This is so tough, and I have been there! I just finished an art fair that had me traveling to another city for the first time and booking lodging in addition to festival fees. I made a few sales but not enough to break even on the weekend—still, I always try to lean on what was positive (connections! Other artists! New subscribers! Adorable town!).
Brava for putting your work out there in a different way. You always inspire 🥰
Amie, I'm currently reading your new book, and I wanted to share some thoughts with you. I'm a 65-year-old Vice President in Healthcare, and I'm also a painter aspiring to become an author. Just an hour ago, before I read your blog, I sent an email to the head of HR informing him that after 28 years in my position, I'm ready to move on. I'll finish up my current projects, and then I am off to make shitty art.
My last project will be to complete a clinic for the homeless and those struggling with addiction in one of the poorest communities in the country. During a meeting this week, the architect mentioned that the waiting room will feature an accent wall with something interesting. I old them that something interesting will be art from a local artist from the community. I want the artwork to convey to patients that they are valued. Thank you for being the inspiration that set all of this in motion.
Your story is so inspiring, Jim! You're doing an amazing job, and I'm sure your creative journey will be wonderful! I like the idea of “supportive art” that make people feel valued. A few months ago, I started creating inspirational flower-framed quotes, and my main goal was to show people that they are valued. And when I read your comment, I got goosebumps, I suddenly realized that this kind of art can be needed. Your comment gave me the idea to submit my artworks to the places where people need such support the most, thank you for sharing your story. ❤️☀️
Years ago, my dad tried something like this. He built frames - all quite beautiful and precise. He put several pictures for sale with his frames and did not sell anything. My mom felt so sad for him, but I felt like he represented his work wrong. People were judging the pictures, not the frames. He never tried again.
Instead, he built things for people as gifts - memoriams and family pictures and photographs. I own many that I would never part with.
He gave up the commercial side but not the creativity. He did not have the support of a story like this.
My first thought was ‘don’t they know who you are?’ My second thought was ‘post a link to prints on Instagram and we would all buy them because they are love notes for our friends and ourselves’.
Very vulnerable and honest share and I frigging loved it. The right amount of inspiration to us shy types or the self doubting types. You did it sis! Congrats 🎊🍾🙌🏽✨ thank u 🙏🏽
Thank you for sharing this and thanks for the reminder. Sometimes I feel like I'm writing into a void when I write here on Substack. Is anyone reading? Does anyone like it? Does it make an impact at all? But I enjoy being among other writers, artists, creators, and that's enough.
Also, would you consider selling any of your pieces online? Could I use one in a Substack post (crediting you, of course, and linking to you - and maybe a spot online they/we could buy a piece?)
Thank you for sharing the tender parts of being an artist - it feels very expansive, like a giant exhale, like permission to keep creating. And it allowed you to create more art in writing this piece. The alchemy! Thank you.
I appreciate your thoughts so much. In fact, your book just arrived in my hands this week (purchased from a small bookseller, not the Evil Empire).
As 1) a vending artist, and 2) the coordinator of a countywide Open Studios event in (very) Northern California, this post resonates with me in so many ways.
My partner and I laugh that all of the things that make for a great vending event (the weather, the location, etc.) are the same elements we blame for a terrible event. It's human nature to need to find a *reason*.
For the Open Studios event I coordinate, I encourage the participating artists (all 150+ of them, this year) to think about how they define "success." Sales are great, sure, but for me personally, it's at least 50% about the conversations, the human connections, and getting on peoples' radar for the future. Not every event is going to pay the rent/mortgage, but every time I get a message months later from someone that spoke with us at an event and now wants to buy just the right gift for someone, I'm grateful for those successes.
As a sculptor, I SO "get this" ! Here in the USA, sculpture is alien, strange & NOT for the 'average American' !
I have had folks at Open Studios ask, in all seriousness, "What do I DO with it ?!" I tell them, put it in your living room. Look at it. Appreciate it.
This is NOT what the average American wants ! Lol !
I just accept that sculpture in the USA is too far outside "Joe Q. Publc's" comfort zone that I will never sell my animal centric large paper mache pieces to the average buyer.
I need to show my works in the closest major city, where Art is appreciated & financially, folks invest in art.
"Momma, don't let your kids grow up to be sculptors...."
I cannot tell you how meaningful this is. when i see others post about how they make 6 figures from substack that is 100% not motivating for me. I see it as predatory and bait & switch. I love to see people talking real, down to earth numbers. I'm fortunate to never had no sales. But I for sure have had shows where I made no profit. And some shows where I had to do soul searching to find redeemable qualities about the time and money spent. And I've had amazing shows, where the money was good and the networking was outstanding. Those shows are what kept me going. Writing this now is making me want to put myself out there more, to apply to shows again, to plan a show again... thank you.
Not selling is one thing but talking about it or talking about rejection - that’s something I will always admire and appreciate.
So thank you!
♥️
This is so tough, and I have been there! I just finished an art fair that had me traveling to another city for the first time and booking lodging in addition to festival fees. I made a few sales but not enough to break even on the weekend—still, I always try to lean on what was positive (connections! Other artists! New subscribers! Adorable town!).
Brava for putting your work out there in a different way. You always inspire 🥰
Amie, I'm currently reading your new book, and I wanted to share some thoughts with you. I'm a 65-year-old Vice President in Healthcare, and I'm also a painter aspiring to become an author. Just an hour ago, before I read your blog, I sent an email to the head of HR informing him that after 28 years in my position, I'm ready to move on. I'll finish up my current projects, and then I am off to make shitty art.
My last project will be to complete a clinic for the homeless and those struggling with addiction in one of the poorest communities in the country. During a meeting this week, the architect mentioned that the waiting room will feature an accent wall with something interesting. I old them that something interesting will be art from a local artist from the community. I want the artwork to convey to patients that they are valued. Thank you for being the inspiration that set all of this in motion.
Your story is so inspiring, Jim! You're doing an amazing job, and I'm sure your creative journey will be wonderful! I like the idea of “supportive art” that make people feel valued. A few months ago, I started creating inspirational flower-framed quotes, and my main goal was to show people that they are valued. And when I read your comment, I got goosebumps, I suddenly realized that this kind of art can be needed. Your comment gave me the idea to submit my artworks to the places where people need such support the most, thank you for sharing your story. ❤️☀️
Years ago, my dad tried something like this. He built frames - all quite beautiful and precise. He put several pictures for sale with his frames and did not sell anything. My mom felt so sad for him, but I felt like he represented his work wrong. People were judging the pictures, not the frames. He never tried again.
Instead, he built things for people as gifts - memoriams and family pictures and photographs. I own many that I would never part with.
He gave up the commercial side but not the creativity. He did not have the support of a story like this.
My first thought was ‘don’t they know who you are?’ My second thought was ‘post a link to prints on Instagram and we would all buy them because they are love notes for our friends and ourselves’.
I like the big purple quote. Do you sell prints of it.
You are my hero.
Very vulnerable and honest share and I frigging loved it. The right amount of inspiration to us shy types or the self doubting types. You did it sis! Congrats 🎊🍾🙌🏽✨ thank u 🙏🏽
Thank you for sharing this and thanks for the reminder. Sometimes I feel like I'm writing into a void when I write here on Substack. Is anyone reading? Does anyone like it? Does it make an impact at all? But I enjoy being among other writers, artists, creators, and that's enough.
Also, would you consider selling any of your pieces online? Could I use one in a Substack post (crediting you, of course, and linking to you - and maybe a spot online they/we could buy a piece?)
I felt this post in my soul. I really struggle with this! It’s okay and it doesn’t mean we’re not worthy ❤️
Thank you for sharing the tender parts of being an artist - it feels very expansive, like a giant exhale, like permission to keep creating. And it allowed you to create more art in writing this piece. The alchemy! Thank you.
I appreciate your thoughts so much. In fact, your book just arrived in my hands this week (purchased from a small bookseller, not the Evil Empire).
As 1) a vending artist, and 2) the coordinator of a countywide Open Studios event in (very) Northern California, this post resonates with me in so many ways.
My partner and I laugh that all of the things that make for a great vending event (the weather, the location, etc.) are the same elements we blame for a terrible event. It's human nature to need to find a *reason*.
For the Open Studios event I coordinate, I encourage the participating artists (all 150+ of them, this year) to think about how they define "success." Sales are great, sure, but for me personally, it's at least 50% about the conversations, the human connections, and getting on peoples' radar for the future. Not every event is going to pay the rent/mortgage, but every time I get a message months later from someone that spoke with us at an event and now wants to buy just the right gift for someone, I'm grateful for those successes.
I invested a few thousand pounds of my hard earned money on art fairs last year and I only sold one piece.
It affected me so much that I haven’t painted at all this year :(
The art world is harsh, I feel like if your face doesn’t fit or you didn’t go to the right school then you may as well not bother.
It’s shit when you put so much heart and soul into your work and no one seems to care.
I will get back out there though. The world does indeed need it xx
Just a little love note from a "professional" visual artist who has been in probably fifty or so shows to say:
- most art shows never sell anything
- I have never sold an artwork, but still make ok money off my visual art (grants, scholarships, and public comissions.)
As a sculptor, I SO "get this" ! Here in the USA, sculpture is alien, strange & NOT for the 'average American' !
I have had folks at Open Studios ask, in all seriousness, "What do I DO with it ?!" I tell them, put it in your living room. Look at it. Appreciate it.
This is NOT what the average American wants ! Lol !
I just accept that sculpture in the USA is too far outside "Joe Q. Publc's" comfort zone that I will never sell my animal centric large paper mache pieces to the average buyer.
I need to show my works in the closest major city, where Art is appreciated & financially, folks invest in art.
"Momma, don't let your kids grow up to be sculptors...."
I cannot tell you how meaningful this is. when i see others post about how they make 6 figures from substack that is 100% not motivating for me. I see it as predatory and bait & switch. I love to see people talking real, down to earth numbers. I'm fortunate to never had no sales. But I for sure have had shows where I made no profit. And some shows where I had to do soul searching to find redeemable qualities about the time and money spent. And I've had amazing shows, where the money was good and the networking was outstanding. Those shows are what kept me going. Writing this now is making me want to put myself out there more, to apply to shows again, to plan a show again... thank you.