Why people choose one piece of art work over another.

St Simons Sunset, oil 11"x14" (sold)

Waiting, oil, 5"x7" (sold)

This week, I had the honor of participating in a bi-annual art sale and exhibition sponsored by Restart Fine Art in their Four Paces Gallery in Atlanta, GA. There were 16 local artists participating with each artists presenting multiple pieces of art work.

The opening night was well attended, despite the deluge of rain over the city as a result of hurricane Ida. Two additional days offered art buyers an opportunity to buy.

I was very pleased to be told that I had sold two paintings when I came to pick up my contribution to the show. Above are images of the two paintings sold.

It was late in the warm September day when I set up my easel on the pier at St. Simons Island, GA. I began to lay in the dark colors of the shoreline while I waited for the sunset. It was Labor Day and many people were enjoying the evening, as well. Quite a few people stopped to visit with me as I worked. This is something I always enjoy, and nothing will draw people like a working artist.

However, when the sky began to turn a rainbow of colors as the sun dipped on the horizon, I had to say to everyone, "Sorry, but now I have to work, and I have to work quickly. Can't talk right now!"

We were all transfixed by the sky, the reflection of the colors on the water, the rapid changes going on all around us as the shore line began to darken and disappear as day became night. Ah! There is something to be said for the magic of sunset and sea shore, together. This is what I was trying to capture in my painting. I am so glad that the buyer saw the magic, too.

As for the other painting that sold, the "mood" is more somber, more patient, quieter, peaceful. The white Egret was standing absolutely still as I spied it from my vantage point. I call this piece, "Waiting," because it was waiting, and I was waiting to see what it would do. The message I get from this scene is that if we are patient, and are willing to wait for something we desire, we will, more than likely, get it. I was told that the buyer of this painting loved it. I am so honored to know that.

As an artist, I often wonder why a buyer will choose to buy a particular piece. Also, I have learned over the years, that I must never preconceive which of my pieces will sell, and which will not. A piece of art work must resonate within the soul of the buyer. The piece may remind the buyer of a location visited. Perhaps the scene is of a fantasy place that the buyer dreams of. Maybe it represents a memory from childhood. Another person may buy a piece strictly because of the color, or the shape, or for the "mood" of the painting.

I paint what makes me happy. I am thrilled when someone else likes my painting enough to take it home. This is a good thing.

Learning more, and more, about marketing ones art.

Sunset, watercolor on clayboard, 22"x30"

I am hungry for more information about how to market ones art. The "left brain" part of being creative is often a puzzle for me, but with the help of others interested in this phenomenon, I am starting to get the hang of it.

The main problem I have with being an artist, and having to market my work, is that the marketing takes away from the time I have for creating the art. I am learning about balance in this respect.

On Monday of this week, I went with my husband, mother-in-law and uncle to see a wonderful film, "Van Gough, brush with genius." It was in the IMAX format, and I can honestly say that I have never before seen his brush strokes so closely. The film was well presented with many clips of the breeze blowing the grasses in the fields around Provence in southern France, parts of Paris, views of his paintings within Musee d'Orsay, and Van Gough Museum in Amsterdam, and at the hospital in St. Remy, France. There was, also, a running, first person, narrative in the voice of Vincent Van Gough which made the film even more interesting.

One sentance from the film that stuck with me was that Van Gough only sold one painting while he was alive, and now his work sells in the millions of dollars for any one piece. How ironic. This did make me realize that my work has already out sold his, and I am still producing paintings.

Another point about marketing artwork is that the more "famous" painters have really good P.R. people to promote the person, the brand, and the art work. I don't have "people" to do that for me, yet. But, who knows, that could happen. In the mean time, I will continue to pursue shameless self promotion.

I do have work out in the public's eye right now, and I am participating in an upcoming exhibition with other artists November 10 - 12, 2009, presented by Restart Fine Arts at the Four Paces Gallery located in The Pace House, 3057 Paces Mill Road in the Vinings area of Atlanta, GA. More information can be found by clicking on http://www.restartfineart.com/

If you have reasonable suggestions for me about how to market my work, please share with me.

As always, I invite you to visit my web site, http://www.susieburch.com/.

See you soon, Susie