Western art is a genre that includes different mediums, such as paintings, drawings and sculptures, that depict cowboy and Western heritage--many also call this type of art "Cowboy Art." Typical subjects of Western art pieces are cowboys on horses, Native Americans, ranches and open plains filled with bison and other wildlife common in the West. If you are a Western artist, there are many different types of venues for you to sell your work, you just need to choose the one most convenient for you.
Instructions
1. Exhibit your work in an online marketplace specifically for Western art, such as Cowboy Art Show. Since such sites offer a specialized niche, they also have a built-in audience of customers looking to buy Western art.
2. Research your local art galleries and see if there are any that specialize in Western art or that show Western art. Alternatively, if there are no such galleries in your area, you can apply to have your work displayed in a gallery located in another city or state. Galleries specializing in Western art include Trailside Galleries (Jackson Hole, WY and Scottsdale, AZ), Great Western Art Gallery (Denver, CO), Big Horn Galleries (Cody, WY and Tubac, AZ) and Zaplin Lampert Gallery (Santa Fe, NM).
When applying to be in an art gallery, you will need to carefully follow the owner's submission guidelines that vary by gallery. Some galleries allow online submissions, while others require slides or photos mailed to them.
3. Sell your Western art in an online artisan marketplace such as 1000 Markets or Etsy. While there will be no built-in audience of people looking just to buy Western art, your work will be exposed to a greater number of people, many of which will be introduced to this genre of art by coming across your work.
Most online artisan marketplaces provide you with a shop that you can customize and also process payments for you. In exchange, you pay a listing fee for each item you're trying to sell. Listing fees generally range from 10 cents to 40 cents, depending on the marketplace you choose. For the best exposure and chance of selling your art, utilize more than one marketplace.
4. Place your artwork in a bookstore or cafe and sell it on commission. Many restaurants, especially cafes and coffee shops, will allow local artists to hang their work on the walls and will sell to interested buyers for a small commission, typically ranging from 20 percent to 40 percent. This is a win-win situation for the artist and the restaurant, since they need art for their walls and you can get more exposure, and potentially a buyer, for your work.
Some bookstores also will sell Western art on commission, especially those that specialize in American History books.
Contact the restaurants and bookstores you're interested in and simply ask whether they are interested in having your art in their establishment to sell on commission. Calling ahead is better than randomly showing up, since you will likely need to make an appointment with the person in charge of the restaurant or bookstore anyway.
5. Attend an art show in your area, or travel to one of the more prominent Western art shows, such as the Ellensburg National Art Show and Auction in Ellensburg, Wash., Cheyenne Frontier Days Western Art Show in Cheyenne, Wyo., "Empire 100" Western Art Show & Sale in Tucson, Ariz., Western Rendezvous of Art in Helena, Mont., Colorado and Texas Indian Market and Southwest Showcases in Denver, Colo. and Arlington, Texas or Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale during the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver, Colo.
Some art shows are juried, meaning you must apply to be included, while others accept any artist that can pay their booth fee. With your fee, you will typically be given one table and two chairs and be assigned a space in the art show venue to sell in.
In you are allowed a say in where your table is placed, try to get one that is away from other artists of your medium. For example, if you make Western paintings, aim to be placed away from other painters at the art show.
6. Join an association for Western artists, such as the Western Art Association, Western Arts Alliance or Cowboy Artists of America. This will allow you the opportunity to network with other artists and connect with collectors interested in purchasing Western art.
In addition to paying annual dues and submitting a membership application, you may be asked to submit a portfolio. Each association has their own specific portfolio guidelines that artists must follow.
