So true!! I’ve sold paintings BECAUSE of the titles on numerous occasions! I’m sure I’ve probably lost some sales because of them too but you rarely hear about those
Yes!! I posted a painting of a little bird I watched as its mother tried to get it to fly. It sold within a few hours to a woman whose first child was getting ready to leave for college.... It was titled "Finding courage..."
I have always titled my paintings because it gives the viewer your inner thoughts. But, it's a marketing advantage. I've worked in art publishing and helped name and renamed a lot of art. "Untitled" says the painting has no meaning.
100%! I usually have the title before I put brush to canvas. It's part of my creative process when I first start working on the concept of a painting. Occasionally, I might come up with something better as I'm painting, but not very often. I look to tell a story right from the start.
I usually put quite a bit of thought into my titles of my paintings. I want the title to fit the paintings and convey the feeling or thought I am trying to portray. Sometimes this isn't so easy to do.
For the painting pictured in the letter I like the title "A Moment of Enlightenment?. What a lovely painting!
I have always thought the title is part of the painting and can make a difference in the sale of it. I struggle with titles sometimes, but give it a break and return later. As someone else mentioned, sometimes I know the title before I have painted it... a part of my intent when starting the painting. Sometimes it won't be right at the end, but most times it is perfect for it.
I'm thinking, "Tibet, or not Tibet" But seriously, folks... As much as I love word play, I wouldn't go with humor for a title on a painting like this. But yes, titles can be part of the creative process, and influence the feelings of the viewers as well. Good article - food for thought.
I get frustrated when applying to themed exhibits to see the abstract painters giving their works that seem unthemed to me, choose a title appropriate to that exhibit. Then I see them put the same paintig into a different themed exhibit with a different title,
Sometimes I know the title before I even paint the painting. Sometimes I do the painting and still cant find a good title. Over time i often change the title to facilitate the theme of an exhibit (or borrow a remark a viewer has made about the work.
Because I create humor, I always (w few exceptions, have a title that "brings home the humor". So when people see my art and don't laugh, I ask, "Did you read the title?" and if they didn't, they look at it and start laughing. For my work, it is the picture AND the title that makes it all come together. I have a painting of a bored cat smoking a cigarette and holding the remote: Title: "While you're up, get me some tuna." It's the 2 together that really make it work. And when they laugh, they love it anew.
You are 100% correct. Enjoyed your article. As an artist I have been blessed to be marketed to corporate clients through my agency. I learned that doing my works (abstract painter) in a series format which gave me a narrative (stories) which helped me drive towards the Series Title and individual paintings titles. Your writing style btw is impressive. Thank you.
For some reason I feel like this painting needs a simple title, maybe just one word.
Such as, Sentinel, Exiled or Enlightenment
So true!! I’ve sold paintings BECAUSE of the titles on numerous occasions! I’m sure I’ve probably lost some sales because of them too but you rarely hear about those
Yes!! I posted a painting of a little bird I watched as its mother tried to get it to fly. It sold within a few hours to a woman whose first child was getting ready to leave for college.... It was titled "Finding courage..."
I have always titled my paintings because it gives the viewer your inner thoughts. But, it's a marketing advantage. I've worked in art publishing and helped name and renamed a lot of art. "Untitled" says the painting has no meaning.
100%! I usually have the title before I put brush to canvas. It's part of my creative process when I first start working on the concept of a painting. Occasionally, I might come up with something better as I'm painting, but not very often. I look to tell a story right from the start.
I usually put quite a bit of thought into my titles of my paintings. I want the title to fit the paintings and convey the feeling or thought I am trying to portray. Sometimes this isn't so easy to do.
For the painting pictured in the letter I like the title "A Moment of Enlightenment?. What a lovely painting!
I have always thought the title is part of the painting and can make a difference in the sale of it. I struggle with titles sometimes, but give it a break and return later. As someone else mentioned, sometimes I know the title before I have painted it... a part of my intent when starting the painting. Sometimes it won't be right at the end, but most times it is perfect for it.
I'm thinking, "Tibet, or not Tibet" But seriously, folks... As much as I love word play, I wouldn't go with humor for a title on a painting like this. But yes, titles can be part of the creative process, and influence the feelings of the viewers as well. Good article - food for thought.
We do judge books by their covers, and articles by their titles.
This is a fascinating example of how different titles for a piece can drastically influence the meanings we make. Great post.
I get frustrated when applying to themed exhibits to see the abstract painters giving their works that seem unthemed to me, choose a title appropriate to that exhibit. Then I see them put the same paintig into a different themed exhibit with a different title,
Sometimes I know the title before I even paint the painting. Sometimes I do the painting and still cant find a good title. Over time i often change the title to facilitate the theme of an exhibit (or borrow a remark a viewer has made about the work.
I would name the piece "Reflecting at Break of Dawn" or "Dawn Reflection" or maybe just "Reflection"
I believe this to be true. I have trouble naming my paintings.
Because I create humor, I always (w few exceptions, have a title that "brings home the humor". So when people see my art and don't laugh, I ask, "Did you read the title?" and if they didn't, they look at it and start laughing. For my work, it is the picture AND the title that makes it all come together. I have a painting of a bored cat smoking a cigarette and holding the remote: Title: "While you're up, get me some tuna." It's the 2 together that really make it work. And when they laugh, they love it anew.
You are 100% correct. Enjoyed your article. As an artist I have been blessed to be marketed to corporate clients through my agency. I learned that doing my works (abstract painter) in a series format which gave me a narrative (stories) which helped me drive towards the Series Title and individual paintings titles. Your writing style btw is impressive. Thank you.