Star Noble: Art Advice Columnist for Fine Art Registry®

A New Economic Day...A New Art World Dawn

Star Noble responds to an artist's cry for help in this economy...

During these tough economic times, if you're like many artists out there, it's been easy to get frustrated over the lack of paintings flying out of your studio of late. I know many artists out there have enjoyed the wonderful ride of consistent sales to adoring customers for some time. That has changed, hasn't it? At least that's the squawk on the street. I hear from artists who bitch-o'-plenty about the fact they are not getting the dollar amount they use to for their work. In some cases, their painting sales have come to a slow grinding halt. Either way, join the freakin’ club! Just about EVERY business in this country, and globally for that matter, has been touched or trounced on by this sluggish economy.

Consumers are just plain consuming less than they use to. Since I collect and sell art, I see people pulling back first hand. If you really thought that as an artist you wouldn't feel the impact of a recession, I suggest you turn on the news, read a newspaper or Google the word "economy" to clue yourself in.

As a collector, I know I have become more selective about what I buy and indeed, what I will ultimately pay for an item of interest. I don't care if I use to pay a good sum for your work. Economic times have changed. Couple it with this fact...there are thousands of artists hitting the scene every day. And don't even kid yourself, because they are, in most cases, every bit as good as you are and yes, sometimes even better (gasp) than you. It's also important to add that when most artists first begin selling their paintings, you can typically pick up their work at a verrrrrrrry reasonable price. They are paying their dues just like most everybody does when they first begin to market their work. Most are unknown and have to build their brand. This, my friend…is your competition. What can I say? It's a competitive world out there and in the midst of a recession, you need to adapt.

As a working artist, I have become more "creative" with how I go about marketing and selling my work. I encourage you to do the same. I have reduced prices on some pieces which is something I thought I'd never do but, you know what they say..."Never say never". I have also started offering an easy payment plan (and advertising it) for those who cannot afford to pay one lump sum. Again, be creative with how you go about doing business.

Do you have a new work you've just completed? Make sure everyone in your favorite "social network" (Facebook, MySpace, etc.) is aware of it and post a picture of it for all to see. Just as important, make sure you have a price and contact information noted with the image should someone want to buy it. And if you don't have a Paypal account set up, well, you better get to it. This makes a sales transaction quick, easy and safe for both you and your customers. I just purchased a piece of art the other day after seeing it posted on Facebook. My only thought, as I frantically fired off an email to the artist, was "I hope it's still for sale". Get your work in front of anybody and everybody! You should always be looking at multiple avenues to market your work. ALWAYS!

You might also reconsider your pricing. If people are not spending as much, make your price point more enticing. A price they just can't pass up. Will you get a little less for your work then you have in the past? In some cases, yes. Should you be okay with that? Sure. I understand that if I, as a consumer, am personally re-examining how I spend my money, so are others. Am I cool with selling some of my work for a bit less then I use to? Yep. At least I keep my work moving, and I look at it as being able to put it into the hands of customers who might not have been able to afford it to begin with. And for my loyal collectors...it's a great time for them to add more pieces to their collection. Given this scenario, in these economic times, it still seems like a win-win for the artist and the buyer. Don't get me wrong, I'm not giving my work away. You still need to think about your clients that have invested in your work in the past. I do believe that I've found a happy medium. And guess what? You can too and I highly suggest you do. It's time to re-think how you go about your business. It's just so important to remain relevant in the art market and if you think you should just stop selling your work unless you can get the dollar amount you’ve been so fortunate to realize in the past, than you just may be heading down the road of relevance lost. And buyers WILL find another artist(s) work to fall in love with. TRUST ME.

When I heard an artist recently rant about how they just aren't getting what they use to for their paintings, they had the audacity to call their clients (and potential new customers) "cheap", in a public forum no less.

Okay, this artist was clearly venting, but in doing so, was also taking their anger out on the very people who are in a position to BUY. You know just because you paint something doesn't mean it will always have a buyer, unless of course we’re talking about works by Picasso. My point is that not everything an artist paints is going to fly off the shelf. Not as long as the artist is alive anyway. Let me reiterate that collectors are being more SELECTIVE. That doesn't mean they're cheap. It doesn't mean they no longer want to buy your work. It just simply means they are willing to wait for a piece that screams "buy me" as opposed to just acquiring another painting they like (but don't love) by an artist whose work they collect.

It's a new day, artists, and a new dawn. Chin up, keep painting and get to some creative marketing. We will find a way to continue to support you. Just work with us.

- Star Noble

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