A:  YES! We cannot consign works by artists we know nothing about - this will not help either of us. As we are not "building a market" for artists like a regular gallery does, we can only work with artists who already have established markets and/or reputations within the art world proper. If we feel work is by an artist that we can sell to our clientele, we will probably consign it.

We will not consign work by "regional artists" from another region. An example would be southwest artists or Western Art. This is NOT meant to be a comment on your taste in art collecting - we just can't consign work for which we have no clients - it does neither of us any good.

For the most part, Seattle generally collects Seattle artists. Who sells? Guy Anderson, Kenneth Callahan, Richard Gilkey, Joseph Goldberg, Morris Graves, Gaylen Hansen, Paul Horiuchi, Fay Jones, Helmi Juvonen, Leo Kenney, Alden Mason, Jeffry Mitchell, Jay Steensma, Mark Tobey, James Washington Jr., etc.

If an artist has a nationally recognized name, we will probably consign it. We do have an existing client base for the better known artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Jim Dine, Marcel Dzama, David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Motherwell, Robert Rauschenberg, Herb Ritts, Ed Ruscha, Raymond Pettibon, Frank Stella, Wayne Thiebaud, Andy Warhol and other such artists of note.

Further, we will not consign commercially marketed artists such as Bev Doolittle, Dennis Hopper, Bill Mack, Peter Max, Thomas McKnight, Patrick Nagel, Alexandra Nechita, LeRoy Nieman, George Rodrigue, Robert Wyland, Francisco Zuniga, and - last but not least - Thomas Kinkade.

Q: What about artists who are not well-respected in the art world, but are celebrities nonetheless?

A: We attempt to hang as much of our inventory as we can while still maintaining an elegant, tasteful discretion. We will show work from our storage racks as well, keeping the inventory in rotation on a very regular basis. Recently we have mounted large exhibitions around an particular artist or theme. The most recent one WINGS which focused on the imagery of flight. Prior to that we had a successful exhibition of work by NW Master Paul Horiuchi.

A: Yes. Our website will illustrate every work of art at the gallery including all of its pertinent information and its price. We have found great success in selling through the website. We will use internet search engines, art market websites, facebook, our blog and emails to clients on a regular basis.

A: We maintain a mailing list for clients on a general basis. We also keep a client "wish list" for those with specific artworks/artists in mind. If you seek work by an established artist we do not currently have in inventory, please call or email us with your request. Click here: wish list request

A: If the art you are selling is by artists who have international reputations, you can send it to auction at Sotheby’s, Christie’s or Phillips de Pury & Company. You will pay for the shipment to NY, fees for insurance, fees for reproduction in the auction catalog as well as auction sales commission fees. These fees will amount to approximately 30 – 35% of the selling price including both the seller and buyer’s commissions

If the artist doesn’t have an international reputation, one can also utilize local auction houses:

A: If you have a work of art that is faded, torn, or stained, you will have trouble selling it. We are unlikely to consign damaged work and truly want only the best examples by an artist.

Depending on its value, you might want to have it restored.  While some works of art might not be repairable to a salable state, one can often donate it to a charity auction and take a tax write off for its value, even a damaged value. 

Q: Can you recommend a good restorer?

A: ArtREsource will not insure fragile work such as glass, ceramics and other breakable works. We will take no responsibility for breakage or loss to fragile work consigned to us. We advise all consignors of breakable items to make certain that their homeowner's insurance or art insurance rider is in place while the work is on consignment at ArtREsource. You will need to sign an agreement that you are aware of our policy if you consign your fragile works with us. We make every attempt to be careful with consigned art in terms of display or storage, but we cannot be held accountable for damage from visitors or staff.

A: ArtREsource suggests Consignors maintain their own insurance on all artwork consigned. ArtREsource's insurance only covers at net price only and specifically against theft or damage while on premises - to $10,000. We cannot be responsible for loss due to terrorism, earthquakes or similar acts of God.

A: Two reasons: 1. Galleries who have primary relationships to artists also have a primary responsibility to those artists for selling their work and supporting their families. Typically, primary galleries make a 50% commission for selling work from the artists they represent directly. If selling a piece on consignment, they will make much less that their standard 50% they make with their artists. So, why would they want to consign from a collector rather than their artists?

At ArtREsource, your consignment of art for resale will not be competing directly with a given artist’s new work or with the historical context of the artist. Instead, it will be seen in the context of other art for resale, all of it at the same commission rate of 35%.

2. Unlike "regular" galleries, your work will not be hidden away in storage and find little effort, if any, to sell the work. At ArtREsource, we strive to have all the work out and on the wall. The two gallery spaces are regularly rotated, always showcasing the most recent arrivals. All works rotate in and out of the spaces. Our storage racks are right in the gallery and easy for visitors to access.

A: Consignment periods are for minimum term of six months. If you wish to retrieve you art sooner than that, we will release it back immediately (with enough notice to safely pack the piece for transport) unless we have a sale pending.

Q: How quickly will my art sell?

A: No, we no longer do appraisals at ArtREsource. If the artwork requires an appraisal for a donation and tax deduction, you can send your request directly to the ART DEALERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA:

ADAA
Phone 212+488.5530
E-mail appraisals@artdealers.org
Website www.artdealers.org