Thoughts on the National...

Exhibitman · #1 06-28-2014, 09:55 AM

Nearly 20 years ago I was lucky enough to be in NY during a one-man show of an emerging artist. Really stunning stuff--Old Master caliber work. The gallery had everything from giant oils to small sketches. My wife and I spent two days marveling at the work. We weren't comfortable with a multi-thousand dollar purchase of an oil so we opted for an ink study at $1,000 instead. My point is that when you are offering artwork at a show setting or in a gallery open to the public you are essentially asking a potential customer to start a relationship with you, try out your product, so to speak. What you want is for the shopper to become a customer and that requires an entry level item. A guy like me isn't likely to plunk down several thousand dollars on a big canvas at the show--what if I do it and then my wife vetoes hanging it in the house--but might very well pick up a small, modest piece that only costs a few hundred dollars. If you turn a shopper into a customer with something modest you may find yourself selling something more expensive to the customer later. The key is to start the relationship. I think a modestly priced study or sketch offering is the way to go.

johnmh71 · #2 06-28-2014, 11:05 AM

Graig:

Speaking as a collector with a typical max of $500, the $599 price point actually makes me a possible collector of your stuff. I give the idea of smaller pieces a thumbs up.

GoCubsGo32 · #3 06-28-2014, 12:42 PM

Graig has a very special talent. His work speaks for itself. Unfortunately, I'm one of those people that will never be able to purchased a full size painting (thank you student loans..). I love the idea of the studies. I know people could drop the $599 for a study painting I would still have to save up for one.$599 is a lot for a 5x7 but, I'd try to find a way to do it. Of course,I would love a full painting, but having an original study would be the best that I afford at this time. In terms I agree, the studies would help build that bridge for an affordable method of owning an original painting of yours.

I have never been to Nationals, but I hope to one day. When I do go.. I hope to see a booth from Graig set up. Building the relationship is important and to getting your brand out there.

I know you probably do a live painting on a piece when you are there. Have you thought about doing a painting "class" at Nationals for like 45 mins throughout the day? You could charge $5 for kids $10 for adults to cover cost of the oil paints and such. I know it maybe tough, but I think it would be fun, but most important...engaging. It would help build the relationship and it would create a great memory. It wouldn't be a full portrait, it could just be a painting of a baseball bat on grass/or clay. Something easy,fun, and affordable for everyone.It might help cover a little of the expenses for your trip as well. I'm a novice artist myself, but I'd still paid $10 or more for a short class taught by Graig himself. In addition, I'd be able to take home a painting I did, that was taught by you.

Wynn0013 · #4 06-28-2014, 05:06 PM

I can understand everything that has been voiced by other posters and I agree with most, but I too work from a smaller budget and am thankful that there are other, lower priced, options. Without the paint studies it would be beyond my consideration.

Hopefully this past raffle produces fruit and there is another in the future.

Graig, your work if phenomenal!

After removing my bias, and only in my opinion, it would make sense to take larger pieces that capture the feeling of a consigned piece and the full potential of a work while displaying a few (5-10?) small studies that are portable and more easily purchased on the whim at a convention. It is a bit of splitting the difference.

Leon · #5 06-29-2014, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wynn0013

I can understand everything that has been voiced by other posters and I agree with most, but I too work from a smaller budget and am thankful that there are other, lower priced, options. Without the paint studies it would be beyond my consideration.

Hopefully this past raffle produces fruit and there is another in the future.

Graig, your work if phenomenal!

After removing my bias, and only in my opinion, it would make sense to take larger pieces that capture the feeling of a consigned piece and the full potential of a work while displaying a few (5-10?) small studies that are portable and more easily purchased on the whim at a convention. It is a bit of splitting the difference.

I agree with this sentiment. It is human nature to want choices. That is why there is small, medium and large. And that is why there are generally 3 different grades of gasoline (I understand different engines require higher octane but still...). And I echo all of the good sentiments above too. To get your name out there in the public, to an interested audience (mainly sports), there are few places like the National Sports Collectors Convention. Even if you sold nothing there, it would probably make sense to set up (maybe split a booth or some costs, somehow, if need be.) I suspect there will be more collectors and general attendees that can afford $500-$600 than $3000++, especially in an impromptu fashion.

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