I grew up in michigan and the art shows always seemed to do very well. I know the economy is awful there and people don't have money like they did 10-15 years ago, but is it worth doing any shows in michigan or are my chances better in other states? I've been living in south florida for the last 8 years but my heart is in michigan.
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Here's a novel approach: How about making something you believe in and then developing a market, a following, for what you make. Create something that excites you and then pass that excitement along to the customer. Too often, the scene is about making something that sells, which usually means make something average. Lets not push the envelope, lets not develop yourself as an artist. McDonalds sells a lot of hamburgers but I wouldn't want to make burgers. As far as I'm concerned "making what sells" is part of the problem of dumbing down the customers as opposed to the way it used to be where we "educated" the customer as to what we were doing. If I wanted to make what sells, I would have some nice simple product manufactured in China for $5 per piece and sell it for $60, or $200. I may even win an award with that product.
bryan bogater > Barry BernsteinAugust 4, 2011 at 8:34pm
Walking through art fairs I've noticed that there seems to be a stereotypical type of art in all medias. I think it is artist trying to make art that sells and not making art that they would want to buy. I only know how to make art that I'd want to put on my walls and hope I don't have to become a stereotypical artist.
Robert Wallis > bryan bogaterAugust 4, 2011 at 9:15pm
There is a fine balance that you need to do, and you have to have a mix of bread-and-butter pieces that you know will sell, and then you can do the edgier work that goes out on a limb. Someone told me a long time ago there's work for show and there's work for dough. If they match up that's cool, but it doesn't always happen.
bryan bogater > Robert WallisAugust 4, 2011 at 10:52pm
I agree that you won't be on the circuit if you can't make stuff that sells, but it seems like there not much risk being taken. I think if it's great work, it will sell. Only problem in art is that great is subjective.
Robert Wallis > bryan bogaterAugust 5, 2011 at 9:26am
There are some quirks out there;
If it's too expensive it won't sell.
If it's too inexpensive it won't sell.
If it's too ordinary, no matter how well done, it won't sell.
If it's too far out, it won't sell.
The further up the pyramid you go, the less you will sell, but you can charge more.
The further down on the pyramid you go, the more you will sell, but not for as much.
You have to decide for yourself where you want to position yourself.
Jim Parker > Barry BernsteinAugust 4, 2011 at 5:38pm
Right on Barry. I usually sell less than I'd like to, but I'm making pictures that please me, and are part of my stories. If people want to jump on board, that's great. Nels calls it "art from the heart". I've been telling these stories with my photographs since I was 7. Guess it's too late to stop now.
I continue to do well in Michigan - more so than WI, MN and Illinois. About 85% of my shows are there and don't forget Marquette in the U.P. Just got home from Art on the Rocks and even though the director passed away suddenly (I miss her so much), the show went on with few hiccups. I did better than some in lower MI.
Connie Mettler > Linda AndersonAugust 3, 2011 at 10:37am
You are so right, Patricia and Linda. Some of the people on this site are new to the business without a tested "product" (hate that word, but we're all selling a product) and really haven't had a chance to find a market or what the market will buy. Few of us jumped right in in the first few years making a profit. There is so much market research to finding what people will buy, that you are willing to create! Finding that fit is a lot of trial and error -- walking shows, seeing what people are buying, investigating as to whether this would be a good marketplace for them...
There is money to be made in Michigan! All the small lakeside events have people making money. There are people who made money in AA, E. Lansing and other places.
Patricia is a jeweler who has honed her "product" to find customers -- changing price points and styles. Linda is a photographer who specializes in ships on the Great Lakes and gets herself to shoot what she thinks people will like and to the shows where people are interested. She is not selling them in Texas or Utah. Jim Parker has an extensive background in photography and knows his way around in all kinds of technical things, besides bringing a fresh body of work to the shows.
It took three years in the business for us to turn a profit and it was still mighty slim.
Does this seem to apply to michigan mostly or is it across america? It sounds like not good times at all, but i'm determined to make it work like so many of you artist are.
Replies
There are some quirks out there;
If it's too expensive it won't sell.
If it's too inexpensive it won't sell.
If it's too ordinary, no matter how well done, it won't sell.
If it's too far out, it won't sell.
The further up the pyramid you go, the less you will sell, but you can charge more.
The further down on the pyramid you go, the more you will sell, but not for as much.
You have to decide for yourself where you want to position yourself.
You are so right, Patricia and Linda. Some of the people on this site are new to the business without a tested "product" (hate that word, but we're all selling a product) and really haven't had a chance to find a market or what the market will buy. Few of us jumped right in in the first few years making a profit. There is so much market research to finding what people will buy, that you are willing to create! Finding that fit is a lot of trial and error -- walking shows, seeing what people are buying, investigating as to whether this would be a good marketplace for them...
There is money to be made in Michigan! All the small lakeside events have people making money. There are people who made money in AA, E. Lansing and other places.
Patricia is a jeweler who has honed her "product" to find customers -- changing price points and styles. Linda is a photographer who specializes in ships on the Great Lakes and gets herself to shoot what she thinks people will like and to the shows where people are interested. She is not selling them in Texas or Utah. Jim Parker has an extensive background in photography and knows his way around in all kinds of technical things, besides bringing a fresh body of work to the shows.
It took three years in the business for us to turn a profit and it was still mighty slim.
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