Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Oil painting - begginer - how to sell/exhibit

0 views
Skip to first unread message

GeorgeME

unread,
Aug 17, 2002, 1:09:08 AM8/17/02
to
Most artists have the same problem. My advice is to find a local nice
restaurant, and take four works. Ask the owner to display them on the wall,
and put a price and your contact info/business card nearby, or in the corner
of the work, and supply a number of these cards. The owner may allow you to
display, if the owner likes the work, and it is suitable for the restaurant.
He may ask for a few dollars, from any sale. You decide on pricing, etc.
Also enter local shows, and anything to get your work noticed. Find a local
student or co-op gallery (anywhere, even the local art supply store) where
you can display at least two works. Again price and comission decisions have
to be made. You should also consider a web site. Do a search of painting,
drawing, landscape, etc, to see what others have.

You also have to photograph each painting, and keep track of where it is.
Also insurance, if you value them highly.

This is a start. Good luck, from George
"Ananth" <dev...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ad31c053.02080...@posting.google.com...
> Hi everybody,
> I am an oil painter, have been doing for about two years and have
> finished about 20 paintings. I have no idea how to display/sell my
> paintings.
> Can anybody please give some idea as to how to go about?
> Usually how does an artist do when she/he finishes painting?
> Does he display his work? If so who sponsors? How to rate a painting?
> Can you please through some light?
> Thanks in advance.


Pearl E. Gaites

unread,
Aug 17, 2002, 10:19:22 AM8/17/02
to
In article <UTk79.31789$8aG1....@news01.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com>,
gsi...@rogers.com says...

>
>Most artists have the same problem. My advice is to find a local nice
>restaurant, and take four works.

When I lived in Dallas, TX, USA, the best
sales I've ever had came from hanging a
painting on a wall where the serving line
in a cafeteria could see it as the customers
stood in line waiting to approach the
food servers. Granted that this cafeteria
was in an upscale shopping center with
a lot of high-dollar clientele. But as
with every piece of marketing advice, the three
MOST IMPORTANT are "location, location, location."


Nerd Gerl

unread,
Aug 17, 2002, 1:03:57 PM8/17/02
to
>From: "GeorgeME" <gsi...@rogers.com>

>My advice is to find a local nice
>restaurant, and take four works. Ask the owner to display them on the wall,
>and put a price and your contact info/business card nearby, or in the corner
>of the work, and supply a number of these cards. The owner may allow you to
>display, if the owner likes the work, and it is suitable for the restaurant.
>He may ask for a few dollars, from any sale. You decide on pricing, etc.

Quick comment:

Don't just walk into a restaurant with art and a smile. Walk in there with your
art and a contract behind your back.


==========
Naked Angel Art: http://www.rcip.com/nerdgerl
See In Person @ MatrixArts Space | Sacramento, CA
Biz Opp: http://www.rcip.com/nerdgerl/affiliate.htm

Hugh Middor

unread,
Aug 17, 2002, 8:10:59 PM8/17/02
to
In article <20020817130357...@mb-ba.aol.com>,
nerd...@aol.combounces says...

>Don't just walk into a restaurant with art and a smile. Walk in there with
your
>art and a contract behind your back.

You're not likely to get a restaurant
(or cafeteria in my case) to even look
at a contract. You get the manager aside,
and if you're glib and good with a sales
pitch he or she will agree to allow you
to hang in whatever empty wall space
is available and I'll bet never mention
taking a commission from sales. You, the
artist, are, after all, providing FREE
decor for the customers to look at. How
you sell yourself to the manager is YOUR
affair - and whether or not you have art
work along is not relevant. But having a
good presentation and sales spiel certainly
is!


Leigh

unread,
Aug 17, 2002, 11:29:36 PM8/17/02
to

"Hugh Middor" <ar...@noemailever.com> wrote in message
news:3d5ed...@oracle.zianet.com...
Should it happen that your paintings are happily decorating some dining
establisment, you might want to do a follow up by playing patron one night
and asking about the paintings, price list availability, any info on the
artist - that sort of thing. I did, got a poor response (the matre'd knew
from nothing) so I took my work home the next day.

L.


Alison A Raimes

unread,
Aug 18, 2002, 4:48:04 AM8/18/02
to
As an ex-restaurateur, I can assure you that a contract woud be insisted on -
if not by the restauratuer then by their insurance company. I showed the work
of one artist in my restaurant for six years. We were legally bound by a
contract - the agreement being that she would ensure the walls were always full
and I would forward interest on her work immediately to her - she dealt with
the sales from that point on and as far as I can remember she used to get
around six sales a year. The paintings became part of the ambience of the
restaurant, we became very close friends, and she and her husband brought a lot
of business to the restaurant. In hindsight, and not then having any experience
of the art world back then, I wish I had opened the restaurant up to more
artists.


Alison A Raimes
http://raimes.com

Hugh Middor

unread,
Aug 18, 2002, 10:50:11 AM8/18/02
to
In article <ulu5693...@corp.supernews.com>, le...@nomail.com says...

>I did, got a poor response (the matre'd knew
>from nothing) so I took my work home the next day.

First of all, this thread is about ALTERNATIVE
places for novices to get their work shown. Not
about premium spaces with knowledgeable staff
who have a monitary interest in marketing the
art work on the walls.

Secondly, in the good ole USA, MOST restauranteurs
wouldn't know a maitre'd from a bellhop. We
have a "host or hostess" who seats people and
waiters and bussers who do the grunt work.
And none of them are going to know two-cents
worth about the art on the walls, assuming there
is any worthy of that appellation.


Leigh

unread,
Aug 18, 2002, 11:50:58 AM8/18/02
to

"Hugh Middor" <ar...@noemailever.com> wrote in message
news:3d5fa...@oracle.zianet.com...
Sorry to offend you Jack. Though I'm not sure how that happened. My
remarks are appropriate as a warning that some resturants (diners,
cafeterias, whatever) bear watching since they consider the artwork mere
decoration and have no intent to act in the artist's behalf. With the
exception of Alison's resturant, of course.

L.


Hugh Middor

unread,
Aug 18, 2002, 8:07:17 PM8/18/02
to
In article <ulvgkbo...@corp.supernews.com>, le...@nomail.com says...

>Sorry to offend you Jack. Though I'm not sure how that happened.

I'm not at all offended. Not sure why you think
that I am. I'm just arguing my own point of view
that seems to be a bit different from yours and
from others not familiar with how things work in
the 'good ole USA.

>My remarks are appropriate as a warning that some resturants (diners,
>cafeterias, whatever) bear watching

And my remarks are appropriate to the situation
that exists in the 'good ole USA' where I would
never expect the people running the restaurant
to have any interest in me or my art work beyond
being decoration for their walls that they can
have for NOTHING! If they ask me for a percentage
of sales - assuming I ever am lucky enough to
sell anything that way - then I have to decide if
the terms for hanging are beneficial to me or not.

And finally, ONCE MORE, I see it as an EXCELLENT
way for novices to get exposure. That doesn't begin
to touch on restaurants that I am familiar with
where art works of BIG-NAME artists hang as a
way of the restaurant owner saying "I am a
collector!" I recall one such 'famous' place in
NYC where the restaurant owner had paid MILLIONS
of dollars for what was touted as ancient Greek
and Roman statuary, etc. I'm referring here to
"Mama Leoni's" which may not even exist any longer.


Leigh

unread,
Aug 18, 2002, 9:27:40 PM8/18/02
to

"Hugh Middor" <ar...@noemailever.com> wrote in message
news:3d602...@oracle.zianet.com...

> In article <ulvgkbo...@corp.supernews.com>, le...@nomail.com says...
>
> >Sorry to offend you Jack. Though I'm not sure how that happened.
>
> I'm not at all offended. Not sure why you think
> that I am. I'm just arguing my own point of view
> that seems to be a bit different from yours and
> from others not familiar with how things work in
> the 'good ole USA.
>
What gave you the idea that I wouldn't understand how things work in the
'good ole USA'? I call it home too!

I read your post twice and still can't figure out what your point is, or how
it is "different" from mine. I only warned that if one is displaying with
the possibility of sales, it requires some cooperation from the employees
(the host, hostess or matre'd, as I called him.) Without that, you might as
well try your work elsewhere.

Methinks you just like to see your new name(s) in print.

L.


Hugh Middor

unread,
Aug 19, 2002, 9:48:28 AM8/19/02
to
In article <um0idmg...@corp.supernews.com>, le...@nomail.com says...


>What gave you the idea that I wouldn't understand how things work in the
>'good ole USA'? I call it home too!

What 'gave me that idea' are your remarks
that seemed inconsistent with the theme of
the thread and how restaurants of all kinds
operate in the USA.

>I read your post twice and still can't figure out what your point is, or how
>it is "different" from mine.

It's different because of your expectation that
a restaurant would act like a gallery in
representing your art work. You seemed to be
challenging my statement that restaurants and
cafeterias are viable alternatives for novice
artists by saying it didn't work for you. You say you removed
your work 'the next day' when you found out the
restaurant help didn't have a clue. I would never
have expected them to - THAT's the difference
in our viewpoints.


But let's back up a minute and maybe start
over or at least clarify something. I don't
know the facts, but I suspect that a large
majority of restaurants wouldn't even bother
with allowing artists to hang on their walls.
Even the most low-brow of the fast food chains,
McDonalds, has it's own decor depending on the
whims of each franchise owner. And most other
restaurants I can think of have their own
decor.

So, in order to find an alternative
to galleries to show your art work, you have
to work hard to know your local scene. And
I think it's unrealistic to expect that your
art work will sell at all in such alternative
venues. But it's the EXPOSURE that will hopefully
eventually get your name known to the locals.
It's a WAY TO BEGIN getting exposure. I know
of few established artists who would go to such
trouble once they have gallery representation
or are otherwise selling their work.


Leigh

unread,
Aug 19, 2002, 10:05:23 AM8/19/02
to

"Hugh Middor" <ar...@noemailever.com> wrote in message
news:3d60e...@oracle.zianet.com...

> In article <um0idmg...@corp.supernews.com>, le...@nomail.com says...
>
>
> >What gave you the idea that I wouldn't understand how things work in the
> >'good ole USA'? I call it home too!
>
> What 'gave me that idea' are your remarks
> that seemed inconsistent with the theme of
> the thread and how restaurants of all kinds
> operate in the USA.

And you are the official 'know it all' re the USA? How challenging your life
must be!

> >I read your post twice and still can't figure out what your point is, or
how
> >it is "different" from mine.
>
> It's different because of your expectation that
> a restaurant would act like a gallery in
> representing your art work. You seemed to be
> challenging my statement that restaurants and
> cafeterias are viable alternatives for novice
> artists by saying it didn't work for you. You say you removed
> your work 'the next day' when you found out the
> restaurant help didn't have a clue. I would never
> have expected them to - THAT's the difference
> in our viewpoints.

Ahhhh, I see. You honorably offer your paintings to decorate some eating
establishment expecting no acknowledgement, no reference to your name,
prices or contact information. How very generous of you. In my case the
understanding was different. I did expect the person greeting or taking
money to have this knowledge, to at least offer the printed sheet of info
I'd prepared.


> I don't
> know the facts, but I suspect that a large
> majority of restaurants wouldn't even bother
> with allowing artists to hang on their walls.

Correct.

> Even the most low-brow of the fast food chains,
> McDonalds, has it's own decor depending on the
> whims of each franchise owner. And most other
> restaurants I can think of have their own
> decor.

Agreed.

> So, in order to find an alternative
> to galleries to show your art work, you have
> to work hard to know your local scene.

Yes.

> I think it's unrealistic to expect that your
> art work will sell at all in such alternative
> venues.

Stranger things have happened.

>But it's the EXPOSURE that will hopefully
> eventually get your name known to the locals.
> It's a WAY TO BEGIN getting exposure.

In the case of this restaurant, I would have needed to paint my signature
much larger and clearer in order to be associated with the works and get any
exposure for myself, the artist.

> I know
> of few established artists who would go to such
> trouble once they have gallery representation
> or are otherwise selling their work.

You're right, it's been a long time since alternative space has been
necessary for my work. But I did, once upon a time, need such space, the
restaurant was upscale, the clientele was moneyed, the art group that had
made the arrangements seemed pleased but I wasn't. Personal cards on the
works were not permitted in this case, btw.

My words, I repeat yet again, were not meant to put down such an experience,
but to add a word of caution to follow up if you expect anything more than
contributing to free decoration. Some are better than others about giving
your contact info to prospective customers.

I think I've said enough on this subject.

L.


Hugh Middor

unread,
Aug 19, 2002, 7:03:15 PM8/19/02
to
In article <20020819113200.812$3...@newsreader.com>, danf...@yahoo.com says...
>
>Hi, Leigh -
>
>Here's another aspect to exhibiting in restaurants. I haven't done so, but
>I know a number of artists who have and do. They remind me that your work
>can be damaged if it is in close proximity to diners.

I had not brought up - yet again - the fact that
I was COMMISSIONED by the franchise owner of a
McDonald's hamburger joint to paint a series of
"local scenes" to decorate the newly opening
restaurant. I was later commissioned to paint
similar scenes for a second and third location
opened by the same owner. I then left the region,
never to return, but know that none of those
locations now look as if they ever had my work
in them. I don't know for sure, but assume that
the works were eventually obliterated by the need
to continually clean them of mustard, ketchup
and whatever else got splattered onto them!


Nerd Gerl

unread,
Aug 19, 2002, 8:11:38 PM8/19/02
to
>From: ar...@noemailever.com (Hugh Middor)

>First of all, this thread is about ALTERNATIVE
>places for novices to get their work shown. Not
>about premium spaces with knowledgeable staff
>who have a monitary interest in marketing the
>art work on the walls.

So take the time to 'splain' it to 'em.

Hugh Middor

unread,
Aug 20, 2002, 9:40:47 AM8/20/02
to
In article <20020819201138...@mb-fi.aol.com>,
nerd...@aol.combounces says...


>So take the time to 'splain' it to 'em.

Why don't YOU take the time to read the
entire thread then you wouldn't make
silly statements by jumping in at the end...


Nerd Gerl

unread,
Aug 20, 2002, 7:05:54 PM8/20/02
to
>From: ar...@noemailever.com (Hugh Middor)

>Why don't YOU take the time to read the
>entire thread

Why? I already know what's going to tumble out of your stupid mouth. You came
here for advice and got it. And then you bitched about it. What are you?
Retarded??

Oh, I see, you are:... You wrote,

"I'm just arguing my own point of view"

Go somewhere else then, and argue with your own views. LOL I'm sure "you" will
listen.

You wrote,

"I would never expect the people running the restaurant to have any
interest in me or my art work beyond being decoration for their
walls that they can have for NOTHING"

LOL! Why do you even BOTHER?

Hugh Middor

unread,
Aug 21, 2002, 11:06:34 AM8/21/02
to
In article <20020820190554...@mb-mu.aol.com>,
nerd...@aol.combounces says...


>Why? I already know what's going to tumble out of your stupid mouth. You came
>here for advice and got it. And then you bitched about it. What are you?
>Retarded??

I have NO IDEA what you're talking about since
you obviously haven't a clue yourself. I am NOT
the one who came seeking advice. I give advice,
I don't seek it out! If there's anyone expressing
their 'bitchiness' it's YOU, mudear.

As for being retarded, I'm old enough to be
your grandfather and with that age in mind I
have every right to be senile - but retarded?
That's YOUR problem I'd guess.


Nerd Gerl

unread,
Aug 21, 2002, 12:18:29 PM8/21/02
to
>From: ar...@noemailever.com (Hugh Middor)

>I have NO IDEA what you're talking about since
>you obviously haven't a clue yourself. I am NOT
>the one who came seeking advice. I give advice,
>I don't seek it out! I

After checking the threads, I see you are correct. I apologize for this
accusation.

But Nothing else. You're still a very rude old bastard.

Hugh Middor

unread,
Aug 21, 2002, 7:48:06 PM8/21/02
to
In article <20020821121829...@mb-mq.aol.com>,
nerd...@aol.combounces says...

>You're still a very rude old bastard.

And what exactly does that statement say
about YOU - you impertinent adolescent
artist wannabe???

Nerd Gerl

unread,
Aug 24, 2002, 2:11:17 AM8/24/02
to
>From: ar...@noemailever.com (Hugh Middor)

>>You're still a very rude old bastard.
>
>And what exactly does that statement say
>about YOU - you impertinent adolescent
>artist wannabe???

It says that I think you are "a very rude old bastard".

0 new messages