The value of an artwork/s by JP100

Last week while riding on the bus i overheard a conversation between a couple who were discussing artworks and the value of each piece or pieces in the womans collection her response to the question of “do you think the piece in question was worth it” was so apt and true to artwork/s (especially when the subject is so hotly and often times pettily argued) that i had to put it here on the web.

The lady responded to her partners question of “do you think that painting is worth that much money” by simply saying that when she first saw the work in question she felt filled with joy and an emense feeling of wonder and had to buy the work as she felt connected to it. Ever since buying the work (im assuming many years ago) she has been through a divorce and the passing of family members, wonderfull successes and accomplishments and so much more. Through all these times the painting had been there, in the hardest times she would look at the painting and through all the grief and sadness hurt and pain she would feel the spark of wonder and joy flicker to life again and she would find the strength to go on and have hope for her future.

When the best times and the successes and accomplishments happened in her life and brought much happiness and celebration contentment and joy of there own she would see the wonder and joy in the painting and feel the connection of the painting in her own life and was very thankfull for being in a position to purchase the painting and share the joy of that artwork with those around her. Did she think it was worth it?
she said in short “that painting has been a bright spark and shining light in my life and helped me through some of the toughest times and shared in and also brought joy and happiness to others in my circle of family and friends there is not enough money in the world that would make me sell that piece or a great many of the other works in my collection”

This woman seemed to really love artwork (or at the very least her own pieces) and i think she summed up the answer to the question quite nicely.

So how do you value an artwork (not including investors and gallery owners who do have to take a whole heap of other factors into account INCLUDING the feelings of the viewer/purchaser or taking into account the appreciation of displays of skill and masterfull expression of technique) I feel its up to each individual or group if its a group purchase what does the work mean to you and how does it fit into your life. Who knows really what will make the work valuable to each individual and at the end of the day its how that person feels about the work/s and there own opinion on that work/s that matters most, so next time somebody asks is it worth that much maybe they can ask the person who just bought the work for there point of view.

If a person is asking from an investment point of view and its your work they are asking about then obvoiusly you will have to have some feedback to give them on what makes your work valuable and give them examples of this value. I.e growing profile in your field of artworks (watercolour, oils, drawing etc) positive responses from patrons and previous purchasers etc and some background info about you exhibitions and the like. for more on the ways and means of being a “professional/career artist” check out www.myartcareer.com its a very helpfull site for anybody thinking of becoming a career artist.

I hope this has helped any and all who read this journal entry, my general rule is if you love the work or keep coming back to it then go for it!

Thank you all for the feedback and comments, keep bubbling!
Regards, Jon (jp100)