Your advice on Art Promotion on the Web

Hi there! This is a message to fellow sculptors/painters/..artists! from whom I would appreciate some comments. Actually from potential buyers as well....

I have recently had some negative comments about the fact that the prices of my sculptures are not mentioned on my website. I have not mentioned them so far because I don't want to be entirely commercially driven and would expect people who are really interested in a sculpture to contact me to get the price. I want people to react first to something they like... Is it too 'romantic/idealist' an idea??

What do you think? What is your experience? I don't mention prices so far and have not sold anything? Does it work better the other way??

Would really appreciate any comments on this subject!!! Thanks! CatherinA

************************************************* CatherinA Laugel - Contemporary Bronze Sculptor http://www.catlaugel.co.uk *************************************************

Before you buy.

I agree with you, Cat. We may be reaching three interested groups: -fellow artists, who don't pay much attention to stated prices; -art shoppers, who pay too much attention to them; and -gallery owners, who intend to reprice everything anyway. Should we agonize over prices? Give 'list prices' and haggle from there? Any serious buyer will ask you what you want for a piece. Compulsive shoppers can be safely ignored. A woman asked my prices (I have a few on my site, as a guide) and I gave her a range. She went away. And now I will too.

I have found a suggested price range most helpful because buyers want to know if hundreds or thousands of dollars are involved. Hope this helps.

JMO - I'd go for a price range on the first page of the site, certainly no more than one layer deep, and also specific prices on each piece.

I have found it best to offer a price range for several items and then negotiate on a one to one basis for individual pieces. Has any one tried sculpting medium, winterstone? If so could I please have some hints re use of sculpting winterstone. Thanks Margaret