I was sad to read this comment today! I had to reprice my artwork so I could accept the expensive luxury marketing invites in the future and stay in business, I estimated $10000 per artwork in just 2 years in marketing costs but it was obviously silly to do this with a $1000 piece that you pay exportation tax on just to exhibit, 20% of the value on a solo show would bankrupt most artists! my artwork obviously has the aesthetic quality to enable this, Steve's photography obviously has the aesthetic quality to inspire it- it is unique and individual as artists typically aim for this in the first 2-10 years of their careers due to a sharp learning curve of art methods and business skills that involve creating, copy writing, networking and IT skills- I have been lucky and costs to learn to create have been spread out of many years thus the interest has been less than a university graduate- however my other skills still require financial input to learn, the artist will pay for all this whether self-taught or paid and formal.
This week was Tuscany in Italy a residency- very tempting and a beautiful offer, others I have declined as I couldn't afford them either were Cannes film festival, Basel Switzerland, the Louvre in Paris and the superb museum publications and exhibits and there was a cruise ship at the Venice biennial- many things that I can't afford...yet... while I upgrade my business skills but there are a few tips on art collecting and starting yours in my blog link below- also know every site I know that takes up to 50% percent commission per sale offers established and previous art collectors with them discounts periodically via inbox email- you can make offers and ask for yours and curators will try and accommodate you. Can you offer proof of purchases made by you- I don't mean a receipt but the "other" paperwork to claim yours- these can be catalogues, media, and authenticity certificates, permission to use notes?- keep reading below. These companies are aware of collectors that try reduce artwork to a minimum and they don't want to lose their artists either or the ability to offer quality and value in the future too- they know an average artist can only produce so many artworks in their lifetime too- there's a few studies on this and there are a few that I know that only produce a few a year for various reasons as they are on show, are marketing, have health issues- yes cancer can affect anyone there's no discrimination- hand issues are common, need to have other work...
Other things to consider are payment options- can you pay in small deposits to reserve your artwork? Bluethumb has several options for payments that both the artist and Bluethumb pay fees for- this I can’t do myself for over 60 collectors but is something that is available now through this platform for my collectors ( I try to organise help where ever I can for my customers- this network of artists is very supportive and established too and it is my way of supporting local business to help you!) they there to help collectors get the artwork that is right for them, do you want to receive an artwork and then still pay an extra $2000 on framing? Or do you want the artwork unframed so you can have the frame you desire for your interior these are options too, don't pay for framing twice!- questions to also consider as well: is shipping- is there insurance cover or warranty? Reducing these costs can be costly as art restoration is a speciality and is often the first choice for punctured artworks but can take time and finance too. You can ask for more details that curators will check as well- the signatures, back of frame etc.
My previous prices were priced at cost with larger artworks under cost due to the storage costs we absorb ( a specialised storage room is in the plans now- estimated cost $10000 this will cover future limited edition prints as well and new series or body of artworks) -I now have the ability with an established international contemporary fine art pricing system in place to offer my artwork on all platforms consistently worldwide which makes more sense than trying to reduce costs that exist to everyone and possibly be able to afford my basic bills like the emergency dentist too without going into debt myself.
Start-up artists are lucky though the cost of accountants is less than other businesses initially but these factor in as well in the future as you start to scale-up as well as upgrades to existing tools and equipment when they need to be replaced- those airbrush parts and masks and IT software- internet connection do not last forever on single payments and even framing blades need to be replaced. Ergonomically easels would be nice to prevent the hand issues. Artists can offer friends and family discounts too when purchasing directly which is why my certificate of authenticity does not have price on it as artwork prices typically increase every two years to reflect ongoing marketing and cost of living increases but know the artwork just keeps increasing in value- it’s a really good investment for those that have endured loss on stock and property markets and contemporary art is where many have created healthy wealth as collectors. It also has so many health benefits for those that do as well. I for one will be delighted if a collector of my artwork receives an offer on a significant artwork in the future too at above cost to them- this happens with earlier works and artworks that have had significant impact which is often not seen initially- there are stories of a single artwork fetching millions in NY and that profit is our collectors not the artists which is why some artists only sell prints and not originals and then retire once they have "made it" to create at their leisure.
I will share articles that help art collectors understand the value of their art and those starting collections in the future too because there are many things to avoid as well- Do not buy artwork that has no Certificate of authenticity- look for genuine original artwork. If you purchase prints these need framing or adequate storage too- they are particularly susceptible to fading over time too- mine eventually may only be limited edition as well with carefully selected printers which have a much higher price as well, are individuality signed and numbered- if you do have one from me all are currently signed and they have certificates too- the artist has to keep information to confirm ownership on these and data bases then become additional costs for them - currently POD print on demand is offering these at excellent prices but they are not limited editions yet for the reasons given, the prints I make that cost $800 in ink per year without including printer and paper costs are giclee- that is printed on A3 paper with ink-jet technology. This equipment I need to budget insurance costs into as well and to be able to advertise on some platforms in the future liability insurance is a factor to include as well for professional artists.
Artwork may be a copy that is plagiarism or stealing the idea of another artist- avoid artwork that looks identical to another or is unsigned if you cant find out who the original creator is through research as these are copies and valueless and can't be sold by any Gallery online or off, indeed you may be subject to destroy them on the request of the original artist if they are not reimbursed for their loss of income- Google search this topic. Did the artist receive written permission to reference a photograph or image? if they have not copyright issues arise which can be very costly to the buyer and artist, is the signatures and paperwork correct or fake? Can the artist say that that is their work you have brought? Does the artist create their own images to reference with the practise of sketching or photography? This takes time and often travel and accommodation costs as well or do they pay for the licencing of a photograph for single use to create their artwork?- check this too. This written permission should be made available to see with contact details to check- our certificate of authenticity includes Steve's name as the main contributor to Art and Photography Australian birds! Our copyright is S Willemse on our photography for this reason, Steve is saving my collectors thousands of $'s in fees but there may be a time when this is not possible as in the loss of a camera when these costs add up quickly - it is well known DSL cameras do not have a lifetime guarantee and after a set number of images the quality is reduced! Don't forget artists also have to pay taxes on every single material purchase and marketing cost as well as cost of living expenses, many are international and at higher rates too. Donations are always gratefully accepted to reduce costs too. Steve also helps frame and this is how we have reduced our framing costs for our customers , a really good option for my artwork-I could not afford to pay for framing either! the cost of the equipment was something we absorbed.
Buy from a well-established Gallery or directly from the artist Gallery or studio after researching them, do not buy low quality prints they are often stolen online with the watermarks removed digitally and sold on sales platforms that they can quickly exist and disappear from- this is why planning for website Domains is something to add into the budget as well in the future. Avoid artwork that is offered with no papers- again stolen artwork does exist and must be returned once discovered at the purchasers loss- recently Canberra museum returned stolen artwork at the Australian tax payers cost after confirmation of ownership! Do not buy artwork that appears too cheap- there may be a reason for this, does the artist have an online presence, can you see where the artists stories and inspirations and technical ability comes from, can you view the artwork in situ before final decision is made at exhibition or other locations? - these are all important things to consider. Some platforms offer the option of returns, many of these are at the buyers expense and if they are not returned in acceptable condition monies are lost. I would encourage you to make your mind up and do all research prior to making a offer and payment to avoid this as direct buys from me are final- please see my return or change of mind policy- this is to avoid costs to my future clients. - ask for supplement images, view videos, take measurements and know apps are also available to help you decide. It is a little bit like buying cars- I am offering top class individual artwork properly framed with paperwork and not mass produced but lemons are in existence too. Purchasing artwork should be a pleasant experience with no surprises and losses later. Mine look better in real life, as all are reduced in quality online for the reasons given above- the smiles I get when people do get to view them are lovely and this allows me to have my return policy as it is, I also have a the option of viewing the original artwork here in Canberra before you make the final decision to purchase whether directly or online, a cost we have absorbed as well.
Whew- I hope this explains a little! :) It is by no means all the factors that are involved in art pricing. I would encourage all artists to check theirs every two years as well to look for possible means to keep them down or if there is a need to increase them just to be able to continue. Please ask if you need help and I will try and help you for my aim of this series was to let every person have the ability to appreciate quality artwork and something nice in their homes- the reality is that it is really difficult to do this with the high expenses of production and business costs- my marketing and time costs were for free the last two years! but we still paid water and electricity bills- albeit we have a sand verge now and we get a little cold in winter both Steve and I have given a lot to offer these in time, money and work as has many artists I know too but I still would love to be able to achieve this dream too- where the luxury items become affordable to everyone and I can only do that if sales through referrals increase. Share to reduce marketing costs and ask for help. I also welcome any suggestions you may have too, it was not a easy decision for me but one that was absoulutely essential.
https://susanwillemse.wixsite.com/artaustralianbirds/single-post/2019/06/20/June-2019-Art-Pricing-Update--Australian-birds-Art-Gallery