What type of art sold in the great depression era? Which artists emerged during that period if any? When did art sales begin to flourish after the depression?

Estimating the sales impact of the downturn in local art sales:

From a 2007 market survey of 390 art buyers, asking their opinions on the basic questions of who, what, where, when and why of the fine art market, 120 customers then declared they felt “financially comfortable” and bought 1.63 artworks per person, per year, while 216 customers who did not feel financially comfortable then, represented about 1.35 artworks per person, per year or about 16% less.

How feeling “comfortable financially” changes to today’s 2009 environment, might suggest that all if most of the 120 now also feel uncomfortable, and would thus imply a reduction of about 7% for the 338 overall buyers responding.

Let’s hope that a 7% downturn is all the reduction that we see. As past purchase behaviour reported does not necessarily reflect our new, more worrisome times.

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I believe art follows money and now artists must be nimble. We must be judicious in reviewing hard and soft costs to see if anything can be cut and hunker down for the long term. Prices of established artists should not be reduced and work should be of highest quality. Perhaps this is a time for heightened creativity? Take more risks with your known style. There is a new book just out The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life. I think we can all learn from this. I am painting steadily and stockpiling art supplies as they go on sale. I am optimistic about the future and art.

Last year we sold a home for a considerable amount less than we anticipated and it took a year to do so. San Antonio Texas has not been hit too hard by the recession.

I am considering lowering my prices to a point where I was selling frequently, hopefully my higher paying customers will understand that its a temporary condition.

Joyce, sorry to say but your belief that Austin is not impacted is a delusion, your plan to drop the prices is a suicide and hope for understanding is unreasonable. Don't do it!

Excellent Ayn Rand quote. It's when things don't work like they did before that we have the opportunity to do new things that work even better. In the absence of a problem, there's less drive to find a solution. Without vision, there are neither problems nor opportunity. What we take for granted, we risk for loss. "An inconvenience is an unrecognized opportunity." (Confucius) Right now is the greatest time in our lives.

You said we need "a healthy, well-regulated economy." Healthy, yes, Well-regulated, no. In fact, many believe--myself and Ayn Rand among them--that well-regulated anythings are, by definition, impossible. Then you close your letter with an Ayn Rand quote. If you really know Rand's writing, I don't need to explain the paradox.

While I'm at it, none of those civilizations were built on their art, though in some cases the art is all we have left of them.

Today's letter from Singapore about the movement of capital is painfully apt. However, since you quote Ayn Rand, many will argue that Ayn Rand is at the core of a lot of what ails us. Just one example: Allan Greenspan, our former Fed Chairman is widely quoted as saying that her book, The Fountainhead was the early driving inspiration for his financial philosophy.

Love the letters, love the nuggets of wisdom... and especially love the Ayn Rand quote... So very wonderful... paint man, just paint some more.

So we don't sell as much art at the moment.....big woo! Personally, I see it as a time to relax, rethink, get playful and experiment with techniques, and ideas that I don't normally have time for. It's also a good time to stock up for the time when the economy improves....and it will. Keep the faith!!!
www.triciasyz.blogspot.com

My feelings are that creative spirits do not dry up when natural resources seem to diminish. In actuality, the economics are not dry. All of the money is still there but has transferred into fewer pockets because of greed.

Like faith, which brings substance to what you desire, creativity brings reality to that which non-creative people cannot see or desire to produce, even if they can see it. The creative person looks beyond obstacles which seem to make the task impossible.

True creativity is a spirit which transcends the natural realm in all aspects. When people tell others no, the creative spirit says yes! In anticipation of results yet not seen, the creative person in spirit will plod on to victory or succumb to death; whichever comes first. You can’t kill the spirit of creativity in the real artist.

If money is the object of our creativity, we have then missed what painting is all about!

Art Economics 201: Every Winter is followed by a Spring. And so far, every economic contraction has been followed by an economic expansion, and usually the expansion ends up much larger. Produce work throughout the contraction so that you have it available for the expansion.

You will have fewer competitors for your buyer's dollars when the expansion starts, as the contraction will squeeze out the weaker or economically unviable artists.

I cannot stress the importance of keeping yourself upbeat; do not let the gloomsters get to your mental attitude or your work will suffer.

Recession, what recession? I have been an artist for many years and I have always worked my way through recessions. I thought that we had them all the time, that every year was a recession. It has always been an uphill struggle on the road as an artist. This current economic downturn may just make it a bit more difficult, but then so does snow and rain as we make our way along the road. I agree with Robert. You must keep working as you go along the road. Use the materials that you have in stock and keep expenditure to a minimum. Don't despair. The Great Depression looks only like a slight impediment on the graph of progress since 1900. This current economic downturn will be the same when we look back. Keep going. We try harder.

This time is ideal for political, social art work, be clever, I sell all my latest work in print on canvas at a very reasonable price and I cannot keep up the demand.
http://au.youtube.com/paolserret

Art thrives in bad times as well as good. There's a freedom in poverty, and a discipline, because if you can't find your way to the creative wellspring inside you, you can't find your way at all.

And even in the boomest of boom times, many or most artists don't get chased by money, and maybe the best.

I feel that with the slow down in the economy, also comes a slow down in production of art and artists. Is it possible that this is a sort of brake for the overwhelming growth that we've seen through the internet over the past several years? It seems that most everyone with a computer became an artist and most everyone with a printer became part of the print market. This could be a "weeding out" period for those that were just in it for the quick buck. I totally agree with your view point on this issue.

The fact that only people with money has always been a conundrum for some artists. Members of the Group of Seven, such as Franklin Carmichael and J.E.H. MacDonald, turned to producing limited edition prints, in order to make their art more accessible to a wider audience. One of the great founders of the Arts and Crafts movement, William Morris, was a socialist who was disturbed that his beautifully hand-crafted products were available only to those with money. However, as I found out when I had a show just before Christmas, there are always some that are willing to spend money on something that they can own and appreciate, and that will not disappear like some investments!

It might be time to point out how Vermeer, and Rembrandt died flat broke due to turned economies...artists today are a dime a dozen, these guys were two of the best ever, and were not immune. What will artists do during this "?downturn?", who says it's a downturn? This could be a permanent collapse of the world monetary system. Artists are supposed to be resourceful, not craftsy, entitlement-minded whiners, w/over-inflated egos. Artists will starve if they can't buy their bread, that is what will happen to "us creative spirits". Furthermore, if they are asking others, such as yourself, they are already doomed.

Economic contrarian:
As a newbie to painting, I'm thinking about two fundamental considerations before brush meets canvas: Perspective and light source.

101: Gaining Perspective
So, the client no longer comes to the gallery, the commission line fails to ring, take the gallery to the client, the commission work will then follow. An example of this theory is the local bank that has fallen out of favor, a building full of halls and walls, security and eyeballs. Cost-free to host and artist, work can be put on display for the entire community to enjoy. A press release to the local paper will stimulate traffic, an evening of cookies and tea with the artist in the lobby and suddenly the bank president is rethinking his 12th floor leap, the customers are warmed by the sense of community, and the artist is returned to the audience with renewed opportunity for patronage. The mix of art needs to speak to the community; an assortment of architectural sites of interest, street scenes, landscapes, a sprinkling of candid portrait work suggestive of the artist's style. Surely, before the banker takes his/her leap, they'll commission a portrait of themselves for the wall dedicated to past and present bank officers! Plant the bulbs in the Spring for the flowers in the summer. Same thing works in doctor's offices, vet clinics, sporting goods stores, garden centers, flower shops.......a scenic road that eventually will lead back to the classic gallery. Perspective being essentially how we are looking at a subject, ie from down looking up, up looking down, head cocked with one eye closed, what an opportunity this economy gives an artist to flex his/her perspective.

201: Light Source
You, the artist, are the light source. What you put on the canvas will determine who's eyes will widen when they view your work. Some venues, like a bank, will support a broad base of audience interest. Other's, like a Vet Clinic or Pediatric Office, have a more specific audience appeal. Make sure you match your work with your audience. A bank brings with it certain subliminal supports such as value, credibility?, longevity, and audience diversity. A bank is a good place to have an introductory showing. It also lends a certain "seal of approval". Churches can be interesting venues as well. When you place yourself before your audience with a variety of art that has significance in the community, the community will tell you what they can and will support. In a down economy, a down marriage, a down "anything", its important to understand the importance of these two little words, "can" and "will". At what price point can the potential pool of buyers support you? With what subject "will" the market patronize your work?

Symbiotic relationships are always important but never more so than during difficult economic times. Animal Rescue groups struggle to find loving homes for abandoned critters. They park their cages in front of local pet stores hoping to catch the attention of a warm heart who CAN adopt one of their charges and who WILL remain a loyal and responsible pet owner. No budget for advertising, they rely on volunteers to further their cause.

Non-profit organizations live from race to race, fundraiser to fundraiser. Every race needs a T-shirt, every fundraiser needs a poster, something visual that speaks to their cause. When without a cause, create one. "10% of all proceeds will be donated to the Mountain Animal Rescue League" will guarantee you free mention in the local paper before your bank gallery showing, and an appreciative line of viewers hoping for your success. Your art gracing the chest of 1,000 runners will get you a table to sell posters, note cards, and probably show a little more of your work.

By the time we all alter our perspective, bolster our inventory of art generated under new light, and do a little self-promotion, we may find ourselves on the train coming out of the dark economic tunnel into a landscape that has changed, for the better.

Having spent many years in retail marketing (PR and Special Events) first with a store we'll call NM, shopping centers with roofs, leading to airline consulting, and oncology practice marketing, I hold these theories to be true if executed with a hopeful heart.

Back in the '60s when I went to Art Center college (located at 3rd & Highland) I had an instructor who would say, of art, "If it doesn't sell, it's no damn good."

Your approach may be fine for the established artist who has been able to put aside a nest egg in order to ride out the recession but it does nothing for those at the early stages of their careers. Do you have any advice for them?

I agree, the current economy is scary but only as much as we allow it to be. Looking back we will realize it was a good thing. We will be forced to do better, become better artist, better marketers and get back to basics. Here is what I tell my students. This is the time to study, to grow professionally, try new subjects, new mediums, expand your creativity, develop a series of work so when things change, and they will, you will be ready.
Give yourself a gift....Take a workshop. Tell those you love, a gift certificate to a workshop would be fabulous for your birthday, anniversary, or just to say I love you....instead of more "stuff". This is the time for YOU!!! Immerse yourself in creating the life of your dreams.

I believe now is the time to paint some of our finest work. After all art is a way of expressing ourselves. What other form of expression can say a thousand words with just one painting?

Real artists market harder!!!!!!!
Real artists invent new ways to survive recessions.
The recession ain’t nothing but a lesson.
Only the strong survive recessions.
Real artists practice business.
Real artists don’t stop, they ARTON!!!!

Lets talk about the true foundation of American business, higher quality and lower prices. The housing and auto market have had to cut their prices, why not the arts? Even though it sometimes feels like it we artists are not living a bubble.

I plan of surviving this recession as a artist, sitting around for 2-5 years or longer waiting for the market to come back is just not my style, nor would it be good for my ego.

Someone told me once the doctors and artists are the worst business people. Hopefully artists can take their creativity and focus it into marketing and business, and be successful in these hard times.

I don’t agree that artists stop painting just because sales fall off. Or wander around in their mind thinking on other things. You’re an artist. It’s not something you do it is who you are. If we can’t distinguish this point, better find another vocation. If one needs to get a (regular) job to make it through, so be it. You do what’s necessary. If you think about not painting at all, maybe you would be doing everyone a favor of getting out of the way of the rest of us. It may sound harsh, but if you think you can turn it on and off, you shouldn’t be painting.
p.s. John Conkey – For being such a good painter you have a nihilistic outlook in most of your letters. Buck up boy and see the cup half full once in awhile. Just a thought.
Everyone else, buckle down and paint. Nothing lasts forever, even “downturns”.

Yes there is a tightening of ‘mad money’ in the marketplace. But if you create something that people want they will find a way to buy it.

Case in point. My husband is a potter and at a local restaurant the server stopped us and thanked my husband for a piece she had recently bought. She works three jobs to keep her finances under control but found a way to get a hundred dollars together to buy a piece which spoke to her and doesn’t regret the money spent. Understandably paintings sell for more but the principle applies. I had a painting for $300 which sold to a family with the husband out of work and the wife only working part time.

Secondly –although we would all like to sell our creations for millions, are you painting for the market or for yourself. If it is for the market there is always a way to do something small and commercial which will sell (even if it is cards). If it is for yourself then you know you have to paint and perhaps you can control your costs while the sales are lower.

Fortunately most artists have a significant other who supplies money for daily living. The rest of us continue to work at other jobs to support our habit but sometimes the pressure of not having all day, every day to paint makes us more prolific as every moment is precious.

The more you focus on the poor economy the more your painting will suffer. It is a reality. Find out how you are going to deal with it and then forget it.

When I don't have enough money to buy the materials and supplies I need to create, I create the materials and supplies I need. When times are tough and things are not flowing in and out easily, I get creative. My brain gets unclogged. I start looking outside the lines and seeing opportunities in means and ways that I would never have seen in the easy times. I stretch and look and see above,beyond, beneath, below, between, beside. Some of the greatest most amazing things come when we are challenged. This is definitely the best part of being an artist--getting creative! I love a challenge. Isn't that what we paint for?

I study marketing as much as painting. Painting I learn from others' paintings, marketing is more difficult. It's all about networking is what I figure. It always amazes me that universities haven't figured out that an artist's curriculum needs to be interdisciplinary and needs to include marketing for the artist. Thanks for the tips.

Often overlooked by today's gloom and doomers is the fact gas was about $4 when this mortgage mess began and now is $1.75. My reading tells me this drop in gas prices amounts to about a 900 billion dollar tax stimulus. In the last 30 days I have had more opportunity, as an artist, present itself than in the last 3 years. Bad economy? I really don't see it.