How to Ask for Art as a Gift

Wednesday, November 7th, 2012

So, what if you’ve got your heart set on a piece of art you saw in a gallery, online, or elsewhere? How do you let it be known what you’re hoping for?

Well, part of this depends on whether you’re the sort of people that give each other a Very Specific List, or Broad Hints. For the former, you’ve got your answer — tell them! For the latter, it’s important to think about whether you have a specific piece you want or you just like anything by the artist in a certain style.

If there’s just one piece you want above all others, you can put it as your computer and phone wallpaper, forward the email or web page about it to the people in question, and generally talk about it in glowing terms. The phrase, “I know just where I’d put it,” is an excellent clue.

You can find out if the artist offers gift certificates and what their terms are. (I do! They’re generally good for a year from date of purchase.) Getting a few people to give you a gift certificate for an artist’s shop is a good way to get an original that’s out of reach of any one person.

Try to keep budget in mind.

Don’t ask someone who normally gives you a $20 gift card for a $2000 painting. Instead, you could ask them for a print, or a $20 gift card to that artist’s shop or gallery. You can hint to your friend who likes to organize these things that you’d love the piece, and if everyone chipped in you might be able to cover the balance. A lot of artists will help you out with payment plans, too, so you could use your friends’ generosity to make a head start on the painting of your dreams.

The group gift plan works really well for office Secret Santas, too, because you can casually say, “Oh, I’m asking all my friends for gift cards for this artist I like,” at work.

Make sure they know where to buy.

If your Mom’s not so great with the internet, make sure she knows how to call the gallery or contact the artist in a way that feels safe for her. If your friend in Buffalo wants to give you something from a gallery in San Diego, make sure they’ve got a site where they can order online. If it’s a local artist that shows in your favorite cafe, take your friends to coffee and then ask in front of them how one buys the art.

Figure out the seller’s policies.

If your gift-givers are the sort to want to feel clever and get you something kind of like the thing you asked for that they think is entirely superior, make sure the gallery or artist will exchange it. This also applies to things like gift cards, prints or crafts. The one original you want might also sell before your loved ones can buy it, so you need to figure out if the gallery or artist will help you find something to go in its place, or refund the money.

You can read more about my policies here, but remember I’m only one artist, and every small business is a little different.

Think about giving art to yourself.

Sometimes, we get so caught up in holiday madness we forget to take care of yourselves. Consider giving yourself the gift of art, something you can see every day and smile over during the busy season and after. Hints and lists aside, sometimes it’s good to just go for what you know you want and not have to worry about ending up with the ugly green one instead of the pretty blue one, or something from entirely the wrong artist.

Art can be a real mood-booster, especially if you buy it when you see it instead of worrying someone else will snap it up. A bit of self-care goes a long way during gift-giving season!

No matter what, remember that they tried.

If you do get something a bit disappointing, try to remember that, at least to most people, gift-giving is hard. It happens to be my super power, but even I have a harder time with some people than others. Even if you end up with something more worthy of Regretsy than your mantelpiece, smile and hope they put in the receipt.

It’s a cliche, but it really is the thought that counts. Even if that thought is a little bit awful.

Categories: Daily Art, Words Words Words
Tags: info, words

How to Buy Art as a Gift

Wednesday, October 17th, 2012

So, you’re the sort of awesome person who wants to buy your loved ones some original art for the next gift-giving occasion. You’re here, so clearly you have excellent taste, you like to support independent artists, or you got lost on Google.

We’ll pretend it’s the first two.

What do you want to know before you buy?

So, the first question to ask yourself whenever you’re gift-shopping for someone is, what’s my budget? It might seem mercenary, but there’s a world of difference between a $20 gift and a $50 gift, let alone a $500 gift. If you’re spending less, it’s good to find someone who sells prints, or small items with art printed on it. If you’re specifically looking at art from me for under $20, my Etsy shop is a great place to find prints and cards, or you can check and see which bookmarks are still looking for a home.

The next question is, what do they like? It’s all well and good if you love my art (and yay you!), but your mom might not want tentacles on her wall. Or she might, in which case, go her, too! It’s wonderful to introduce your friends and loved ones to an artist you adore, but it’s always good to make sure they really want the piece you’re buying. This is a bit selfish, but as an artist I hate the idea that someone might get my art and then not like or display it, or even declutter it to the trash someday.

Plus, you want them to make the good face when they open the package. You know the face I mean.

There’s also the “art of things they love” clause — a Cthulhu original will generally go over well with a Cthulhu fan no matter what artist made it. Though it’s good to make sure it is something they love, and not something they once told their mom they liked and have gotten one of every holiday for the last 20 years.

Have you considered asking?

It may seem strange, but if you’re really into the idea of getting an original for someone that you think is just perfect for them, consider talking to them about it. Not just, you know, “hey do you want this,” (although that has worked for me in the past!), but showing them some links of art you like in another context. It’s a good sneaky way to disconnect the piece from your ego, so they’ll tell you what they really think instead of worrying about not liking your gift.

Think, too, about whether you want the art framed or gift-wrapped or sent directly to the recipient, and then find out if the artist can accommodate you. For me, I will gift-wrap free, ship wherever you like (but I prefer to be told if it’s going to a recipient so the thank-you card can make sense), and frames are usually optional and cost more, but sometimes included (for the salt pieces).

So, once you’ve figured out your budget, and the kind of art they like, and how you want to present it, what’s next? Buying, of course.

Why would you want to give someone art, anyway?

Original art is by definition unique, and hopefully something they’ll value and treasure for years to come. If you’ve paid attention to what they want and what they like, you can add a lot of simple happiness and beauty to someone’s life with art. It might sound cheesy, but the right art for the right person will improve their environment, which in turn improves their smile to frown ratio.

And who doesn’t want more smiles?

Categories: Daily Art, Words Words Words
Tags: info, words