I have been asked a few times about selling prints of my work. I have never liked the idea, maybe I am just too lazy to make an excellent copy to start with. I do know that my paintings are reasonably priced and affordable. If someone would buy a print and have it framed nicely it would most likely end up costing between $75 and $200. My prices for originals run from $50 for Jo's Notions, ready to frame and up to $450 for a framed piece. Why would anyone want a print of mine when they can have an original for the same price? I just don't get it.
Maybe someone would want a copy of a Monet or Van Gogh, I wouldn't even want that. The originals in a museum are so much better.
I did sell some of my cafepress.com items in my gallery and do sell through my on-line shop, but I don't actually consider these great copies of my art. They are mostly for fun. Some of the images have to be cropped or changed to fit on the cups, tiles and other items.
I encourage folks to save, make payments and buy original art because the like it and can't live without it. That is what I have done.
This post was brought on by reading this one by Karen Cooper in Jefferson, Iowa, by way of FineArtViews. We think alike.
For The Impatient: Reproductions Rant (Take #1) | FineArtViews Blog by FASO
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About Me
- Jo Castillo
- Bastrop, Texas, United States
- I Grew up in a small town , Magdalena, New Mexico. I enjoy art and the pleasure other people get from my work. I always donate some of my sales and art to charities, especially for children. That started in Bolivia with Para los Niños. "I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns." -- Winston Churchill
4 comments:
Hi, Jo, I read Karen's article as well as your blog entry, and I TOTALLY agree with both of you! I have always thought it was "cheating" to make and sell copies, just an easy buck for the copying artist that consequently dilutes the ability of all artists to sell authentic originals. If there were no copies available, people would HAVE to buy original work and all artists would benefit.
I have a number of friends who sell copies and probably won't like hearing my position, but I'm so glad to hear from people who feel the way I do about this. Thank you for this post!
I so agree with you Jo. But I think for some situations in which the real piece is so expensive, getting a print is still the next best thing they can do.
I have sold numerous prints of my work. But I do agree with Jo on the practicality of framing a print as opposed to buying the original. Some just can't afford or wrap their minds around paying some real money for a piece of art.
Sue, maybe the thing is that we don't charge enough to begin with. :) It is also personal preference I suppose. I really love the paintings of Steve Hanks, some of his PRINTS go for $2500. But I would not buy one. I just prefer the real thing of someone less famous.
Ai, you are right in certain cases I suppose. Again, maybe I would feel differently if I was in the upper range in pricing.
Donna, you are right about that. I also think that people have no idea how much it costs to frame paintings in odd sizes. They may buy and never frame. :-)
Some artists work for weeks and months on painting as well so do a very limited amount of work. If it is good, there aren't many to go around. Ha.
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