I just can't get my artwork into a gallery. Why? I'm an accomplished artist with a highly.....................

Perhaps it has less to do with your art, and more to do with your ability to sell yourself to the galleries. Sounds like you need a publicist. Or perhaps a pleasant sidekick.

i am not an expert in this field but in my local area, all the artist get an annual art tour thing where you hang your art in your own studio or home and make a map of your town and mark where all the entrants are, and have like an open house. We have a lot of local artist here and this really brings in lots of tourist, and generates lots of sells. You should find out if there are any other artist in your local area and try this idea on them... I am sure there are other people who cant get into galleries too.

Some galleries only accept certain themes in paintings. Also, some galleries only accept artists with pieces in other galleries. Keep trying to find a gallery to accept you. One place you might try would be, if you went to school for art, that school's gallery. Many art schools and general colleges have galleries for students and alumni. My guess would be that once you are in one or two galleries, it will get easier.

How you can get your work into a gallery depends a lot on where you live and because I didn't mention this I would have difficulties helping you out. Some areas of the country are more conservative and conventional in their art likes and dislikes. I doubt if Jackson Pollack would have found a willing gallery in Butte, Montana for his drip paintings back in 1946. Again, where you live has a lot to do with how your art will sell in the area.

Start by joining a local artists guild. Get to know other artists and figure out how they sell their work. It is easier to get into galleries in small town communities. Start at the small time level and then work your way up. Other good places to be seen are small area art in the park-type events. In my hometown, you pay less than $100 to set up a space and then you set up a small outdoor display and the artists make alot of money. Mostly they only sell prints, but many times you can find someone who is looking for an artist to commission a portrait or something. Either way more people will learn who you are and it is all about getting yourself out there. You can also make a ton of postcards and send them out to anyone and everyone. Another idea could be to donate a couple of prints or paintings to a charity auction. You will get to see what kind of people are interested in buying your work, and they would be more than happy to talk to you and you can figure out if they would want to purchase paintings from you directly. The only bad thing about that is that you are out the sale of those paintings, the good thing is that it is good on your resume and it might be tax deductible. By the way, your paintings will eventually sell. They are very good.

Create a buzz around you and your work. See if you can get the local paper to do an article on you Create a body of work with and interesting theme Try introducing your work at local Art shows (Not Craft shows) Get the magazine Sunshine Artists. They rate shows all over the country. Art shows are harder to do than gallery shows, but you get a chance to get your work out there before the public. Once you get your foot in some artistic door, you will find more opportunities

I was told by galleries that most artists go another route first to get noticed - well like exhibiting in art in the park and shows like that, and hanging art various places. I exhibited at the library and a dept store and a beauty shop. I ended up getting commissions to do all the art for a beauty school, and for an insurance agency etc. I sold art at the library exhibit. Sometimes galleries can be the least lucrative way to go. My work sold like crazy and I doubt it would have sold like that at a gallery. You might try these things first, and find you will sell much more that way than the gallery route. Also it builds up your credentials, and the galleries want you more then when they know what you have done and you are already selling well. Hope that helps.