Do galleries attach a stigma to selling one’s artwork on eBay?
Galleries are a fairly new venue for selling art. They have only been around for the last hundred years or so. Currently, they have the artists by the balls, (pardon my english), by restricting and limiting the access to artists through their venue only - the exclusivity clause. I certainly understand this to some extent - most especially for the galleries who represent artists who do NOT produce giclees or prints of their artworks. Then this exclusivity clause makes sense. But for the artists who produce giclees freely on almost everything they do, what is the point of exclusivity?
Artist Independence
I am convinced that more and more artists will be more independent, and a buyer of art will want to go direct to the artist. The personable experience. Who is to say that each artist can not open up their own gallery, and still wine and dine those who like that sort of thing?
I for one, am interested in galleries who have a forward thinking mindset. The two that I am in, know I sell on ebay, and the one in HK found me from ebay. Many gallery owners troll ebay to see what they can find as well. If they think they can sell the work, they will buy it.
Can eBay jeopardize one’s art career?
Have my ebay sales jeopardized my career? I am very prolific, having created about 1400 artworks (that I like) in 2006, and I expect it will be close to that in 2007. About a quarter of that I have sold through various venues, online and off. Consider that I am putting my work in the homes across continents, that could not be done otherwise in such a short amount of time. It pays my bills. It allows me to do my own work. It clears my storage room. The exposure and notoriety is worth it. How many artists want to be mainstream? Normal? Follow the rules? Whose rules, again?
Make eBay Work FOR You!
Determine your price structure. Be consistant. Be confident. Most artists are the creative thinker, producer, marketer and salesman of their work. So take control! Say what you will and won't accept in terms of dollars and cents!
Have galleries been less responsive?
Yes. Definitely. Ebay doesnt have the greatest reputation and likely never will. Guess I am not willing to let that stop me. I still have to pay my bills and send my children to school. My work is quality, it is one of a kind, no prints available, ever. You can only get it from me. I wonder sometimes that even if I were to be taken up by more galleries if I would ever leave ebay. I really like the contact from people in other countries.
I have always said, if Manet were alive, he would be on eBay. It is the ultimate Salon de Rafuse.
If you have any comments or questions, please do write!
Talk to you soon,
Julia
About the author:
http://www.juliatrops.com
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/canadianartist
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