The Value of the Work and the Value of the Artist
Technorati Tags: art , artist , painting , creativity , selling art , value
I have a hard time selling my artwork. Not that I have trouble finding buyers or getting it sold. I have a hard time being the one to sell it.
I’ve posted work for sale before only to take it down and revisit the concept of selling artwork. I know it’s a hurdle that I must get over if I really want to succeed as an artist (selling a work is a gateway to buying new materials as well) but it’s one that is really tough for me.
Why?
Pricing is always really hard. As an artist, there is a certain pride that goes with creating something as well. John who has been here commenting a bit lately has a method of pricing his paintings based on size alone. I am beginning to see the wisdom in this method of selling though I haven’t really decided how I want to price my works beyond just getting some initial sales going again.
An artist can get really attached to a certain work.
Unwrapping the pristine white canvas, placing it on the easel where it can stay over several weeks/months, and finally finishing it. There is are processes of initial idea, theme development and creation that is like a birthing of the work. When it’s finished, you are then given the chance to place this child of creativity out into the world for sale.
Getting over yourself.
Sure, any artist can enjoy their work, but growing as an artist means moving on to something new, something better. I think this is one reason I almost don’t like calling myself an artist at times. It’s that inherent pride of the work that pushes me away from other artists at times. I’ve been to art shows where the artist was present and they were so caught up in themselves that they really didn’t care about the people who came to enjoy their work. Art is more about connecting with the inner person viewing the work than it is about just creating something beautiful.
Artists who understand.
I had the great opportunity of interviewing the amazing glass artist Josh Simpson awhile back and I was quite intrigued by the openness and down-to-earth (or megaplanet) attitude he presented when talking about his work. Artists who come to that realization are the types of artists I want to associate with. This is the type of artist I want to be. Art is more than just about the work yet again. It flows from the creator of the work.
The role of the artist and valuation of work.
How any artist prices their own work is also a challenge because it tells the would be buyer what the artist believes the work should be valued at, what the artist thinks about their own ability and the audience of buyers they are marketing to. Do I want my work hung in the local coffee shop or do I want it in some corporate office building? A home? Where will it be enjoyed more? Where will it be appreciated? These are tough questions but they are ones you shouldn’t ignore when you go to sell your work.
So I end this post with a challenge for myself too. I haven’t sold too much of my work because I hadn’t felt I had dealt with these issues on my own. If I am going to practice what I preach though, I must also put myself out there, right?
So here is one of my abstract works that I’ve held onto long enough. It is time to sell it and move forward.
Behind the Veil
24″ x 48″
Enamels on Canvas
$350
Nov 20th, 2007 at 2:54 am
I’m not sure if this will be of any use, but the way that has worked for me is:
First: determine how your work compares to other artist’s working similarly or in the same genre, who have a track record of sales.
Second: consider your sales history and gallery experience as compared to those artists.
Third: pick a particular size and determine the high and low average price, that work of that nature sells for in commercial galleries. According to where you judged yourself in quality, sales, and representation history. You now have a price for that size. It’s always best to start on the low side, but not so low that it cheapens the image.
Forth: Express that price in square or united inches to determine the pricing for all your sizes. I price small paintings from 8″ x 10″ to 18″ x 24″ using a price per united inch (length plus width). For pieces larger than that range I use a price per square inch. The pricing seems to work better that way.
Pricing paintings according to size usually reflects the work put into the piece, and it gives your buyers more confidence in your pricing.
Letting go of my art to those folks who appreciate my paintings enough to purchase them is easy for me. It’s easy because I attach only to the process of painting. It is the act of expressing my feelings about the subjects that I love, and then to share that feeling. So the painting is only born under my hands. It finds complete expression and purpose when it begins its life with its owner. The circle is complete then because I have shared my passion, or my sense of beauty, or whatever it was I felt when painting. Through my paintings I connect with all those that appreciate my work. I do that by letting go. I pass it on.
Cheers,
John