Hey guys!!!

It's been so long. I've been busy. As of last weekend the future of my last post has become the past. I participated in the Atlanta Arts Festival. It was definitely an interesting, fun, learning experience. I did sell quite a few things. Both original Lace painting have sold to a lovely man - and they are going to be together, so at least they aren't alone.

I've also made prints and I hope to open a little internet shop up soon to sell what I have and hopefully make more. <3

The greatest part by far was just the exposure. It was like having my own personally gallery. So many people looked at my work. I'm sure it's the same online, but this time I got the chance to see all of the reactions. And wow... there were tons that ranged from disgusted and frightened to loving it.

I never realized that the work I do could even be considered "disturbing" but the more I look at it I suppose I can see how the general public could view things that way.

It's even changed my opinion of Anahata - which to me was a very happy painting. Probably the happiest painting I've ever done. (And maybe a few others still view it that way.)

I'm curious to see how that knowledge will effect future works if at all.

I have been having difficulty lately with the entire idea of intertwining art and business.

I'm not sure where I want to be exactly - I NEVER want to rely completely on my art as my means of paying the bills. I feel like that will cause me to (at some point) have to make sacrifices I wouldn't normally make in order to get food on the table.

I never want to price my work too high. I strongly believe that art is for everyone and everyone should have access to art. That is why I LOVE the idea of prints. Something affordable. Something that multiple people can buy if they feel connected to a certain work.

Already I feel as if my prices are too high - how do you charge someone so much for something you LOVE to do. Something I would be/am doing whether money is involved or not. I will never stop making art.

I feel like I need to put boundaries up for myself now that I've crossed this line.

So here we go. The rules -

1. I will never sell a painting for what I consider to be an absurd amount of money for the work/materials that went into it. I won't buy into the "it's more expensive so it must be better" mentality. I can't justify ripping people off. If my works ever sell for nasty amounts - I better be dead.

2. I will always have a job outside of my art. This will give me the ability to no conform myself to the masses. To stay true to myself and what I'm doing with my art... what I'm expressing and focusing on that connection with other people. If I'm not "wall worthy", if my work doesn't sell - I am 100% okay with this. Doesn't mean I'm going to stop.

3.

That's all I've got for now, but I'm sure there will be more as I explore what it means to make money off of your work.

You guys are artists... or at the very least interested in art - what do you think? Where do you draw your lines? I'm curious. And I can always use advice from others.

♥

PS - Started a Facebook fan page if anyone is interested - Hopefully, I'll have a REAL website here soon. Lots to do!!!
[link]

PSS - I've also signed myself up for this: [link]
Those of you who are sketchbook fiends like me should check it out. Should be lots of fun and if you do a book I promise to try and get a photo of it when it comes through Atlanta.