Guilt by Selling
Throughout the course of my a book tour, whether speaking in New York, Seattle or Oxford, Mississippi, one common refrain ran true: I constantly met artists who felt guilty about attempting to market, and sell, their work.
Where on earth does all this guilt come from?
Invariably I’m told that it was formed in college, partly from fellow-students, but mostly from certain professors.
So, Who’s Giving This Advice Anyway?
If this wasn’t so tragic, I’d find it amusing: tenured art professors advising their students on why they shouldn’t sell their work. Of course those professors-who are in the minority among profs as a whole-have secure positions, so it doesn’t matter if they sell or not.
But the vast majority of artists will never hold a university position. They will lead lives of risk that those few, misguided professors know nothing about.
Meanwhile, Out In The World
Dealers like myself encounter artists who have been advised against selling their work on a regular basis, especially after they’ve reached their 30s or 40s, are broke, emotionally exhausted, and feeling like a failure on all fronts-even if their work is great.
That is tragic.
Let’s Set The Record Straight
Listen: there’s nothing wrong with marketing and selling your work, as long as it is done with integrity.
This doesn’t degrade you. It doesn’t demean your work. And it doesn’t make you less of an artist.
Selling your work allows society to financially express appreciation for what you do, just as society does with teachers, legislators, farmers, and everyone else.
Artists perform a function that is essential to the growth and evolution of any society. And by God you ought to be paid for it.
If you come across a professor who disagrees-and to be fair, most do not-ask them to forego their salaries for ten years, then resume the discussion. I suspect you’ll find their attitude changed.
Then Again…
Of course, there are artists who have no intention of ever selling, and for whom the very thought is anathema to the process of creation. For them, that’s likely the right choice.
As for the rest of you, once you become accustomed to the process of receiving income for what you create-and define the rules by how you’ll do it-I think you’ll find it relieves a great deal of stress, allows you to focus better, and to give more generously to others.
I’d say that’s a pretty fine way to live: where the heart takes precedence over avarice.
Written by Paul Dorrell
Posted under Marketing Your Art
Tags: art dealers, art income, art students, artists and society, creating art, guilt, marketing fine art, sell art, sell fine art, visual art, visual artists
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716 days ago,
the famous nemo said:
its sad to hear teachers downing selling, thats why I didnt go to art school and sell a whole hell of alot of art. its a job just like any other, so get to work.
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716 days ago,
Tesia Blackburn said:
Thank you! I’ve been hearing this from some of my students for years. It’s a hard nut to crack and goes right to the heart of why some people are artists anyway. We do it because we love it and the money is secondary to that passion. BUT! that does not mean that we don’t need to make a living just like everyone else. Making a living from your work is honoroable no matter what the job.
So bravo! for hitting this nail on the head and so eloquently too!
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716 days ago,
Ariane said:
You’re right, Tesia, creative energy is its own reward. Then there’s the joy of linking that up with the rest of our lives.
After all, isn’t our attitude toward any task a choice we freely make? Selling is a service you offer so those who resonate with your vision have access to it, yes?
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715 days ago,
Patricia Barnett said:
There are many different ideas put forth regarding artwork’s worth and unfortunately one of them is that really good art is not saleable. Of course it is true some of one’s best art does not appeal to the public in general for purchase. It depends on a potential client’s preference and/or artistic experience.
I think the prof’s intention is to encourage students not to create art for the purpose of selling but to follow their very own unique passion for truly creating their own art.
This is paramount in creating art. If then this passionate expression in the artwork transfers to those who see the art, that is rewarding in itself, and if the client then wants to purchase the art, that is a firm assurance of the artwork’s worth to both the artist and the collector.
My own experience with profs was that we only discussed artwork and not selling, but I have heard the caution not to make art purely for selling.
Work toward combining the two. Listen to one’s very own artistic voice and share one’s art passion with potential clients: a perfect union of making art that also sells.
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