I get asked all the time about painting.
I get asked about how promotion of the arts
actually works.
I get asked how to sell work
how to promote other artists
and how to succeed.
Such tough questions
Such a tough industry!
I know this.
I sold my first painting when I was in college.
It was a show of student work
and it was all priced very well.
I actually regretted the sale.
I loved the piece.
It was selected by an instructor to be in the show.
And it was very special to me.
Selling it for 350 dollars seemed like a violation.
After the new owner took it away
I remember crying.
It was a part of me.
That is the same way I feel every time I ship a painting to a client now.
It is really tough.
You would think with how much I paint
it would become no big deal.
But it never happens.
My work is very personal.
I remember moments from my past
and of course my travels
and my work reflects all of it.
So when a piece is sold
it is very very sad.
Last month
in selling 16 pieces
I actually cried alot.
Packing them up and communicating
with the buyers made me feel sad.
All other ARTISTS in my life
applaud my successes and I sit here crying?
My advice to all those other painters?
Love what you do THIS much.
It is the ONLY way to live.
