I have just joined Artbyus [dot]com.
I actually stumbled across it after clicking through on a Google alert.
My wife and I have been buying art directly from artists and reselling it for 25 years.
What makes us different is that we specialize in "tribal art".
As is my charge-in-first-find-out-later modus operandi, I registered for all things artbyus before learning all the details of qualification.
So I have learned that galleries like ours are not welcome as sellers on artbyus.
I suppose there is a rationale for that standard. But I think it may be at cross-purpose to what I believe is one of the objectives of artbyus - to promote new art and its sale.
Please stick with me on this.
Since we buy art directly from artists, they get their money upfront. There is no commission or contingency. The artist does not have to wait around until we sell the art to get the income.
We have always felt that was advantageous to the artist.
Frankly, we have specifically avoided consignment deals, another term for representation, even though they could be beneficial from the standpoint of capital preservation.
But, having bought and paid for the art, we are not qualified to offer it on artbyus. The ramification of that is that we are less able to replace the sold work with a new one from the same or another artist. I don't know how blocking the pipeline benefits the artist(s).
Incidentally, when we purchases directly from the artist, there is a possibility that the artist will die before the work is sold. Artbyus does not allow the offering of work by deceased artists. Again, if we bought it for cash, the longer it takes us to sell it, the longer it will take us to replace it with new art.
I'd be interested in any other artbyus member's opinion on this dilemma.
By the Way, if you would like to read what we blog about, visit us at http://TribalArtery.blogspot.com.
Thank you.

Personally, if I want a representative there are many options to me. But as a Self-Representing artist I really appreciate having a sight that you only buy directly from the artist.

There are many other options out there for you to resell art. And I'm sure you do a good service for your artists, but I specifically list with ArtByUs because it is purely for self-representing artists.

Just my personal opinion and personal reason I use ABU!

I have no problem with self-representing artists. If you think about it, that is who we deal with since we buy directly from the artist.

My question was about allowing dealers who represent artists to participate, if they have a contract with the artist. But not letting other dealers, who deal directly with artist on a cash basis, from reselling that which they have purchased from self-representing artists.

Your reply did not address that inconsistency.

And, of course, that means someone who buys your art directly through ABU would not be allowed to resell it on ABU if they wanted to generate cash to buy another of your works.

Just reflecting.

Just reflecting back... and of course - remember, I'm just one artist giving my input on why I like ABU the way it is. The Admin should respond and give feedback on the reasoning for their decisions. I'm sure there are many like you who wonder the same thing.

But, if, as you say, dealers - or anyone for that matter - were allowed to resell artworks they had purchased - the website is no longer just for self-representing artists.

I choose to use ABU for this reason - because it is soley a place for self-representing artists to sell their work.

I have looked at bunches and bunches of places to sell art online and most allow the resale of an original artwork. That's fine! But I prefer to sell on a site that is what I stated above - soley a place for artists to directly sell their work.

And that doesn't mean that I think you are doing anything wrong! By no means!!! But I do believe there are many other sites on which you can resell the artwork you've bought.

Does that make sense? I'm just trying to say that I choose to use ABU because it is only artists, representing themselves, selling their artwork.

So... now, we should get Connie in here to discuss the matter and what has led the admin to make the site set up this way. I think really that's what you are asking and I'm just giving you my personal preference! (which is just one little artist who doesn't sell that much yet! )

warmly,
Melanie

I appreciate the promptness and thoughtfulness of your reply.

I only need to point out that your statement

QUOTE:
I choose to use ABU for this reason - because it is soley a place for self-representing artists to sell their work.

is not completely true. I'm not challenging your reasoning. But if an artist's rep, ie a gallery representing an artist, can sell on ABU, then it is not restricted to self-representing artists, is it?

Or have I misunderstood the rules?

Darn... I just wrote a long - really good response and it got lost!

Let me try again....

sanibelart wrote:

QUOTE:
I'm not challenging your reasoning. But if an artist's rep, ie a gallery representing an artist, can sell on ABU, then it is not restricted to self-representing artists, is it?

Or have I misunderstood the rules?

It may be ME who has misunderstood the rules.

I didn't realize that third parties can sell on ABU. So what you're saying is if someone who represents an artist can sell on ABU why can't you?

I suppose, it's a real gray area. If someone is selling art for an artist (maybe the artist isn't computer savy or whaterver) but the artist still gets all the money, I guess I still feel like that is a site for Self-Representing artists - the artist is selling and gets all the money. But if the seller gets a portion of the proceeds, well.. then it's not.

I can't remember what else I said in the erased post, except that I wish this forum was more active because I'd love to hear more opinions on this!

Oh and thanks a lot... now I have to go read all the rule again LOL!

Nice chatting with you! You sound like you're a lot like me... you can share differing opinions and even debate without getting offended. I like that!