I've experienced both sides of the art world. I was in a gallery years ago with a one person show every other year and many, many 75% of each show sold. My work was promoted; I gained collectors who bought several of my pieces, there were first time buyers who bought it as well; and I got written up by the art critics and gave a few talks to groups from schools to groups of art collectors traveling to specific shows as their group leaders taught them about "Looking at Art". And here I am creating my art years later, no gallery, can't even get gallery people to come view the work. But I'm content in that I'm creating, falling in love with the work, putting it all over the house covering almost every square inch of space. I can hope, wish, pray for recognition again, but all that is in the back of my mind and not something I even know how to navigate. I'm 69 yrs old, have a few physical limitations, and most of the energy I have is reserved for making the art, not pounding the pavement going from gallery to gallery trying to find representation. It's what it is for me. I am removed and perhaps forgotten from the art community I was once actively a part of. Life is funny how it turns out and I can say I'm pretty content in it. I respect my limitations and don't use them as excuses but they are reasons/causes for what I'm able to do. I have stories to tell and the art reflects that and creating them gives me great pleasure.
The money would make my life easier if I could sell it but I am living frugally and am pretty low-maintenance when it comes to my life as I don't live beyond my needs. As long as I can thrift junk for my art every now and again, I'm good.
I've experienced both sides of the art world. I was in a gallery years ago with a one person show every other year and many, many 75% of each show sold. My work was promoted; I gained collectors who bought several of my pieces, there were first time buyers who bought it as well; and I got written up by the art critics and gave a few talks to groups from schools to groups of art collectors traveling to specific shows as their group leaders taught them about "Looking at Art". And here I am creating my art years later, no gallery, can't even get gallery people to come view the work. But I'm content in that I'm creating, falling in love with the work, putting it all over the house covering almost every square inch of space. I can hope, wish, pray for recognition again, but all that is in the back of my mind and not something I even know how to navigate. I'm 69 yrs old, have a few physical limitations, and most of the energy I have is reserved for making the art, not pounding the pavement going from gallery to gallery trying to find representation. It's what it is for me. I am removed and perhaps forgotten from the art community I was once actively a part of. Life is funny how it turns out and I can say I'm pretty content in it. I respect my limitations and don't use them as excuses but they are reasons/causes for what I'm able to do. I have stories to tell and the art reflects that and creating them gives me great pleasure.
If I didn’t need the money to live on I would be content with that approach.
The money would make my life easier if I could sell it but I am living frugally and am pretty low-maintenance when it comes to my life as I don't live beyond my needs. As long as I can thrift junk for my art every now and again, I'm good.