Are there any printmakers out there making money?

Comment by Warren Townsend on June 6, 2011 at 12:23am

Sara, I am not a printmaker so I can not give any input, but I too was at the KIA show.  I also been going to this show as a spectator or artist for many years.  As far as sales go it was my worst show out of the last three years.  I only sold 4 pieces, two of them were on Friday, made enough to cover expenses but that is about it.  Last year I sold 9 pieces when it was just a one day show (I do not think that the Friday was a day).  Yep a bunch of interest but buyers were not in my booth and what I could tell with all of the socialize of the artist on Saturday it was a slow day. So go and keep trying and just do your own thing and not worry about what is selling.  One of these days it would be great to figure this whole mess out and start making some money again.  Ummm who is my customer now a days?

Comment by Jim Parker on June 6, 2011 at 10:15am

Sarah, I think the issues may be that there are many shows and many artists competing for the same 2-D dollars these days. As a photographer, I also consider myself a printmaker in many ways. I experience the same comments. Many tire kickers, many oohs and aahs, but fewer buyers than I expect, even in a top-ranked show.

It's been pointed out that the more choice that people have, the harder it is for them to make a decision. While this applies to an artist individually, it may also apply as a class. When there are many shows, or even many similar choices within a show, people cannot make up their minds as to which piece they should purchase, and may end up purchasing nothing. 

This syndrome is exacerbated by the fact that money is tight for many, and it just makes the decision to buy nothing easier. So rest assured that it is not you or your work, but a symptom of a broader malaise.

Comment by Sara Youngman on June 6, 2011 at 6:33pm

Thanks Jim, but I wasn't taking it personally, I was noticing though that a lot of photographers were doing ok while most of the printmakers I've been talking to have not been.  Price points?  Who knows.  Subject matter?  My work is quite non-traditional and takes some free-thinking to appreciate, so someone looking for a pretty picture for the dining room certainly isn't going to like my work.  So I have to find my audience, but finding that audience is the problem.

 

Comment by Sara Youngman on June 6, 2011 at 6:42pm

Sorry Warren,  missed your response up there.  My problem is that I am so deeply in debt I can't afford to get deeper in and with every show the hole gets deeper.  I keep thinking it will get better, but after 3 shows this year it has not, so I've had to back out of the 2 I heard might be the least profitable and am doing the other 5 in the hopes they might be better.  Next year who knows.  If this year doesn't pick up I may not do any next year, there has to come a time when one realizes one is drowning - guess I'd have to spend more time pursuing galleries and show opportunities.  One year at a time though.  I still have hope for this year.

Comment by Jim Parker on June 6, 2011 at 6:56pm

The less accessible the work is, the harder it is to sell to a mass audience. At some point, we all have to decide whether we want to sell our work on a broader scale or continue producing work that satisfies us on a deeper level. Art show attendees seem to gravitate towards decorative work at affordable price points. Many phoographers produce this style of work which borders on the commercial, and sell it inexpensively. It discourages me at times.

Comment by Sara Youngman on June 6, 2011 at 9:06pm

Being untrained, not a classic artist, I couldn't produce a landscape to save my life, but I can produce endless stream-of-consciousness etchings which intrigue a lot of people, but not everyone.  I can also do a few cats and dragonflies and vases with weeds - my semi-realistic stuff to satisfy someone wanting representational.  I'll never be commercial, I just don't have it in me.  I do have  a bin of smaller pieces, priced less, but...  I've been thinking of going very commercial and looking into the cost of having something like a coloring book printed, if it would be cost effective.  I know most shows allow a certain amount of reproductions, not sure if that would qualify or not.  Just to get something smaller which might sell.

Comment by Jim Parker on June 6, 2011 at 9:15pm

Sara, I'm not suggesting that you go commercial at all. Just pointing out that the stuff that sells is often incomprehensible to others. But some goals may be incompatible with each other, like my goal of becoming rich and famous before I die! Realistically, I might become famous, but at the rate I'm going, I'll never be rich!

Alyson Stanfield has some very good information on her site and in her book on how to get better at marketing while staying true to your artistic goals. She also runs some seminars, both online and virtual, and on site. If you haven't heard of her, you might want to look at some of her free material, and maybe pick up her book "I'd Rather Be in the Studio!" (IRBITS). Find her at http://www.artbizcoach.com 

I found her attitude both positive and helpful. She ran a seminar in Jackson MI a few years back which I attended when I was just starting out. It was worth the effort to attend.

Comment by Sara Youngman on June 6, 2011 at 9:29pm

Thanks, I will.

Comment by roberta thomas on June 16, 2011 at 9:11am

Hey Sara, I'm Intaglio etcher, doing some experimental work on large canvas and incorporating multi media in them. Its been slow but selling one to two large pieces at a show helps get me to the next. I also have my traditional prints that help with gas money. I sell best in large urban cities. Its hard or nearly impossible to fine art shows with high quality work. but if you can thats where etchers do best i think, or at least me. don't forget bigger the better. good luck

Comment by Sara Youngman on June 16, 2011 at 6:52pm

Thanks Roberta, I do fairly small etchings.  Am considering my style doodling on copper.  Most comfortable with 4"x6", biggest I've done is 9" x 12" and that felt huge.  The trouble with large cities is the prices and if I'm not selling big yet I can't afford the higher prices - the viscious cycle.

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