Every one of those artists....and lots of the other gazillion good artists who are NOT blogging....are reaching for a sliver of art market pie. A very few actually snag a piece of said pie....and often, it is a very tiny sliver....hardly worth the effort, it would seem.
So.........the question is this:
Why do I paint when there are so many other paint pushers who are equal to-or way better than-me?
The quick, easy answer is, "Because I have to." I can no more imagine my life without painting that I can imagine surviving without my very breath.
There's lots more I could add to that. Lots of very deep psychological and spiritual influences fuel this fire in me to push paint around on a canvas.
But what I am writing about this morning is more about this question.
"Why are you, too, reaching for a slice of art market pie?
That one has a quick, easy answer, too.
"I have to sell in order to be able to buy more art supplies."
There might be some more reasons........
It could be that my depression-era parents drilled into me that it is not ok to spend so much time and money on any endeavor which doesn't have a financial return.
It could be that I need the validation from others that my art is, at least, acceptable. And that validation is provided by them handing over cold, hard cash for one of my paintings.
It could even be that something in my soul is satisfied when one of my paintings touches another so much that they just have to have it!
I know I love the compliments I often get when I show people my work. I do. I have to admit that. I also must admit that there is a little voice in my head that says, 'They're just being nice.'
But when they actually buy something....then, I believe them.
Oh...and it has to be a perfect stranger for me to get that validation I crave. When a friend pays me for my art, that little voice pipes up and says 'They wouldn't buy it if they weren't your friend.'
Deep in my heart, I feel that I should give my paintings to any friend or family member who wants it.
Oh, I'd love that!
How fun it would be to give my loved ones first pick and then just set up on the side of the road somewhere and give my stuff away to whoever wanted it! Or post it on-line with a first come-first serve give-away!
This little girl who resides inside this 65 year old body would like that. Very much!!!
SELF-PORTRAIT
8 X 10
So....I'm not sure I'm any closer to THE answer to my second question...or even if there is a 'THE ANSWER' to that question.
The only question I can answer, for sure, about this painting thing is:
"What are you going to do today?"
No matter what day it is, the answer is the same.
"I'm going to paint."
RILLITO RUNNING
18 X 24
And for that, I'm grateful!
P.S.
I'm not positive this is going to work....but here is the link to my newest painting on Kodak. Many of you have already seen these, but I did add three more this morning...just in case you want to have another peek.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?facebook=true&sourceId=984136008703
Most of these were done in the last couple of months....and even more that I don't have on here. I've been busy painting...and not blogging! ;)
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