Sunday, January 30, 2011

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...



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!





10 comments:

Georgianne Holland said...

I love your work and I share your sentiments regarding selling art. It is often hard to say good bye...

Anonymous said...

Kristina,
This is a wonderful blog post. what true words all the way around. I find it very hard to let go of all my work and some more than others, but as you pointed out, and thru the other blog (which I will check out soon) this makes room for growth and that's what creating is all about.
peace n abundance,
CheyAnne

Linda said...

Congratulations on all those sales. I know it is hard to part with work, but pan's quote says it all. And doesn't it feel great. Don't get used to it. Let it always feel wonderful. Also, loved your new ballerina, and I really love the ones with the tights.

jaskoleczka said...

Świetne pastele Krysiu,pozdrawiam:)

Melissa Lynn D said...

I've found it a lot easier to let go of my work since I started doing prints of it. Now I can sell the piece without the worry of "forgetting it". There are those older pieces though that I have no record of, and the feeling I have about them is almost like the feeling when you realize you can't remember some detail about a loved one who's passed away.

Christabel said...

I really love your work, it's an inspiration to me, I'm your fan :)

Anonymous said...

I've given pieces away but never actually sold one (looking forward to when I do finally sell something), but I feel the same way even when I give a painting away. Thanks for giving me a perspective on it that my logical brain is satisfied with :)

suzanneberry said...

it's no wonder your work is selling even before it's completed, there is so much i want to say about it but i'll just settle for enchanting right now. congratulations but it must he difficult to let these amazing works or art go!

Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionista said...

I'm so excited to see your new work! I love the ballerina prints and think my wall has room for more to come in the future. Keep selling and keep creating!

Fay Akers said...

I love that quarky meets classic theme. I wanted to do something like that, but I was not fortunate to get a model. So my thoughts are still in my mind. Looking forward to seeing more.