bluebee magazine - volume 2

Ryan Stainer - Photography Hannah Burton

Ryan Stainer

Photography Hannah Burton

bluebee magazine met with Ryan Stainer to talk about some of the overlooked traits artists should have and the gallery’s place in today’s art world.

Ryan Stainer is the founder of ‘The Other Artfair’, a fair for emerging artists, now in its ninth year and with 14 shows around the world. His shows have a growing number of visitors due to their unique concept. While most fairs offer their booths to galleries, it is important for Ryan to work directly with artists and for art collectors to meet them in person. He thinks that it is always better to hear the meaning behind the artwork from the artist directly. This concept may remove the barrier for most emerging art collectors, giving them the confidence to invest in their first piece.

Ryan is not against the gallery system, and gallerists are still among the VIP invites for his fairs. After all, it is still the number one goal for the majority of emerging artists to get signed, and he wants to support this. However, the growing and diversifying collector base means that there is greater opportunity for emerging artists to become well known and to sell their artwork directly. This allows them to decide their faith themselves and not to be channelled in a direction with which they may not be comfortable.

Social media, online selling platforms and even art fairs make it easier than ever to sell to and

interact with potential buyers all year long. Increasing numbers of cooperate clients are also seeking direct relationships with artists nowadays. While technology has made it easier to be an artist, there is much more competition out there. SaatchiArt.com alone counts over 60,000 artists’ profiles. Emerging artists need to find a way to be on top of the crowd, to be noticed and visible. Doing great art alone is no longer enough. This means that artists need to think of all elements of entrepreneurship, not only their product.

The things artists should seek advice on include selling techniques, pricing artwork correctly, curating shows, marketing and promotions, as well as other elements of being an entrepreneur that may even include the setting up of card payment facilities in their studios. This doesn´t come easily to everyone. Then again, not everyone is made to be an entrepreneur.

them may lead to a purchase at a later stage. Invite them to your next private viewing; perhaps one of the new paintings will fit their taste even more. While it is time-consuming and may be exhausting after a busy week in the studio, it should not be overlooked and it does work.

Having a finger on the pulse of time may increase your chance of stirring up a conversation. For instance, one artist in Dallas is an active member of the Extinction Rebellion movement and currently dedicates his artwork to this cause. However, be true to yourself and stand behind the meaning of your artwork. People can smell a red herring.

Nevertheless, Ryan recommends sticking to doing art. Always be consistent with your style, and don´t be afraid to explore different subjects, because, one day, something will happen. Keep your vision clear. Keep going.

One piece of advice Ryan offers is to collect the contact details of potentially interested people. Grow your network. Ask people to leave their business cards to enter a competition. Not everyone who appreciates your artwork will buy on first sight. Keeping in touch with