Stop Starving the Artists!

Everyone walks into Ikea and looks at the giant photo prints on the wall and thinks “oh cool! I like that.” They check the $150 price tag and think “well, that’s understandable, it’s HUGE!” They buy it, and walk out feeling completely justified. 

Whenever people look at an original work of art, the first thought (assuming they like the piece) is the same “oh cool! I like that.” But then they check the $300+ price tag and their second thought either involves very wide eyes or a not so pleasant comment.

Why?

That Ikea print was once an original photograph, but now it is just a copy. They print off thousands of those, probably within minutes, staple it to a wooden frame and ship them all over the world. At this point it is nothing more than a glorified poster, and people are paying a significant amount of money for it. So why are you not willing to pay the same amount or more to an individual person who spent a great deal of time, money and effort creating something completely unique for you?

Maybe you think artists overcharge.

If that is the case, then let’s do a hypothetical.

You are an artist.

You just spent $45 on paints for your new project, and $60 for a canvas about 1/5 the size of an Ikea print. For the sake of giving you the advantage in this argument, we will just not include brushes, tools, cleaner or anything else in expenses.

When you aren’t working your full-time day job, you spend every spare minute tirelessly painting. 

About two weeks of hard work and a lot of hours later, you are finally calling your piece finished and want to sell it. 

You shyly estimate 15 hours of painting time and know that your time and talent is well worth at least $25/hour... you add in your expenses and calculate your sale price to be....... 

oh wait... the average person won’t be willing to pay that much.... 

I guess I could just pay myself $15/hour.... that would bring the price down to $330.

“Oh cool! I like that! How much is it?”

“$330”

Helpful hint: If you want to still be a liked family member or friend. don’t do this...

“can I get the family/friend discount?”

Especially if we are not even close enough to know how we are related or became friends.

Someone offers you $150...

You know that you spent $105 on a canvas and paint alone.

A profit of $45 for 15 hours of work. 

Are you willing to reduce yourself to $3/hour? How valuable is your time and your artwork?

Moral of the Hypothetical Story

If you are buying art, it is probably because you can’t do it yourself. I hope you think twice about what someone’s time, effort and talent are worth the next time you look at a real piece of original artwork and think that it is overpriced.

But at the very least, I bet you will think twice the next time you see those Ikea prints at the store or at your friend’s house. 

Be different! Get something original! :)