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ORIGINAL ART WORK OR PRINTS OF ORIGINALS - WHICH ONE DO YOU WANT TO FLOURISH?

I have observed a disturbing trend in sales of art work recently. It is the sale of prints of original art works.
People say prints of art works are cheap and therefore everybody can afford them and it is a good way to sell one's work.
But, don't you think these cheap prints are killing the sales of ORIGINAL ART WORKS which are a bit costly?
I have seen this trend on major on line art galleries where hits up to 100000 per week are common. People are buying only prints of art works there and are completely ignoring original art works!
Yes, prints are affordable art works that suits all purses. They also bring "some" money in these times of recession. But at what cost? At the cost of original Art works! Aren't we missing the woods for the trees?
Friends, do you want to kill your own original art work by selling prints? Do you want to sell prints of your works like news papers everywhere reducing the value of your original art work? What do my artist friends think?

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Different people create art for different purposes. If a bread & butter artist creates art only to sell I am afraid he cannot produce good works. I am surprised to hear when most of the artists told me they created art only to sell!
Know what? I have more than 2000 artist friends. Most of them share their problems & difficulties with me. I found to my surprise behind several artists there are tragic stories. I feel it is those tragedies that act as machines that polish these gems. Van Goughs know & understand what the life of an artist is.
If people create art because they are passionate about art & are truly inspired by something in their lives then their works will have some quality.
If people create art to overcome the tragedies in their lives, it will definitely reflect the experiences they face in their lives
& lessons they learn & therefore will naturally be superior in quality.

Again goodness & quality in the field of art is only a perception. Different people might perceive the same piece of art in different ways. You will be surprised to hear this: Mona Lisa is considered as a master piece by some but I heard some people asking the Q. "What is there in it to say it is one of he best in the world?!''

Krishna

Ninon said:
To Sell or not to sell…this is the question!
My two cents worth: All items in the "luxury" market are suffering. With so many people losing their homes and income I don't think original art is first on their mind. Even the wine industry and yacht industry are suffering. I don't think luxury items are going to be good for a few more years.
I don’t think our society even tends towards inspiring people to even think in a creative way! You need to be able to appreciate and enjoy creativity and many are too worn out and burned out to care. Artists are often the ones who buy art and our society has squashed out the creativity in many of us. It isn’t that people are not buying art…they are not even feeling creative anymore!

I think we have to consider what keeps one going as an artist. If making prints work or giving lessons...or whatever, I think it is useful. Whatever someone is welling to buy...that is where selling artists tend to go. If we are in it to sell we have to evolve in whatever way the market evolves. Don't forget the decades of religious paintings of a particular style because that is who was paying! This has been the gloom and sorrow of all artists in all fields...catering to the person buying. I often look at museum work and wonder...what else would they have prefered to paint?

Another thought is...how much "original art" is truly worth what many artists expect? Is it "that" good? Think about all the artists through time...how many do we really see hanging in museums and galleries? I would say a VERY small percentage. I see very little art in my journey that makes me gasp in wonder. I often wonder how much is being produced with a desire for income or being created from the divine force flowing through us from the Universe to empower those around us...and ourselves! I really think the essence of the purpose for our art comes through.

How many are painting or creating with such passion and commitment that they are almost on the brink of insanity? (not that we should be...but you get my drift!) I suppose the first question to ask is....does this piece of work inspire and empower ME? I have gone to a few art shows. I find artists (lately…last 10 years) seem to be possessive, closed and bordering on frustrated and angry. I honestly have started avoiding art shows because of the frustration, and often hostility, I feel in people selling. You ask the price of something and they scowl and clinch their teeth at you. You know no matter what you pay them they are not going to be happy about it. Or…they prostitute their art in a way that leaves a sick feeling in your stomach. Truly inspiring…NOT!

Personally....I refuse to consider art as an income. If it somehow happens...fine. But...I think we have to create because that is what helps and inspires all facets of our life! Our creative efforts are a way to inspire the positive energy in the universe and keep the cycle of flow in our entire life. As true artists we need to understand WHY we create and the true purpose of our expression. If we stop creating because we don’t “sell” or we get angry because we are not selling…then maybe that is a clue why it is not working. Most famous artists who hang in museums either painted for their clients (mostly the church) or because they couldn’t help themselves and HAD to create. We create either because we are compelled by a force beyond us…or we have clients who buy it. I create because I want to inspire creativity in others and because I MUST!

I think to try to answer the original question…ultimately; people love to have original work. Mediums change, but there is always a desire for really good art hanging on our walls! If you are in it to sell….do whatever you need to in order to sell. If you are painting because you are compelled…do it! Art, like wine, is never going to cease to exist!
Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa said:
Saving…
You are right, Minnie. Several of my artist friends told me the difficulties they face.
Know what? I have more than 2000 artist friends. Most of them share their problems & difficulties with me. I found to my surprise behind several artists there are tragic stories. I feel it is those tragedies that act as machines that polish these gems. Van Goughs know & understand what the life of an artist is.
Krishna

Minnie W. Shuler said:
You have expressed the essence of it. I don't think whether I approve or not of selling prints that my opinion or example will turn the force of the great river of art. As you said, that force of creativity just gets inside of you and you have to create. It would be hard for me to tell a truly starving artist, paint but don't make any money from prints or commissions. I have found in talking with others that they depend on the income from prints of a few popular works to pay the necessities and buy more supplies or they have found a niche in the market where they can make a steady income. It's great to be purpose driven in your creativity and get what is in your gut out. Maybe you don't need to eat anyway. And yes, I think imagination works better when you are not depressed. And I have seen the depression too.

Ninon said:
To Sell or not to sell…this is the question!

My two cents worth: All items in the "luxury" market are suffering. With so many people losing their homes and income I don't think original art is first on their mind. Even the wine industry and yacht industry are suffering. I don't think luxury items are going to be good for a few more years.

I don’t think our society even tends towards inspiring people to even think in a creative way! You need to be able to appreciate and enjoy creativity and many are too worn out and burned out to care. Artists are often the ones who buy art and our society has squashed out the creativity in many of us. It isn’t that people are not buying art…they are not even feeling creative anymore!

I think we have to consider what keeps one going as an artist. If making prints work or giving lessons...or whatever, I think it is useful. Whatever someone is welling to buy...that is where selling artists tend to go. If we are in it to sell we have to evolve in whatever way the market evolves. Don't forget the decades of religious paintings of a particular style because that is who was paying! This has been the gloom and sorrow of all artists in all fields...catering to the person buying. I often look at museum work and wonder...what else would they have prefered to paint?

Another thought is...how much "original art" is truly worth what many artists expect? Is it "that" good? Think about all the artists through time...how many do we really see hanging in museums and galleries? I would say a VERY small percentage. I see very little art in my journey that makes me gasp in wonder. I often wonder how much is being produced with a desire for income or being created from the divine force flowing through us from the Universe to empower those around us...and ourselves! I really think the essence of the purpose for our art comes through.

How many are painting or creating with such passion and commitment that they are almost on the brink of insanity? (not that we should be...but you get my drift!) I suppose the first question to ask is....does this piece of work inspire and empower ME? I have gone to a few art shows. I find artists (lately…last 10 years) seem to be possessive, closed and bordering on frustrated and angry. I honestly have started avoiding art shows because of the frustration, and often hostility, I feel in people selling. You ask the price of something and they scowl and clinch their teeth at you. You know no matter what you pay them they are not going to be happy about it. Or…they prostitute their art in a way that leaves a sick feeling in your stomach. Truly inspiring…NOT!

Personally....I refuse to consider art as an income. If it somehow happens...fine. But...I think we have to create because that is what helps and inspires all facets of our life! Our creative efforts are a way to inspire the positive energy in the universe and keep the cycle of flow in our entire life. As true artists we need to understand WHY we create and the true purpose of our expression. If we stop creating because we don’t “sell” or we get angry because we are not selling…then maybe that is a clue why it is not working. Most famous artists who hang in museums either painted for their clients (mostly the church) or because they couldn’t help themselves and HAD to create. We create either because we are compelled by a force beyond us…or we have clients who buy it. I create because I want to inspire creativity in others and because I MUST!

I think to try to answer the original question…ultimately; people love to have original work. Mediums change, but there is always a desire for really good art hanging on our walls! If you are in it to sell….do whatever you need to in order to sell. If you are painting because you are compelled…do it! Art, like wine, is never going to cease to exist!
I found this reply by an expert to a Q on an Art Website:

Should I make limited edition giclees (inkjet prints) of my art?

Generally no, unless you’ve got significant name recognition and your art is in such demand that you can’t make enough fast enough to satisfy buyers– or that your originals have gotten so expensive, hardly anybody can afford them. Most people who buy giclee prints buy the “name” first and the art second– they’ve read about the artist or seen a major show or all their friends own one, and they want one too. Also keep in mind that if you’re not well known, a significant downside to making prints of your art (assuming you have plenty of originals to sell) is that you essentially compete against yourself– people opt for your cheaper giclee prints rather than your more expensive originals.

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