As a muralist, balancing your artistic vision with client expectations can be a challenge. Whether you’re working on a public art commission or a private project, it’s crucial to maintain creative control while delivering a result that satisfies everyone involved. Here are some practical strategies to help you safeguard your artistic integrity without compromising on professionalism.
Running a successful art studio requires more than just artistic talent; it demands a strategic approach to business. In a competitive market, achieving consistent sales growth involves a mix of creativity, marketing, and community engagement. This article outlines practical, research-backed strategies for art studio owners to boost sales and grow sustainably.
Contemporary art, often characterized by its diversity, innovation, and responsiveness to current events, plays a crucial role in society today. But why is it so important? To answer this, we must learn how contemporary art acts as a mirror to societal changes, a desire for dialogue, and a force in shaping cultural identities.
Packing and shipping framed canvas art requires careful attention to ensure the artwork arrives at its destination safely and in pristine condition. Here’s a step-by-step guide to pack and ship framed canvas art:
1. Gather materials. Before you begin, gather all the necessary materials. You’ll need a sturdy cardboard box slightly larger than the artwork, acid-free paper, bubble wrap, air cushions, packing paper, packing tape, cardboard corner protectors, and a marker for labeling.
2. Wrap the artwork. This step has many layers. Take your time during this step.
Tip: When packing a very large framed artwork, it’s better to remove the glazing since there’s a greater risk of the glass breaking during transit. Put a clean sheet of cardboard on the painting to protect it.
3. Protect the corners. Place cardboard corner protectors over the corners of the framed canvas to provide additional reinforcement and protection against impacts.
4. Prepare the box. Line the bottom of the cardboard box with a layer of packing paper or bubble wrap to cushion the artwork. If shipping multiple pieces, separate them with additional layers of packing material to prevent them from rubbing against each other.
5. Position the artwork in the box. Carefully place the wrapped and protected framed canvas art in the center of the box, ensuring that it is positioned upright and does not touch the sides of the box. Fill any empty spaces with additional packing material, such as bubble wrap or packing peanuts, to prevent shifting during transit.
Tip: Make sure that you’ve filled the box with air cushions and/or insulation foam so the artwork doesn’t move at the center of the box.
6. Seal the box. Once the artwork is securely positioned in the box, seal the box with packing tape. Reinforce the seams and edges of the box to prevent it from opening during shipping.
7. Label the box. Use “Fragile” and “Handle with Care” stickers all around the shipping box. Include the sender’s and recipient’s addresses, as well as any special instructions for the carrier.
8. Choose a shipping method. Select a reputable shipping carrier that offers insurance and tracking services for valuable items. Consider opting for expedited shipping or additional insurance coverage for added peace of mind.
9. Schedule pickup or drop-off. Arrange for the packaged artwork to be picked up by the shipping carrier or drop it off at a designated shipping location. Be sure to obtain a receipt or tracking number as proof of shipment.
10. Monitor shipment. Keep track of the shipment’s progress using the provided tracking number. Notify the recipient once the artwork has been successfully delivered.
Packing a canvas art may take so much of your time, but it will give you and your client peace of mind. Also, remember that the time spent packing your artwork is a fraction of the time you spent creating it.
Managing unsold paintings can be a common challenge for artists. Here are some suggestions on how to handle and potentially monetize your unsold artwork:
Painting on canvases may start as a hobby, but for most painters, selling their artwork is a primary source of income. Some left their full-time jobs to become full-time artists. They enjoy spending time doing what they love in creating and expressing their thoughts and feeling through paint and a blank canvas. For some artists, painting is a stress reliever after a hard day’s work.
Choosing the right canvas size can be a factor in selling your artwork. Aside from collectors having different tastes in art, having the perfect painting size can determine whether or not you’ll be able to close the deal.
While there’s a debate whether a small size painting sells better than larger ones and vice-versa, a medium-sized canvas is a safe place to start.
Canvas sizes such as 16″ x 20″ and 18″ x 24″ tend to sell well in the market. Paintings using these canvas sizes can fit the walls in most homes. This also gives you enough space to paint intricate details in your art without compromising the overall composition.
Explore painting on several medium-sized canvases. It’s a handy size that you can bring outdoors for plein air painting. It’s also a good size for portraits.
Target buyers
Think about your potential buyers. Are you targeting locals or tourists into purchasing your painting? Tailor your canvas sizes according to your collectors’ preferences.
Tourists like smaller artworks for easier packing and shipping. Small paintings can be quickly stored inside a suitcase or can even fit carry-on bags.
Small paintings are also more affordable. First-time buyers and those are in a tight budget will usually lean on buying a low-cost artwork.
Meanwhile, local collectors especially those who frequent high-end galleries, show areas, exhibits, etc. prefer buying large paintings. These paintings give greater visual impact and hang beautifully in wide and high walls. Large artworks usually grace the walls of hotels, restaurants, universities, and hospitals.
Market trends
Study market trends. Art trends determine which sizes are in demand. What’s high-selling last season may not be so hot right now.
For example, art buyers may prefer miniature paintings during Christmas time since these small artworks are great gifts to family and friends. These miniatures can be used to hang on a Christmas tree, too.
Selling venues
If you’re selling art online or in local art shows, smaller paintings are preferable in these venues. On the other hand, art galleries prefer larger-sized paintings.
Learn more about custom-sized canvases from CanvasLot.
Dining establishments are now incorporating art in their décor to showcase their collections and to also entice customers. Aside from offering delicious food, these restaurants and cafés also serve as art galleries, displaying paintings on canvas, sculptures, and other artworks. If you’re an artist, or an art lover, check out these restaurants:
Casa Lever, New York. Casa Lever is a fine dining restaurant in Manhattan which displays modern art. Several portraits of celebrities created by Andy Warhol grace the walls of this restaurant. The portraits include Sylvester Stallone, Aretha Franklin, and Giorgio Armani.
Four Seasons Restaurant, New York. Four Seasons Restaurant displays changing galleries of Modern Art, including artworks from Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and Helen Frankenthaler. There’s an interesting story about American artist Mark Rothko. Rothko was commissioned to create a series paintings for the dining rooms. He created the paintings with “malicious intentions” but then decided to return the advance payment and kept his paintings for himself.
The Leopard at des Artistes, New York. The Leopard is an Italian fine dining restaurant in New York. The dining area displays the six panels of wood nypmhs and paintings by American artist Howard Chandler Christy which includes The Parrot Girl, The Swing Girl, and Fountain of Youth.
Tru, Chicago. The interiors of Tru looks like an art gallery, with its high ceilings, pin-spot lights, and white walls. It displays pieces from some of the best 20th century artists such as the King of the Pop Artists Andy Warhol, American geometric painter Peter Halley, and German abstract painter Gerhard Richter.
L’Escargot, London. Opened in 1927, L’Escargot houses an extensive collection of original artworks by some of the famous artists in the 20th century such as French painter Henri Matisse, English painter David Hockney, Spanish painter & sculptor Joan Miró, and Russian artist Marc Chagall.
Maxim’s, Paris. Maxim’s is famous for its Art Nouveau interior decor. It displays an extensive collection of illustrious masterpieces from the Belle Epoch. Maxim’s display more than 500 original, signed pieces from all over the world.
La Colombe d’Or, St. Paul de Vence, France. La Colombe d’Or is a hotel and restaurant located in an old medieval town in France. Paul Roux started it as a café bar in 1920 and then later opened an inn which attracted artists from neighbor towns. Many paintings now grace the walls of the restaurant since artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse who were frequent customers exchanged their works as payment for meals or their stay.
Image source: www.casalever.com
Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon is discussing plans with about 100 art galleries in the US of selling fine art online. The e-tail giant plans to create another part in its site where it will offer unique paintings, prints, and other fine art pieces. Amazon has already organized cocktail receptions in Seattle, and other big art cities including New York and San Francisco, inviting galleries to join the plan.
According to WSJ, Amazon will charge the art galleries a monthly membership fee of $100 and will get a commission of 5-20%, depending on the sold artwork. Higher-prices pieces would be subject to lower commission rates. The membership fee would be waived for art houses which would partner with Amazon in selling high-end art until 2015. Amazon will be using a retail model, which means each artwork has a fixed price, unlike art auction houses where the highest bidder gets the art.
Online selling of fine art is a double-edged sword. Amazon’s plan is a great way for art galleries to reach more people. Art lovers outside the city such as New York would be able to buy great art without traveling to the city. At the comfort of their homes or offices, people can easily buy art, even without visiting the actual art gallery. However, a drawback of this plan is that people may be hesitant to buying expensive paintings without seeing the actual painting. Most likely, art buyers won’t pay six- or even seven-figures for something that they only see online. Unlike buying a book or a gadget online, serious art collectors would naturally want to see the artworks personally.
High-end online auctioneers such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s said there is a growing market for expensive art over the Internet. Sotheby’s BidNow program was able to sell a 16th century portrait of Giovanni Gaddi for $2 million in 2012. Christie’s have been accepting online bids since 2007. It revealed that 27% of its auction sales ($6.2 billion) last year came from online bidding and regular auctions. Christie’s was able to sell Edward Hopper’s oil on canvas painting entitled “October on the Cape” to an online bidder for $9.6 million.
As of now we’re not sure if Amazon’s plan to sell high-end art will come to fruition. In 1999, Amazon forged a partnership with Sotheby’s to sell fine art but it lasted for 16 months only because the jointly operated auction site, Sothebys.Amazon.com, failed to gain traction. Also, there are many online art galleries offering a wide range of art from numerous artists that already have established markets and loyal clientele.
Image source: www.gizmodo.com
If you want to learn more about art, whether in techniques or managing an art business, try listening to podcasts. A podcast is a type of digital media consisting a series of audio files on lectures, interviews, discussions on a variety of subjects. To listen, you have to subscribe to a podcast and download it to your computer or any digital device. Podcasts are in .mp3 format so you can play it in any media player.
A podcast is a great way of expanding your knowledge in art, know about famous artists, influential persons in the art industry, or simply just being productive even during your idle time since you can listen to a podcast wherever you are. When you’re preparing your canvas for your next project, tidying up your studio, or on your way to your shop, podcast can be a great companion. With lots of podcasts out there, here is a list of 5 art podcasts which you can subscribe to:
1. National Gallery of Art. Currently, this audio series offers more than 300 lectures about the arts and events at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. You can listen to one of the best museum lectures and talks of well-known artists and other personalities in the art world, and learn about the different art movements. Art students, art beginners, and art lovers will enjoy listening to lectures such as The Diamonstein-Spielvogel Lecture Series, Conversations with Artists Series, and Elson Lecture Series.
2. MoMA Talks: Conversations. This podcast is created by the Museum of Modern Art. There are more than a hundred of lectures from curators, scholars, and artists discussing modern and contemporary art. You can listen to readings, courses, and workshops that educate about contemporary art.
3. National Gallery Podcast. The National Gallery in London produces monthly podcasts that explore what happens behind the scenes in the Gallery. They announce upcoming art exhibitions and events, and interviews of people in the art scene. Currently, they have 80 episodes, the latest of which discusses the link between music and Dutch art.
4. SFMOMA Artcast. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is devoted to contemporary and modern art. Its podcast is called “artcast” which gives subscribes interviews with artists, curators, and visitors about the museum’s different exhibitions and collection of modern art. SFMOMA Artcast is produced on a monthly basis.
5.The MAN Podcast. The Modern Art Notes Podcast is a weekly podcast on artists, curators, art historians, and authors. Learn about art exhibitions and collections from contemporary artists including Kerry James Marshall, Joyce Pensato, and Kaz Oshiro.
There are many art podcasts available in the Internet. Listen to some and find what suits your style, interests, and needs.
Image source: www.apple.com
The information age makes its easier for artists to introduce, promote, and sell their paintings using the Internet. Artists can use the services of numerous online art galleries and social media networks to establish their art business. They can also set up their own art website or art blog as platforms for their online business. The Internet makes it easier for artists to do business but unfortunately, there are scammers who also take advantage of technology. As an artist, you must protect yourself and prevent becoming a victim of art scams.
Ways to protect yourself against fraud:
1. Be skeptical. If you receive an email or an offer that’s too good to be true, it probably is. Artists are vulnerable to these scams because they are hungry for fame, excited to make that first sale, and eager to make connections in the business. Signs to look for in a scam email: wrong grammar and spelling of words, urgency to buy, and the so-called buyer insists on arranging the shipment of the painting. Check out the Internet for the lists of email scams, including popular scammer names and email addresses.
2. Establish strict rules on accepting check payments and money orders. To protect yourself, never accept postdated checks, third-party checks, and checks where the amount is more than the agreed upon price for the artwork. Don’t accept overpayment wherein you have to refund the excess amount. For money orders, request the buyer to send payment from a trusted, domestic bank.
2. Make sure the payment is correct and has been cleared. Do not ship the painting unless the check or money order has been cleared in your bank. It takes three weeks or longer before a bank clears checks and if the check you’ve deposited turned to be a counterfeit, your bank may charge penalty fees on you.
3. Protect all online transactions. Use a trustworthy online payment service such as PayPal which protects both you and the buyer. If you’re buying art online, see if the web address starts with “https” or has a padlock symbol. These signs mean that the website where you are placing payment is secure and financial information such as your credit card number is encrypted when it is sent.
4. Be vigilant against computer viruses, trojans, malware,etc. Use the latest anti-virus and anti-spyware programs and keep them updated. If a virus attacks your computer, it can lead losing all your files, including the commercial photos of your paintings. Activate the firewall to prevent online criminals from accessing your computer and getting vital information on your art business.
5. Report scams. If you’ve been a victim of fraud, report it to your State Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Affairs. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
Image source: www.cnn.com