Hope's Art Journey

A couple of weeks ago I had a really exciting but stressful situation.  A couple had purchased 2 large paintings from Arts on Douglas and wanted to come to my studio to see more.  Of course I was happy for them to come.  Fortunately, I had work hanging everywhere for my interview with the owner of Aviles Gallery.  My husband was kind enough to vacuum the downstairs so I just had my studio and upstairs bathroom to spiffy up. 

I got out all my files to refer to pricing on the paintings that were available for sale - 15 or so.  I have a master list of unframed sizes that are fairly custom for me.  However, I have been known to stretch canvasses of odd sizes and change framing.  On all accounts, I am very concerned about keeping the prices consistent with what I have priced them for galleries.  I don't sell out of my studio very often.  So, considering myself ready, I looked forward to meeting the couple.

It never occurred to me that they would purchase more than one or two paintings.  They also brought a brother and sister-in-law with them.  We had a very nice visit.  It is such a joy to talk to people who appreciate the real Florida and identify with what I do.  Bottom line is that they purchased 5 more paintings.  In the course of the transaction, I had to look up pricing, take off frames and figure that price.  Some were gallery-wrapped and painted on the side so taking off the frame was no problem.  I just felt that I had done a bad job preparing for such a sale.  I should have priced and marked everything on the back or made a list.  It certainly made me realize the need for a master list.

The other thing that comes in to play when people find you through a gallery is gallery commission.  Some galleries insist on collecting the 50% just as if the sale were made there.  I understand that - galleries have so much overhead.  And, I need to make them happy so I will have a place to show.  Also, when people are decorating a huge space (like a business), they expect a discount on multiple purchases.  I certainly understand that.  The galleries will usually do that also - to a point.  It was a good experience and I don't expect it to happen very often.  In the past, most of my huge sales have been made through galleries, who collect the sales tax, pay the fees on the credit card service and so on. 

Now, my goal is to make the whole process easier.  I will be taking work different places in St. Augustine as I do not have an exclusive contract here but I will also be taking work to Arts on Douglas where I do have an exclusive contract.  I will make a master list of paintings including: price of art with and without a frame, date and place artwork has been shown, date work completed  and whether painting has been varnished.  That's a whole other dilemma especially on the large ones.  The list will help me in rotating art at Aviles and Arts on Douglas every three months so I can keep things fresh.  And, I really need to paint right now.