Well, the answer is yes, because capitalism is evil. However, that’s not the point of this blog. Ever since I’ve started pursuing art something I’ve consistently grappled with is selling my art. The two don’t necessarily have to go hand in hand, art is a passion and something we as living creatures live and breath. I want to be a working artist though, so that changes the game a little.
I want to, at least partially, support myself with my work. I don’t mind having another job, I don’t buy into the idea that you have to make your living off of art to be an artist. I do want to have at least one job I can take joy in and find growth with. For me that’s art. I love it, I feel capable in it, and I want to continue improving in it. There’s nuance to most things of course, but that’s the gist of it.
So, where does that leave me? It’s been a little more than a year since I pivoted to art and started taking myself seriously. I have found great improvement in many things like my mental health and overall joy for life. I feel more connected to life and more willing to engage. I’m more inspired and creation is something I can work at rather than rely on random bursts. The selling thing though? That is still a great subject of pondering for myself. It’s not for lack of trying. I have researched and at the end of the day still found myself scratching my head on how to apply it to myself. The first issue I have is the value of money is very hard to convert to the value of my pieces. A lot of my creation is for joy. I realize that sometimes I am making for the act of selling, but like I mentioned earlier, art brings a lot of happiness to my life. The act of creating is nurturing for me. To turn around and put a dollar price on it feels… the word icky comes to mind.
I know a lot of artists relate. Pricing is not fun and especially in our current times it feels really hard to ask what your work is worth. What you’re worth! You’re worth more than some paper assigned value though, but said paper is the only way to keep yourself living, so again a wall is hit.
Creativity wasn’t meant to thrive in capitalism, that’s my hypothesis. I just want to give my art to people who will love it and also I want to be able to live, but that’s not how it works right now. As a sort of compromise I want to offer pay-what-you-can for pieces, but there’s so much I don’t know. There doesn’t seem to be much of a framework for this in the art sector. I guess I just have to try it! Money and art is a struggle, but I’m making it work! I believe I can make this happen and work for me. I just have to keep trying things! I believe in you too! We’ve got this! Keep going!
All my love,
Polar!