great questions. I especially like the question of, "What is the art scene in the area you live?" We have a thriving art scene here in Winnipeg. It's quite diverse, and the work I'm most attracted to is from young-middle aged artists. A lot of them are doing conceptual work and being exhibited in large galleries and hired for mural and sculptural public works. There is a lot of support for the arts here. I really have a hard time with living-room art. Just the temporality of it. But the way you describe England's cottage/small spaces, layered feel appeals to me. I also love the eclectic feel of Toronto and New York. I long to go back to New York one day. I think in general the average buyer of art needs to expose themselves to a lot more variety. They need to see the way visual expression has moved across time and who is making it and why. The people who buy my work are in the "home decorator" category but also they purchase because it has special meaning to them. When I purchase it is for the same reason. I do not have the funds to purchase a lot of original art - which really points to a few other topics - where does our money go? Technology, travel to see family, housing/food/basic needs… The art world still seems quite elite and exclusive to a certain class. But maybe I'm wrong. Oh one more thing! Our city is filled with very socially conscious/educated people. We have several Universities. People are very excited to purchase art made by Indigenous and BIPOC artists. Have you come across that as well?
I need to visit Winnipeg! It's interesting you mention that art collectors seem "elite and exclusive". That's a stereotype that some galleries like to perpetuate but just as artists come from all different social classes and cultural backgrounds, so do art collectors. All these stereotypes need to go! If we see art only as a luxury purchase that few can afford, there's no chance artists can make a living. I once did a conceptual project at an art fair where I created a Dollar Art Store - all my work was just $1. You know how hard it was to sell?! Oh my, folks stood there for ages trying to figure out whether to buy a piece. Because in our heads, if it's not a high financial cost, it has no value. I really want to erase that framing of art. I buy art that's affordable for me, at all different price points, I'm certainly no millionaire! If you buy $10 art, you are an art collector.
I agree that art buyers need to see more variety and generally become a little more aware of what's going on in their local art scene. Artists get a lot of attention, we don't always give the collectors much thought. Both are required if we want a thriving arts economy.
Yes, I definitely see collectors wanting to buy art made by BIPOC artists here in Seattle and art created by the LGBTQIA2S+ community. I just wish there were more funding for the artists so they can afford to rent studios and bring their work to a wider audience.
One last thought on selling art (not purchasing). I have found collectors are much more willing to purchase when they see the original in person. Most of my larger sales have been through group exhibits, art fairs etc.. This is why the pandemic affected visual artists so painfully.
Yes, I've found this too, which is why I did so well when I had my own public facing studio/gallery and was so disappointed when i had to close it. Where I live there is just a lack of gallery spaces, or any spaces really, where art can be shown.
This is so interesting! I need to give more thought on how I'd really sell my work (note: first put forth effort!) but I don't think I could take photos just to appeal to home decorators. I'm not even sure how you'd do that with photography although I'm sure there's a way. My hope is to gain collectors that appreciate the historical moments we've gone through in the last 7 years here in America as that's what I've captured most.
Also, can I just say the current "palette" for decorating is depressing! :/ I saw the AD tour of Gwyneth Paltrow's home and it was soooooo, blah. Hardly any color and very gray, neutral, gray. Oh and marble :)
I see a lot of large landscape photographs for the home and they can look beautiful in the right house. Agree about the bland colour palette - that’s been dominant here for a long time but it is so boring to me. You have a clear collector in mind for your work, that’s great!
great questions. I especially like the question of, "What is the art scene in the area you live?" We have a thriving art scene here in Winnipeg. It's quite diverse, and the work I'm most attracted to is from young-middle aged artists. A lot of them are doing conceptual work and being exhibited in large galleries and hired for mural and sculptural public works. There is a lot of support for the arts here. I really have a hard time with living-room art. Just the temporality of it. But the way you describe England's cottage/small spaces, layered feel appeals to me. I also love the eclectic feel of Toronto and New York. I long to go back to New York one day. I think in general the average buyer of art needs to expose themselves to a lot more variety. They need to see the way visual expression has moved across time and who is making it and why. The people who buy my work are in the "home decorator" category but also they purchase because it has special meaning to them. When I purchase it is for the same reason. I do not have the funds to purchase a lot of original art - which really points to a few other topics - where does our money go? Technology, travel to see family, housing/food/basic needs… The art world still seems quite elite and exclusive to a certain class. But maybe I'm wrong. Oh one more thing! Our city is filled with very socially conscious/educated people. We have several Universities. People are very excited to purchase art made by Indigenous and BIPOC artists. Have you come across that as well?
I need to visit Winnipeg! It's interesting you mention that art collectors seem "elite and exclusive". That's a stereotype that some galleries like to perpetuate but just as artists come from all different social classes and cultural backgrounds, so do art collectors. All these stereotypes need to go! If we see art only as a luxury purchase that few can afford, there's no chance artists can make a living. I once did a conceptual project at an art fair where I created a Dollar Art Store - all my work was just $1. You know how hard it was to sell?! Oh my, folks stood there for ages trying to figure out whether to buy a piece. Because in our heads, if it's not a high financial cost, it has no value. I really want to erase that framing of art. I buy art that's affordable for me, at all different price points, I'm certainly no millionaire! If you buy $10 art, you are an art collector.
I agree that art buyers need to see more variety and generally become a little more aware of what's going on in their local art scene. Artists get a lot of attention, we don't always give the collectors much thought. Both are required if we want a thriving arts economy.
Yes, I definitely see collectors wanting to buy art made by BIPOC artists here in Seattle and art created by the LGBTQIA2S+ community. I just wish there were more funding for the artists so they can afford to rent studios and bring their work to a wider audience.
I really value your comments, thank you.
One last thought on selling art (not purchasing). I have found collectors are much more willing to purchase when they see the original in person. Most of my larger sales have been through group exhibits, art fairs etc.. This is why the pandemic affected visual artists so painfully.
Yes, I've found this too, which is why I did so well when I had my own public facing studio/gallery and was so disappointed when i had to close it. Where I live there is just a lack of gallery spaces, or any spaces really, where art can be shown.
This is so interesting! I need to give more thought on how I'd really sell my work (note: first put forth effort!) but I don't think I could take photos just to appeal to home decorators. I'm not even sure how you'd do that with photography although I'm sure there's a way. My hope is to gain collectors that appreciate the historical moments we've gone through in the last 7 years here in America as that's what I've captured most.
Also, can I just say the current "palette" for decorating is depressing! :/ I saw the AD tour of Gwyneth Paltrow's home and it was soooooo, blah. Hardly any color and very gray, neutral, gray. Oh and marble :)
I see a lot of large landscape photographs for the home and they can look beautiful in the right house. Agree about the bland colour palette - that’s been dominant here for a long time but it is so boring to me. You have a clear collector in mind for your work, that’s great!