Tag Archives: pricing

Art Help & Info

Selling Yourself Short

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"Crutch" by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 12"w x 6"h; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2014
“Crutch” by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 12″w x 6″h; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2014

Some think that as a “new” artist, you have to start selling your art very low until you start selling like crazy, then you can raise your prices.  A lot of people would multiply the width by height of their art and that number would be the price.  Or if you’re “good,” you can then multiply that by 2.  What?

While there is some truth to starting out small when you are a new artist, it is absolutely ridiculous to think that a painting that took 40 (or more) hours to create should be worth a paltry amount.  Not to mention supply costs, packaging and shipping costs, and any other fees such as to your photographer or web designer.  Starting out, you won’t be able to recoup all of your costs, but that doesn’t mean you have to fall that short of doing so.

For the most part, I have yet to see any emerging artist overcharging for their work.  It’s usually the opposite.

Why is it that when we make something by hand, it must be cheaper than anything else?  Why are we willing to shell out more for some mass-produced, made-in-china crap than for something created, an original mind you, by a “starving” artist?  And why do artists feel that their work isn’t worth it?  Is it lack of confidence?  Is it because the grass is greener on the other side?  Whatever the reasoning, it needs to stop.

Be proud of your work.  It’s the only one in the world.  There are no others.  It’s unique.  And you made it yourself.  It was created from your imagination and unwavering dedication.  You spent endless hours sketching it, then actually producing it, forgoing weekends or holidays off, and time with your family just to finish this one piece of art.  Why settle for less?  Be confident in your work and the rest will follow.

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www.AmyGuidry.com

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Art Help & Info

How to Be an Art Star 2.0

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Recognize this blouse? Answer at www.AmyGuidry.comOkay, that may be misleading since this is not the second edition, but a second time around for this class. For those of you who are not familiar with my Art Marketing class from last fall, this is your opportunity to to take part. As part of Frederick l’Ecole des Arts in Arnaudville, LA, I will be teaching another Art Marketing and Self-Promotion course. The first class was quite a success and a great, interactive opportunity to get together with aritists and gallery owners. In addition to my course outline, we had a group session covering individual questions and sharing ideas.

So if you missed out the first time, or are new to this blog and will be in the area, please sign up for Art Marketing and Self-Promotion. The class will be May 2nd (a Saturday) from 10AM-12Noon. Of course we did stay late last time because people had lots of questions and ideas to share, but if you need to leave at noon, feel free to do so.

To give you an idea of what the class is about, here is a general course outline. Overview: Risk assessment; getting out of your comfort zone. Changing your mindset. Goal-setting. Portfolio Development. Gallery submissions and approaching galleries. Alternative exhibition opportunities and juried shows. Marketing Materials. Pricing. Sales. Some of the additional topics discussed included shipping work, Ebay, vanity galleries (just stay away- that’s a free tip you can get from me right now!), and what else, but blogging, of course.

Some of these are very basic principles, and some of it boils down to good old-fashioned common sense, but for many artists, their expertise is in their medium and not in marketing. Unfortunately marketing is not a course requirement when getting your art degree, and quite frankly, it’s just plain scary to people (not just artists!). In addition, to succeed at ANYthing requires goals, planning, and organization. All skills that most people don’t think of or skip when trying to succeed at anything. How many people do you know who blame things on bad luck or lack of luck? Or think the only way they can do what they truly love is if they “win the lottery?” I can think of many.

Okay, ready to sign up yet? Go to http://frederickarts.homestead.com/Classes.html to register for Art Marketing and Self-Promotion. Sign up early to ensure your spot in the class. And it doesn’t matter if you are in high school and planning on your future career as an artist or if you’ve been an artist all your life. If you want to improve your marketing skills, ask questions, or take your career to the next level, this is your opportunity. And meet some great people, too!

www.AmyGuidry.com

Art Help & Info

How To Be an Art Star 2.0

Leave a comment

Recognize this blouse? Answer at www.AmyGuidry.comOkay, that may be misleading since this is not the second edition, but a second time around for this class. For those of you who are not familiar with my Art Marketing class from last fall, this is your opportunity to to take part. As part of Frederick l’Ecole des Arts in Arnaudville, LA, I will be teaching another Art Marketing and Self-Promotion course. The first class was quite a success and a great, interactive opportunity to get together with aritists and gallery owners. In addition to my course outline, we had a group session covering individual questions and sharing ideas.

So if you missed out the first time, or are new to this blog and will be in the area, please sign up for Art Marketing and Self-Promotion. The class will be May 2nd (a Saturday) from 10AM-12Noon. Of course we did stay late last time because people had lots of questions and ideas to share, but if you need to leave at noon, feel free to do so.

To give you an idea of what the class is about, here is a general course outline. Overview: Risk assessment; getting out of your comfort zone. Changing your mindset. Goal-setting. Portfolio Development. Gallery submissions and approaching galleries. Alternative exhibition opportunities and juried shows. Marketing Materials. Pricing. Sales. Some of the additional topics discussed included shipping work, Ebay, vanity galleries (just stay away- that’s a free tip you can get from me right now!), and what else, but blogging, of course.

Some of these are very basic principles, and some of it boils down to good old-fashioned common sense, but for many artists, their expertise is in their medium and not in marketing. Unfortunately marketing is not a course requirement when getting your art degree, and quite frankly, it’s just plain scary to people (not just artists!). In addition, to succeed at ANYthing requires goals, planning, and organization. All skills that most people don’t think of or skip when trying to succeed at anything. How many people do you know who blame things on bad luck or lack of luck? Or think the only way they can do what they truly love is if they “win the lottery?” I can think of many.

Okay, ready to sign up yet? Go to http://frederickarts.homestead.com/Classes.html to register for Art Marketing and Self-Promotion. Sign up early to ensure your spot in the class. And it doesn’t matter if you are in high school and planning on your future career as an artist or if you’ve been an artist all your life. If you want to improve your marketing skills, ask questions, or take your career to the next level, this is your opportunity. And meet some great people, too!

www.AmyGuidry.com