Should I invest in large, expensive pieces for display even if they don't sell immediately?

Yes, investing in impressive large-scale pieces for display is worthwhile even if they don’t sell quickly. Having something substantial and eye-catching at your booth or in displays serves multiple purposes: it stops people in their tracks, demonstrates the quality and impact of your work at scale, establishes you as a serious artist, and creates a aspirational anchor for your pricing. People may not buy the large piece that day, but it elevates their perception of your entire body of work. For hotel displays, investing in limited edition large acrylics or premium pieces can be particularly effective because the venue’s prestige reinforces the artwork’s value. Think of these investment pieces as marketing tools that pay for themselves over time through the overall elevation of your brand and the sales they inspire at other price points.

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Asked by an artist considering inventory investments · Answered by Johnny Adolphson and Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2024-12-14