artists are often unaware of, like liability & art insurance, workmen’s comp. etc… So, if you have a gallery that’s really doing well by you, you may want to consider staying with them.

On the other hand, if your work is a prooven seller & you have a following, getting into a coop gallery is a great way to get your feet wet, before truly going out on your own. Here are some things to consider:

• How much do you have to sell, before breaking even & does your track record of sales support that?
• Who is responsible for marketing & letting the world know that your creative genius is available in that shop? If it’s YOU, do you have the know how & gumption to do that? (you can do it).
• Do they handle the sales tax & bookkeeping?
• Are they in a high foot traffic or great destination location?
• Does it look like a respectable gallery, or have a ‘flea market’ feel? Make sure going with them looks good on you.
• Going with them may keep you from being responsible for: signage & displays, employees, credit card machines, employees, web sites, marketing, security, the A/C… There is a TON of behind the scenes work, responsibility & STUFF involved in running your own business.

I’d say, if you’re confident that your work will sell, they have good traffic or a great draw & reputation, go for it. If there just another rinky-dink, flea-bag, bohemian looking deal, forget it. Stick with known professionals, with a good reputation. You’ll be successful & learn a lot, too. Hope that helps. Of course you know, there’s tons more info on this & more, in my new book & I’m sending you a e-book version, for sending in the question. Thanks, Hon! Barb

 The Answer:

Dear WTF, I’m so sorry to hear of your discomfort. After reading your overly comma infused letter a few times, I’ve come to the conclusion that this may be God (or your version of’s) way of bringing you . Although it sounds pretty darned uncomfortable now, try to remember that necessity is the mother of invention & discomfort breeds change. You’re right. It’s time to reinvent yourself - as many times as it takes. If you had a successful art career & have friends there, you are far ahead of the game & if you’ve been living in a place you don’t love, doing a job you don’t love… you have obviously not been following your heart. What is it that you truly love? Do you miss doing your art? As for reinventing yourself, here are a few ideas:

1. Have you considered doing a ‘friends’ show, where you collaborate with several other artists? If you can find a space to do it, it’s a great way to garner press & let the world know you’re back, as well as engratiate yourself with lots of other artists.
2. If the economy has changed, maybe you need to do so as well. That may mean you target a new audience or start a new trend. Maybe you could partner with an existing business. For example, if you know of a restaurant or bar that could use a few more clients, perhaps you could pitch them on the idea of being a gallery combo business.
3. Offer to write an art column for your local paper for free. It will keep your finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the arts in your town, make you feel good about helping other artists & will keep your name fresh in the paper. You can even say in your bi-line, ‘So & so is a (fill in the blank) artist, who shows at the yada yada gallery’. Don’t be a critic though. The world has enough of them.
4. You might consider applying to work at a gallery for a while. Maybe, you can sell your work there, too.
5. Apply for whatever art fairs & festivals are in the area. Sounds like you need to make cash, fast!
6. Most importantly, get to work. If you have to take a J.O.B. for a while - so be it, but get on your creative horse & ride, right now!
7. Be good to yourself. Challenges happen to everyone. This is fate giving you inspiration. So, don’t beat on yourself. Just pick yourself up & do what you have to do. You will be okay, I promise.

For now, I’m going to send you an e-copy of my book, for free. You’ll find lots of ideas about how to make money as an artist in it.

I sure hope that helps & I’ll keep my thinking cap on for you. Let me know if you have anymore questions, Hon. All the best, Barb & Annie

 A !!!

The Question: Dear ArtSlut,

I left my home, a year ago to pursue my dream & in a nutshell, everything I’ve touched for the last year (+?), has turned straight to crap - no love, (now) no money, I’m not even making my day to day living expenses & I’m working full time! I was a successful artist, where I came from, but now, I’m kind of afraid to go back. It’s been a few years & the economy isn’t what it used to be, besides… now, I don’t have any money to even get started on. I do have great friends there, though & it’s always cold, in CA, which drives me nuts! So, I’m seriously thinking about biting the bullet & taking the plunge. That would mean giving up great friends, in a place I don’t care about, with a job I don’t love - that literally is leaving me $300/mo SHORT of my obligations - for a place I love, with other friends I love & a place to stay for a bit, in a town where I have nothing ’secured’ financially, but I have a real following for my art & I believe, a real possibility to ‘make it’, again. Obviously, I’m very much considering biting the bullet & going home, to the South. Apparently, I am NoT a California Girl & believe me, ‘hangin’ loose’ is not what I’m doing, here. Any thoughts on how to re-start your life & re-invent yourself, successfully, as an artist??? Thanks, Annie, or Barb or who/whatever you are..

signed, wtf do i do now?