Style And Subject - Focused Vs Variety?

I call it an artist's variety store.

I really don't care what buyers want. "I don't create to live. I Iive to create" To many people try to create what they think people want. Their motive is simple: Money. They try a little of this and a little of that until they sell something. It's like having their own art gallery representing many different artists with the same name.

I try to create or photograph images not just for myself - but for other to see, enjoy - and hopefully purchase. If you don't care what buyers want - why put it up for sale - your ego is THAT big? Why not just put it in the closet or under the bed - after all - you've created it - now you are 'happy' with your id and your ego.?

I do have three galleries - accounts on FAA - one for my digital abstracts, one for my drawings and watercolor paintings, and here for my photography. So there is a little bit of this, that, and the other - and I've sold some of each.

I would be somewhat afraid of just one style and or subject - it's like being a character actor - who only ever gets parts as a comedian because he never had a serious actor part.

My work has always been based on what I think is a challenging technique that takes time to learn. I felt that if I did something that took a lot of skill and determination, people would appreciate that. I also love what i do, so challenging myself to make something others can't, really made sense. It may be a niche, but its a niche that is not easy to find buyers for. Wrong type of niche.

Now that I'm online trying to sell, I find that type of thinking is wrong and not going to make sales.
most people don't give a crap how it was made or what credentials you have.

They want something they want, not something you want them to buy

i make what i find and what i find interesting from there i decide what sells best and aim in that direction. much of it is experimental.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

I paint mostly birds because that is what I love...I find that if you love the subject, it shows in the final outcome.

I do it all! Whatever is inspiring me at the time...keeps it fresh~

I like to paint and don't plan on stopping any time soon. Clients have a preference and they can be demanding, and they've taught me a thing or two. If I painted only by my own ideas, everything would be tacky and rough. I came in contact with a few people who have changed me, and one of those people exposed me to the concepts of color via color wheel, another person challenged me by having me do extremely large paintings for them, and still another person introduced me to online professional tools, but that's not all of it. All the education and ideas have widened my experience of creating art which is mostly enjoyable.

When I do sell my work, I'm careful about the people I invite to my gallery. I only open my gallery once per year and I only give to auctions that I know pay out and I do not attend these events. The great thing is that a large mural or abstract on a wall is very profitable for me because clients are fine with paying me between 60-90 dollars an hour to do that work...but I don't want to labor that hard anymore. I've never had a problem with employment so art is a labor of love rather than so much profit, but don't quote me because I have profited!

Who knows what a buyer may or may not want, need, or like. I have many interests, that's just me, others may be more focused. So, I fulfill my creative needs and put it out there. I suspect some buyers will like something of what I have to offer, or not. Hey, that's why there are all kinds of stores out there for the consumer.

When I was an apprentice artist than I painted what I was told to paint and it was designed to challenge me. This was a 10 year apprenticeship so I'm pretty non-threatened anymore subject wise. Want the person looking right instead of left? no problem. Want the mutt to be a pure breed? sure. Different season or era? Even with commission work, I have no issues turning it into one of my pieces.

So I tend to be able to go with whatever comes up or catches my interest. I consider myself to be an intellectual painter, where there is intended story, philosophy, history included. Interest is the major motivator in my life and I've been lucky to pursue those interest pretty unrestricted. So i try and paint that interest into my canvases. I do a lot more non-art research than I use to do and add that in my work and enjoyment. Probably sales wise this pays off well. Though with the power of art it can get a little awkward as people might think you're an authority.

So guess the answer is that feel I've gone as far as I'm going to go in mechanics and now have a whole world to talk about. So its going to be wherever my interest lead me.
-- mary ellen anderson

I paint a variety of subjects in a variety of styles. Some of my styles are unique and attract buyers others don't. I paint what inspires me. Since I live in a very inspirational place, most of what I paint is tropical landscapes. I don't worry about painting for others to buy. My works sell because people are drawn to them. They see what I saw.

The reason I paint so many different styles and subjects is because I'm an art teacher. I teach my students a variety of techniques and a variety of styles and subjects to help them find their own voice.

I have a really wide variety of images, not because of buyer but because many things capturing my attention. I do macro, landscape, people, subjects, still life,animals, wild life, textured works, fine art, nature, architecture, design,street photography, black and white - all of this in different style included impressionism and abstract.. I have many specific galleries for the different content.

Jenny Rainbow Fine Art Photography

Paul , thanks for your input, .

I am going to check out the artnet.com now:).. and some of your other suggestions

Thanks again!

Until a few years ago, I was not only "focused" but "consumed" by one subject and style.

CREATING VULTURE SCULPTURES MADE FROM PERSONALLY SCAVENGED MATTER.

I started following this calling, in earnest, back in the mid 70's.

Now in my eightieth year, this is still the mainstay of my "artistic" career.

Today, though I have ventured in other art endeavors: different subjects, style, and media, originals and digital (R Allen Swezey--My other AW here on FAA)

@ Vale,
Paul , thanks for your input, .

I am going to check out the artnet.com now:).. and some of your other suggestions

Thanks again!
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Did this post get deleted?

-- mary ellen anderson

Paul,

We must remember what buyers see here, is probably very different than what an artist would show at a local Gallery. Here we are trying to be a bit of a Walmart to the buying public and offer images that WE think THEY want. At least that's the way that I see this store we call FAA.

As nice as my car stuff might be, I probably wouldn't show it in a gallery setting,unless asked to have the car stuff there.

I've always loved cars and love taking images of them,so that is a given. But I can also see beauty in almost anything and have photographed about everything,(not a lot of people though). As a Professional and working for agencies and magazines, you are always asked to shoot WHAT THEY WANT and then, if time allows, a few of your own images.

So, this isn't a decision for me, but just what I do and how I see. Some people specialize in just one area and do a great job, like Phyllis above and her bird portraits, but I just "see" too much and that makes it interesting to me and am never bored..........

Rich

I am all over the place in my work - digital paintings, traditional paintings, photography - and absolutely no set theme. Will this hurt me in the end? Maybe so. But I can't sit still. Images of just one or two subject matters and specializations would drive me nuts. So, I made the decision to just follow my heart. That is how I have been travelling down my twisted road.

@ Mary, there was no mention of that website here except by Vale and no responses have been removed as far as I know.

Roy-

Well put.

Easier to become know in a niche. But if its a very small niche you'll have devoted but few fans. Choose a mature subject like flowers and you better be outstanding. Best case would be to provide excellent work in an underutilized but popular area.

BTW - what is an "electronic versions" of your work?

@Edward - It's electronic licensing such as Royalty Free or Rights Managed which for me is currently mostly handled by an agency. When I get contacted about licensing they almost always ask about an "electronic version" so that's the term I started using.

My subject matter is all over the place, but all my work is tied together through medium and my presentation/communication style. I think it's important for your body of work to look cohesive. It's important to have a style, but I think whether you focus on one thing or many is entirely up to you. If your goal is to sell, then people tend to like variety. If your goal is to create a few perfect versions of one particular thing, then I think it's valid to have laser focus.

"Style is besides the point. Nobody would pay attention if one always said
the same thing, in the same words and the same tone of voice."

~ Pablo Picasso


I create what I love - style and subject notwithstanding - then try to find buyers who love the work, too. Routine is a silent killer. ;-)

#NichefreeArtist #CrazyForColor

Wendy, thanks for the Picasso quote!

Mary Lee -- It's a fave of mine; I'm happy to share! :-)

Just being picky but..

"electronic version" - When I think of electronic I think of electrons moving around as opposed to "digital" which means ones and zeros which is what a file is made from. Electronics are used to capture the image but the image is expressed in digital form.

,,,,

Nice thing about a focused niche is it gives you a target market for your marketing. If you shoot trains, you can focus your marketing on train buffs for an example.

I agree with Rich.

There is also taking off your artistic creation glasses and try and see what someone might find in your work. People will see things in your art and interpretations that you didn't intend. There is no artistic insult in this. They are not wrong that it's there. But some artist's feel that if viewers don't get exactly what they intended it's an insult.

I agree with Rich that on FAA it's your job to figure out why people are buying and that's probably not for high-end art. For instance people buy art for holidays, so I've gone back through my work thinking about if there is coincidental interest for a pieces that I can put into a theme gallery (even though that theme had nothing to do with the original work).

For example for Halloween I've picked out these two images as Halloween themed. One for the colors and time of year, and the other for kids and trick or treating. You have to look for niches even if you don't paint them. So in general it's not my artistic statements that I even mention on FAA. I think there is a backlash by the general public to recognized artists.
-- mary ellen anderson

@ Edward - I get what you're saying. I've called it a bunch of different stuff. Stock photo, commercial licensing, electronic download, and on and on. However, if the majority of interested buyers are calling it an "electronic version" when they contact me here (e.g. I don't need a print. Do you offer an electronic version?) then its probably in my best interest to make it easier for them to buy from me and communicate with the terms they frequently use.

We're getting off topic but there are some good responses here that I may start new discussions for.