Sunday, August 10, 2008

Buying and Selling



Selling work is so seductive. When someone likes your work enough to lay down hard-earned cash, it’s a tremendous feeling of validation. But does it sway the way an artist works? Will the artist consider making more works just like the one that sold, when maybe she wouldn’t have continued with that line of thinking? Would she recreate the exact work that sold, thinking maybe to sell it again? Would other, more challenging work get put aside?
Would she risk relationships with dealers, collaborators, other artists, friends, to sell? I hope not.
I collect art. Usually I trade for it, sometimes I buy it. Sometimes it’s a gift. I love my art collection, not as I love things, but as I love experiences. I have several new pieces, and I love to come home to them.
When I sell a painting I don’t miss it. It’s like it never existed for me, and I’m glad it’s gone. I don't really care to know who has it or where it lives. Leaves space, literally and mentally, to create more work.

2 comments:

Robin Pedrero said...

Hello! Nice to make your acquaintence via your blog. Those pieces in your collection are wonderful! I collect art and I am an artist.I am searching around for other artists who do the same thing. I am a little different from you, in that I do care about the details of the where abouts of my art. Best Wishes and Happy Creating and Collecting!

kloeamongtheturks said...

Oh hi,
Those sculptures are from a museum, I'm not well off enough to collect bronzes (plus I'm sort of a 2D person). I'll post some of my new art possessions soon. But thanks for reading! Good luck with your artistic career...
Kloe