Sell that art work...

Steve Gray · Joined: 17 Aug 2008 Posts: 1569 Location: Geelong

Well it's going to sit stacked up in the studio huh... but if it didn't sell perhaps a different approach might work... http://sivers.org/livecd have a read and see if you can come up with a an option like they are talking about, to sell art... Smile

I'm listening.. and reading... Wink

and VERY interested in what you might have to say.

thecatsgrin · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 2181 Location: Gippsland

Steve, I have read similar articles to this over the years, sometimes the theme is slow to take off, but eventually the 'seller' does better in sales based on the 'honesty' principle.
I have thought about staging a show where people can name their own price for my work if they want it.
I would be more than willing to give it a try... I think for someone to do this they would have to have no emotional attatchments to the work, or have very thick skin... I actually think the thick skin would have to be a major requirement.
Especially if someone was to offer way less than the work cost to produce.
I wonder how to go about staging an event like that for art, where would be the best place for it etc...

Stefan Maguran · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:16 pm Post subject: Re - Sell that art work...

I would be more than happy to organise such an event.
I firmly believe that most artists will have pieces in their sheds, garages, that have not been exhibited for a long time and they could be used as promotion. So, yes, although it sounds cruel to sell paintings way under the cost of manufacture, or even give pieces away, the loss can be considered as marketing cost.
If you could have a piece displayed anywhere, it is better than to have it stored somewhere. Unless it is a masterpiece and you use it for rainy days.

thecatsgrin · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 2181 Location: Gippsland

Stefan, the intended aim was to sell all art work at the value the customer places on it.
In such a system, it is more likely to be over paid the value you would place on it yourself.

Parking meters when based on an honesty system collect more money than when it is mandatory to put money in... It is just interesting wether it would work with visual art.

In any case, it would generate alot of attention.
I also wonder how a silent auction would go for art works. It works for charity events, but i dont know about the profitability for a single artist.

Stefan Maguran · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 5:21 pm Post subject: Re - Sell that art work...

In any case, I would be happy to organise such an event, if anyone is interested and Steve agrees, as it was his idea in the first place. There is only one way to know.

Steve Gray · Joined: 17 Aug 2008 Posts: 1569 Location: Geelong

I agree...

Stefan Maguran · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:49 pm Post subject: Re - Sell that art work...

Thank you, Steve.
So, please, if anyone is interested in trying out this idea by getting involved, please let me know, say, in the next two weeks.

Thank you.

art8dave · Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 1333 Location: Sydney

thecatsgrin · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 2181 Location: Gippsland

The idea of doing something like this is interesting, and i would do it, but not without a decent size mailing list of collectors, and a lot of people interested in my work... all this I am working towards currently.
Without these things in place, i think it could just be viewed as suspicious...
And it would only be the BEST work i could produce... I dont sign my name to anything I am not happy with.
I have my expo site in March, (one step towards notariety!!) and i am putting some serious thought into having a solo exhibition in May... also using March's expo as a spring board for advertising... All steps toward a bigger picture!
Something like the 'name your own price' venture would be for me MUCH further down the track... To early and it would (could?) probably kill a career.

Stefan Maguran · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 10:43 am Post subject: Re - Sell that art work...

art8dave - you've lost me completely with your argument. It no one has to gain anything, why don't people simply get rid of the unwanted pieces? (hapy to take them for free!)
I know of award winning pieces that are stored in sheds. Not every good work gets sold, and that's the beauty of collecting art.

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3214

Here's something else to think about.
If I bought a Painting of a certain size by an artist for $500
Then learned that he/she was giving the same size artworks away to the public or asking the public to name their price (which would most probably be well under what the artist wanted and well under what the artist usually sells for at that size) then I would feel pretty bad about paying $500 in the first place., and wouldn't pay the same amount again.

This would undermine the value of the artists work and make it very hard for the artist to sell at reasonable prices again...not very clever.

thecatsgrin · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 2181 Location: Gippsland

I havent got any paintings over $450!!
I would love to sell for more, the average price I sell for is around the $240-$280 mark.
You have a very valid point though. I hadnt considered that aspect.

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3214

thecatsgrin · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 2181 Location: Gippsland

I too have seen this recently. An artist I had idolised has dropped their prices alot, and it is hurting their career in the long run .
Their work has stagnated...it hasnt improved , it is the same as it was 8 years ago, by dropping the prices, it has made the (perceived) value of other works drop.
My work prices have doubled since February/march when I first started .
The work has improved leaps and bounds, and hopefully continues to do so!
I am putting alot of effort into improving, so it should keep getting better.
I have been asked why the prices are low on numerous occasions. I work fast, keep my costs down WITHOUT scrimping on quality paints, mediums, papers, and frames, etc... I just want to put out as much work as I can and keep it moving. I dont have the space here at present to store unsold works.
I do see my prices going up in time, but only when i personally see them as better than what I am currently doing.
I am going to raise the price of my commissioned works though... they are driving me batty!! Laughing

While i do wish i could sell for more (doesnt everyone!!?? Laughing

)I would rather keep prices down and sell, than have to lower the prices down the track.
Someone mentioned the other day to me that they had better be quick and buy one of my works now while they are affordable!! I laughed...it was a sweet compliment though!!

Stefan Maguran · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 2:08 pm Post subject: Re - Sell that art work...

Reading so many articles and opinions on selling, it is clear to me that opinions change very little. There are artists that would rather gather dust on their works than droping prices, there artists that sell three- four paintings in one sale, by accepting to bargain. It depends on the output, I guess, the level of desperation, demand.
It is a good idea for buyers to buy emerging artists, where the prices are low, as chances are prices will go up in the future. If prices are already high, fat chance. Simple, really!
The theory that artist improve is not always true, but what is true is that established artists sell early pieces at high premiums, once the more recent works increase in price. Sometimes early works sell at higher premiums in the secondary market and the artist gets no benefit (Mr. Garrett is still working hard on the legislation), but that's life.
As for buyers who bought paintings for 500, when deciding to lower prices a great idea is to contact your buyers and offer them priority. That would keep everyone happy. Simple, really!