On 5 Nov 2003 at 15:53, Iller Hulbert wrote:
>Interesting, Thanks for the input.
>
>I think I should note, I'm not trying to start a bitchfest here, just
>looking for observations like this one or any that contradict it.
>
>Also if anyone's observed, there always seemed to be a set of buyers
>who bid on art like they were quite frankly loaded, seemed the mojority
>of quality works had them in their bidding lineup. Does it look like those
>collectors are around or has the milk in that cow dried up for good too?
>(not that they were cows, but it's rather how they supported the whole
>community so much more by keeping prices up)
>-Ilr
Here's some more-or-less stream of conciousness thoughts on this:
Personally, and based on several years of experience volunteering for
AnthroCon's art shows, there is a small minority of people who do have
a lot of money. They will generally purchase the 10% highest-quality,
name-recognized artists's works for substantial sums of money... but
60% of the art goes for not much more than minimum bid, and the middle
30% or so gets a few bids, and goes for "reasonable money" - perhaps as
much as minimum wage would have earned them.
Name, subject, detail, style - all those count for a lot in art, and
it's very subjective, and what's hot one year could be absolutely unbid
on the next year - and vice versa. I've seen that happen many times.
Also, as I get a "fair-sized" collection of furry artwork, I find that
I am becoming more selective... I'm purchasing fewer pieces, but
spending more on each piece, because it means something to me.
Furry art is so small a niche market that there's very few that can
make a living at it. How many artists treat the furry art market is:
"I'd be drawing this stuff anyway. If I didn't auction it off, I'd
have to fill up a trash bag every couple of months with sketches, etc.
This way, if it sells, I get a few bucks - perhaps enough to cover the
cost of going to a con. If not - well, I'm out a few bucks for the
paper."
Those that don't treat it entirely this way, are the ones in the
dealer's rooms at cons, or that have their stuff available through
their WWW site or through another dealer. They charge what they want
for their work, rather than risk it going for a pittance at auction.
Oh, they may put up a few pieces now and then - for example,
MaxBlackrabbit just put up a combo package on Furbid of original art &
CD - but by and large, their stuff sells for fixed prices.
Commissions can earn good money, but then an artist is working at the
direction of someone else, and not necessarily drawing for the
enjoyment of it.
Also, the availability of prints and Internet art goes a long way
towards satisfying the collecting urges of a lot of people.
Overall, don't expect to make a living at selling furry art. Instead,
count on it to make enough to go out to dinner now and then, and if you
get a bit extra ... well, then,celebrate by buying an ice cream. *grin*
Falbert
===========================================================
Falbert Forester albert_at_umpi.maine.edu
Falbert_at_FurryMuck, Tapestries, SPR, and elsewhere
"I've often thought that the underlying fabric of the
universe is plaid." - me
Received on Thu Nov 06 2003 - 08:09:55 CST