Does Framing your Art Help Sales as an Artist?

To Frame or Not to Frame…

You've labored long and hard to create your piece of art and now it is done. It’s time to sell it and get it into the hands of someone who loves the piece and wants to put it in his or her home or office.

So. Do you frame it or not?

Frankly, if you are selling your art online, it can be easier to sell unframed so you can package it in a good solid tube or flat pack. You can always add a frame to close a sale if the customer would like you to do that. But if you are going to show it, yes, you should frame it.

Next question: Any cheap frame, or a good quality frame? 

Perhaps you've had this conversation with yourself:
"If it needs a frame, then I'll just put a cheap one on. The buyer (fingers crossed) will probably change out the frame anyway, so I don’t need to spend much on this."

 No, no, no. Please don't think this way or do this. It's precisely because you toiled so hard over this piece of art that you must present it to an audience in the best light possible.

And that means a quality frame. Imagine the Mona Lisa framed in a cheap, plastic frame. Heavens! A cheap, inappropriate frame will instantly make the art look cheap too, even if the viewer doesn't consciously realize that's happening.

 In fact, a good frame actually helps sell art. Many galleries will insist on the right frame of very good quality.

Framing we did for Wanderlust Silent Action Benefit, Curated by @jessicasample

So, it's important to frame your artwork when it will be displayed. Yes, it may cost you more, and sometimes a lot more. But you can be smart in pricing and how you work it out with a gallery. Some artists make it part of the deal that they get back the cost of the frame in addition to their percentage of the art itself. And if the customer wants the art but in a different frame, the gallery can give the frame back to you, and the gallery can charge the customer for the new frame. Both make out.

But there is absolutely no reason to potentially downgrade your art by displaying it in a cheap frame. Just make it your game to include providing an excellent frame for the piece from the beginning. 

 Having trouble choosing the right frame? If you don't have your finger on that pulse, that's ok. We are the professionals who know what works. Let us help you raise the bar on your own artwork by showing you how (and which) quality frame will shine new light on your piece and attract more eyes and hearts. And sales.

 A few of our best-selling frames to local artists and galleries.

View More

Have you had better sales with framed or unframed art?

Let us know what you think in the comment section below!

Children's Art Framing Ideas

Here Are Some Ways to Display Wonderful Kid Art!

Of COURSE your child's artwork is special… even if it is in a pile, we know you have an art wall planned! Or maybe you have been sticking your child's art on the fridge or taped to a wall, and now there's no more room for the new stuff.  Argh! What to do?

To display your child's art shows recognition that your budding artist and his/her creations are valued. What better way to boost their self-esteem!

So, let's celebrate the art pieces your youngster creates and showcase them! Here are some great ideas you can implement that will elevate your little sunshine's work from the pile to a place of honor. But don't let these be the end-all. Maybe they will inspire a little creativity in you too!

FRAMES WITH CORK BACKING

You can replace the backing with cork board, which comes in a roll and is cut to size. Just pin the art to the framed cork.

$69.99 Shop Belle Arte Etsy https://www.etsy.com/listing/519156735/pink-wood-corkboard-bulletin-board

JUST THE FRAMES

Use one or more frames and remove the backing and the glass. Fasten the frame to the wall. Simply tape or pin the art piece to the wall behind the frame. Switch out the art whenever you want.

THE "ARTSLINE"

 Of course, a very simple way to display art is from a line of twine, ribbon, or even wire strung horizontally on a wall, just like a clothesline.  Use clips or decorative clothespins to attach the pieces to the wire. Easy to switch out.

PROP FRAMED ART ON LEDGES

Either install or use floating ledges you already have. Place the framed artwork on the ledges in any configuration you want. You can even overlap some of them for artistic flare - and it saves room!

Artwork by my grandson, Niko

SPECIAL FRAME GROUPINGS

 A very fun way to display kid's art is to have several different frames all matching in color and/or having the same shape or a mixture of different ones. Group them on a wall. This is especially fun in a child's room over the bed or desk, or an area reserved for this art. 

PRESERVE WITH A POSTER

What if you have a LOT of art, and they are all special, but now you need to make room for more? Consider having many pieces all preserved in a poster. There are companies who will do this for you. You provide the digital photos and they will reproduce all of them on a poster. You can have several pieces displayed at one time (such as 10 of 12, each reduced in size.) The result is a quality poster showcasing the pieces. Finish it off with a frame and mat if you wish. Voila!

MIX IT IN!

Don’t have a space just for your child's art? There is nothing wrong (and maybe a lot right) with hanging a framed original piece from your child among other framed works you already have hanging.

There are so many ways to preserve, store, showcase and cherish your child's art. Let's help our little Picassos and Monets get a proper start by artfully and playfully showing the world what they can do.

We can help you make decisions or offer fun ideas for helping you show off your child's art. Just give us a call, or come on in with the artwork, and we can help you decide on the best way for you to pull it off.

Let us know if you have any comments or questions below.

We love hearing from you!

The Benefits of Art in the Workplace - Part Two: The Employee

Part two: The Employee

Art benefits employees too! Art in the workplace has definite benefits for employees as well. Studies have shown that art surrounding a company’s employees can definitely influence their mindset. Art can be inspiring, and an inspired employee can generate more new ideas, leading to new promotional campaigns.  New, vibrant and relevant campaigns can lead to more company growth.

Just looking at a work of art can unlock a person’s creativeness. Employees who are feeling energized and creative will emanate these qualities to coworkers and customers alike. It can make the difference between a lively, productive workforce and one that is slogging through the day with an eye on the clock.

There’s no doubt that art can have a direct effect on the atmosphere in the workplace.  Think of a painting of a couple holding hands by candlelight, or a photo of a beautiful woman in a silk robe looking out of a lace curtained window with a cup of tea in her hands. These images can enhance a certain restaurant’s desire to appeal to those customers who want the experience of fine dining where the lighting is low and romantic. On the other hand, a funeral parlor would probably want peaceful, calming, or religious art to help customers who are experiencing grief.

Another aspect of art in the workplace is that it can function to define spaces. Used as focal points in spaces where employees and/or clients gather, it can act as a clue as to what should be happening there. For example, an area with refreshments such as coffee and tea or a lunchroom could be enhanced with art depicting delectable foods and beverages. Meeting rooms could have more business-oriented art in those spaces to help with setting the pace and atmosphere. 

Keep in mind that if you are getting ready to build or renovate office space, at least plan for the possible placing of art in the future, even if you have no idea what form it will take right now. You can avoid costly mistakes later by thinking with the lighting being installed or the bracing that might be needed for heavy art works down the road.

Every company wants happy, on-purpose employees and clients who love being in their space. Do all of them a favor by boosting their morale and firing up their creativeness. Everyone wins with well-chosen, well-placed quality art in the office.