recession or what

[hughie]

what do you reckon your turning worth? :U

Artists/Gallery Market Place - main page (http://www.woodturner.org/resources/bb/a_g_gallery/)

[Claw Hama]

Wow, sh.t, think I might pump a few out and put on line, that is a whole lot better than I have seen anywhere else much.

[Texian]

Even if you do not sell, it is a way to get your work and your name in front of a potential market. It is a bit shocking to see prices of the big name turners' work.

[wheelinround]

Amazing classified as Art no taxes to pay from sales so pure profit......although if in a gallery anywhere 30% commission to 100/300% tagged on top is the norm.

[China]

See I was right there is money to be made from woodturning, just not in Australia

[orificiam]

See I was right there is money to be made from woodturning, just not in Australia

Yuo're not Wrong Mate.
Cheers Tony.:oo:

[Ed Reiss]

...believe me guys, it's the same in America :C a tough racket in which to do turning as a living.

[hughie]

..
.believe me guys, it's the same in America :C a tough racket in which to do turning as a living.


I believe you Ed, but down under we don't have public appreciation of turned wooden product as art. There would very few if any real collectors and probably no museums of art getting involved.

What you might get for a piece in the US of A would probably sell here for far less maybe cover cost of materials etc very little consideration is given for time and or design.

Proportionately here I would say we have fewer pro turners and most would gain their living from overseas work or commissions

[wheelinround]

After years driving tours and visiting many a gallery I agree with Hughie.
Although there are some galleries now taking more wood art on mostly sculpture such as up on the Mid North Coast of NSW (underfoot's recent/current exhibition) some specialised wood turners more from Uni Arts or industrial degree backgrounds.

[robbiebgraham]

See I was right there is money to be made from woodturning, just not in Australia
Very hard to got those prices in NZ as well:oo::C
Robbie

[bobsreturn2003]

Who said money grows on trees? its the sweat and craftsmanship that costs . 10 cents Bob

[Ed Reiss]

Right Hughie...I get the point your making. Over the years the battle was getting the public educated as to just what goes into making a bowl or hollow vessel. The sticker price was always a shock, then that's the time to let the prospective buyer know that it's not just a wooden bowl, but also all the blood, sweat, and tears that go into the piece...you know, the 10% inspiration - 90% perspiration bit.

[hughie]

:U Its generally said here that we are 20 years behind the USA .But I am encouraged by Issatrees success any a country venue, over $1000 for the days takings.

I have had offers from furniture stores to show and sell as part of their display. This often more about their display than actively trying sell my stuff.
The up side the commission is often small 20-30% as opposed to galleries who often want 50% or more. Although this is anecdotal on my part, never got around to dropping into one.

[Texian]

You do have a bunch of great turners in Australia and NZ. They frequently post on the WoW site. Dunno if they are making any $$, but are doing beautiful work. My sales in Wimberley, Texas just about cover the cost of sandpaper and the odd can of lacquer.

[ElizaLeahy]

Amazing classified as Art no taxes to pay from sales so pure profit......although if in a gallery anywhere 30% commission to 100/300% tagged on top is the norm.

In Australia you have a $55,000 tax free bracket before you have to pay tax. Art isn't tax free, I'm afraid.

[NeilS]

Caught up with an artist friend last night and we were talking about exhibitions, sales and that sort of stuff. The value of her work has gone up considerably in recent years (darn, should have bought a painting or two of hers years ago).

At one of her recent exhibition openings someone asked her how long it had taken her to do a particular painting. My friend felt that the question was being asked with one eye on the the price tag and the other on the painting with perhaps the thought that it was a lot to pay for the time that it may have taken to paint. She replied, "Oh, about 40 years. That is how long I have had to practice my art to get to the stage where I was ready to do that painting." What she didn't say was, 'I got less than the equivalent of sweat shop wages for the first 30 years of that time, and I'm still trying to catch up with average weekly wages over all of that 40 years, which is why I'm not driving the latest BMW, like you!'

Anyway, some of those prices may seem high, but if the above principle is applied they seem to be more reasonable, or at least understandable.

The other thing to keep in mind is that those are all exhibition or signature pieces. There is only a limited number of such pieces that anyone can produce. Those artist/craftspeople represent the best of the best and they pull us all up after them. For which I'm grateful, even if I can't afford to have some of their work on my shelf...:U

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[Ed Reiss]

Neil, you couldn't have stated that any better...Amen!!!

[Texian]

Good point Neil. My stuff is very modestly priced and I couldn't afford some of it. Not sure what that means. Never mind.

[ElizaLeahy]

I couldn't afford the stuff hanging on my walls. Just as well I did them myself!

:D

I won two prizes at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention in Vancover (VCon) a week or so ago. Unfortunately, no money!!! Nothing sold either. Appearently only two art pieces sold in the whole show. Usually Art does well.

[Ed Reiss]

Eliza...about the only thing one can count on when doing a show is that a) you pay your money to get juried in b) you stress a lot for at least 3 months before the show date c) Major stress the day of the show getting everything set up. d) major stress that it won't rain e) stress about the lack of sales f)pack it in...get home, have a few drinks to calm down and g) start planning for the next show - face it, your hooked!!!:U

[ElizaLeahy]

Nah. My agent in Canada does that. She even pays for the shows in exchange for paying me off for art. Half the time I don't even know what's going on over there. For example, we didn't know that she was going to put it in VCon until a few days before. She got in very late because she knows the organisers. Then, a few days later she tells me about the awards. I would have been more interested if money had turned up in my paypal! :)

I don't even know when the next one is. I don't organise anything over here. If someone contacts me I'll put something in. I've been asked to send something to New York for a show, but I don't think I will be this time. Chances of sales are too slight in this ecconomic environment.

:(

[NeilS]

I couldn't afford the stuff hanging on my walls. Just as well I did them myself! :D

I won two prizes at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention in Vancover (VCon) a week or so ago. Unfortunately, no money!!! Nothing sold either. Appearently only two art pieces sold in the whole show. Usually Art does well.

Congrats on the prizes, Eliza.

OK, so you can't eat them, but they are grist for the CV mill, which should come in handy the next time you have to brush off your CV (covered in shavings, no doubt) and polish it up. That's got to be worth something.... :rolleyes:

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[ElizaLeahy]

Yeah, the only other award I've ever one was one from the Pennsilvania Family Planning society for a condom wrapper design!!!

LOL

[Texian]

Did not know that Eliza is an internationally famous artist. Might want to look at her regular website, not the hairsticks/woodturning one.

Edit: Can't imagine how I missed that one.

[NeilS]

Yeah, the only other award I've ever one was one from the Pennsilvania Family Planning society for a condom wrapper design!!!



Tried to think of something witty to say about some awards having more inflated value than others, but thought it best to not go there....:-

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