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Author: Scott_Burkett, Contributing Editor
| Recently, I was touring a local gallery, when amidst the bronze sculptures and towering canvases, I noticed a corner display of small oil studies by a local artist. Through discussions with the gallery owner, I discovered that not only were these pieces popular with browsers, but they were selling! I understood this passion, as I, too, have purchased a few small paintings that are now proudly displayed in various spots of my home. I’m really quite fond of them!
Some quick reconnaissance within the WetCanvas! site revealed that many artists have discovered that selling smaller can be a fun, often profitable adventure. In order to get the facts, I assembled a panel of WetCanvas! artists and invited them to share their insights and motivations behind selling smaller. "Trees on the Prairie", 4x6, Oil on Linen, Linda Blondheim |  |
| Q: What kind of "smaller pieces" are you creating?
Eliza Leahy: I do mostly watercolors on paper of nudes, acrylic pieces of cats and landscapes on small gallery wrapped canvases. Phyllis Franklin: I create primarily note cards, gift baskets and 5X7 oils bundled with small table/display easels. Arlene Steinberg: When I was doing Paper Sculpture, I made 7" x 7" x 2" shadowboxes with a paper sculpture flower. Now, using colored pencils, I create 4x4 or 4x6 inch flowers (framed to 10" x 10"). I also sell notecards and matted prints. Charissa Thomas: I am a fine art printmaker, so most of my works are etchings with either a southwestern theme or abstract pieces. Sandra Fletcher: My smaller works are all watercolours. The vast majority are nudes - sketches from the 15 minute poses at my weekly life club. Most are either 6x4 inches (15x10 cm) or 8x5 inches (20x13 cm) depending on the type of paper I'm using. I buy my watercolour paper in pads and cut the sheets in half - the Sanders Waterford pad is a bit smaller than the Aquarelle Arches. Judy Lalingo: They're not that different from my larger works. I paint acrylic on gessoed masonite panel, usually anywhere from 3" x 4" to 8" x 10". My technique & subject matter are the same: realism based on my experiences with nature. Metaphor! Linda Blondheim: In terms of smaller works, I create mostly 4x6 to 8x10 oils or acrylics. Primarily plein aire landscapes. |
| "Brenda’s Rose", 4x4, Colored Pencil, Arlene Steinberg |  |
| What has been your track record with selling the smaller pieces?
Eliza Leahy: Pretty good; too early to say, but most seem to sell. Phyllis Franklin: This past year I've sold my complete inventory of note cards. I started out with 100 sets. Each box has 10 assorted blank cards. Gift baskets are made on demand. I have five available at any given time and the antique store calls me when they need more. My 5x7 landscapes with table easels sell rather well, too. Arlene Steinberg: With regard to my paper sculpture flowers, I sold over 100 of them a year. This is my first year selling my colored pencil work, and I've cut down for the year on venues to sell since I needed to build up stock, but, I've found the small flowers are selling. As for the notecards and prints (repros), I have had great success in selling them in all sizes. Charissa Thomas: I have found that my smaller works have sold much faster than larger pieces I have created in other mediums. Sandra Fletcher: I sell most of them. Judy Lalingo: Pretty good. They're usually my first to sell in a show. Linda Blondheim: I have steadily increased my sales over a 6 month period. I sold 23 paintings in September, 2002. |
| "Reclining Nude", 9x7, watercolor on paper, Eliza Leahy |  |
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