I have been collecting various types of art for for over 30 years. I collect glass, pottery and jewelry primarily, but in all those years, I have amassed a collection of probably all media. I buy what I like, not worrying about investment value, usability or popularity. These pieces are for me to enjoy and if others do, wonderful but my feelings are what count here.
Everyone has bought things that they wish they hadn't but that is part of the process. Things will look good in a booth but once you get them home, they just don't work. That is when I wish that there was a return policy at art festivals!
We are fortunate enough to have homes in Miami and the Chicago Suburbs. I have art in both places and while both places are totally different geographically, the styles of both homes are similar. I like what I like so naturally I would be attracted to the same things in both locations. The overlap of artists in both areas is far greater than I would have imagined. (although who wouldn't want to be in Florida during the winter than Chicago?)
So what makes a successful piece? Barring a total change in my taste (and that has happened) I find that I have pieces that I love just as much now as I did when I first saw them. When we arrived in Illinois this week, I sat on my couch and just looked at all the art work that was here and it was a visual feast. I had forgotten a lot of the pieces I had here because I have enough to look at and enjoy in Miami. When I look at a piece of pottery or put on a bracelet, I will have a visceral reaction to it. I really enjoy what I have.
Sure there are those people that want a picture to match their sofa or a pair of earrings to go with that new outfit but I think that most patrons buy instinctively and enjoy their pieces more as time goes on, at least I hope so.
So, if you wondered what happened to that piece that you sold, it is probably in a very happy home.
Comments
Merritt, you made me laugh! Happy to share! I offered to donate pet portraits to all the breed rescue groups that were at that event...actually got one paid commission already from the Dachshund Rescue lady.
darn it! that's a great idea! what a great idea! I'll do that next time...outstanding idea. I did remember to bring a stack of cards this time...but I didn't count them...and I have no idea if they were picked up or not. I should think beyond the donation...that those that did bid were admirers...and potentially future collectors. I'm learning....I'm learning.
Merritt that is a lovely story. I dontated a custom pet portrait to a silent auction at a dog benefit. The winning bid was the second highest of all the silent auction items. When the bidding was over, I took a photo of the bid sheet with my phone so I had a record of all those people who had bid but had not won, and I contacted them after the auction. They gave me their e-mail addresses and I've been able to keep in touch with them. No sales yet from the other bidders, but I know they are dog owners and were interested in a portrait.
I have been making glass crosses. I donated a cross to the American Cancer Society for the Relay for Life fundraiser last night. I have donated before, but have never attended the event myself. Last night I was able to attend. I showed up 30 minutes prior to the event to deliver my glass donations...and prior to the event even starting, a random patron of the restaurant/bar bid $100 on my cross. He and his wife were not even part of the event...but he saw my work, and instantly fell in love with it. I felt very humble and pleased that they saw something special in my work and wanted to donate to the cause...they even wanted to meet me as the artist and speak to me afterward...tell me how much they loved my work. This makes doing what I love even more special...
It is hard to sell the things that you love...or part with them...and it's wonderful that we are blessed with talents that we can share with others.
Recently I donated some prints to a very worthy organization and in return was invited to their dinner, silent auction, and talk. All of my prints went for above market value and I watched several people get into a bidding war over one and it ended up going for three times what I would have sold it for at a show. That was fun!
I know my painting is in your kitchen Geri :)
But the other day I had a weird experience. A FL client ordered a custom made painting from me to give it to her husband as their wedding anniversary. I wrote the lyrics of their wedding song on the painting, as she requested. A year after, I get an e mail from a random person telling me she bought one of my paintings from Craigs list and she wanted to order another one, when she described the painting I knew it was THAT ANNIVERSARY painting. I was thinking...what the heck!!!?? Then I asked her "If you don't mind, how much did you pay for the painting?? (Original price was 950.00, she got it for 200.00!!! 36x48 Acrylic) She thought that was the price range of my paintings so of course she wanted to order another one ;)
Then I had to contact couple friends that new my customer/friend. They told me that she recently got divorced, so that explained the whole weird thing :) I think she got a great price from the craig list person, if you see it that way. The husband, a renown Dr from Cleveland Clinic in FL ended un marrying his nurse. Thank God my painting didn't end up at the garbage...if you try to find a positive thing in the story
What a wonderful story, Susan!
Although my 'art' is not the medium of canvas and photography, I work with fabric, paper and mixed media to create slipcovered journals. I personally hate when a beautiful journal book has to be put away when full so I have created a line of slips so that the beautiful book cover stays with you, volume after volume.
About 6 months ago, I had two young women come into my booth. They were friends and one had specifically brought the other to see another part of our line, bridal boards. After getting all the questions out of the way, I determined what she was looking for when the young lady asked me to wait for a minute whike she got her bridal bible out. It took a few seconds for it to register, but it was indeed one of my journal covers from about a year ago. I was in shock to come face to face with 'my' work and I politely said, 'That's an interesting book you have'. Her friend interjected about how it travels everywhere, she sleeps with it and on and on. I asked her where she got it and she said her Mom had purchased it as a gift and how much she loved it. I walked over to the area where the newest of the journals are kept and turned one inside out to show them my signature. Sure enough, they were surprised that they were back in ny booth for yet another type of our products. It was almost sad to say goodbye to that piece for a second time but awfully proud of where it had ended up.
I had a very large drawing that was purchased as a "Purchase Award" by a corporate collection probably 20 years ago or so. As the internet grew, I "Googled" myself & saw that basically the entire collection had been auctioned off! Boo hoo: had I known about the auction in advance, I might have bought that one back, but I sure would have placed some bids on others works by lots of my friends that I knew were in the collection. Corporate buyers are not the same as the individuals most of our work goes to.
Thanks for your post Geri - one of the reasons I don't like wholesaling to a gallery or boutique is that I don't get to see and meet the person who buys my pieces. The internet is OK because you do have the opportunity to communicate, but I love it most in person - that moment when their eyes light up when they see "THE" piece that's for them is priceless, and you know then that it is going to a great home where it will be loved and appreciated :)
As I make jewellery I see a lot it out and about and its so satisfying to see someone proudly wearing their necklace etc., down the street or at a function. Those with decorative art for the home don't have that luxury.
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