Face To Face

Good advice Roger. I was wondering what happened to you.

Welcome back.

Wise words indeed. After trying to market online for years now, and failing miserably, I think the best thing I can do is carry around a big matted and framed piece that will hopefully blow someone's mind. Most people just can't visualize how nice and image can be once it's dressed to kill.

I'm with ya' Roger. All of my past sales came from sitting down, one on one, showing matted 11x14's. There's something about seeing art in person that hits all the right buttons.

Wise Coot, dear Roger, Welcome Back...........enjoy the fruits of your wisdom and your labor..............a role model for us all, my friend.

I agree with you Roger and am pleased to hear that your face-to-face expedition paid off! I have also found that when I have the opportunity to sell locally, it always pays off. On the other hand, selling on-line... not so much.

Exhibitions are also a excellent way to show your work and gain visibility. I conducted one last July and August in a local Art Gallery which was highly successful, first because the sells covered the invested cost of prints and second because I organized several events where people were invited to come and visit and I was available to introduce my work and techniques.

Facing and attracting your audience is a way to increase followers... so potential buyers.

Right you are, young man Roger! My experience is equal to yours--though sales are not just anemic, but are dried up, leaving me starved with hand held out. The fact remains, however, time and time again people tell me that my large-scale paintings scarcely assume the same power on a computer screen than they do when seen in the flesh. I used to think that this was a sad commentary on my photography skills--failing to capture the painting's truth--but I realize that there is no substitute for the "real" thing hanging on a wall. The presence of "live" art out-distances the immediacy of computer or book-photograph images.

You are making a good point. Once people get to know the artist and see the work it is far more special. I have my work in a local gallery but need to up my game. Thanks for the reminder. The good old days are not gone just enhanced. We need to use all the tools at hand. I just ordered new cards from moo. Their new square size cards are like little canvases. Real cute and have gotten fantastic attention. You could put them on little easels. If anyone is decides to buy them here is the coupon code: http://www.moo.com/share/fs29ct
Here is one of the samples:

That has been my experience also. Seeing a larger sized print in a frame in person, simply has way more impact and is much more likely to make an impression.

i think it really depends on what you sell. 3D things lose their impact on a site like this. sculptures are the same, you don't get the sense of scale and such. photos are harder because they are very individualized and harder because you need so many of them. so in person, they would need to go through a library of stuff to sell. paintings are kind of the same thing. i think certain mediums lend themselves better to online than others.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Welcome Back Roger!

I agree -- to a degree. ;-)

You're blessed, Roger, in being able to get out there and make your mark. You're proof positive that age is, in many cases, only a number. I'm happy for you; we should all be so fortunate.

But, excuses aside, some of us have to find a different way.

I've done countless face-to-face shows and learned much from them, while enjoying every minute and personal encounter. However, those days are mostly behind me, for various reasons. Now, I walk a different path. There's no shame in doing the best you can with what you've got. I've met so many online artist who, through no choice of their own, are having to do just that.

I do agree that, if it's possible, there's no comparison to selling in the real world. Doing so is a path to community recognition and priceless networking opportunities, building credibility as a working artist, compiling a killer mailing list, and increasing traffic to your online venues. Definitely win/win!

Glad to see you back here, Roger. :-)

Welcome back, you old coot, we missed you!