As one of the moderators for the Acrylic Pouring group on Facebook, I’m very lucky to interact with a number of artists on a daily basis. Sometimes, because the group is just so massive, it’s easy to lose a question or two in the mix, and that’s what Pour it Out will focus on: frequent questions we see in the group!
In this edition…
- Do I have to seal?
- Am I obligated to comment on things I don’t like?
- How to handle negativity about my prices.
Sealing
Let’s start with the short answer: no. You don’t have to seal.
Some artists choose not to seal their work because they don’t want to lose the original texture and color of the art; and that’s completely fine. If you don’t want to seal your work, you certainly aren’t obligated to!
There are some benefits to sealing that you may want to consider if you’re not sure whether you should seal or not.
- Sealing offers protection to the piece. If your customer, or you, wants to clean the piece in the future, a protective sealant will help protect the paint against accidental aggressive scrubbing or solvents. Sealing can also help your piece retain its color longer, since some sealants offer UV protection.
- Sealing can bring your colors back to life. If your colors dried matte, or darker than you’d like, a coat of sealant can bring back the vibrancy in some cases.
Bonus: you don’t have to seal with a glossy sealant! Polycrylic offers matte and semi-gloss finishes too. I have seen the question, is there a matte resin? The answer to that is no; resin is inherently glossy.
Your Obligation to Comment on Pieces You Don’t Like
I want to reiterate, you are by no means legally obligated to comment on posts you don’t like in the Facebook group! All kidding aside, let’s address the sad, grumpy elephant in the room.
In our Facebook group and beyond, you simply won’t like every piece of artwork you see. Here’s what you shouldn’t say:
- I hate this.
- This is ugly.
- You are a terrible artist.
Here’s a few helpful things you could say:
- It’s not my personal taste, but your color choice/technique/the movement in the piece is great.
- I’m not sure I understand where you’re going with this, but it’s great that you’re able to visualize the result.
- Nothing. You can always say nothing.
Let’s make 2019 the year to spread positivity instead of judgement in the art community, shall we?
Price Adversity
This has come up in the group quite a bit lately, and I’m so sorry to those of you who have had to deal with customers backing out or harassing you because of your prices! If you feel strongly about the price of your work, you really only need to justify the price to yourself. If you choose to explain your pricing to your customer, be clear and firm and if you’re firm on your pricing, don’t feel that you need to change it.
If someone says they can buy your work cheaper elsewhere: “I can understand that you’re looking for something at a budget price rather than a price that reflects the hard work and skill in the piece I’m offering. I hope you find a piece that’s perfect for you”.
If someone says that their nine year old niece could do the same thing: “She sounds very talented! That’s the great thing about fluid art; it’s very accessible to everyone. My pieces are created using the techniques I’ve been perfecting over months/years, and the price reflects my time spent.”
If someone says fluid art “isn’t art”: “Art is subjective and while I disagree with your opinion, it’s your right to share it.”
Look, I know that it might be more satisfying to say something much less PG rated to the naysayers, but I promise you: the right people, the people who see the value in your work and understand the power behind it, they will buy it. If you’re trying to make a go of it with an art business, maintain a professional demeanor but don’t be a doormat—if someone is harassing you about your work, block them, or simply walk away!
Final Thoughts
If you’re in our group, I’m sure you’ve felt this way too—for me, after a long day, there’s nothing nicer than sitting down, opening Facebook and scrolling through hundreds of posts in my feed that are just beautiful artwork from talented fluid artists. The mod team can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Sara Wagner is an author and artist from Upstate New York. She is the owner of Studio Blackwater and can typically be found covered in paint, cats, or her two young daughters. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram as @studioblackwater.
I would like to state an obvious point, individuality is what most of us strive for. My problem is that I have no idea what to price my work at, as I just started my “personal art gallery ” this past week! Love it, my way! I agree that being rude to a particularly obnoxious person is not a good idea, as if they cannot find something elsewhere, they may return to you!