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Hi Frank,

Excellent article. It clearly stated what so many artists have discussed for years.

Though I love to sell paintings, the sale rarely validates my work in my mind, but simply provides for my various needs. Other than that, I hate connecting the idea of "value" with money in regards to my work. I know an exceptional artist in Vermont who teaches art at all levels in at my children's former school - K through 12 - and holds a weekly after-school art workshop for all kids who wish to come, providing instruction and materials. When she has a show of her own work, she is quite likely to take down from the wall and give to you a painting you admire. What validates her work is the making of it and the sharing of it. Money doesn't enter into it. She is a hero of mine, and every time I have a show and sell art for money, in the back of my mind is always the longing for the day when they can be given away. With her in mind, I enjoy doing a painting for a fundraiser.

I agree with so many points brought out in the article. Some kinds of auctions do compete with the galleries, and in turn, the artist can in fact be in competition with himself. However, all the auctions with which I am involved every year have either ( as one auction does) a minimum bid, in which I may put as a starting point 1/2, 3/4 or full retail as a starting point and I donate the entire amount ( many artists have $0 as the minimum - killing the earning power of the organization and making the rest of us look outrageously over-priced). In others, though, the auction begins at retail, the artist receives 70 percent of retail if it is auctioned, and if it sells for more than retail the gravy goes to the organization. Any unsold work is returned to me, though in one case they asked to retain work for a future auction or sale.

On one hand, I enjoy the opportunity to occasionally donate the entire amount, especially if I know right where it is going. On the other hand, I can participate more frequently in fundraisers if I can donate a portion of the price instead of the whole thing.

One thing that bothers many artists is the perception that it is somehow "not really work" to produce these donated pieces. Most artists are at the bottom of the order, and yet, are asked 3-5 times a year to donate time to produce these things - and at many events, donate the entire value of the art. I work fairly quickly, and so it is not a huge dent into my yearly schedule. Others have many hours, perhaps 20 or 30 hours into a small work to be donated. Multiply that by 3 - 5 times a year and that could be a huge amount of time. How many - you name the profession - would be willing to donate weeks of their earning to a cause?

Is there a perception that because it is enjoyable it is somehow effortless for us to do? We have these things lying around with no better place to put them, so why not auction them off. Sometimes artists are exploited because of perceptions and because of their unusual predisposition to share. Another point is that a number of clients that wait around to get the deal, when they are perfectly able to buy many pieces as full value. This "robs" the gallery, and in many cases, the artist - if he is donating the entire amount. In an ideal world the collector would get an auction piece in addition to purchases, not in-place-of.

There are many paintings, however, that are purchased by first-time buyers. Though the sale did not go to the gallery, many times the results are down the road, when that same buyer is in a position to purchase more, or larger works. This has happened to me several times that I know of. Another thing the galleries should realize is that not all art auctions are the same, or in other words, the purchaser's money, prestige, and social circles vary from event to event. I do some auctions for small and struggling organizations, and the money is used for small, local purposes. Usually it is someone from the community that will purchase. In others, it is a far more regional or even national event, with big money coming in from all corners. A piece may be auctioned to one of these, with a dozen others who "missed out". But they now know my work, they see the commotion of other "valid" buyers over my work, they find out where I sell. There is a good chance that they will get on my galleries' mailing lists and start buying paintings.

But, here I am talking about how donating can make me and the galleries money, when I should be thinking about the good the donation may do for others.

Great article.

Douglas Fryer