Why don’t you sign your paintings?
artsit Ann Rea's singature
Why don’t you sign your paintings?
I actually do sign my paintings. I just sign them on the back. I do this because I think that first it’s about the painting, the act of creation. I know that it’s mine and so does the collector. And each collector who invests in an original work receives a signed “Certificate of Title” detailing the transfer of ownership of the painting.
It’s not because I’m not proud of my paintings or that I don’t want to identify with them. I just prefer to maintain as little visual distraction as possible, even if it is my signature.
People have asked if I would also sign the front of a finished piece. Of course I would but interestingly these people have never actually purchased anything.
Normally I do sign larger commissioned canvases. And that’s simply because there is more real estate to work with and so the signature does not become a distraction, as it can on a smaller canvas.
When do you sign a painting? Typically an artist signs their work when it’s done. However I wait until it’s dry and I’ve lived with it for a while. After I’ve walked away for a few weeks I can return and look at it with fresh eyes and determine if I’m going to keep it or destroy it. If I decide to keep it, I sign and title it, and enter it into my inventory database. Then I have it professionally photographed by an art photographer. If it doesn’t make the grade I destroy it. The act of destruction is somehow a satisfying act of cleansing, like ripping a bad first draft to shreds.
Tags: Artist Ann Rea's signature, Certificate of Title, when is a painting done