Both Sides of The Picture

At a show opening in which I had some work , I couldn’t help but notice two very nice women seemed very interested in one of my paintings. They looked at it for quite a while, singing its praises. It seemed a sale was about to occur! But suddenly they left the gallery. To my pleasant surprise, they reappeared in the gallery a couple of hours later and one of the women bought the work. In the time that had elapsed, they had sat in a local eaterie trying to decide how to justify this purchase (a medium sized painting just under $1000) to friends.

I understood completely. For most people I know the purchase of original art is low on the priority list. In fact it may be non existant. There is a practical side to buying the new couch, rug or TV. That extra $1000 dollars is needed for the kids hockey season, or the family vacation. To many 2D art is perceived as solely a decoration for the wall. Won't anything do?

I believe the woman who bought my painting had an aha! moment. The painting was more than decoration. It stirred strong memories and inspired dialogue. She experienced the art. The scene and the mood of the painting reminded her so much of where she had come from, she bravely made that step over the line from "visitor" to "collector". I very much appreciate that big step.

Here are a few other points to ponder:

• Although amongst the most educated group in Canada, artists are amongst the poorest.
• Looking at a landscape painting can help with SAD.
• When artists move into poorer urban communities, those areas often transform.
• Almost everything man-made has involved an artist at some-point.
• No other group is so open for criticism
• It is an artform usually viewed for free with no renumeration going to the artist
• Galleries take 40-50% commission
• artists must pay for expensive supplies, memberships, insurance, rent, self-promotion (business cards, websites, mailings- just to start)
• artists are life long learners

So bloggers, let me know what you would like to know, or insights you would like to share. Let’s talk art.