I don't get a lot of time to paint. If you follow my blogs on Fine Art Views and American Artist, you know why. I've considered having giclee prints made... have done successfully in the past, but I've been pondering an idea for several years which I am now ready to take on.
Original Editions.
My husband and I have been collecting art since 1996.. before that we bought limited edition prints, but once we made the leap from reproduction to original, we were never satisfied with our prints. It's just not the same as having something actually painted by the artist.
Many of my friends and acquaintances would love to buy my originals, but they are not used to spending that much money on artwork. They say they'd buy my prints because they're affordable, but if they could afford an original, they'd definitely want one. By now, some of you can see where I'm going with this blog.
I don't mind painting the same thing over and over - it's sort of like knitting; it relaxes me. If I work out a magnificent composition, I can paint it 10 or 20 times without having to think as much as I do with "one of a kind" paintings.
The exciting thing is that I can offer these "editions" for slightly more than a mechanical reproduction, but for far less than an original that sells to one person. I've talked to some of my collectors about this idea, and they say that they're excited about the prospect.
Some artists would bore themselves silly by having to paint the same subject again and again, but my personality can handle it fine. I look forward to some of the benefits that I'll reap for doing so - such as improving with each iteration (unlike prints that remain the same - these editions will get better with time).
Of course, this idea is not a secret, and I don't mind if any other artists out there decide to try it out.
My first two series will be paintings from
Acadia National Park and one - probably from Sabino Canyon in Tucson. They'll be offered from my website http://lwsimons.com when I finish a new one, I'll be available through Pay Pal on that site.
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http://lwsimons.com
8 Responses to Original Editions
via woodwardsimons.com
There is only so many ways you can paint the same subject, since we see it the same way.
I think, I like the idea.
patsi Hughes
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lori@woodwardsimons.com
I'm going to play out the number I do - either by demand or by my getting tired of painting the subject. When I get paid, I rarely get tired though.
via woodwardsimons.com
I typed "now" by mistake.
via loriwords.com
I like the way that you are thinking about the issue, but I don’t understand why you would lower your price if you do the same theme many times with full engagement. Artists throughout history have painted the same topic over and over – sometimes out of genuine fascination (Monet and his haystacks, etc.) and sometime to get cash (all those portraits of Washington by Gilbert Stuart). Even if they are easier to do, are they less valuable? By lowering the value, it suggests a half heartedness, and that calls into question how deeply you are working (I expect that you will want to put your whole self into these “copies”).
I have giclees made of some of my more popular images and if someone wants my touch and energy put into them, I jump with full engagement into an embellishment. In the embellishing process, some artists have technicians do the work, but I actually like to really get into it and stay creative making each print have something unique of my vision because with each embellishment I really am in a different place and do get different ideas. By doing this over a giclee there is no confusion about the lower value.
I also like to do originals of the same subject more than once and believe the results of the later pieces are as valuable as the first of the series. The first time, there is much attention put into understanding the basic structure, rhythms, and composition, but each successive time, I can explore on a deeper level.
Thanks for your articles and writing – you are an inspiration to me. Lillian
via loriwords.com
via woodwardsimons.com
Did you have trouble submitting your comment? You're the second person who has hit the comment submit more than once; there might be a problem.
Talk to you later.
Lori
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I have had several editions of giclee prints done in the past, and I've sold them well. I wrote an article on giclees years ago for American Artist Watercolor Magazine - that's when I had two editions made.
However, a lot has changed in the places I sell my work. I used to sell at galleries and outdoor shows. Now I sell to my clients on my own. I would like some of my collectors to be able to buy originals - who really want something I painted but can't afford my one of a kind paintings.
I agree with you, there is nothing wrong with painting the same thing twice and pricing it at the same level. I've had many artist friends who have done this through the years.
This is just something I want to experiment with on my own. I do not usually paint the same subject, view or painting more than once. I'm reluctant to have more giclees made at this time. Each artist needs to do what they deem viable. I have a rather small collector clan, which is OK because I spend more than my time writing blogs for Fine Art Views, American Artist, and my column in Watercolor Magazine.
I'm hear ya and understand what you're saying, but I really want to try this out and see how it goes. I love my collectors. I will spend less time painting these since I spend a while on designing my paintings before doing them. Then I can use the same design more than once. I can also paint while my husband watches movies.
These will most likely be unframed works on paper - easy to ship, no cleanup of paint. In fact, they'll look just like giclees, but I will have painted them.
gotta run, thanks for your time.
Lori
via woodwardsimons.com
I look forward to reading about your new project as you do it - happy painting. Lillian