Saturday, December 5, 2015
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Adventures in Art Retail
When I was a kid, a teenager, I secretly wanted to be one of those famous artists. One who was so famous someone else would do all the work so I could sit and play in my studio. I think I held that dream until about a year or two ago.
With Christie's breaking the billion-dollar-in-a-week mark, it's not surprising that we all have stars in our eyes. I believe, like in the United States' economy, there are the "one percent" of famous artists. And they are glorified. Galleries want those money makers, and artists want to be them. Here is an article at Business Insider about buying art as an investment. And here is one on how business people can buy their first big piece of art . As most of us who stick with making art know, it's not about the money for us. We just want someone to appreciate our work and maybe make a little money so we can survive with only one day job.
So now that I've decided not to move to NYC and start all those steps to try and become an art darling what am I going to do?
People are afraid to buy their first piece of art. Think about it – there is good art out there, anything from $25 to $500,000. But if it's on a wall being celebrated it's harder to part with that cash then to buy movies, games, plants, sports tickets, cable bill, a pair of jeans, or a new pair of shoes. I've been there. There was this invisible barrier. I could make art. I could sell it, I would hesitate to trade it, but I couldn't buy it. Until I was picking up a paycheck and saw a little painting for half the amount I sold mine for. And I did it. I bought that painting and her work sells for more then mine does now. Part of it was needing the money to pay for it, but the larger part was just doing it once. Hell, I worked at a gallery selling art all the time, but the thought of me buying was just impossible to think of. I still believed it was lawyers and bankers, investors, old money and new that were allowed to have art. Never-mind I knew I sold to teachers, social workers and other artists. I want all people, to have art. I want them to feel the joy I do when my eye wonders over to a hand made object I've hung on the wall and for a few minutes contemplate why the artist did a thing, or didn't do a thing. I've found objects in some of the art I own that I hadn't noticed for months. It brings me actual joy. And there is also the knowledge of spending the money on the art allows for the artists to continue their life as an artist. Sometimes it's more important then the money. More then a few times I was on the verge of giving up and sold something for maybe $20 and I kept going because of it. The fact that someone wanted to take my work home with them was enough. It gives a boost to do it again, try something new, and not pick up that third job. Recently I've been trying my hand at selling others' art. Well, I've done it as a gallery assistant, but this time, to do it as a curator, as the retailer, is a larger joy in connecting the art to the new owner. The artists' excitement of even being chosen to show is enough to do it again and again. To visit studios and hand-pick art that might find a home, so the artists can keep making more.
So what am I doing? I know the gallery system is dead. Sure, the big named ones will last, but with the internet it is harder and harder to get people out and into your gallery. Folks are busy, they want to get more than to look at some art at one stop. I believe in art. I believe in well crafted, thoughtful art, and my thoughts are along the lines of offering something else to the community. A place to hang out and live with the art for a time – to buy some coffee, which contributes to showing good art. A place where the people working are friendly, and the price ranges from one dollar sign to six. Where the myths, such as, 'not understanding art' and 'only crazy people make art' are broken. I want artists to hang out and use the place as a resource, I want collectors to be able to talk with artists. I want great parties.
In anticipation of starting this business I threw a party. I had a limited guest list because I haven't done anything like this before. It was great! We had 60-70 people here. Eighteen works from eight of the fourteen artists showing found homes. Sadly I was too busy to take photos. Here are some that others took and I hope to add more. And look for another party in September!
Huey West (pictured indoors) played banjo on the front porch
Sarah P. Robinson and Gwen doing toy puppetry
Chris Wood and Trudy Watt try some Bánh mì - Vietnamese tofu hoagie. Rodger Lapelle is getting a drink.
More art up stairs
With Christie's breaking the billion-dollar-in-a-week mark, it's not surprising that we all have stars in our eyes. I believe, like in the United States' economy, there are the "one percent" of famous artists. And they are glorified. Galleries want those money makers, and artists want to be them. Here is an article at Business Insider about buying art as an investment. And here is one on how business people can buy their first big piece of art . As most of us who stick with making art know, it's not about the money for us. We just want someone to appreciate our work and maybe make a little money so we can survive with only one day job.
So now that I've decided not to move to NYC and start all those steps to try and become an art darling what am I going to do?
People are afraid to buy their first piece of art. Think about it – there is good art out there, anything from $25 to $500,000. But if it's on a wall being celebrated it's harder to part with that cash then to buy movies, games, plants, sports tickets, cable bill, a pair of jeans, or a new pair of shoes. I've been there. There was this invisible barrier. I could make art. I could sell it, I would hesitate to trade it, but I couldn't buy it. Until I was picking up a paycheck and saw a little painting for half the amount I sold mine for. And I did it. I bought that painting and her work sells for more then mine does now. Part of it was needing the money to pay for it, but the larger part was just doing it once. Hell, I worked at a gallery selling art all the time, but the thought of me buying was just impossible to think of. I still believed it was lawyers and bankers, investors, old money and new that were allowed to have art. Never-mind I knew I sold to teachers, social workers and other artists. I want all people, to have art. I want them to feel the joy I do when my eye wonders over to a hand made object I've hung on the wall and for a few minutes contemplate why the artist did a thing, or didn't do a thing. I've found objects in some of the art I own that I hadn't noticed for months. It brings me actual joy. And there is also the knowledge of spending the money on the art allows for the artists to continue their life as an artist. Sometimes it's more important then the money. More then a few times I was on the verge of giving up and sold something for maybe $20 and I kept going because of it. The fact that someone wanted to take my work home with them was enough. It gives a boost to do it again, try something new, and not pick up that third job. Recently I've been trying my hand at selling others' art. Well, I've done it as a gallery assistant, but this time, to do it as a curator, as the retailer, is a larger joy in connecting the art to the new owner. The artists' excitement of even being chosen to show is enough to do it again and again. To visit studios and hand-pick art that might find a home, so the artists can keep making more.
So what am I doing? I know the gallery system is dead. Sure, the big named ones will last, but with the internet it is harder and harder to get people out and into your gallery. Folks are busy, they want to get more than to look at some art at one stop. I believe in art. I believe in well crafted, thoughtful art, and my thoughts are along the lines of offering something else to the community. A place to hang out and live with the art for a time – to buy some coffee, which contributes to showing good art. A place where the people working are friendly, and the price ranges from one dollar sign to six. Where the myths, such as, 'not understanding art' and 'only crazy people make art' are broken. I want artists to hang out and use the place as a resource, I want collectors to be able to talk with artists. I want great parties.
In anticipation of starting this business I threw a party. I had a limited guest list because I haven't done anything like this before. It was great! We had 60-70 people here. Eighteen works from eight of the fourteen artists showing found homes. Sadly I was too busy to take photos. Here are some that others took and I hope to add more. And look for another party in September!
Huey West (pictured indoors) played banjo on the front porch
Gwen Rooker with toy puppetry
Chris Wood and Trudy Watt try some Bánh mì - Vietnamese tofu hoagie. Rodger Lapelle is getting a drink.
Rodger Lapelle and Christine McGinnis Talk to Sarah Hunter
More art up stairs
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