One of the most common questions I get from artists is, “How do I know when I’m ready to approach galleries?” It’s a valid concern—taking the leap from creating art to selling in a professional gallery can feel like a big step. While there’s no single answer, there are a few key indicators that can help you gauge whether you’re ready to present your work to galleries.

In this post, I’ll outline five questions you should ask yourself before taking that next step. These questions will help you assess your preparedness and ensure that you’re approaching galleries with the best possible chance of success.

1. Have You Sold a Piece of Artwork to Someone Who Isn’t a Friend or Family Member?

Selling art to family or friends is always encouraging, but it doesn’t necessarily prove that there’s a broader market for your work. To feel confident that you’re ready to approach galleries, it’s essential to have at least one sale to a non-acquaintance under your belt.

Why? Because a sale is a concrete indication that someone sees value in your work and is willing to invest in it. If you’ve sold a piece (or, better yet, several pieces) to an outside buyer, it shows that your art resonates with a wider audience. However, if you’re working in a very marketable style—like landscape painting in an impressionistic style, for example—you might not need this sale as proof, since there’s already a known demand for such work. For more unique or unconventional styles, however, that sale can be an important indicator that you’re on the right path.

2. Is Your Artwork Well-Constructed and Professionally Presented?

Beyond creating great art, it’s important to make sure your work is physically well put together. That means using high-quality materials and ensuring your pieces are presented professionally. If you’re a painter, are your canvases stretched properly, and are you using quality paints and finishes? Is the work framed in a way that complements and enhances the piece?

For sculptors or those working in three dimensions, this applies to the craftsmanship and presentation of your work as well. Is your sculpture stable and secure on its base? Does it give the impression of quality construction that will stand the test of time?

A well-made, well-presented piece of art signals to galleries that you are serious about your craft and that your work will hold up in a gallery setting.

3. Have You Created a Consistent Body of Work?

When galleries consider taking on a new artist, one of the first things they look for is consistency. They want to see that you have a clear style and direction—and that you’re not just dabbling in different mediums or subject matter without a cohesive vision.

Before you approach a gallery, you should have a body of work consisting of at least 20 to 25 pieces that clearly relate to each other. These pieces don’t have to be identical, but they should show a common thread—whether it’s a recurring theme, a particular color palette, or a distinctive style. The goal is to demonstrate that your work is recognizable and that a gallery can depend on you to continue producing in a similar vein.

Consistency is key because galleries want to build a relationship with their clients and collectors. When they invest time and resources into representing an artist, they need to feel confident that the artist will continue to deliver pieces that appeal to their clientele.

4. Are You Set Up to Conduct Business?

While art is about creative expression, working with galleries is very much a business transaction. Before approaching a gallery, you need to make sure you have the logistical side of your business in place.

This includes setting appropriate prices for your work. Have you done the market research to determine what similar pieces are selling for in your area or online? Do you have an inventory management system that allows you to track what pieces are available, where they are located, and what has sold?

In addition, it’s important to understand the consignment process, which is how most galleries operate. When a gallery takes on your work, you will need to agree on a consignment contract, which outlines the terms of your relationship, including the commission the gallery will take from each sale. Familiarize yourself with these agreements and ensure that you’re comfortable with the standard terms.

5. Do You Have a Professional Digital Portfolio Ready?

In today’s digital age, almost every gallery will ask to see a digital portfolio of your work before considering you for representation. While having a website is important, I’ve found that galleries prefer to receive a separate digital portfolio, customized specifically for the gallery’s review. This makes it easier for the gallery owner to focus solely on the work you are proposing for their space, without the distractions of other unrelated projects or blog posts on your website.

Your digital portfolio should be professional, clean, and well-organized. Include high-quality images of your work, with relevant details such as dimensions, materials, and prices. You may also want to include a brief artist statement or bio, but the focus should be on the artwork itself. This portfolio serves as a key introduction to your work, and it’s crucial that it leaves a strong, positive impression.

Conclusion

If you can confidently answer “yes” to these five questions, you’re likely ready to start approaching galleries. If not, don’t be discouraged—use this as a checklist to help guide your next steps in developing your art career. Preparing yourself to approach galleries takes time and effort, but doing so thoughtfully will increase your chances of success when you make your first introductions.

Once you’re ready, the next step is to begin identifying galleries that are a good fit for your work and then approach them with your polished portfolio. Stay tuned for more on how to take these next steps.