So I went to the art auction last evening. I went pretty early, and initially there were not many people there. I had an opportunity to study closely at all the art on display, everything from oils, acrylics, mixed media, collage, sculpture, photography, clothing, furniture, even some pretty famous artists (of course, I forget the names, but I do remember them as recognizable.) It was illuminating to see my art displayed amongst all the other pieces available. I had eleven pieces displayed, including one I had forgotten about. I had to look twice to make sure it really was mine. And even though I signed up to bid, the prices were completely beyond my buying capacity (but then, almost anything would fit in that category.)
I was standing over in the corner looking at some of my small pieces, all of which I have posted on this blog. A man came up and told the woman with him that he wanted to bid on two of my small pieces that would be perfect in their newly refurbished den. In fact, he wanted to paint the den one of the colors in the paintings. So far, so good.
As I was leaving, the place became more crowded, the music started, the food came out, and things were really getting busy. The silent auction ended at 7:59, but I left before that so I don't know if the gentleman bought my pieces or not, or if I sold anything else. Todd, the guy in charge, told me as I was leaving that he wanted to discuss some other opportunities for me to show my work in other venues. That's a good thing.
Here are some things I learned: In a venue like this, to be noticed, bigger is better. Brighter is better. Red shows up on the walls better. Odd is still odd, but can be eye-catching. Lots of people don't understand lots of art. People do buy art to match their decor. Furniture can definitely be art. Art is expensive. People are still buying art, and are willing to pay $10 for an opportunity to bid on it. Even though I try to keep an open mind, there are some forms of art that I do not appreciate. I saw some pieces that I thought were poorly executed, kind of sloppy, really, but perhaps that was supposed to be part of the art itself.
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5 comments:
I find buying art to go with your curtains and sofa quite strange actually. I don't much care if it "fits" into my decor or not. If I like it, that's what counts.
Congratulations Mary! Fantastic to hear of your work being put out there, and the positive responses you are getting. Great report about your evening with good observations. So the questions are about; why do I make art? For sales and to support myself, for recognition, to appeal to the “masses”, to say something, to express myself, because I must, or all of these and something else? Art seems expensive, but are artists as a group well to do? What influences those costs? And I agree with you; despite being open and appreciative of art in general, there is a lot of art that in no way appeals to me. I guess that’s just the way it is.
Hi Mary
Interesting observations! but sounds like very promising responses to your art-- of course I'm not surprised-- it always inspires me! i wish you all the best! btw I've been experimenting with leaving a couple of small canvases close by while I'm painting---like you do with your foamboard-- but mine are so not turning out cool like yours lol! some very big messes instead!!
Excellent!
I almost made it to your auction,,maybe there will be a next time and it will all fall into place.
It sounds like a very successful evening in many ways.Good for you for making it happen, and hope there were lots of sales in your corner. It sounds like Todd has some good things in store for you!
Hi, Jazz: Don't you find that if you really really love a piece of art, it fits in, no matter what? At least that's been my experience.
Leslie: As always, perceptive questions. Right now, sales seem to be the most important, unfortunately. Got to get out of that mode. And no, it did not appear that any of the artists were exceptionally well-to-do, but looks can be deceiving, I guess. The venue, of course, takes its share, and for me, I have to split it with Walter the art rep, too. Assuming anything sold. One type of art that doesn't appeal to me is very realistic nude women that look like porn fold-out pages. But that's just me.
Elis: I know what you mean about the very big messes. I just keep slopping on the paint until it looks like something. Or I pitch it and use it for something else. Thanks for your comments.
Hi, Babs: I hope you can come to another auction; they're supposed to be every month. I haven't heard yet whether it was successful or not.
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