The Exhibition was fun but unprofitable. A lot of people said nice things about them but I didn't sell anything - the only consolation was that no-one else was selling much either. It was cold and rainy which might have kept a few punters away, but also it was so big - there were heaps of displays and most of it was landscape or still life, with a definte bias towards watercolours.
My primary-colour abtracty-impressionist people stood out like lipstick on a nun.
The worst part of the whole trip was actually showing my paintings to grandma. She made a kind of nice deal about coming into the lounge and sitting down to see them properly... I started showing them to her and she said: "Oh, no, they're terrible! No, I don't like them at all. All the people are obese... they're horrid!"
Quote. I wasn't quite sure what to do. Stop and not show her the rest? Try to laugh it off? It's not like someone saying "Oh, hmm. Not really my cup of tea..." which is gentle enough to say "yeah, that's cool, they are a bit bright!" or something. But what do you say to the words "terrible" and "horrid"?
In her defence I guess she is probably tired and in quite a lot of pain. Maybe she just said what she was thinking without considering the impact. But it really hurt, and it still does.
Sigh. So I spent $60 on petrol and didn't even cover my costs by selling one. I think maybe I need to consider the market for them more carefully. Conservative older people that predominated the Exhibition probably don't have the money to buy something they're not absolutely "safe" with.
I need to sell 'em thru a cafe or a designy-type-store I think. In a big city.
Bummer. It is a trick of marketing art. Each gallery seems to have its own style, and the punters know where to go to get the kind of thing that they like. What about markets - the prices won't be that flash, but you might get some more adventurous buyers... and the costs to you wouldn't be high?
Posted by: toni at February 18, 2005 09:25 AMIf your looking to be commercially exploited, then I wouldnt mind testing the market in Auckland. Pictures, frieght costs and price list is all I need.
Posted by: Vincent at February 18, 2005 07:41 PMHun sorry to hear, I know how sometimes family can speak very far out of return. I have a lot of older relatives, I am the baby of our generation at 35 and eldest in my generation is 74 this year. I always try to remember they are old school, that helps with the offensive remarks. They are very set in their ways too hun, they only sometimes see inside the box not outside, oh how i know that so well. Giving major hugsssssssssss. Keep your chin up! Hey, I have a idea, with your beautiful art, why not try to sell them on ebay, when posted make sure you point out shipping, handling and insurance is paid by bidder. You can put reserved bid on it if you dont want it go under a certain amount. Lots of items sell good on ebay, as I know I buy from there sometimes smile! I am sure you will sell them dear, your awesome! Many hugs, missing you lots! Luv, Tracy
Posted by: Tracy at February 19, 2005 05:18 AMOut of curiosity, how much does a phreq original go for?
And it's a shame your grandma didn't like them. Personally, the round nudes are probably one of my favourite things that you do - I've loved them in every pic I've seen. I never thought 'obese', just rounded and curvy and kinda happy-joy-or-peace lookin. Seriously, love is not an overstatement here - everytime I see one I go 'yay!'. And I adore your pallette. So I can't really understand someone not seeing the appeal.
But then, some people like Motorhead and Paris Hilton (possibly not the same person!) and I just can't get into them :).
Posted by: Rachel at February 19, 2005 09:15 AMWhat Rachel said :)
My Phreq original is in pride of place next to the projector screen and whenever I see it I feel so happy. I just love the colours and the whole feel of it.
Thank you for painting it for me!
Posted by: Jenni at February 19, 2005 10:04 AMI love you paintings! I never think of them as obese! They remind me of "mother figures", beautiful rounded bodies made for the loving. I think you probably would do better at markets/ craft fairs, although the money wouldn't be so crash hot. You are fabulous for risking "yourself" by going to the show, even if it wasn't "successful" for you. Love you too!
Posted by: giffy at February 20, 2005 10:49 AMVincent - Commercial exploitation is my ultimate goal. Do you want to send me a mailing addy so I can send you a cd of pics rather than clogging up your email inbox? That'd be really cool.
Thank you guys... I never thought of them as obese either, or particularly naked - they're more like 3D silohettes. But oh well. As you say, older people have different tastes. I'm glad you like 'em anyway!
Um, prices - wouldn't have a clue because I've never sold any! I suspect from the art exhibition my prices aren't *too* unrealistic though. They're different prices based on mainly on canvas size at the moment - A4, A3, 40x50cm & 50x60cm.
But it's hard selling things to friends! I want you to have one anyway :)
Ok If you want to be exploited, Im willing to exploit. How do I send you my address without posting it to the world.
Posted by: Vincent at February 21, 2005 08:48 AMIgnore the critics, even if they are related to you! Your paintings are great, and if someones not down with your shizzle... well, who cares? Plenty of other people are.
I'd say it's the marketing that's the problem and not the product... niche products don't appeal to everyone!
Go Gizoogle!
http://www.lifeisgolf.com/golf-forum/messages/94446.html garyhoodlumnow
Posted by: boldly at February 5, 2006 08:18 PMhttp://www.hwired.com/hw-wwwboard/messages/49598.html dimlyfingeringwelcomed
Posted by: acting at February 10, 2006 10:38 AM