Selling art, is it possible?

[Chalco]

I've been an artist for several years now and thankfully had a day job because selling art is not easy. I was wondering if any of you had any tips for selling. What works? Is Ebay a reliable option? Doing craft shows? Galleries? Studio sales? What?

The gallery option has been rather iffy for me. Two galleries I've been in folded. Others didn't sell anything of mine. I have sold stuff but now that I'm retired from the day job, I want to sell. I'm building a large studio in the backyard and am ready to roll.

Maybe we can all discuss what works and what doesn't.

Thanks
<http://www.phelanmeek.com>

[mopinko]

1. let me know as soon as you figure it out, will ya?

i would sure like to know.
do you enter groups shows, and competitions?

[Chalco]

4. I've been in group shows and have won awards (minor) and

have been represented by galleries in Washington, DC, New Orleans, Baltimore, Miami and one in suburban Maryland. Still very few sales. I have to admit I took a break over the last year in order to devote myself completely to my last year on the day job, but regardless of that even during the time when I had all that gallery representation--few sales.

My work is primarily welded steel coated with various coatings and can range from 8 inches to 21 feet.

[mopinko]

7. i bet you sell more 8" than 21'

as a small collector, i can tell you that i can only afford little stuff. i am trying to work this out myself, cuz i just can't work small.
if you can do metal work on this scale, you should look at public commissions.

[Lorien]

8. It sounds like the problem may be your markets

were you in high or medium end galleries? I'm a professional artist and I've visited galleries from coast to coast; I'm not surprised that you didn't sell much in those cities; from what I can tell of your work (and it's hard for me to see your work on your website-the images are tiny and the pages are mostly text) you would have much more luck in Carmel, CA, Napa and Sonoma, Asheville, NC, and possibly some of the artistic communities in New Mexico. What sells on one coast or community may not sell in another.

I wish I still knew Bill Gore-Al Gore's cousin. He had a gallery in Carmel and was looking for new talent, but he disappeared after the election. He told me before the election that if * got into office, he'd eventually turn America into a police state-so that's probably why he left. But he's not the only gallery owner in Carmel looking for new artists-there are some very upscale garden galleries there too that may be a perfect match.

Good luck!

[FloridaPat]

2. Take a look at the Self-Representing artist second under art on Ebay.

You will not believe the art that is being sold. Some is excellent and some is unbelieveably bad.

Craft shows are doable also. Visit several and get an idea of what's selling and how to set up your booth. Having a big range of prices is good. Like from $10 up. Small copies of your art work could be sold for $10. What kind of art work do you do??

[Chalco]

5. Thanks for the hint. I'll check it out. Is the stuff really selling or

is it just listed. Is there some way of determining that?

[mopinko]

6. you can see if there are bids

and if you put things on your watch list, you will see what happened at the end of the auction.

i have had the same problem, tho. shows but no sales. no steady representation, but still.
i think most artists are so happy to show, that they don't really get picky about who they show with. if i were you i would start grilling galleries about their sales record, and only show with the ones who know how to sell. there are LOTS of gallery owners out there that are wealthy people who are doing it more to buy (at a dealer discount) than to sell. find a dealer that is HUNGRY!

[jdots]

3. go to this site the art is is good ,the people are great

and they discuss your question all the time.
fine-art.com it is also known as Dart........these are pros and the sale of art is in America is looking grim right now.The positive side to that is that now is the time to really do it to it.
as far as living goes ? get ready to suffer,but it is worth it.

[eleonora]

9. ebay cheapens art

I saw some really cool art being sold for $50 on Ebay...that's no way to do it, I think. You need to sell your art like it's the highest fashion of the season. Limited signed prints for $200 the piece.

Of course, you need to have an edge and be good, real good.

[KittyWampus]

11. I Totally Disagree. I've Gotten Some Amazing Artwork From Fellow

artists just starting out on ebay for VERY reasonable prices.

Then went back to check on their stuff months later and found their work going for WHAT IT'S WORTH.

The key seems to be to allow a certain time frame in which you're willing to sell your work for below value and then, once you're discovered, start raising prices.

One watercolor artist gets $100+ for her work without any reserve and starting at a low bid.

Also, one might consider selling miniatures to start with... or m ix in prints with originals.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

10. galleries will work if you invite people to come

That's the only way I know of artists getting their work purchased for the right price. Galleries, galleries, galleries. You have to have a lot of shows.

[October]

12. Look Around (mini rant)

With few exceptions, the only people I know who have ORIGINAL art on their walls are fellow artists. We all seem to invest in each other.

Most neighbors/relatives/friends have framed prints or catalog-bought decorative pieces. They tend to be intimidated by galleries, artists, etc.

Plus, if I may rant a bit, no one wants to PAY for art. I cannot tell you how many people say "Paint me something!" or "I'd love to have one of your paintings on my wall." They expect me to always give it away. And I do...a lot...but...thankfully I don't have to depend on selling art to eat.

I recently posted here about valuing my art, etc., and got a lot of help from others. I did seven commissioned illustrations, and this "quasi-friend" said my prices were "at her limit," trying to make me uncomfortable I guess...or just uninformed -- not sure which. I wasn't charging a lot. $25/hour...and she LOVED, LOVED my illustrations. (My mentor said I should've said $30/hour.)

People are just funny about this. Each piece was $100-$125 a piece. They think you just magically produce the stuff, I swear. They took hours. I used INK and drew meticulously, choosing colors and blending. Anyway, this same woman would pay over a hundred dollars for a purse, or a pair of shoes -- NEITHER OF WHICH IS ONE OF A KIND!

Will it ever change?

[Chalco]

13. What I hate is when I'm asked to donate my work.

People think artists are artists because they like what they are doing. Yes, we do like what we are doing but like to get paid like everyone else. I used to have a day job and liked what I was doing but nobody expected me to work for free.

[October]

15. So true

I just went to an art show at a local gallery last night. Sure enough, there was one painting that was the prize for a fund-raiser raffle.

In other words, someone was going to walk away with a $1600 painting, having only paid $5.

WTF.

I spent today creating a gift for a friend. I love giving my art to friends -- but it is so expected. Everyone asks for your help. I've painted backdrops and props for the community theatre, been asked to donate drawings or artwork for auctions at my children's schools....it NEVER ends.

And I don't mind all of it -- but there's no balance.

[Lorien]

16. Like I said above; it depends on your market

if you live in a progressive city and have friends who are reasonably well off, you'll be introduced to a clientele who will be far more apt to spend appropriately for an original work of art. When I worked in the film industry, I had many friends who were millionaires who would drop $50,000-$80,000 for a great piece of art. I still know a fair number of friends who will spend a couple of grand on another friend's artwork.

$25 per hour for black and white illustration is fairly common these days (ten years ago I charged $45 per hour-but the Clinton years are long gone). There's a glut of professional artists out there, so fees have dropped recently. Look into hiring an agent if you would rather not haggle over prices yourself.

[October]

17. Thanks Lorien

It was color illustration, but still...

I was told $30/hour was about right, so I was comfortable with the $25/hour fee for a friend.

I live in a very artistic community -- galleries abound. We are a small town founded by the PA Impressionists. There has recently been a lot of development, though...and the new folks (like my new friend) are not as familiar with our history, and our funky shops, etc.

There are collectors, to be sure, but most of the people (non-artists) I've encountered in my lifetime do not have real art.

We should be able to change that.

(I'm not an illustrator, btw, but a pastelist. My friends just really "like" my drawings and such...and so one ended up commissioning me. It was fun.)

[October]

18. Love the cats! (eom)

[jdots]

14. We live in an anti art country right now

What we do is not wanted in America, go to Europe .Sorry but that is my take on it. I for one am going to leave about 2800 paintings that will be used for kitty litter trays ,my stuff sucks but who cares.

[MostlyAmused]

19. eBay

eBay can be a viable market. I make enough through eBay sales to support myself and my three children, and I just bought my first home. I don't often get the prices I might in a mid-level gallery, but quick, consistent turnover counts for a lot. I've sold pieces there from a low of $49 to a high (so far) of $1950. It did take some time to build up a solid following. There are a number of other artists selling at least as much as I do, and I know of several who gross 2-3 times as much. There are of course many more who barely break even.

It's not a high-status market, and can be a bit of a rat race. It's not for everyone, and probably not the best option for anyone who's already making a reliable living through gallery sales, or whose style is very time-consuming.

I'm self taught with no credentials other than my past sales, and I'm making a decent living, so I'm grateful for the venue.

Genie

[marions ghost]

20. another thing you might consider

is being on art "tours" or open studio days. Potters are well aware of the attractions of kiln openings but other artists can get together, send out postcards, make it an event, and make sure all work is priced. The advantage is, whoever does makes the effort to come is most likely very interested. There's not a lot of "just lookers."

[cleofus1]

21. rich people buy lots o art

go to gallery openings all the time and schmooze...attend functions where the elite meet (charities, art related...music related)...get out and meet people and don't be shy to sell yourself...be an art whore (I mean that in a good way)....get into any show that will have you and be ready to "explain" your art...have a vision (no LSD required)...and be ready to explain your vision...do not listen to anyone else...i am your friend...yes...oh yes....