Are You Selling Out by Selling Your Artwork?

Are you selling out by selling your artwork or committing a major faux pas by even considering putting a price on your work? How dare you call yourself an artist!

Of course I’m laughing and rolling my eyes as I type that.

The idea of being a sell out for selling your artwork is ridiculous. Even the Old Masters like Da Vinci and Michelangelo got paid. (Photo Credit: 123RF.com Image ID: 164933154 Copyright: benzoix)

I’m not even sure where in history that thinking popped up or why. A long time ago, for sure. But even as far back as Da Vinci and Michelangelo, artists were getting paid. They had patrons. Wealthy and influential individuals who paid them to create art. Would you call either of those gentlemen a sell out??

I think not.

Somewhere along the line though, the image of the suffering, starving artist took hold. You didn’t make any money until you died. It’s why my mom cried when I told her I was changing my major to art. Seriously.

Any other service or specialty charges for their work. Need an electrician or a plumber? You expect to pay them. Need a new roof? Yep, you’ll pay them too. Car needs work? You’ll pay a mechanic.

Now think about this one…

Any product you buy had an artist behind its design. From products to the packages they come in. And guess what? They got paid! They’re called product designers these days. The car you’re driving? Transportation designers. The clothes you’re wearing…fashion designers. They get paid, too. You think Vera Wang and Tommy Hilfiger work for free?? What about the artists at Disney or Pixar? All artists. All getting paid.

What you do as an artist is a specialty and it’s unique to you as that artist. You put your time, thought, and consideration into it. And let’s not forget the art materials needed to create it. You should be compensated for it!

I’ve heard speculation that this thinking of selling out by selling your artwork is a type of sour grapes mentality. In other words, it may very well come from other artists who are unable to sell their own work (for whatever reason).

Consider the source whenever someone criticizes you. It may very well be a case of sour grapes, or envy. (Photo Credit: 123RF.com Image ID: 105989927 Copyright: sifotography)

If you think about it, this kind of makes sense when you think about the old saying, “misery loves company.” It’s why trolls and haters do what they do. If they see you having the slightest bit of success, they’ll question your validity as a true artist and get you to start questioning yourself.

That’s not to say that there aren’t artists who suffer.

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most famous. Sylvia Plath and Frida Khalo are two others that come to mind. Artists as a whole are often times much more sensitive than non-artistic types. So sure, of course you’ll have those who deal with depression and such.

Perhaps other people’s perception of artists like Van Gogh and Khalo, is where the idea that an artist must suffer in order to create came from. Their creativity and inspiration could only come about through suffering, right? (Wrong.) So maybe if you starve yourself by being poor because you aren’t selling your artwork, you could possibly reach the level of suffering to be considered a real artist?

I’m reaching here. I haven’t the foggiest idea. The whole concept is ridiculous.

The fact is, you have a skill that most people don’t. There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t charge for your work. AND it doesn’t make you any less an artist if you can manage to earn something for your time and effort. As a matter of fact, everyone on the face of the planet has the right to earn a living, or even a little on the side if art is a side gig. Times are tough! If you can help yourself out by selling your artwork, why wouldn’t you? If you can earn a living by doing something you’re passionate about…why wouldn’t you?

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“Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

– Mark Twain or Confucius (depending on who you ask)

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