As an artist there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing your creation hanging in a gallery or on someone else’s wall. Unless you are an ar...
As an artist there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing your creation hanging in a gallery or on someone else’s wall. Unless you are an artist who is filthy rich already, selling your art is probably one of your main goals. Most artists struggle with getting a buyer for their artworks. Here are a few tips to attract art buyers.
Get Organized
Its best if you split your “art time” into two sections. Take one half for promoting.. the other half for creating. Some artists may prefer to spend days or weeks in their studio, then focus on promoting for awhile. How you do this is a personal choice. Every artist have their own preferences often affected by their personal schedule. The main thing is that a chunk of your time be spent on promoting your art.
Write an Artist Statement
Things to include in an Artist Statement:
- What your art is about, as a whole… or a particular part of your artwork.
- What your goals are as an artist.
- Why you create art.
- The theme of your art.
- Your viewers or audience – this can be a certain group or the whole society.
- Some of your artistic influences.
The artist statement should be included with your portfolio. Present it to potential buyers to let them know what you are all about. Put it anywhere you showcase art online.
Donate your Art
Donate some pieces as a fundraiser and let the local media know about it. You can even post your donation on Facebook, Google+, Linkedin, Twitter.. or wherever you hang out on the internet.
Many artists are reluctant to donate any of their artworks. They just don’t understand the positive effect it can have on their reputation. If you consistently give an artwork to charity or some worthy cause, people will notice you and think highly of you. You will become known as a positive contributor to society… you will be talked about.. and people will love you for what you are doing.
You will be surprised at how much you will receive back.
Art Donation Tips:
- Try to donate to a different cause each time, to build more contacts and maximize your exposure.
- Do a themed artwork based on the charity you are donating to. Be sure to contact the cause beforehand to let them know of your intentions.
Get Business Cards
There are free ones from Vistaprint … just pay for shipping. (They also have postcards, which is another great idea to promote your art)
The cards can include one of your best drawings, paintings, sculptures, or photographs. Besides your name, email address, website, and phone number, you may want to include a short slogan or favourite artist quote that summarizes what you and your art is all about.
Build a Site for Your Art
There are many free ones online, such as blogger and googlesites. You can also get a domain and web-space to build your own website. If you have a bit of money to spare, hire a programmer to design your site. It will be a great investment and will make you appear much more professional.
Create Smaller Art Pieces
Create smaller lower-priced artworks and sell them at a flee-market, crafts store, crafts fair,etc. This is better than selling small reproductions because prints are cheap, but originals are more sought after. This gives buyers who can’t afford an original artwork a chance to hang your artwork in their home. They are more likely to hang it in a prime spot for all to see, and to even brag about it. Just be sure to have your name in the bottom left-hand corner, and your contact info. on the back. Also give them 3 or 4 business cards if you have any.
Confinement
Graphite on Bristol Paper
9” by 12”
By Graham Matthews
Of course that are literally hundreds of ways artists have come up with to sell their art, Artists are innovators by nature, and always come up with new and interesting ways to attract art buyers.
Now the focus is on you! What original ways have you come up with or heard about to influence the buying of your art?
Please kindly leave a comment below…
