Selling original artwork?

[catmom]

Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone on SL sells their own original artwork on Ebay. If so, what has been your experience. Any tips or suggestions you can share?

Thanks! Liz

[Jay]

We’ve never tried selling artwork, but we have tried selling items we’ve made. Its always a disappointing experience.

As you probably know, it’s all about marketing. Without a name brand, it’s difficult to get people to buy your items. This is why so many online sellers put more time/money into marketing than they do their products.

Do you feel you have an audience who knows your work and is ready to buy?

[catmom]

Hey Jay, thanks for the response. I tried once before selling something I made and it was def. disappointing. I don’t have a ready market but a lot of my art is very unique and I think is fairly sellable. I have a degree in design from FIT and a BFA and worked as a graphic designer in for 20 years before becoming a librarian. I have a pretty decent eye and a marketing flair. I guess i just need to put the effort into creating the right outlet for my work.

Was thinking about an ebay art store because the set up is already there and easy! thanks liz

[Jay]

Hey, we’re always looking for cool unique art for our rentals 🙂

But yeah, eBay is a huge hole of stuff so you’d need to put time into standing out. Maybe on instagram or wherever you think your people are.

[catmom]

Most of my recent work is very political so not something for your rentals! You would piss off half of your guests. I can paint pretty bowls of fruit and other more pleasant subjects but right now i am focussing on the current state of things in this country.

Forgive me if you’ve covered this in another post but have you and Ryanne considered using your coffee shop to showcase local artists and their work? Could be a nice collaborative. Liz

 

[Jay]

Cool! Political art is good, though not good for rentals as you said.

For our coffee shop, I know showing local artists is a thing, but we’ve decided to keep a steady hand on the design. It’ll be more polished than a random mish mash.

[sonia_pc]

Have you thought about trying Etsy? I think you may find an audience there because there is so much diversity and politically motivated messages seem to be very well represented.

[sonia_pc]

Maybe instagram could be a good outlet as well?

If you feel like you have something relevant to say at this point in time many people will certainly relate

[catmom]

Great suggestions Sonia! Thank you! Liz

[jaepete]

I sell artwork, although it’s all what you would consider professional. I sell comic art pages and sketches. Most are things I have acquired for my personal collection and now downsizing. I do see quite a few people selling their own comic art on ebay (or “amateur” art).  I suppose the main difference (aside from price) is that the professionals have published work. They have worked for one of the mainstream comic book publishers and that gives their art a sense of worth.

I’ve noticed the amateur folks seem to do a lot of self promoting through facebook. I’m a member of a couple FB comic art pages and these folks will pop up from time to time with some of their art. Usually to not break the group rules of “advertising” they’ll post a piece asking for opinions or critiques.  or in one group there is a “Wonder  Woman Wednesday” tradition and artists will post their work that includes WW. They’ll usually add a link to their FB page and website as well.

Best of luck!

[catmom]

Thank you jaepete! I listed a few pieces on Ebay since I posted about this. Glad to report that I received some offers…. but dismayed at how low they have been! I have been keeping a lookout for gallery calls for entries for Political Art. Haven’t seen anything yet. But my audience is out there… just gotta find the right venue. Ebay isn’t it. thanks Liz

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