Background:
I have developed the ability to create large, acrylic on canvass,
abstract primary-colour Artworks. I can create between 6 and 8 4' x 5'
pieces a day.

Art gallery/retail shops sell wholly comparable artworks sell for
many, many hundreds of pounds. Indeed one sees comparable pieces in
other prominent public places such as bars and cafes.

As I can create these pieces in some quantity, I have taken the view
that I would be more than happy to sell them for as little as £30-60
each.

Question:
Being able to create so many unique and highly desirable artworks in
itself reduces the target market size. How do i strike a balance and
find the optimum 'ease' factor for making a good living.

Any help, suggestions or pointers would be most welcome.

Thanks

<Markets.

There are a number of potential markets for this type of work including:

Bricks and mortar stores.
These include low-end art retail outlets like print and poster stores,
picture framing stores, home décor stores and furniture stores.

Selling to bricks and mortar stores has both advantages and
disadvantages. They can provide regular sales as they have an
established customer base. Retail sale prices generally have a mark-up
of 30 to 50% depending on the deal that you strike with the retailer.
Retailers tend to sell art works on a sale or return basis which means
you have to factor in the extra cost of collecting unsold works. Works
will also get damaged whilst on display and in transit which will also
increase costs.

Finding contacts.
A search on SuperPages.com gives contact information for 1483
decorative and art posters stores.
http://yellowpages.superpages.com/listings.jsp?SRC=&C=posters&R=N&STYPE=S&MC=1&T=&CP=Shopping%5EHome+%26+Garden%5EHome+Furnishings%5EDecorating+Supplies+%26+Accessories%5EDecorative+%26+Art+Posters

Picture framers.
A list of members of the Professional Picture Framers Association can
be purchased by calling 800-762-9287
http://www.ppfa.com/

Furniture wholesalers.
http://www.furniture-info.com/f_books.htm?3041.htm

Directory of distributors for home goods.
http://www.wholesalecentral.com/Housewares_Home_Goods.html?visitorid=15544654&sc=993731250

Auction houses.
Bricks and mortar auction houses are also a possible market. However a
balance needs to be struck. Selling too many items at once tends to
have the effect of lowering the price. A couple of items per auction
can be successful way to earn a living. I personally know a sculptor
who produces low cost pieces which he sells at auctions across the
country with a couple of pieces in each auction. It is a matter of
trial and error to find the correct balance.

Auction houses of USA.
http://www.worldartantiques.com/AuctionHouses.htm

Selling online.
It is also worthwhile setting up your own website to sell directly.
The advantage of selling online is that there is no commission to pay
to retail outlets so you are able to sell at lower competitive prices.

There are also a number of art sites where you can set up an artists
portfolio for free. World Wide Arts Resources offers a free artist
portfolio. You can upload photographs of the works, an artists
statement and contact information. http://wwar.com/

Artist portfolio.net offers a free portfolio allowing you to upload 20
images, a biography, artist?s statement and contact details.
http://www.artistportfolio.net/

The Digital Artist ? free exhibits.
They also offer mini portfolios for $4.95 per month.
http://www.thedigitalartist.com/signup.shtml

Expensive art (over $50,000) does not sell well on the internet as
buyers prefer to examine the works in person. Photographs, prints,
modern and contemporary design, and collectibles have been the clear
best sellers. Jupiter Communications estimates the online market place
was worth $300 million in 2000 and will be worth $1.8 billion by 2005.
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/article.asp?idart=4219

According to Scott Burkett, the editor of Wet Canvas, the global art
and collectibles market is worth $100 billion. There are an estimated
50,000 decorating households. The sellers comprise 60,000 galleries
and 3,000+ publishers, selling the works of around 2 million artists.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles/Scott_Burkett/OnlineGalleries/

Online auctions.
Ebay is one of the most popular sites for selling low priced art.  A
number of artists producing low cost works have successfully sold on
Ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/

How the Internet has Enable a Generation of ?Self-Dealing? artists.
http://www.artsiteguide.com/nodealers.html

An interview with artist Al Lofness who sells on Ebay.
http://www.ismudge.com/hpage/alinterview.php

Tips from artist S.Girelli for selling on ebay.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=62865

How to profit selling your work on Ebay.
http://www.craftsreport.com/september03/cm.html

Trade shows and craft shows.

There are a number of trade shows aimed at the home decoration market.
There are also lots of craft shows.
This directory of trade shows across the United States.
http://www.craftassoc.com/confer.html

Art and craft shows ? directory of events.
http://www.artandcraftshows.net/

Arts and crafts shows.
http://www.inliquid.com/aftcp/aftcp3Arc.shtml

Selling via displaying work at social gathering places.
It is also possible to sell works in places like restaurants, bars and
social clubs. Any place where lots of people congregate and your works
can be safely left can be used to market works. The owner of the venue
gets free decoration and a small commission on works that are sold.
Works are displayed on the walls on a sale or return basis. Often is
possible to negotiate a fairly low commission with the venue?s owner
of 10-20%.>

<Additional links:>

<The low end art market>
<http://www.deadlines.net/industrystandard.html>


<Search strategies:>

<selling art online>
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=selling+art+online>

<"craft shows">
<://www.google.com/search?q=%22craft+shows%22&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&start=10&sa=N>

<wwar>
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=wwar>


<Hope this helps.>

phillipcarter-ga: Hi...I have the same situation as yours, creating
large abstract art quickly but with no market. (I live in the U.S.)
The suggestion to sell off the Internet has some merit, but one huge
disadvantage: SHIPPING.
The bother of shipping 4X5 foot canvases is, at least to me,
unacceptable at the prices you and I ask. I have had some success at
art fairs,
but mostly not. Of course, our work must differ, and it is entirely possible 
yours is much better and more saleable than mine. Another problem with
the 4X5 foot size is that it usually requires delivery...doesn't fit
in most cars. If you have a sale through a local picture framer, you
might have to deliver the work unless you have a previous agreement.
  I'm not trying to be negative...I hope you are successful someday.
If you are, post a notice on Google Answers and let me in on the
secret.
Best regards,
monroe22-ga