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Abstract Art by Sharon Cummings

~ An artist with an irresistible urge to create!

Tag Archives: cheap art

Making A.R.T…………….Reality B.I.T.E.S…

04 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by sharoncummings in Art

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

art, art as a living, art career, art for sale, Artist, cheap art, creating art, custom art, inflation, making it as an artist, making money with art, successful art career, why is art so expensive

71767_1296568473284_356767_nThe other day someone asked me if I would lower the price of one of my custom paintings. She said that she knew it was a “labor of love” so she would understand if I wouldn’t. I didn’t. It isn’t because I am greedy about my “love”. It’s actually due to the fact that creating art is a “labor of expense”.

A lot of people do not realize what goes into that painting you hang on your wall. Aside from a lifetime expenses like education, I am talking about the day to day. We have to pay for our inventory such as canvas, frames, mats, texture mediums, varnish, brushes and paint, but we also have to use a ton of electricity and water. We buy paper towels by the pallet. My studio requires plastic sheeting, special flooring, butcher’s paper to cover my table. I constantly need to purchase equipment and supplies such as tables, chairs, printers, scanners, printer ink, paper, pens, pencils, staplers, calculators, spray bottles, shelving, computers, cameras, containers, lighting, gloves and a special ventilation system (so I do not breath in toxic fumes all day). And when one of those breaks or runs out, I have to call an expert to come fix it or I have to buy a replacement.

And then there is the “F” word:  Fees.  We pay listing fees whether a piece sells or not, marketing fees such as CPC, yearly fees for art sites, fees when we sell a piece and fees to receive payment like PayPal and Credit Cards.  Social media are starting to charge fees if you want to be seen too.  There are so many fees that sometimes you just feel “F”d.

Very few artists get rich on their work alone.  Yes, there are famous success stories that we can all fantasize about, but for the average creative, the best you can hope for is to make some sales now and again.  If you are really fortunate, it might get to be your only job.  But that is even more rare.   Sharing household expenses with my husband has allowed me to make this my full-time career.  But a lot of my artists friends work regular day jobs and create on the side.  That is typical.  It’s just ridiculously expensive to produce artwork and the income gained is too low in comparison.

Everyone feels the sting of inflation and artists are no different.

My hope is that this blog comes across as”informational” and doesn’t just sound like a rant.  I rarely get on a soapbox because I am too busy working.  🙂  Maybe, when someone that is not into creating art reads this, they will gain a new appreciation for our labor and expense…Just maybe…

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It’s S.I.M.P.L.E……

02 Sunday Feb 2014

Posted by sharoncummings in Uncategorized

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

abstract art, art, art for sale, art for sale online, art on sale, Artist, artwork, buy abstract art, buy art online, cheap art, contemporary art, contemporary decor, contemporary landscapes, low cost artwork, modern art, modern decor, modern landscapes, original abstract art, original paintings, sale art, sharon cummings, simple landscapes

Image

https://www.etsy.com/listing/94867019/buy-art-blue-abstract-landscape-painting

Sometimes a space cries out for a detailed landscape with trees, sky and perhaps a water feature.  Other times all that is needed to make the perfect setting is color.  I have always been a color junkie and the simple colorscapes are my favorite.  I have been selling a lot of these lately and there is a good reason. They are on sale!

Image

https://www.etsy.com/listing/113458880/buy-art-aqua-turquoise-brown-copper

I rarely have sales these days, but I have been really hankering to paint using just color.  Glorious color!  So these beauties are on sale.  These are commissioned works which means I paint one similar to the listing.  No two paintings could ever be exactly alike, which means all of my collectors get originals.  I just love these and and look forward to painting more!

Image

https://www.etsy.com/listing/117492206/aqua-sky-abstract-landscape-modern-art

And here is a little HINT…..Right now you can own an original painting hand painted by me and signed/dated on the back for LESS than a print of the same size!!  That’s right……an original for a lot less than a print.  🙂

Image

https://www.etsy.com/listing/117178817/buy-art-white-black-aqua-brown-copper

Image

https://www.etsy.com/listing/117492755/white-horizon-red-gray-black-abstract

Enjoy!!

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Sharon Cummings

sharoncummings

sharoncummings

Coloring the world with abstract art & photography. Interests include pets, animals, dogs, cats, spiritual life, yoga, people, health, fitness, music, coffee, food, wine, and a whole lot more!

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