You didn’t sell anything at your show or open studio. It can make you feel like crap. When this happens to me I am not sure if I feel bad about my work or myself. Probably both. It tends to dampen my enthusiasm about even trying to make art anymore.
If you ever feel this way, it is probable that you are thinking the World of Selling Your Art and the World of Making your Art are one and the same. They are not. They are actually very, very different from one another.
Here are the primary differences:
World of Selling Your Art
• You have no control in the outcomes of this world. It involves too many externalities that you cannot possibly control. This world is more about other people than it is about you.
• There is a tendency for artists to connect the value of what they make or even themselves based solely upon their success in this world. At best this is a roller coaster ride that will carry your self-esteem along for the ride. One day you are up, the next you are down.
• This world keeps you either in the future, worrying about what will happen or in the past, worrying about what already has happened. There is little time to for you to be present in this world and ultimately this is why it is sometimes so difficult.
World of Making Your Art
• You have total control in this world. The practice of Art making is an exercise in self-determination. Practically all aspects of your practice are within your control. This world is mostly a celebration of who you are presently. It is more about you than anyone else.
• Since your practice is totally under your own control, it becomes possible then, to consistently stay inspired and engaged with whatever it is that interests you. Staying engaged, becoming enamored with the unfolding of your own Art over time and the tremendous feelings of self worth that accompany this accomplishment makes you automatically successful in this world.
• The World of Making Your Art is all about the present. When you make your work, when you are really in it, the past nor the future enter into it. This is one of the primary reasons making Art is so gratifying. Making Art is Life being lived to it’s fullest. It makes us feel more alive and more like ourselves than possibly anything else we can possibly do.
So if you are going to choose to spend time in the roller coaster World of Selling Your Art, at least understand that it is probably not going to inspire you the way Art making does. There are also going to be a lot of people in this world who are not particularly interested in you. It most likely will not offer you a sustainable way to feel good about your Art.
This World can be so distracting.
So much so that sometimes it is easy to forget about the other World.
The World of Making Your Art… the world where your practice resides, where everything is in your control and where the possibility to feel utterly like yourself, so alive, are already there.
All that is missing is you.
“ ….be as present as you can. The past cannot survive in your presence. It can only survive in your absence.” Quoted from “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle.
In gratitude, Nicholas
79 Comments
Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
Join me and artists from all over the world in our Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group or learn more here about Art2Life.
Good reminder. Thank you for the writing!
Good reminder. Thank you for the writing!
Good reminder. Thank you for the writing!
This is so well stated Nick. Many years ago when I was entering a lot of juried shows I realized I had to not be attached to the outcome–this is true of most things in life–non attachment to the outcome. I realized the process of showing work is actually about me feeling good about myself/art. When one feels good about oneself then it really doesn’t matter what other people think, because that is about them. Same is true for art and love. You can’t make someone love you and you can’t make someone love your art. They either do or they don’t . All I can do is put my best self/art out there and not be attached to the outcome, and know full well that my artwork is not for most people, but someone will like it or love it eventually.
Great attitude…however it is hard when you put effort in to something like a juried show and get no response…there are ways that are easy to show your work – like on your facebook page or sending out a email to those who are intersted in your work on the web that don’t cost much… That allows you to reach way more people and can provide far more positive and helpful content than sending your work off to a juried show. Both work but just make sure neither takes away from our juice to make art!
This is so well stated Nick. Many years ago when I was entering a lot of juried shows I realized I had to not be attached to the outcome–this is true of most things in life–non attachment to the outcome. I realized the process of showing work is actually about me feeling good about myself/art. When one feels good about oneself then it really doesn’t matter what other people think, because that is about them. Same is true for art and love. You can’t make someone love you and you can’t make someone love your art. They either do or they don’t . All I can do is put my best self/art out there and not be attached to the outcome, and know full well that my artwork is not for most people, but someone will like it or love it eventually.
Great attitude…however it is hard when you put effort in to something like a juried show and get no response…there are ways that are easy to show your work – like on your facebook page or sending out a email to those who are intersted in your work on the web that don’t cost much… That allows you to reach way more people and can provide far more positive and helpful content than sending your work off to a juried show. Both work but just make sure neither takes away from our juice to make art!
This is so well stated Nick. Many years ago when I was entering a lot of juried shows I realized I had to not be attached to the outcome–this is true of most things in life–non attachment to the outcome. I realized the process of showing work is actually about me feeling good about myself/art. When one feels good about oneself then it really doesn’t matter what other people think, because that is about them. Same is true for art and love. You can’t make someone love you and you can’t make someone love your art. They either do or they don’t . All I can do is put my best self/art out there and not be attached to the outcome, and know full well that my artwork is not for most people, but someone will like it or love it eventually.
Great attitude…however it is hard when you put effort in to something like a juried show and get no response…there are ways that are easy to show your work – like on your facebook page or sending out a email to those who are intersted in your work on the web that don’t cost much… That allows you to reach way more people and can provide far more positive and helpful content than sending your work off to a juried show. Both work but just make sure neither takes away from our juice to make art!
Yes yes yes… This resonates deeply with previous and current experience. So can you share ways of navigating the world of selling/not selling your art? Ways we can enter that world and engage in that world without taking home the sense of failure, or internalizing the rejection, or recognizing wins that might not have money attached? We have to be in that world. How do we survive it?
Thanks I will sway some content in this direction–it seems useful to people..thanks for the feedback.
Yes yes yes… This resonates deeply with previous and current experience. So can you share ways of navigating the world of selling/not selling your art? Ways we can enter that world and engage in that world without taking home the sense of failure, or internalizing the rejection, or recognizing wins that might not have money attached? We have to be in that world. How do we survive it?
Thanks I will sway some content in this direction–it seems useful to people..thanks for the feedback.
Yes yes yes… This resonates deeply with previous and current experience. So can you share ways of navigating the world of selling/not selling your art? Ways we can enter that world and engage in that world without taking home the sense of failure, or internalizing the rejection, or recognizing wins that might not have money attached? We have to be in that world. How do we survive it?
Thanks I will sway some content in this direction–it seems useful to people..thanks for the feedback.
What you say is all true for me. Making art is the microcosm of life. Color, paint can lift me up, bring me into the present moment like nothing else and be metaphor for all that’s happening around me. Painting can also reflect the struggles we all go through. I try to eject my inner critic, and know that there are no mistakes…. “Paint through ugly….” Because things don’t always go as the look in my minds eye. Sometimes this works and all is well, other times it doesn’t and I struggle. I just keep going back, never give up… What else can I do. Without making art I am unbalanced. So even if I do sell a painting…. I hate to let it go…like my children. It does leave a space to be filled… So I keep painting!
love that…thx
What you say is all true for me. Making art is the microcosm of life. Color, paint can lift me up, bring me into the present moment like nothing else and be metaphor for all that’s happening around me. Painting can also reflect the struggles we all go through. I try to eject my inner critic, and know that there are no mistakes…. “Paint through ugly….” Because things don’t always go as the look in my minds eye. Sometimes this works and all is well, other times it doesn’t and I struggle. I just keep going back, never give up… What else can I do. Without making art I am unbalanced. So even if I do sell a painting…. I hate to let it go…like my children. It does leave a space to be filled… So I keep painting!
love that…thx
What you say is all true for me. Making art is the microcosm of life. Color, paint can lift me up, bring me into the present moment like nothing else and be metaphor for all that’s happening around me. Painting can also reflect the struggles we all go through. I try to eject my inner critic, and know that there are no mistakes…. “Paint through ugly….” Because things don’t always go as the look in my minds eye. Sometimes this works and all is well, other times it doesn’t and I struggle. I just keep going back, never give up… What else can I do. Without making art I am unbalanced. So even if I do sell a painting…. I hate to let it go…like my children. It does leave a space to be filled… So I keep painting!
love that…thx
I have been struggling with this issue for the last year, since I had two shows and sold only two small paintings. Although my work was well received it didn’t sell, and I went in the hole. I was crestfallen about the lack of sales, but by contrast I was incredibly satisfied by the cohesiveness and the presentation of the last show as well as the response by the public. And that pretty much sums up the conflicting emotions I have and mixed messages I receive regarding my art. I sat down and figured out how much money I spend on my art – money for a business coach, money for framing, money for the website, money for the workshops, money for post cards, business cards, money for jury entries, association memberships, hanging fees, shipping fees, gas… and I realized that I’d have to sell a fortune in paintings to ever make back my investment. So it’s no wonder I began to think that maybe I am being foolish for painting and putting my work out there. But in my heart I know better. Everything you write about “the world of painting” is true – my paintings continue to inform me about what I am really thinking, about what really matters to me. The creative process is the perfect vehicle for being present. So I have to ask myself why I would ever want to give this up? I didn’t work my way out of this on my own – (and I don’t think I’m necessarily out of the woods on this for good – it’s still a battle) I have had some excellent personal coaching – the end result being that I am still painting, and when I get negative thoughts about sales I try to let them go and look for alternative ways of dealing with the lack of sales. I try to rationally consider the amount of financial risk and the potential benefits of the next venture – what I stand to learn by putting the effort and/or the money into the opportunity.
Jim- you are incredibly articulate on this nebulous area of emotions–it is super hard to follow your heart and disregard or try to your pocketbook. So what I have found is that if people’s work is really unique–like them–(the artist has really gotten into what they are doing- then you become the authority on this area of your work–that is what people want to buy..they want something unique–really unique. So the biz advice I give actually has to do with making your work totally personal and so inspiring to you. It sounds like you are on this course already..bravo
Thank you, Nicholas, for the encouragement. I appreciate it.
I have been struggling with this issue for the last year, since I had two shows and sold only two small paintings. Although my work was well received it didn’t sell, and I went in the hole. I was crestfallen about the lack of sales, but by contrast I was incredibly satisfied by the cohesiveness and the presentation of the last show as well as the response by the public. And that pretty much sums up the conflicting emotions I have and mixed messages I receive regarding my art. I sat down and figured out how much money I spend on my art – money for a business coach, money for framing, money for the website, money for the workshops, money for post cards, business cards, money for jury entries, association memberships, hanging fees, shipping fees, gas… and I realized that I’d have to sell a fortune in paintings to ever make back my investment. So it’s no wonder I began to think that maybe I am being foolish for painting and putting my work out there. But in my heart I know better. Everything you write about “the world of painting” is true – my paintings continue to inform me about what I am really thinking, about what really matters to me. The creative process is the perfect vehicle for being present. So I have to ask myself why I would ever want to give this up? I didn’t work my way out of this on my own – (and I don’t think I’m necessarily out of the woods on this for good – it’s still a battle) I have had some excellent personal coaching – the end result being that I am still painting, and when I get negative thoughts about sales I try to let them go and look for alternative ways of dealing with the lack of sales. I try to rationally consider the amount of financial risk and the potential benefits of the next venture – what I stand to learn by putting the effort and/or the money into the opportunity.
Jim- you are incredibly articulate on this nebulous area of emotions–it is super hard to follow your heart and disregard or try to your pocketbook. So what I have found is that if people’s work is really unique–like them–(the artist has really gotten into what they are doing- then you become the authority on this area of your work–that is what people want to buy..they want something unique–really unique. So the biz advice I give actually has to do with making your work totally personal and so inspiring to you. It sounds like you are on this course already..bravo
Thank you, Nicholas, for the encouragement. I appreciate it.
I have been struggling with this issue for the last year, since I had two shows and sold only two small paintings. Although my work was well received it didn’t sell, and I went in the hole. I was crestfallen about the lack of sales, but by contrast I was incredibly satisfied by the cohesiveness and the presentation of the last show as well as the response by the public. And that pretty much sums up the conflicting emotions I have and mixed messages I receive regarding my art. I sat down and figured out how much money I spend on my art – money for a business coach, money for framing, money for the website, money for the workshops, money for post cards, business cards, money for jury entries, association memberships, hanging fees, shipping fees, gas… and I realized that I’d have to sell a fortune in paintings to ever make back my investment. So it’s no wonder I began to think that maybe I am being foolish for painting and putting my work out there. But in my heart I know better. Everything you write about “the world of painting” is true – my paintings continue to inform me about what I am really thinking, about what really matters to me. The creative process is the perfect vehicle for being present. So I have to ask myself why I would ever want to give this up? I didn’t work my way out of this on my own – (and I don’t think I’m necessarily out of the woods on this for good – it’s still a battle) I have had some excellent personal coaching – the end result being that I am still painting, and when I get negative thoughts about sales I try to let them go and look for alternative ways of dealing with the lack of sales. I try to rationally consider the amount of financial risk and the potential benefits of the next venture – what I stand to learn by putting the effort and/or the money into the opportunity.
Jim- you are incredibly articulate on this nebulous area of emotions–it is super hard to follow your heart and disregard or try to your pocketbook. So what I have found is that if people’s work is really unique–like them–(the artist has really gotten into what they are doing- then you become the authority on this area of your work–that is what people want to buy..they want something unique–really unique. So the biz advice I give actually has to do with making your work totally personal and so inspiring to you. It sounds like you are on this course already..bravo
Thank you, Nicholas, for the encouragement. I appreciate it.
All the comments speak to the many parts of being a artist.My biggest conflict is staying true to myself.
My artwork overall is on the edge, other artists seem to enjoy my work and friends .Artwork that is in a show, viewers may stop and look and express interest,no sells.The work that has sold in the past year has been more decorative . sometimes I feel like a split personality wanting to please the viewers,but also myself.
Trying to stay in the creative happy zone and working on a cohesive body of work ,knowing the reward will
be a sense of accomplishment and the grand adventure of what is waiting to unfold. With the hope others
may enjoy my work.
SB, the easy decorative art is always a better seller. Don’t fall into this trap. Always challenge yourself.
Yeah _ I used to always put birds in abstract paintings as they were so
favorable …people love birds..eventually I got the confidence to leave
them out as I am not really interested in painting birds..John is so
right- the sooner you can get clear and true to yourself the sooner your work will feel like you and then….it will sell more easily.
All the comments speak to the many parts of being a artist.My biggest conflict is staying true to myself.
My artwork overall is on the edge, other artists seem to enjoy my work and friends .Artwork that is in a show, viewers may stop and look and express interest,no sells.The work that has sold in the past year has been more decorative . sometimes I feel like a split personality wanting to please the viewers,but also myself.
Trying to stay in the creative happy zone and working on a cohesive body of work ,knowing the reward will
be a sense of accomplishment and the grand adventure of what is waiting to unfold. With the hope others
may enjoy my work.
SB, the easy decorative art is always a better seller. Don’t fall into this trap. Always challenge yourself.
Yeah _ I used to always put birds in abstract paintings as they were so
favorable …people love birds..eventually I got the confidence to leave
them out as I am not really interested in painting birds..John is so
right- the sooner you can get clear and true to yourself the sooner your work will feel like you and then….it will sell more easily.
All the comments speak to the many parts of being a artist.My biggest conflict is staying true to myself.
My artwork overall is on the edge, other artists seem to enjoy my work and friends .Artwork that is in a show, viewers may stop and look and express interest,no sells.The work that has sold in the past year has been more decorative . sometimes I feel like a split personality wanting to please the viewers,but also myself.
Trying to stay in the creative happy zone and working on a cohesive body of work ,knowing the reward will
be a sense of accomplishment and the grand adventure of what is waiting to unfold. With the hope others
may enjoy my work.
SB, the easy decorative art is always a better seller. Don’t fall into this trap. Always challenge yourself.
Yeah _ I used to always put birds in abstract paintings as they were so
favorable …people love birds..eventually I got the confidence to leave
them out as I am not really interested in painting birds..John is so
right- the sooner you can get clear and true to yourself the sooner your work will feel like you and then….it will sell more easily.
I love the way you divide one’s art practice into two different worlds, which of course they are. It is so easy for them to become entwined – when my work doesn’t sell in a show, I don’t feel successful whatsoever, even if I feel really good about the work I’ve produced. Success in our world is so dominated by making money. However, I prefer your definition… I’ll have to remind myself that just showing up at the studio each day, staying engaged and seeing progress in my work is enough and I should view this as success! Besides, I have a greater need to produce art than to make a lot of money.
Well Anne what I teach and have experienced for myself is that it doesn’t have to be one or the other..Artists are so quick to accept the fact that to do what we love almost guarantees a paltry financial reward. Here is the good news- If you truly delve in to making your work like you, truly authentic-it increases in value–people will pay dearly for something made with passion and conviction. Artists can kill it financially–we are the ones who can create something that moves people–this is gold.
I love the way you divide one’s art practice into two different worlds, which of course they are. It is so easy for them to become entwined – when my work doesn’t sell in a show, I don’t feel successful whatsoever, even if I feel really good about the work I’ve produced. Success in our world is so dominated by making money. However, I prefer your definition… I’ll have to remind myself that just showing up at the studio each day, staying engaged and seeing progress in my work is enough and I should view this as success! Besides, I have a greater need to produce art than to make a lot of money.
Well Anne what I teach and have experienced for myself is that it doesn’t have to be one or the other..Artists are so quick to accept the fact that to do what we love almost guarantees a paltry financial reward. Here is the good news- If you truly delve in to making your work like you, truly authentic-it increases in value–people will pay dearly for something made with passion and conviction. Artists can kill it financially–we are the ones who can create something that moves people–this is gold.
I love the way you divide one’s art practice into two different worlds, which of course they are. It is so easy for them to become entwined – when my work doesn’t sell in a show, I don’t feel successful whatsoever, even if I feel really good about the work I’ve produced. Success in our world is so dominated by making money. However, I prefer your definition… I’ll have to remind myself that just showing up at the studio each day, staying engaged and seeing progress in my work is enough and I should view this as success! Besides, I have a greater need to produce art than to make a lot of money.
Well Anne what I teach and have experienced for myself is that it doesn’t have to be one or the other..Artists are so quick to accept the fact that to do what we love almost guarantees a paltry financial reward. Here is the good news- If you truly delve in to making your work like you, truly authentic-it increases in value–people will pay dearly for something made with passion and conviction. Artists can kill it financially–we are the ones who can create something that moves people–this is gold.
Well now, look what your wrote about making art. SHUT THE FUCK UP!!
Well now, look what your wrote about making art. SHUT THE FUCK UP!!
Well now, look what your wrote about making art. SHUT THE FUCK UP!!
Semantic games as a form of social control. ha! nice try. Artist’s are purposeful and intelligent people with great disciple and influence. Art will always sell for higher and higher prices. Art Inspires.
Semantic games as a form of social control. ha! nice try. Artist’s are purposeful and intelligent people with great disciple and influence. Art will always sell for higher and higher prices. Art Inspires.
Semantic games as a form of social control. ha! nice try. Artist’s are purposeful and intelligent people with great disciple and influence. Art will always sell for higher and higher prices. Art Inspires.
Making art is clearly a creative process, while selling art becomes an analytical one. To say we have little control over the outcomes of the world is correct yet we have a great deal of control over our own outcomes. The moment you utter the words, “I want to sell my art”, you are now a business owner and have to set the creative aside, put on the analytical outfit and begin the selling process…the beauty is the outfits change easily the more we do it. My mantra these days is, “I want someone who is as enthusiastic about selling my work as I am about making it.” I will accept nothing less….
Robert, thank you so much for sharing your mantra!!! This is superbly helpful to me as it is true for all aspects of my life: friendships, job hunting, finding housemates, finding a soul mate
….
Sandy, You are welcome.
Robert that is really helpful..I remember when I started shifting form being interviewed by galleries to inerviewing them…-“I am looking for a partner who can work as hard as I do–and I cna work really really hard–I am going to succeed with yo or without you so if you are not 100% in then I gotta go as I have work to do” That attitude shift was key.
Nicholas, I think you’ve nailed it with “That attitude shift being key” and unfortunately many artists accept anything less than 100% is still something. Thank you for a great post, I enjoyed reading it.
you bet!
Making art is clearly a creative process, while selling art becomes an analytical one. To say we have little control over the outcomes of the world is correct yet we have a great deal of control over our own outcomes. The moment you utter the words, “I want to sell my art”, you are now a business owner and have to set the creative aside, put on the analytical outfit and begin the selling process…the beauty is the outfits change easily the more we do it. My mantra these days is, “I want someone who is as enthusiastic about selling my work as I am about making it.” I will accept nothing less….
Robert, thank you so much for sharing your mantra!!! This is superbly helpful to me as it is true for all aspects of my life: friendships, job hunting, finding housemates, finding a soul mate
….
Sandy, You are welcome.
Robert that is really helpful..I remember when I started shifting form being interviewed by galleries to inerviewing them…-“I am looking for a partner who can work as hard as I do–and I cna work really really hard–I am going to succeed with yo or without you so if you are not 100% in then I gotta go as I have work to do” That attitude shift was key.
Nicholas, I think you’ve nailed it with “That attitude shift being key” and unfortunately many artists accept anything less than 100% is still something. Thank you for a great post, I enjoyed reading it.
you bet!
Making art is clearly a creative process, while selling art becomes an analytical one. To say we have little control over the outcomes of the world is correct yet we have a great deal of control over our own outcomes. The moment you utter the words, “I want to sell my art”, you are now a business owner and have to set the creative aside, put on the analytical outfit and begin the selling process…the beauty is the outfits change easily the more we do it. My mantra these days is, “I want someone who is as enthusiastic about selling my work as I am about making it.” I will accept nothing less….
Robert, thank you so much for sharing your mantra!!! This is superbly helpful to me as it is true for all aspects of my life: friendships, job hunting, finding housemates, finding a soul mate
….
Sandy, You are welcome.
Robert that is really helpful..I remember when I started shifting form being interviewed by galleries to inerviewing them…-“I am looking for a partner who can work as hard as I do–and I cna work really really hard–I am going to succeed with yo or without you so if you are not 100% in then I gotta go as I have work to do” That attitude shift was key.
Nicholas, I think you’ve nailed it with “That attitude shift being key” and unfortunately many artists accept anything less than 100% is still something. Thank you for a great post, I enjoyed reading it.
you bet!
Surely it’s a very fine line between creating art that you feel inspired to and making art which you believe will sell and will pay a few bills. If you can create art that you love and people want to buy then you have hit the sweet spot – if not – then it’s a tough choice between staying true to yourself or switching course. My partner works at http://www.cadremont.co.uk – they make frames and picture mounts etc – and as they say sometimes it’s an impossible task to know what will sell and what wont. Are you selling to the right people in the right location ? , is there really a market for your niche ? – the only real way of knowing is looking at your bank balance after an exhibition
Surely it’s a very fine line between creating art that you feel inspired to and making art which you believe will sell and will pay a few bills. If you can create art that you love and people want to buy then you have hit the sweet spot – if not – then it’s a tough choice between staying true to yourself or switching course. My partner works at http://www.cadremont.co.uk – they make frames and picture mounts etc – and as they say sometimes it’s an impossible task to know what will sell and what wont. Are you selling to the right people in the right location ? , is there really a market for your niche ? – the only real way of knowing is looking at your bank balance after an exhibition
Surely it’s a very fine line between creating art that you feel inspired to and making art which you believe will sell and will pay a few bills. If you can create art that you love and people want to buy then you have hit the sweet spot – if not – then it’s a tough choice between staying true to yourself or switching course. My partner works at http://www.cadremont.co.uk – they make frames and picture mounts etc – and as they say sometimes it’s an impossible task to know what will sell and what wont. Are you selling to the right people in the right location ? , is there really a market for your niche ? – the only real way of knowing is looking at your bank balance after an exhibition
Thank you for this. The most powerful statement you made, “When this happens to me I am not sure if I feel bad about my work or myself,” was affirming. It can happen to all of us. I remain true to myself and always have – but still suffer from the occasional “droughts.” One, that fortunately, just ended. 2 different things. Wonderful!
Oh wow, I needed to be reminded of this truth today. I’ve been producing art since we came home from our travels but in the back of my mind, I know there’s a show of mine hanging now that is doing just “that” – Hanging! No movement. Well, as you remind me, I can’t micromanage that. In the meantime, I’m reveling in the delight of new works and new direction! Thanks.
It is so funny how the time of your post is so apt. I have been feeling down about my work but submitted a couple of prints to a show thinking well I like them even if nobody else does. Lo and behold I turned up to the private view to find that I had sold both pieces of work! So no more feeling down worrying if someone will like what I do. I just need to enjoy myself and be true to me.
You’re doing a fantastic job keeping artists connected Nicholas even on the other side of the planet where we spell COLOUR like this !
Everyone here must have day jobs. You can’t make a living with art. Only about 1% of artist can even make a living with their art…particularly now days. I know first hand because I have been doing it for years. I make my living as a commission artist doing murals, portraits and canvas commissions. From the ages of 18-40 I worked in advertising as they used to hire illustrators….now that work is done by computers. From the ages 40-currently (54yrs) I have been painting the murals and commissions and have tried selling art online from my website…impossible unless you somehow can drive tons of traffic to your site. Also tried selling original art on EBay and at most $25 a painting is all you can fetch. This year I have made about…ummm…poverty $15k and in 2015 $3k and 2014 9k. Just got back in to a rental after 4 months of being homeless. Problem is I have been working as an artist since the 1980s and now have no job skills to even get a minimum wage job. If you are a single person like me this all equals a horrific future ….and I am an excellent artist…it is just a worthless skill. People don’t really buy art or care about it is what I am experiencing.
(In advance, sorry if the story sounds too complain-y. It’s just what I concluded :P)
I sometimes make art that I wanna make. Whether others like it or not.
And sometimes I try out a bunch of things in different styles, to see if it’ll sell. Things that are popular at the moment, like Grumpy Cat, Frozen, Dia de Los Muertos or Harry Potter.
Somehow, barely any of it sells. I ask low prices (maybe a bit too low) and paint very detailed and with care.
I recently sold 3 paintings with discount on a fair (in total I got 9 dollar for them. These paintings had been in my home for about 5 years, I was só done with them) and surprisingly, those were the three paintings I had not spend much time on. The colours on the painting were só off that it almost hurt your eyes and I couldn’t see any love or effort in it. To me, it was a failed painting. It was ugly and heartless, like made by a machine.
But that’s the one they wanted. The others had bunnies too, loving playfull snowbunnies, jumping around with Elsa, or sitting upright in blue-white snow with bits of sparkly glitter in the corners.
So..basically, what I learned is that people want bright colours..but not just bright, they want them to clash. They want them to be wrong. They don’t want Dia de Los Muertos cat-statues that are handpainted with love, they want the machine-painted skulls that are twice the price from the supermarket.
They won’t want them to be right. They want to be able to dispose of them without getting attached.
So they don’t want to like it ‘too much.’
Which is why my nailpolish-experiment-gone-wrong-elsa-painting sold immediately.
And the one where she is surrounded by beautifull streams of snow and ice, with a subtle shining dress and braid, has been for sale for over 3 years now.
(My dad once told me a story about a friend of his, selling old tiles. He’d found these in one of his homes, they were original Dutch tiles and supposed to be worth lots of money.
He put them in the shoppingwindow, with the explanation (‘real tiles, only 3 euro’s’) and sold about 5.
The next week, his neighbour had made néw tiles, with similair prints and put those in hís shoppingwindow, to sell to the tourists.
The tiles were pretty much identical, only the colours of the new ones were awfully bright and clashed with each other. And they weren’t original ofcourse. Painted without care. And twice as expensive.
And yet the neighbour sold about 30 that day and had to paint new ones during the night. While the one with the original tiles, sold absolutely nothing.)
*Just wanted to explain that the painting I talked about was one of a bunny. That’s why I added; ‘The others had bunnies too.’