Thursday, May 13, 2010

Thinking


Okay.
I h
ave been doing lots of thinking the last two weeks or so about my Etsy shop, and my art work.
I've come to sever
al conclusions in the past week or so.

My first conclusion is th
at I love making art and I love selling art. Nothing makes me happier. Really. Knowing that people love my work so much, that they would part with their money just to own it, makes me so happy. I never in my life ever thought I would be where I'm at today with my work.

Th
at being said, I want to continue my Etsy shop, and I want to continue making work, but I think I am seriously going to start limiting my reproduction prints. I like them, and I think they are a great way to bulk up your shop with items, but I'm afraid they are taking away from the original works of art that I have in the shop.

I w
ant to carry prints in my shop, because I feel like they are a great way for people to afford art, but I think I am going to limit my prints to limited editions. So after this batch of prints is all sold, I most likely won't be carrying them in my shop. I might carry a small handful, and of course if there is a special request for one I will most certainly make one, but for the most part, I won't sell them like I do now.

My second conclusion is th
at I am not 100% happy with the work that I've been making. It looks nice, and I feel l like I do good work, but sometimes it doesn't feel like me. Sometimes I feel like I am making things that other people like, and that thought really doesn't sit well with me at all. I feel like that idea has really been showing through in my work as well....so I'm am going to try to get as far away from that idea as I can.

So there it is. Those are the thoughts that have been floating through my head the last couple for weeks.

anyway, it is a beautiful day here in Portland and I'm itching to sit on my front stoop with a David Sedaris book and a beer :)

Hope everyone is well.

11 comments:

nacherluver said...

Your work is great :)
Glad you're being true to yourself and doing what you feel is right for you and your art.

Madilyn Peiper said...

The plight of the fine artist...I understand your thought process and think you're making a wise decision for yourself and your art.

Jennifer DeDonato said...

I am going through the same things...I feel like a large bulk of my last work was not me and for other people. I felt like I was rushing just to get stuff done and I didn't feel 100% proud of it.

I am still on the fence about prints. I sell pretty much all my originals at an artist market here in Houston so I end up selling prints online. From what I found people want to see originals in person. Prints seem to be a small investment and they don't mind buying them online so much.

Same boat...makes me feel like I'm not alone.

cheryl oz said...

I know "exactly" how you feel. I feel like I make art for other people but, don't exactly make the kind of art I would want to make for myself anymore either. I think your best works come from staying "true" to yourself as an artist. I can't wait to see the new work!

Michele Maule said...

Thank you all for such great feedback and insight. It makes me feel less alone in this too, Jennifer :)

LR said...

a book that made me see art making in a different and positive light is called "Art & Fear" by David Bayles and Ted Orland.

Megan Chapman said...

Oh Michele..

You know I have been there before.
And I will be there again I am sure.
Right now I am certain I am making the art I want and need to make and it is a very good feeling.

These are important thoughts to be having and I think you are headed in the right direction because of them.

I treasure each piece of original art of yours I own and eventually I hope to own more of it in the future.

Onwards. I hope you enjoyed your book and beer.

Jenipher Lyn said...

I'm really proud of your self discoveries!

I wish you the most creative, self expressing group of art work in your near future!!

[[did that make as much sense written out as it did in my head? hmm]] :D

regardless..i can't wait to see what your future holds.

keep your head up lady!

Smiles and blessings,
Jenipher

Michele Maule said...

Thanks ladies :)

On word and upward, indeed.

I think I really need to let go of this idea of trying too hard to make money. I feel like if I make work I like, love, the money will follow. Hard to do, easy to say.

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Heather Kirtland said...

It's so nice to see how everyone grapples with these issues. I often wonder all these same things. I am just at the beginning of making prints of my work. I will take your advice and do some editions. I am glad that you have some to some good decisions that work for you!!!

jodie said...

i actually just found you through your etsy shop and love the authenticity that shines through this post! we are in the beginning stages of getting our shop up and i need all the insight i can get.