by Bob Freyer
Broken promises and the pay to play culture–I think I’ll start the Artist Block off with the broken promises. As a small time and a relatively unknown artist, broken promises can make someone jaded. Not that I haven’t had my moments where I felt a certain way. Having someone say reach out to me explaining they want me to do art for their products, come paint at their establishment or even provide artwork in general. Then, days fall into weeks and then months, and eventually the conversation stops.
I typically follow up after a month, and when I don’t get an answer or reply, I move on. I keep a mental note, but I typically ask one more time if they’re still planning on working with me. I know we all get busy and life is life. I respect everyone’s schedule and the hectic moments they have. I get it 100%. Speaking for myself, I have a full time job, two young kids who are in sports. I’m constantly on the go, and to add to it, I have my own art business. We’re all busy.
However, it’s pretty annoying when someone approaches you expressing they want your art for their business and then nothing. No follow up, no conversation of things have changed. Just nothing. Then it goes back to like nothing happened. Except, you see the lack of social media support. With no likes, comments or anything and us artists are to just move on. That’s the world we live in. I know it sounds like whining about this, I’m just stating facts that this has happened to me numerous times. I’ve learned that I don’t believe anything until it happens. As of now when I’m told someone wants to use my art for something, I just assume they’re thinking out loud or trying to be nice. All because it doesn’t always happen.
Unfortunately, this also happens with shows. I’ve been told “I’m coming to the opening and I want to write about it, blog about or give a review.” Then it’s show time and that person doesn’t show up or follow up asking for pictures or asking questions. Like I said above, we’re all busy. I get it. I’m pretty old school and I let people know that I can’t make something when I say I’ll be there or do something.
However, it sucks for emerging artists that need the work, press, and people coming to shows. All of this matters in the eye of the internet. 99 out of 100 times people post pictures about where they were for their blog, what or who they’re writing about and this helps the local and emerging artists who want to sell their art. I don’t think this is done intentionally or personally. Most of the time people have good intentions for the most part. From an artist’s point of view, it’s frustrating and annoying. Especially when we put together a show. There’s so much energy, time, and money that goes into a show I think people don’t understand that. Having someone flake out on you, when they offered it, is discouraging. We’re only as good as our word.
There’s many ways to deal with those broken promises. A younger me would be holding grudges, but as who I am now. I just see it as they missed out. I’ve learned that people usually have good intentions, but things come up. Just because a show is really important to me, doesn’t mean that it’s important to anyone else. Holding a grudge isn’t healthy, and it’s best to focus on who attends the show, than who doesn’t attend. We live in a time where negativity is thrown in our face daily, there’s absolutely no reason to contribute to it. If you’re frustrated for someone not coming to your show, or not doing their blog on it, the best thing you can do is move the fuck on. Focus on the positive side of things and the people who attended. I wouldn’t even bring it up to them. If they ask about the show, let them know how good it was and tell them “you missed a good time, maybe you’ll be at the next one.”
There’s another issue that I think goes around for all types of art. That’s the idea of “pay to play.” I’ve entered shows where that was the concept. You can be in the show, but you have to pay to be in it. I did back when RAW Artists was a thing. It was fun at first but it got annoying real quick constantly trying to sell tickets. If you didn’t sell the required amount, you had to make up the difference.
Looking back on it, it’s all bullshit. They got the venue donated, they reused all materials and supplies and kept the ticket money. There’s also the pay to play places that say it’s $25 (or whatever amount they choose) a painting that you want to show. Then in some situations they also ask a percentage off the sale price. This is a scam. If someone wants to show art at their shop, or business, charging to show it is weird. They’re gonna need something on the walls regardless. Why not just take a percentage and call it a day?
As of today, if I have to pay a fee to show, that’s not the show for me. They have the choice to ask artists to pay to show. Just as we have the right to say “no.” Artists, please think twice about paying to play. We have the internet. We have the ability to show our work to the world for free. Social media can be a great tool if you know how to use it. You can always look up on YouTube how to work the algorithm on each platform. I suggest that. If someone wants to genuinely show your work, they won’t charge you. If you’re showing at their place they do deserve a percentage though. We all have bills to pay.
When I first took over curating for Point 5 Gallery I think I may have had one or two shows that were pay to play. Then, I tossed that out the window. I didn’t like being told I have to pay to show, then why would I do that to other artists. From my memory, we sold the skate decks to artists for the skate show. We actually went out and bought them so artists could get one for the show. We also didn’t care if they went out and got their own. We just wanted to show the painted skate decks. Which ended up having the gallery packed with all kinds of amazing painted decks. It was one of our best shows.
To any artist reading this. Don’t believe everyone who approaches you about your work. If they want to work with you and use your art, they’ll get back to you if they’re serious. Don’t get discouraged if they don’t. Make a mental note and move on. Chasing the job or the money isn’t a good look. Plus, you’re worth more than being sidelined. Know your worth.
If you want to get into a gallery and have them consider your work for a group show or even solo show. Here’s a few suggestions that could help you. Look at their Instagram, see which artists they follow. You’re not looking for the big names, but the style of art the artists do. If you see any artists works that would be near yours or in the same style, then you go to that gallery’s website. From there see if there’s a submission form, and what the guidelines are for submitting. These are usually very specific, and I recommend following them to an exact. There’s other ways to get noticed from curators and galleries. Commenting, and sharing posts. That has worked for me in the past. Giving a positive comment on a post you genuinely like can get you noticed.
In the end, what the hell do I know? I’ve been doing this a long time now and I can only speak from my experiences and what has worked for me. Everything that I have suggested I have done. I’ve had success and failures in all things in my art. My losses are higher than my wins, and I keep painting cause I have to. Step back for a moment and think what you really want from art. Is it for you or is it for others?
See you next time when I have something to say.
— B
Bob Freyer is an award-winning artist from Pittsburgh, PA who paints images from an alternate world. Since 2013, Freyer has been showcasing work in Pittsburgh and has participated in numerous shows throughout the U.S.
PETRICHOR 
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