Only an artist has the right to decide the worth of their art. But is it okay to call people names over it?
An internet user asked, “Am I a jerk for telling someone their painting wasn’t worth $100?”. We need to hear your thoughts on the matter!
Backstory
The Original Poster (OP) and her husband were cruising Bourbon St. in NOLA on vacation and they came across this guy on the corner selling paintings.
How Were The Paintings?
The guy had some interesting stuff, but not really anything that stood out to OP as a must-have.
OP’s Remark
OP’s husband asked what he was selling them for and he said $100. OP’s husband asked OP what she thought, and she told him “I wouldn’t buy it.”
The Painter Snapped
The guy looked at OP and said “My art has hung in galleries. I’m offering it at that price as a courtesy to him because he’s a horror fan.”
How Did OP Respond To Him?
OP said, “That’s awesome, and I’m not saying your piece isn’t worth $100; it’s just not worth $100 to me.”
Is OP the jerk here?
Everyone’s In The Wrong
“Everyone’s in the wrong. The polite thing to do would have been for you and your husband to discuss the purchase out of earshot of the artist. But he shouldn’t have called you names.”
He Chose To Take It As An Insult
“Not the jerk. You didn’t say why you wouldn’t buy it. Could be stylistic tastes, garbage art, you just don’t have room for it, you don’t feel like having a painting in your car on vacation, etc.
Literally, the reasons you could have said that you wouldn’t buy it are almost endless, and most of them don’t even say anything about the art itself or the artist. He chose to take it as an insult and insulted you. That’s solely on him.
Could you have had that discussion off-camera? Sure. But frankly, if an artist can’t take hearing that one person wouldn’t be interested in buying their art on a given day for an unspecified reason, they’re very much in the wrong business.”
He Needs To Grow Thicker Skin
“Not the jerk, if he was in galleries he would not be selling on a corner. All you said is that you would not buy it and he called you names. He needs to grow thicker skin and watch his mouth. Who overheard what he told you? A good way to lose customers.”
He’ll Definitely Lose Business Like That
“As an artist…not the jerk. As for him, I’m not quite sure if he was completely the jerk but he’ll definitely lose business like that. We don’t abuse clients, and people value art differently. Other people may value that piece more. He can sell to those people.
Your ‘Save’ Was Not Very Good
“You’re the jerk. Not buying the art already means it’s not worth $100 to you. Saying it’s not worth $100 implies it’s not worth $100 to anybody. That’s rude. Your ‘save’ was not very good.”
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