Odd. I was certain that JL would let us know about the exhibition.
Well, osso, maybe it's a wee bit too early to be concerned, then.
Ah, thanks for asking. I wish you were all there. I consider it a great success. Didn't sell anything, although one friend said I should save one of them for him. I would find it so difficult to sell a painting for the asking price to a close friend, especially since this is not the way I make my livelihood--just one of the main ways I make my life.
People came from my various social worlds. It was very rewarding to introduce people whom I'm confident will become friends heretofore; it's a creative act to generate new friendships. There was gobs of food and wine--of course the wine went very fast, but wasn't used up.
I had fifteen paintings all hanging in two high horizontal rows. I think Dys will come and see them before the month is up. Despite the number and layout of the works, they did not seem to cancel each other out. One fellow expressed surpise that they did not. I also used a very prized and beautiful antique stand to place an album of photos of about 80% of my oeuvre. Many people examined it carefully, sometimes in twos and threes with animated discussion. It was all very rewarding. I have found my calling: exhibitionism.
Next month I'll get to hang paintings at the reception of the inaugeration of my university's Emeritus College. I've already shown works at the emeritus faculty's four luncheons. Since I'm on the steering committee for the formation of the university's emeritus visual arts and performance center, I hope to create many opportunities for retired faculty artilsts, like myself, to hang and perform works throughout the university. Life is good. Thanks for asking, Letty and Osso.
I am pleased as punch to read this, JL.
Am keen on your role with the Emeritus faculty, that could be great fun and rewarding.
as I, JL. No better judge of exhibitionism that Emeriti. <smile>
it sounds as though it was a huge success and great fun - of course people were interested!
Isn't it a buzzzz?
you'll be hooked now
I'm sure more sales will follow and you must value your work, never mind if it's a friend, you can always give a small discount - but not too much or it devalues it.
Vivien, I see your point, but oh how difficult. I think of business as transactional and between strangers; I see exchanges between close friends as a form of gift giving. If not, it says something about the relationship, even denying its intimate nature. If my friend INSISTS on paying, which he probably will, I will then offer a reduction--hate to call it a "discount"--as symbolic of the intimacy of our relationship. I'm so glad I'm not a professional artist. If I WERE, I would have to have gallery agents conduct the impersonal business for me.
Ah, I wrote something lengthy on this yesterday and deleted it, as I didn't want to skew the discussion, but I did save it to my clips. Back in a bit.
Before you read yesterday's opinion from me, I agree with a discount, but as Vivien says, and not down to what is the artist's amount from a retail sale. We are known to sometimes give up to 15% discounts at our place and I can imagine 20%, and we do that for people buying more than one fairly expensive piece - say, 10% for two, 15% for three, or possibly someone buying a very expensive piece, all with the approval of the artist, who then shares the discount.
A friend might want a deal, but many don't, many think it right to pay the market value so as not to "use" the painter friend. You could discuss it with the friend.
So, whad'I say yesterday? I'll read it with you....
On the selling price, we've had this discussion at some point on a2k.
I remember an a2k artist making a price much lower for someone with low funds. I sympathize, at least somewhat, but if you actually try to act professionally, re a business, it is smart to keep your prices steady. Not necessarily high, but steady. If you do show with places in the future, it won't help to have your work about town at lower prices.
From my own point of view, it diminishes your art's recognized (monetary) value if you hop up and down on price from gallery to friend, or local street sidewalk sale or Open Studio sale. The gallery, or bookstore in this case, is paying for the hosting. True, the bookstore hopes to attract customers, but they don't have to knock themselves out to do this.
As a gallery owner, I know friends and family hope to get things they like for Christmas, etc., and sometimes do, except from our most professional artists keep a watch on that gate if not entirely locked. When the artists do sell things low - say at their portion of the retail price, after the exhibit is over - that unsale doesn't help pay for our wine outlay, much less help the payment on the lease. And then that is the known price for the art.
On the other hand, I understand the view of being a true amateur, and not caring about money one wit, or pence.
Someone, I think it is Cobalt, doesn't believe in selling her artwork at all.
But I say, once you market it, it is right to keep up the value. if only for the first person who actually shelled out dollars, and not have the fourth or tenth or thirtieth buyer pay a mere fraction.
This all sounds sort of silly if art works don't rise in value.
But... one of our artists has had works at our gallery that sold with us up to 15,000., and people came in and told us they have an early small work they paid, oh, let's say, $150. for. Man, are they happy now. I have no clue what those early works are worth, but it's better than finding out it's now worth $40.
This reminds me also of a fellow who showed with us whose work is rather abstract. Someone asked him, "How long did it take you to paint that?" He answered, "Forty years".
Nice answer.
JLN, congrats! Sounds really fun. I accidentally backed into a show last year, total serendipity but really fun. The art discussion, the seeing your stuff communicate with viewers, is just great.
I hope he's forty years old.
Thanks for your experienced perspective, Osso. Most welcome.
Yes, Sozobe; it was a gass.
laugh...
He's at the sixty spot.
Sozobe, tell us more, we'd enjoy hearing about it..
A few of our artists have been so straight as to tell us if someone was buying from them who had seen the work with us first, and assigned us our percentage. Trust me, we've appreciated those artists.
I think I'll mention their names, a couple offhand, good artists and straight up people (I can do this now that I'll get no bennies, no?) - Eric Alan Fidjeland and Carol Aust.
edit, I forgot Kay Harden, she does that too...
JL, not to dislodge talk of your event. I'd like talk of your opening to go on and on. For example, tell us some of the conversational bits?
