Sell, Create, Grow, Sell, Create, Grow...

I'm in a place right now that is often elusive to artists...Art is Selling and new ideas are coming to fruition.  To have some of my favorite pieces heading off to new homes is, as always, bitter sweet.

This beautiful and sensuous nude in Crimson is making a trip across the country.  She was part of a National Juried Competition last year, but has been hiding in my closet ever since.  Now, she will be gracing a wall, where she deserves to be. (Prints are available)

I had received an e-mail about this drawing of the ballerina in the striped stockings before I had even finished the piece.  I had turned down the sale, knowing that I wanted to continue the series, and felt like I needed to "live with" the pastel for a little while.  But as I started preparing for the next drawing/paintings in the series, I faced the usual dilemmas...the need to buy supplies and the need for space!  So...I e-mailed the collector and she bought it almost immediately.  (Prints are available!)

And, the second drawing of the ballerina is heading for a long journey as well.  It sold within 5 hours of listing it in my on line shop.  Almost a little too quickly for me!  I'm finding it difficult to say good-bye...

(Prints are also available)

I saw a quote from another Etsy Artist, Panchromatica, that sums up what I am feeling, and asked his permission to share it here...

"Unless you are content to let your work pile up at the back of your studio or in the attic, you need to sell your work. That puts you in business and the ultimate purpose of any business is selling a service or a product to someone willing to buy it at a price that makes you both happy.

Being in business as an artist is of course different to a degree. Selling art and selling cars may share some characteristics but they aren’t identical. When you sell a painting or a print, you are partly selling something of yourself. Paradoxically though, you don’t lose anything when you sell. Each painting, each print you make takes you one step further towards being a better artist. So, in a strange way, selling your work, by giving you the capacity to make more, can be an integral part of your development as an artist – and let’s be honest - who doesn’t get a buzz when somebody likes your work enough to pay over cold hard cash for it?"

For more from this artist, please check out his blog.  This quote is from a future e-book on Business Planning for the Working Artist.

So, I'm saying good bye to some pieces that I am very proud of, but my sorrow, thankfully, will be replaced by new energy and the need to continue creating.  This morning I met with a beautiful young dancer who continued the theme of Classic meets Quirky, like the ballerina above.  Here is a teaser from our photo session, and I look forward to sharing new work with you very soon!