In the lively discussion sparked by my prior blog post/question, one of the responses reminded me that this is another meaty topic I’ve meant to blog about.
I firmly believe that one’s work should be, first and foremost, for one’s self - meaning that I, the artist, must be happy with the work, must see continual growth in what I’m doing, must take chances and experiment. If I were only painting for sale, I’d have settled in to mostly rendering drippy bears and foregone the journey I’m taking now. You can probably name artists who paint ‘for sale’ - who have found a formula and simply flog that repeatedly. Their work looks the same from year to year, and so does their subject matter.
That said…I’m not ‘pure’ enough to paint only for myself, pay no mind to sales, and keep painting even when pieces stack up in my studio, house, and basement forever. I personally need the feedback that comes with sales; when a gallery tells me a piece has sold, I get a fresh jolt of energy and am back in my studio with renewed enthusiasm. When things aren’t selling, I’m lower on energy, even a little depressed, and will busy myself with almost anything other than painting.
So…what about you?
Entries (RSS)
October 31st, 2008 at 9:46 am
Great topic. I think this is something that many artists struggle with and I look forward to hearing what people have to say.
My goal is to ultimately satisfy both. I have chosen a subject matter that inspires and interests me, but I can’t say I don’t think about sales when I’m developing an idea for a painting. Sales are what allow me to devote a substantial amount of time and thought to my work. I have to put food on the table for my family, so without sales I would have to get a job that would replace that income. I would still be able to get some painting done in the off hours but surely my work would suffer with all of the distractions. If an artist has the luxury to not “need” sales then that’s great, but many of us aren’t lucky enough to be in that situation. I would much rather take into account what may sell and be able to fully devote myself to my art, than to paint whatever/however I want but only devote a small amount of time.
I’ve met some artists who have been painting the same subject matter in the same style for many years and they are very passionate about what they do. I have no question that they are still painting for themselves. I think the process can be different for everyone.
I agree that sales can be the ultimate gratification. When I’m selling a lot, I’m definitely more confident in my work and my paintings improve with that confidence. I think as artists we all struggle to please ourselves and it’s easy to question what we’re doing. To know that others enjoy our work enough to spend their hard-earned dollars is definitely reassuring.
I also think the amount of experimenting depends a lot on where an artist is in their career. In the early years (first 10 to 20), I think it’s expected for an artist to do a lot of experimenting and for their subject matter and style to evolve over time. But, once you’ve developed a following of collectors then you do have some obligation to stay somewhat consistent. For instance, if Howard Terpning suddenly decided to start painting abstracts there would probably be many angry collectors, but he can surely still evolve as a painter within his genre.
November 1st, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Hi Julie…I’m not sure that “pure” is the word I’d use, but whatever. If I left the impression that “art for art’s sake” is my only motivation, forgive me. I’m not that pure either. btw…I like your drippy bears and a drippy moose now and again.
As I’ve said, I have to do something artistic, just to express myself, so as far as that goes, I’m guilty. I stuck with painting, though, because it’s easier to get paintings into a gallery than it is to get poems into a literary magazine. Rejection letters can be such a drag. Also, an artist can make a living more easily than a poet. I’d have to sell a hundred books (if I could get published) to make as much as I will from one quality painting in a quality gallery.
Am I a good poet? Probably as good as I am a painter, whatever that’s worth. Did anyone ever pay me for poetry? Nope. Have I sold paintings? Yes, enough to keep me at it. Does the art pay for itself? Sometimes, when I work at that, but poetry is free, so there’s a balance. Also, the equipment for poetry is a lot less expensive and easier to carry. (Hmm…)
Kelly, hello. I’m glad you added your thoughts. You’ve touched on something I’ve thought about for a long time. Some artists, like you and Julie, can mix works of a similar nature. For example, you do both wildlife and landscapes. She does wildlife and what many might call “Western art”. Is it better, though, if an artist continually paints a combination of subjects to avoid labels? or does it eventually get to a place where demand for a certain type of work pushes other things out?
Listen to me. I sound like I really have to worry about that.
And is that tiny little smiley face down at the bottom of this page a bit of artistic license from the page designer? Way to go, tom! I wonder if it’s there when we arent in edit mode.
November 1st, 2008 at 10:45 pm
yup. there it is.
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
This is something I’m struggling with right now. Up to this point I’ve been creating “one of’s”. You know: one of a lion, one of a tiger, one of a - whatever. But in the new year I’d like to start work on a series with which to approach a gallery. I have several ideas, and admit that in addition to “self” “sales” is one of the criteria I’m using to whittle down my list.
Part of me feels odd using money, or more accurately, my guess at what might earn money to help determine what I will work on for the next year, however, I have to be realistic here: art materials cost money and that money has to come from somewhere. And one day I’d love to do this full time.
I definitely understand the increase of energy you describe from selling your work: someone loves/enjoys/wants your art enough to spend their hard-earned money to take it home with them. It validates what we do… and it makes us want to do it all over again.
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I hate dealing in either/or. Let’s face it. Most of us have far more ideas for paintings than we’ll ever have time to paint. So I try to strike a balance. Sometimes, all other things being equal, I’ll pick a subject that I know there is more of a market for and, other times, I just do what I feel driven to do.
In the end, buyers sense which ones were painted for the market and which ones were painted from the heart. Can’t you tell? I’ll bet you can. And which would you buy? So maybe there isn’t a conflict.
One of the useful pieces of advice that I got in art school was to do what you do and find a market for it rather than chase the market, which will always put you behind the curve.
Tania, if a series is what grabs you. Do it! If it was good enough for Monet…..
November 4th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I wonder why there ever came to be a stigma associated with the business of art - as if artists shouldn’t be like other business-people and want to make a living at what they do. Why is there anything wrong with wanting to be gloriously successful at both making and selling art?
Anyway…
Something Kelly said in her comment above struck me: about artists having perhaps a bit of an obligation to their collectors, later in their careers, to remain consistent. I don’t think I agree with that. It’s my personal duty to do my best to continue growing in my vision and how I express that. Take Picasso: his early paintings were very realist, then he birthed Cubism, then even later he messed about with drawings and sculpture that were definitely not Cubist. (NOT to say that I can compare myself to Picasso!).
November 4th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
For a stunning example of artistic “inconsistency”, I think Andrew Denman sets the standard. I have found him to be such an inspiration to keep me moving forward with whatever my vision is for a particular painting and the heck with stylistic consistency.
How in the world did we ever get to the point where people who aren’t “us” somehow get to dictate what we do and how we do it? If they know so darn much, they can bloody well pick up a brush and have at it. I know, but what do I really think.
November 5th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Just to clarify, I’m a “him” not a “her”. No offense taken, as it happens quite frequently. I guess I can blame my parents for that!
As I read other’s comments, I’m really starting to think there’s not a right or wrong answer. It totally depends on each artist’s individual situation. I guess my previous comments came mostly from hearing what other artists have mentioned about this topic. I’m still early in my career and my thought process may change over time.
There are plenty of artists, like Richard Schmid, that have very successful careers and aren’t tied to a specific subject matter. They are passionate about painting, and it doesn’t really matter what they’re painting. There are also many artists who have stuck to a specific subject matter (like Carl Rungius with wildlife), probably because they are as passionate about the subject as they are about painting, but their work has still grown and changed over time.
If an artist’s work remains similar from year to year, are we to assume they are no longer painting for themselves? Who’s to say they haven’t found what fulfills their personal needs and are just continuing to do that? Is constant growth and change required for self-fulfillment? I mention this because I know artists that have been accused of painting the same subjects in the same style repeatedly just for sales. But, having discussed their work thoroughly with them, I know they are very much painting for themselves.
I’m going to do what I feel is best for me and my career, but that could be very different from what someone else does.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:59 am
[…] blogs and came across a very interesting discussion on Julie. T. Chapman’s blog: “Painting for Sale vs Self“. Julie encouraged her readers to think about the differences (if any) of painting for sale […]
November 6th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Kelly, my apologies for the gender assumption! sheesh. You’d think I’d know better.
Anyway - I’ll heartily agree with your statement about doing what is best for you and your career…and yes, that might be different from what someone else does. I also find it interesting and enlightening to hear that you have talked with artists who do repeat themselves, yet feel they are painting for themselves (not necessarily just for sales).
Again, it’s a good reminder to me of my own assumptions. I get bored very easily, so restlessness in subject and style is part of my journey - but certainly not necessarily everyone’s…I have to remember not everyone has such a low boredom threshold.
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