Why People Buy Art
I want to preface this by saying this post is about selling art. If you are looking to improve yourself technically as an artist, that is a different path. For selling art, the buyer (whether it be patron, gallery, or publisher) sets the rules, not professors or friends. Give them what they want (within the paramaters of what you do) and the path to sucess will be so much easier.
It matches my couch.
There are of course many reasons people buy art, ranging from collectors (of art in general or of something specific like flamingos) to . . . because it matches their couch. They may have a space above their toilet that needs a picture. Not a glamorous thought to think your painting may be destined for just such a spot, but that is the nature of things. If you are creating art to sell, you need to get over it. People buy art to live with.
Perhaps the more appropriate question is not why people buy art. But what motivates them to buy the art that they do. The main reason people will plunk down their hard earned money for a piece of art is because . . . they connect with it on an emotional level. (Not very profound I realize, but it’s the truth.) Whether it is destined for a corporate office or above the toilet, the art has to speak to them in some way. So then the big question becomes . . .
“How do you create art that will connect with people emotionally?” I know what your thinking, “Mona, everyone is different. Everyone has different experiences and different things that trigger them emotionally.” True. Look at this as a good thing. This is what allows the variety in styles, media, subjects and genre to all be marketable. So rather than trying to appeal to everyone, first and foremost you need to create art that you are passionate about. Paint what you know and love. The emotion and authenticity comes through in your work and people will feel it.
My example of this is: I get told over and over that my horses are wonderful. They tell me how rare it is to find someone who does horses well. The truth is some of my horses are flawed. Some have conformational issues you probably would not want on a horse you would actually purchase. This is something I work hard to correct. (Technical correctness is important to me. I study anatomy and horses in motion) But since I actually draw them out, it is what it is. I believe what people are reacting to, is that my horse painting have “soul.” You feel like that animal exists somewhere. You look at it, it is looking back at you. That is my love and passion for my subject matter coming through the work. It is the same reason I will never paint someones child. There will never be any passion for the subject and therefore even if the painting is technically correct, it will still be lacking, even if it is only on a subconscious level.
So to wrap this up, if you are looking to sell your art, you need to create authentic art that people will connect with emotionally. You need to paint what you are passionate about and in your own voice (style is a complex enough subject it would need it’s own post) Once you do this, then you need to listen to what buyers (more than friends, family or colleagues) are saying about your work. And more importantly pay attention to what is actually selling.
Tomorrows post will be about my best selling image in print. It is a great example of art connecting with people that I would never have anticipated.
Tags: business
A very interesting post.
I wonder if you meet more buyers who connect with paintings emotionally because that is what people are looking for when they visit a gallery or an art fair - a painting that speaks to them. Whereas, I haven’t had the experience of exhibiting yet, and meeting people looking for emotional fulfilment through art. So far I’ve just had people asking me for something that fits in with their colour scheme!
I would agree that many of the people who buy my “originals” buy them because it is emotionally pleasant. I think many people who buy the prints buy them because it is a pleasing image AND it matches their decor. I am often asked to change framing or matting colors on prints to match their decor, but never asked on originals.
Perhaps they are not so much looking for anything that matches their decor, Undaunted. As much as they like what you do and then want it to match? I would say that your work makes a connection and the matching part is secondary. The more you get out with exhibitions, the easier it will be for you to determine what it is that you do that people connect with.
That’s true - they’re not looking for just anything that matches - they usually tell me what they want a painting of and what colours!
My sister for example, wants a sunset in brown, cream, and white!?
I find it difficult working under someone elses constraints. I have a friend who works almost exclusively on commission art. She clearly handles it better. How is it for you?
Well, I’m not sure - I haven’t really done any yet! I still haven’t finished the painting that my husband asked me to do, but that’s based on a found art piece I originally did anyway.
My sister in law wanted something for her home, so I drew some ideas on paper first and then decided to paint them even though they weren’t what she wanted, because I like them myself. She wants a very scribbly, blobby, random piece, but we need to get together first to make sure the colours are just right.
Like I said, my own sister wants a sunset in brown, cream and white! I’m not keen about the white, so I shall go to her home and see if there is another colour we can use. Maybe a sort of oatmeal colour? If she insists on white then I might find that difficult. Maybe I will enjoy the challenge of doing these pieces for others?
So why are yu opposed to white?
Well, after giving it more thought, it could work. I just thought it was a bit… nothingy. I thought maybe cream and white together would look a bit… washed out? I’m going to have to play with my pencils and see what I come up with!
Ah I see. Though I imagine it would all depend on what you do with the white and cream and brown.