MINT Gallery Magazine Oct. 2017 | Page 60

ADDING VALUE TO YOUR ART Emeka Mgbenu In the highly competitive space that is the world, where prices are driven down on a daily basis, artists have to find creative ways to keep their heads above the water-this bloody cesspool of competition, and thrive while at it. The days of artists being associated with shaggy appearances, dirty and oversized clothing and scruffy beards are long gone and this new breed of Lamborghini driving, Tuxedo wearing and Instagram popping artists are here to stay. But how exactly did they get here and how can you join the train? 60 SIGN YOUR ART. Yes, by this we mean the traditional method of appending your signature on piecesof art like you would do at the end of an official document. This brings a certain level of authenticity to whatever piece of art you have finished working on. Buyers will place a higher value on a signed piece of art than on an unsigned one. This is directly applicable to painters and portrait artists but others like photographers and make-up artists can digitally append their logos or watermarks (please don’t tell us you don’t have one!) on pictures of their finished products. It adds an air of authenticity and puts your name out in front of a lot more people (people are more likely to buy from brands they are already familiar with) hence dramatically increasing your sales and prices! Pieces signed with a date also influence sales, people might be looking for a vintage piece or a fresh one. Fresh pieces when not sold immediately also attract a higher price as the years go by.