So 140 comes out to 20/hr. Not considering materials and supplies.

If someone is offering it, I’d say it’s not unreasonable, maybe. But if you’re trying to sell paintings as your sole or at least primary income… it’s probably not high enough.

There’s always going to be those people that will tell you it’s too expensive. That’s their problem. I would suggest talking with other artists and see how they price things similar to it.

Pricing isn’t easy. Especially for things that are unique.

Eh, it isn't about the quality of the work, it's about disposable income vs desire for a modified thing. It's going to be a hard sell. The form factor limits who will want it as an item for use, and the price is way above what most people would pay for that kind of thing for use.

It's also very difficult to mount or display, so someone into the art itself would be less interested vs a more conventional form factor for that kind of art.

Like others have said, build a portfolio and try for commissions. The time and effort involved to modify something like this without a buyer lined up is better spent elsewhere if you aren't doing it for your own pleasure as the primary goal.

You have a distinct style. Go the commission route if possible. Build a portfolio of your images, then hit up channels on lemmy and (shudder...reddit) etc. that match your style. Ask if anyone would like you to make something for them. Hit up any local art/music fairs that allow you to post your work and get more traffic to you.

Don't think you're not good enough to make money off your art.

I think the price is fair from a labour point of view, however, I feel like there may be an issue of offer and demand.

If you are not doing a specific commission (someone asked for it) who is going to buy it? I don't see many people spending that much money on an utilitarian object where the art, for how nice it is, isn't going to add much.

You may find someone for which money is not an issue and want something "extravagant" on display in their office, like a lawyer or a doctor. But I think is a small niche.

This also taking into consideration how sturdy the piece is. A regular folder can get damaged pretty quickly, which may put people off from buying it. Which may be doubly so if the art could get scratched or is unprotected.

Some advice that you are welcome to completely disregard:

Migrate to digital workflows with a good stylus like XP Pen.

Create an online portfolio of low res and/or watermarked images that you can link anyone who is interested.

Develop a relationship with a quality printing service near you.

For hard copy requests, like for example someone who wanted your folder, you can have the image printed and wrapped onto a folder. This way you can tailor the medium to what the client wants.

If someone wants an exclusive piece, then just print it once and don't add it to your portfolio.

Good luck!

Can I keep my secure documents in it?

This is the kind of painting you see in Psychedelic festivals. Maybe that's the audience you should target :).

I've had someone offer more for worse, so at the end of the day you mostly just have to find a buyer it speaks to. A bit of an odd medium though, I'm not sure how well it'll age (my sale was on bristol paper which holds up well, the rest of the set I kept and there still hanging strong 20 years later).