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ENGAGING ANN

ABOUT ANN REA, INC.

About Ann Rea, Incorporated "Who is your representative?" The answer to that question frequently posed to Ann Rea is that Ann Rea, Inc. is the legal entity that represents her. How did this come about? Well, while Ann was being mentored by American art icons Wayne Thiebaud and Gregory Kondos, they encouraged her to make a go of it and explore her talent full time, and to quit that boring and unrelated day job that she wanted to quit anyway. "It's not too late," they both advised, but both of them began their careers as academics. "How do I make a living?" Ann asked of Wayne Thiebaud. Mr. Thiebaud replied, "I don't know, I'm not a business man. But I can give you a letter of recommendation and refer you to some galleries, one in particular. You can use my name; you'll probably get in. But the owner, I'll warn you, she's a pill." "A pill. " That was a very polite understatement. Wayne Thiebaud's letter did get Ann Rea an entrance into that gallery for her work to be reviewed. But when the gallery owner revealed her terms, (actually prohibited but common terms) it became clear to Ann why artists are starving. The gallery owner insisted on geographic market exclusivity, and demanded that the best of Ann's painting inventory be left on consignment. The art gallery may never have sold a thing and Ann Rea would have been handcuffed from selling her own work through other galleries. It gets better. Ann Rea would have been paid 50 to 40 percent of the sale price or less because the gallery owner wanted the right to negotiate a discount to patrons, a discount that Ann Rea would have had to absorb. Ann would not have been permitted to work with any other galleries in Northern California even though this gallery may or may not have sold a thing and could have given Ann Rea the boot at any time it pleased. The gallery also wanted to be listed as the single representative on Ann's website and really didn't want Ann Rea herself selling from her own site. Unfortunately, the art gallery's illegal demands are common terms demanded by many galleries. So Ann Rea thought, "Oh, I don't think so! I want to make a living, and no profitable business would agree to these terms. "I'll make my own market, thank you very much. I don't know how, but I'll figure it out." Ann Rea was also advised by the successful artist Donna Billick (yes the sister of the famed football coach) to "Take the reins, it's the only way you'll succeed." How true! So Ann Rea reflected on the lack of business advice from Wayne Thiebaud, as well as from her brother, the dean of a business school, and her sister, a self-made multi-millionaire. She then realized that the answer must come from within; she must "take the reins." So Ann Rea decided to write a business plan and a marketing plan with the help of a dear friend. She didn't have experience in writing business plans but realized that the approach itself was an unconventional one for an artist and could offer a distinct advantage. Why not try? They all thought that Ann was crazy. But then, they always did think she was crazy. In 2005, Ann Rea launched her business as a sole proprietorship. Without the benefit of a PR agent, Ann Rea's business continues to receive attention by the national media, most recently, from, Fortune, The Wine Enthusiast, Practical Winery and Vineyard Management and The Tasting Panel magazines, as well as on the "Fine Living" channel. Ann Rea is happy to work with art galleries and art consultants, but only if the terms are profitable and mutually beneficial, as any good business owner would expect. In late 2008, Ann Rea learned more about the federal tax structure and the IRS code, and with her CPA's advice, Ann Rea changed her business structure to a corporation. Now you know the history of Ann Rea, Inc. and you have a little insight into the art market. And hopefully this story has encouraged you to support independent artists just like Ann Rea, who have decided to "take the reins."