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Sometimes on a weary ride through Los Angeles' freeway system, the skies are so magnificent that you can forget the traffic and delays getting home and just enjoy the beauty in front of your eyes.
What will the new year bring??
I'm always trying to figure out what I want out of this art journey of mine. You would think I would know my own heart and mind. In reality I'm really enjoying all I am doing and I have so much trouble coming to grips with benchmark steps to reach annual goals when I don't really know what my goals SHOULD be.
Silly, huh??
Although painting well IS the goal, I suppose it is a goal I'll never reach because as I improve, I realize that there is so much more room for improvement. I also still struggle with being the judge of my own progress and for that reason I rely on outside evaluations such as being juried into shows, winning awards and selling my work. So I guess I will set some goals using those measures.
To set goals, of course I looked at last year's goals and whether or not I met them. I will ramp up those I met and figure out a reasonable benchmark to set next year's goals.
In the sales department, I decided to use the advice Carolyn Henderson suggested in one of her wonderful FASO blog posts. I looked at my 2011 sales and analysed the paintings which sold, the collectors, and the "venues" where they were sold. Here are some interesting results from the analysis:
In the sales department, I decided to use the advice Carolyn Henderson suggested in one of her wonderful FASO blog posts. I looked at my 2011 sales and analysed the paintings which sold, the collectors, and the "venues" where they were sold. Here are some interesting results from the analysis:
- Over 40% of the people who bought my paintings were strangers to me. I'll need to do follow up to "get to know" these people -- they might refer friends to me.
- A third of my sales were from people looking at my website or coming to my website from FB or my newsletter. Guess I should keep promoting my art through these vehicles. I wonder how to ramp it up.
- Half of the paintings sold were sold from exhibitions. --A good reason to look for more "selling" venues.
- Only about 33% of the paintings sold were in the landscape category. I am going to keep painting landscapes because I love to do so, but it is interesting that despite the fact that the vast majority of paintings I create ARE landscapes, they are not the ones that sold best last year.
- Less than 20% of my sales were plein air paintings -- the type I enjoy painting the most. Disappointing
- Less than 20% of my sales were to people who already own my paintings. I wonder if there is a better way to promote to current collectors without turning them off.
Are the # of sales and/or visitors to my website in ANY way related to the real or perceived quality of the work?
I just don't know...
Do you?
6 people commented. Comments mean a lot. THANKS!:
I don't know either, Marian. I know that one of my personal goals is to buy at least one piece of art from the artists whose work I follow via blogs. Unfortunately, so many are priced prohibitively for me with all the other monthly bills I have on board. So I often buy when the price is really good and when a piece grabs my heart. This is not to say an artist's prices are too high or that they are asking too much. It just means I have too many bills and that keeps my buying down quite a bit. So? Ultimately, I find that I can enjoy their art and getting to know them as (hopefully) friends via their blogs and purchasing becomes my hope for that one day. Know what I mean? LOL
Hi Sherry,
Yes.. I know what you're saying and pretty much feel the same way. I too buy paintings, but most are on the smaller side (thus less costly). We all have our bills to pay and try to stay within our means. Sometimes I buy things "on time" paying a bit each month until they are paid for.
I know what I do as a buyer... Hard to know what my stats mean as a seller, however. I try to learn from my experiences... not sure how to do that with these stats.
I find that landscapes are not as popular too. Most people love looking at them, but don't buy. There seems to be a need for a personal connection. A reminder of a place loved, a trip taken or just a connection to the artist. Unique subjects, such as the "the art spectator", that Karin Jurick has made so popular, are fun to collect. It is so hard to predict and personally not worth it to me to chase the public. Sales are of the business side of the art market, but I think being consistent in improving , learning and producing in the end show that you are here to stay. There are soooo many good artist out there. Some amaze me how they market themselves. That is an area which I need help, but first i need to be committed to selling. Marian your post points out many interesting things. Thanks for putting it down and sharing. Keep it coming.
Dori.. Thanks for the thoughts... You are right... chasing the public is NOT the end goal... more like chasing my own painting skills... Trying to get better. One day I'd like to be as good as you!
These are the best paintings.You should appreciate these painting to share on Facebook.This one can reach to the high peak when you show on social media.
Thanks... I'd love to show it on the wall of someone's new home :o)
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