It has been 6 weeks since I had a show....it's been both great and bad. Great in having time off...preparing for a 50 people party for Harry birthday. At 62 he is entitled to early social security and I am turning 65 in Feb, so I get medicare....anyway it was a social security and medicare gala.....a stimulus for the soul and a bailout from the ordinary.... so since I have received my fair share of rejections and waitlists...and the economy doesn't seem to be getting any better.. I face our 1st show of the season with both anxity, hopefulness and dread. After visiting Kirklands and seeing all the Chineese imports, for so cheap...are there really people out there that will buy real artwork??? for good money??? After 25 years of shows,a wholesale business and poster royalties....it seems so unreral that I actually made a GOOD living at this....it is great having time off..but it really messes with your head...
'Evening out and the future looked good' from a gallery owner....Yeah!!! I now feel a lot better as I pack my van for Las Olas....it gives me hope that maybe it will be a good show. thanks!!!
'Evening out and the future looked good' from a gallery owner....Yeah!!! I now feel a lot better as I pack my van for Las Olas....it gives me hope that maybe it will be a good show. thanks!!!
Thanks for your comments, Merri. So many of us have had great careers selling out art and recent times have been tough. But I had an uplifting moment today. I'm visiting in California for the holidays and we were in Ojai today and we went into a gallery where I recognized the work of around 15 artists that I know. It was an amazing place full of fine, one of a kind pieces, nary an imported piece in sight. The owner says she shops the ACC and Rosen shows and she has quite an eye. It was beautiful and so exciting to see this work gathered in one place. Some times the art fairs seem like the "same old, same old" -- but here the work was displayed in all its glory.
We asked her how her business has been the last few years (she's had the gallery for 30 years) and she reported that it was finally evening out and the future looked good.
Hello and Merry Christmas to you all. This is in response to Carol's question about what is selling and why... I'm new to this site; just registered today. I've only been doing art shows for 3 years and have been pleased with the results. I paint with acrylics in reverse on the backs of old wooden windows. My paintings have evolved over the last 3 years, but I think that part of my success is due to the fact that they are unique in a way. I've seen "crafty" projects done with windows but my paintings are in the fine arts category. With the exception of my home community show, I only show at juried fine arts shows. Many of the comments from customers are that they've never seen anything like it before. They are mainly landscapes and florals, but if I painted them on a canvas I don't think they'd be as unique. The idea of recycling the windows really appeals to folks. Also, I think price has something to do with it. I've been told by accomplished artists that my prices may be too low, but I think that in this economy I reach a larger market by keeping my prices affordable. I've seen some comparable fine art paintings at shows that were 3 or 4 times what I ask for my work. I'm all for an artist charging whatever they feel they should, and I realize that many factors go in to pricing our work. I've struggled with pricing since I started doing shows and have adjusted it some. I don't want to have my prices too low, but at the same time, I'm at the shows to sell my work. I believe that less people are buying fine art now than in years past but I also believe that this will change as the economy gets better or people learn how to adjust.
This is the time of year for merriment and gratefulness for the blessings we all hopefully have . I am a positive oriented person whom believes that art is a reflection of our "inner soul" . I love doing it like a lot of other true art professionals . We have hit the art circuit for a few years and like you have had our share of disappointments --wait lists--rejections--low sales--and the list goes on and on . There comes a time when one has to sit down and look at the reality of the situation . I am a fine artist that does watercolor and acrylic painting on canvas . I have found that 2 D artists have been suffering on the circuit for more that a couple of years. This past year was my worst economically and I attended better classifications of art shows than ever . I elevated my art-- yet had little results economically . So what is happenning ? My wife calmly tells me that young people are hurting financially and older people have enough art to get by with . It has become almost chic to not buy fine art . So, does this mean we should all quit etc . No, but we have to get realistic and spend our resources in areas where the best possible return is possible. Even then we will probably come up short of our goals . It is a time that we really dig in deep and make our art better and come up with more creative approaches to presenting it to the small audience that does appreciate our soul expressions . I have been fighting this dilemna mentally all year long and from what I can gather from this venue--lots of other artists are in the same boat . I am really happy to read about those artists that have been successful at shows recently-- but I find them in the minority . Let's hope and pray that our economy improves in the coming year and that it becomes chic to buy great art again. I wish you and yours Health, Wealth, & Happiness today and in the days and years to come Merri ! Love your name by the way ! Sincerely,
Comments
Thanks for your comments, Merri. So many of us have had great careers selling out art and recent times have been tough. But I had an uplifting moment today. I'm visiting in California for the holidays and we were in Ojai today and we went into a gallery where I recognized the work of around 15 artists that I know. It was an amazing place full of fine, one of a kind pieces, nary an imported piece in sight. The owner says she shops the ACC and Rosen shows and she has quite an eye. It was beautiful and so exciting to see this work gathered in one place. Some times the art fairs seem like the "same old, same old" -- but here the work was displayed in all its glory.
We asked her how her business has been the last few years (she's had the gallery for 30 years) and she reported that it was finally evening out and the future looked good.
Hello and Merry Christmas to you all. This is in response to Carol's question about what is selling and why... I'm new to this site; just registered today. I've only been doing art shows for 3 years and have been pleased with the results. I paint with acrylics in reverse on the backs of old wooden windows. My paintings have evolved over the last 3 years, but I think that part of my success is due to the fact that they are unique in a way. I've seen "crafty" projects done with windows but my paintings are in the fine arts category. With the exception of my home community show, I only show at juried fine arts shows. Many of the comments from customers are that they've never seen anything like it before. They are mainly landscapes and florals, but if I painted them on a canvas I don't think they'd be as unique. The idea of recycling the windows really appeals to folks. Also, I think price has something to do with it. I've been told by accomplished artists that my prices may be too low, but I think that in this economy I reach a larger market by keeping my prices affordable. I've seen some comparable fine art paintings at shows that were 3 or 4 times what I ask for my work. I'm all for an artist charging whatever they feel they should, and I realize that many factors go in to pricing our work. I've struggled with pricing since I started doing shows and have adjusted it some. I don't want to have my prices too low, but at the same time, I'm at the shows to sell my work. I believe that less people are buying fine art now than in years past but I also believe that this will change as the economy gets better or people learn how to adjust.
Good luck to you in your show
Amy
Great comments all, and Joseph I agree with your comments 110%.
Just one questions - those that are having some success at shows - do we know what and why?
I see that B & W is "hot" right now.
Merry Christmas Merri !
This is the time of year for merriment and gratefulness for the blessings we all hopefully have . I am a positive oriented person whom believes that art is a reflection of our "inner soul" . I love doing it like a lot of other true art professionals . We have hit the art circuit for a few years and like you have had our share of disappointments --wait lists--rejections--low sales--and the list goes on and on . There comes a time when one has to sit down and look at the reality of the situation . I am a fine artist that does watercolor and acrylic painting on canvas . I have found that 2 D artists have been suffering on the circuit for more that a couple of years. This past year was my worst economically and I attended better classifications of art shows than ever . I elevated my art-- yet had little results economically . So what is happenning ? My wife calmly tells me that young people are hurting financially and older people have enough art to get by with . It has become almost chic to not buy fine art . So, does this mean we should all quit etc . No, but we have to get realistic and spend our resources in areas where the best possible return is possible. Even then we will probably come up short of our goals . It is a time that we really dig in deep and make our art better and come up with more creative approaches to presenting it to the small audience that does appreciate our soul expressions . I have been fighting this dilemna mentally all year long and from what I can gather from this venue--lots of other artists are in the same boat . I am really happy to read about those artists that have been successful at shows recently-- but I find them in the minority . Let's hope and pray that our economy improves in the coming year and that it becomes chic to buy great art again. I wish you and yours Health, Wealth, & Happiness today and in the days and years to come Merri ! Love your name by the way ! Sincerely,
Joseph Murray
Wayuga Art Studio
Let's hope you are not the end of an era... I would like to be able to reach retirement having made a good living creating artwork as well.