Payment for work done

Well here we are again, discussing creating art. Instead of talking about how I make art using the egg tempera medium, allow me to hit on a subject that most of us small business owners must deal with, payment for our work.

As we all know, creating art is not an inexpensive process. There is the education, the years of experience, and the supplies, not to mention the overhead: electricity, space, heating/air conditioning, easels, drawing table, camera, etc., show invitations, ads and more, all tend to add up costing us thousands of dollars. And yet, even though we work hard to develop a style, produce product that gives beauty and value to peoples' lives, getting paid what our work deserves can be one of our most difficult hurtles in the creative process.

It's been an uphill battle over my entire career and when the economy goes south, that is the toughest time to sell art. Besides my own egg temperas and other works I am responsible for the sales of works by other artists through the Pantheon Fine Art Gallery at which I am the director.

Recently we promoted a special show on equine art pieces. Targeted a market that love the subject. We placed posters around the area almost a month in advance of the opening, sent out 500 invitations to interested horse owners, ranches, regional art buyers, and personally visited guest ranches. We sent press releases to all of the regional media as well as art groups and visitor centers. On opening night, May 30, 2008 where a show would probably have 150-250 attendees, we had around 50. Slow economy? The featured artist had wonderful pieces ranging in price from $150 to $5,000. Eight other artists in a second floor gallery had beautiful works priced from $150 to $2,000. To date 4 pieces have sold in the $250 to $700 range.

I should say, I also print Giclée fine art and art photography works for artists. Usually the customer pays promptly but since this economic downturn, I am finding payments are coming later and later. At a time when supplies are getting more expensive and work is getting harder to come by, getting paid late is not very helpful.

These are tough times to make a living as an artist and it will surely be a test of our creative resolve.