Sculpting faces
This is my two weeks worth of work. I have been sculpting faces and making a few beads while waiting for the dolls to bake. I get so frustrated with how much time things take. I have been trying to come up with pieces that do not take up so much time for selling purposes, but before I know it these simple little pieces end up taking close to a week to make. I guess things just have to cost what they will. The great thing about art dolls whatever the style, they are one of a kind. I see so many doll artist selling dolls way below value. I see dolls in Walmart( a doll) that cost more than some of the Art Dolls being sold. I just don't get it! Maybe it is that age old problem of the artist devaluing their work. I was looking through all of my old Art Doll Quarterly magazines and it dawned on me weather you like the art or not all of the dolls that grace the pages of that magazine are art. It took creativity, time and skill. There are different degrees of skill, but some pieces just shine for the lack of it. This is something else I have been pondering in my little pea. I am so hard on myself and yet I love all types of artist and all types of skills. I heard something this week that has made me think about this subject. Art has never been about perfection. It is the creative spirit expressing itself. When you really get down deep and think about this, it is freeing. Sorry this post is so long. 
7 comments:
Hi Kim,
Your faces and beads are amazing, yes, being patient is a virtue, also comes with age.
I'm a bit puzzled by your price wars, that you seem to be banging around. I price my work, not by how long it took, but what would I pay for that. But Sculpture will always get more $ than fabric sculpture, because! That is just the way it is. I'm just thrilled to sell any doll. But then it doesn't take much to make me happy!
Oh, by the way ADO takes members that do not sell on etsy, it is a new thing. Hope you join, it is a fun club.
Karey
Hey Kim, Thanks for not deleting. Your feeling are well felt by a lot of us. Years ago I made birdhouses. They were made out of stone and wood, each window had a miniature scene hand painted in it. Each house took at least 6 weeks to do. I was paid very well by most people. Some people said how much for a birdhouse. I really didn't want that person to own one. Price it accordingly, never give it away. Your work is so original and precious. Sharon
Pricing work is such a touchy area. I spend so much time on some of my work, that if I were to price it based on how long I worked on something, it would certainly cost too much. One of a kind art is just that, one of a kind. In order to keep costs down, we would have to do them assembly line style, and I just don't do that very well. Anyway, your work is lovely and I am also glad you didn't delete this post. Take care & hugs, Susan
Great post Kim, and as Sharon mentioned, so many of us will identify with it.
I particularly liked this
statement you made at the end:
"Art has never been about perfection. It is the creative spirit expressing itself. When you really get down deep and think about this, it is freeing."
So true and we would all do well to remember it!
Fae wishes,
Sue
It is a shame that you can't charge by the amout of time spent. They certainly look worth the price.
Sculpting these is so creative and I can't personally imagine being able to do that! wow. I like your faces.
Hi Kim
Beautiful work...and I completely agree with with you..I think pricing has to be the most difficult area and one must remember not to devalue their work through fear that they are not good enough...as you stated it is the artists time and money.
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