Although the Internet is proving to be a great way to sell prints, meet new friends who become collectors and new collectors who become friends, plus of course other artists, I no personal plan to sell paintings via the web. That could place me in competition with future gallery representation that I only will support.

I was accepted by a jury and maintain a premier portfolio at the absolutearts.com web site. I have my portfolio primarily to promote awareness of my work and UnGraven Image art theory. It is a site that is popular with artists, art lovers and collectors.

This week I was contacted by the site that an offer had been made for one of my paintings. After sorting through some of the confusion through various emails back and forth with both the site and the collector, who also happened to have just won, but not yet even received several eBay auctions of small prints I sell there to also introduce my work and UnGraven Image, I realized that the offer was for a painting since the work is also available as a print.

After I explained to the helpful representative of absolutearts that I bo not sell paintings over the Internet. I was advised to also list any works available as a print under the print category. Thus, my To Do list grows ever longer…

I believe that I am led, guided, inspired, (chose the word you prefer) in relation to my art mssion. One of the early ideas I "got" was to sell the best quality possible Giclee prints but not paintings over the Internet.

At the moment, I am not selling paintings in local shows either. I am only entering and showing prints.

Why? Well, actually because that is what I am led to do. I have learned the hard way that he best move is to put one foot in front of the other to follow where I am led.

However, I have figured out some reasons.

My paintings each take a long time to create. Time may equal money but more importantly it highlights opportunity. I worked diligently to create enough large paintings from one series for a gallery show. My focus is on the Genesis: Sunset-Sunrise series (more information about all the series is available at the ungravenimage.com site) as the primary text used is Genesis 1-2:7. It contains the verses that the primary theology UnGraven Image is based on uses.

My aim is long range to build an art career and found the UnGraven Image theory to be an art movement. The Internet is a fabulous way for me to meet and show people my work from all over the world.

I a content to sell limited edition prints as they are collectable, a good investment and far more affordable than the paintings. Plus, shipping them is now easy, as their sizes are being kept to certain standards of size. They are far easier to send and return if the collector is not satisfied (hasn't happened yet!) than a painting. ANd the prices are set and uniform.

Being represented and shown by and in good galleries, is, of course a boon for an artist's career. More importantly, it will help introduce UnGraven Image theory to other artists. Gallery shows can generate buzz and publicity. That's always good for a career and growing art movement.

Plus, finally, and perhaps most important, I am a team player. Having a strategic partnership with a gallery that represents my work is a long range committment by the gallery to help develop my career. I never want to undecut that relationship, that trust.

Most if not all artists will sell paintings to a collector who comes to their studio. I am happy to do that. Also, I will participate in good group shows in galleries.

The Internet makes it easy for any artist to self-represent. However, taking that path will mean that I will not have the savvy advice, promotion and even protection (provenance) offered by a good gallery or galleries. A good gallery can place art in the hands of individual and copporate collectors that will also contribute it to a museum and help further the artists career. Those are benefits that make representation by a good gallery (galleries probably, as I intend to have representation outside of the USA also) extremely important to me.

When I find and am selected by good representation -- and I am just beginning to visit galleries to see who is who and doing what -- then the gallery or galleries can sell via the Internet, email or in person. That's up to them.

I do not personally sell paintings via the Internet and I have no intention of personally doing it.

PS - This blog was inspired by a new and dear member of the collector family named Anita.

August 29, 2006