the gallery that wanted me to paint what they sell, not what i paint
real ones only: what's the wildest thing a gallery asked you to change about your work before they'd show it?
i had one tell me my color palette was "too challenging for collectors" and asked if i could mute everything down a few shades. like sorry i didn't realize i was supposed to be painting for someone's beige living room in 2018. said no, they passed, and honestly one of the better decisions i've made.
i feel like every artist has a story like this. what's yours?
3
4commentsSaveFollow threadShare
Had a gallery once ask if I could "warm up" my palette. My work is mostly off-white, grey, muted brown. That's the whole point. They wanted me to add ochre and terracotta because those were selling. I said the paper I use decides the palette, not me. They didn't get it.
Didn't show with them. No regret. Some galleries just want decor, and that's fine, but it's not what I make.
"the paper decides, not me" is such a perfect response. they probably thought you were being difficult but that's literally how it works?? like sorry i don't just paint whatever pantone says is hot this quarter.
the ochre and terracotta thing is so funny too because it's so specifically... 2019 home goods catalog. bet they'd ask you to add a fiddle leaf fig next to the painting if they could.