What is it really worth?

by Jen Mathis on June 4, 2009

In my experiences with commissioned work, the projects that fell through were a direct result of my inability to  convince a client that “yes, the art really is worth the amount that I’m asking.” 

Perhaps my frame of reference on this is wrong, or skewed, because I purchase art based on how it makes me feel to look at it, not “how much it will be worth once the artist is dead.”

For the moment, I will put aside the considerations of material costs, piece size and labor costs. I will not discuss “quality” of the art, or the “qualifications” of the artist.

I want to do a breakdown of what a piece of art costs someone, per viewing.

I present the following example:

One piece of art, purchased for $900.
Owner looks at piece of art approximately once a day.
Piece is owned for 5 years (at a minimum).

Given those values, the per-viewing cost of this piece is 49 cents. If the art stays in the person’s possession longer, that cost decreases. 

If, when I look at a piece of art, it makes me feel good every time, for less than a dollar, isn’t that worth it?

It’s cheaper than most prescriptions intended to do the same. 

 

This rant has been brought to you by this video.

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