"You're not worth anyone's time, period!"

You are so ignorant and arrogant, I'm done. You're not worth anyone's time period, I'll never refer anyone to you or the gallery for sales.

Do not contact me again-
Deborah

This was how I ended my last correspondence with a gallery out in Laguna Beach. How on earth did this become so escalated? It truly appeared as though my work would fit there. In fact, it was a very eclectic gallery, much like the other two I'm in, one back home in AZ and the other in CO. One of the artists in the gallery, I exhibited with earlier this year in a national, annual, juried show. So I got the contact card of who to submit my work to and did that very night, introducing myself and asking for his thoughts and feedback.

The response was/is the most disrespectful and unprofessional I have ever received.

"not good enough for us. thx"

It's a good thing this is not my first rodeo....a few years ago that response would have completely crushed me, and put a dead halt on speaking to galleries. Only a coward too spineless/non creative to create his own work and hang on a wall for others to critique, hides behind selling another's work as his leverage to make this kind of statement. Somewhere in the process of selling art, he has deemed himself above it, like a judge passing law of what is acceptable, and what is not, what meets his criteria and personal tastes. It is not uncommon for your work to pass through this standard, salespeople sell what they like. It they don't like your work for whatever reason, the above response can happen. It does not matter if your work is good, and they will hold your entire self-image in the balance, if you let them. This was beyond a gallery just stating what works for them, what doesn't. I don't care who you are, or who you think you are - you don't treat people this way.

I responded the most diplomatic way possible, that "he was classless, rude, unprofessional and disrespectful". Like most arrogant people who do not see themselves, he dismissed it as nothing, responding below:

"sometimes we dont have the time to massage your feelings. our job is to sell not curry your favor. listen you asked me for my thoughts in your original email. I gave them to you now you are crying. Grow some skin in this business."

I returned: "Don't patronize me, the choice to show class takes no more time than being rude. Your job includes respect for everyone who comes through those doors, for current sales and future ones."

Truth is, if you listen to these people they can affect you going forward and creating. It's a good thing I believe in my work and know his statement is false. It is good enough for the gallery, but not good enough for him - that's the difference. And it never will be, for two reasons:

1) He was deconstructive in his opinion, no professional foundation to stand on, art-wise. I've rarely seen a situation jump from unprofessional to professional. He abused his power, meant to derail me with his arrogance and was all right with it.

2) I will not be altering my course or work or style to meet what this person considers to be good enough, nor ever have him represent me in the future, by choice.

Life is too short, do not waste your time on these unworthy, trying to prove to them you are. We're all at different levels in our craft, those that are respectful and professional are the only ones in this field worth working with, and representing your art. As for the the jerk above, I documented everything, passed it on the owner's son; they needed to know who it was representing them.

A few months later, my point was proven. He'd put me on their mailing list and sent a notice out of specials and sales happening in the gallery....many artists collect other artists' work. I shot a reminder back of our previous experience, not only will I never purchase from him - but everyone I know is advised to go elsewhere as well. Take me off your list. All this came from his choice to handle the matter in which he did.

Happy New Year