In a recent experiment in California, participants were offered a glass of wine. And although the wine was the same for everyone, half of the participants thought that they were trying cheap wine, and the other half were sure that they were trying expensive wine from European cellars that had been aged for years.

The responses of the participants' brain pleasure center were significantly different: those who thought they were tasting expensive wine got much more pleasure from the wine than those who thought they were tasting cheap wine.

The experiment once again confirmed what we all, perhaps, already know: we attribute the best quality to expensive things and value them more.

How does this relate to objects of art, namely the question of how artists evaluate their own works? With a few exceptions, all of us, artists, are afraid to both overestimate our work and underestimate it. But many still rate their work too cheap.

Of course, now with such problems of sale, shipping and demand for works of art and, in particular, art dolls, many artists are trying to reduce the prices of their works as much as possible. As a result, you can see the amazing work of the masters, sold for almost nothing. In no way can such a low price compensate for the hours spent on the work and sometimes even the materials.

Usually in such cases, artists try to justify their decision by saying that "Otherwise, no one will buy." I just want to ask: "And for such a low price, buyers stand in line?" After all, no. It means that the price is not the issue. Rather, the price too. But by pricing your work too cheap, you send a signal to collectors that your work is not a work of art, one and only.

Collectors buy works of masters not because they are cheap, but because something in this unique work touched their soul and they wanted this particular work.

If a buyer buys a unique, one-of-a-kind work of a master at the price of a Barbie doll, then he will treat your work as if it were Chinese stamping. Do you want this kind of destiny for your "brainchild", in which you put a piece of your soul and talent?

True collectors want a valuable piece of art, not a discounted item. All these typical seasonal sales and discounts for mass production should not apply to works of art, which is an art doll.

If your sales leave a lot to be desired, don't despair: improve your craft, learn marketing, grow your following, and take every opportunity to introduce people to your art. Your buyer will find you sooner or later. But never sell yourself too cheap.

Alla Berezhkova
Atlanta, USA