Art Articles & Reviews

Boom, Bust or Wars artists continue to create their most memorable works even in the worst of times. History has proven – civil war, poor economies, personal tragedies, health issues - even tight deadlines – artists find reasons to communicate what is on their minds. But did it sell?

Art should be about more than filling the wall above the sofa in someone’s condo, but invariably we all bend to this in some form to make a living, whether taking a commission or participating in an art show. If you have an art gallery they encourage their patrons to build art collections and don’t care whether your work hangs above the couch or the toilet. Our jobs as artists are to supply the adornment bling, ambiance for the space and even thought provoking visual experiences for our patrons.

Face it our wares are not a necessity to sustain life. Ours is food for thought, not to eat, but then why did that person buy the Lexus and not some fine art from you? Was it the new car smell or are you not networked high enough up the food chain to get the call or commission? Is it possible to change this situation?

To some buyers the buying of art or a vehicle activate the same endorphins, but generally vehicles get a lot more exposure through daily bombardments of advertising that promote a lifestyle you can attain with a new vehicle, as well, there is a sales person that holds the customers hand and helps ensure the sale. They don’t talk about the depreciation or potential for rust and future maintenance costs and generally the customer doesn’t want to hear this.

So why not become more visible? Become a Lexus of the art world.

How does an artist compete with a $90,000 car sale? How do you get on the mind of this potential art patron to consider collecting your art?

You Don’t!

After all, what artist has the audacity to ask $90,000 for a piece of art? If this is something that is going through your head, you will never sell your work for this price. An artist requires years of major shows, sales and exhibitions to build a successful career and usually near death before approaching such figures. The Lexus wasn’t built, shipped and sold by one person, so think how those dollars are disbursed after the sale. Not all the money went to one person. It’s a teamwork mentality - built around product perception and performance. Also, there isn’t just one original Lexus like your piece of art. We all know mass-producing is how you make money, but the Art World frowns on this and the perception of starving or some personal strife is perceived the artist put their art above all else, as if they are doing the artist a favour by purchasing the art.

Artistscan be their own worst enemies.

(Change the way you value your own art and you will affect all the opportunities that are around you.)

_{Years ago, 2 friends purchased an art materials store from an older Scottish painter, who taught them how to make customers feel important. He would purchase white Mayfair paper in bulk for drawing from a local paper distributor, but when he sold it he put on white cotton gloves. In front of the customers he pulled the sheets individually from the cabinet and placed them on the counter, treating each sheet as a precious handmade Asian paper. The value perception went up in the eyes of his patrons and gladly paid full price for average paper.}

Start producing more works of art with the craft and perception of a Lexus if you want to move up the food chain. Don’t be afraid to raise your prices regularly, but consistently. Be business minded and look for ways to be bigger than life. Buy a hat, unique clothes and hair, generate positive actions that make you stand out from the crowd – don’t be afraid to be noticed. Read and refer good art books, only believe half what you read on social medias, use social media and your website to communicate, join an art organization, attend art related functions, have someone help write your artist statement, write a book, produce a catalogue for your shows, align yourself with a show sponsor, choose your charities well and even advertise.

Most importantly ­– do really good work!