by Alan Bamberger:
Selling art can be just as hard, if not harder, than making art. This sentiment has been and will continue to be echoed by fine artists everywhere for as long as artists make art. The instant a work of art is finished and ready to leave an artist's studio, that artist is now confronted with the seemingly insurmountable task of having to convince someone somewhere that not only is the art worth experiencing, enjoying and appreciating, but also that it will provide a lifetime of gratification and-- perish the thought-- that it's even worth buying and owning. So in the interest of minimizing the pain and suffering of selling your art-- and of encouraging more people everywhere to own more art-- please feel free to incorporate any or all of the following helpful hints about why art is worth owning into as many of your sales presentations as necessary:
* Art is a powerful form of expression not only for the artists who create it, but also for those who own it. Art allows people to express their individuality, and to represent deeply held beliefs, feelings, convictions or philosophies in socially (and visually) redeeming ways.
* Art encourages people to ask questions, to take brief moments out of our busy lives to reflect on ideas other than how to make more money faster or how to get over on the competition.
* Art improves quality of life. All you have to do is think about the difference between a room with bare walls and one with walls full of art.
* Art inspires people to think about and even visualize ways that life might one day be better than it is now.
* Art stimulates the expression and interchange of thoughts, feelings, and ideas among total strangers who might never otherwise say a single word to each other.
* Children are fascinated with art. Art makes children ask questions, encourages them to fantasize and imagine, and expends their perceptions of reality. Art teaches children how to be creative and have fun with life.
* Art transforms and personalizes the places where we live and work. Art can evolve lifeless interiors-- homes as well as offices-- into unique, beautiful and engaging environments.
* For those so inclined, art can be used to signify wealth, success or power, and can even be used to intimidate. For example, imagine a CEO's office appointed with a big bold, vibrant, dynamic painting hanging on the wall directly behind his desk, and two imposing larger-than-life sculptures, one at either side of the desk. Anyone who sits and meets with this individual must also contend with his art.
* An original work of art is not only visually appealing, but it also communicates the personality, abilities, creativity, inspiration, attitudes, and at best, the brilliance and genius of the artist who created it. And people who own art are able to experience and be uplifted by these qualities on an ongoing basis.
* An original work of art reflects, enhances and even magnifies the personality of the individual who owns it.
* Art attracts attention on global as well as personal levels. An impressive or extensive personal art collection can be likened in microcosm to that of a great museum, and certainly increases the esteem of that individual among his or her peers. In fact, many of the great personal art collections end up in museums.
* Art makes people proud to live, work, and play where they do. They point to their museums, public monuments, and cultural institutions with pride.
For those of you buyers who like to profit from your art, people decide where to spend their time (and money) based on the types or amounts of art they know or expect to encounter. For example, commercial spaces such as restaurants, hotels, and meeting places can be more or less interesting and attractive to patrons depending on the art they have on display (or lack of it).
* Art is environmentally friendly, energy efficient, and easy to maintain. It does not increase global warming, use fossil fuels, or need to be serviced on a regular basis, and it's certainly not just another expendable destined for the landfill.
* Across the country and around the world, artists move into troubled or blighted neighborhoods or parts of cities and revitalize them with their artistry. Their creative expression increases property values, new businesses move in, and the overall quality of life improves immeasurably. Sooner or later, the public at large discovers these wondrous transformations, and in some cases, people actually travel thousands of miles to visit these oases, spend time there, and of course, buy art.
That's right. Owning original art has numerous benefits. Perhaps it's not quite so hard to sell after all.
