I heard there was a staff art show at work. I work for a University. I was considering entering, but T wasn’t so I wasn’t sure I wanted to. I printed the form off though, JIC. It was sitting on my desk when my co-worker noticed it. She decided to enter. So, I did too. I need competition.
I decided to enter my giant 42″ x 36″ Wonder Woman painting that I had already sold. I figured if it was good enough for someone to want to buy, it might have a chance in the show.
I took it over on Friday & the reaction from the ladies running the check-in process was pretty amazing. They gasped & oh’ed & ah’ed. I felt a little embarrassed & caught off guard. I also felt good. Really good. These ladies worked at the Art & Art History Department. They must know good art, right?
I left it over the weekend & fretted about it sitting up in the Art Department all alone & unprotected. I was an Art student once. I know how some Art students view what they consider “non-artist” art.
So, Monday, one of the ladies calls me & I got a little panicked that she was. Why?! Did something happen? She tells me that the Director is a huge Wonder Woman fan & that her birthday is Friday & that they want to buy my painting.
WHAT? (Strange buzzing noise here) Time stops. A weird swirly feeling comes over me. I must have passed out or hit my head or something. I look at the telephone in my hand. WHAT?! I have no idea what to say. I don’t say anything for about 5 secs., which actually felt like 5 years, and then it really sinks in.
The Director of the Art & Art History Department wants to buy my painting. OMG.
I still have no idea what to say. So I say, “Uhhhhhh…well….ummmm……I’m sorry, I’ve actually already sold it. The lady is very quiet for a moment. She says, “Oh, it’s sold already?” I say, “Yeeeeahhhh. I was just entering it into this contest before I take it to the buyer. So, yeah. Sorry.” The lady then says, “Oh. She really loved it. Well, okay, if it’s already sold…” I was able to clear my head enough to say, “I am going to have prints made though. If you’re interested in those.”
She seemed really disappointed. I was completely flustered. She asked me to call her if I got the prints by Friday.
I didn’t know what to do, so I posted something about it on FB. The original buyer told me to sell it to them. It was too good an opportunity. More exposure. I was torn. I really wanted her to have it. The exposure would be nice though. Especially in the Art Dept. So I decided to give it a whirl.
I couldn’t believe it. Someone who knew art wanted my work. Someone surrounded by it all the time wanted my work! I immediately started making calls & sending e-mails to get advice on my pricing. I did NOT want to undersell myself. Not to a Pro. Someone who KNOWS art. I got great advice & learned I wasn’t bad at figuring art prices. Good to know. The general rule of thumb is about $50 to $100 for supplies, depending on the size & cost of your supplies, and $15 to $25 an hour depending on your resume & sales.
I figured I would let them know I could entertain their offer at the actual Art Reception. So, the reception is slated to happen 3:30 to 5 pm the next day, with the awards ceremony listed from 5pm to 5:45pm. I’m excited. I can’t believe they want to buy my painting. I’m sure to place!
I get there at around 4:20 pm. All the awards have already been given out & most of the door prizes. I didn’t win & I can’t find the ladies to talk to. I don’t remember who it was that called me. I have lost my confidence. I can’t believe the winners they picked. Again, I wonder if this show isn’t rigged. Which it sort of is. My Department didn’t show up to vote for me for People’s choice. I was sure I was going to win something. Not even an Honorable Mention.
I go home & sulk a little. I had told T if I didn’t win I was going to quit. That it would be the universe telling me to go into a different field. Like Zoology. I mean, it was the lowest of the low in terms of art shows. I’m a Professional artist. I should be able to place, right? Still, if I sell the painting it’s like winning, right? We got online & figured out the person that most likely called me. I, however, am absolutely petrified of the phone when I am uncertain who I am calling. I love face to face. Calling freaks me out & leads to me sounding like an idiot. I stumble over my words. I do NOT want to do that when negotiating. So I avoid it.
Yep, I don’t call. T asks me if I have & I say no. I’m scared & I am not going to because I am a coward. So she calls & pretends to be me. I freaked out. The lady was in a meeting & was going to call back. OMG. OMG!!! T took the reigns. She is now my art agent. I promised her a percentage. I did talk to her publisher on the phone & hook her up with her first book contract & all. Honestly though, she did all the hard work on that & is much braver than me. I just answered the phone at my job & happened to realize the opportunity. I am a coward when it comes to negotiating my art though. I’m fine putting it out there. I’m fine doing it. It’s getting it sold where I end up bolting a different direction. I’d almost rather give it away for free. Or so I thought.
Come to find out, this lady who is surrounded by art & KNOWS art & should know better, thought because I was staff, I would indeed under value myself. She thought that I wouldn’t know any better. She thought she could pull a bit of a fast one & get 50 to 60 hours of work for 5 hours because I was just a stupid STAFF person, not a legit artist. I probably wouldn’t even know better. WTF? Seriously? The canvas alone cost me $70.00! Even an idiot would know they need at least $70.00 for the damn painting to even come close to getting out what they put in. I was pissed. Angry. INSULTED.
Rightly so, many of my art contacts have told me. In fact, one told me I should have told them to F8ck off. One who teaches here.
The woman was trying to take advantage. Plain & simple. You can’t buy a print of a piece for what this woman offered me. Nice to know they have ethics over there.
So, now what? Did I win? No. Did I realize I still care? Dammit. Yes.
I’m glad they didn’t buy it though. I’m glad it’s going to the home it originally was headed for. It belongs there.