I figure I spend the equal amount of time on non-painting tasks for each painting. First there's mechanical things like cutting, prepping, and sanding boards. If I'm painting out of the studio there's packing, travel, and set-up time. After I finish a painting, I photograph or scan it; resize it for several different uses; upload it to three different places and enter information about it there. Enter the information about it into my spreadsheet - title, date, medium, etc. I try to be efficient with those tasks but I'm an artist, not an accountant :) When it's dry I finish the back with a coat of paint to seal it; attach a hanger; print and attach a Certificate of Authenticity. Then, if purchased, wrapping, packaging, and mailing it, along with a hand-written note.
I'm not complaining either, because I love all of this, but if anyone is wondering why paintings cost "so much," it's because of all the unpaid labor behind it!
p.s. I'm really enjoying these longer posts you've been writing.
2 comments:
I figure I spend the equal amount of time on non-painting tasks for each painting. First there's mechanical things like cutting, prepping, and sanding boards. If I'm painting out of the studio there's packing, travel, and set-up time. After I finish a painting, I photograph or scan it; resize it for several different uses; upload it to three different places and enter information about it there. Enter the information about it into my spreadsheet - title, date, medium, etc. I try to be efficient with those tasks but I'm an artist, not an accountant :) When it's dry I finish the back with a coat of paint to seal it; attach a hanger; print and attach a Certificate of Authenticity. Then, if purchased, wrapping, packaging, and mailing it, along with a hand-written note.
I'm not complaining either, because I love all of this, but if anyone is wondering why paintings cost "so much," it's because of all the unpaid labor behind it!
p.s. I'm really enjoying these longer posts you've been writing.
thanks for adding to the dialogue marla!
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