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Welcome to blog number 2,My last blog was about how I set up my home studio with the plan of sell my art from there rather than relying completely on commercial galleries.
It has now been about a month since setup, I haven't really started to advertise yet, other than a door magnet on my car and last week I put up a sign on my front gate. It simply reads 'Olivia Alexander Fine Art" and has my website and phone number. I ordered these from www.VistaPrint.com, they were very cheap and I used one of my own artworks with strong colours as the visual.
On Saturday night we had a knock on the front door and two of our new neighbours stood on the door step with a bottle of wine, they had come to welcome us to the neighbourhood! After showing them around the house and talking about 'renos' for a bit I took them into the studio.
I have hung my paintings on the wall with a hanging system but hadn't got around to putting up prices.
Within ten minutes our two new friends had bought one large framed  work and also have asked me to 'hold' a painting that is still stapled to a hard board and sitting on my easel. I haven't even signed it yet as I'm not sure it is quite finished but they fell in love with it and want it just as it is.
 As they bought two paintings I agreed to give them a good discount. This is the one time I am happy to drop the price especially when a good deposit is given.
What did I learn from the night? Always be ready! Have your paintings, prices, catalogs ready and easy to access.
Also having your CV and portfolio on view is a good idea.
I've been published in two major Australian Art magazines but didn't have these on hand to show my neighbours.
If people see that you are professional and perceive your artwork as of value then they will feel much happier about paying for it and referring their friends.
anyway hopefully this will be the beginning of good things.
Please share your experiences with sales and the methods that you have found successful.
Next time: "What Inspires my 'Abstract' Art"

Hi and welcome to Olivia's Blog.
There have been some major happenings in my Art Career lately, one being the set up of my home based Studio with a small Gallery area. Like most other artists I started out using the kitchen table to paint on, gradually progressing to a bedroom, then a garage. Finally, I have a self -contained Studio with lots of natural light and views of Lake Illawarra. It only took me 30 years to get here!

My husband and I bought the house basically because it had a self -contained granny flat at the rear. It was quite run down, but new carpet, paint and lights have brought it to life.
I chose a green/blue paint in a value 8 for the walls. It doesn't reflect on to the artworks when I'm painting and is a nice, peaceful colour.
There are windows on each wall but I still have enough wall space to install a professional hanging system for displaying my works. A bedroom off the studio is also to be converted to hanging space/library.

In the past eight years, since deciding to be a 'professional' artist, I have mainly relied on Art Galleries and Exhibitions to sell my works   This hasn't been a particularly satisfactory experience.
My experience so far has been galleries 'over promising' and 'under delivering'. I guess it takes time to find the 'right' gallery for each individuals artworks and I will continue to explore this area .
Pricing has also been an issue.What with the cost of commission, GST, framing and materials it can be hard to be competitive in a slow market.
Hence the decision to set up from home.
I'm currently awaiting the arrival of a sign for the front gate and car doors. Then I will explore the world of advertising! Then of course there's the issue of insurance. That's another subject!
Anyway, time will tell if selling from a 'home based' studio works for me. I still feel Galleries have their place in an artist's career and it is important to have your art out in the public, exhibitions are also good for this reason.
What are your thoughts and experiences on this subject?
Have you set up your own studio or gallery?
I would love to hear from you.
Cheers for now
Liv