Art Agents?

[Damn the Design]

Tried looking for this in previous threads but didn’t really find anything...
Who here uses art agents? Are they worth using? I’m pretty inept with networking and socializing outside of Facebook/Twitter, and would really like to push into actual cold calling contacts within bigger departments. I have no idea if I should invest in hiring an art agent or where to even find a ‘good’ one or if it would be possible for someone such as myself who isn’t really an established artist to even GET one.
Are they worth it? Or are they basically going to do what I already do, which is online social networking (Facebook, twitter, tumblr etc) and mailing out CVs and portfolios?
YUB YUB!

[Jacobv]

I've been considering this since I've had some trouble finding employment after graduating in May. I'll read along with this thread as it goes

[ricv64]

depends , some do do all the ground work . others disapear with your work never to be seen again

[ken taylor]

i have an agent in australia which i use for pretty much anything that isnt related to music,film, fashion pop culture etc - they handle all forms of advertising work that i do as well as some other stuff that i just dont feel confident in quoting. It works well for me as our relationship has always been one where they dont touch anything that i have worked my ass of to establish but have been fantastic in finding new work outside of theses realms and in particular look after my copyright and terms of use etc. I would never look for an agent to look after everything for you though. I think it will always work better if you still create your own work and use them as a help rather than something to rely on. Anyway - my two cents

[Damn the Design]

i have an agent in australia which i use for pretty much anything that isnt related to music,film, fashion pop culture etc - they handle all forms of advertising work that i do as well as some other stuff that i just dont feel confident in quoting. It works well for me as our relationship has always been one where they dont touch anything that i have worked my ass of to establish but have been fantastic in finding new work outside of theses realms and in particular look after my copyright and terms of use etc. I would never look for an agent to look after everything for you though. I think it will always work better if you still create your own work and use them as a help rather than something to rely on. Anyway - my two cents

Oh okay cool. As far as getting in contact with one, how easy was it? I know that most agents tend to actually pick who they represent. I'm guessing the more popularity or skill you got, the more money you would bring in for the agent. I've been a fan of your work for some time and I would consider you being in the more top echelon of illustrators. So I'm guessing it was easy for you to find one?

[ken taylor]

Thanks for the kind words - they way it kind of went was this - i actually did a job for an ad agency that worked out well - it turned out the art director i was dealing with was a good friend of my agent - he suggested we meet and it went from there - so he never really tried to seek me out and i went to see him because the art director guy thought it would be a good idea - as it turned out it has been great and the way we work together is really good. i would say just approach which studio you feel you would best be represented by and go from there. try to go for ones that dont have hundreds on their books but if they do sign you up remember that they work for you - you dont work for them and in order for them to keep you your terms need to be agreeable for the both of you. One thing i would say to look out for though is any clauses in your contract which stipulate you cannot work for any agencies or clients that you have worked with whilst with them if it so happens that things don't work out. this sis bad for two reasons. 1. if you do leave you may be legally bound by that and they can fuck you over (although i dont knwo how common that actually is) 2. and more importantly it puts pressure on you to stay on even though you feel your needs are not neccessarily being looked after through fear of not being able to find work in the industry afterwards for that stipulated ammount of time. anyway - hope that helps!

[ken taylor]

btw - your work is fantastic and i am sure you will have no issues finding someone - its just a matter of finding someone that right for you