December 2006 Page 12

> $$$ VALUING YOUR ART

Hurrah!

In THE ARTIST'S MAGAZINE issue of January/February 2007 (page 29), author Jill Snyder rightly confirmed the proper pricing of studio art by writing, "The insurance value of a work of art in an artist's studio is usually established according to net value, or the percentage that the artist would receive if the work were sold through a gallery."

Her statement bolsters my long-held and taught advice that artists MUST represent their values at, and ONLY at, wholesale in the absence of an Exclusive contract with any seller.

Why?

- Work sold in a gallery, of any kind, will be sold (i.e. "retailed") at added percentages (i.e. "commissions") of anywhere from 5-60% over and above wholesale. So, it is all but impossible to KNOW in advance what percentage the artist would receive if/when the work sold there!

Protect yourself, and your family.

Price your art at wholesale, in writing, at ALL times!