I have loved reading about your process of making art. It was really wonderful to read your lifelong process of making life with the combination of passion and reason in your perspective. I'm so glad for the buzz you felt from the weekend, from some sales and some people who "got it" with your work. Congratulations!
Thanks for sharing here - and i look forward to what comes next too
Thanks Hans - you will have made some sacrifices and continue to do so in caring for others - following the calling of our heart is generally not the same as aiming to be great in others eyes - its a reward versus payment choice
As the saying goes, do something you love as a job and you never have to work a day in your life! Easier said than done - like you I enjoy reading - but not sure I could make a living from it! And then there's the cautionary tale of making your hobby your job (i.e. source of income) and suddenly the fun seems to have gone out of it as the stress of making it pay takes its toll.
It's lovely to see so much of your art on display - it reminds me that I really do need to catch up on your YouTube channel and see what you've been up to lately. I hope you make some more sales this weekend too - your work would look great in many different settings so all your visitors should find something that will suitably grace their wall.
Work vs money vs joy - they are a complicated puzzle and I suspect education does little to enable us to find the right mix of each.
Not much on YouTube at the moment - as I’ve been so focused on the business of presenting and selling art I’ve not had the energy to apply to making it - a problem all solo entrepreneurs face at some stage
Good to hear drooling was kept to a minimum while in your favourite job prior to painting. While I'm tempted to debate your lack of talent comment, I believe more in skill-building than inherent talent myself. I think people who "have talent" were started young enough to not remember most of the hours practicing.
41 people is not to be sniffed at! And, as a marketer I'll remind you, people rarely buy the first time they see you. If they followed you on social, see you at another event, or search you online, they're doubly likely to say "hey I know and like this guy" and open their wallets.
This comment made me realise that, with digital cards on our phones, "open your wallet" is probably going to become as archaic as "hang up the phone" one day.
I recognise so much of this, David. The thrill of helping to create positive change, facilitating other's breakthroughs. And creating things too - in my case sketches and clothes. I also love Talk Talk! All the best with your exhibitions and continuing focus on passion.
I’ve NEVER had a job I truly loved. I was good at the work, I could excel and deliver, but that spark was almost always elsewhere.
Over time, I realized that passion and reason rarely align in the roles society hands us. Passion often has to be carved out in the margins - in creating jewelry, mentorship, writing.
That’s sad you haven’t found a single role you loved - though I suspect there must have been moments in those roles you loved.
Even art can be hard work for me and at times I wonder why I torment myself with it - yet when the painting is finished it is a euphoric moment.
Sales were soft and at the conservative end of my estimates but in line with the economy - NZ has been battered lately with high cost of living and unemployment so people are being cautious - however 4 people fell in love with paintings and adopted them so that was a big shot in my heart - actually my heart broke a little letting the paintings go (the rational part of me said harden up and take the money) 🤗☕
In a midlife career pivot here. This was a timely read for me. Your art is beautiful, thank you for sharing it with us and good luck next weekend on the trail!
Ah the midlife pivot is harder than the early ones as we have more weight to balance as we pivot - not physical weight just the weight of responsibilities and risks - wishing you success with your pivot Karen! 🤗☕
I was wondering how your weekend and your sales went. It sounds very similar to mine last weekend. As I think you know I am a hand weaver, I paint silk before I put it on the loom and then weave scarves with it. Like your show this past weekend, my show was a first for me, at a larger Wearable Arts Show. I did about the same as you, sold enough to cover set up costs and perhaps a bit more. Disappointing? Maybe. But given the uncertain economic times I wasn’t the only one who was disappointed with sales. However, I WILL do it again next year, for several reasons, one is that I had such amazing positive feedback and fantastic conversations with people. That was very fulfilling in and of itself. I also know that those same people and perhaps new (hopefully) people will come to the show and visit my booth. Like you, I felt honoured that they came and I felt seen. Building up a following means putting ourselves out there. Congratulations on doing just that. I can definitely see why the couple that bought the girl twirling painting were taken with it, it’s absolutely lovely.
Hi Valerie - thanks for stopping by - am glad you enjoyed the interaction - that was a big part for me too - chatting with other artists and sharing tips and tricks - I’ll do it again next year as well - and the set up might not be as much then - but I’ll also know how much to expect in return as well - currently it is tracking at what my conservative estimate was - so if it does the same next weekend my art supplies are covered for next year 🤗☕ Did you have any photos from your show - if on your instagram can you send me the link please
Someone bought my painting! Sad. But delightful! Congrats on the sales. And another great read. It is raining here today so I am inside so it was good to come across your new post!
It was a wrench to let them go to be honest - they are part of me - though I still have prints of them so all is not lost - please keep the rain on your side of the Tasman - we don’t want any rain here for another week thank you 🤗☕
Firstly, congratulations on the sale of one of your pieces - here's to your Reserve Bank doing their bit and dropping rates during week and stimulating more sales! Oh and Talk Talk - "It's my life" their original was brilliant (great band!)... As I enter the sunset years of my career, I still find myself craving that feeling of being in a paid hobby, right now I get my satisfaction from seeing leaders I mentor lead with empathy and gain the ensuing positive results.
Thanks Alexander - the joy of mentoring and seeing people treat people better and see the good results of that is priceless - though don’t leave the cycling guide sideline for too long
It sure is David! As for my guide... my first red hot tip is ignore the weather forecast! On Saturday we had a wonderful 28C so I enjoyed a brisk 40 km ride in the morning. The weather was supposed to be the same yesterday, so I rinsed to repeat.......20 kms in, clouds arrived from nowhere together with thunderbolts and lightning, very very frightening.......and I copped a drenching!
Oh you better believe it! 🤣😂..... and at one stage I was yelling more than just mamma mia, mamma mia............as I looked up to the skies and yelled "So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye"...... but then I realised I just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta here........ !!
I have loved reading about your process of making art. It was really wonderful to read your lifelong process of making life with the combination of passion and reason in your perspective. I'm so glad for the buzz you felt from the weekend, from some sales and some people who "got it" with your work. Congratulations!
Thanks for sharing here - and i look forward to what comes next too
Thanks Hans - you will have made some sacrifices and continue to do so in caring for others - following the calling of our heart is generally not the same as aiming to be great in others eyes - its a reward versus payment choice
Wishing you a great week 🤗☕
As the saying goes, do something you love as a job and you never have to work a day in your life! Easier said than done - like you I enjoy reading - but not sure I could make a living from it! And then there's the cautionary tale of making your hobby your job (i.e. source of income) and suddenly the fun seems to have gone out of it as the stress of making it pay takes its toll.
It's lovely to see so much of your art on display - it reminds me that I really do need to catch up on your YouTube channel and see what you've been up to lately. I hope you make some more sales this weekend too - your work would look great in many different settings so all your visitors should find something that will suitably grace their wall.
Work vs money vs joy - they are a complicated puzzle and I suspect education does little to enable us to find the right mix of each.
Not much on YouTube at the moment - as I’ve been so focused on the business of presenting and selling art I’ve not had the energy to apply to making it - a problem all solo entrepreneurs face at some stage
Thanks for stopping by Tina ☕🤗
Good luck for the second weekend of the exhibition - I look forward to not only catching up, but also seeing new content once you've rested a bit!
All the best for the coming week! I love your posts, makes me relaxed after intense work days (like now). Thank you!
Ah… I hope the intensity is bringing you great results though 🤗☕
Good to hear drooling was kept to a minimum while in your favourite job prior to painting. While I'm tempted to debate your lack of talent comment, I believe more in skill-building than inherent talent myself. I think people who "have talent" were started young enough to not remember most of the hours practicing.
41 people is not to be sniffed at! And, as a marketer I'll remind you, people rarely buy the first time they see you. If they followed you on social, see you at another event, or search you online, they're doubly likely to say "hey I know and like this guy" and open their wallets.
This comment made me realise that, with digital cards on our phones, "open your wallet" is probably going to become as archaic as "hang up the phone" one day.
Maybe I should start my bio as the pandemic pastelist - so they can more easily relate to having to find something to do during the lockdowns 😲
Those great masters of the renaissance started as young apprentices and worked huge hours before they got the skills they did
Here’s hoping people come back for a second look 🤗☕
Not a bad idea, actually! It's efficiently self-explanatory 🤗
I recognise so much of this, David. The thrill of helping to create positive change, facilitating other's breakthroughs. And creating things too - in my case sketches and clothes. I also love Talk Talk! All the best with your exhibitions and continuing focus on passion.
We are kindred souls - except you wander a lot more than I do Lisa 🤗☕ So nice to find another fan of Talk Talk!
Thank you for sharing this.
I’ve NEVER had a job I truly loved. I was good at the work, I could excel and deliver, but that spark was almost always elsewhere.
Over time, I realized that passion and reason rarely align in the roles society hands us. Passion often has to be carved out in the margins - in creating jewelry, mentorship, writing.
That’s what I see in your story.
How did the exhibition go, David?
Happy November.
That’s sad you haven’t found a single role you loved - though I suspect there must have been moments in those roles you loved.
Even art can be hard work for me and at times I wonder why I torment myself with it - yet when the painting is finished it is a euphoric moment.
Sales were soft and at the conservative end of my estimates but in line with the economy - NZ has been battered lately with high cost of living and unemployment so people are being cautious - however 4 people fell in love with paintings and adopted them so that was a big shot in my heart - actually my heart broke a little letting the paintings go (the rational part of me said harden up and take the money) 🤗☕
I had lots of good moments and found ways to make it work.
I still do.
Four hearts won over.
That’s a huge win!
I have a feeling it’s going to be a really tough holiday season for retail sales in America.
In a midlife career pivot here. This was a timely read for me. Your art is beautiful, thank you for sharing it with us and good luck next weekend on the trail!
Ah the midlife pivot is harder than the early ones as we have more weight to balance as we pivot - not physical weight just the weight of responsibilities and risks - wishing you success with your pivot Karen! 🤗☕
I was wondering how your weekend and your sales went. It sounds very similar to mine last weekend. As I think you know I am a hand weaver, I paint silk before I put it on the loom and then weave scarves with it. Like your show this past weekend, my show was a first for me, at a larger Wearable Arts Show. I did about the same as you, sold enough to cover set up costs and perhaps a bit more. Disappointing? Maybe. But given the uncertain economic times I wasn’t the only one who was disappointed with sales. However, I WILL do it again next year, for several reasons, one is that I had such amazing positive feedback and fantastic conversations with people. That was very fulfilling in and of itself. I also know that those same people and perhaps new (hopefully) people will come to the show and visit my booth. Like you, I felt honoured that they came and I felt seen. Building up a following means putting ourselves out there. Congratulations on doing just that. I can definitely see why the couple that bought the girl twirling painting were taken with it, it’s absolutely lovely.
Hi Valerie - thanks for stopping by - am glad you enjoyed the interaction - that was a big part for me too - chatting with other artists and sharing tips and tricks - I’ll do it again next year as well - and the set up might not be as much then - but I’ll also know how much to expect in return as well - currently it is tracking at what my conservative estimate was - so if it does the same next weekend my art supplies are covered for next year 🤗☕ Did you have any photos from your show - if on your instagram can you send me the link please
Good luck next weekend. How long does the artists studio tour last?
I am @omadoodles on Instagram. I posted a display photo of my show there.
Just hit the follow button - thanks Valerie 🤗☕
Someone bought my painting! Sad. But delightful! Congrats on the sales. And another great read. It is raining here today so I am inside so it was good to come across your new post!
It was a wrench to let them go to be honest - they are part of me - though I still have prints of them so all is not lost - please keep the rain on your side of the Tasman - we don’t want any rain here for another week thank you 🤗☕
That’s what Tig said. Nothing but rain out there!
Firstly, congratulations on the sale of one of your pieces - here's to your Reserve Bank doing their bit and dropping rates during week and stimulating more sales! Oh and Talk Talk - "It's my life" their original was brilliant (great band!)... As I enter the sunset years of my career, I still find myself craving that feeling of being in a paid hobby, right now I get my satisfaction from seeing leaders I mentor lead with empathy and gain the ensuing positive results.
Thanks Alexander - the joy of mentoring and seeing people treat people better and see the good results of that is priceless - though don’t leave the cycling guide sideline for too long
It sure is David! As for my guide... my first red hot tip is ignore the weather forecast! On Saturday we had a wonderful 28C so I enjoyed a brisk 40 km ride in the morning. The weather was supposed to be the same yesterday, so I rinsed to repeat.......20 kms in, clouds arrived from nowhere together with thunderbolts and lightning, very very frightening.......and I copped a drenching!
😂 Did you do the Fandango to Scaramouche out of there?
Oh you better believe it! 🤣😂..... and at one stage I was yelling more than just mamma mia, mamma mia............as I looked up to the skies and yelled "So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye"...... but then I realised I just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta here........ !!
ROFL
🤣😂🤣