Following on Arch's comment:" I've come to wonder if----art isn't really
in the purse of the beholder and affordable art is a non sequitur."

I'd just toss in this only obliquely related observation, coming from a
position of one who never sells his turnings, but has purchased the
turnings of others, including the "big" names.

Folks purchase artistic turnings for many reasons, including a genuine
appreciation for (if not visceral connection to) the object itself,a
desire to be some how elevated by an association with a striking object
or the artist's reputation, a belief that the work will increase in
monetary and/or artistic value (a game in and of itself), and the point
I wish to most make here, a desire to support the continued production
of an artist's work.

The latter means that the price one pays is not an attempt to obtain a
"fair market price" for the current value of the work itself (however
that might be valued) but a willingness to pay more than than that
intrinsic monetary value as a desire to increase the likelihood that the
artist will produce more works of comparable or increased artistic
value. Sure, some artists will produce works regardless of whether they
can eat well,or have a decent automobile, but for most, the best way to
insure that an artist can be free to offer their artistic expressions is
to see to it that they can maintain a decent quality of life doing so.
That, my friends, means being willing to pay more than what you might be
able to obtain some item for elsewhere. Interestingly, I don't find the
willingness to do so being all that related to the income of the
purchaser, indeed, it seems to me that often folks of limited financial
means have more empathy for the artist than those much more financially
well off.

Lyn

Arch wrote:
Max, I don't sell turnings for a living nor to pay for or justify
expensive turning gear, so from a position of ignorance I've come to
wonder if---
***********************************************
-art isn't really in the purse of the beholder and affordable art is a
non sequitur.

-woodturning beginning as a Hobby doesn't often become a Hobby-business
that soon becomes a Business-hobby, then becomes a Business and finally
becomes a Trade or Profession that usually alone can't provide a Living.

-I would fit in or could put up with the crass marketplace after
enjoying the warm praise of friends and family.

-anyone can tell me what makes for a quality turned piece... or its
opposite.

-being a happy slob, is it a good or bad thing for me to be continually
disappointed in striving for the impossible; perfection.

-turning to please other turners doesn't lead to disappointment in the
market.

-many merchant/artist woodturners aren't doomed by their inherent
modesty and excessive reticence.

-many fine turners don't 'make it' because they can't teach or
socialize.

-you can't film it, demonstrate it or write about it, can you sell it.

Turn to Safety, Arch

Fortiter,


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