My paintings are worth more than what you say they are worth?

This a question that I get asked many times in a week.

The issue of how much are my paintings worth and what formula should I use to price them?

The simple answer is, at the price that they will sell at.

I am not sure why Artists become so engrossed in this issue of pricing.

How much should I sell my paintings for?

Are they to cheap or are they to expensive?

Do I price by the square inch or do I use a formula, time plus supplies plus profit?

Now I do understand your need to price your paintings.

But if you have been in this business for only a few years, then I believe the question should be, “ How do I get my paintings onto the walls of strangers at a price that we both can be happy with?”

I really believe that price in the beginning should be that you recover your costs and sell your paintings.

Now I know I will get lots of comments saying I want Artists to give away their paintings, but I do not.

I want Artists to build a business from their art so that it can sustain them into the future.

Art is like any small business starting up, it will take a few years to make any money, so the idea is to build your business so that it will make money in the future.

Sell at a price in the beginning that gives good value to the buyer and yourself.

Do not give them away but also do not price them like you are mature seasoned Artist.

So how I do that?

Think about this, you need to build a following and a reputation as an Artist.

You need to put your paintings on the walls of strangers at a price that you are both happy with. Remembering that you will increase your prices as the years go by and your reputation grows.

If we could get past the romance of being an Artist and selling our work for big money, we would then understand that it takes time and patience and hard work to build your Art business.

The painting you are selling today for $100 in five years you could be selling for $1000, same size, same Artist, same talent, the only difference it that you have built your Artistic reputation and your Art business and you now have a group of collectors who invest in your art work and your collector base is growing.

I want Artists to do well from their art, it takes time, it takes hard work and it takes a sales strategy, start reasonable and build on your prices each year.

The key to surviving as an Artist is sales and strangers.