Strangers Don't Buy My Art—Here's How I Fix That
Coming down off the high of my first Open Studio event, I learned some things.
I participated in the annual Long Beach Open Studio Tour this past weekend. Though I’ve attended and sold my work at other art events in the past, this event solidified some ideas I’ve had about selling art in a live setting.
In fact, I broke all the lessons down in a tweet thread…
I won’t bother you with the entire thread, but you can go HERE to read it yourself.
However, I want to expand on the last and most important lesson I shared.
I understand that my art isn’t for everyone. Its wildly chaotic nature requires a bit of bravery on the part of the viewer to walk up to and enjoy.
I don’t want to overstate that too much, because it’s not like I’m putting dead animals in formaldehyde and calling it high art, but nobody is buying my work because it matches their sofa (If that person exists, I want to meet them).
It’s Who You Know
During the 2-day event, I sold 15 pieces of art and every single one of those works was sold to someone I know or who is connected to me in some way. Most were friends, but I also sold to some neighbors and people connected to me through others (thanks, Mom).
Putting it another way, strangers don’t buy my art.
This reaffirms something I’ve been thinking about for a while now: people don’t buy my art because they have to have it. They buy my art because I’ve had some impact on their lives.
Having an impact can be as simple as sitting in the same room and talking about creative things over a couple of beers, or it could be as deep as helping someone push back against their fears and finally dive into making art. In fact, I believe the effect I have on anyone stems from one of the following reasons (with a HUGE caveat at the end).
1. Be Real Always
One thing I’ve been told by people who came to know me through the Internet and finally met me in person is that I am the same person. I don’t want to throw around the A-Word too freely, but aside from some excessive hand gestures, what you see from me is usually what you get in person, and I believe that creates a sense of trust which translates to people wanting to support me.
2. Show Up, Literally
I get invited to attend a lot of local art events. I often can’t go because of family obligations, but sometimes I just want to stay home and make things. The pandemic exacerbated these feelings over the past few years, but I’m trying to make more effort to show up to these events so people get to know me better.
New people I meet won’t immediately race to my website to buy from me, but maybe they’ll check out my Instagram, watch some YouTube videos, and subscribe to this newsletter. Then it’s just a matter of time before I wear you down enough to get you to buy something from me*.
3. Answer the Calls
When someone I know calls me, I pick up the phone. I reply to text messages. When people comment with something more than a couple of random emojis on any post I’ve shared, I reply.
I’m a long way off from anything resembling celebrity, but I know how it feels when I get a reply from someone I’ve messaged or commented on a post they shared, and I want to return that feeling to others as often as possible. When I check my social media for updates, it’s the comments I pay the most attention to.
4. Edu-tainment
When I’m editing videos for YouTube, I’m constantly laughing at myself for the dumb, dorky things I do on camera. I am not above making a fool of myself for the sake of a laugh, because if I can share a lesson and make someone smile at the same time, it’s a win every time.
“If you can make them laugh, you can make them breakfast.”
-Ralph Garman
I heard that smarmy quote from Garman during his stint on the now-defunct Kevin & Bean morning radio show. Garman was referring to how he seduces women into sleeping with him by using comedy, but the quote stuck with me because think it’s a solid metaphor for turning casual fans into long-term supporters.
I’m not a comedian, but I do comb through these posts before publishing finding ways to pump up the humor for that reason. I share my knowledge where I can, and if I make you smile and laugh while you’re reading or watching, even better.
5. Light the Path
I share my journey, my experience, and my process because I want others to feel empowered by their creativity. I came up with a theory the other day about creativity and artistry.
Make art once, you’re a novice.
Make art twice, you’re a dabbler.
Make art three times, congratulations, you’re an artist.
It’s not about the quality of the art, and it’s definitely not about whether you’ve sold anything, and using this ideology, if I can turn more novices into artists, then I’ve won.
*HUGE Caveat
I don’t go into any of these things to get people to buy my work. I’m honestly driven to share and serve the creative community, and nothing gives me more juice than when someone replies to something I’ve shared by telling me I inspired them to take action.
Do I want to sell things? Absolutely, and I’ll be very forward about it, but I also know that not all rewards are monetary.
I make these things to help you go make your things. And perhaps someday you’ll come back to give me a high-five and walk away with a new piece of art.
See you next time,
Dave
PS - If you want to see the video I made on the 10 things I learned about selling art at live events, it’s right here:
Will you be taking requests for couches soon? ;)