Result of Real Exhibition

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 16:42:56 +0100

In my last blog i mentioned that i had two paintings chosen for the Go figurative REAL exhibition.
I transported them by car to Heatherly’s School of Fine Art which is near Chelsea Harbour and just off the King’s Road.
The private view was packed, over 300 guests attended and there was a real buzz in the air. some of the more highly priced works were in two studios and beautifully presented. Mine was in a corridor leading into one of the main rooms. The go Figurative team had searched the net for any company using the name real and so we had real wine, real chocolate etc at the event. which I thought was an interesting touch.
It was a chance to meet artists from all over the country and indeed work was on display from across the Globe so I felt very over whelmed just to be there.
On going to collect my two pictures a few days later i was delighted to learn that one had been purchased whilst i was on my way there.
The selling price - £875!
This follows on from my previous blog about commission and VAT on paintings but I am more than pleased with the end result. The VAT is charged on the commission only which meant i actually got a bit more back than I had anticipated.
I also sold a painting in a local exhibition by the Maidenhead painting Club for £300. Pleased to have achieved this sale as i painted it especially, none of my current work being small enough for the size restrictions imposed. So worth the effort.
My other entry in the Real exhibition, Day Trippers, has now also sold to a private buyer who saw it on a postcard.
I have applied to be included in the Wirksworth festival Art trail this year. more about that in my next blog.

First solo exhibition went well

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:08:33 +0000

Despite the recession it seems original art is encouragingly still selling. In this new venture I am pleased that I sold seven works in my first solo exhibition and have commissions for some more. One comment i did get from a potential buyer was that she had been told by her family to keep her christmas presents frugal this year so in the end decided not to buy. Luckily some one else thought the painting worth the money!
The Gallery at Elizabeth House Cookham is by day a centre for the elderly. On building an extension to the premises the trustees set up the main dining room with a gallery hanging system and a group of local artists are filling the walls on a monthly turn round basis. The commission earned from sales goes to the running of the centre so all round a winner.
I am now updating my on-line presence with some of the best on-line galleries around. Pricing can be difficult but in the end i worked out a formula. What do i want to earn from this painting plus what does the gallery charge for commission and VAT. This can unfortunately double the asking price for the buyer. I do think this is a way forward for artists and a great opportunity to sell to a wide public. I did a bit of leg work around Windsor before christmas and found that many local galleries seem to be stuck on selling prints which they frame themselves or only sell work that an agent provides them with. I find this rather depressing so if anyone knows of a gallery willing to sell originals out there let me know and I’ll put them on this blog.
This week i have joined the UK pencil crayon Society. Just need to create a page on there next
updated my portfolio at the Association of illustrators web site, The artists and illustrators web site portfolio and Go figurative .com
I have had two paintings selected for REAL an exhibition associated with Go figurative.com so really pleased about that!
The next exhibition at Elizabeth house for me will be part of Bucks open studios as a group entry. I am hoping to be able to show in several other places soon so watch this space.

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Result of Real Exhibition

First solo exhibition went well