One of the most common questions an artist asks is a fair one: once my work sells, when is the money mine? Here is a clear answer.
The rule. An artist’s payment is released after the artwork is delivered and the order is confirmed — either by the buyer confirming receipt, or by Art Kelen verifying delivery. This can take up to 7 days after delivery.
What "released" means. Release is the point at which the sale is settled and your earnings become payable to you. It comes after delivery, not after dispatch — the work reaching the collector safely is part of the deal being complete.
Why it works this way. When a collector buys on Art Kelen, they do so with confidence because they know the work has to actually arrive, as described, before the sale is final. That confidence is what makes them willing to acquire art from across the world, sight unseen. The short, defined window after delivery is the small price of that trust — and it protects you too, by making every sale a settled, dependable thing rather than a question mark.
What you can do. The single most useful thing is to dispatch promptly and well, with tracking where possible, and to keep the order moving. The sooner a work is delivered, the sooner the release window begins. Your dashboard shows you exactly where each sale stands.
If a sale ever seems stuck — a delivery that should have completed, a release that has not begun when you expect it — a support conversation is the right step. We would always rather you asked.