why is it so hard to sell my paintings?

Question

i have sent my paintings to many places and no one will buy. my prices are not really high or very low. what am i doing wrong? there nice paintings.

Answer 1

Selling a painting is very different from painting it.
Selling is an art by itself - there are a series of cources and books related to selling Art. also there are certain websites that you might find useful - please se the following:

http://www.ifp3.com/index-art.cfm?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=ppc_art

http://www.ehow.com/how_107895_sell-art.html


If you dont want to go to these websites - please see the following very helpful steps:

STEP 1: Network. Join a museum or artists' group to meet other artists as well as potential customers. Ask other artists questions about how they are selling and distributing their work. STEP 2: Develop a marketing plan to attract new business. STEP 3: Strut your stuff: Send out press releases and propose article profiles to local newspapers and national publications to heighten awareness of you and your work. Articles that feature you and show photographs of your work garner attention and potential clients.
STEP 4: Create a Web site to introduce people to your work. (See How to Hire Someone to Design and Build Your Web Site.) Then gather addresses and send out quarterly mailings featuring new work. Or, save time and money by sending out e-mail updates with links to new work posted on your Web site. Include links to any articles or sites that have spotlighted you.
STEP 5: Enter competitions. Use any honors and awards you receive to net publicity and greater exposure for your work. STEP 6: Ask the owners of cafes, shops and restaurants if they'd be interested in displaying your art. Offer a small commission from any resulting sales. Also consider buying a stall at local art fairs and shows (see How to Sell on the Craft Circuit).
STEP 7: Look for galleries that feature art complementary to yours. Offer diversity--a gallery that has 20 artists doing seascapes may not be on the lookout for another.
STEP 8: Sell yourself to the gallery owner. Be able to discuss your work convincingly and clearly, including how it's created and why it will appeal to clientele.
STEP 9: Be prepared to take a big financial hit for gallery visibility. Most take a 50 percent cut of the retail price.
STEP 10: Push for a public showing of your work at galleries, with an opening night reception. Send out invitations to clients, friends, family and high-profile community members.
STEP 11: List your work on eBay.com to appeal to consumers who don't have the time or inclination to pay gallery prices. Set a reserve price that assures you'll get a decent return on your time.

I hope you find this useful

Regards,

Answer 2

I feel your pain. I've been down this road, it's like a mindset thing. First, why do you paint? For money? Or because you love to paint? If you are painting for money you should lower your expectations. If you paint because it's like air to breathing, it will come. It's so easy to get discouraged, you think because this one person doesn't like your work, you suck, well that just isn't the case. The coolest thing about art is it's so subjective, what one person loves, another hates. Stop painting for money, paint for passion, paint to live, and I don't mean that superficially, if you don't feel that way about painting you can't fake it, but if you do everything will fall into place. It's one of those 'follow your heart' deals. To me, it's not the money I can make off of a painting, it's the passion I feel while doing it. I mean hey, we all need the all-mighty buck to survive, but it comes down to this, you must paint for yourself and no one else, that's when you can clearly transfer your passion, your love, to canvas. Bottom line is, don't get discouraged, first decide to paint for yourself, then others will be drawn to it.
Exposure, exposure, exposure. If a person doesn't see it, they can't love it. Put your work up on every art directory in the world, enter every art show/contest/fair you can find. Oh, you of course must have a web site. You must be relentless in getting your work out there. Did you hear me? Re-freakin-lentless. Never give up. Never say die.

Answer 3

All modern art or abstract painting sales have dwindled in the light of the down economy. In fact there is a rush to the classics or old master paintings according to the Wall Street Journal. There are some people who view paintings as 'investments' and make purchases with that view in mind.

Answer 4

There may be many reasons you are having trouble selling your work. I am sure your work is good but there is more involved in selling beside having an outstanding product and this is where many artists fail...in marketing and promotions. Make sure you have adequate information about yourself available to gallery owners when presenting your work. Your portfolio should include: one page biography, one page artist statement, 2-3 news articles or endorsements, photos and slides of your work. In addition, it would be wise to seek advice from a professional artist and read books that cover topics about the art profession. There is a book written by an artist, JoAnn DePolo, titled "Making It As An Artist" that may help you find ways to sell your work. All artists start out rough...take your time, research, network and develop your art career. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Not knowing what they look like makes it hard to answer. But I do know that you need to decide for whom you are making art. If it is specifically for the market, you may have to adjust your style and subject matter to suit what sells. If, on the other hand, you are a serious artist exploring innovation and intellectual advancement, keep working regardless of whether anyone buys your work or not. Eventually, you can contact an art museum or curator to show your portfolio, or you can hire an agent who can provides those services.

Answer 6

Try renting a booth at a craft fair. Also, what kind of painting are you doing? Is it popular? Or is it a special sort of art only a few people can appriciate?

I'd say that you should try to get the word out to more people at once, rather than send paintings to one place at a time. And don't get discouraged. I'm sure somebody will love your paintings, they just need to see them.

Answer 7

I hear ya friend!!! Art fair's and Wine festivals are a tough sell...a lot of looky lou's, the internet is time consuming and tough to get people to check out your stuff. Local Art Acadamies or Artist guilds are probably the best exposier, that's where the real art lovers hang out. People just don't seem to be real interested in artistic talent nowaday's. I started donating pieces to local charity auctions about 15 years ago and sales really took off. You might try getting some commision work...that way you have people coming to you, instead of trying to dump the pieces stored in your studio. Good luck........Anywhere to see your work?

Answer 8

There are not many people who enjoy paintings on a daily basis. Just keep trying.

Answer 9

may be your paintings are not attractive to that person who saw your paintings or may be they would have thought that you cppied someone else's painting...

Answer 10

Have you tried to sell them online?
http://www.artnet.com

It is not easy...hence the expression 'starving artist'.Don't give up.You have a special gift.Best wishes.