A shrinking violet?

I greatly appreciate how much you reveal of your deepest nature and the struggle you are having about selling your work. It made me wonder about these things: To be an artist in Human Life seems to me the ultimate earthly experience. Whether we need outside acknowledgment of our art is a personal matter. Whether we sell or need to sell our art is another personal matter. Perhaps for those no able to express themselves, not considering themselves an artist able to communicate the deepest part of themselves, having a piece of art, of someone else’s expression, is the next best thing as it resonates to the unspoken artist in themselves. Then for that reason, perhaps to show our art in galleries or presentations without selling them, without offering them to others to have, is a little like putting a carrot in front of a goat so that we get where we want to go, but the goat never gets a taste of the enticing morsel in front of it. Perhaps.

Pricing is an eternal bugaboo to an artist! If the work is good, an outrageously high price confirms its worth to viewers, many of whom need the validation of their own taste by seeing a high price. But the marketplace can’t always bear a high price. Depends on your neighborhood, where you are showing the work, the clientele. So I go for moderate prices and do a surprise sale once a year… “all matted pieces $100” or something like that, and out the door they fly! And don’t forget that by selling your work, you are given permission to keep improving on your skills and painting better and better things!! In fact, by buying your paintings, your fans, friends and collectors are asking you to continue painting!!

Thanks Robert for featuring Mr. Topaz, he was my late sisters cat, lives with her husband now. Also, forgot to tell Sarah, I’ve moved to Olds, Alberta….thanks again….marj v

Dear Robert, I was visiting Salt Spring Island, one of the gulf islands between Vancouver and Vancouver Island. The island is beautiful, picturesque and teaming with artists. On Saturday morning, all of the artists come into town, set up make shift tables and show their latest pottery, macrame, paintings, jams and chutneys. There are some absolute gems among the predictable bowls and coffee mugs. A was chatting with this lovely woman who was an artist. I asked her where her work was. She was so shy and polite and shook her head saying she wasn’t ready to show her works yet. Being as bold as brass, I got myself invited to her studio to see her paintings. Her studio was right on the water and was a smaller replica of her gingerbread cottage she called her home. The studio was an artists dream, teaming with light and set up perfectly for painting. From floor to the cantelever ceiling were hundreds and hundreds of her exquisite paintings. Nature was her theme and they really were lovely paintings. Being the marketing and promotions guru, I peppered her about exhibiting her works. She was so sweet and just said “I need to be better first”. So, not everyone is geared for the success mode we apply to artists about being rich and famous and selling our works. But to sit here on this drizzly day and read about an artist who refers to their paintings as “children” and they cry when they paint, it is all I can do to keep my eyes from rolling in the back of my head. Cry at funerals, a break up, a sad movie or watching the devastation of a Tsunami. But to say that their own paintings bring them to tears is nothing short of arrogant… John Ferrie

I am wondering why Dr. Boda would bother putting the personal, prized paintings in an art show if not to exhibit and sell? The doctor needs to not show the art and be content with the personal accomplishment. End of heartache that someone might want to buy.

I think Robert’s letter is misnamed. Dr. Boda doesn’t sound like a shrinking violet to me, but instead an artist of great integrity and principle. She wants to show her messages of personal insight, but doesn’t feel the need to sell them. I understand this and applaud it. I have a collection of my things that are not for sale. They are my ‘personal’ pieces. I have done many others that have sold and I wasn’t being much of a salesman then either. And I have painted some that were commissioned – personal requests. I like doing both those that are ‘marketable’ and those that are mine. Mine. As in not yours and not likely to become yours any day soon. They may be good or bad, I don’t care. They are like children and if I make a gift of one, I know I’ve put it into a good home where it will do well for years to come. This is a perfectly sensible attitude, I think. Kudos, Doctor.

Only children hate to sell their artwork! I almost fell off my chair! Why does this woman paint and then agree to show with this attitude? As always Robert, you gave her options..bless you.

ahh yes..then there is assumptions and gossip…and so call experts…rub …for self benefit and those saying I never want to end up like that. : ) Market Market Market : ) Really the GRAND NAME of the game. Step back to step forward.

Something most of us don’t think about: when we get something from someone, especially if we consider it of high value to ourselves, we need to complete the circle of reciprocation. If you give me a thousand bucks, a beautiful painting, a new car, whatever, I’m going to feel obligated. Paying you in dollars, trade, energy, whatever, releases me from the obligation I feel, and allows me to think I have contributed to your well-being in a significant way. The thinking “it’s better to give than receive” is a mathematical impossibility – if it’s better to give, who’s doing the receiving??? Seems to me we artists would be better off thinking it’s OK to receive dollars (or whatever) for the work, talent, time and energy we spend in learning our trade, practicing, creating, marketing and making sure people see what we produce –

After reading all of your great information…….WHY would any artists not subscribe to your informative site?

I can easily understand Dr Boda’s distaste of engaging with the contemporary art market and was a little surprised at your persisting that she put price tags on her work. I think it’s enough that she presents her work to the public in a show. Good on her.

I come from a family of artists though I am not a painter but a fiber artist, weaving, and knitting, spinning my own yarns. I love reading your twice-weekly letter. Thank you so much for many of your insights and inspirations. You write very well. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience.

Every artist needs to decide for themselves what they want to do with the fruits of their labor. I know artists who paint for the pure enjoyment of it and are not interested in gallery representation and rarely even exhibit their work and this fulfills them completely. I guess my questions are: If Dr. Boda doesn’t care about galleries and art-marketing, is painting just for herself, and doesn’t need the income, why is she having a solo show and why does she care who takes her seriously? She should be content, sounds like she has it pretty good. Though, like you, I enjoy finding new homes for my work.

I have an oil called “When All that’s Left is the Vessel”. It is powerful! A woman came onto my house and gasped her desire. I said it was not for sale. She huffed, “Everyone and everything has its price.” I replied “Okay, let’s say 100,000.00.” I still have the painting …and the price!

Yep, “Your work is beautiful” is nice, but it only goes so far. This pricing thing is very tricky. I would rather not do it and leave it up to someone else.

My question to her is ‘why have a show, then?’ If this is a private journey, it should be private. Otherwise, she is taking advantage of the gallery showing her work. I am surprised that they would take her on. I speak as a member of a cooperative gallery and I know the expenses involved. I like your suggestion of charitable sales for her.

I wonder how many others do not sell? We just don’t tell.

If she truly doesn’t want to sell her originals, sell giclees of the paintings.

I had a friend who is an architect and did found sculptures for his own benefit he had what he called a Vanity Show with a friend. They only displayed their work at an off the wall type of gallery so that people could come and view it but it was not for sale. Who’d a thunk it? Certainly I would love to be able to sell my art and have had shared and solo shows but that has not happened too often. But often enough so that I keep painting. I am exploring the online selling but am very suspicious about many online galleries who have contacted me via email. One wants to know about actual sales before putting your work and paying the fee to be listed.

Dr. Aniko Boda’s story interested me, and I would love to see a sample of the paintings because I also paint and put my heart and soul in it. When I finish I have a hard time departing from it, but as time goes by, I look back at my past works, and wonder what made me be so possessive about them. We change, we grow, we improve, all is reflected in our art. Now, I am learning to let go.

I guess you could also call me a shrinking violet. I’ve started to paint in 2004 in oils and I’m mostly self taught with the exception of taking an oil painting class in 2004 at the age of 75 and I’m on my 67th painting since 2004. I too sometimes cry when I’m painting a picture and I have to laugh as I’m painting it because I like what I’m painting. I think every painter loves to show and tell, and I guess I’m no exception.

There’s no better feeling than selling a painting, it’s a validation that you have touched another soul.

I’m happy Dr. Anikó Boda doesn’t need the money. Unfortunately, there is no other way to put a value on anything without offering it for a price. I’ve given away some works in my altruistic days only to find the owner didn’t realize its worth and subsequently would give it to someone else or not see the piece as art. It was from that point onward that no matter how small the price, there is always a price. The old adage of “if you got it for nothing, it’s probably worth nothing.” is how the world sees value. It also goes hand in hand with believing in self worth. If the artist isn’t interested pricing it, it probably isn’t worth anything to anyone else.

Those who do not sell or put a ridiculously low price on things, put on display their personal feelings of worthlessness, insult art in the eyes of the general public, and make it more difficult for serious, career artists to make a living.

Robert you are real art lover,every time I am reading your letter but Ihave a little english, but ı can understand a littlebit what you mean–some sentence about great artists says are wonderful, from turkey/izmir, goodbye for now.

The lady is living in an ivory tower.

I don’t understand the point of Dr. Boda’s exhibition of her paintings if not to sell them. So she hangs them out in public for a while then puts them back in a closet. What is she trying to accomplish? Maybe she is unsure of her reception and really wants to sell in the future? I have a friend who is a wonderful painter who never shows or sells and no matter how much I encourage her, she refuses to do it. Her work is a private thing for herself only and I respect that. But, why would someone go halfway; have a big solo show, no sales, then take it all away? What is her motivation, and what is the motivation of the gallery or whoever is sponsoring her?

Like a lot of us, she may know in her heart that her work is not worth buying.

Thank you Gavin Logan. We live in a world that assumes no artist is or even can make money and create a financially successful career by making art. It does happen all the time, but most folks don’t even think it can happen. The problem is that most artists think the same way. And then there’s the bullsh*t around putting a price on art that comes from the soul- how could we price that? If it’s any good it comes from the soul. Yet it’s still a product. It ISN’T your children. Yet it is your creation. But as a creation physically manifested into the world it still has value. To discount it’s potential value because you haven’t grown up enough to figure all this out- defeats all of us. So Dr. Boda- it is you who need to take yourself seriously- first of all.

This is a very European attitude and I think that the ultimate motivation is to create an image intended to eventually boost the works (or the artist in some way) to sell for outrageous prices. In Europe, image is everything – a necessity. In Europe no art sells if it’s made by a part time artist, or a second career artist. Over there the quality of art cannot carry itself to the art market. It’s a cultural thing and it’s all about strategy. I am guessing that “Dr.” stands for PhD in fine arts and has to be used at all times, even in letters to friends.

…I can already see articles in media announcing “the artist who paints in tears and will not sell for any price…” …one can sell themselves in many ways…

I am one who parts with my work with sadness, but loving the money, and even more, the incentive to keep working and making more and better art. However, I have to say to Dr. Boda, that I find my favorite paintings standing un-looked-at in small storage areas– (I paint big) and un-enjoyed by me or any others. Over some sixty years of hanging on to certain works, they have accumulated. Doris commented: “Only children hate to sell their artwork.” The child in me has learned something in the past three years. I fell into a sideline because someone offered me “seconds” to put back on the market as re-works. These are, in a sense, “adopted children”, and I find them easy to sell and share. It doesn’t make me feel bad to put a price on them. They are rescued goods and I have loved them into beauty. They deserve to march out there and make themselves a boon to someone’s eye. This freedom has freed up that shrinking violet element that tries to hoard the “good ones” that I love too much to want to sell. Now I want people to have them! (Robert, I’ll get my site up sometime this winter!) Susan

I love painting. I love people looking and discussing them. I love selling them – for me it completes and fulfills the work.

(By the way, the “re-works” in the above post are NOT reworked paintings by other, but wood products aimed at a decor market.) I would not like to rework another person’s painting.

Something most of us don’t think about: when we get something from someone, especially if we consider it of high value to ourselves, we need to complete the circle of reciprocation. If you give me a thousand bucks, a beautiful painting, a new car, whatever, I’m going to feel obligated. Paying you in dollars, trade, energy, whatever, releases me from the obligation I feel, and allows me to think I have contributed to your well-being in a significant way. The thinking “it’s better to give than receive” is a mathematical impossibility – if it’s better to give, who’s doing the receiving??? Seems to me we artists would be better off thinking it’s OK to receive dollars (or whatever) for the work, talent, time and energy we spend in learning our trade, practicing, creating, marketing and making sure people see what we produce – aloha, Angela -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Angela Treat Lyon http://Lyon-Art.com

Many of these comments surprise me. Can it truly be so easy to earn an income solely from making art as these comments imply? If so, can you let the rest of us in on the secret? But seriously, the path to “making it” as an artist is so difficult, so uncertain, so lacking in any guarantee of success I can’t begin to fathom why anyone would do it if not for themselves. Further, I don’t see how art worth making can happen without the deep passion that says “no matter what, I must make art.” If you can make a living and still make art that you feel is worth making, that is wonderful….you should count yourself lucky. But don’t judge those (like Dr Boda Aniko) who, for any number of reasons, choose to make art that we don’t (or can’t) show or sell.

I have read through all the comments and am puzzled at the tone of mockery and assumptions of hubris or grandiosity some are making about the painter. To say that one cries when one paints is to me a statement about the depth of the process and level of engagement, and not a sign of arrogance. This person is very true to her interior life, and the paintings are a physical manifestation of process first, and a “product” second. The marketplace is only one piece of artmaking. Being part of a cultural conversation is the other part. When I go to a museum none of that work is for sale, although it usually has been purchased at some point. But there are no pricetags, and I am free to have an experience of the work simply for what it is. When we say something is “priceless” that is usually not a derogatory term:). http://www.iskrafineart.com

What do you call 100 paintings of cats at the bottom of a lake? … a very good start! Woof !

I’d been a gift industry product designer for many years and always felt I was betraying my talent, losing touch with my soul in order to please the market and survive the corporate art directors and salespeople. I fed myself, but my soul ached to be acknowledged. After the company’s bankruptcy I entered an intense university fine art program at age 43, and although I earned highest honors and top grades, I came out depressed, depleted and confused about what I had been through and why. My paintings were innovative and exciting to paint; I’d expected to bound forth like a race horse from the gate to carry the “conversation” forward with the famous artists of the past and present. Instead I plummeted, frozen, unable to paint without forcing myself, discouraged and overwhelmed by the idea of competing at an international level as the instructors encouraged us. I was then age 48, surrounded by young people beginning their lives; my best years were used up and I felt I aught to step aside. Now I know that the education itself gave me far more than the lessons in painting. Creatively, I can do whatever I like. It’s comforting to know that my talent remains with me, no matter how I use it. Paintings are relics of artists’ acts of creation. Staring at ones paintings too long just wastes the artist’s time, like washing the clothes go ’round at the laundromat.

You make a lot of sense, but I disagree with the idea of putting low prices on one’s work for any reason. Doing so displays a lack of confidence in one’s work, and many people equate price with value, so they dismiss the work as being of little worth. I know artists who have put low prices on their work hoping to sell more and I’ve never known it to work, but to have long-term negative effects.

I am an elderly woman who began painting for the first time about five years ago and I am still very much a novice. I am surprised to have sold a few paintings already not, at high prices but still the money helps me buy new supplies. I also have donated at least five of my paintings to charities for cancer and to feed hungry people. I do not have a high level of income so I find donating paintings is such a satisfying way of giving something to help others. I would never be able to donate the amount of money in cash. I understand perfectly well how you feel about letting your paintings go. When, however, you donate to others who care enough to contribute money to charity, you are sharing a part of yourself to other very special people. I do understand your feelings perfectly well.

I had some very wise advice from a dear friend who happens to be one of the best painters that I have ever met personally. “Don’t fall in love with your work. Fall in love with the doing of he work.” I have used that as my personal moto. Some of my work is. Very expressionistic some very traditional. I have emotion when I paint each and every one. I keep a photographic image of every painting. I can still connect with every painting, without actually owning it. It is my personal memory. I can connect with the emotion because it came from me. No one can own that but me. It has freed me from painter’s block. I have more creative ideas than I will ever have time to paint in my lifetime. I have only a few paintings that I feel I want to keep but it is from a sense of joy at experiencing the emotion rather than the need to own the thing itself, that is important. I actually can disconnect from the physical painting. I look at each work as an opportunity to learn something new. The painting can be destroyed, sold, copied, or stolen, but the knowledge, and the joy of the actual doing are mine… All mine. No one can take that from me.

Wow ! The judgmental arrogance of some of these comments is inappropriate, from a supposedly creative community. Hang in there, Dr Boda, and stick to your own value system. I, too, am a non selling painter, and multi media artist. The consideration that art has no intrinsic value, without an applied monitory significance is an absurdity of the raunchiest order. Something born out of the “commercialization” of the Temples Of High Culture (museums). I have a friend, who is one of the most successful contemporary sculptors in north America. He recently told me that creating art for one’s self is a luxury. Well, maybe it is. But why must everything be “for sale” ? (And, it’s one luxury I can afford to indulge.) I have recently begun to explore the option of offering prints of some of my pieces. This, in some way might become a workable compromise. Prints offer the opportunity for more than one “owner” to possess something appreciable. And, I might continue to retain those bits of myself that remain so important to me. And, by the way — what’s the difference between an artist keeping the work in his or her own possession, and some “purchaser” doing the very same thing? I see none. But for the purchaser’s allowed group of viewers, it remains unattainable to the rest of us. For those who insist art must be “just another product”, you are welcome to your value system. Please allow those of us, like Dr Boda and myself, the option of our own values. Ours does not negate yours, nor does yours imply irrelevance to those of us who decide not to pursue the monitory validation. All my life, I have wanted to paint. I kept putting that aside, as life kept getting in the way. And I felt intimidated by the persons I met along the way, who were already “successful” as artists. A few years ago, I survived a medical death sentence, and that opportunity spurred me into finally acting upon my lifelong ambition. Now, in my sixties, I can finally call myself “a painter”. And, I don’t need someone else’s wallet or credit card to justify that ambition. All my life, I have remembered something I found in a book by the photographer, David Douglas Duncan. He wrote that anyone who feels the slightest spark of creativity is duty bound to keep that spark alive, to nourish it, until such time as he might add his own contribution, no matter how small, to the cultural heritage of the human race. And, for those who must continue to ask that irrelevant question, “why create, if you’re not willing to sell ?”, my reply continues to be “A sparrow sings, because he has a song.” ~Damar Minyak. (I’m a painter.)

A note to Iskra Johnson: thank you for expressing what I was thinking as I read the comments. It seems to me that many painters have never experienced getting in touch with their deeper emotions through the painting process, hence their callous remarks in response to Dr. Boda. I have bookmarked your website as a source of future inspiration: thanks for your words and images.

Give them away. If you love them, let them go.

Why can’t we just be allowed to keep them for ourselves ????? I enjoy seeing them looking through my several hundred panels, so far. Remembering what each means to me, etc. My own private museum — of, by, for myself. The rest of the world can see them, if and when I decide — if ever. Or after I’m gone, if my heirs so decide. I also enjoy knowing there are others out there, like Dr Boda. And, while we’re at it, why don’t we decide it’s only art, if it looks just like all the other “art” taught in “art class” ???? ~ Damar Minyak (I’m a painter.)

I don’t think that selling your work is necessarily the “price you pay for taking your work seriously” if this is true we would not have the need for Nobel prizes. Money does corrupt! I would hate to think the good doctor would not feel the same way about practicing the ART of medicine as she does about selling her paintings.There are some things that money cannot buy and I’m happy she has earned the freedom to really have what the rest of us will never have, real freedom. Having an exhibition, sharing her work, and having a really fun party without any concern that selling her work determines if she is successful or not, is truly freeing. The rest of us would have to be satisfied with whatever number the cash register rings up. VanGogh and Monet probably couldn’t even imagine themselves to be so fortunate as to be in her position, because they needed the money so badly. Is making a living more important than making a life? Is there a difference and if so how do we continue to go about making art in spite of the fact we will never be able to make a living at it? To the good doctor I say, “you go girl” you have it all! Good for you! You have a wonderful excuse to have a party. Just party, and celebrate, and share your work and that is all. If your party is not better than money than I don’t know what is. There are many things that are much more serious than making money.

Just checking back, to see if anyone in this erudite community caught, and commented upon my (intentional) malapropism. Did it twice, just to bait you… (monitory, for monetary)… Or, perhaps, you were all just too courteous to mention it ???? What’s life without a little fun ??? ~DM

If one does not want to be in the market but wants the work appreciated, give it away – to friends, to institutions, to charity auctions – everybody wins: You can be humble and proud; you can participate and withdraw; you can give and take; you can be in the system yet outside it. It challenges the consumer system yet does not form an elite.