“Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” ― Andy Warhol

@NarcArtTherapy

Жыл бұрын

Indeed!

@CJShopland_Art

3 ай бұрын

One of my favourite quotes

I do about six shows a year. I only do the largest attended fairs and shows. I have been doing this for twenty years,and very rarely sell a piece at the shows and fairs. I make sure everyone gets a card. I may pass out a hundred. My better pieces are expensive. Most people do not bring a grand to a art fair. But later they will get in touch and buy a piece or become that Patron. Also your art is fine. There is no such thing as bad art. We have all seen the proverbial POS art sell while your amazing art is being ignored. Keep up the good work Rafi An Klee.

Remember all this advice, and also - save your money! For me, a lot of the anxiety comes from those bills that have to be paid every month, with or without sales. So whether your money comes from sales or day jobs, live cheap, save every penny you can. You will need the money in the bank to silence those discouraging voices during the down times when you're not making sales. And one tip is pre-pay stuff when you do have money - like over-pay your electric bill when you have money in hand. That way, you'll have a credit and won't worry so much about falling short in the future. When you have fewer financial worries, then your inner demons won't have that real-world stick to hit you with.

@matthewriegner5180

4 жыл бұрын

I second this. It takes sacrifice and much of that is in spending

I quit painting daily and start again every night. The way I figure it I will have a body of work no matter what.

@suegardner

4 жыл бұрын

I love this

@joan-lisa-smith

4 жыл бұрын

I need to learn and stick with this. I stop when sales go down and feel like making more is pointless until my current stuff sells, as Murphy's Law dictates, I suddenly get a bunch of sales and accepted into a bunch of shows all at once then have to scramble to make enough. If I'd just make work consistently, regardless of sales, I'd have a big body of work ready! Ugh, sometimes we sabotage ourselves because I don't prepare despite knowing this.

@elefantrising

4 жыл бұрын

Jo Pearson I have not sold anything in about 20years really. I went to a technical school I have a degree in commercial art. I wrote a children’s book and a friend asked me for the pages instead of the book. Gave me the idea of painting again which I did and stopped because of other jobs etc. till I decided it needed to be done and I painted none stop for months, went to a gallery had a show and still have paintings there and patiently waiting for my first sale. Without sales it is still the best thing I have done. I been an art director and designer, recorded albums and toured yet my paintings still hold my passion like nothing else.

@gnarthdarkanen7464

4 жыл бұрын

@@joan-lisa-smith True. Consider, for just a moment, that you probably don't have a "proper" inventory, until you're just about required to get more space... buy or rent a building... hire contractors for an addition to the house... big-box store a shed... something. ;o)

@soniafinch7922

Жыл бұрын

@@elefantrising when you have lots of art of your own you feel you have something to show for your talents. Off planet other beings are blown away but the amount of talent on our planet. One day we will have buyers coming here from all around our galaxy to buy our arts, crafts and music.xx

I've sold pieces three years later for three times as much the second it hit the wall. It's all where and who.

Key words I took away from this : 1.) How much are you doing to put your yourself out there ? 2.) How much experience are you allowing yourself to have ? 3.) push through the suck

@tjduprey

4 жыл бұрын

Or... embrace the suck

True...also in times like this I love to remind myself about van Gogh, how difficult it was for him, but he has always trusted himself and worked every day. I think sometimes the artwork need more time to be understood and noticed by viewers.

Thank you for this video, my sales are slow now as well, but let me say this , don't ever give up or stop painting, what I find to be helpful is since IAM a landscape painter, I go outside to look at nature to get energized, how can you explain the beauty in the sky, the sunset, a group of trees? It's then, when it ignites your soul , you have to go and paint, not what you've just seen, but what you felt. I will paint no matter if I sell or not.so, I would say, always motivate yourself, and never give up!

Always reminding me how to beat down that devil on my shoulder - good work

i think one huge factor is, as was mentioned by Clee , the energy that we put out at these shows.. it's a huge factor , in my opinion ... my husband and I used to do close to 40 shows a year, with our line of hand painted clothing ( i no longer paint clothing.. now i paint watercolors and gouache) .. we had a beautiful set up , plenty of inventory, etc.. But .. the times where we went into that show with silent desperation ( inside ourselves, because we really needed to make some money !!) , we usually didn't do well.. I truly believe people can " smell" that desperation or dependence that you have on the outcome.. It's just like an interview , where if you really really need that job and you show that , or put out that energy , most likely you won't get that job... This is all the same thing , I think ... even if you need that money , which of course, most of us do , I feel it's really imperative to be a great actor, or put on the best smile and sense of excitement that you can... I am not a cynical person at all , and that's just my take after a hell of a lot of experience in doing it for many years ... The opportunities to start relationships with potential customers is more than one can put a price on, as Rafi mentioned.. Its total mindset and not being fixed on the outcome .. I hope I made sense with my rambling.. I think 40 shows a year might've fried my thinking apparatus lolol good luck to you all !! I'm Norakag on instagram ... arcuda is just my nickname here :-))) And thank you both, as always .. your take and perspectives and thoughts on all of this are always so helpful... 👍 norakag

@MichelBelisle

4 жыл бұрын

I've experienced that myself : secret desperation while trying to sell something... and it's not working.

@arcuda2001

4 жыл бұрын

Michel Belisle yep .. it never does .. it's negative thinking and people won't go near it . If they possibly can avoid it , then they will , whether they're doing it consciously or unconsciously .. I remember the feeling I got from people that were looking for any odd excuse to get out of the tent , when we were feeling bad or discouraged... " i'll be back " or " i'll think about it" are the classics lolol oh well.. live and learn :-) good luck in the future :-)))

@gnarthdarkanen7464

4 жыл бұрын

Forty shows a year... as in 40 in a span of 52 weeks... SO you drive out to a whole new location, to set up a whole new arrangement (terrain changes everywhere, spacing, assignments sometimes and sometimes not, etc...) and different unknown neighbors... basically every week... with 12 (three months) where most of the continent has decided (justified or not) that it's too friggin' cold to go out and play that game... ARE YOU MAD?! I'll do THE (yes, count it, one/1) Flea Market every week. I know my spot, when I go... and SO does everyone else. If I even bother with a show, it's by reference or invite ONLY... Someone literally says, "Hey, dude... THIS SH*T WILL MOVE AT _______! You GOTTA go there next month..." week... whatever. AND I look into it... I tried "The circuit". It does more to move your work to death, than get it to buyers... AND shows are ALL exhausting. You gotta recover! Okay... That said... Summers at the Flea Market (we have a couple HUGE ones) can still get long... SO build up to that, especially setting up outside. Exhaustion can come out with very similar energy to "I gotta sell or quit" kinds of desperation... Bring along something that calms you and something that excites you. Best if both can be done by the same thing... It's for "slow spots" in the day. Traffic has it's rush and lull times. This "distracting thing" can even be your work, so long as you're not bent on a masterpiece. You should be able to drop it instantly to focus on a customer... even just a lookey-loo. Bring along some conversation... ANYTHING can be talked about so you're not "pushing shop talk" on customers. Hard sells are NO good... I buy and sell, and a hard sell will run me off quicker than a twelve gauge sawed-off... Attitude... No matter how little or nothing I'm making. At any set up (show or regular flea market), I'm in one of two states. 1. Approaching break-even. OR 2. Better than break-even. "Break-even" is the price for the day, including everything I spent to get there, be there, and work there... Gas to carry the van, me, cargo, pop-ups, etc... Food to work all day... any refreshments to avoid dehydration or "just not broiling out of my head"... It all costs... AND any new inventory I might pick up through the day... Sometimes you find a deal you can't possibly lose money on, so you buy it. This not only keeps your finance relatively quiet around others who might be more desperate than you are, but alleviates you of trying to calculate to the penny whether you can afford to do this or not, especially in the 100 degree heat in 120 percent humidity of the Dog-Days, when it's quite literally impossible to think... You have two states to be in, and you don't have to be precise about it. If you feel like you've clearly beaten that break-even point, You're simply "better than break even"... and it counts at the end of the day (when I sit down and straighten the money-box and actually count anything) by the penny or by the mile... It's a fine state to reach in a day. Otherwise, you're only approaching break-even... whether you've sold nothing, or you've sold a couple... or you're maybe a couple dollars away from making real profit... even by a penny. Talking about ANYTHING other than "shop" or process or who's done what work, and which one's your personal favorite... meanings of whatever images... Talking anything but business not only shows the customer that you're sociable enough not to "hard sell"... BUT that you might be fun to hang around... People who stand around chatting at stalls and booths... even for five minutes, start looking for something to buy "just to not waste your time". AND it's a good way to pass the slow days, when you could be going silently crazy trying to find a signal on a nearly dead cell phone in a near-dead zone... You don't have to talk about your work until the customer directly points and asks, "What can you tell me about this one?" I've sold more art and craft, talking electronics and red screaming hot cars than I have actively teaching about arts or crafts... processes... materials... techniques... spiritual meanings... whatever. I've chatted people up in the aisles about why they don't carry mustard in little packets at that stupid hot-dog booth... and made a sale... It works. If you worry about your energy, your energy is already in trouble... SO change it by changing the subject. ;o)

@arcuda2001

4 жыл бұрын

gnarth d'arkanen very wise advice, indeed .. and yes , we were mad lol people have done much crazier things than that to earn money... you weren't in our shoes , but it's fine.. you make some great points.. have a great day , oh wise one :-))) i wish you continued success !!

@gnarthdarkanen7464

4 жыл бұрын

@@arcuda2001 My effort is only to get YOU to think about it, and consider that exhaustion contributes to your downfall faster than almost anything. ;o)

Sometimes it's just economics. The slowest time of the year is January through tax day.

I had the joy of listening to this yesterday on Twitter... 😊 But it's still fun to see it on KZread. Great advice guys, even better the second time around!

Loved the message! One thing worth pointing out, though, is that the one truest way to RUIN your chances at selling more art is to stop making more art. ;o)

Someone I watched recently said for you to make a sale you need 3 points of triangle in place. Intent, desire and budget. This made so much sense to me. You need to show as many as possible as you say to get your work out there to reach the few that meet these criteria. I have taken your advice and just go out there to have fun, meet people and show my work. Like you said sometimes work comes later. If not its a day out and will continue to create for me.

Րաֆիի ջան լրիվ ճիշտ ես։ 🤟🇦🇲

"When all things seem empty remember who you are." A hidden treasure in this video. Thank you.

I felt a connection with you when you said in 2019 you hadn't sold a piece in 4 months, and when you said that some of your prices were $5 for the smaller tree pieces and $40 for a 16"x20". My pieces sell (sometimes) and my prices range $10-80, but it's certainly not consistent. In the last 12yrs, I've made $1200. In my old job, I used to make that in one month. Yes, I've been thinking of hanging up the whole thing for about 5yrs now. Thanks to my husband and brother who support me financially, I wouldn't be able to do this otherwise. Thank you for sharing.

YOUR MESSAGES ALWAYS COME WHEN I NEED THEM MOST!!! THANK YOU!!!!

I am like the questioner....went through a bad patch, decided I was crap and stopped working. Had been in a good monthly gallery/market situation, I was selling ceramics. Did not make the table fee for 5 months while the glassworker/jeweller next to me was making $1200 - 1400/market. She stopped coming to the market after one week of 'only' making $900! (Her stock sheet was next to me, the numbers were real) I was having a hard time with the market and my other full-time co-op/gallery which was floundering before finally closing up. Got dejected, decided I was useless and just stopped. Has been 3 years but my drive to start again is returning. Good to hear this podcast today!! TFS!!

Rafi you might want to get a pack of those food handling gloves you see prep cooks use . They keep a lot of the Cadmium an Titanium and all those other iums off your skin. Plus they can make some neat effects in the paint.

I paint and I make jewlery, about a year and a half ago I decided to start selling it.... and here i am i have never sold a painting and i have only sold a handful of earings, but i decided that even if no one is ever going to buy it, i am still going to try and i absolutely love creating it! "Never quit because others are haters" that's what i always tell myself.

Working on five pieces at the same time!?!!!! Awesome. But yeah you are right about the "making connections" being more important than making a lot of sales at an event.

Awesome video. I do love the message, but I actually enjoyed watching the two of you working. Plus, seeing the two of you working was EXACTLY what a person should do. KEEP WORKING.

Nice studio! Colourful, messy, and a lot of weird things compiled into organised chaos.. just like my mind =)

I'm in love with that piece on the table, that's beautiful!. If I had the flow it would be on my wall.

I think that when we create "reasons" for why things happen, it is really our attempt to control an uncontrollable situation. We feel better knowing that - it was hot so no one stopped - because it gives us that hope that if we can control that cause, we can change the effect - if I start doing indoor climate-controlled shows, I will make sales. Rafi and Klee - on point as always. This is a message that applies to far more than just art/creating. PS - I finished your book and loved it. As I was reading, several things you said resonated with conversations I've had with my husband, so I read them aloud to him, and now he wants to read it as well. To put this in perspective, since finishing college a decade ago, he has only wanted to read one book, so I was super surprised and happy when he said he wanted it next.

The painting you were showing in the beginning may be a work in progress but it is soul-touching❤️

Always great guys thanks for another brilliant podcast!

I like your art both of you and watching you guys work on your art is relaxing.

I feel the zoo exhibit thing SO HARD

It's really refreshing to hear other artist talk about this!! I have a big event soon and I'm so nervous!!

Great stuff! When I go to art walks, my goal is to introduce my artwork and myself to as many people as possible. Sure, I’d like to make sales, but I’m always looking to make the most out of the opportunity! Doing just that got me discovered by a gallery owner and opened up the opportunity to display my art there! I shared pictures of that gallery and that opened up the door for a second location to display my art! For me, if it’s slow, I try to keep pressing forward because I believe that the seeds that I am planting will grow and become profitable in various ways!

This was super relaxing listening to the conversation and watching you work...

This video was so inspiring and helpful! Thank you for creating this content 😊

@Rafiwashere

11 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Good morning! Love these podcasts! Thanks for putting them out there 😁✌💚🔥

@EricaJoyArts

4 жыл бұрын

I can't wait to listen about websites! Yay!😁

Excellent video! So relevant to new artists or ones that are extremely unique. Thank you folks so much!

"The Creative Fire: Myths and Stories on the Cycles of Creativity" by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes only in audio on Amazon. Her voice has saved me and my art twice over the years. The creative flow is not a constant. Nothing in life is, of course. I can now add THE REASON to my sanity checklist. I've believed that turd (I'm bad, my art is bad, etc.) as TRUTH far too many times. I just did a plug-and-play version. If I was selling auto parts and not moving inventory, am I bad? are the parts bad? Art is tied into emotions for all sorts of reasons. That guy/gal at the auto parts store lacks the same drama. Anyway, love to hear you two riff on this stuff. Make me think instead of react/emote.

I understand this fully. I got into art recently in my senior years. I sold one commissioned art, one old original from the 1980’s and several stickers and prints. It’s been dry since, but find I need to continue to create. It’s therapeutic for me anyway. Thank you for your videos as they are encouraging.

Please please do this format again! I love it! Watching you guys in your element just creating art and then hearing you guys give us advice and just talk about art is the BEST format you guys have done so far.

I’m in an invisible moment. I keep going though because I am compelled to paint.

I 💚💚💚💚 this type of format!!

This is exactly what I was thinking inside omg.. you guys always have the perfect videos thank you so much for the great advice!🙏🏾

You both are awesome! Thank you so much for sharing your videos. This video is perfect timing for me💛Much love!

Loving seeing your work guys and the podcasts of course

Love watching you work. Nice to see how others create.

Thanky. What i needed to hear about motivation at this time of the YEAR. Have an amazing creative day...

I just wanted to pop in and say thank you! I've been reading your book, but it's so hard to get anywhere because I get so inspired to DO things! I'm only on page 91, but I've started work on a commission, wrote a proposal to a local business, and emailed my city to ask about ways to beautify the city such as painting manhole covers, murals, and a sculpture park. Thank you so much for giving me the kick in the pants I needed. I've been on autopilot for a few months, and it feels great to be getting myself out there. I'm even doing my first radio interview on the 11th of February! So thank you again!

Thinking about a future client and possible lead is what's keeps me going when I'm not selling. Great podcasts and behind the scenes guys!

This was an awesome video! Life is funny because I was dealing with discouragement , and I came across this video. Utilizing your down time to create new projects is a great idea because it does keep you motivated. Thanks, and more power to this channel!!

I love all the points you go touch on regarding all the reasons why people may not buy your art. We all go through this and, I am sure we as artists, have a hard time not making it about us, as our art work is so personal. Thank you for all of your wonderful videos!❤️

I'm using quiet january to train myself and research new ideas for my biz. Also im working on some design ideas for my portfolio. Good to get some small pieces done to launch in holiday times or between big pieces.

Great Podcast as usual. When I go through this I try to look at what I'm hearing in my head with an observer mind. Just looking not reacting not thinking and I continue to make or design it took a while for me to realize that customers were not the source of my inspiration. Inspiration comes from within🌟🦋💖

This was a great reminder to just 'keep on keeping on'...I have to remind myself to create out of my love for the process, not the product (or selling the product!). Thank you!

My first market experience a few years ago was so horrible that it really put me off of doing them again & almost made me quit painting, but listening and watching you guys the last couple of years has given me enough fortitude to consider giving it a go again this year. Thank you for instilling that confidence back into me 🤘🖖

This was very helpful. Knowing that other artists, like yourselves, have experienced no sales is encouraging to me. The challenge is remaining confident as you said. Thank you!

Not only is this a great discussion, but I also get to learn a bunch of awesome techniques that you use while watching. Specifically how you layer and make drip effects. Sure it’s a somewhat simple process, but the result is BEAUTIFUL! Thank you!

I absolutely love listening and watching you both in your element. 🤗 it is so SO inspiring to me! I was always so creative when i was younger but over the years in my 20s that got beaten out of me as with most ppl so now when I am trying to step up as a creative, its sad and a bit disheartening to see how traumatized i am to create anything I dont know how to or that may turn up as a crap turd. But I am becoming aware of this and treating myself with kindess along the way. Im at the very beginning of learning my style (whatever that even is, I have absolutely no formal training but a really good eye and intuitive sense) and seeing you use all these tools, and seeing your messy space, wow does it break my heart open in the best way. I was NEVER allowed to be so freely creative. You show me whats possible, you help me see beyond my limited mind. And you help resurrect my soul with your courage. Truly you both are so fucking incredible. Absolutely amazing. ❤💫 I don't know you and we never have met. But I love you both🤗

I needed this today. Thank you

21:46 True. The more desperate you become, the less of a fuck you give to JUST DO IT. In these moments, many artists break through barriers and discover themselves in a new way. Because the voices go away and you tell them to fuck off because YOU are the one speaking now. You just need to allow it to happen!

Great stuff, Thanks guys.

thanks for this video! needed to hear it!

This was awesome, right on point with topic and footage. I was felling often just like this person who just wanted to give all up for one discouraging moment. Its so hard to be an artist. wow amazing paintings.

I had a show that I had been able to make a significant amount of income in years before. This instance I made zero for the weekend. The following year was slamming successful!

I'm working on a few projects, they are Christian but go directly against many dogmas of religion in order to devote accurately and honestly and fully to Christ; so plenty of negative voices. In this video, Rafi and Klee, you described getting past the discouragement and in so doing acquiring a sort of resistance nearly an immunity. I am at that place at this time, and hearing you articulate it is encouraging.Thank you.

loved this! great video!

Thank u for this video i needed to hear this ❤️💯

If you're going through hell, keep going. - W.C. No need to look back unless you forgot something, like your art supplies 😂

Thanks

Yeah, when I started doing the local flea and discovered that I couldn't even pay the measly $25 table fee at the end of the day, it was super disheartening. I still go, though, because the exposure is REAL. Even in a place like that, it really lifts me up to have happy little conversations with people and learn names and faces. So now I consider it to be a very very inexpensive art studio rental. I set up my display on Sundays, and use those 8 or 9 hours to work on my projects with no distractions (ha!). It's sooo productive and relaxing. Where else could I rent an open studio for $100/month? It even has its own built in foot traffic... I don't have to advertise, make food, plan events, nothing! :D I just have to do some online typing work in the mornings so that I can pay for it. :/

Great video!

Your artwork is beautiful

50 bucks is a pretty good price for a booth. Good on you.

he busted out the fans, says he aint got time to wait for that paint to dry xD

Great message you guys love it everyone I hear it, I need to put this on repeat it's like my brain is my whitest enemy it's sad. "Push through the suck!"

Great video! Btw i had my first 'you Suuuck!' from a fellow artist recently, and i thought of you two 😂. It was on a fb group and another local artist decided to check out my work, and let me kniw that my art is totally unoriginal, and mainstream and that i had obviously had some early success with the quick work that i dashed off, but that newby artists like me are 'clogging up' the local art industry making it harder for real artists like him to sell their stuff! . Who needs voices in our head with people like that around? 🤣🤣🤣

Van Gough never sold a painting and I rarely do. Not comparing myself just saying one must be inspired inside for the journey more than anything.

Reading this part of your book 😳

Thanks for the video folks. It's all well and good selling at markets and shows but these things cost £40-£100 each weekend (UK) and potentially you dont sell anything, it can be very expensive and if you dont have the money, what then? Social media advertising is far better value for money(thousands of eyes for smaller £/$ VS in person shows for a lot of money. Cheers

I’m bummed that I have conflicts this weekend that I won’t be able to do Mt Dora. Do you have other shows scheduled this season in the Tampa area like Tarpon Springs or Mainsail?

Hello you amazing Rafi and Klee! A quick question for you... what do you feel about doing sales on your work? I don’t sell much and I don’t really care but I need room so I can create more but even doing a 40% off sale will not get anything moved. I did an experiment and put up 7 very old, beginner, canvas I had done 5 years ago for free in a “free cycle” page and they went within an hour. Trying to decide if I should do more freebies but was told by other artists that this is bad. What do you think?

I have been thinking about signing on to FASO to have a website. I like that the monthly fee isn't that high and they don't take a commission like etsy does. I am not very tech savvy. What is your opinion of FASO or similar sites. Thank you for your answer. Love your videos.

It's hard too when family encourage you to quit.

@Rafiwashere

Жыл бұрын

It really is, but sometimes I feel like they think it's their job. Our job is to keep going.

I make fursuits. I've been in a hard place lately and made a suit to sell. Basically no interest whatsoever, and I had to borrow money from family to pay rent. January might just be a bad time to sell art (everyone is broke from xmas and haven't gotten tax returns yet.) I know it's nothing wrong with my art itself, but damn it's hard to not wonder if maybe my stuff is bad and quitting my job last July was a big mistake. Right now I am working on a personal project to keep motivated. I'll be selling at a convention at the beginning of April and we do very well at cons. I'm saving the suit that didn't sell online so that I can sell it in person. Just gotta push through till then.

Hi Raffi and Klee, can you talk about refusing a custom order? I just got an order from a client, and even though it was something I had the skill do make it really wasn't something that I felt comfortable doing, so I refused, but I felt really bad about refusing it, I was afraid to lose an opportunity and the client, and afraid I was doing the wrong move since I'm still struggling financially.

@Jules_Pew

4 жыл бұрын

Don't feel bad. If you had done it, you might find that you get loads of orders for stuff that you don't want to paint. Worst way to to kill your love of art.

if you are not motivated by yourself, don't waste any more time, it means you have nothing to say. Van Gogh did not sell any paintings except to his brother during his lifetime.

I have drawn portraits of presidents is there even a market for them ?

I'm dead as an artist then with in order to sell art u need to be social.

@elefantrising

4 жыл бұрын

SuperGirl1970 Carver I feel you. My art is at a gallery currently yet I have zero confidence about selling.

@chubbyjaydraws

4 жыл бұрын

SuperGirl1970 Carver sigh, that’s so me 😭😭😳

@quiettornado1970

4 жыл бұрын

@@elefantrising I mean because of my processing disorder. Normal verbal communications takes me longer time to process then normal people. I've often been labeled rude cause my brain processed something wrong or delayed. Even when I state a fact, I get label rude.

@elefantrising

4 жыл бұрын

SuperGirl1970 Carver well I think I’m pretty awkward around strangers and I don’t care to be around large groups . I think I was better when I was younger.

@quiettornado1970

4 жыл бұрын

@@elefantrising O,O

Create more art and tell those voices in your head “I well keep creating until something sells so stop the BS and shut your mouth(s)!! You WON’T stop me from being creative!!!”

Thank you both, I needed to hear that. Logically I know that there will always be people who like what I create, and people who don't. But that ugly voice inside can sure be loud that says, maybe you just suck.

@Rafiwashere

Жыл бұрын

It’s in your head, tell it to be quiet whenever it flares up.

But how do you know if you're any good or not?

If you've never sold anything before, why expect to start now? Easy to understand wanting to earn a living, but some people create simply to keep from going mad

If your feeling down because your work is not selling it’s time to take a break and not criticize yourself. Nobody is paying you so you are not under any deadlines. Use your time to watch other artists on KZread don’t be hating on other artists try to absorb their creativity or get ideas for your own art works but don’t steal others style or art. Watch a documentary about Basquiat or a favorite show. Build a body of your art slowly or quickly depending on how your feeling. Look at your old sketch books , color an old drawing or rework an old painting of yours , smoke some weed , do some shrooms, send me the PIN numbers to your debit cards so that I can go shopping for you because I think you need a new Mac and some large canvases and a 85 Oldsmobile Cutlass Lowrider and.................

Why on Earth is that person creating art for viewers? Art comes from the heart and if you make it “to sell it”, that motivation dies so easily. Art from the heart is inspired and that inspiration is contagious. Sales are awesome but they can’t be the motivation. Networking makes all my sales.

I am sorry to say I suck as a salesman, I have a big problem of selling my work , I can sell you a metal detector, with know problem, and you would be very happy , you would come back just to talk to me. I have been a Artists for over 40 years , I found out , you create, or you sell , you can't do both....

Appreciation, fame and selling is only a minor part of being an artist. If you don't want to draw because no one buys your work, maybe you just don't like drawing at all. Pursue a career that you would even when you are starving.