I know I have taken a vacation from my blogs, so I thought I would revisit a previous blog I wrote and share it again. Some of you have asked about marketing your works, so I am posting this again and hope you will get some use from it.
I have a friend who signed up for a couple galleries within 30 minute drive of her home. She sold through these galleries less often after a while. At this time she asked for my advice since I was still selling fairly regular.
My advice was to branch out to other cities or even states. Maybe where the economy was a bit better. Selling in other areas will take a bit of research though.
I usually paint at least 16x20" paintings and set comparable price for most of my work so when the economy is good I make a decent amount, but when the economy is tight it is more difficult to sell the larger paintings without using creative planning. Sometimes I just paint smaller which can sell for less money or sell prints. Although it takes a little more time to paint enough small pieces to bring the same amount as my larger paintings at least I am still making about the same amount as I would during a better economy. I also will do lay-a-way with a non refundable restocking fee if someone does not complete a lay-way-purchase, that is only for pieces brought directly from me.
I try to be creative in finding ways to sell my works. Look at your work, get a feel for where it might be sold. With the internet it is easier to do research on galleries, and other places that might be willing to show your works for sale. Samples of places to sell are garden clubs, high end tattoo parlors, smaller museums, groups (vintage cars, cats, etc..). If you are an artist you are creative, so use your skills to expand where you sell.
I hope you can use this information to continue to grow in your art business.
Regards,
Monique Montney