How can I sell my artwork or promote it?

shipsailsouttosea: How can I sell my artwork or promote it?
I have an ebay account but everytime I put up paintings no one buys them. It may be that not many people saw it or liked it, or maybe even that you have a feedback percentage and since I’ve never sold anything mine isn’t good.

What do you perfer in paintings, people, animals, or fantasy creatures? Should I do abstract, or realism I perfer realism.

Can you give me any helpful tips on selling my work, or techniques. I really need some extra cash.

Should I sell pencil drawings, Charcoal drawings, or paintings?

Answers and Views:

Answer by jaws878787
Try going to your local art store. Where do you think they get their art from….

Answer by Pie Man
well, i dunno where you live but in San Fran, theres this Art For Aids auction, you can donate a few pieces and have them in the silent auction people can bid on

Answer by backinbowl
Get an honest opinion from a reputable gallery owner as to whether or not your work is any good; in other words, find out if you have any real talent or are just barking up the wrong tree.

Answer by talula_talula
If I were you, the first thing I’d do is get a really good quality camera (if you don’t already have one) — preferably digital — and take pictures of your artwork. THEN, I’m assuming you don’t have a site already, make yourself a website and post pictures of your art on it, along with prices, and a forum perhaps where people can request certain subjects for your to paint/draw/whatever else you’re comfortable with or also where people can just attest to your creative genius.

Set the page up, make it easy to navigate, but also make it look really good so as to reflect your mad skills.

Get as much exposure as you can on-line. Do you have a myspace account? If not, get on there and put your work up there too.

Now, on e-Bay, put a link to your website… I tend to buy more from sellers who have websites for their business… makes it seem more legit and buyable.

If you can afford it, get business cards made up, nice ones, with your website url on them. When you go around to galleries and shops, maybe even cafes where you’ve seen cool art before, maybe show them a portfolio of your work (nicely taken pictures in a professional looking portfolio), and then give them your card and… well hopefully you’ll get a call at some point. Maybe even check in every couple of months or so. If it’s a cafe, maybe go in on a regular basis and nag em every month or so when you notice new art going up!

Now, about the medium and subject matter… Well I think whatever medium you’re best with is a good start. It seems like people are more ready to spend money on paintings, but I actually tend to like pen and ink (although I too am less likely to buy it if it’s expensive (which is, I know, sort of dumb since it can take a really long time to make a really intricate pen and ink work)… Subject matter, if you like realism, why not make it socially conscious and maybe blend the real and unreal together… I like Salvadore Dali 😛 A bit over the top but that type of work always seems to catch the eye.

Also it might be a good idea, if you don’t already do this (which you probably do), have a story for EVERY thing you do… it seems people like to buy something they think holds a lot of meaning!

Anyhoo I hope at least some of that was helpful — good luck!!

Answer by tatal_nostru2006
Did you pray for that? if not, start praying!

Answer by nellie_3000
You need to contact local art galleries and ask if they have a call for artists in any of their upcoming shows. I always just go to the ones that you don’t need to submit a portfolio, and I’ve always sold some stuff. People also like framed and ready to go pieces, that is easier on them, a nice frame is everything. Sell your artwork reasonably priced, and emphasize the quality and originality of your work. If you’re a young artist, or new in the art scene, try out a bunch of different styles. I like painting realistic stuff, but my abstracts are the ones people buy, so I guess you have to ask yourself if you want to make art for you, or for others. Try your hand at many different kinds of art in different kinds of shows. People also like seeing a series of artwork with some united theme, or something that showcases your unique style. It is difficult to say what will sell and what will not, at least for me, because I’m not an art dealer. Eventually, you may want to get an art representative who will book your shows and finagle your commission. Set up a website and make some business cards. ADVERTISE!!!!! Generate excitement about your art, and eventually, you may get some kind of commission to do your art privately. I wish you much success! Nothing makes me as happy as when I get a check for doing something I love.

Answer by artdrigs
Galleries are not the only place you could promote or advertise your artworks, why dont you try to show your portfolio to hotel managers, restaurants or any public and private offices that have waiting lounges for their clients. Ask them if you could display some of your work in their respective places.

Answer by marc.bragg
Hi

There are some new cool sites that you can sell your art on:

Art Show Galleries
Art Shows For Kids
Art Shows For Teens
Art Show World

Best of luck!

Show Your Art!

Marc

Answer by boathouse
try to talk to gallery.

Answer by sunshine_today
post it on as many free sites as you can, it will help to put different work and cross promote each site.

www.absolutearts.com
www.artwanted.com
www.artfaceoff.com

all free to post