Art Sales and Modern Trends

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Posted 10 Years Ago

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal">Following some comments I made against a recent posting I thought it might be worth while extending them as a topic here on the forum.<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal">At the outset may I say that I recognise that for many the idea of securing sales is not a top priority but for me it’s a goal which spurns me on. I don’t seek sales for any monetary gain - I simply can’t see the point of storing up my work at home where no one can see it – I want it to be appreciated by others. <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal">I’ve recently found that the call for my more traditional work (village scenes etc) is waning with fewer commissions and sales over the last couple of years. Sales inexhibitions have generally declined and most galleries are not reallyinterested in traditional work – those that do have also noted a decline insales. <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal">My own guess is that with all the make-over shows and property shows the emphasis is on modern pieces (statement pieces as they often call them) which are more to do with décor than art. I can’t recall traditional work featuring in any show that I’ve ever watched. A large canvas from the local discount shop can be replaced when the décor is changed for little cost – a local store currently has them starting as low as £25. All this influences the younger generation who are taking it forward as they get older – in other words,with an ageing population, the audience for more traditional work is gradually declining.<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal">With all this in mind I’m currently developing my love of abstract work as many of you will appreciate from my recent postings. These seem to be more in tune with modern tastes and the reception thus far is most encouraging. I have just got my first commission and am in discussions with a web company dealing with furniture and modern decor who are, fingers crossed, going to include my work. It’s all quite exciting but it’s taken a lot of hard work to get this far. <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal">I appreciate that many would argue that they want to paint for themselves and not pander to the modern market place but I love producing abstract and semi-abstract work so for me I am not compromising myself at all by taking this route. I hasten to add that I’m still producing my village watercolours – must start posting again.<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:normal">I’ve probably set myself up to be shot down by others who disagree with me but I would be interested to hear of other people’s thoughts experiences,

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10 Years Ago by Michael Edwards

Alan Bickley

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Posted 10 Years Ago

Your initial comment Michael, was I expect the one you made on Louise's work, which she hastily posted in response to the surprise regional winner on the Sky Arts programme. I am keen to see abstract art in all forms, although I confess to being baffled by some of the work I see. This doesn't include your latest abstracts which I can see a market for in todays society. Quite often I get asked questions like 'have you got any paintings with pale blue in it', that's an example, but what the potential purchaser is actually wanting is a décor piece that will match the curtains, again an example. I won't, and never will, pander to requests like that, but my point is, yes, there is a market out there, and a damn big one I'm sure for art which fits in and meets the needs of the interior designer. To touch briefly on the winner of Tuesday's Landscape AOTY, although a second year student at Slades, he was totally out of his depth when confronted with painting this view, and his first 3+ hours resulted in a total mess, hence his quick 10 minute abstract at the end which won. That doesn't mean that a work done in 10 minutes isn't worthy of winning, time doesn't come into it. All artist's should be able to produce quality figurative work in my opinion, and only then move on to other area's in art, Picasso being just one great example of this, a great figurative artist. Good luck to you Michael with this possible outlet, sounds exciting and as we all know, it is always a satisfying feeling to sell your work, and particularly to feel that it is appreciated.

With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Posted 10 Years Ago

If by traditional work you mean figurative painting generally, I think the market is stronger - judging only, mind you, from what I see posted on Facebook and various art websites- in the USA. If concerned solely with markets, there would appear still to be one (which I confess baffles me) for paintings of animals - I'm very fond of animals, be it said, but if I see another tiger painting I may, if not scream, at least whimper slightly. Landscape painting on the other hand seems to be enduring the same fate as "brown furniture" in the antiques trade; it's out of fashion, unless violently coloured - as in the case of the artists Julie Dumbarton and Scott Naismith, whose work is so similar one accused the other of plagiarizing it: which I'm afraid I found quite amusing - or highly abstracted, as in the case of the artist Louise Collis. I believe all of these enjoy quite respectable sales - it wouldn't be going too far to say that without exception I loathe their work; which is a bit of a pity, because their sales are certainly eclipsing mine. I'd rather not paint at all, though, than paint their way. This is no judgement on them, which I'm not in any superior position to make; it's just a fact. I think there is a current taste for saturated, powerful - and unsubtle - colour, which to my eyes is just crude and garish - it may appeal to the young up and coming, I suppose it does: but there it is, I couldn't do it, I wouldn't want to do it, and can only hope that the sort of work I do like, and try to accomplish, comes back into fashion; with the brown furniture, which I also like. I don't know that it's necessarily the case that the broadly figurative is giving way to the purely abstract, though - none of the artists I've named above are really abstract painters, in that their pictures represent recognizable places and scenes (whatever they've done to them). I think we may be in the age of brash at the moment, even though that's only part of the answer. After all, we also have Haidee-jo Summers; and the consolation that fashions come, and fashions go.

Michael Edwards

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Posted 10 Years Ago

There's plenty of what I call 'traditional art' around on the various web sites but this interest seems to be restricted to us artists - there insn't much call for it in the market place which is the point I was making. Must agree with Robert about animal portraits although there will always be a call for this type of work especially amongst pet owners. Modern taste isn't restricted to abstract although that's the path I am currently taking. There are plenty of contemporary artists who sell well who are not abstract painters and not necessarily garish - in fact quite the opposite. For example I love the work of Nacho Frades who is currently posting on this site and he says he has plenty more to post yet - different, minimalist and exciting and far from being traditional. .

Robert Jones, Napa

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Posted 10 Years Ago

Malcolm Ludvigsen, ex of this parish, also sells - although he says he has a lot of unsold work littering his house and attic - as does another ex-regular here, Stephen Higton. Adebanji Alade is a professional artist now, and specializes in landscapes in oil; the Scottish landscape painter Ken Bushe sells.... I think what they have in common is probably a gallery which promotes and shows their work, whereas if you haven't got that it's all down to you to publicize yourself, and some of us are better at that than others: I am abysmally bad at it, which is probably half my trouble currently - stop trying, and sooner or later you'll stop selling too. Perhaps it's as much our approach to the market place as that it doesn't exist - I don't know; must try harder, I think. Anyway, if you can sell by indulging your abstract side all power to you: I would too, except I don't think I've got an abstract side. Markets get temporarily saturated, as well - there could be as many reasons for a given genre, or a given artist's work, not selling as there are grains of sand on the beach. Anyway, I blame the public ... don't know what's good for 'em, that's their trouble...

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10 Years Ago by Robert Jones

Russell Edwards

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Posted 10 Years Ago

I have no idea as to what sells, is fashionable, trendy, in vogue or flavour of the month. I don't have a problem with high street stores such as Next selling 'Art' that may compliment someone's carpet and curtains, each to his own and needs must I guess! I wouldn't however change my 'style' of painting to suit a trend with the aim of simply making a few pounds. I paint with the hope that my work can be appreciated, admired and valued for what it is. Painting by numbers, or should I say, someone else numbers, is of no interest to me whatsoever. I have to say too that in the Galleries I regularly visit In Chester, the more 'traditional' approach to painting, i.e figurative, landscape and yes animals, is all too evident with little abstract work on view. Why that is I really don't know but I assume 'sales' must have something to do with it. Surely subject matter, technique, skill and simply 'Wow I love that!' are all factors that come into play when looking at a piece of work with a view to buying, but the most pertinent factor is probably, 'How much!?' Louise's 'homage' to the pathetic effort that won this week's 'Landscape Artist blah blah' made me smile but in equal measure, I felt quite disturbed by how many positive comments the work received as this was obviously not her intention in producing it. It says much I fear about 'some' abstract work that is now being produced by 'some' artists.

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10 Years Ago by davide19

Michael Edwards

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Posted 10 Years Ago

Looks like this thread is veering towards a discussion about abstract art probably encouraged by the 'programme'. Well I didn't see it so can't comment about it but I must put in a word about abstract art generally. First it doesn't need a lot of twaddle to describe it and when I see statements about what influenced the artist and what he had in mind I feel I want to shout something unbecoming. The point is worth emphasising that to paint a good abstract one first needs a good grounding in basic skills - certainly all the greats started out painting and mastering figurative work before moving on. I do know that I couldn't be doing the work that I do without first reaching an acceptible level (well for me at least) in figurative/representational work. I would also add that my work doesn't happen by accident - it takes a lot of planning and effort to arrive at a result with which I am happy. Louise's painting may have been done quickly as a mickey-take but her skills at painting the work with which we are more familiar shone through and resulted in a good abstract outcome whether or not it was her intention. I do know artists who scorn abstracts - well it's their loss. We all have our personal likes and dislikes. There are several genres that have no appeal for me such as paintings of so called celebrities and animal paintings but I still recognise and appreciate the effort and skill that goes into painting them. Quick edit - I'll post another of my abstracts and leave it to others to decide.

Edited
10 Years Ago by Michael Edwards

Robert Jones, Napa

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Posted 10 Years Ago

What the paying public wants varies so much that just following a trend - if you can find one - is likely to leave you washed up on the shore when the fashion shifts. What does sell is frequently baffling - in any event, the majority of artists have always had to supplement their income, for example by teaching or giving demonstrations, and very often from doing non-art related things (like jobs!). Very few can live on their sales alone - and those that can are well advised to invest their earnings in high-yield savings accounts, in advance of the day when their gallery decides to move on, or goes bust, or - again - the fashion shifts. The snag with adapting to fashion is that you're then a slave to it - and it doesn't make for a coherent body of work, which - I'm told - is what serious collectors are looking for.

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