Don’t Give Up!

I

wasn’t sure that I would ever post on here. I have quite a few threads I follow and that seemed like enough to be going on with.

I used to regularly write a blog. When I say regularly, I mean half a dozen times a year, as things occurred to me. It was a great outlet for my writing, despite the fact it had little engagement. I’m hoping that this might feel a little less like talking into a void, but we’ll see.

Yesterday I sold some paintings. The purpose of this is not to brag, although feel free to celebrate with me. I’d definitely have done a happy dance had I been well enough. I’ve not sold any paintings since earlier in the year and was feeling despondent, despite still selling art cards. Making money from creativity of any sort is a tricky act. Lots of things have to come together for success. You have to be able to market your product and essentially sell yourself, which is often a big ask for reclusive arty types. It’s a major stumbling block for many folk who want to make money from their creativity and it certainly is for me.

I started painting in the 2021 lockdown, to stop myself from going stir crazy. A lot of people took up hobbies, did things they’d always meant to and indulged their creativity, during that difficult time. I wouldn’t have ever thought of selling my art, except a few friends asked to buy pictures that I’d shared on my private Facebook page. I gave quite a few pictures away back then. My husband, however - always my encourager - decided that I should be selling my paintings, so he set about creating a website for me and presented it to me as a fait accompli.

Since August 2021 I have sold over 40 original paintings and hundreds of art cards. It is not something I could ever have envisaged happening. I’ve sketched and painted since I was wee and have always been fairly ‘crafty’ although I would never have considered myself an artist. I still don’t in many ways. And yet 2 years on, I’m painting regularly and people are buying what I produce.

I’ve felt despondent recently and couldn’t see any way I could switch from baking (my physically demanding day job) to art, but my own experience should teach me to be more hopeful, given that I couldn’t have imagined being in a position of selling art at all two years ago. The point I am trying to make is this - don’t give up. Whatever creative endeavour you wish to pursue, you can do it. It will be hard. It will require time and effort and energy. You will undoubtedly need to do things you don’ enjoy, like marketing and promotion. You will need to hone your creative skills and develop your business skills, if you want to make money for your creativity, but don’t let anyone put you off, or tell you it can’t be done. I may not be a multi-million pound, successful artist, but I am making money from something I love. I will always be amazed and grateful.

Debhandmade.com