[Aquanet] Pat Davis

[Mary E Whitehill]

Here's my thought about your dilemma for what it's worth (not much).  I
rented a booth a gallery for 9 months after checking on the owner who had
quite a good reputation.  He was on numerous museum Boards and very
positive and assured.  Only accidentally I learned he hadn't been paying
his rent and the gallery was about to be closed.  I had 50 paintings
there and had spent a lot on decorating my booth, rug, furniture etc. I
also sold there, but I quickly removed the whole thing fearing bankruptcy
could tie it all up in the courts.  If a gallery goes bankrupt and your
consignment pieces are there you should have no trouble retrieving them
if you have signed sheets for each piece.  If you have been selling there
well right along it would be unfair to the new owner to suddenly remove
her best seller.  Having retail sales experience may be more valuable
than knowing art.  That was one of the reasons that gallery where I was
renting space failed.  He refused to invest in proper signage and
advertising.  Just make sure you have signed legal contracts about
commission rates etc. Go for it!  As you say, you can't make your work
known if it is under the bed. 
M. E Whitehill - Watercolors
 wtrclr at juno.com
Fine art paintings of flowers, landscapes, historic sites of the Hudson
Valley

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