VIRTUALLY THERE

Above are several screenshots from recent live presentations, for prospects and interested parties, regarding the painting "Unicorns". All online and all done virtually. I know I look like I went from game show host to summer school student during these events, but, in my defense, this style of artist presentation is a little new. Wearing a suit at the house is for '80's drug dealers. But wearing paint clothes for a presentation seems ...staged. If I am painting that's one thing, but a lot of artists do that to look "cool". I will figure something out, but I am actually writing about something more important than my wardrobe choices.

Different Now.
It seems virtual meetings are in everybody's lives now. When I worked in advertising, we did these quite often, and it was used with clients like Netflix, Disney, ABC ... you get the point. It was for big accounts with big dollars attached. But today ... my mom does them with her friends. And it appears art collectors are doing them too. Frankly, given the socialization to the online sales model, this may be the new way.

Adapt Or Die.
Everything can be ordered online and delivered to your door. I think, or at least it is starting to appear, that customers who spend money on original art, have those same expectations. The truth is, a lot of big dollar luxury purchases happen online. Art, direct from the studio, is going to be no different. I don't mean an aggregate site like Saatchi. That's for decorators. That concept is not new, just tired. Those sites are just big image catalogs, that commoditize the work and strip the artist's voice from the process. I mean, actual interaction and consultation and relationship building, directly with walking and talking artists. Much like what happens at an event as the party winds down. The "let's get to business" phase, if you will. I don't know what this means for galleries. I imagine they will need to adapt. I also imagine, given the groups I have met all over the country, many of them will not be able to.

So What?
Actually, I could not agree more. So what. Businesses come and go. It is a natural byproduct of capitalism, time and age. It seems the pandemic brought about this quasi strange nostalgia for retail, all the while retail has been dying for 30 years. It is no secret, I have no love for traditional, territory driven distribution and retail operations. I have stood in front of big retailers and said just as much. Bed Bath & Beyond, I am looking at you. This is not meant to be an indictment of the debt-burdened real estate driven retail model. Wrong audience for that.

Meh.
I know. It is a rather dry subject, but I feel like a lot of artists really suck at this part. Maybe this is a new chance for you. This trend should be a warning for those in the retail gallery business. As for me, it is clear I will be doing this into the next year and beyond. Frankly, I don't mind. If I need to do my dog and pony show online and use that as a way to begin relationships with potential collectors, then so be it. In the end, I only want the most qualified buyers, however I develop them.

As for Unicorns and a video diving into the details ... right now that's for a different audience and set of questions. As for my next online event, all I need is interest in my work and I will gladly walk through my studio. I am thinking formal wear for the next one.