You are so right Janet! When someone posts a piece that’s an obvious copy of my work without any reference to the original, it is a copyright infringement! It’s unbelievable to me that people do this! A small, “Thanks to Gail Sibley for her demo that I’ve copied here” or something to that effect would go far in acceptance of this happening. Any nod to the originator of your work or ideas is always the better path to take!
Certainly, you would never enter a copy of someone else’s work in a show or submit it to a gallery as yours.

Thanks Susan for bringing up this point about Galleries. That is a hard aspect of the gallery relationship to swallow. I do find that after you build up a good relationship with a gallery, management is more open to sharing the name and contact info of a buyer. Understandable, they are afraid an artist will sell directly to the collector after all the work the gallery has done with the client. Once they know you understand the situation and that all sales will go through the gallery whether or not you deal directly with the collector, they are more apt to share the information.

And I think it’s okay to give a discount to family and friends. But please do it intentionally, by choice, rather than feeling this is what you should do. Also, as these are the people who most care about your success, they may want to pay you full price. Never assume they are looking for/expecting a discount!

Bev, that’s sooooooo good to hear!
If we can believe it – that our work has value – we can be more confident in stating the price. And not feel squeamish about it. (Believe me, I totally get it!!)

I think you are being generous, if it only grates on your nerves. I would think “copyright infringement” might come to mind. It is something I would hate to do inadvertently, yet the rules are perplexing. Thanks for your input!

This blog really hit home. Thanks so much for clarifying and reiterating the fact that our art has value. I feel I can be more up front and confident when quoting price, especially for commissions which I tend to under price. This was extremely helpful and greatly appreciated.

Yes, Yes, Yes! Most galleries will not share the collector’s name with the artist. It’s great to receive a check from the gallery but it is impersonal. I like to send a thank you note or a small gift, which provides an opportunity for further connection. Connecting with people is a huge part of why I paint! Yes! We must try to never assume we know our audience!
I also fall into wanting to give a discount to friends and family.

A great addition to the conversation Rhonda!! Thank you!! 😁

I would like to piggyback on Melanie’s comment because I have some of the same issues. I have a strong feeling that people in low-income brackets need beauty in their lives like everyone else so I sometimes give paintings away or sell them at a discounted price. On the other side of the coin, I have one collector who works at a minimum-wage job and has purchased at least six paintings from me over the years. He insists on paying what I ask or more for the paintings and often gives them away as gifts. He often asks me to save a painting for him. It takes him up to a year to save the money but he always comes through and buys the painting.

Framing can make or break a painting. As a result, I get my paintings professionally framed or sell them unframed depending on the buyer’s choice. If someone can’t afford the frame on an already framed painting or would prefer a different frame, I have been known to take the painting out of the frame and sell it to them unframed. If I take the frame, matting, and the glass back to my framer he will put another painting in it for me for a very small fee.

Hi Janet, great question! I’ve seen copies of my work posted with not a mention of me or my work. It does grate a bit!!
I suggest writing, on the front of the piece, “copy after a piece by [artist’s name].” I would be interested to hear what other’s think!!

Thanks Melanie for sharing your thoughts and experiences!
You are so right about the way we bring our own lived experience with us when we interact with others. We have no idea first of all, what someone can afford and, what they are willing to spend. Some people put buying art before anything else (well maybe after rent and food). We just don’t know!

I have definitely learnt this lesson along the way. And, the other way is true too. I have made the assumption knowing someone’s occupation and where they live etc and assumed they could easily afford to purchase my work. I have been surprised on that score too!

When I look back at taking a fine art degree at university and nary a business course was offered (it was pooh-poohed), it seems CRAZY that they were training students as artists but we were given NO education on how to actually run an art business…because if you’re a professional artist, that’s what you are!