Marie E.v.B. Gibbons on wed 12 jul 06
I have to jump in and ask a few questions... I AM a NON Functional type
of gal.... always done sculptural work. (I am that person that just
can't get centered, and a danger in the studio if on a wheel as my clay
will fly off and knock someone out!)
I have heard the argument many times - "I want everyone to be able to
afford my work"
I understand that statement, totally. In fact if someone really,
really, wants my work, and I can see it in there whole being that the
piece means something so special to them and they wish they could
purchase it - but can't afford it, I will approach them with "a way" to
make it happen: trades, payments over time, and even in some cases
give it to them as a gift.
The more important thing to consider (other than "all should be able
to afford my work") is don't you deserve at LEAST minimum wage for your
time, talent, and vision??
What makes me sad is how as a society our definition of value as
escalated so. I bought my first car which was 1 year old for pennies
on the dollar in todays market. Under $2000. for a ford mustang sport
model. There was nothing wrong with it, cept it didn't have AC and the
girl who ownded it wanted AC. I even bought it through a dealer.
(1972) Today I am trying to pinch pennies to buy a new vehicle for the
2nd time in my whole life - and struggling to find something that is
under 18,000.
I wish the world would operate in the barter system. I need this, you
like that. It feels much cleaner.
I have always priced my work according to what the market will bear -
carefully evaluating that my 'product' measures up completely if not
better than that I am comparing it to in quality, creativity, and
price. If you are pricing your work not knowing what the 'market' is
'bearing' you need to take a trip around to different venues and see
what is out there, in price, quality, uniqueness. AND be brutally
honest with yourself when making the comparisons. Look at a piece from
all sides, how is it finished? I pay much attention to the parts of my
work that aren't even seen. When one pieces up a piece and looks at
the bottom, the back, the inside, it should all be presented in a
professional and beautiful fashion. If it hangs how does it hang, is
the hanger unsightly globs of pc7 and a gnarly wire??
We must pay for everything we need... and pay the prices that are
asked. When we sell our work we must be sure to price it so that we
are getting the proper payment to be able to go out in the world and
afford the things we need to purchase. It is all relevant. We are
charged higher prices today for things because we are paid higher wages
for things today. When I bought my one year old car for under 2000. I
was being paid 1.65 an hour working in a retail store! It is relevant.
Screwed up maybe but relevant.
We have to value our time, our product and be in line with the rest of
the world and it's pricing.
marie gibbons
www.mariegibbons.com
I am always doing things I can't do, that is how I get to do them.
--Pablo Picasso
CURRENT AND UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
(visit www.mariegibbons.com for exact dates)
APRIL:
Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore MD - Studio E Gallery, Palm Beach
Gardens FL
JUNE:
Pirate: a contemporary art oasis, Denver CO
AUGUST:
Loveland Sculpture in the Park, Loveland CO
JANUARY:
The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Arvada, CO
On Jul 12, 2006, at 4:44 AM, Tom at Hutchtel.net wrote:
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