Dealing with old work

[LMWilliams]

I have old work that's not selling, not my current style, not something I want to hang up in my home, not something I fancy giving away, not something bad enough that I want to destroy it or reuse it. So I'm thinking of just putting it into some kind of storage (until I either become super famous and can sell it or I get the balls to throw it). Do you have a storage system? A limited number of old work you keep for prosperity? Or are you ruthless and just throw anything that doesn't sell within a time frame. (if so, what's your time frame- these works are about 3 years old and some are as cheap as £30 and still aren't selling!) I don't want them anymore but I think I've been brainwashed by art business guides into keeping every scrap of work because 'what if' someone comes along a week later and wants all the work you just burned in the back garden. Someone please tell me to trash this stuff and move on It's making me feel bad having it all smirking at me!

[artyczar]

I'm not going to tell you to rid of it. I have work that is 20 years old, and once and a while I sell an older piece. Plus I have a collection that is not for sale that just reflects my work during different styles (series). It's good to keep at least a few that represent your vision as you have evolved.

What artist doesn't have a storage problem? I can't count how many pieces I have around here. I have made more than 800 in my life, but I must have sold more than 3/4 of it. That still leaves a storage problem.

I have slatted cupboards that I had custom made. One is built into the back of my garage, and another is in my studio. each hold about 30 paintings.

I try not to hang very much of my own art up on my walls, but if I did, that would probably help too. (But then where would I put other people's work?)

One day I might rent a storage unit. It would make my life easier.

[LMWilliams]

I was thinking of keeping a few favourite/key pieces and maybe binding the others into books? (a lot of this work is on paper). Like you said I prefer keeping my walls for my own collection, not my own work, and I can't afford storage ATM (nor would I feel justified in buying it for this stuff anyway).

My other idea was to host a £10 painting sale 'Take it today or join us later for a bonfire party'. I actually really like that idea, especially with autumn approaching. Otherwise I think the binding option will be the path I choose. Then at least its displayed neatly if anyone wants to look at it but it's not in my way.

[Aires]

You might want to be selective in setting aside paintings before you think bonfire. I can't count the times I've seen reworked paintings posted right here on WC from ones that were set aside years before. Sometimes after a long period one can see how easily a painting can be reworked into something far better than the original. I don't know if that applies to water color but certainly it applies to acrylic and oils done on canvas. A flat file might serve you well for storage of drawings and paintings done on paper.

[T Schneider]

I think it is good to save your favorites, but be ruthless. Only the absolute favorites. I typically leave this decision chore for my wife to pick what she thinks should be archived. She has developed a keen eye.

I have thrown out many early paintings, because I did not want my name associated with them when I leave this earth. As we grow in our skill levels, we have the ah-hah moments when we broke new ground. Frequently I survey paintings in my inventory that were precious favorites, from perhaps a year or 2 ago, and realize that I have surpassed that level and put them out for sale. Selling cheap is no answer, better to dump in my opinion. You must maintain the integrity of your good professional name and price points.

If you would not hang it in your home or even give it away, it may want to leave this earth peacefully. Every year my wife's work has a silent auction to raise charity funds (works at a large hospital) and I will donate a few moderately good/bad paintings from the past. They always get picked up for a good cause, and I can forget they ever existed.

I think trying to rework old stuff is only wasted time. Start fresh and get it going fast. One of my plein air buddies and I call them Frizbee's, just send them sailing away, and don't look back.

You will always paint better ones tomorrow.

Take care
Tim

[Morgan411]

What about getting some portfolio boxes and keeping them on a shelf?

Here is a link to such a product, or just google portfolio box.
http://www.shopbrodart.com/supplies/...rtfolio-Boxes/

[crafor]

I've been wondering what people do with paintings.
Have you considered offering any to a local charity or other organization for an auction (edited to add,) or for sale, like Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc, for sale in their shops? Have a friend have one or two at a garage sale, minus frames, of course.

Have you considered posting one or two in either the SWAP SHOP or the BARGAIN BASEMENT GALLERY?
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=83

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=84
Mayabe someone would buy there, or,
Maybe someone would be interested in a painting trade, agreeable to both parties, of course.
Ella
(I just started back, and don't have that problem yet, but expect to, soon. If anyone thinks my work is good enough, that is.)

[ArtMarkie]

My art club has an Unframed Sale in the spring. We drag old stuff out of the boxes and put it on tables in front of a frame shop. People stroll by and buy some of it really inexpensive and take it into the shop, where it gets framed.
That idea really works for us.

[LMWilliams]

All good ideas! At the moment the work is being shown as browsers at an exhibition so as soon as that's over I shall decide what to do with them.

[Lyall Brownlee]

Turn it in to street art. Glue it to a wall, or a bench, or a phone booth. It may brighten someone's day.

[mrking]

I burn my old, unworthy work yearly. Feels great!!!

[mastermesh]

Keep it all! Art historians will need it when you are gone... as will you when you do a retrospective show in 50 years. Take pics NOW as family, weather in storage facility, fire, acidity, mold etc.can ruin any of it as accidents happen.. I`ve started blogging my ol stuff lately since much is already damaged since college and that was only 13 years ago.... painting and sculpture is hardest to store due to size.... but drawings are most fragile and torn, hit by acidity in air, etc. Colors DO change over time... dust builds up that is impossible to remove, etc. Tried some encaustic painting a little... that media is probably most difficult out of any to storeas surface is super fragile

[Use Her Name]

I studied painting and drawing for many years-- every few years I go through the chaff, and get rid of it. Giving it, or selling it to anyone other than an actual "collector" whether family or not, is like giving away a pit bull puppy on a street corner. It will end up in the trash anyway. I am a sculptor, and am only required to keep molds until the end of the edition, and after that the mold must be destroyed and never used again. Even so, the molds pile up, especially when you make many sculptures per year and they are of a nice size. I go with the idea that art is the activity of making the work, not the piece that is left after. It makes me a little less clingy.

A lot of work left hanging around actually devalues your work. Scarcity builds value in art.

The idea that "you" will become famous is a bit of a pipe dream. While it is good to store your very best (it should have sold so you will not need to do that) It is silly to store your worst. Why show people you weren't a "great artist" the whole time?

Anyway, I think planning for immortality and a page in the art history textbook is a bit of an ego-centric thing. The point is that I studied art history at a master's level, and unless you contributed greatly to art, and directly "changed" art in some substantial way, and influenced massive numbers of artists, you will not be included in any art history work.

[piccolo mondo]

Originally Posted by Lyall Brownlee

Turn it in to street art. Glue it to a wall, or a bench, or a phone booth. It may brighten someone's day.

Best idea I've come across in a long time, I may use it someday- thanks.

[RealAbstract]

Originally Posted by Lyall Brownlee

Turn it in to street art. Glue it to a wall, or a bench, or a phone booth. It may brighten someone's day.

That's what I'm talking about.. if your worried about causing damage to property just get some dollar store frames and leave them hanging somewhere. Free art is great advertising. I've left hundreds all over, but I actually made them for that.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/realabs...7605398592807/

I have some older actually stretched canvas paintings I might go hang up downtown just for fun. I don't want to donate them to a silent auction, and don't want to paint over. Why let them sit in my studio for years..