Art and Etiquette in the Artist’s Studio: Advice from Natalia Voroshilova.

Through conversations with acquaintances, chance visitors to my exhibitions, and friends on social media, I have collected several excuses for self-sabotage.
My collection looks like this:
•Why should I go if I am not planning to buy anything?
•What should I do if I say I want to buy a painting but then do not like anything?
•What could I possibly discuss with an artist when I know nothing about art?
•Surely I should praise the artist—but what if I do not like the work?

That would seem to be quite enough to make you abandon even the thought of visiting an artist’s studio forever. So let me begin to “dispel the clouds with my hands,” break the spell, and put you in a more positive frame of mind.

1. Decide on the purpose of your visit and state it openly to the artist. If you want to enter the artist’s “holy of holies,” immerse yourself in the world of an artist you admire, and talk about painting, simply say so. There is no need to claim that you want to buy a painting. Do not imagine that a studio is a shop and that the artist will welcome you only as a buyer. 
Artists are, of course, human beings, and they are all different. Some are outgoing, others reserved; some are happy to receive guests in their studios, while others prefer to engage with people only during exhibitions. If the artist you have chosen declines your request for a visit, do not take it personally. Perhaps they never receive visitors at all, or perhaps they are currently preparing a major project and spending sleepless nights hard at work.

2. If you are considering a purchase and already know the artist’s work from exhibitions or the internet, you can say that you would like to acquire something but that it is important for you to see the paintings in person. An interested artist may first ask you to describe your preferences. They will then be able to prepare suitable works for your visit. 
This matters because, in my case, for example, some paintings may be away at an exhibition, in which case I will suggest another time when they are available. Alternatively, the paintings may be stored far away and be rather difficult to retrieve from cupboards or shelves during your visit.
If you are unable to make a choice by the end of the meeting, do not worry. You are NOT obliged to buy anything, even if you stated that this was the purpose of your visit.

Incidentally, an interesting practice is now becoming increasingly popular: paintings can be brought to you for a trial viewing. If you like a work but still have doubts, you can arrange with the artist to try the paintings in your home or office (wherever you plan to hang them).

3. As for discussing art, believe me, the artist very much wants to talk about it with you. And they certainly do not expect profound expertise from you; rather, they are eager to enrich your understanding with their own knowledge and experience.

4. To praise or not to praise? Will the artist be pleased if you praise their work? Yes.
Should you do so even if you did not like it? No.
Genuine interest is quite enough. Ask how the idea for a painting arose, where the works have been exhibited, whether the artist plans to develop the theme further, and so on. 
However, it is best not to draw emphatic comparisons with other artists. The artist may not find such a comparison flattering.

To conclude our extended conversation about visiting an artist’s studio, I would say that if you wish to go, there is nothing to fear. Your favourite artist may turn out to have been waiting for this very meeting. If they are a terrible introvert, you will simply receive a refusal and carry on with your life.

A plan for arranging your visit:
– choose an artist whose work appeals to you;
– try to find them on social media and gauge how receptive they are to such meetings. Their feed may be filled with photographs of studio visits or invitations to come by.
– State the purpose of your visit during your first conversation. This will make it easier for both you and the artist to conduct the meeting appropriately.
– Arrange the meeting and specify the exact number of guests. There should be no surprises here.
– Be friendly and show genuine interest during the meeting. Do not worry if no purchase is made.
– Thank the artist for their time.
– Offer to share a post about the visit on social media. If the artist is active on social media, they will appreciate it.

A studio visit can also be arranged through the gallery.

Natalia Voroshilova, gallery artist