Are you Conflicted about your Selling Your Art?

Many artists see making art and selling art as separate and conflicting endeavors.

But making art and selling art are not in conflict.

They are part of a complete creative cycle, a positive feedback loop.

How do I know?

First, I know that creating innovative marketing strategies is just as creative as oil painting; I’m just using different mediums. And I LOVE both.

So much so that I create marketing strategies for other artists.

Marketing is about ideas and messaging.

Isn’t that what art is all about? It’s this the essence of art?

If you are an artist who has found someone to take care of all of the marketing and selling mumbo jumbo, good for you.

But mark my words; it’s only a matter of time before you fall out of favor with the art establishment.

Why? Because they have their own interests and you may or may not continue to support those interests.

And so for that reason, the art establishment does not owe us any apologies.

Why is making art and selling art part of a complete creative cycle?

Because art needs an audience.

Think about it. What if a talented pastry chef made amazing, locally sourced, organic creations? But no one ever tasted them.

That would leave the pastry chef feeling not so inspired or affirmed.

Plus, the pastry chef spent all that money on ingredients and kitchen supplies and has no way to recover the cost of goods.

How much are you spending on art supplies? Have you added it up? Are you generating a profit? How much?

Should all art be sold? Of course not!

Not all pastry should be sold either. That’s why chefs have test kitchens.

Should you think about selling art before or while you are making art? Of course not!

Does an attorney think about selling their services while they are preparing for a case?

No. They must focus on the task and hand.

There is nothing more inspiring to me as an artist than getting paid for what I joyfully make.

Selling my art ignites my creativity and affirms my talent.

My experience of artists who suggest that there is a conflict in making art and selling art, is that they are just not selling much art.

So they make up this story about their creative integrity and “selling out” and they stay stuck in frustration.

Here’s the thing. There is no mandate to sell your art.

Making art, in and of itself, is a very worthy pursuit and it doesn’t mean you should make a business of it.

But if you want to sell art, it will only happen if you are completely free of conflict about it.

And why should you feel conflicted? Every artist I know loves to selling their art.

Do you feel conflicted? Let’s hear it. The truth will set you free. Leave your comments here.