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appreciation, art, art career, artists, artwork, earning a living, hard work, job, making a living, never whore yourself, painting, photography, respect, self appreciation, self esteem, self respect, sharon cummings, value, whore, work
It sounds crude. However, to this day I can still hear one of my favorite college professors saying “Never whore yourself.” He was an art teacher who had paid his dues in art shows and endless submissions. He had worked it for many years and learned the hard way that self esteem and satisfaction to an artist comes not only from creating but also from being compensated for the effort. That’s right, creating paintings, photographs, sculpture, etc. is often challenging and difficult!
When someone buys a painting from a self representing artist, they are not just buying a product produced on a machine. Years of practice and failures have gone into that one success. College loans have been paid off (or not yet). Supply costs that continue to skyrocket have gone into it. My favorite paint is 50.00 per ounce! We use electricity, water and other resources. We think up ideas….we buy stuff…A LOT of stuff….we sweat! For me painting is very physical! So much so that often the next day I am sore as if I had done a new workout. And there is the photography, marketing, packaging and customer relations that also go into the work.
As crude as Dr. Mike was, his words could not ring more true. You cannot possibly expect others to value what you do unless you value yourself first. It’s o.k. to have sales and offer friends discounts. As long as it feels good in your soul. If you can sleep at night knowing that you have been compensated for a job well done, you are on the right track. If you lay awake belittling yourself for practically “giving” your art away, you need to rethink your strategy. Never whore yourself!
With that said…today I have a few pieces on sale….they are cheap, but they ain’t free. 😉
http://fineartamerica.com/weeklypromotion.html?promotionid=136238
http://fineartamerica.com/weeklypromotion.html?promotionid=135106
http://fineartamerica.com/weeklypromotion.html?promotionid=135009
Abstract Art by Sharon Cummings 
I agree with you 100%. If we really value ourselves, then that means our art is valuable.
Indeed so!
This is a GREAT post!! Am sharing it wherever. And I agree too – a few years ago I was asked to hang one piece in a new little gallery. I hemmed and hawed, said, “I don’t belong in that league” and underpriced the piece I finally agreed to send. Of course, since I thought so little of it, it wound up in a corner practically out of sight. Two weeks ago, I was asked to send 3-4 pieces to hang in another new gallery – same curator – and I not only said yes, I said I’m not the same artist I was 4 years ago…I’m much better…and I won’t have my work tucked away in a corner or underpriced again. My bottom line is…much higher! It took me a long time to learn that but it’s not likely a lesson I’ll forget. Thanks for this Sharon.
Good for you Lianne! For years I undervalued my work. I compared myself to other’s on the venues I was on and believed I had to keep my pricing low like theirs. But in the last few years, I’ve moved up to a different level with both the quality and value of my work. Over the Summer I increased my prices for originals/commissions while everyone else was having sales. It didn’t effect my sales at all. 🙂 Feels so much better now!
I love what you wrote very very well said!!!! I would love to use part of your statement if that would be alright??
Thank you
Gerald
Sure…just give credit where credit is due. 🙂
Perfection Sharon!
Thank you Douglas!