New Sculpt- asking for reviews and advice

[futantshadow]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a10/futantshadow/barbieangel3.jpg

Figure stands about 3 1/2 feet tall. Made from a variety of objects including: pieces of barbie dolls, feathers, wires, bolts, sissors, clay, nails.

Asking for reviews in general.

Also asking for advice as to where to sell, like who to contact, what galleries may be interested in displaying, selling, or buying. Looking for high-end galleries (probably in L.A, N.Y., or Europe). Asking $40,000. Is that reasonable?

Thank you!

[taurn7]

what the hell is that?! It's like an angel of death, it looks so organic. It reminds me of the Human Body exhibit. I love the use of everyday things, it's like a mixed medium. I definitely want to see more pictures of this. What do you call this?

As for galleries, I have no idea, but best of luck to you!

[Joshua A.C. Newman]

This is quite amazing.

Pricing art is no mean feat. I won't even wade into that discussion, except to say that artists regularly underprice their work.

[futantshadow]

hey thanks guys! :) i plan to take more photos today. of the first round of photos this was the only one that came out decent. i'll post some when available. the only name i call it is "pieces of barbie" since that is what it mainly is. it took me over a month to make, working almost non-stop (practically quit my day job to make it; well temporary leave at least)

[Mah ' Crub]

I really like this. It has a very dark and sinister feel to it but also fairytale-ish,
I would love to see the face. In answer to your question, I am in your shoes as well.
I also have a large sculpt that I need to sell, and I have the same questions that you have. I hear that agents are an opiton, but I don't even know how to search out that process. I am sure that someone on this forum can help with those questions. Anyway, I like your piece very much, you have captured something in the lines that is very cool and pleasing at the same time. Good job.

I want to see the face!
Mah ' Crub

[Bongsplat]

Very cool, It would be nice to see some close up shots it looks very animated.:)

[futantshadow]

here's some new pics from today:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a10/futantshadow/barbie5.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a10/futantshadow/barbie6.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a10/futantshadow/barbie7.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a10/futantshadow/barbie8.jpg

[SavageGoldfish]

Holy crap! It's like some kind of post-apocalyptic Reaper of Souls or something. "Pieces of Barbie" as a name definitely does it no justice. It needs something way more epic.

[613Concepts]

Bring that bad Boy into Spencers or SOMEWHERE - I have that " wtf" look on my face,but I really like it!!

[futantshadow]

Bring that bad Boy into Spencers or SOMEWHERE - I have that " wtf" look on my face,but I really like it!!

I think it is a little out of spencer's customer's price range.. I'm kind of hoping for a high end collector's gallery that sells stuff in the $100,000 to $1,000,000+ range... thanks for the appreciation though! :)

[Darkwulf's Talon]

I would agree with Jiangzu, 'Pieces of Barbie' is not the title you need.

The piece itself is eye-catching and draws you in to investigate further the things your eyes can't make out instantly and this is an almost mystical effect. Now to do your piece justice and also to get the price tag you want then the title needs to do the same. It needs to draw your potential buyers in and get them interested visually and mentally.

As such consider the following suggestions:

Memitim : Biblical angels of destruction
Icarus : Who flew on man made wings but got burnt
Daedalus: Icarus's Father who created wings for both of them
Golem : Non-living materials brought to life
Dhampir : Vampire/Human Hybrid
Cambion : Hybrid between a human and an incubus or succubus

These are only suggestion as I have interpreted *your* piece and are not meant to sway any opinion you already have.

[futantshadow]

hey thanks Darkwulf. I am really bad with creative writing (such as for names and background stories) and I'm really bad at marketting myself... the only thing I'm good at is making insane sculptures, so that's what I focus all my time on. If I spent all my time trying to sell myself then I would never get any artwork done; which sucks! But I still have a long way to go and prove of myself, my next idea for a sculpture is going to be very giger-ish (dark, detailed, erotic) and quite large. A masterpiece I hope :)

[Kesse Jeller]

well done, i have to say i dont like the wings on it i think they take away from the rest of the piece,

I like the name Memitim as suggested by darkwulf's talon.

$40,000 seems a little rediculous, probably only because i have no idea who you are, but im sure if you establish yourself as a sculptor (unless you already are) you may get that price, but personally i think if you want it to sell in a art auction you would have to lower the price tho.

anyway not looking for any firefights or anything just putting out an honest opinion.

[futantshadow]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a10/futantshadow/barbie10.jpg

The power here keeps going out b/c of the wind. I sent a candle on the table and saw my piece in a new way.. thought I would share :)

[Darkwulf's Talon]

Value is very difficult one to judge as it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

The best thing you can do is actually ask people what value they would put on it?

This is very simple market research if it's done enough times in the right places. Why not start here?

I would personally value it at $2000. This is because the materials (Barbie, Scissors, Clothes Pegs, Nuts) are very common and the $2k would be to recognise the unique work you have done with this.

However get more peoples answers and eventually you will have a nice middle ground figure to price it at. :-)

[Darkwulf's Talon]

P.S. Very spectacular on the night time shot

[Mah ' Crub]

It is hard to come up with a price,,,,, but, if we undercut ourselves right from the start, then so will everyone else. I, for one, am tired of being a " starving artist," and I don't think it's cool, in any way, shape or form to not make enough money. I think, as artists, we should all join in to raise the bar financially. We need to educate the masses somehow, and create our own culture that does value art. There are thousands who will say no, but you only need one to say "yes."
I had one friend who when asked, told me I could probably get $150.00 for my big dragon claws, each! I sold them both for $7000.00. Who knew?

[Darkwulf's Talon]

Mah' Crub, from a perspective of an artist who has actually sold things would you put a value on this and help futantshadow determine a realistic price as I fear my own inexperience might be undervalueing it?

[futantshadow]

I'm not trying to be conceeded or anything, but this is how I see it: There are very rich art collector's in the world with millions to billions of dollars to spend on unique fantastic art. $40K to them is like a normal person buying a $5 hamburger. I've had several people willing to pay $40K for this but they weren't the type to actually have that kind of money for art. A lot of art is made within a few hours and is sold for over $1000. I don't know if you have heard of Kris Kutsi, but he does similar work (using modelling figures to build amazing sculptures), which I'm assuming he must sell for $150K or so apiece. He sells to celebrities, movie directors, and rich art collectors. That's the type of audience that artists who want to make a living need to cater towards. I've been told my style is more European, and people there will pay a lot for good artwork. I think new york (and maybe LA) would be good places to start here in the states.

My situation now is trying to figure out what level my artwork is good enough for. I visited some galleries in SF and they all wanted my work (except sculpturesite.com who was too snobish to even look at my portfolio so F* them). In LA the galleries I visited liked comical type work, which is not what I do but I guess it is what selling there now.

So I ask (if anyone knows) what galleries sell work like mine, or really expensive high quality unique artwork? And once I find them, how do I get them to look at my work? Do I have to know someone? Be an established artist? Or will my work speak for itself?

thanks again for the help!

[Mah ' Crub]

I agree that you could probably get your price, I hope so, because I am asking a butt load more than 40k for my "War Horse"! I am not so sure that gallerys are the answer. Some of them want 60%, some only want 30. I am looking into the "agent" arena. They also get around 30% and up, but they are suppose to have the contacts. IT would be worth it to pay someone 30% if you could keep working and deal with one person all the time. Maybe you should find yourself an art rep. I think thats what I am going to do.

Darkwulf, thanks for asking me about the price, but really, he has to do it. {We, the artists, need to set the prices, and not feel ashamed, or scared about them. If we waver, all is lost and the client will smell blood in the water.} And he could be spot on or even low! Depending on who sees it and who likes it, not to mention, if he has the money as well. People will surprise you. I agonized over the price for my dragon claws. "Will the client go for it? Will he be outraged, thinking its too high?" Back and forth.
I started out at $1600 for the pair, and then thought, What? AM I CRazy? All that time? SO I DOUBLED it !!! and agonized some more, then I Doubled it again, just because they were so F-ing cool !!! Then I added a few hunderd more, just for good measure. Told him $7000, he turned to his girlfriend and said," Honey, will you go get my checkbook?" I proabably could have gotten 9k? He didn't blink an eye, because he had an eye for art and he had the money! He simply had to have them.
If we don't ask enough, then it's our fault that we're hungrey!
Mah ' Crub

[futantshadow]

hey Mah'crub, I looked at your war horse. It's pretty awesome. I can see it fitting in well in a restaurant or club; something with a water theme. Or maybe in someone's collection who loves seahorses.

Anyway, how I feel about doing art as a career: first, you have to love art, and everything you do has to come from your soul. It's all an expression, and you can't think about whether others will like it or not, and in my case, whether they will accept it. I haven't shown much of my work here, but I'm not afraid to do very dark art, or very sexual. A lot of my work would normally offend people but they see it as so creative and interesting that it doesn't matter. If others see the emotion and how real a creation is, then they will have some attachment to it. I would hope people feel something by looking at my art, and if they buy it then they will really appreciate owning it. Money shouldn't be an issue, and there are people out there that can afford to pay millions of dollars for the right piece of work. It's just about finding them and seeing if they connect with your art. But more important then anything; do art you love and others will love it too.

[Darkwulf's Talon]

But more important then anything; do art you love and others will love it too.

Aye :hatsoff: