Comments on: Selling Art – That Awkward Guilt Complex and Random Thoughts http://www.artisthideout.com/2006/12/selling-art-that-awkward-guilt-complex-and-random-thoughts/ Inspiration for Artists Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:35:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Ryan http://www.artisthideout.com/2006/12/selling-art-that-awkward-guilt-complex-and-random-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-124 Ryan Thu, 14 Dec 2006 02:13:28 +0000 http://www.artisthideout.com/selling-art-that-awkward-guilt-complex-and-random-thoughts/#comment-124 I take a simple approach...I charge a flat rate for my paintings based on the size of the painting. I do raise the price a little if I'm attatched to the piece. Also, (we should all probably stop doing this) I charge more if the piece is on canvas as opposed to paper. Collectors seem to think it will last longer on canvas. Also, the more paintings you sell, the more you should charge. I have not sold very many paintings thus far so I charge sort of what I consider to be the lowest price any artist should charge. Sort of a starting rate. If you feel guilty charging for your art, try donating a piece to a charity auction. You'll free up a little room in your studio, satisfy a collector, and use your talent to benifit others. There is not much more rewarding than that! By the way, I love the Artist Hideout. William cracks me up! I take a simple approach…I charge a flat rate for my paintings based on the size of the painting. I do raise the price a little if I’m attatched to the piece. Also, (we should all probably stop doing this) I charge more if the piece is on canvas as opposed to paper. Collectors seem to think it will last longer on canvas.

Also, the more paintings you sell, the more you should charge. I have not sold very many paintings thus far so I charge sort of what I consider to be the lowest price any artist should charge. Sort of a starting rate.

If you feel guilty charging for your art, try donating a piece to a charity auction. You’ll free up a little room in your studio, satisfy a collector, and use your talent to benifit others. There is not much more rewarding than that!

By the way, I love the Artist Hideout. William cracks me up!

]]> By: William http://www.artisthideout.com/2006/12/selling-art-that-awkward-guilt-complex-and-random-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-123 William Wed, 13 Dec 2006 18:38:52 +0000 http://www.artisthideout.com/selling-art-that-awkward-guilt-complex-and-random-thoughts/#comment-123 LOL, I love long comments... I totally identify with the painting being a part of yourself. You can't disengage from art in that way. I think it has to be part of you. Lately, I've been letting my wife price my art so I think I just care too much to put a value on it sometimes. :) LOL, I love long comments… I totally identify with the painting being a part of yourself. You can’t disengage from art in that way. I think it has to be part of you. Lately, I’ve been letting my wife price my art so I think I just care too much to put a value on it sometimes.

:)

]]> By: Lesly http://www.artisthideout.com/2006/12/selling-art-that-awkward-guilt-complex-and-random-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-122 Lesly Wed, 13 Dec 2006 18:32:09 +0000 http://www.artisthideout.com/selling-art-that-awkward-guilt-complex-and-random-thoughts/#comment-122 Interesting and thought-provoking .... I agree its a complex business selling your work (or not selling it!). All sorts of feelings arise either way! Unlike you I do try and sell my work by various means, but I'll admit that I do have the odd pang of guilt if someone parts with some of their hard earned cash for something I've created! But this is tempered by a lovely wash of pleased surprise that anyone should want to! I know it sounds stupid but somehow each painting is a bit of ME ... so if its rejected for a show, accepted, ignored or purchased it has significance. By actually showing one's painting to anyone at all one is putting a part of oneself on the line, so to speak. How do I judge my work? Hmmmm ... well, - 'Does it bear any relationship to my original idea/goal?' and 'Do I like it?' - these would be the most important considerations for me. I don't often enjoy the act of creating a painting all that much ... the process itself I mean, so that doesn't come into it. As to pricing ... that is the question! I've sort of developed a rather fluid and unscientific method of pricing ... loosely based on painting size, time taken and materials. My prices are pretty much the same whether the piece is on canvas unframed or framed under glass, - this to even out some of the costs of the framing process. But the more I like the piece the more likely I am to add on more dollars! I have one particular painting that just won't sell no matter where I show it ... so I know I am pricing it too high. But do I care that it hasn't sold? ... actually no! Because I really like it so I'm happy. Phew, this got to be a long comment, sorry! Interesting and thought-provoking ….

I agree its a complex business selling your work (or not selling it!). All sorts of feelings arise either way!

Unlike you I do try and sell my work by various means, but I’ll admit that I do have the odd pang of guilt if someone parts with some of their hard earned cash for something I’ve created! But this is tempered by a lovely wash of pleased surprise that anyone should want to!

I know it sounds stupid but somehow each painting is a bit of ME … so if its rejected for a show, accepted, ignored or purchased it has significance. By actually showing one’s painting to anyone at all one is putting a part of oneself on the line, so to speak.

How do I judge my work? Hmmmm … well, – ‘Does it bear any relationship to my original idea/goal?’ and ‘Do I like it?’ – these would be the most important considerations for me. I don’t often enjoy the act of creating a painting all that much … the process itself I mean, so that doesn’t come into it.

As to pricing … that is the question! I’ve sort of developed a rather fluid and unscientific method of pricing … loosely based on painting size, time taken and materials. My prices are pretty much the same whether the piece is on canvas unframed or framed under glass, – this to even out some of the costs of the framing process.
But the more I like the piece the more likely I am to add on more dollars!

I have one particular painting that just won’t sell no matter where I show it … so I know I am pricing it too high. But do I care that it hasn’t sold? … actually no! Because I really like it so I’m happy.

Phew, this got to be a long comment, sorry!

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