True story: before I became an artist I literally asked the question I’ve been asked ALL. THE. TIME.
WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE?!
I’d be minding my own business looking at artwork online and thinking HOLY CRAP — HOW CAN THESE PEOPLE SELL FOR THIS PRICE?! THAT’S CRAZY!
Well, friend, I’m here to tell you right now that those prices are not outlandish, even when they seem to be.
In this blog, I’m dropping the deets on WHY art is so expensive — and why it’s actually worth even MORE than the price you pay on that pricetag.
THE INSPIRATION
Inspiration answers the question — but where do I even start?! And let me tell you from experience, the overwhelm can be… well, overwhelming!
In the beginning of painting, there’s the inspiration. I chat all about inspiration here, but inspiration is hard work. It doesn’t just “happen” like most people think. Sometimes it does, and that’s wonderful, but other times it’s hard work to get in the zone and get inspired. Making that first step towards inspiration is truly the hardest part.
THE WORK
Oh goodness, the work. Let’s dig into this, shall we? All artwork takes time. It takes hard work. Essentially, before the piece you purchase has even gotten any momentum, the artist has had TONS of previous practice. Hours upon hours upon hours upon literal HOURS of work and practice and time that has gone into each of those moments. Hours spent sketching, hours spent mixing colors so they mix “just so,” hours spent creating the beauty that all came BEFORE the piece you bought–each of those hours has gone into your painting, before it’s even started.
So, friend, let’s acknowledge that. The amount of work that goes in before the piece has even started — it’s a TON. That doesn’t even include the work that goes in during your painting’s creation.
It takes a crazy amount of time and effort to create a painting, and all that time and effort is reflected in the price.
THE SUPPLIES
Artists use REAL supplies. I know right, sounds like a joke? But it’s not! We’re not just using Crayola on some paper and calling it a day. Canvases need to be prepped. Paper needs to be prepped. Watercolor needs lots of pigment to make it look perfect even though it’s being mixed with water. Oil paint needs oil to make the paint actually do the work of painting. Paintbrushes, ceramics supplies, kilns, lighting (because I know I’m not the only one who has to work in the wee hours of the night, and without my Canvas.Co light I’d be sunk!
Each bit of supplies costs money. We wish it didn’t, I know, but it does. And in order to keep performing our crafts, we have to *gasp* keep buying supplies.
Then — think about it, we have to ship it to you safely (we don’t want any of that hard work getting damaged!). We want to take care of the work we make so we varnish it, we seal it, we make sure it’s safe for YOU, the consumer, to have it in your home.
Bottom line — I wish I could do this for free. If it were up to me, I’d paint beautiful things and give it away. I love sharing beauty with the world — it makes my heart so happy. However, if I didn’t charge for my art, there’s no way that I could sustainably create beautiful pieces, paint beautiful weddings, and also, my husband might be a little peeved at my art supplies costs if I didn’t make a single dime …
So — let’s cut to the chase. Art is expensive. It just IS — and that price isn’t going away. But what you get when you make the purchase is SO MUCH MORE!
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You’re getting all the hours of work that went into your artwork PLUS all the time and effort that happened before then.
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You’re seeing the original fruits of their labors, and you get to enjoy it in your home for generations.
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You get a piece of work that literally was born from an artist’s soul.
Artwork is expensive, and it should be, because with each piece, you get more and more and more to enjoy from the comfort of your own home.
If you’re ready to get your art game going strong, click here to shop and grab some FREE fine art below.
