Affordability is almost never the real reason people don’t buy artwork. Yet, it’s the thing artists love to obsess over — as if there’s some magical price point that will suddenly make people whip out their wallets. Not true.

In fact, lowering your prices to entice sales usually has the opposite effect, especially when it comes to your ideal high-end collectors. Lower prices often scream lower value, lower reputation, and lower perceived quality.

Serious art buyers find a place for work they absolutely love. If they fall in love, they’ll move mountains (or at least furniture) to make it fit.

The real reason most qualified buyers don’t make a purchase? The aesthetic.

They might appreciate your skill, admire your story, and even respect the hours you poured into creating — but if the colors, style, and subject matter don’t resonate or fit into their space, they’ll walk away every time.

Here’s the bottom line: buyers don’t care how long you’ve been creating, how many tears you cried over that piece, or how many cups of coffee fueled your late-night studio sessions. They care about one thing first: Will this look amazing in my space?

Once they’ve answered yes to that question, then — and only then — do they start to care about the story behind it, their connection with you as the artist, and any other sweet extras you might offer. But without that initial aesthetic spark, none of it matters.

Without a beautiful, unique, and commanding aesthetic, it’s highly unlikely you’ll sell consistently, no matter how much heart, passion, or time you pour in.

This is exactly why discovering and cultivating your unique artistic voice is so crucial.

Key Takeaways for Artists:

🎨 Stop obsessing over price — focus on creating art that commands attention and connection.

🏡 Buyers want pieces that make their spaces come alive. That’s the first (and biggest) hurdle.

💎 Your unique voice is your superpower. Refine it, celebrate it, and let it set you apart.

🚀 When your art resonates aesthetically, everything else — your story, connection, value — becomes the icing on the cake.

The world doesn’t need more cheap art — it needs more authentic, beautiful, heaven-breathed work that can’t help but turn heads.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Author

Matt Tommey is an artist, author and mentor who is passionate about empowering artists to thrive spiritually, artistically and in business.