oil on canvas
12'' x 36"
This is not a recently produced painting, but it is one of my favorites. I did it a couple of years ago for a show at Twinhouse gallery. It wasn't particularly well received, and has since been "dissed" by all of my galleries. None will show it. "Can't sell it", is the universal reply. This was the same response my second auto painting, "Chevrolet" received. At first I believed this subject could be a major direction for my work. This obviously turned out not to be the case. I'm sure the gallery directors, and owners, know their clientele, but it remains a source of disappointment for me. I believe these two paintings represent some of my best work to date. Anyway, while I'm working on a new group of still life paintings, I thought I'd bring some attention back to this piece, of which I'm very proud. In a day or two, I'll begin to post the five new paintings I'm currently working on.
16 comments:
Hi Neil,
Your automobile paintings are absolutely stunning, but that maybe the testosterone in me talking, and that I love to paint these subjects myself. I have done a 1958 red Corvette that has yet to find a buyer, even though it won a Award of Excellence in a Hyperrealist show. The same can be said about two paintings of boats with reflective water surfaces, which I love, but have suffered the same faith. I have two 1969 Chevelle yet to hit the market...we'll see how these go. If you want to sell auto paintings, the best bet is to go for the classic Volkswagen Beetle. I've done two of them which were snapped quite quickly, and were purchased by two different woman. These VW have a certain appeal that is outside the automobile industry. They are like eye-candy. I've also sold a miniature "Red Chevy truck in Lunenberg" that was purchsed by a woman also. Probably, if these paintings were shown in a car show, where testosterone rules....they might be sold....but then again, are these people art patrons. Your paintings do have the WOW factor, so it just takes one person, art lover or not to get "un coup de coeur".
I wonder if you were to introduce more vintage cars on some 6 x 6", to see how well they do. If they have the same appeal as your pool balls, you might intice these people to buy the larger paintings??
Cheers,
Alvin Richard
Tom Hale has done quite well with his auto paintings in the Detroit area. There are a number of other "auto" painters that have been successful selling their paintings also. You just need to find the right audience.
Jay Leno . . .
This one is great!
Oh, just so you are not misled - I am not Jay Leno!! He would be one to contact!!
: D
There's absolutely nothing not to be proud of about your auto works. I agree they are among your finest. Keep looking. There has got to be a market for these pieces.
Yup, I'd guess that a lot of us have had paintings we were really proud of just not gettin' any love...
For what it's worth, I think this piece is just extraordinary. When the right collector comes along, they will absolutely treasure it.
I think the piece is great! I wonder what was not well-received about them. I think you could definitely find a market for this kind of work in the old car collector community, it's huge! I'm thinking that many of these car collectors aren't the type that would want to go to a gallery to look at art, but if you tried to sell the piece by advertising in one of their publications or something (Goodguys, or one of the slick publications like Rod & Custom).
I am equally disappointed that your cars are not well received. They were some of my favorites, too. I guess we should stick with apples, oranges and lemons. Whoops, maybe lemon is a poor choice of words. I meant grapes.
Anyway, I'm sure that with your talent, this will not be a setback, it may only serve to guide you in a better direction.
Love the car! Have you thought about sending a letter and slick photo of the work to all the major chevrolet dealers in big cities around the country. I know in Dallas some of the auto showrooms are beautiful and they usually have art, fish tanks and coffee bars!! Your art would be beautiful in such a setting. It would look really nice in my home but I digress.....
I think you are just talking to the wrong people. I have sold a few automotive pieces. There is a strong market for these pieces. The Meisel Gallery in New York(http://www.meiselgallery.com/) has done very well with photorealism for years. If your work is more than decoration for a wall, it will sell.
I love your car paintings(and all the other ones too) Interestingly, the paintings I've been most proud of have not been recieved well either, actually, they've been recieved well by other artists but not the general public. Is this true for most of you/us artists about our work?
I'm just getting my paintings out into the world but I've decided to keep painting the images I love and keep an open mind about the art market.
Thanks for all the inspiration!
Well I am right along with everyone on how stunning your auto paintings are. I am surprised at the resistance to purchasing them.
I have quite a section of cars on my website, as well, and they are hard to 'move'. But of all the things I love to paint, they are my favorite.
Does not bode will for the 40" x 40" one I am doing now, does it?
Can only echo everyone else's comments, Neil - I love this piece and I don't even like cars. Some of my favourite work has never sold either. I'm still glad I did them but just a bit baffled!
Maybe if it was a ford you'd have a better response:)
This is what to do if you want to sell this piece (along with your other vintage auto piece):
Remove both of them from your ebay store for several months. Then bring them back for the Christmas buying season starting in early November. Start with a low bid (not more than $100) with a reserve that you would be happy with. Also, be sure to do featured plus for each piece. These are both exquisite pieces that can find the right buyer(s) when the timing and marketing is right.
Neil
I think your chevy pictures are classics and exceptionally fine work. I don't know why your gallery owners are dismissive but that's their opinion only. Some day somebody with the same passion for those beautiful cars will find your pictures and they will get a new home but until then enjoy them yourself - they are fine fine fine!!!
You ARE amazing! This painting is AMAZING!... and you "should" keep it for yourself!!
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