Stone Carving Prices

["John Halter" <halter@zzzzzzzzzz>]

I am no expert in selling sculpture.  But I always have thought that if you
could get a potential customer in the studio and have them try carving or
polishing for an hour, they would pay double the asking price.

Occasionally I will hand a hammer, chisel and safety glasses to a bystander
and tell them to give it a try.  They are always impressed and surprised by
how they just scratch the stone.  Another moment I found revealing was when
a friend visited my studio.  He had seen my finished work for years and was
always complimentary.  But when he saw the raw stones in blocks and
boulders, he couldn't believe that was what I started with.

I realize painting and other artistic mediums have their difficulties, but
can anything match the transformation of stone?  I am always pointing out to
admirers that when civilizations have disappeared, it is their stone
sculpture which is left behind to tell the story.  And bring it closer by
telling them should their house burn down or be hit by a natural disaster,
when they come back to go through the rubble this sculpture will still be
there.  A one of a kind piece of the heart to carry forward in their lives
and move to their next generation.

Has anyone had better experience selling sculpture by getting the customer
involved in some carving?

John Halter
halter@----------