Is DD’s art work good enough to sell.

[themotherhoodproject]

NC for this as a regular user of MN and this is fairly outing but looking for peoples unbiased opinions.

DD is an A level Art student, it’s actually not where her love lies she is hoping to apply for BIMM’s university In Bristol to peruse music and she also does performing arts.

However she is very talented in her painting and blows me away weekly with her work, we have had a few extra special things from her (some of you might remember the snowman Christmas card, it seemed very popular) and lots of people on here saying that they would buy if able too.

Another few months have gone by and we just had another cracker of a card from her (a thank you card for a friend) and well I just think it’s wonderful and have said she should really think about taking on commissions.

We live in a very rural area so lots of horse and dog lovers and I honestly think she could make a bit of pocket money to put away for uni life or fritter away on gigs noodles and vinyl

Can I ask what people think, she is only a year into A level art and will have lots more of technique to learn but maybe £15 a painting she might have some takers?

But surely you understand the concept of market?

As lots of of people have pointed out, there are lots of varying ranges, styles, prices, along side the experience of the maker…

It is just the higher price range and most experienced that are allowed to put their work out there, there are lots of sellers on Etsy for example that are selling, some much better than DD and others not so.

My thoughts. She shows a skill and that is easily improved by practice. Lots and lots of practice. My husband paints and his earlier work makes him cringe looking back, Even thought he thought it was brilliant at the time.
In the meantime there are lots of competitions and exhibitions and craft shows she can enter locally. They will give her confidence and allow her to build relationships with other artists.
If she really wants to sell them now these are the outlets she could try but give serious consideration to her prices. If she’s spending hours on a picture her time is worth the same as any one else’s and she needs to consider if this will be counterproductive in the long run if she wants to make a career of art.
She will definitely improve technically if she gets formal training such as an art college. But honestly, she has more skill in her little fingers than I have in my whole body with painting and she should be encouraged to continue with developing her skill. Good luck to your daughter. It’s a lovely subject matter and I love the picture.

Would the tea room where she works put some up for sale? or maybe get some prints done from the originals or greetings cards made up that they could offer to sell?

Not sure if there is a wider market where she is at currently, but sometimes if there is a personal connection, in that you know the person, or they are local, or they are just starting out and you'd be able to help them in some way people would be more inclined to buy at the level she is now.

as this very thread demonstrates

OP

You clearly think there’s a market for it

So encourage her to go for it 🤷

*she certainly has an artistic skill and talent

but i have seen a lot better on display by S level students at my daughter’s school

Some have left my speechless with how incredible they are
*
Honestly I've seen amazing cakes on Bake Off but I still bought a sponge at the school bake Sale.

It's so irrelevant that other A Level students do better. They can sell their work then.

I did an illustration degree and am a freelancer, and I'd say your daughter has talent for an A level student. No reason she can't sell however don't under sell either, £15 is very low for even an amateur artist for 6 hours work. The horse portrait looks like it was painted in oils, the oil/turps residue is leeching into the paper. A canvas or a background paint would solve, unless it's unfinished in which case ignore:)

Crack on and sell it then.

Not sure why you asked really.

Thank you.

why is this professional’s view thanked

but the art teacher’s dismissed as irrelevant

😕

precisely

I love the Christmas cards. Get some printed! I would definitely buy a pack of 20! The colours and style like the portrait are unique to her and have value.

that sponge you bought at the cake sale

presumably proceeds went to yours children’s school?

Thanks I think she is hopeful to for next year. 😊

😂

I think we can guess why 😀

What the OP should have done was perhaps done a poll such as

YABU = No

YANBU = Yes

However that wouldn't give her the chance to tell those saying no (or not yet) to argue why they are incorrect.

Surely you understand I just answered your question? I don't think the work is good enough to sell, especially not when it would need to be sold at £60+ to reflect the hours you said it took plus materials. It isn't good enough for that. Yes, other not very good artists sell their work, that's true, but I don't think theirs is good enough to sell either.

You seem to have wanted a thread of people praising your daughters work, in which case you asked the wrong question.

This.

why is this professional’s view thanked

but the art teacher’s dismissed as irrelevant

I suppose it would be relevant @beetforever if OP had asked " how do you think my daughter will do in her Art exam? "

Or " how does she compare to other Art students her age"

There ARE always people better than you.

Your DD might find it fun to put some pieces forward for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.
You do have to pay per entry but I can say from experience it’s a great way to develop confidence. My son put a few pieces forward in his lower and upper 6th years ( and since ) and he’s been lucky to have something exhibited.

did you read the post? it was more than just that comment

Wow this is one of the most arsey, smug, humble brag comments I have ever read on here. "I taught at the best art department in the city", "my friend is a phenomenal famous artist who has been on TV" "sorry :/".

way to make this about you!

Surely you understand I just answered your question? I don't think the work is good enough to sell, especially not when it would need to be sold at £60+ to reflect the hours you said it took plus materials. It isn't good enough for that. Yes, other not very good artists sell their work, that's true, but I don't think theirs is good enough to sell either.

Well you didn't really.

And OP's daughter can sell it for any price she wants, which was in the question. £15

You've decided what price it should be.
You've also decided what it should look like.

And you've decided that other work that sells shouldn't be.

😂

Its not terrible but clearly the work on an amateur. I would not pay for it, no.

did you read the post? it was more than just that comment

I read all the posts.