Episode 229: Pricing Quandries

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 12 Nov 2022 20:00:00 -0600

One of the trickiest issues that artists deal with is pricing their work. While there are some well-known, basic, and useful guidelines to follow, not all pricing situations are straightforward. Artists also encounter situations that may not have obvious answers—situations that are usually not addressed in basic art-business advice. When the situation is not clearcut, even experienced artists can find themselves feeling indecisive or worried they are charging too much or too little. Today we will talk about some of the pricing situations you may encounter that are challenging, and factors to consider when you run into them.

Most of us are aware of the standard practices for most pricing situations, which are easily available online or from those who teach about art business. These include pricing in an objective way, perhaps by the square inch, rather than doing it subjectively, based on personal preferences. Consistency in pricing across the various platforms you use and galleries that represent you is also important, as is raising your prices over time in small increments.

But overall, deciding about your prices can be challenging because financial decisions often come with emotional baggage. Your perception of how sales are going can challenge you to stay objective in both your practices and attitudes about pricing. Depending on outside validation for your sense of the worth of your work can either enhance or tear down your self-esteem as an artist, depending on whether things are going well. But since there will always be fluctuations in your sales, maintaining a practical approach to prices can keep you on track emotionally.

While many sales situations are straightforward, others present difficult questions. These include selling to friends and family, establishing your policies for commissions, selling at open studio events, and deciding which geographic markets suit your own price points. Thinking ahead about these situations is helpful so you are not put on the spot and left to struggle to come up with the best reply. Anytime you can state a policy with assurance and clarity to a potential customer you build a little more self-esteem about your prices.

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What's new at Cold Wax Academy?
Rebecca and Jerry have just launched their Fall quarter of live, online sessions with a special focus this time on member participation, plus informative sessions on a variety of other topics. This month also marks the beginning of Cold Wax Academy's 3rd year of teaching sessions, meaning that the member library now has over 80 recordings and other instructional documents available for members. To access this wealth of information and to take part in upcoming live sessions, please visit the membership page at ColdWaxAcademy.com and sign up for one of the two levels of membership available.

Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information.
Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience with Cold Wax Academy:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

Also-- please visit https://www.espacioart.org to learn about Rebecca and Jerry's newest project, Espacio, dedicated to providing beautiful living and working spaces for artists and writers. Espacio's first offering is Casa Clavel, a modern, fully equipped house opening this September in the beautiful cultural city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. A few booking openings are still available in 2023, so please incquire if you are interested.

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Episode 204: Jason Matias Interview - The Art of Selling Art

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0600

Today we are excited to welcome Jason Mathias to the Messy Studio. Jason is an experienced professional artist, an author, and an educator, who lives in a loft in the woods outside Seattle, Washington. Following seven years of military service, Jason pursued a bachelor's degree in business and a master's in organizational leadership and began to apply what he learned to his passion for photography. These days, in addition to his creating his own artwork, Jason runs the online teaching platform The Art of Selling Art, a membership site that teaches business skills, strategies, and practical approaches to the business side of art practice. His aim is to demystify the art world so that artists can sell more art. We're going to find out much more about what he has to offer other artists in today's episode.

Listeners who are struggling with pricing their work will find his comments on identifying and pricing to a target audience especially helpful. Jason offers other advice about remaining objective in marketing your work, and not allowing self-esteem issues, or other self-defeating habits and perceptions to interfere with your success.

This interview is available as both audio and video on our Facebook page.
Jason's website; https://www.jasonmatias.com/the-art-of-selling-art/home

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What's new at Cold Wax Academy? Rebecca and Jerry have an exciting Winter Quarter planned with a focus on working with cold wax medium using both abstract and realistic approaches. Members will enjoy opportunities to participate in portfolio reviews and critiques, and of course, engage with the ongoing weekly live sessions that explore featured topics in depth. Cold Wax Academy is the only online teaching platform devoted exclusively to deepening and developing your painting practice in every aspect. Lessons are centered on the range of uses for cold wax medium, but also include important insights and information about all other aspects of art practice. For information about joining this vibrant, international community of artists, and to learn more about cold wax medium, please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com

As always, members have access to recordings of all previous sessions including everything from the first year, so it's easy to join anytime. Winter Quarter begins January 5th. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for details about membership levels and to sign up for a year of exciting learning experiences.

Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

Special Guest: Jason Matias.

The Messy Studio with Rebecca Crowell - Episodes Tagged with “Pricing”

Episode 229: Pricing Quandries

Episode 204: Jason Matias Interview - The Art of Selling Art