Showing posts with label Art Sales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art Sales. Show all posts

Friday, August 22, 2025

Post 567: Using a Point of Sales System

Using a Point of Sales System

POS is the acronym for Point of Sales and the Prince William Art Society currently uses a Square System when we are managing our art show sales. What is important is that every artist member of PWAS know how to make a sale, how to manage the sales desk and how to fill in an invoice so that there is no mistake on who's art sells, what they sell, and accurately enters the price, so that we know who gets the check after the show. 

There is a learning curve, but wouldn't you rather sell your artwork to someone that loves it when you're at an art show than take all those paintings home again? 

There is nothing to be fearful of with the POS System. It is simply a basic process of:

  1. Identify the ARTIST owner of the ARTWORK that a BUYER wants to purchase, from the LABEL on the art. (Remember, labels are on the front and the back of an artwork.) See Display.
  2. Enter the PRICE of the ARTWORK.
  3. The POS System adds the Virginia Sales Tax.
  4. Ask the BUYER how they want to make a payment.
  5. Process the Credit Card or Cash payment.

Basically that is the process but let's go further into the all of the minute details you will need to know. As an art group, we all need to be able to handle a sale - and don't leave it up to just one person at a show to ever be sitting at the sales desk by themselves - Jump in and help! Every member should be watching that cash box too. 

POS System Equipment

Whether in an art group, a solo artist or if you are in a gallery using Square here are the basics on using this POS System so that you know how the process works.

Square Terminal 

The functionality of the Terminal reader is that it accepts EMV chip cards by inserting them into one end of the Terminal or contactless payments like Apple or Google Pay by tapping the card near or on the reader. 

Apps that work with Square Terminal ... 

The Terminal will connect wirelessly via Bluetooth LE to your iOS or Android mobile device or tablet. 

The Terminal will accept payments in offline mode for up to 24 hours in case of internet outage. The important thing here is that as soon as the art show is over, the Show Coordinator MUST connect to the internet ASAP to complete the transactions made that same day. 

This Terminal is nice to use because it prints out a receipt that can be stapled to the invoice/receipt which should be stored in the PWAS Cash box. (A second copy could be printed out for the Buyer if needed.) 

Square Reader - Square Tap 

The Square Readers usually have a "Tap to Pay" feature which allows the PWAS Square Reader to accept contactless payment. When processing the payment of the artwork, if the Buyer asks about Google Play, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay Tap, the NFC which stands for Near Field Communication, the Buyer should be able to make the payment with their card by tapping the device reader to complete the transaction.

Square Reader for contactless and chip ... 

Square Card Reader for iPhone

These smaller readers will connect to your mobile device. The reader has a magstripe for credit card payments. Note that different models of mobile phones may need a different type of plug-in. 

You would need to have the Square app installed on the phone, and the process would be much the same as on the Terminal except that you swipe the credit card through the small attachment.

Set up Square Reader for magstripe ... 

PWAS iPhone 

The art group has a PWAS iPhone with the Square App set up on it. The process is the same for making a sale as stated above and in detail below.

Your Personal iPhone Hotspot

Personal Hotspot is a great way to help with your POS System when your art show internet wifi is difficult to connect to or is nonexistent. The internet is nice to have while at an art show or art festival, yet sometimes there are issues with connectivity, and that is when your own mobile device can be used to "feed" (or boosts) the PWAS terminal or iPhone a better way to process those payments.

In other words, by using YOUR phone, you can help boost the power to the PWAS Square POS system when the wifi is sketchy as we have seen at some distant shows or situations. I might also suggest for the PWAS Member to also have a Power Bank for your own phone (or charging cord).

To understand how to setup, please see these videos. 

 
How to Use Personal Hotspot on Your iPhone

Let's look at another video on Personal Hotspot just-in-case

 
How to Turn ON / OFF Personal Hotspot on iPhone

Other Equipment

The cords for plugging and charging all the devices should be traveling with any of the PWAS Square equipment that need them. 

Power Bank - a portable, battery-based device that can be used to charge up smartphones, tablets and laptops when other power sources aren't available.

PWAS Treasurer Before the Show

Ensure all of the member artists (including the most recent new members) are added to the Square, well ahead of the scheduled art show.

  • Ensure there is plenty of change in the Cash Drawer for each show.
  • Be sure that ALL of the POS equipment, cash box, charging cords, etc are accounted for. An inventory check list is probably a good idea to include in the POS bags/storage bin.
  • Ensure that machines and software updates are maintained well in advance.
  • Cash Drawer and Change (Counted and Verified - beginning of show and end of show)
  • Plenty of Receipt/Invoice books (3-page books) or Square Terminal paper rolls are included in inventory.
  • Pens, calculator, red dots, etc.
  • Square instruction book is included with the POS storage bin/bag.

Ensure that the upcoming Show Coordinator receives all of the equipment and supplies prior to show in a timely manner.  

Art Show Coordinator

The PWAS Art Show Coordinator will need to ask the Treasurer well in advance of the show to provide the POS equipment and supplies and become thoroughly comfortable with the sales process and usage of the equipment.

  • Receive the updated, charged, and stocked POS System and cash box and other equipment from the Treasurer.
  • Understand how to use the sales systems and be ready to help show other members how to make a sale. 
  • Ensure the equipment is fully charged before the show. Know if there is a power source or a portable charging system that will be needed. 
  • Verify that any and all PWAS members that are attending the show have been added to the POS Terminal.
  • Count the cash and record the amount.
  • Don't be too quick to take down sales table at end of show - we've had numerous last minute sales at so very many art shows! 
  • End of show, count the cash and record the amount before returning to the Treasurer.

How PWAS Members Manage the Art Show Sales Process 

Every PWAS Member should learn how to make a sale. Period. Learn via this blog post, learn by watching while at the show, learn by sitting at the sales desk at an art show and just do it

When the art group has a sales table, 2 people should always manage the sales, for some very good reasons listed here. 

We're all artists and we may get pulled away from the sales table because someone is showing interest in our own art. So someone else needs to step up! 

PWAS Person 1 Will Handle the Actual Sale on the Reader.

Person 1 is the PWAS Member managing the Square machine sale itself. It is important that ONE person concentrates on the sale itself especially as most of us aren't necessarily using a POS system very often and we can completely focus on properly recording the sale accurately. So, Person 1 is the Sales Person.

Occasionally, the internet or the Personal Hotspot drops and Person 1 will need to reconnect, find the password, or the Buyer will suddenly purchase more than one item that will need to be added to the sale.

  • Realize that in the meantime, the Buyer is waiting...
  • Not to get anyone nervous, but this is why the second person becomes imperative as they manage the other parts of the sales process while Person 1 concentrates on the sale. 
  • Take your time, don't rush, don't panic. 

When all is right with the world, Person 1 will:

  1. Find the ARTIST's NAME on the list of the Square Terminal or App that owns the artwork being purchased. 
  2. Select that NAME.
  3. Enter the PRICE of the item. 
  4. Tender Type:The system will ask if the Buyer is paying by cash or credit card.
  5. Optional but highly recommended is in the NOTES, add the name, or an abbreviated name of the artwork. 
  6. The system will automatically add the sales tax to the payment so be sure to tell Person 2 what the sales tax and total is BEFORE the payment is processed so that he/she can easily record that on the invoice. 

If the Buyer is purchasing multiple items, you can add to that sale. Again, find the artist name of the next artwork, followed by the price of the work.

Again, you can also add a note to the purchase which could be the title of the painting before finishing up the sale. This is a good way to fully record the accuracy of the sale.

PWAS Person 2 is the Go Between from the Sales Person and the Buyer.

This person is running interference for Person 1 so that that person can correctly manage the sale and is NOT distracted. 

Person 2 will create the invoice for the sale which includes the:

  1. Date of the Sale
  2. NAME of the Artist
  3. NAME of the Artwork (specify if print or other notable identity) 
  4. Price of the Artwork
  5. Tax on the Sale
  6. Total of the Sale
  7. Paid by: Cash, Credit Card
  8. YOUR Initials - this comes in handy so that if the Treasurer has a question later, he/she knows who to ask. 

The second person is answering any questions the Buyer might ask (about PWAS, the artist, the artwork, etc.) and in the meantime will be properly bagging and/or wrapping the artwork. 

Small artworks can go into any appropriately sized bags of course. 

For larger artworks, PWAS should provide: 

  • Wrapping paper
  • Bubble wrap - always put the bubbles OUT so they do not imprint the artwork. 
  • If the artist has a business card or if the Buyer needs a PWAS brochure, pass along that information. 

Finally, the final items in the sale process is to mark the ARTIST's inventory sheet as to which items were sold and for how much. As an art group, we ask that artist's provide a list of all of their artwork, prints, art merchandise, etc that they are offering for sale. The sales table should have these inventory sheets and mark off items as they sell - it is for the artist's as well as PWAS protection for all sales.

Note that not all artists are hanging out in the booth or tables at an art show for the duration of a show. Thus, they should have a record of which of their items sold, for their personal records as well. 

 
How to Accept Card Payments at Craft Shows with Square Card Reader!
This is a Craft Show usage for a solo vendor but will give you an idea of how it works. 
 
How to Use Square Credit Card Processing
5 methods of accepting credit card payments. About minute 2:33 The "Item Library" would be our Artist List. The process may ask the Buyer if they want a receipt, to sign the payment, so watch for that option. The rest of the video will be more than you need to watch.

About Selling Your Artwork

That's the whole point of being at the show, right? We need to close the sale so that we can get to the POS point. We must greet the potential buyers that visit our art show and make them welcome in the art space. Here are a few videos aimed at helping you make the sale...

 
Sales Tips for Live Art Shows by ArtsyShark Carolyn Edlund
This is an excellent watch for ALL PWAS Members! 

Notice all the tips...
1. Greeting 
2. Be prepared to engage
3. Listen to them
4. Ask questions
5. Place item in their hands (a little tougher with a painting, any ideas with this one?)
6. Include everyone in their party
7. Eye contact!
8. Child with party? Bubblewrap diversion
 
An art show with an artist group will take a little more tack because it is not ALL about just you and your art. We want everyone's art to be seen and enjoyed and that also means to NOT BLOCK the aisles and walkways!
 
Simple scripts might be to greet each and every visitor and say, 
"Hello, are you enjoying the show?"
"We are the Prince William Art Society which is a nonprofit group in PWC. We are all local artists (can say the number of artists showing)."
  1. A friendly smile is powerful and make eye contact.
  2. Be genuine.
  3. Keep it brief to start - give them space to explore the art on display.
  4. Offer to help and answer any questions they may have.
  5. Listen actively by showing genuine interest in their responses to help make the connection. 
After the initial meet and greet, back off and let them look at the art. See "How to Greet People at Your Art Booth"
 
And remember, sitting there scrolling on your phone is not conducive to being open and welcoming!

 
How to Sell Artwork In Person - Best Beginner Tips!
Three essential tips that can help elevate your sales 
 
 
Avoid these 5 Common Craft Show Mistakes!
1. Don't be late - ARRIVE to the Show ontime!
2. Don't be too pushy - That's a turn off!
3. Don't miss your pricing - Have EVERYTHING priced!
4. Don't be distracted - On your phone? Are you approachable?
5.  Don't ignore feedback - In person comments, questions, requests, likes - Use them!

 
10 Rules to Selling Your Art at Art Fairs and Events
Some basic tips for simply selling your art at events, a few odd ideas maybe but it works for him.

For further reading:

Lessons Learned at an Art Show 

 Art Sale Issues

The important thing to remember is that if you have any sales issues, make notes that the Treasurer must be made aware of....and another thing - Don't panic. Just work through the issue.

  • Occasionally an artist may know a BUYER and may give a discounted price other than what is shown on their inventory list or on their artist label. If that is the case, I would enter the price that the ARTIST gives and have the ARTIST initial the inventory records. 
  • A BUYER may ask you to hold the artwork while they continue shopping at an art show or fair. Give a receipt of the purchase to the BUYER and tape one of the PWAS receipts with the BUYER's Name to the artwork/bag and set aside until the buyer returns. The PWAS Receipt MUST be taken off and placed into the cash box.
  • In a previous show, we lucked out when we were having internet issues and all of the BUYERS came up with CASH! I'd say that is rare though! 
  • I always recommend that several artists bring extra ones, fives, tens JUST IN CASE. It happens usually right at the beginning of an art show that someone pays with a larger bill and cleans out your cash box.
  • With the 3-page invoice/receipt books: 1 copy goes to the BUYER; 2 copies go into the PWAS cash box and the label of the artwork can be taped or included.
    • The TREASURER should keep one copy for the PWAS records and when checks are mailed out to the Artists, one copy of the invoices should be included. 

For now, PWAS uses a Square POS System. I would think that even if we change systems at some point that it would work much the same for our art group.  

Please note that this blog post on POS Systems WILL be updated as any new information becomes available, any tips, and as clarity is needed. 

I hope this helps all of the members of PWAS. Let me know if you have any questions and/or tips that could be included on this post.


Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art. 

Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm (typically, but check the website in case of any changes).

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment (below)! ...Remember, comments are monitored so they will not show up immediately.

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Saturday, March 25, 2023

Post 317: Art Adventures in Woodbridge

Art Adventures in Woodbridge

There are several times a year here in Woodbridge, that our local Michael's Store announces those beautiful, immortal words, "70% off all Canvases". Joy fills our little artist hearts. After a quick check at the bank account and grabbing any available coupons, we are OFF to Michael's in that mad dash to get the best pickings...

Meet Your Friends at Michael's

Literally and in some different ways! 

I get to the store and grab a cart. I really wish they had bigger carts because those wee wheeled baskets don't hold the big canvases. I make a beeline to the art section. With all of the level one, two, three canvases on sale at 70% off, it doesn't get much better than that. All those gallery-wrapped canvases - 4x4, 5x7, 6x6, 8x8, 8x10, 9x12, 10x10, 10x20, 11x14, 12x24, 16x20, 20x20 and on and on...livin' in the artist paradise... Got my ten in my hand and a gleam in my eye... (or was it Gangsta's Paradise?) 

If you get there early in the sale, the choices in sizes are best of course. I grab all my favorite sizes plus that size over there. Maybe I need two of those? I wonder if I should have borrowed a tractor trailer?

I turn to go down another aisle and who should appear? A PWAS member thinking the same way I am. I go to the checkout and low and behold, another PWAS member. Impromptu artist meeting! A quick trip? Bah! An afternoon with friends!

OR I have met an artist friend at Michael's before to shop some recommended special effects paints. New toys to play with! Interference, Dragonfly and Color Shift paints are too much fun!

OR as I go up and down the art supplies, I come across another person pondering the merits of mediums. A quick question will open up the conversation, "Oh, are you an artist?" Followed by, "What do you paint?" You know what, you tell them about the Prince William Art Society and bam, you have a new friend and fellow painter!

I did invite some of them to the next PWAS meeting on Monday, March 27 at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 7:30pm. Planting those seeds you know. 


I'm happy now as I put away all my new blank canvas purchases, oh the potential. I see the question mark hovering over their cotton surfaces wondering what they will grow up to be.


Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA and Artistry Spin Blog Admin, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.


Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 #140 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
The Prince William Art Society is a 52-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia.

Want to know how to get involved at OSA? If you are an artist (18 or older) living in Prince William County, or a are a member of a PWC art group, you are welcome to get on our next art show's emailing list. Send it to us, OR come by the gallery to find out more.

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Saturday, February 18, 2023

Post 299: Great Find - Etsy Videos

Great Find - Etsy Videos

Do you have an Etsy shop? If yes, you KNOW it takes work, work and more work. If you have one, drop your Etsy link in the comments! If you don't have one, have you been thinking about it?

Donna Liguria Art Etsy Home Page 2023 - @DonnaLiguriaArt

Etsy Videos, Tips and Advice

Before you get started on Etsy, do a lot of research. Repeat, a LOT of research. And if you already have an Etsy shop, continue to do some research on optimizing your Etsy site. You cannot build it and leave it, this is not Field of Dreams and "if you build it, they will come". Etsy takes work. And Etsy means having a shipping station (unless you have art products that are fulfilled by a Production Partner [site]). Etsy becomes a part of your weekly, if not daily schedule to a degree.

When I have "Great Find Videos", I will try to give you a list of the highlighted points in the video as well to help you. Because this Great Find is such a large topic, I found several videos with some great tips and advice you will find useful. Because Artistry Spin is the Prince William Art Society's art blog, I keep in mind that we are creating art on various surfaces and art prints - but there are key things that are important no matter what your Etsy shop sells.

  1. Good Title - this is NOT the title of your artwork - they are keywords to FIND your Etsy listing. This is important, it is also not the size, probably not the medium nor your name (or product subject's name) unless you are well-known.
  2. Good Images - GREAT product pictures are KEY as well as video(s) about you, how you do your art, and/or how you did that art piece.
    1. Natural Lighting
    2. Background - trendy, clean, natural
    3. Clear Images
    4. Edit Images
  3. Good Description - using those SEO keywords and phrases
  4. Good Tags - using SEO keywords and phrases (limited characters)
  5. Shipping Station - decide if you will ship international or national. Decide how large your artwork will be that you will ship. PRICE your artwork so that you cover ALL of those costs. Get the equipment and supplies you need to take care of shipping - and that is ALL part of the costs, including the labels.
    1. Shipping Carrier
    2. Shipping Profiles
    3. Packing Materials - source, in stock?
    4. Free Shipping if possible
    5. Weight scale?

Video 1: Complete Etsy Tutorial for Beginners 2022 - How to Create a Profitable Etsy Store from Scratch

  • Introduction 
    • Join Etsy 
    • Open Shop
      • About Section
      • Policies, Returns, Exchanges, FAQs
      • Shop Announcement, Promos
      • Featured Items
      • Logo, Shop Banner
      • Profile Pic
      • Aesthetics
  • Succeed as a Seller
    • Product Listing - Allow time each week for:
      • Research product, competitor research
      • Creating product
      • Uploading product
      • Promoting your shop
      • Maintaining listings
    • Production Partner
    • Creating Products
    • SEO
    • Optimizing Product Mockups
    • Put It All Together
  • Shop Manager
    • Ads
    • Coupons and Sales
  • Bonus
    • Fully Automated Etsy
    • Selling Digital Files
    • After Etsy


  1. Researching and Choosing a good niche, building a brand
  2. Create and launch multiple products (product lines)
  3. Get traffic by using Etsy Ads, $ spending money on your business
  4. Build internal and external email list
  5. Creating an amazing customer experience, 5 stars, Star Sellers
  6. Holiday hacking - 60-90 days before major holidays and events


Video 3: 7 Tactics to EXPLODE Etsy Sales in 2023, How to Sell on Etsy the RIGHT Way in 2023

 
 

1. Position yourself as the specialist
2. Improve your photos
    a. Research on product photography
    b. Research similar photos in your niche
    c. Invest to make your photos look professional
    d. Consider staged/lifestyle photos
    e. Blurry background research on depth of field
3. Increase your knowledge of Etsy strategy
4. Consistently work on your Etsy shop
5. Strategic SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
    a. Title
    b. Description & other options
    c. Research Keywords
6. Proactively drive traffic - off Etsy as well
7. Add customization options


Video 4: Never Do These 4 Things on Etsy! 4 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling on Etsy

1. Never put your shop in Vacation Mode
2. Never focus on quantity over quality
3. Never price your items too low
4. Never start halfway


Video 5: Are you missing these crucial parts of your Etsy Shop? (8 Hacks for optimizing your Etsy Shop)

From: Kate Hayes



1. Start building your email list. lead magnet incentive - opt in freebie, landing page. Announcement, About section weekly/bi newsletter, promotions
2. Use keywords in your listing description. Title and Tags PLUS description.
3. Links to other products inside your listing description.
4. High Quality profile picture of you.
5. Post important links in Announcement and "About" section. 
6. Have a listing video on every listing. Shop wide video added to each listing
7. Use Text Graphics in the image uploads too. Show options
8. Make the most out of the featured listing section. Best sellers, best items. Change out seasonally.

Video 6: 3 Tactics to EXPLODE Etsy Sales

From: Kate Hayes


1. Offer a trending product with a unique selling point. Research-based
2. Use smart SEO. Research products, trends, search engine optimization.
    Title, Tags (13), Description, Categories, and Attributes. Sale Samurai (fee).
    a. Diversify your keywords phrases        
    b. Use title that is easy to read, separate by comma, line, or dash
    c. Start your listing description with a hook. Spark emotion, sentiment
    d. Use long-tail Keywords, phrase with multiple word descriptor
3. Market for Momentum. Collaborations, influencers, other sellers, partner with.
    a. identify potential collaborators within your niche, similar target audience, micro influencers. Look for a seller whose product complements yours.
    b. Reach out to potential collaborators.
    c. Decide on your proposal and make the pitch. Campaign goal. Beneficial to them too. 
    d. Negotiate the terms of the partnership. Specific CTA (Call for Action)

I am learning as I go too. My Etsy Shop is at https://etsy.me/3xqNIqL - which may give you and I some free listings if you use it. Pictures are a thorn in my side but I am working on it! There are a LOT of other Etsy videos out there and you may like those better - you will probably learn a new angle from any of them.

Again, do you have an Etsy shop? Drop your link in the comments.


Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.

Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
The Prince William Art Society is a 50-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia.

Want to know how to get involved at OSA? If you are an artist (18 or older) living in Prince William County, or a are a member of a PWC art group, you are welcome to get on our next art show's emailing list. Send it to us, OR come by the gallery to find out more.

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Saturday, February 4, 2023

Post 291: Great Find - Art Sales Video

Great Find - Art Sales Video

Perhaps a new series of Artistry Spin Blog Posts are "Great Find Art Videos". One of the PWAS (Prince William Art Society) members sent me this video link and it is really good enough to share with our art group...because we volunteer at Open Space Arts. We as the volunteers are the "sales persons" and we represent all the artists that have artwork up whether our art is up or not.

Sales Tips for Live Art Shows


Please click the video below or the link to watch the video.



  
Notice all the tips...
1. Greeting 
2. Be prepared to engage
3. Listen to them
4. Ask questions
5. Place item in their hands (a little tougher with a painting, any ideas with this one?)
6. Include everyone in their party
7. Eye contact!
8. Child with party? Bubblewrap diversion

What do you think? Do you have suggestions to share with our volunteers at the gallery?

Do you have a Great Find Art Video to share? Send me the link and tell me why you want to Share it.


Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.
 
Video suggested by Sandra McClelland Lewin


Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
The Prince William Art Society is a 50-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia.

Want to know how to get involved at OSA? If you are an artist (18 or older) living in Prince William County, or a are a member of a PWC art group, you are welcome to get on our next art show's emailing list. Send it to us, OR come by the gallery to find out more.

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Monday, January 17, 2022

Post 102: Painting What Sells?

Painting What Sells?

Do you paint only what you want without a thought to the work being sold? How's your attitude toward your artwork - "if it sells, it sells" or do you paint with SELLING as your ultimate goal?

Do You Paint for the Purpose of Selling?

I do believe creative people just HAVE to BE creative, somehow and some way, just for the love of it. They just have to. 

I was wondering though, how many of you do your artwork with the subject, theme, perhaps the colors, with the intention of making a sale with what you create?

Definitely, I've met artist that are both ways. Some are trying to make a living being an artist - which means of course, getting out there and pushing, pushing, pushing toward getting their artwork seen and getting those sales.

But I see it as do you paint (or create) what you love and try to sell it or do you intentionally select what you create so that it appeals to specific audiences (clients) that you show it to?

Favorite Themes that Sell

I went in search of "what sells" when it comes to art. 
 
Although you never know what might strike someone's fancy when it comes to art, there are generalized art themes that are said to sell. There is no set formula. The uniqueness, the quality of the work and the cost all effect the sale-ability and probably a LOT more, including:
  • the person's decor
  • the size of artwork
  • colors used in the artwork
  • the person's budget
Obviously, there is a lot we have no control over as the artist. Also a beneficial influence is that people do enjoy meeting the artist and getting to know them, albeit even online, which familiarizes the appeal for that person's art. It puts a familiarity and personal "relationship" with the artist.

There ARE things that do sell more than others and this list is basically in order:
 
  • Traditional Landscapes and Local Views - from tranquil mountain, field and forest scenes and farmlands to your local-to-you hot spots and historical spots. I found that while in Occoquan, have artwork OF Occoquan.
  • Modern and Abstract Landscapes
  • Seascapes, Beach Scenes, Harbors - these remind many potential buyers of a great vacation and dreams of "where they wanna be".
  • Abstracts - probably includes paint pours. Emotion, mood, color, size all must appeal to the viewer.
  • Dogs - You know people and their pets, dogs in particular. Dog and Cat pet portraits done well at good prices, that is pay dirt in my opinion.
  • Wildlife - Lions and tigers and bears, oh my. I've seen a lot of sales of sea turtles and birds, so sort of knowing what favorite critters are, and cute depictions of various critters, and larger than life animal life paintings have appeal.
  • Impressionistic Landscapes
  • Figure Studies and Nudes - these appeal to a lot of people because people like looking at other people -with and without their clothes. Frankly, I admire the artists that are good at painting the human form.


What Size of Paintings Sell?

Some artists only work on a large scale big-butt canvases, while others may work on a mixture of sizes. Some artists can work in miniatures and small sizes with great detail, while another artist may find that too confining a space to work in.

The big as a couch, over-the-couch paintings, diptychs, triptychs - the multi-panel paintings, are considerations for the buyer as focal point walls, which also means that the color(s) plays an important part when people decorate their homes. 

Much harder to tote around huge paintings for art shows - for you and the potential buyer, these impressive pieces do have impact, eye-catching effect. Delivery and or shipping, pickup - all have to be considered, perhaps by both.

I think the artist has to analyze when displaying and showing his artwork what will most likely sell AT that art event. This past year I started the "3x4 mini painting with easel" trend for my own artwork. A good price point, a good gift, easy to find a space for it in a home or office, they do sell. And the animal ones seem to sell the best.

A question I have asked at some of our Prince William Art Society events is "What has sold best in the past at this event?" Often, it has been the smaller paintings for the reason of price and carrying the purchase around. 

Some may see it as I can sell one large piece for big bucks as opposed to nickle and dimes for many small paintings - well, maybe if you are already a successful artist. Your opinion needed on this one...

 

What Media Sells the Best?

Prints - obviously because they are generally less expensive than the original artwork. People can support the arts without buying that original piece and the most popular sellers are the limited-edition prints - from offset-litho and giclee prints.

Oil and acrylic paintings are still the next selling media, with watercolors coming next.

Next thought is how well mixed media does - I'm interested in how well these trends are as I see many artists in our group producing some fascinating work in mixed media.

 

    What Color Sells the Best?

    I'm not sure how true it is but I am reading that the color red helps a sale. If landscapes and seascapes are so high up on the list of what sells, wouldn't that mean that blue sky, blue water, and green landscapes are big sellers? 

    Every year the fashion and decor folks come up with "color of the year". I'm wondering if there is any influence with that choice?

    Where Do You Sell the Most Artwork?

    Do you sell more online or offline? Where online? Do you do well at local art shows, art galleries, libraries, art events?

    Do you sell more locally or internationally?

    Maybe a lesser question is do you find a better time of year to sell your artwork?


    "Seasonal" Art?

    Holiday, snow scenes, pumpkins - there is definitely artwork for certain times of year, but do you leave it up all year? Do you leave a snow scene or a Santa Claus painting hanging in its spot throughout the year? Or do you cycle your artwork out depending on season?
     

    And Before I Put the Paintbrush Down...

    I do have a few more questions.
    Being absolutely unique in style - definitely more eye-catching and quite often very interesting, is it harder or easier to sell?
    Still life - do they still sell well? 
    Is there a price point that sells best - not only for prints but size of painting?

    There is absolutely no right or wrong when an artist is being creative. I'm not saying that. And I do believe the "starving artist" thing isn't necessarily true these days, but you do what you have to do to keep food on the table. Just DO what you are good at. But I do see it as having multiple price points available to appeal to more potential clients.

    I recently sold a painting called "Just Look Up" and hearing from the new owner, she said, "Whenever I look at my new painting, it makes me happy." As the poet Robert Frost said, "And that has made all the difference."

    By Donna Liguria "Just Look Up" 16x20 Acrylic on Canvas (SOLD)


    Local Art: Visit us at Clearbrook Center of the Arts at Tackett's Mill in Lake Ridge, VA on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 – it’s free to see the artwork! Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership


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    Author: Donna Liguria
    An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA and Artistry Spin Blog Admin, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, Donna's Etsy site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

     
     
    Photography/Video Credits: 
    Donna Liguria