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| Riparian Rights 12" x 16" acrylic and painted papers-wc paper |
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| Light over Alpine 11" x 14" acrylic on wc paper |
* Are you comfortable displaying your work for free? After doing some research (and also after I had hung my work) I found out that there are companies out there that specialize in renting out artwork to businesses and individuals. The parameters for renting vary but the upshot in all cases is that there is a charge to the person renting and the artist gets some kind of payment.
* Isn't a free display at a business similar to having your art in a gallery/juried show? Sort of but not really. Hopefully the art gallery is doing something, anything, to promote your work. Could be publicity, could be a party, could be actual traffic coming into the gallery looking to purchase art.
* Is a mixed venue productive for selling your art? By mixed venue I mean a location where people are doing one primary thing. Viewing your art is the secondary thing. As an example, art and wine shows are popular but often unproductive for the artist. My experience shows me that people are there to drink wine and to socialize. Buying artwork is often a fourth or fifth benefit of an event like that. Same thing in a medical office. The person walking in has a problem that is likely occupying their mind. Buying artwork is way down on the list most likely.
* Is it possible to "work" the venue to get publicity, increase your email list or generally make contacts. What kind of exposure are you really getting? Once my art was hung, that was it. I was simply waiting for the random person to walk in and be interested in my art. I had no way to sit at the office and hound people to buy! And there is no advertising of course.
* How often is the office open? This is a no-brainer. This often was open 2-3 days a week. In a small town.
* Isn't blogging sharing your artwork for free? Sort of but not really. There is no expense to me and really, no physical effort and no driving, etc. Plus, the fruits of my labor are some social contact and the practice and habit of writing.
I am sure I have more points to make. I'll say this though. One conversation can color your viewpoint permanently. Here is that conversation. I did try and work this venue by asking for the business. My contact at the office was a very nice young woman. We agreed to extend my time there for an additional month. During this process, I asked if the medical group would be interested in simply purchasing some of this work. My contact essentially said that no, they wouldn't want to purchase the work but would very much like to have it displayed for another month. This rubbed me the wrong way in the worst possible way. Sort of akin to enjoying the milk but not wanting to buy the cow. Fine. It did make me think though. Why was I really agreeing to any of this? It's likely to do with an old habit of seizing opportunities when feeling a little desperate. The flip side of this coin is not having enough confidence. I'll add that it was a good learning experience. I learned that I wouldn't do it again. I also was able to reason out the "why" of the matter. Lesson learned.
New work above done earlier this week and last.
Libby
New work above done earlier this week and last.
Libby
I can see how infuriating the refusal to buy but wanting more answer would be! If they didn't have your work they would have to get more, and wouldn't they pay for it?
ReplyDeleteYou raise good points from this. I've seen art in restaurants and at one time in a hair salon. Actually the hair salon might be a good place, because people have time to sit and look. I remember one work I would have bought if I could have afforded it. Some restaurants feature one artist's work and publicize it. That is interesting because the restaurant gets attention if the artist has some reputation, and presumably it's good for the artist too. There's a lot of variations on this theme I guess.
Kay-
DeleteI think you are right there-lots of variations on the theme. The woman at the office did pitch it to me as back and forth publicity. I guess it is in a way since I blogged about it and my name was on the labels underneath the painting. But, it just wasn't a strong enough transaction for me in the end. I did learn a bit which is good and will be much more judicious next time when deciding to do something like this again. I am sure there is a successful approach.
Glad to hear from you. Hope all is well.
Libby
Some sensible observations shared here. Your paintings are striking and would enhance any space.
ReplyDeleteThere is a plastic surgeon in our town who solicits artists to decorate his office with their paintings for three month periods of time.. The enticement is that they can be for sale . Several of my art friends have participated and none have sold but they have been "seen" which is what the trade off is for those without gallery representation. The doctor has never purchased any art that I know about.
I think the internet is invaluable tool for an artist's work to be seen. You raised good points, Libby.
Julie,
DeleteI should have mentioned that I was able to offer the work for sale which was one of the initial selling points of that deal. And, like your friends who have shown at the plastic surgeon's office, I was also lured by the idea of being "seen". My complaint there though is that even though people were seeing my work, I had no way to know who was actually looking or how to contact them to do any kind of follow up. And I know it is silly because the work is just sitting in my studio right? What's the harm in having it hanging somewhere for free? It did need to be framed and I spent time on an inventory list and an agreement plus labels. So, I did pick up those kinds of skills and experience (as well as expense).
Such a lot to consider, right? Art is a business I think as much as anything else (it's a profession in which people make a living) and it was my thought that the doctor just didn't see it this way. I hope it doesn't sound so much like sour grapes. No harm, no foul:)
Thanks as always for your visits and observations. You always add to the discussion:)
Libby
Dear Libby great art and great tips too. Never realized about businesses renting paintings. Lots of thinking to do before allowing someone to freely display your art. Have a super day.
ReplyDeleteDeborah,
DeleteGlad that you stopped by of course! I love that you describe that circle as a "circle of hope". I really love that a lot.
Hope all is well with you and that you had a good week. Thank you as always for the visit.
Libby
I agree with you... offices are a real stretch. I've shown in a bank and came away thinking the same as you---(well, that was a lot of work for no good reason). However, restaurants have proven to be pretty good (I'm surprised to say). I have sold quite a few in coffee shops and restaurants. Another thing I absolutely stopped doing is "donating" for charity (for the so-called "exposure"). Love your new work.
ReplyDeleteCeleste,
DeleteI appreciate your input on this post. I did well in one coffee shop several years back. It was in a much more populated area where I used to live. I did a local restaurant here with lots of traffic-no dice! So, I don't know. And I am with you-no donations for charity in order to gain exposure. I only do it when I feel that I am doing it just simply to help.
There is something right at the edge of my mind that I can't quite formulate and it has to do with how other people perceive the work that artists do. Because it is work one way or the other and you do spend your time doing it. It has value and your time has value but I almost feel like sometimes people don't quite see that. There is something here...another post!
Thanks again, Celeste. I enjoy hearing from you.
Libby