The system we have now is fairly artificial, so it makes sense that it will change, but I think one of the fundamental issues is that its very hard work for many artists to spend time cultivating the relationships needed to eventually find their audience.
After twenty five years of working with major galleries I decided to partner in 2012 with The NY Times. Instead of paying galleries I pay for print advertising to reach my audience. I watched artists freak out in 2008 when the recession destroyed many careers just like what is happening now with the art world contraction. I wasn’t going to wait for someone to find my audience or further build my career. I now partner with The New Yorker and WSJ in addition to The NY Times. Every artist has to figure out who they are in the studio and who they are in the art world. It’s your responsibility to nurture your career and your story. It always has been. Everyone from Chardin and Corot to Monet to Frank Stella, guided their own career.
Hi Mitchell, we spoke on a panel about Leland Bell together at NYSS. I admire you very much as an artist and I always wondered how this works. What does it mean to partner with these publications? Is it basically a question of you paying to have your images and ads for your work published in those publications?
Very interesting, thanks ✨
Once again a great piece! And I learned about new visual artists to obsess over. Thank you this was so interesting!
The system we have now is fairly artificial, so it makes sense that it will change, but I think one of the fundamental issues is that its very hard work for many artists to spend time cultivating the relationships needed to eventually find their audience.
After twenty five years of working with major galleries I decided to partner in 2012 with The NY Times. Instead of paying galleries I pay for print advertising to reach my audience. I watched artists freak out in 2008 when the recession destroyed many careers just like what is happening now with the art world contraction. I wasn’t going to wait for someone to find my audience or further build my career. I now partner with The New Yorker and WSJ in addition to The NY Times. Every artist has to figure out who they are in the studio and who they are in the art world. It’s your responsibility to nurture your career and your story. It always has been. Everyone from Chardin and Corot to Monet to Frank Stella, guided their own career.
That is so brilliant. May I post what you wrote on Insta? I can pair it with one of your paintings, if you'd like.
and on notes on Substack as well
Do you read The New Yorker or NY Times in print?
Yes, New Yorker, no NYT.
Sure
Done. Amazing story.
Hi Mitchell, we spoke on a panel about Leland Bell together at NYSS. I admire you very much as an artist and I always wondered how this works. What does it mean to partner with these publications? Is it basically a question of you paying to have your images and ads for your work published in those publications?
What an important survey and summary of the artist’s experience in the current art world and gallery situation.
It is not a pretty picture. Thanks for gathering it for us, your followers.
Great to hear from you, Dee! Hope you and your family are well.
The business side of art always seems so incongruent to the work, and totally daunting. Thanks for this article and these perspectives.
Thanks Maggie. Very informative!
Thanks and So nice to hear from you, Cameron. I have such fond memories of weaving in your garage!
Please come by and we can catch up!
Im not living in LA anymore. Back on the east coast