Why Does Art Cost So Much?

First of all, let me say that art is subjective. Everyone sees art differently and the value of art differently, but if you have ever asked, “Why does art cost so much?” this might explain that question for you:

One day, the question may have come up while at an art gallery/art show, after having your eyes drawn to admire a piece of art. After you have imagined how it would perfect it would go with your decor, you find the price tag in triple or more digits and find yourself asking, “Why does this piece of paper with a drawing on it cost so much? It is only a bunch of scribbles after all…”

1. ARTISTS INSPIRE…
   Art is from someone’s imagination or inspiration. Artists can put their thoughts, feelings, ideas, and images to evoke an emotional response onto a blank piece of canvas, paper, or sculpture. Not everyone feels like they can do this. It’s not as easy as it sounds, but what do I know? Try it, and maybe you’ll find your inner artist.
2. ART SUPPLIES ARE EXPENSIVE…
   If you’re reading this, you’re probably online, looking up the prices of quality paper, pastels, acid-free board, canvas, paints, and other supplies. Then after your initial sticker shock, add shipping. (With gas prices continually rising, shipping, along with insurance, can be expensive.)
3. IT TAKES TIME TO CREATE ART…
   Especially if the artist’s style is realism, artists may need to research the subject(s). Artists need to take the time to order and to go and buy supplies. Artists need to meet with people to commission art. It takes some time to find inspiration, such as leaving the house to take pictures, sketch ideas or paint en Plein air, then to return to the studio to produce the original piece of art and don’t forget the clean up takes time, paintbrushes are a pain to clean. After painting with pastels, my art room looks like a fairy spread colorful dust over all my furniture.
4. EXPERIENCE…
   You are not only paying for the art but the training, the experience, and education involved in its creation. While not every artist went to art school, chances are if the art is good enough to invoke interest, then there are several years, if not more, of drawing/painting/creating under their belt or smock.
5. FRAMING…
   Sometimes, art buyers request that the artist frame the piece. Matting, a wire hanger, and frames increase the prices. However, framing is an excellent way to protect and display your beautiful new work of art. I would highly recommend framing pastel pieces!
6. DELIVERY….
   Once framed, it needs to get to the person paying for it somehow, which means shipping. It can be a pain for an artist who spent extended periods of time, effort, and love to create an original piece of art, only to find out a deliveryman played soccer with it or accidentally dropped it. Now you get to pick pieces of broken glass off of the artwork to restore it. Or worse, the artist has to recreate the image and resend the art off again with fingers crossed that the art will be received intact.
7. ART SHOWS…Artists pay to be included in an art show, gallery, or set up a booth to sell our art. Artists must pay a commission (percentage of our piece’s price) or booth fee to sell or display our art.

   I hope that I have explained why art costs as much as it does. It can be expensive to create art and purchase it, but as an artist, just because we love to make art, it shouldn’t mean we should give it away unless we feel like it or it is going towards a charity. It is therapeutic and enjoyable to create art. The feeling an artist gets after spending so much time, effort, and love to create original work of art, which someone appreciates enough to buy, is a wonderful feeling.