For years, I worked in art galleries. I dreamed of being a real working artist but knew that was not going to happen. I had read somewhere that only one out of 30,000 artist is able to make a living at it. And that was over 35 years ago. So I worked in an art gallery on Cannery Row, loved it for the most part, and eventually started selling my art there. But for my living, I sold art. And worked part time as a cocktail waitress so I could pay ALL the bills.
We had some lovely art there too. Most were way beyond my means but here and there, I started collecting. But the one single most frustrating thing working there was, the dreaded phrase, “Does that come in a print?” No sale there.
So, I am not a snob about art. I do realize that not everyone can afford art or care to do so. Of course, I love selling the originals. I’ve had to make a living over the years, so sales were a necessity. But that is not the end all, be all for me.
Everyone doesn’t care if a piece of art they hang on their wall is an original. If an image that speaks to you is only available as a print, then, there you go. I certainly couldn’t have afforded a Salvador Dali, who’s work I love. For many years, I had a print of his, “Christ of St. John of the Cross” on my wall. Not even framed, horror of horrors. But I loved it. A print was just fine.
One of the most memorable experiences go. I had while in Japan was when a lovely woman came up to me, just thrilled to meet me. She told me she couldn’t afford my paintings but would I please sign her UNICEF card she had been saving. As an artist, that was the highest compliment she could have given me. To know that my work had touched her for all the years since that card had been published, for her to make a trip to the gallery to have me sign it, well that is as good as it gets.
So finally getting to the point, I have decided to join Fineartamerica.com. I thought I’d give it a go. A friend of mine kindly shared that he’d had a very good experience with this company.
They are really very interesting too. You select an image you like, from the artist portfolio, and can pick out the size you want, in a paper print, canvas print, acrylic print or even on metal. Or, you can have them made into cards. Those are available singly or in bulk.
I have just started uploading images and will continue to add them. I flung a couple of Christmas cards designs in there ahead of the season. If any of those folks out there who like my work but just don’t buy original art, here is an alternative. So now, years later, I have an answer to you if you say “I love it. Does it come in a print?” The answer is yes.
