So there is this thing that happens to some creative-minded people. You may have heard of it; it’s called accumulation.
Now, I have made no secret of my hoarding tendencies (or where they come from) but I don’t often discuss this very real, very common problem that happens when you make stuff – a lot of stuff – and then have nothing to do with it. Nothing. And it’s awful. For this reason, most of the projects I do on this site have some practical tie in. Purpose. Function. If I want to make something purely decorative, it’s usually a seasonal item and takes little/no money to make. It’s like I need to give myself permission to make art for art’s sake, and permission is rarely granted. At least, that’s the way I have always felt...
Then, maybe six months ago (following these painted gift bags), a flip was switched and all I want to do was make stuff for the sake of making. Painting in particular. I just want to mess around with paint. All day. All night. Most winters I struggle with some not-unserious seasonal depression, and since I started painting last December, it was totally manageable – and the only think I took on was painting. I’m not dismissing all sorts of other helpful habits, but when you know something has a positive effect on your mental health, that’s a big deal. Huge. It says something to me. Paint and Me: We are supposed to be together. And because I only let myself do it when my other work is done/semi-done, I don’t feel bad about it at all. I don’t even want to post them on the blog or show them to other people. They are mine. And I love that. And I don’t feel guilty about a lick of it…Until now.
And why do I feel guilt?
Accumulation.
Currently, I’m turning out an average of 5-10 pieces a week. That doesn’t mean they are good, that just means they exist. Multiply that times 30 weeks deep in this run, I now have hundreds of these things. Most of them 80% done. And it never stops. I’m accumulating these papers and canvases at an unreasonable rate. And it’s not a cheap habit. And then they just sit there on a shelf waiting for a friend to randomly say, “We need more art in our house – do you have anything?” and then it’s weird because I can’t go into someone’s home without looking at my work. I don’t even like seeing my own work in my own house, so why would I want to see it in yours? So it stays at home, tucked in a cupboard, accumulating. I don’t feel guilty about any of it except for the accumulating part. It’s just taking up space. It has no function.
So, this begs the question: What to do with it?
In the back of my mind I think I could sell some (emphasis on *some*) of the work, but probably not for a lot of money for a lot of hassle, and I’ll admit upfront, rejection is a big deal. I would be absolutely heartbroken if I put all my stuff and it didn’t sell. Years of blogging has thickened my skin to general criticism and rejection, but knowing that nobody wants this thing that is important to you? Yeah. That’s not easy. It never will be.
Last week I was at an art show – one of those tent style street fairs where people weave in and out. I was wandering around and admittedly, I was thinking, Okay, maybe I could do this. Maybe I could do this. Maybe I could seek some stuff. Maybe I could do this! And then I wandered into a booth and these two women were talking about how ugly/unattractive this one artist’s work was. And while I wasn’t crazy about his work either, I was livid, absolutely livid that the artist had to stand there in his booth hearing them saying that. Here, he had laid his heart out on the table, only to have someone else trample it because it didn’t match their couch cushions or their idea of what is “good.”
The weird thing was, he seemed okay with it. He was used to it. That stuff is just the nature of the beast. You have to be willing to swallow mass rejection before you can make a sale. He knew that, and he was up for it anyway.
Back in art school we had to do daily critiques on everything, and I mean everything, and you would get really comfortable with the idea of other people not liking your work, but, it was always coming from someone who was putting themselves up for critique too, so words were measured. You watched your delivery. When strangers reject what you hold dear, it hurts in a different way. I have such admiration for people who know how to weather that sort of storm, and one day I hope to be one of them. I’m not there yet, but one day, I hope to be. If not for my own personal growth then for the sake of my closet space. There is no more room at this inn!
So, my question here is, do you use your creative abilities to make things? And if so, how do you address this issue of accumulation? Do you give your stuff away? Do you sell it – and if so, where? Or do you just keep it around for your own benefit? Or do you just not make stuff because you don’t know where to put it? I am confident I am not alone in this struggle, so I’m hoping we can identify some new ways to work around it. For real. I’m all ears!
Perhaps you could create on a surface that is made to give away… A gift bag, a small surface that could be made into a card, a canvas that could be made into a tote. Or go over the original painting with words that mean something to you.
That’s actually how this all started in December…gift bags. I still do most of my doodles on paper bags. The collection is impressive!
I have a similar problem. I’m very happy to be painting again, but I end up with so many pieces of artwork! I give a lot of my originals away as gifts to friends and family. I’m just getting set up to sell some prints online. I’m thinking of bringing some pieces to a local retirement home. You can also donate to organizations that raffle or auction items for fundraising.
I love the ice oaf giving stuff away – unfortunately, when I was looking into it, it seems like they get a lot of offers already and only want stuff that’s framed and ready to hang (which makes sense – they don’t want to spend their money on framing). However, I also don’t really want to spend money on framing stuff just to give it to people who might not even like it. An auction wouldn’t be bad though…that’s a good idea. That way you know the person bidding is interested. Hmmm…
I have the same issue with framing things, you barely make any money as an artist, but once you fame it you would be lucky to recoup your investment on the frame. I sometimes find framed art at second hand stores and pop my own creations in to it, but recently I have been working on scraps of wood. I find nice pieces of finished plywood in the scrap pile at the lumber store, and I also googled mill works in my area and they are happy to give me wood. I can use paint or colored pencil on the wood and tack a hanger on the back and it is done! I have fancied some of them up by tacking Lattice wood (thin strips used for lattice) around the outside edge of my wood painting, so it looks like a frame. I figure if da Vinci can paint on wood so can I,
I have been thinking about using wood for canvases too, but haven’t let myself go there until I have room (they take even more space than paper). But I do love the look and the idea. Alisa Burke does some fantastic stuff on wood. I also hear good things about gatorboard.
I am so in! Love your work.
My situation is different because I knit, crochet, and sew, and I keep it functional. I have soooo many little shawls I use as scarves in the winter, and I have plenty of hats and mitts, you get the picture. The sewing is almost all clothing for myself, sometimes a bag. Almost always I use someone else’s patterns (except for the bags) so I wouldn’t sell those things anyway.
Here’s where I identify with you a little: I’ve been asked before to sell bags, and I am terrified. I’m afraid they wouldn’t hold up, that someone would find fault with the workmanship, that there is some thing I’m missing I don’t know about and someone else would see and it would be immediately obvious I’m a complete hack.
Here’s where I identify with you a lot: I’m not a trained artist (I know you are). At all. But I do enjoy drawing, and I’ve recently been told I could maybe sell my work. Our financial situation could really use some help, and I love the idea of being able to contribute while staying at home. However the idea of someone seeing my work and rejecting it because I’m obviously untrained or maybe they just hate it, and me having to see/hear that? Oh my, it scares me even more than the bag thing. At least I’ve used my bags and know that that are in fact bags. I don’t feel the confidence that what I draw is in fact art. Does that make sense? Anyway, the whole thing is terrifying and makes me want to cry, so I feel you.
But you! You are THE Aunt Peaches. Hey, do you have a friend who would sit with your paintings so you didn’t have to be there? For goodness’ sake, I’d do it if I lived close enough. If you ever want to take your paintings on an art fair tour and you’re in Delaware or Maryland–consider it done. I’ll sit with the paintings, you hang out far away at the bookstore or whatever and at the end of the day I won’t tell you what anyone said unless it was good.
You got it! Next time in your neck of the woods, I’ll know who to call 🙂
And I hear you on the selling stuff and being worried. Anything apparel oriented is held to a different standard. I have friends that make stuff and sell in stores on consignment…then the stuff gets ruined by people trying it on whatever, and they just lose the item forever. No sale. No money. Just knowing it sat around for months and no one purchased it. That’s the one nice thing about 2D art — it’s there and it’s done!
Shin ae – as far as not knowing if your bags are functional, why not give one to a friend or two and ask them to use it for a bit. Just to get some feedback. I personally want a bag that closes at the top.
My mother was an artist, and when she passed, family and friends were able to take whatever of her works they liked best. I did too, and its a wonderful way for people to have a piece of my mom in their homes, but I also got the ones that no one selected. I also paint a bit, and so I have a ton of paintings between the two of us, and I used to try to hang all of it up out of some sort of obligation to display it. But last year I started taking down paintings I don’t like and re-hung my favorite pieces from my mom and my own artwork, and I’ve recently decided that I will gesso over my artwork that didn’t make the hanging cut. I guess I figure if I don’t care that much for it, its purpose was in its creation and not in its display, so I might as well re-use the canvas to create more. I can’t bear to do anything with my mom’s pieces, its too painful to get rid of unless its going to a friend of hers, and its not like the collection of her art will grow, so I’m keeping that stored in my closet for now.
What a lovely way to remember your mom. And I like your sentiment about ‘the purpose in the creation and not the display’ — the joy is in the doing!!
I had a HUGE canvas that I painted in 2008— it just sat there being huge…my dog even pooed on it…seriously…. everyone’s a critic!
I cleaned it off…after a little swearing…then put black paint over the whole thing to cover up what was there because it just reminded me of an icky time. It sat around for 7 years…then I finally started painting again. I was just admiring it today – it isn’t done done but WOW — it has a history. It’s more mine now. I love the idea of the creating process being my goal. I frees me to just mess up and play and go for it — and destroy and recreate.
Auntie Peaches — OMG I’d love one of your pieces! You are adorable!!!
I like this idea of visiting a canvas years later. When you put a lot of emotional intention into a work, it’s interesting to see something that embodies multiple states of mind/time.
I feel exactly the same way, Jess! Even about original work that has been licensed or what have you. Right now it’s all hanging in my living room in a totally disorganized, unframed mess. But as I create more, I wonder where it’ll all go…
What about giving them away? Sure some people may not like them, but others would be so happy to have original, free art – so many people can barely afford rent these days, let alone decor. It could be your “random art of kindess” or something. You could randomly mail them to friends/blog readers/etc. Maybe donate them to homeless shelters, or women’s shelters, or vet’s offices. So much nicer than the generic Walmart art I see in most doctor’s officers.
I love the idea of random acts of art! I fear shipping costs + the subjective nature of art (not everyone likes it as LOUD as I do) might be prohibitive, but I do like this idea on a smaller scale. Someone earlier mentioned greeting cards…I could so that happening. Hmmm…
Oh, I love your paintings and would adore one for my new apartment in Humboldt Park. I’ll come pick it up and be your first random art recipient. I love the way you paint and have been drooling over all snippets of paintings.
Please, please, please suffer through the pain of selling them online somewhere because I’d LOVE to get my paws on those glorious flowers. The tiny thumbnail on my phone is enough to fill me with joy so I can only imagine how fab they are in real life!
I agree!
Seconded! Although ironically I fear I might not be able to afford the international shipping on real art – in fact my first thought was ‘ooh they would make lovely prints!’
OK so that solves neither of your problems but, hey, interested party here if you ever decided to go into that line of business!
Thanks you guys! I appreciate the support. And I love the idea of some sort of textile situation…
Please make sure there is international shipping when you start selling. I am third in queue.
Like Spoonflower. I’d buy it!
Umm, these are GORGEOUS (I am in love with the colorful circle flowers). I think it’s amazing that you’ve found an outlet that helps you so much emotionally. You should be very proud of your work, even knowing there are others that might not appreciate it as much as you. Such is life for those of us who pursue creative fields. Selling them through an online storefront would be much less confrontational than at a gallery or show. I don’t think there is anything wrong with giving them away to friends and family, but there’s also nothing wrong with wanting to recoup your costs or even see if others are interested in buying your work. And if you DO decide to sell some… let me know 😉
Thanks Amanda! It is a big help on the emotional front. I would like to sell some, even if to only recoup the cost of materials. Art making can be a cheap habit, but not always, that is for sure!
From the pictures you posted, your paintings look graphic, beautiful and cheery. You should absolutely sell them! I’m an artist and rejection is a large part of the game, but your skin gets thick quick, and it makes a big show or a big sale so much more exciting in the end. But yes, accumulation is always a problem. However, you have a crowd of supporters here on this blog, and I’m sure many of us would be interested in owning an original Peaches. Plus, you live in a fantastic city with a great art scene (check out http://badatsports.com/ if you haven’t already). I hope you’ll post more pictures soon! Good luck!
I’ll bet you are right about the sale being exciting in the end. And I will absolutely look into that Bad at Sports link — love the name already!
I’ll buy your artwork-its gorgeous! I’d even buy those above photos of your artwork. Feast for the eyes!
Get your stuff on Etsy and social media. Sell it through your blog. You will be welcomed with open arms from your fans and new customers. As for the critics, sometimes they offer good input, if not roll your eyes and poo poo them.
Then you will have more space for new artwork! Do it, do it, do it!
I like your thinking, Lisa 🙂
Do it!
On Oahu we have a thing called the Art Truck where they come to events, food truck gatherings, first Fridays, etc. And all the art is sold on commission. I’ve bought from it, and always thought it is an amazing idea – it’d be SO FUN to have an art truck. BigBanyanHawaii.com
Might be a neat thing to get into, even if you’d just offset the shipping costs
OH MAN IS THAT A GOOD IDEA. I want a truck too! I can think of ten people I’d show on my art truck. What a cool concept.
I would totally go in on an art truck.
I gessoed over most of my work and created new experimental art over it. You have some spectacular pieces. Have you considered uploading a selection to Spoonflower and producing fabric? Pillow covers of your art? Wow!
I have looked into Society 6 and Cafe Press for small items (tote bags – mouse pads etc), but not spoon flower (yet). I wish I knew more about repeat pattern making. No reason I can’t learn though, right?
ohh, your art as material would be fabulous!!
Hi Aunt Peaches! I went through a heavy paint-phase at one point in time in my creative life as well. I also understand how expensive painting can be. So rather than accumulate and fret, I would repaint anything I didn’t have the desire to finish, or felt OK about keeping or giving away.
Studying history, many famous artists recycled their canvases and painted new images over old images. It saved money and resources (and is pragmatic). I also found that the “energy” of the image I was painting over would help with the momentum and feel of the new image being painted. Give it a try on one of the pieces that you know you just won’t finish and see how it feels to you.
After all being crafty is all about the journey of working with one’s creativity and their chosen medium. Something wonderful always come from this, including learning experiences. But whatever you choose to do Aunt Peaches, it shall be awesome!
Respectfully,
Robin Gray
Thanks Robin!
i have creative ideas but never seem able to bring them to life (work,kid, excuses.. i think i am a thinker more than a doer) but i also have that feeling of thinking, what am i going to do with that if i make it??
i am in the opposite side of where you are, im an anti hoarder, i didnt used to be like that but since my dad died, 14 years ago, leaving us with toooons of stuff it is like i dont want to own nothing, absolutely nothing
so it is hard for me to buy things, and to create things if i dont know what im going to do with them
on the rare ocasions i do something i usually give it away…
i would like to enjoy more of owning things and accumulating but i just cant. so i totally understand you
my advice, dont live for what others may say, if you want to sell just do it, life is weird, you dont know where that can take you
love,
Laura
Good advice, Laura. I wish my natural instinct was to anti-hoard. One day maybe?
Laura,
I am that exact way too! Only to the point that my house is getting less cluttered and no storage that can’t fit into a closet.
It is definitely inhibitive to being a creative person, though. I similarly am a creative “thinker,” and do a lot of weeding out ideas until I get to something I want to actually execute, and then it definitely has a purpose and place already determined.
Your art + Etsy + people who read this blog = $
Yep. I’d buy pretty much any of the pictures you put up without a moment’s hesitation. (Well, maybe a moment, because I’d have to choose which I liked best.)
Also, people who openly and publicly degrade other people’s work are a special kind of idiot.
Thanks Skatie! You are too sweet. And I am totally with you on the idiot front 🙂
Maybe you can have a friend go into business with you. You paint, and he or she manages the etsy shop or craft fair booth. They can handle all the rejection/customer/people issues and pass all the ooohs and ahhs (and whatever your cut of the sale is) on to you. And let me know if/when you do decide to sell stuff, because it’s JUST my taste and I want it all!!
LOVE that idea! It would take a very special friend, but I love the idea of having a business manager or something. That would take all the sting out, wouldn’t it?
I’ve been feeling this problem since high school. My first “oh my god, I’ve made too much art” panic attack happened as I was moving into my first place right after graduating college. I ended up chucking 7 years worth of art and design into a garbage bin at my parent’s house, only keeping some of the really “good” stuff. Over the last 4 years since then I still have some of that kept stuff sitting in a flat folder in my closet. I’ve given away a few pieces to close friends, but am still probably hanging on to too much stuff.
A more recent problem I’ve run into was that last year I decided to make prints of my art to sell at a local Comic-Con, thinking that with over 100,000 attendees I could almost certainly sell 100 prints. Unfortunately, I didn’t do as well as I had hoped and now I have a bunch of prints, pins, and bags leftover that I don’t know what to do with.
Oh, Nikki! That is awful. I hope you get a chance to sell them somewhere else. I can only imagine the booth fees at Comic Con must have been steep. This is one of the many risks that makes me nervous.
All of the art thumb nails like others have said, look really beautiful!
I tend not to create too much because we don’t have a whole lot of space.
The arts crafts I tend to make are disposable. Little paper things, small canvases, etc.
I think you should sell or donate! I can’t imagine gessoing over any of the pretty canvas’ you shared with us!
Me too — I can’t imagine guessing over either, but perhaps after a couple years in a cupboard. I like the idea of an under painting giving some energy to a second life. Or, maybe use them as a background for print making? Not sure. But it will be fun trying 🙂
This is a beautiful post, words and pictures! What glorious things you have made. First thing’s first: use that brilliant brain of yours to INVENT a storage system that lives on the ceiling, where you can store a lot more stuff out of the way.
I was fascinated by this topic! Read every comment and there are so many great ideas here. Definitely convert your paintings into fabric, that is so perfect for your pieces it makes the goosebumps. I also really like the idea of painting over some of it…after it has been digitally preserved, of course. I have much the same problem with my jewels – racks and racks of the stuff, and I don’t have enough people to give it to. I disliked selling it on Etsy, and am too shy to try a booth. It takes a lot of energy to sell yourself and I’m not good at it. The people who suggested letting someone else sell for you are right on, that sounds perfect.
PLease to keep us all in the loop on this! So happy you are being made happy by painting.
I can only IMAGINE your jewelry stash, Michelle! You probably have buckets of earrings made out of record player parts and silk flower stems…your supply stash alone must be impressive indeed!
I’m also with you on the storage front. I’m looking for a way to invent a simple drying rack just to facilitate production. Right now I have a laundry line but it is always very full. There must be a better way!
I love the idea of giving these beautiful works away but since we are not real-life friends I have to selfishly advocate for the idea of selling.
Perhaps you could allow orders to be made “grab bag style” for a flat rate that would make it worth your while? One payment gets you one work, and Aunt Peaches chooses which!
Thank you for sharing this and yourself with us every day – you are truly a creative force!
Amy
Oh my gosh — grab bag. I LOVE THAT IDEA. You may have just hit something. I could get the work out, make some money to recoup costs, and folks get a bargain price (so I don’t have to feel guilty about pricing one piece higher or whatever). Hmmmm. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm…….THANKS AMY!
This is what I was coming here to say! Yes yes yes please! A flat fee, and your choice would be so great.
If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, you could get purchasers to send you a few words, (or a favourite quote or an image of something they love) to help you choose who got what. (Is that weird? I love the idea of that kind of random connection to strangers, like a peek into their lives).
Either way, I would absolutely love to have a bit of your extraordinary work in my home. x
I love this idea too! To me it makes the art even better to have the artist choose something for me. I love the glimpses of your work in the images, so would feel like I am buying in full confidence that not only will I get something original and beautiful but that I will also have a cherished experience in recieving. Sign me up as your first customer!
SIgn me up!
As a rather prolific artist myself, I completely understand the problem of accumulating creative work.
I both sell and give away art, but I’m never going to sell everything I create, I don’t know any artist who could.
The worst examples of my work I do destroy, although it can take years for me to do so because I can’t always be objective about it initially.
Storage is a problem, but I stash my art all over the house. Under the bed, on top of the wardrobe, in chests of drawers, in boxes, in the shed, under the sofa, in cupboards, in my parents shed etc.
My favourite pieces I hang on the walls of my home (I have never been the type of artist who doesn’t like looking at my art – it isn’t just about the process for me, the destination is also important and if I can’t look at it then I don’t think I’d do it)
Art swaps have been a big thing for me. I have a lot of artist friends all around the world, and I have often not been able to purchase their art, but I find they are happy to swap …if they like mine of course. I have some amazing work on my walls that I swapped my work for.
Sometimes I will use my paintings as collage pieces in a new work….sort of reusing or recycling.
But generally, I keep stuff, and don’t feel guilty about it. I made something beautiful, one day it might make someone else smile. Where’s the bad?
Oh, and BTW, it never stops hurting to hear people say horrendous things about work you have put your heart and soul into. Ever. It’s crippling sometimes, but I’ve struggled my entire life with depression, self esteem issues and being a generally “unlikeable” person, so its situation normal for me.
Oufff. Is this not the curse of the artist? To feel compelled to create and share and then find that there isn’t always someone there to receive. It’s difficult to be a gardener without rain. 🙁
You though, Alexandra, are an INCREDIBLE artist, and I am proud to hang your Lola portrait in my home! Great art is great art. If some asshat can’t see it, it’s their loss. Cast no pearls before swine!
Thank you Miss Peaches, most humbly and from the bottom of my heart.
Oh….and if you ever want to do a swap, say the word, I would jump at the chance.
1) I would buy your art and everyone in New Orleans would be so jealous.
2) Read Brené Brown’s book Daring Greatly if you haven’t already. She talks about being vulnerable and one of my favorite quotes is: “When we spend our lives waiting until we are perfect or bullet proof before we walk into the arena, we ultimately sacrifice relationships and opportunities that may not be recoverable, we squander our precious time, and we turn our backs on our gifts, those unique contributions that only we can make.” #truth
Thanks Gabrielle! I haven’t read that one but I have read a couple of her other books, which, actually, is one of the reasons why I felt compelled to discuss this issue…I love her overriding concept of airing out the things that bother you as a way of helping them be less bothersome. It’s so true. I haven’t gotten rid of any of this stuff since writing this post, but just by letting people know that it bugs me makes it bug me less. This woman knows what she is talking about! I’ll have to tackle Daring Greatly next! 🙂
Aunt Peaches!
First of all, I’d be happy to buy anything you sell. It’s all excellent.
Second of all, have you thought about donating some of tour work to a local homeless or animal shelter for wall decoration? They don’t get a lot of original, happy pieces, and I think your good juju art would be incredible in brightening any space.
Thanks Heather! You are too kind. And yes, actually, I called a couple of places and talked to some other artsy folks…the deal with charitable orgs is that they will take stuff in frames — if they don’t like it for their walls, they will auction it off, but either way it has to be framed (they don’t want to spend money on that – and I don’t blame them)…problem is, I don’t want to buy frames just to give them away, you know? If it was one or two pieces that would be fine…but hundreds? That would be a major financial undertaking. Maybe one day, but I’m not there right now.
Hi Peaches,
I understand where you are coming from. I love making art, painting and drawing. It is my safe place to go and play, find myself, sort out my feelings and reflect. It’s my me time. Although I have been told I could sell many things and have a few, I make my art for me, it’s personal it’s my thoughts and feelings. There is also that fear of rejection going on as well 😉
To stop the ‘what am I going to do with all this stuff’ thoughts I discovered art journaling. I have a large sketchbook with good thickish paper so it can handle whatever I throw at it and just go for it.
If I have a bad day I just paint all over the page scribble, write, patterns let it dry then turn the page 🙂 it’s my safe place to play.
If I specifically want to do something special then I can get a canvas or something but for my day to day me time painting I use my journal. It’s for me no one else needs to see it. If I make something in my journal that I do love love love I can always scan it and print it out later. On the plus side my journal is portable so I can always take it with me with a few art supplies if I go away 🙂
I love that about journals! I keep one for scraps and sketches and doodles. For the other stuff — I like to work on multiple (usually wet and large) pieces at once….so a bound journal isn’t my thing, but I love the idea. I think it must be very cool to look back at a full fledged art journal and see your adventures in one place 🙂
I’ve never been afraid of rejection in this way. I’m a writer primarily (though I do paint and sew) and I completely understand the ‘opening up of your soul’ part, but for some reason, I’ve always liked sharing my art and It really doesn’t bother me when people don’t like it. In fact, I learn so much from what people don’t like. Granted, writing is different. There are a lot more rules governing writing. People don’t usually have a GUT reaction, just by looking at it. So, I’m sorry to say that in this, I don’t really understand.
But to me, even though I don’t understand, it is still a little bit shocking that you’re afraid of rejection. You are an incredible artist. I mean really incredible. Your sense of color and proportion are really different, and I mean that in the best possible way. You are one of a kind. You put things together sometimes that I would have never thought would go together, but then when I see it, I can’t imagine why I never thought of it before, because it works so well. You are innovative. To me, that’s the highest compliment I could pay an artist.
If you sold your work, I would buy it. I would buy as much as I could afford (granted, I’m poor, but I’d find a way to get at least one piece). I think you’re wildly underestimating your popularity.
Just my opinion. 🙂
Thanks, Amanda. You are generous with your words – it’s no wonder you are a writer. It’s funny because I feel very liberal about not feeling rejected by my writing. Even typos or things that are clearly WRONG on my part, I don’t mind. If someone reads something I wrote and doesn’t like it, I think that’s *their* problem; if someone sees something I made and doesn’t like it, I think it’s *my* problem.
Isn’t it interesting how people can share extensions of themselves and feel a whole spectrum of investment? I know I have musician friends who wouldn’t mind running naked through the streets, but are crippled with fear when it comes to playing a song in front of an unappreciative audience…while others enjoy the challenge. Ha! What is the expression – “everyone makes their own bed.” ?
🙂
I don’t create, because I don’t want the ghosts of bad technique haunting my house. I’ve been thinking about drawing and then throwing away my sketchbooks… Then I draw, I improve, I don’t bully myself. Haven’t managed it yet, though!
However, have you considered setting up an etsy/Instagram/online shop? You have a very loyal reader base who I am sure would be pleased as punch to own a piece of your artwork. You could host competitions and give pieces away to your readers, who you know will love them because they (we!) love you.
Oh, Alex! Don’t throw your stuff away! Stick it under the bed or box it up in an attic…but don’t toss it. Or if you do, you can’t tell me about it. That gives me a heart attack just thinking about it!
Have you considered donating them to Goodwill or Salvation Army? Think of all the treasures you have found in these places and how much joy they have brought to you. I can’t pass by green glassware without thinking of you! Take them to a drop-off site not in your normal shopping range if it would bother you to see them sitting on the shelves of your regular haunts.. Since the problem is accumulation rather than emotional attachment to these paintings, it really is a win-win. You get rid of the hoard, someone finds a colorful, cheerful treasure that brightens their home, and it is a TAX DEDUCTION! According to the Salvation Army website, donations of pictures/paintings are worth $5-$200. Save money on your taxes, spend more money on art supplies. AND a random stranger will be thrilled with your work…it is like a random act of kindness 🙂
The problem is Thrift stores throw out anything that isn’t in a frame or on a canvas – they don’t sell straight paper (at least not around here). So I’d have to buy frames just to give them away…not a great financial model. The blank canvases I use cost $30-$50 each, so I would probably just paint over and save money that way. You are right though — I have found many art treasures at the thrift store!
For Pete’s sake! Ms. Peaches read all these comments again and again. If they aren’t confidence builders I don’t know what is. It’s apparent that your art makes people, me in particular, smile. Sell them right from your blog before someone prints this post and cuts out the pictures of paintings and frames them for freakin’ free. Just sayin’. OK rant over.
Ha. Thanks Kathy! An encouraging rant is the best kind 🙂
I agree with Kathy Groah!! Please sell them here! Many of us, your loyal followers, would LOVE to get our hands on some of it, especially those of us who live nowhere near you. GO FOR IT!!! It’ll help fund your canvas buying trips, too! S
Thanks Susan!!
I love the idea of a grab bag! I’m currently a poor graduate student, but I’ll get some semblance of a “big girl” job in the fall and would LOVE to snag some of your work. I tend to gravitate towards stuff that’s…um…quiet but I was recent;y gifted some loud, crazy and beautiful paintings from my grandmother and am pretty addicted to how they’ve cheerfulled up (A MA in Lit means you get to make up words!) my space, so I’d be beyond pleased to snag some of your work.
No MA in Lit here and I make up words all the time — I’m adding cheerfulled to my list! 🙂
I think you know the answer already. Please don’t used etsy, and you know why. The people that have been successful selling art from their blogs are Studio 42? and My Favorite and My Best. You can pick out a few that you want to sell, and stick a price on them. Like $150, $200 for the bigger ones, etc. Go to a local framer and ask if they have any big boxes. If not, get your retired friend to wrap them using large sheets of corrugated stuff found in most dumpsters, or from stores’ back rooms. Try some smaller things that can be put into reinforced manila type large envelopes. Have a “grab bag” assortment of a bunch of small things. Have a few $25, $35, and $50 price points. Just have a test market of 5 things. See how it goes. Sounds like there is a lot of demand. You could put stuff up on your site every two weeks. If you can clear $100 every two weeks, that’s a start for your supplies. Also, someone mentioned buying crap canvases at thrift stores. You can gesso over them. Do you like canvas boards, or real canvases?
You can pick out your best designs and have note cards made up. You can do this locally. You can sell them on your site, or I can set you up on eBay, or I can sell them for you on eBay. You know how it works, you throw out this stuff into the universe and it comes back to you half way solved.
The Art Fair booth is too limiting. You have a prime audience right here. Might as well take advantage of it. It doesn’t have to be every day, you can limit sales to one week a month, or something similar.
Yeah, I can see how a booth might be limiting if I already have an audience, although the ice oaf meeting people who want to buy something for no other reason than they like it…well, that is very appealing. Keeping up with shipping could be a hassle but perhaps batching like you suggest it could work. Just advertise that shipments go out on X day, etc. I know you don’t like Etsy, but they have been very good to me (and I know a couple folks who couldn’t feed their families without it — it’s quite the promotion network. Although, I don’t know how well art fits in the ‘handmade’ vibe). My site has the ability to expand into a retail/merchant account set up, I would just like the perks of a readymade network. I’ll take every advantage I can get.
Aunt Peaches, aren’t you a proponent of Marie Kondo?
Look at each piece: Does it bring me joy?
If not, think about how you could learn from the ideas and styles you used in this painting to make a better one, then thank the piece for its help and say goodbye.
This might be hard to believe — but yes, every piece gives me a different kind of joy. It wouldn’t show to anyone but me, but each piece carries its own emotional merit, and that’s not like anything I could buy in a store. They are not precious, but yes, they do bring me joy.
Fair enough!
It’s a completely different story for me. For me the joy is in the creation, I love making things but as soon as I’m finished I’m happy to screw it up and throw it away. It’s the act of making that gives me joy, after I’ve finished it’s just a memory of the joy I got when I made it. I’d much rather make new things than hang on to memories. It’s extremely convenient in terms of space saving 🙂
As all your pieces give you joy, maybe you should try Marie Kondo’s idea of making the inside of your cupboard walls a shrine to your art, perhaps with a regular rotation of pieces give how many you have 🙂
The struggle is real, let me tell you. I actually stopped painting for a while because I didn’t know what to do with all my work sitting around AND was terrified to sell it. BUT, there are a few things I still remind myself and it helps a lot – 1) Read some Art History and see that this problem has been around since the first paintbrush held. Van Gogh used to paint over his old canvases, Picasso used to fill a building with paintings only to bored it up and move on to fill another space, Michelangelo thought he was a crappy painter….see? The fear comes with the territory, all that matters is that you decide to brave through that fear and make good art anyway.
2) When you DO put your stuff out there and it doesn’t sell (or you get poo-pooers), it just means that your work hasn’t reached the right people yet. And the people out there, walking the craft fairs and such, making snide remarks, I can GUARANTEE that 80% of them don’t have a creative bone in their body, the other 20% are just buttholes and what do they matter anyway?
When you feel a tidal wave of creativeness swell up, grab a canvas notebook. They make sketchbooks for painters. It’s cheaper, easier to store in a portfolio, and easier to frame down the road. Of course, don’t give up on canvas when you can get it. Painting on wood is a hoot too! Anyway, keep your chin up and don’t ever let ANYTHING stifle your creativity!
Love your blog, you are fabulous. I like Rene’s idea for painting your art on gift bags. As you find time and inexpensive art fairs, I’d try to sell there. BUT trade with a friend. One weekend you sell items for another artsy friend. The next weekend she sells your stuff. No one has to deal with rejection…win – win situation. Everyone make$ money:)
Great, great dialogue here!
Oh Aunt Peaches, please please PLEASE sell your artwork online & let your loyal readers have first crack at them! I could only afford a small one right now (fingers crossed that I get a job soon!) But I would find a way to get at least a small piece in my house. & once I do have a job- a nice big bright piece of your floral art! <3
Dear Aunt Peaches,
Many years ago in my Southern town there was a furniture store that was constantly advertising going-out-of-business sales–so many that I think law enforcement eventually got involved. Their TV spots featured the store’s owner, a guy named Wayne, hollering at the top of his lungs about his low, low prices. “995! DID YOU HEAR WHAT I SAID?!? 995!” Imagine James Brown trying to sell home furnishings and you won’t be very far off. At the end of each ad, a lady would pop up and yell the store’s tagline: “WAYNE SAYS SELL IT!”
All of that to explain: When I got to the part where you asked, re your abundance of artwork, “What to do with it?” my brain responded, “WAYNE SAYS SELL IT!” like a reflex. Your art is so exuberant and colorful and you are so very talented. I can’t promise to buy something, unfortunately, but I so wish I could. I can promise to browse and covet enthusiastically and to make a purchase if I can figure out a way to swing it.
All my best,
Jenny [says sell it!]
Well, first off AP, I can only echo what I’ve read here in the dozens of comments – I LOVE the work you do, and would joyfully display your art.
I also create because I like to, rarely with a recipient in mind. Although, I do keep a tote of stuff that I think would make a nice gift, and I either pull it out and add to it, or I give it as a gift.
I am MORTIFIED about selling something I made because a) I sold nothing at the first and last craft fair I worked and b) the copyright issue to me is still so muddy, I’m afraid to put my art out there for sale.
My favorite art-sharing came from a yarn-bombing idea: leave some art (in this case knitting) in an obvious place with a note on the art – to take it home and enjoy or give it to someone you think needs it. I left knitting all over the place and enjoyed doing it. Probably not as easy to do that with larger works though!
Also, our libraries here have rotating exhibits where the art is available to purchase. The artist can be available to discuss his or her work, or not. No idea if there’s a cost associated with that. New companies starting up (meaning small budgets for decorating) may also be a source, like a lease with option to buy dealio.
I know there are other fabulous artists who read your blog too who would welcome an art exchange, sort of along the lines of your Valentines swap.
Keep on paintin’!
Hi Aunt Peaches,
I have two ideas.
1) Make a free webpage with 1 photo per artwork and advertise it HERE on your blog. Put reasonable price + shipping on each, and then people can email you saying “I want to buy painting #178” or whatnot and then you can list it on ebay or etsy and have them buy it. That way you don’t pay listing costs for the ones no one is interested in.
2) Do your “random acts of kindness” by hosting free yard sales! Put up giant signs that say “Free art! Cost: one compliment” and place all your art outside. Or do the same next to libraries or retirement homes or malls. The retirement home company may only want framed art, but the people that live there and people that visit may like something to just thumbtack to a wall that makes them smile.
🙂
Just adding to the throng of fans yelling about how heart stoppingly wonderful all of your art is! My eyes just kept on getting wider and wider as I scrolled through the post. Each one conveys so much joy! I would hang any of those pieces on my wall in a heartbeat and would DEFINITELY buy one (or many!) if you ever were to start selling them. Even if you decided to just do random giveaways I know the price of shipping them could get prohibitive – I would gladly pay for shipping on such a treasure – and from all of these lovely comments, it sounds like I’m not alone! Keep painting, Peaches. You’re wonderful!
I went through a heavy doodle phase during a period of depression and ended up with stacks and stacks of paper everywhere. I definitely had the guilt, especially as I am a freelance artist and felt like the doodling wasn’t helping my career. Surprisingly, people seemed to like what I posted online so I started selling Art Surprise Packs- all the doodles I could fit in a padded envelope, along with a handwritten note and some random piece of jewelry I’d made. People loved them, I made some money, and the stacks and guilt both diminished quickly.
Art Bombing!!! When I lived in Cambridge, we had an awesome Art Bomber who would attach their paintings to anything that stood upright – light poles, telephone poles, traffic signs. Every time I saw one, it would make me smile. Your work makes me smile every day online, so why not spread some of your glorious work around your neighborhood? Anonymously, of course …
Dude! Can’t stop thinking about this. Had another idea, I think it’s a winner. Something I have done in the past but sorta forgot about. Bartering. I’ve bartered with my jewelry several times (for a painting, sewing lessons and some vintage suitcases) and every time was so satisfying! There’s just a feeling that you and your barteree created a one-of-a-kind transaction that pleases the gods.
Ha! Don’t know where that high-falutin’ sentence came from, but I think I’ll put it on my blog. And start bartering again.
Thanks again for the wonderful inspiring post. I dub thee Our Lady of the Deep Thoughts.
Lolz. Deep thoughts indeed! I love the idea of bartering. On the rare occasions I have participated, I have found that it is incredible how much (or how little) value other people put on things. I secretly hope there will be a day when we all can forgo currencies for bitcoin and bartering. 🙂
I love those flower paintings! The grab bag comment from another person was an interesting idea. Also I have heard a lot of good things about Etsy. I hope you find a solution soon and will definitely be checking back to see if you are going to start selling artwork here.
Why don’t you donate your canvases to a thrift store? I’m sure many people would like to have your art hanging on their walls. Added bonus: it’s anonymous, and you don’t have to endure any criticism
Here’s my problem. I have too many interests. I buy all of this stuff, hoard it, and then worry that no one will want what I make so I never do anything with it. I could open my own craft store! Earlier this year I was off work recuperating from surgery and had my Ah ha! moment. Since I really don’t like the work I do, my idea is to give myself to the end of the year to take as many classes as possible and settle on just one activity. If I can get good enough, I’ll put it out for sale to test the waters. If people like what I make, I’ll continue with my art. If it doesn’t sell, I will keep my job. What do you think?
I make quilts, which take a lot of time – especially since I hand quilt them, and then I give them to family and loved ones… And keep the really special ones 🙂
I personally saw these on purses like Vera Bradley! Of course that doesn’t help you with your accumulation! I did also wonder if you could pair up with a couple of home designers and see if they were interested in original art and if somehow you could strike up a cool thing there…I personally wouldn’t mind buying the first one so yes I agree with everyone else and their etsy statements!
I’m sure Anna at Black & Spiro would love them!
Second only to hearing those words from Anna herself, that might be the nicest compliment anyone could give me. Thanks Piper!!!
My art is mix media, I laugh because I too have no idea what to do with it. The enjoyment I get doing it is all that matters, but I suffer from guilt too. I hang the art behind a door in my craft room and look at them and think what am I going to do, I even chatted with my husband on this subject a while back and we laughed.
What I came up with is I am going to donate it all to my local thrift charity shop and then have a art showing LOL and hope that someone buys one if they so desires. If not then Im ok with that too.
Great post and a subject that many of us can relate too.
Take it in steps. Start by selling it online. See what happens. I love your work and I would love one of your pieces in my home. It would brighten up the gloomiest Seattle day.
I hope this isn’t something someone else has already said- there are a ton of comments on this post. Have you considered selling your pieces in a mystery-grab-bag sort of way? I’m sure a ton of your readers would pay a flat fee for a randomly chosen piece of your artwork. That way no piece goes unloved, you’d save a zillion hours photographing artwork, and you’d have lots of happy customers. Just a suggestion! (BTW, if you decide to do this I’d be first on the waiting list for one of your pieces. Everything you make is lovely!)
Girl!! Easy–STAT!
Have you seen some of the stuff on there? And it sells.
You’re work is beautiful and inspired and zany and clever and fun.
Furthermore, if anyone is like me and just gets sucked into the gorgeous riot of color
that you are so good at laying down, then yes! they’ll will sell.
I’ll take the 3rd one from the bottom right now.
What about packaging you’re gift bags in sets of 3 or 6–I would snatch those up pronto.
I’m one those that’s thinks the packaging should be just as fab-o as the gift inside.
Go. Do it. Now. You’re amazing.
ugh–auto correct–that’s ESTY!
omg–what is wrong with me–ETSY.
Dearest Peaches,
I put some of the things I make in my Etsy shop (see website above). Some things I keep forever so far. Some I give as gifts. I have made things since I was a child and I have made things about what it was like for me when I was a child. Thank you for the experiences to which you have led me here and there.
Erica
Ditto what everyone else has said about how wonderful your art is. I would definitely buy some. LOVE art that brings me joy and yours most certainly would. Add me to the list of your supporters!! Paint on!
I actually have many unfinished projects in my house, because I’m so hard on myself I can’t bring myself to finish them. I start a project and deem it awful or ugly and put it away, stuff it in a drawer not to be seen until I’m either purge cleaning or moving! I have to get out of my own head first before I can even think about letting anyone else even look at my work!
I love your art and I agree with those who say it would be fabulous on printed textiles
SELL IT! Do it!
Yeah, people say the most insane, insensitice things. But is SO worth it to see your work go out into the world. Don’t be scared, don’t question yourself. Sell it! Indie craft shows are more accepting and way more chill than straight up art shows. I started selling my animals three years ago around regional shows and now I’m weaving in and out of states selling stuffed animals full time! It’s hard and it IS A HASSLE. But it’s the most fulfilling existence I could ever have lucked into.
DO IT! SELL! THE WORLD DESERVES YOUR ART! IT’S BEAUTIFUL!
Take a digital photo – save it to your computer.
Keep only your ABSOLUTE favorites.
Buy some Gesso – cover and start again.
Less space used, Less money spent on supplies, More art made.
More Happy.
OMFG seriously, please email me if you decide to start selling your paintings. My only hope is that I’m not totally strapped for cash when it happens.
Not only would I want want want some for myself, I have some friends who would just die from awesomeness if they were to get things so bright exciting as gifts.
(I’ve read “ice oaf” twice now in your replies. Auto-correct was waffling between annoying me and amusing me. This settles it. I am officially amused. Never in a million years would anyone have written about an ice oaf so auto-correct fixed that situation!)
Aunt Peaches,
I frequent your blog FOR the color!!!(among other things). Talent doesn’t have to compare itself to others or be intimidated by those without it (the idiots mentioned above!) Give me just one day of your artistic talent!!
Here is my idea about accumulation….(well, I have more than one, but…) Think Fabric! There are a jillion different fabrics out there and just as many QUILTERS!!! Get some of that art to a fabric print company and give us another option….there are never enough options in fabric! Fabric collection is its own obsession….quilters love color, and pattern, and original ideas.
The quilt world needs your art. Fabric sells EVERYWHERE and it appreciated for it’s beauty and art. Please, please take the time to at least find out how art becomes fabric.
PS A friend’s husband painted almost every day and when he passed she gave me my choice of his “unfinished” pieces I wanted….I wanted them all finished or not. There are a million forms appreciation can take. Articulation of that appreciation can be just as intimidating for some.
I also make stuff – I make greeting cards, wall hangings and such. And I, too, am overflowing with stuff, but am scared to death to try to sell any. I am my own worst critic! Too bad we can’t all set up a store & try to sell our stuff all together 🙂
This post resonates so much with me. I used to make lots of things all the time and then I got so sick of just throwing things away that I stopped. I was also extremely poor, so buying supplies to make things with no purpose just wasn’t an option for me for a long time. Now I work in an office and I’m tired and uncreative and I miss those days where I looked forward to messing around with my projects. Its making me incredibly sad and I don’t know what to do about it.
How do you paint? IIIIIIIII want to paint! But how do you learn how? Like i mean, don’t you have to learn how to prepare a canvas? And there are different kinds right? how do you know which kinds of paints to buy? How do you learn how to work with them?
I do not want to have to go to art school! Can’t i paint anyway?
Like most things in life, practice makes perfect…but painting isn’t about perfection. Just buy a set and get to work! Materials count, so I suggest starting with something within your budget because you will use A LOT OF IT. The skills that it takes to work with oil on canvas is VERY different than what it takes to work with watercolor on paper, or gouache on board, etc… Someone who plays the violin doesn’t know how to play guitar. Two different disciplines and both take a lot of time to become comfortable. Do you need art school? No. But you need to prepare to spend a lot of time making bad stuff before it gets good. Youtube is a Pandora’s box of resources…