undiscoveredartist

The high end art market is doing well as evidenced by multi-millionaire artist Damien Hirst wildly exceeding expectations Tue Sep 16, 2008 with a record-breaking sale of 218 items for 111 million pounds ($198 million). Art galleries in the East End are doing far better than they did ten years ago.

But what about the undiscovered artist? How is this economy effecting their sales? I tried to find some substantial information on the Internet on how the present state of the economy is effecting the sales of relatively unknown artists and found nothing. Thus, it is only the high end art market that is rebounding according to some sources.

To find my facts, I spoke to local artists and craftspeople. The results of my study were predictable. They haven’t been making much money lately. Many cannot use their art or craft to sustain themselves, and have a job or jobs to make ends meet.

Their work is excellent, they are relatively well known. One local artist I know has gone into publishing art instruction books, but for all the money they spent to promote and get this quality project going, they have seen little return. Another family may close their gallery and retire. The usual tourist crowd was disappointing this year. Another well known photographer I know should have sold more books at his last show.

So, back to the undiscovered artists. How are they making it? When it comes to this artist, not so well. I feel my work is quality and the would-be buyers agree as well. They want to pay the price I want, but simply can’t due to the state of the economy. Other artists can’t make anything even rock bottom flea market prices.

I have seen some strange debasing behavior such as artists stepping on each other to get a sale. So how does the unknown artist make it in this type of situation? Artists are going to have to work hard to promote themselves. That may mean a need to go digital and bringing their work to the Internet. That is easier said than done. I am not the best of promoting myself, I hate to “toot my own horn” but that is what needs to happen.

Just a side note, I had to snicker when I see other artists’s description of themselves. One artist I know went as far as to say, “…just check my name on google.com and you will see what I am telling you is true.” Oh golly. Here goes: “So check me out on google.com. I am super, you will see I am the supreme being”. Maybe if you sometimes go overboard, you should hire someone else to do a press release.

Anyways, that being said, do promote yourself and often. If possible, network with some other artists and see what happens. Keep your focus on art and the experience, that is what I do. I do it for myself and I keep my day job until such a time comes that I am able to sustain myself.

Good luck to all of you would be famous artists, never stop believing in yourself and your work. If you start doubting yourself, you won’t succeed. In my case, I find a sibling or good friend who isn’t another artist and I get their opinion regularly. Their opinion is always positive most of the time. Although it seems like a crutch, who says that the average art buyer would’nt agree with them?

By all means get the opinions of other artists, but agree to disagree when you don’t see what they see. If you are proud of that work, don’t let anyone bring you down.