Storing Artwork (what do you plan for it series)

I've written a variety of posts about what I do with my art, including selling it, displaying it, submitting it and gifting it.  But, sometimes, there's nothing to do with it except store it for a while.  So, here's what I do.  I have a largish (16x12x6) sterlite container in which I put completed canvases and canvases in progress. It's on the left above, and looks like this from the top:

You can see that I wrap them up in nonstick paper and tend to pad with bubblewrap.  I also have two smaller sterlite containers.  Once contains small canvases and one contains minialbums.  Here are the top views:

Most of these pieces are available for sale, and I store them packaged for sale, with a price tag already on them.  I keep small pieces of completed art that I don't plan to sell in a different box:

How do you store your completed works of art?

What do you plan for it? (a semi-regular series)*

 

Altared State - multimedia art

Sell It!


One of the most satisfying things to do with art is to sell it.  I sold this piece (when it was nicely framed) to someone from Massachusetts who happened to be visiting the area.  This piece was "for sale" and hanging in a show at a local coffee shop.  I have also sold my art at craft shows and (at times) when people have asked directly if things were for sale (this tends to be for sports photography).  Besides photography, my biggest sellers tend to be smaller pieces with reasonable prices. Greeting cards also tend to be big sellers.  Someday I would like to sell larger pieces, and I occasionally think about opening an etsy shop or trying to find some other way to sell online, but I think that's still in my future.  I'd love to hear other people's experiences selling their art.

And I want to say a word about the flip side . . . buying art. I love to buy original art and hang it about my studio.  I find it inspiring, and I love supporting my fellow artists.  I had a wonderful time on Sunday, Dec. 29, at an art fair, buying Christmas gifts and gifts for myself.  Many of my local fellow-artists were there, and it was fantastic to see their wares.  I even received a gift. My art friend Cindy had taken a couple inchies that I made for a swap, and she turned them into wonderful charms (through the magic of soldering).  I love them! Thanks Cindy!  Before that, the last piece of original art I bought was a small shrine by Michael Demeng called "Thicker than Water."  What was the last original art you bought?

*"What do you plan for it" is a semi-regular series inspired when Gennifer asked what I planned for some of my art.  It suggests ideas for what to do with all the wonderful art we create.

What do you plan for it? (a semi-regular series)*

Answer #2: Gift it!

I love to give my art as gifts. Some of my favorite pieces of art to give away are collage dominoes. I often give those small tokens to friends and family in times of mourning or spiritual crisis. The small tokens are just enough more than a card that I feel like I am giving something tangible. The recipient finds them meaningful, yet also manageable. Plus, I love making them.

Occasionally, I give away larger pieces of art. I am planning to give this collage as a gift to a very special couple for Christmas. The problem is that I can't say who because I don't want to spoil the surprise. I can give some hints, though:

• this couple enjoys art and has taken art classes, even though I don't think of them as part of my group of art friends;
• this couple creates art and even displays their own original art in their home;
• this couple has given us original art, which we have displayed in our home;
• this collage features an image from a collage sheet I made which includes an element from their home; and
• I am indebted to this couple for creating a wonderful human being

Do you know who it is? If so, please don't spoil the surprise.

Have you ever given your art as gift? It's a wonderful thing to do.

*"What do you plan for it?" is a semi-regular series which suggests answers for what to do with all that incredible art we make.

What do you plan for it? (a semi-regular series)

Such a good question! Someone posed this in response to my organic art pieces, and it got me thinking about what I plan to do with my artwork. I think many of us wonder about what to do with it. So, as a semi-regular series on my blog, I'm posting some answers.

Answer 1: Display it!

I love these two textured collage pieces I made in classes taught by Connie Andrews. Both feature my photography from our trip to Venice and various texture mediums. They've been sitting on my desk, but today I hammered some nails in the living room wall and hung them up. It was a little scary, but also empowering. I love leaning back in my chair, peeking through the doorway and seeing my creations. Anyone else put their artwork on display?

Also, thank you to everyone who has visited and commented. I love reading what you have to say. As a reminder, I'm having a weekend give-away. Simply comment on my post from Friday ("Is it finished?"), and I'll enter your name into a random drawing for a piece of original art created by me. What you plan for that piece of art is entirely up to you!