tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post2672238452918244286..comments2024-03-29T07:35:12.517-05:00Comments on stuff from ellen's head: making a livingellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-27202424030231070042009-10-15T17:00:11.668-05:002009-10-15T17:00:11.668-05:00Wonderfully written and informative -- it should b...Wonderfully written and informative -- it should be published somewhere to educate the masses!<br /><br />Your work is stunning, btw, though I think I've already said that!Rockwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12079263566326659898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-27134096323331548342009-10-11T00:52:28.383-05:002009-10-11T00:52:28.383-05:00A sculptor I met at an art show told me he had onc...A sculptor I met at an art show told me he had once priced a piece relatively low in hopes of selling it quickly to pay the cost of his meals and travel for a weekend show. The piece didn't sell right away, so he raised the price. It still didn't sell, so he raised the price again...and again, til it seemed unreasonable, even to him. It then sold. The point: if you undervalue your work, so will others.<br />As always, I deeply appreciate your generosity in sharing your knowledge and the encouragement you have given me.Georgia Ryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-4463060712615124582009-10-10T19:17:28.905-05:002009-10-10T19:17:28.905-05:00A wonderful post, Ellen. It's so true. People ...A wonderful post, Ellen. It's so true. People rarely understand what goes into a artist's work. There's a lack of appreciation for the time and skill involved. And everybody wants something for next to nothing. You're wise to suggest that folks engage the artist about their craft. There is much to be learned. Thank you for that.Hilaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12787493532006658679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-11555516437699338302009-10-10T16:57:29.468-05:002009-10-10T16:57:29.468-05:00Interesting insight into a side of life I know lit...Interesting insight into a side of life I know little about. I always think about buying 'art' and rarely do, due mostly to inertia. I shall now feel spurred on to do so.Madame DeFargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08172239340844485940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-74897786487689967462009-10-10T07:40:12.218-05:002009-10-10T07:40:12.218-05:00Thanks for explaining why art is expensive. When y...Thanks for explaining why art is expensive. When you buy a piece of art, you're getting a lot more than just some canvas or vessel or sculpture, oh yeah!<br /><br />I've seen your work on your website. It is truly spectacular, beautiful, soulful, probably underpriced.<br /><br />I salute you!Reya Mellickerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13076092659507965666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-9847706439911149742009-10-09T22:57:12.196-05:002009-10-09T22:57:12.196-05:00Well put Ellen. We saw two of the Craft in Americ...Well put Ellen. We saw two of the Craft in America episodes and loved them. My hubby & I both value creative art highly. One thing that stayed with me from watching the different artists' approach was their reverence for what they love to do, their trust in that inner creative force. Did you see the man who was a weaver? He was so interesting - and I loved that he stressed the time it takes to do what he does and he loves that. The slowness of it. I'm in awe of your work Ellen!JOYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16530746118038339670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-76129512502878950832009-10-09T19:44:07.469-05:002009-10-09T19:44:07.469-05:00Very informative, thanks.Very informative, thanks.Gailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04219479223227928561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-19876491262571638572009-10-09T18:46:56.471-05:002009-10-09T18:46:56.471-05:00Last year, I read about an experiment that was don...Last year, I read about an experiment that was done. A noted concert violinist took his instrument to the subway and played several extremely difficult pieces. A ticket to see this would normally be steep, but there he was, playing for free. <br /><br />Well, almost everyone ignored him. The only people who consistently wanted to stop and hear him were children...most of whom were tugged away by impatient parents. <br /><br />Sadly, people don't even want beauty when it is right there in front of them for the taking. It isn't "important." Oscar Wilde said that Americans are poeple who know the price of everything and the value of nothing. Sometimes I think he was (is) right.Fireblossomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07040525704916368792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-47944654789689204752009-10-09T14:28:25.080-05:002009-10-09T14:28:25.080-05:00I wonder if it might be a touch of sour grapes - &...I wonder if it might be a touch of sour grapes - "you get to do something you obviously love while I get to sit in an office all day." Hmmm.<br /><br />My cousin & her husband are potters (Hog Hill Pottery in NC). They both supplement their income by teaching at a local community college. My cousin is VERY uncomfortable teaching! She'd love to just live on their art. But she also struggles because what she feels "called" to create isn't always what sells best. So she has to compromise in a lot of areas of her life. Pretty sure I couldn't handle that kind of stress - but that's because I'm not consumed by art...The Bughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07509037206264761261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-18397298131674886512009-10-09T13:10:03.309-05:002009-10-09T13:10:03.309-05:00Thank you for educating us on the pricing of art. ...Thank you for educating us on the pricing of art. I know that many really don't understand what goes into a work of art. Including myself. Whenever we have to pay out for something our motto is - "everyone has to make a living." If you keep that in mind, then you don't expect to lowball people, and get something for nothing. Your reply to the gentlemen trying to do just that was perfect.<br /><br />I hope things improve for all of the artists struggling. It is usually the first thing we have to cut from our budgets, unfortunately. I have several pieces I have my eye on right now, but things will have to improve before I can purchase them. But art is the only thing I never feel guilty about buying. Other stuff is just stuff, but art is energy, and it brings such pleasure.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13178290697351352495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-65944819901164892012009-10-09T11:54:15.252-05:002009-10-09T11:54:15.252-05:00Ellen, you stated it so well. I encounter the same...Ellen, you stated it so well. I encounter the same thing here in the campground. I actually had a man say to me, "Oh, you are in it for the money." I think Americans expect something for nothing. Everybody wants a discount and will actually tell me that the money they give me is total profit. In the 5 years we have owned this park we have yet to turn a profit....meaning that everything, minus our living expenses, has gone to improvements in the park. I work at least 12 hours a day during the "season". I draw no salary. I doubt anyone would be enticed to stay here if the bathrooms were not cleaned and the grass and gardens not maintained.... not to mention the other costs involved with running a small business. There is that electric bill that was running just under $4000 a month this summer, the liability and property insurance that would make you gasp if I listed that figure. A whole bunch of other incidental expenses like business liscense, water testing,etc. <br /><br />Sorry, but this hit a nerve. I also sew and market my wares, along with the stained glass items that my husband makes. People will tsk, tsk at the prices and smile at me like I am amusing them. I feel what you feel, believe me!Kathy's Klotheslinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17881966393157941515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-42792138592375740482009-10-09T10:52:07.794-05:002009-10-09T10:52:07.794-05:00Thank you Ellen for putting this down so well. So...Thank you Ellen for putting this down so well. So many people have no idea what our work takes and how we get there. I make my living totally from my art and boarding other folks horses and believe me it is not a lazy life. I do get to do what I want and be outdoors in nature, so...trade-offs.<br />Thanks again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com