Signing your work

Robert Genn's pearls of wisdom~

Yesterday Margie Deeb of Roswell, Georgia, had some questions
about signing paintings: "I make large oils," she said, "and I
don't see as many artists signing their paintings as I used to.
If I sign them, ought it to be my full name? What about putting
in the year? Initials only? How about signing on the back?"

Thanks Margie. You just have to know I've got some prejudices
on this one. The current trend of not signing paintings is one
of the truly dumb ideas. Whether it's shy humility or an
attempt to de-commodify one's art, it omits and makes more
difficult one of the greatest values--the connection to and
recognition of you the artist. Making it tough for viewers to
make this connection is an insult to them and serves only to
shoot yourself in the foot. Also, signing is the stamp of
finishing. While nothing in life is truly finished, a signature
is a sign that a process has now come to an end. Collectors
need this stamp.

To add more prejudice, I believe in clear or relatively clear
front signing with your full or "art" name. I believe that
people ought to have the choice of knowing you by both your
first as well as your last name. Consistency is important.
Viewers, you'll note, lean forward and check this vital
information early on in the viewing cycle. Without a name to
hang onto they move on to your competition. You can watch it
happening. While lots of historical artists have gone for
initials only, this shorthand is not practical in today's world
where there are far more in the game.

With regard to dating your works, dates ought to be left off
the front unless it's a specific dedicated work. Dating on the
back is also problematical because dealers and others tend to
be more hesitant about stale-dated work. "This is four years
old--how come it hasn't sold yet?" they ask. On the other hand,
works from specific trips, time sensitive projects, and those
that are going right out the door, can profit from dating.
Place, in most cases, is more valuable than date. In a way, art
is timeless. Incidentally, an authenticating touch is to sign
your work on the back with your regular cheque-writing
signature. In any case I believe in keeping a card file that
records info that can be made available to interested parties
on request.

Best regards,

Robert

PS: "Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of
ending." (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

Esoterica: When I was a kid I used to think my name was too
short and simple for an artist. I thought I really needed a
long, foreign sounding name like Kokoshka or Lichenstein. In a
bout of weakness I even considered becoming a Kabalarian and
getting myself a new name that matched me better. Roberto
Gennslovski, or something. Then one day the light went on that
my name wasn't as important as my work. Also, there were lots
of admirable artists by the name of Betty Brown. About eight of
them subscribe to this letter. In the age of google it's better
to be Betty Biggerstaffe Brown--the search engine can find you.