This is going to be a quick thought, but I’ve been digging around a lot of galleries and their respective websites. I’ve bought and sold numerous vinyl art toys and I’ve come to the conclusion that if you want to be successful as an artist in this new boom, choose your subject matter carefully.
The morbidly cute or sweetly horrific images seem to be selling the best. You only have to look as far as Luke Chueh, Camille Rose Garcia or Kathy Olivas to see what I’m talking about? Mix some Barbie with Ozzie Osbourne and sprinkle with fairy dust and you’ve got an instant winner.
As I’ve been fiddling around with my sketch pad recently, I’m troubled to find my vision, my muse, if you will. I have a tendency to draw the macabre, but I every other half-assed, would-be artist can draw a skull with a cigarette. Making it unique is something completely out of my league right now. Frustrating, but I’m determined. Wish me luck.
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Found myself a new hobby/side project. I’ve happened to make a timely purchase of a few toys. The common name is designer vinyl since the toys are created by artists and sold as collectors items and they’re a hot market right now. I’ve always kind of been into them, but not obsessed like I am now.
Honestly, I can’t say I’m obsessed as a collector, but more of an “art profiteer” as my always truthful copy editor called me. The toys I purchased were in limited supply and those that bought a case of 20 from the start got an extra special something. The upside to that extra piece is the inherent value made the purchase of the case well worthwhile. KidRobot, the company that manufactures the toys placed the valued of the special item at around $300, but wasn’t selling any to the public directly. You could only get one if you bought a case. So of course I bought two.
So what does this all mean? Mostly, I’ve got lots of stuff going up on eBay (you should check out my things. Leslie and I are liquidating). Some call me an opportunist. I can’t disagree and I make no apologies for my capitalist nature. With the mortgage to the house looming darkly over our doorstep each month, I need to bring in any extra cash I can.
The problem with this plan is the initial investment. I couldn’t just sell the two cases of toys. I had to find other items to make it worthwhile, right? At least that’s the logic I’ve been using each time I find a rare piece for a decent price. I figure I can flip them for a profit and laugh all the way to the bank.
Well, things are pretty ok right now. I’ve sold a few under their original value, but I’ve also sold quite of few rarer pieces for 3 or 4 times their value if not more. Don’t you go getting any bright ideas, though. This is my market, dammit. Find your own.
Oh, and buy my stuff before Leslie kicks me to the couch.
Grilly Bear Mono
Originally uploaded by daveconrey.
I’ve been on a spending streak lately, buying up all the little pieces of vinyl art that I can get my hands on, much to the chagrin of my lovely wife, who would much rather pay our utility bills. I don’t understand that logic, but whatever.
I do have a plan, though. I’m launching myself into an eBay frenzy, both buying and selling. It’s like the stock market for the web generation. So far I’m still waiting for my first pieces to sell, but you can check out everything I’ve got going on RIGHT HERE.. Enjoy the show and pitch in if you feel up to it. You’ll be supporting this needy family. They’re going to turn the lights off on us soon.
Ok, that’s not really true, but buy my stuff anyway, please!
