At our next meeting of Artists Alive and Well, we have a great opportunity -- gallery owner and artist Richard Eastman will be our featured speaker.
Artists Alive and Well
When: Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 7:00 PM
Where: Eastman Gallery, 1110 N. Post Oak Rd., Suite 310, Houston, TX 77055
RSVP: Linda, 713-781-1030, 281-451-3808, or LSPosey@earthlink.net
Description: Our speaker, Richard Eastman, will share his "Gallery Owner's Secrets for Selling Your Art Work." This informative presentation will get us all prepared for our inaugural show -- opening on October 18 at Eastman Gallery. (Details on the show coming soon.)
PLEASE RSVP so we can have plenty of chairs set up for the meeting. For more information about Artists Alive and Well or to reserve your seat for the September 18 meeting, contact Linda, 713-781-1030, 281-451-3808, or LSPosey@earthlink.net
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
“Gallery Owner’s Secrets for Selling Your Art Work”
A Presentation by Richard Eastman to Artists Alive and Well, Inc. – September 18, 2007
Notes from Sally Stubbs, Secretary
Richard Eastman, owner and director of Eastman Gallery, gave an inspiring presentation on how to sell art at the recent meeting of Artists Alive and Well. Here’s a synopsis of his presentation:
1) Choose a Gallery
Do your homework! Shop for a gallery where you can identify with the owner and where the gallery believes your work fits their client base. Get to know the other artists, too. That’s very valuable.
2) Build a Reputation
Showing your work shouldn’t be a one-time event. You need to consistently show your work for at least a year. Buyers want to get to know who the artist is. Build up your reputation; get your name “out there.” Show repeatedly in the same place.
3) Promote Your Artwork (Product)
Be on site as often as possible (at art shows or other events at the gallery) to talk with clients about your work. That will make a difference. They want to know the artists. Include a biography and your picture in promotional materials near your artwork if appropriate.
4) Listen to the Market
Richard noted that the top colors of purchased artwork are: red; blue; purple; green; yellow; orange. (In that order.) He suggested that artists keep that in mind when creating work. THINK about the colors used, and think about the style. Favorites include impressionist; folk; and contemporary.
Listen to what’s being said by clients about your work and the work of others. Even though you may not like everything that’s said about your work, it’s an opportunity for you to learn how potential buyers view your work. Knowing what buyers are looking for, and how close you are to what they want, allows you to fine-tune your product if your objective is making sales.
5) Create an Emotional Attachment
Have a story about your artwork to get people emotionally involved. That may include what inspired you; or where you were when you saw this scene; some story about the scene; something unique about the creation of it. If the client can connect emotionally, it helps your chance of a sale.
6) Pricing
Do you want your work to hang in YOUR house? Or in a client’s house? If you’re really interested in selling your work, price it right! You can always raise prices later on as your reputation and skill grow.
The best place to show your work is in clients’ homes, where their friends and family can see it, and get to know your work.
7) Keep Growing as an Artist
The more you sell, the more art you’ll create. And the more you create, the better you’ll get. If you’re selling, then you HAVE to keep producing. Be very deliberate to continue progressing in your work.
8) Follow Up
ALWAYS follow up with a client who has purchased your work. Offer to deliver work to the client’s home. Watch for additional opportunities to sell.
9) Framing
For works on canvas: Be aware that framing can make your work more expensive, and can also limit (or enhance) its appeal. Richard noted that traditional artwork often has the wrong framing paired with it. Contemporary work never needs a frame, particularly if it’s a “gallery wrap” (canvas extends to the back of the frame, and the image wraps around the edges).
Photographs and prints should be framed simply under glass.
Artists Alive and Well is grateful for Mr. Eastman’s generosity in sharing his expertise about marketing art.
Post a Comment