I wake up to find a message in my inbox asking me if I sell my work. I respond why yes; I do and then send them to my website. There is a part of me that doesn’t like to sell because it feels like I am selling myself, like my work is me. I was told at a very young age not to toot my own horn and so in selling my work it can feel like I am doing that as well.
Anyone making something that they sell will bring on thoughts of am I pricing myself too high? Too low? Self-esteem gets all caught up in the whole process of selling for many people. Feelings of inadequacy, I am not good enough, should I even be doing this? Imposter syndrome and all kinds of negative thoughts all come tumbling down into the forefront. These thoughts can be paralyzing. The wounded child in me comes out sometimes and says don’t put yourself out there, don’t be an artist just do it for fun! I have even heard it’s a gift from God and because of that it should be given away freely but then I think how am I going to eat? I hear Sue Bryce who is one of my mentors say value for value.
I shake my head and think I am not my work! I am a professional working artist. I am naturally creative, and I love to create images and paint. It feels good to always have projects I am working on. My work produces something tangible to show for all the effort I put in. When someone buys my art, they aren’t buying me.
I know the negative thoughts about selling are shared by many people so that makes me feel better, but the act of doing it is can still be a hard one for me. It feels icky. I do not like to be sold, to be worked on and pressured by someone who just knocked at my door and has numbers to achieve by the end of the day. It’s so impersonal. If I want something I will go and get it. I do not mind being helped by someone if they are really helping me.
I am here to help you pick out a piece of my already existing work or create something new that you thought up and want to have. No pressure here just smiles. I am available to design, create images through photography and paint. I love the art I have collected over the years. It’s exciting to acquire work from artists I follow. I enjoy the feeling of being around art at shows and galleries. all the colors and my imagination will take off. I love that my work is hanging in my collectors’ homes.
Don’t let your thoughts block you from something you love
Cathy