How Alberta Artists Price Their Work: Emerging to Mid-Tier
One of the most frequent questions I get from collectors is: “How do I know if a painting is priced fairly?” Pricing isn’t only about canvas size — it reflects career stage, visibility, and market context. In Alberta (and across Canada), artists often align with three practical tiers. To help collectors, I’m sharing how those tiers generally look, why many artists use size-based pricing, and where I see myself in this landscape.
🎨 Hobbyist vs. Emerging Artist
Hobbyist Artist
A hobbyist creates art for personal enjoyment, often experimenting without a business model. Hobbyists may occasionally sell or gift work, but they typically do not:
Maintain a consistent pricing strategy.
Show in professional venues.
Treat art as a career path.
Hobbyists are vital to the creative ecosyste,m but don’t operate as professional artists. (Tommey, n.d.; EmptyEasel, 2011)
Emerging Artist
According to the Canada Council for the Arts, an emerging artist is one who:
Has specialized training (formal degree, mentorship, or cultural tradition).
Is in the early years of their professional career.
Has some history of public presentation.
Is committed to devoting more time to art as their career develops.
Self-identifies as emerging. (Canada Council for the Arts, n.d.; ArtStarts, n.d.)
By this definition, I qualify as an Emerging Artist: with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor in Education, and psychology coursework, plus a few exhibitions, a growing collector base, and consistent public presentation, I am actively transitioning from Emerging toward Mid-Tier.
🌱 Emerging / Entry-Level Artists
Typical range: ~$1.00–$1.50 per square inch (sometimes up to ~$2.00 as momentum builds).
This tier includes artists just starting to sell their work at markets, art walks, or early group shows. Prices are intentionally accessible to build a collector base. Guides consistently note that $1–$2/sq in is a common range for new artists pricing with transparency.
👉 Examples from aggregated insights:
Artwork Archive surveys show emerging artists often begin near $1/sq in and raise incrementally as sales build.
RedDotBlog highlights that galleries regularly see early-career artists working in the $1.50–$2.00 range as they establish momentum.
The Abundant Artist explains that small works in this tier often fall between $200–$400 (for a 12×12), aligning with that ~$1.50–$2.00/sq in model.
🌿 Mid-Tier Artists
Typical range: ~$1.50–$2.50 per square inch.
Mid-tier artists have a consistent exhibition history, often showing in galleries, libraries, or regional venues. They also tend to have a growing base of collectors. Their pricing balances accessibility with long-term value.
👉 Professional sources support this range clearly:
Artwork Archive notes that once artists demonstrate consistency, their prices often rise into the $1.50–$3.00/sq in zone.
RedDotBlog (Jason Horejs, Xanadu Gallery) describes mid-career pricing models tapering from ~$2.00+ per sq in for small works down toward ~$1.50 on large canvases.
The Abundant Artist recommends this range as the “sweet spot” for artists who are beyond entry-level but not yet commanding regional or national reputations.
🌳 Upper Mid-Tier Artists
Typical range: ~$2.50–$3.50 per square inch (and beyond).
This level reflects artists with regional reputations, consistent solo exhibitions, and, often, institutional acquisitions. Collectors here are investing not only in a painting but also in the artist’s recognized cultural role.
Examples with public documentation:
Brenda Draney (Edmonton-based Cree artist): represented by major Canadian institutions, with acquisitions at the National Gallery of Canada and the Art Gallery of Alberta.
Tim Okamura (Edmonton-born, New York-based): internationally collected, with work in the National Portrait Gallery (London).
In Canada, CARFAC-RAAV doesn’t prescribe per-inch art prices but publishes minimum recommended artist fees for exhibitions and services — reinforcing the principle that professional artists deserve consistent, transparent compensation.
✨ Where I Am in This Journey (Emerging → Mid-Tier)
I’m transitioning from Emerging to Mid-Tier. Over the next 6–12 months, I’m working with a transitional, size-based model of roughly $1.25–$1.75 per square inch — smaller works slightly higher per inch, larger works are tapered to remain accessible.
This transition is backed by my professional growth:
Education & training: My background in art (Bachelor of Fine Arts), education (Bachelor in Education), and psychology courses informs my practice, giving my underwater work both technical depth and conceptual richness.
Exhibitions & visibility: Small solo shows plus community events like the Whyte Avenue Art Walk.
Consistent theme & body of work: Underwater swimmers, light, and reflection — a cohesive signature style that collectors recognize.
Professional practices: Transparent square-inch pricing, professional website with SEO-driven writing, and press coverage (front page of the Leduc Rep).
Collector base & community: Repeat buyers, charitable giving (5% of sales to Canadian Mental Health Association), and active contribution to the Alberta arts community.
💡 Why Transparency Matters for Collectors
Clarity & fairness: Square-inch pricing shows how value scales with size and career stage.
Canadian standards: CARFAC-RAAV emphasizes professional, transparent practices that protect both artists and collectors.
Collector confidence: Knowing the logic behind pricing means buyers understand not only today’s investment, but how that value may grow.
At the end of the day, beyond formulas, the best advice remains: buy the piece that moves you.
📚 References (APA style)
ArtStarts. (n.d.). Definitions – Emerging Artist. Retrieved from https://artstarts.com/definitions
Artwork Archive. (2017, February 28). How to price your artwork for profit. https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/how-to-price-your-artwork-for-profit
Artwork Archive. (2022, July 27). Making sense of the price of art (for both artists & collectors). https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/making-sense-of-the-price-of-art-for-both-artists-collectors
Artwork Archive. (2025, March 4). Ask Artwork Archive: “I have no idea how to price my artwork.” https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/ask-artwork-archive-i-have-no-idea-how-to-price-my-artwork
Canada Council for the Arts. (n.d.). Applicant Profiles: New/Early Career Artist. Retrieved from https://canadacouncil.ca/-/media/Files/CCA/Funding/Grants/ApplicantProfiles-New
CARFAC-RAAV. (2025). Minimum recommended fee schedule (2025–2027). https://carfac-raav.ca/2025-en/
CARFAC. (n.d.). The CARFAC-RAAV fee schedule (overview). https://www.carfac.ca/tools/fees/
CARFAC Alberta. (2022, April 8). CARFAC-RAAV minimum recommended fee schedule (resource). https://www.carfacalberta.com/resources/carfac-fee-schedule/
EmptyEasel. (2011, February 1). Hobbyist, Amateur, or Professional Artist—Which Are You? https://emptyeasel.com/2011/02/01/hobbyist-amateur-or-professional-artist-which-are-you/
Horejs, J. (2024, July 19). Price it right: The artist’s guide to smarter pricing. RedDotBlog. https://reddotblog.com/price-it-right-the-artists-guide-to-smarter-pricing/
Horejs, J. (2024, September 17). Ask a gallery owner: Making square inch pricing work for smaller pieces. RedDotBlog. https://reddotblog.com/ask-a-gallery-owner-pricing-21/
The Abundant Artist. (n.d.). How to price fine art and paintings. https://theabundantartist.com/pricing/
Tommey, M. (n.d.). Hobbyist or Pro Artist… What’s the Difference? https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/blog/hobbyist-or-pro-artist-whats-the-difference/
Brenda Draney. (2023). Biography. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenda_Draney
Tim Okamura. (2023). Biography. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Okamura
