So I've been told

I've always heard "You're selling yourself short!". Constantly, actually.

After pouring over articles, books, and magazines about "How to Price Your Work" I came up with my own personal way to satisfy myself and my customer. I didn't want to live with the guilt of making a buyer pay $900 for a 16x20 painting that took me 14 hours to do. My way of pricing things may not be ever in my favor, but I am fair. And that makes me happy. 

I charge my customer for what my time is worth and for the supplies that it takes me to make the painting. It varies a little bit, but my constant is that I keep up with my time on an excel spreadsheet and I simply plug in the numbers. I don't really have any other expenses, I work from a home office/studio so I'm passing this lack of other expenses on to my customers. This is my full time job, I'm never going to stop painting so why not make my work affordable to the public. 

I have also come across the problem of people telling me my work is too expensive for them and try to bargain their way down to a major discount. Reasonable negotiations are welcomed, but please respect that I must get paid, too. My prices are fair and I stand for that.

My ultimate goal is to make art a presence in everyone's life, and to put my art in every home. I want everyone to appreciate art and to be able to afford it if they want it. Sure, my art is a "luxury item" and a couple extra hundred or even $50 may take a little bit to let go of, especially if you have never bought art before, and in this economy... If you've thought to yourself "I'd like to have that", there is a reason. Art "speaks" to you and either reminds you of a memory or makes you feel a certain way. Purchasing art is an investment and can be passed down from generation to generation.

So, my affordable prices do not reflect a lack of self worth, they simply reflect a simple and reasonable calculation. I could go on and on, but these particular thoughts are on my mind now and I needed to say them. All of this is my personal findings/thoughts, but other visual artists have very different other opinions. For each your own.

Pet Portait SALE

For only $50 you can have your very own pet's portrait made. Make your pet even more spoiled and feeling like royalty and get your pet's face on an 8x10 with a solid color background of your choice.

This is such a great deal that the spaces are limited and first come first serve. Reserve your spot today by emailing me at the address below!

This sale ends 10/26.

Holiday Commission Openings

Looking for that one of a kind Christmas present? Want to out-do the co-worker gift swap this year? Need something for that person who has everything? You've come to the right place, my friend! I'm taking Holiday Commission Orders as of October 1st and will continue to do so until December 5th or until openings are filled. 

You can request just about anything! For some ideas you can click the "Commissions" tab to check some out! For some examples, I did a cardinal for someone because that was their Mom's favorite bird. I created a portrait of two children with colored pencil (Coy and Caroline in the Commissions tab). I also did a beaded flower painting for coworkers. The beaded paintings are great for desks. And pet portraits are all the rage! And landscapes are my specialty. 

If you have an idea, email me and lets talk! 

 

Personal Project For My Fans:

Alright, so every once in a while I get thoughts and questions in my head about where all my art is. Of course, I have several waiting to find a home in my very own studio closet (hint hint, any of you potential buyers), but for now I am talking about the 100s - wow, is it really 100? - of artworks that have found their cozy home and made so many people happy. 

I'm challenging all of my buyers, patrons, and admirers of old and young to please take a photo(s) of your "Samantha Floyd Fine Art" original and show me what you've done or where you've put my art work! Whether it be in your home, bedrooms, office, desk, classroom, I want to see it! I want to be inspired and motivated to make more art. After all, you are what keeps me going. Plus, it will be so awesome to see my work in your space!

This ongoing project will be posted on my Facebook and here on this blog! So please participate in this fun project with me! 

And any of you that want to purchase an artwork and then partake in this great little event, you are more than welcome to contact me about any art work. Hehe :) 

Thanks and this is to be continued...

Things went well!

I'm an artist, not a writer. So that is my excuse for not posting much on here.

I would love to thank each and everyone of you for coming out to the Fence Show and said hello! The fence show was definitely one to never forget! I had friends from Delaware come out with "I heart Samantha Floyd Fine Art" shirts! I've even had several people tell me they came by my fence space but I was always so busy with people stopping and saying hello and asking about my art that they couldn't get a word in! Deepest apologies, but it's good to be that busy sometimes, right?

Thanks so much to everyone that came out and supported me!

62nd Annual Fence Show!

Please come join me and many other artists displaying their art at the longest running art show in NYC! 

I will be set up with all my new works for sale. I have very small to very large artworks to display! I'm very excited to announce that I even have people from Delaware coming out to support me. Will you be there!?

Saturday, September 15, 11:00am - 5:00pm
*Rain date* Sunday, September 16
Location: Front Lawn, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terrace, SI, NY 10301
Free

Here is where you can find all the information:

http://www.statenislandmuseum.org/calendar-programs/62nd-annual-fence-show

Refreshing Myself

This weekend I had the opportunity to take a workshop led by the wonderful Patrizia Vignola. This workshop was a drapery study with charcoal. When I saw this workshop I knew I had to do it. It took me literally a month to fight myself and sign up for it. The reason: I dislike drawing. Drawing is a must have skill in the art world, there is no way around it and no doubt about it.

Walking into the workshop was nerve racking. She quickly began to refresh the students on the shapes, shadows, and types of drawing techniques. I stood there thinking to myself "Oh crap, I haven't drawn in 3 years, what if I suck?". When we sat down to begin drawing, it took me a while to even put one mark on my paper. I was overwhelmed. However, once I let out a big breath, that first mark quickly became a mind consuming whirl. I had dived back in to the world of drawing as easily as I had slipped out of it 3 years ago. I couldn't believe how familiar the charcoal felt in my hand. Before I knew it, the class had 30 minutes left to it! Patrizia had put a very ambitious drapery on the wall, so no one really finished their drawings. But I was very proud of myself that I had opened myself up and conquered my fear of "being bad" at drawing because after stepping back from the drawing, it looked quite alright!

I will be doing more drapery studies and more drawing studies from now on. Being a painter isn't just about painting. I have to refresh myself and be a well rounded artist!

Here is the unfinished drapery drawing.

I also want to remind everyone that I still have a few 2011 artworks on a discount. I am getting a bit cramped in my studio and must make room for more! Please see my previous blog post to see this sale or click here http://samanthafloydart.blogspot.com/2012/07/making-room-for-more-great-deals-for-you.html