Marketing and Selling Art

The last few days, I have been thinking a lot about how to market art. How I, as an artist, should also focus how to sell the work I have created.

I have surfed the internet to find what other artists are doing in this regard. I am learning a lot of things in the process. As a present day artist, the artist should invariably have a web presence. These would include, an artist's art website, a blog, portfolio in online galleries, etc. etc.

There is a lot I need to learn. Merely showing in physical galleries and joining competitions is not enough. Wielding the painting brush and mixing colors is not sufficient. One should learn the language of the web and be internet savvy.

Thank god my friend had taught me to use the internet in 1998. But I am not an expert yet. Technology can move ahead of you so fast. One always has to keep up with it.

Should Paintings be made to be Sold?

Exploration, oil on canvas

Should a painting me made solely to be sold? Or is it a labor of love only, with no pecuniary aspects attached to it? It all depends on the intention of the artist, I would think.

A painting originates in the mind of the artist. Much before the artist picks up the pencil or the brush, the image is formed, whether vaguely or clearly. An artists paints, first and foremost, to give shape to the image or idea in the mind. After the image comes the real making of the painting. This involves lines, color, texture and all the details that goes into the making of a painting.

Art always originated in the realm of the mind. But then, the existence of the artists engaged in making this art also becomes important. Artists have to make a living too. Hence, art came to be sold. For the artist to continue making art, her art has to be sold.

But the question, whether art should be made solely with the art market in mind, is highly debatable. It is considered that art produced for the market only does not have a uniqueness. It tends to adhere to the norms, rather than break norms to create something new. The entire purpose of art and creativity - which is to create something new - is defeated.