The experience of an Art collector at an Artists opening.

“ I know you've addressed some of this issue in your blogs, the artist making little effort to reach out to potential clients but I have to relate this story that I found so disheartening.

Recently I attended a one person show for a young female artist. The artist had a young man at her side all night, whether husband or boyfriend, I don't know. What I did witness was that every person who came up to her had the same experience.

HE did all the talking like he was the artist and she just stood there and smiled and said nothing!

This went on for the hour I walked around to admire her work which was really fresh and innovative. I loved one piece so much I would have bought it but I could not get her attention as she made no effort to approach the public and I felt if I went up to the "couple" and he started to try and sell me I would have had said something rude like "Who's the artist here? You or her?" So better to walk away and she lost a $1000.00 sale.

I learned nothing about her, what motivated her to do this particular work.

I've also witnessed many artists at gallery shows only interacting with their artists friends and completely ignoring the strangers walking around and looking at their art.”

I do understand the frustration of this collector and I also understand that some Artists are very shy but it’s your show and you have to talk to the strangers who come to see your show.

I have said before if you are shy then get the Gallery director or an out going friend or family member to help you but not dominate you, it is your show.

Ask them to introduce you to the stranger and a conversation will start, but make sure your friend knows that this is your show and to be quiet after they make the introduction.

Always keep in mind when you have a one person show, that the people come to see you the Artist and your work. They are sacrificing their precious time to visit your show so you must show that you appreciate that and talk to every person who comes to your show.

The people to ignore at your show are your friends and family and your responsibility is to talk to every stranger who goes to your show and tell them about your Art.

You must be smiling, gracious and courteous to every strange who gives up their precious finite time to visit your show or you will lose sales and worst of all they will speak about their experience to others.

Word of mouth works, positive or negative.

If you are shy get help with introductions and then you carry on the conversation with your stranger who hopefully will buy and become a collector and friend.