Help please - How to start selling artwork?
Shawn
I'm trying to figure out how to best go about selling my artwork.
I've been creating 20" x 30" fractal prints at a resolution of 3600 x
4800 pixels. The prints are done using Kodak paper - resin-coated,
silver-halide color paper optimized for digital printing with a matt
finish. That is, the printing process is basically the same as a normal
photo print rather than a printout from a color printer.
I've never attempted to sell any sort of artwork before, so I'm afraid
I'm pretty clueless about it. If anyone can offer suggestions on how I
can get started, I'd appreciate it very much. I've tried contacting a
few local galleries but none of them do consignment.
Below are some links to examples of what I'm doing:
Digital version:
http://members.truepath.com/swing/photos/fractal1.jpg
Photo of framed print to show scale:
http://members.truepath.com/swing/photos/fractal2.jpg
Closeup photo of framed print to show level of detail:
http://members.truepath.com/swing/photos/fractal3.jpg
Any suggestions would be very appreciated - even if it's "don't bother,
no one would pay money for THAT!" :)
Thanks,
- Shawn
Email: rigginss at: surewest dot net
(trying to avoid the spam that always
results from positng on USENET.)
Elizabeth Guizzetti
This is a question that there is not a short answer to...so I think first I
will suggest some books to read and then give you some general advice.
Selling artwork is difficult, but quite rewarding.
The reason I suggest reading a little (that is an understatement I suggest
reading alot!) is because it will give you some idea about how the art
industry works. Art is an industry...and like many other industries it has
many facets. There are many avenues to sell artwork and there is a market
for almost everything. Galleries, WebPages (though I haven't had great luck
with direct sales) Art shows, art in local coffee houses,Art walks, Artist
co-ops, and of course you can go scouting for commissions and etc are all
ways that you can sell your prints.
Some galleries work by taking a commission. Others purchase art outright
and then normally keystone the price after framing. Some galleries are
artist owned and only show that artist or member artists. Some galleries
are considered commercial and others are not. One is not better then the
other it's just the way they are.
Anyway on the books.
Art marketing 101 by Constant Smith
Art and Reality (this is very academic fine art based);
How to survive and prosper as an artist by Caroll Michels (my personal
favorite)
You also might like to check out the Sunshine Magazine Website :
http://www.sunshineartist.com/ This has articles on the business to being
an artist as well...however it leans toward art shows because that is the
focus of the magazine. Another website you might want to try is
www.wetcanvas.com and read through some of the articles and posts in the Art
business section.
Now on to my advice:
This is very basic but the most important thing I ever learned is treat your
art as a business and don't let anyone else make you feel small.
1) get a business license and do everything for your "studio" that you would
if you were creating any other product other then art. Know your prices now!
You set the price for the art--not the gallery. You need to have 20
different pieces up front at least. Galleries rarely show or purchase just
one image at a time. It may help to write a business plan to focus your
goals.
2)) stay far away from anyone who makes you pay upfront for showing your art
(unless it's a co-op situation which is a little different..but then you are
a member or an artfair which is run differently, some take commission, some
don't) Those galleries that make you pay are called vanity galleries and
they are everywhere and they are a rip-off.
This is how I approach a gallery.
First-- I go in and see the art on the walls and see the price ranges. Many
galleries have brochures on their tables--if so then pick one up and read
it. Often it will tell you the type of gallery it is.
Next call the gallery and ask to set up an appointment with the owner or the
manager --sometimes they ask you to send photos, prints, cd or slides
first--do what they ask! This is so important. If they want slides, it's
because they have a projector and they put up all your images at once to see
how it looks together. Not every gallery has a computer in house, but if
they do then they might want to see it on CD, ya never know.
If they do set up a appointment in person--once again ask how they would
like to view the artwork and what other documentation they might need
(resumes, references, an artist statement, bio) Show up and act
professional and self confident. Now you are there...you need to know
pricing, who pays for what costs of showing you art (normally it's the
gallery who is paying for most if not all.) who pays for framing, etc.
Once again this is very basic advice which is why I suggest reading all you
can and if you have anymore questions just ask.
Good luck to you,
Beth
"Shawn" <x...@yyz.com> wrote in message news:3D2DDC31...@yyz.com...