‘Tis the Season of Donations and Fund Raisers, asking artists to give away their work.

I have a strong policy about this*, and it includes donating to an occasional cause.

The policy came after the year that I donated more than I sold.

This year I am donating an oil painting of an orange to Exeter’s Courthouse Gallery. They will give me one ticket to their event, but I won’t be attending. I don’t want to buy a second ticket for someone to come with me. And I don’t want to be there while my painting is auctioned, because if no one bids, I might just die of complete and total mortification.

But, I hope this oil painting of an orange brings $60 at a minimum, because that is what I would charge for it if I sold it myself. (And the IRS would allow me to write off the cost of the canvas, the metal hanger on the back of the canvas, and the oil paint. Pray tell, oh wise bureaucrats, how do I calculate the cost of the oil paint??)

*Perhaps it is time to reprint that policy. . .