Original artwork

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Started 2 years ago by Julia
Latest reply from nellieb
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Julia
Member

I've moved around a lot and over the years I've purchased several pieces of local/regional art, usually at art fairs or small shows.

A few of the pieces have remained favorites for 25 years; others I could live without. At least one is absolutely dreadful; I bought it because the face reminded me of my mother, who had just died. It helped me through my grief for her; still, it's basically...awful.

What should I do with these things? I probably paid between $100-$250 for them. I don't want to do anything that would insult the artists, and I seriously doubt I have the time or patience to deal with reselling on ebay.

Posted 2 years ago #
Laetitia in Australia
Member

What are the chances that the artists who did the items you want to off-load are in your current local area? If low, deal with them first - try your local art college if there is one for advice on how best to deal with things.

Posted 2 years ago #
MsDasha
Member

If you aren't too concerned about getting money for them, I would see if any local libraries or nursing homes are interested, otherwise I would freecycle.

Posted 2 years ago #
opadit
Member

Careful with the sunk-cost fallacy there. Sadly, your money is spent and gone. Emotionally, you likely want to get some of that money back. However, it does not logically follow that you must hold on to the pieces unless and until you can get some kind of compensation for them. If you don't want to eBay the pieces, and if you can't sell them through some other channel, then the pieces have no value, your money is lost, and you just have to move on.

Also -- I don't think I understand how getting the art out of your home would insult the artists. But even if it does insult them, why worry about their feelings? It's your home, not theirs. If keeping the art is negative for you, then it seems more important to me to get the art out of your home, than to keep the art out of concern for the artists.

I like the suggestion of offering the pieces to libraries or nursing homes.

Posted 2 years ago #
Claycat
Member

I have this problem, too. I have way too much. Some of them are my MIL's, and I am going to put those on eBay. There are a few that are somewhat famous artists, and I hope we will get a good amount for those. The others I will probably donate.

Posted 2 years ago #
Julia
Member

Actually I'm not at all concerned about getting money for them. I didn't buy them as an investment; I bought them to enjoy, and I've done that. I only mentioned the price to indicate that this is not, well, big-box-store stuff.

Thanks for the nursing home idea; the largest one might really be suitable for the place where my father lives.

opadit, at one point I considered sending a painting back to the artist so she could re-sell it, but another artist I spoke to said that might be really offensive. And no, I don't need to consider their feelings - but there is no real reason not to, either.

Thanks for the ideas.

Posted 2 years ago #
charmed2482
Member

well if you did send the art back to the artist you could send them a note with it, just telling them you are downsizing and won't have as much room and have to get rid of some of your art, and that you thought they might like it back to resell instead of donating it Goodwill or something.

i like the nursing home and library idea as well.

Posted 2 years ago #
misskittin
Member

Sending them back to the artist sounds like a fantastic idea to me. I don't see them getting that offended by asking, and they might be really happy to have something to sell again.
Or you could have a yardsale or try to consign them somewhere, or just give em to a thrift store. Be free.

Posted 2 years ago #
nellieb
Member

You can also ask family and friends if they would like any of the art. What a great gift for someone who is just moving into their own apartment or home! Craigslist is free for listing and selling and you may want to consider that, less to do than eBay. Good luck! I'm in the process of reviewing all my art, also!

Posted 2 years ago #
Another Deb
Member

I just gave away some original art. It hangs in the ladies room at school, brightening my day in a totally new way...:-) In my world, art needs to fascinate me each time I look at it. Once I forget it is on the wall in front of me, it is time to send it on its way.

My sister and I often trade home decor objects as our decorating schemes change. When I moved from the vintage house to the Arizona Territorial style home, her old rustic Southwest pieces fit beautifully, and my crackle-finishes, china patterns and tapestries worked well in her recent change to Tuscan-style.

Posted 2 years ago #
nellieb
Member

Julia, tonight I gifted two pieces of artwork to someone who has Asian art in their home. My mother had given me some Asian silk material which I had matted and framed for her and then she turned around and presented them to me! I've displayed them for several years even though they are not the type of art I enjoy. I was so happy tonight to give them to someone who has always loved these two pieces! Now I have an empty wall in my bedroom and I can't wait to look at the unhung art work I have to see what will be displayed next!

Posted 2 years ago #
nellieb
Member

Another Deb, great point about art work that you no longer "see" that is hanging on your walls. I have been examining all of mine and realize that now I have given away the two pieces I described above, I am excited about the art I still have! Plus, I have a box of unhung art work (ran out of wall space and I even hang art in my closets!) and am looking forward to figuring out what I will hang in my bedroom to replace the two pieces that are gone.

Posted 2 years ago #

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