This is a very timely video as I contemplate my art goals. I feel like I have a long way to go before I figure out my style but I'm not too worried about that. I think it will emerge more on its own the more I paint. But I also don't want my expectations about my art to stamp out interest or appreciation others have for it. Their experience of my art is different and a completely separate experience from my own. I had an art giveaway in high school were I invited my family members to take any painting they wanted. I brought a stack of acrylic paintings I had done over a few years that were taking up space and placed them around my grandmothers dining room table. Most of them were patterns and simple designs. A few were self portraits. I didn't really think that through and for a few years I was embarrassed seeing my simple, not really very good paintings in their houses, the few that made it onto walls or against books on shelves. But now that I am older I am so happy that they have them and that I gave my paintings away. It was good to let go. Creativity isn't something that everyone has. Not every person can take a blank paper or canvas and imagine anything into existence on it. It truly is a gift. I think because that gift comes to some of us easily, we over look its value.
Jesse, what a thoughtful comment! You are right, creativity is a gift and we as artists should not overlook its value. What a wonderful thing you did with your early work ❤❤❤ Thank you so much for writing- I can see your style development through each video you are doing! Beautiful work! Take care Jesse ❤
Very nice and helpful video Dena. I've been selling my works for years but lately my confidence has dropped since I seem to sell less and less of my work for years now.
These are really helpful tips! Even galleries would say that making a series would have a bigger chance for sales, especially when introducing a new artists. But one thing they mentioned is that the artwork should have commercial value, so I'm a bit hampered to apply my works in galleries. But when you mentioned about people being interesred in your art because it speaks to them, I guess that's what commercial value should be. I'm comforted at that fact. ❤
Hi Rhema! Thank you so much. Yes, the commercial value is key- building up your prices slowly over time as your work sells as galleries want to see a history of sales. And yes, people connecting with your art because it speaks to them is everything. I encourage you to keep at it and it will come to fruition for you! Take care
Thank you so much, Andy! Yes, we are oftentimes our own worst critic! I guess that is part of the internal challenge/motivation within that is also a positive. Big hugs to you my friend!
I love watching your videos like this one, and similar..like where to sale or how to price your art. You always give me so much confidence and helping me keep up. Thank you so very much, Dena 🤩🤩🎨🎨🎨🎨
This question is so obvious to all artists who loves to create more n more art work .... I have done just few oil paintings for wall till now. If I make more I may think about selling. Thanks for the detailed discussion. Have a wonderful day :)
What a great podcast Dena! Probably the best I heard on this subject.... this is one of those podcasts I want to listen to more than once. You touch on so many important things. Great advice and talk! ❤
Nice topic Dena, first step is to just take the plunge and put your art there as you've said. I find the hardest part is turning interest into actual sales tbh. Great advices btw ❤️ thanks for imparting your wisdom to us
Thank you so much for watching! Want to learn more? You can watch all the episodes of my podcast here ru-vid.com/group/PLPyeuYhzjH1fJPNpbc7euoN0BD5914ALX
Thank you Dena, for your lovely wise words, I often felt like this, now that I am ready to sell my art, I am experiencing the challenge to find the right buyers for my art! I am sure I will get there. Thank you.
What a great insight views of the 3 questions for artists, Dena😍 Thanks for sharing and many artists are eagerly looking for answers to these practical questions.
AWESOME VIDEO for any artist! I actually sold a couple of pieces of work - 1 original and 1 print... at my art show in South Carolina. Yes, people just to have get out there and express themselves to the potential buyers that come along.
Another amazing valuable informative video. I haven't started yet selling my works. But hope to take little baby steps in near future.🤞Your tips definitely matters and helpful. Thanks for creating such videos and motivating/encouraging artists. 🥰❤
Hello Dena❣️ I hope you’re having a great weekend. I wanted to thank you for uploading this video. I think this is great encouragement and how you get a bit of courage to take a chance! 😊
Wonderful video Dena! I know ive asked myself so many times... Is my art "good enough" to sell. Confidence is NOT my strong suit. But a few years ago i just decided to go for it and try selling at art festivals and farmers markets. I was so surprised by the positive response i had, and sold far more than expected. It was a big confidence boost. Sadly, i couldn't keep up with it physically or mentally... And i havent done one since. But i really enjoyed it very much, and I feel much more confident about my art! Now, i just make art for my walls in my house... Eventually I'll run out of space and have to figure out what to do with it all! 😂 Thanks for another great video!! 👍🥰👍💜🖌️💐
Artemystik my friend thank you so much for your wonderful comment! I love it that you took the art sales plunge -and had excellent results. The wonderful thing is that you can restart your sales whenever you want to and are ready. Hugs to you ❤❤❤
Hi Dena, again an awesome topic.. All three questions are bugbears to me, the third one being the most vexatious.. I think like most artists, I am super sensitive to how people react to my art, hence interacting with people and treating my artworks as just commodities to sell is not a space I have come to yet.. Maybe one has to just begin the process and learn along the way. In India, art festivals and art galleries are cliquey affairs - one has to be a part of these exclusive art groups, so to speak, to get a foot in... likewise with art fairs, which are usually managed by these exclusive groups.. One has to work towards kowtowing to the "right" people and so on... which I'm not good at. I think online sales would be a better option for me, which is what I need to work on.. such as creating a website, getting on places like Etsy.. which I am thinking about. There are practical aspects as well, as to how to package the art and ship them to buyers, when and if they do happen, which I have to learn about.. Perhaps you could talk about this aspect as well, Dena.. Branding is another troubleome aspect for me.. I love to try out different things in my art, although, maybe a personal style does emerge, whether I'm conscious of it or not.. But this is an excellent point which I ought to focus upon.. make 10 or so consistent pieces.. I really enjoyed this talk, Dena.. though I'm going like.. Phew, marketing/selling my art is a daunting thought, indeed! All I want to do is crawl into my own midspace and paint.. My husband though has an interesting suggestion.. "get an agent to do the selling for you".. What do you think of that, Dena? Wishing you a great day, and I look forward to more of your interesting talks on art matters - I loved your cookies story, I had a similar experience in my youth when I baked a cake, but it turned out hard and chewy, and so I cut it into pieces and "sold" them as biscuits (we call cookies biscuits in India) to my Dad, Mom, and brother.. and they loved my biscuits, praising me as they dipped them in their tea and ate them.. I didn't tell them it was a cake really.. 😄
Hi Rita! Thank you so much for your insightful and fabulous comment. I love your biscuits story! An agent is a great idea- I recommend if you get one, do it only on a commission basis, (they get a percentage of the net sale price of artwork they sell for you, they earn only when a sale is completed) and definitely avoid a fee per contact agreement. I use Masterpak and AirFloat systems art shipping boxes- they are expensive, but they have integral panels inside which make them as puncture proof as a 3/8" plywood crate. Hugs to you Rita!!
@@DenaTollefson Hi Dena, that is a very good suggestion, to get an agent only on a comission basis.. I will keep that in mind.. And also thank you for your suggestions on shipping boxes.. But there are other aspects to selling/shipping artworks, such as return policies if the buyer does not like the piece after getting it.. I have so many questions really.. I guess one just has to deal with stuff like that as they happen,, but it would be good to have insights by artists like you who are already selling their artworks.. Hugs back to you Dena..
Hi Manuel! I think we as artists always struggle with our art. This is part of the allure- can we make it better, can we achieve this goal, can we create what is in our head? Almost like doing a puzzle- if it was always easy, there would be no motivation to try. This struggle is what I think keeps bringing us back to the artwork. I think you have a great talent, Manuel!!
Hi Jonny! Yes, you are in a specific niche with your work, which can make it tricky to find those clients. The good news though is if you can find those clients, they likely will be very loyal and good customers for your artwork. I am thinking conventions and memorial military events would be excellent areas to meet your target audience
