Exploration
So a few blogs ago in the one titled, “I’m Tired of eBay“, I said, “I have some exploring to do,” and continued that “My quest would be to find a better place to market my art.”
So I have done some research and took a look at Saatchi Art, an online gallery, where google told me they are, “…the world’s leading online art gallery and e-commerce platform that connects buyers with emerging and established artists across the globe.”
Sounded pretty good to me…
So, Sign Me Up!
Wait a minute, It wasn’t quite that simple. There is a process to being able to sell your art on Saatchi. You can ask google to tell you all about it. It’s not actually the thing I wanted to talk about, but my experience with Saatchi did help to bring to the surface my emerging attitude… and now, I have some doubts.
Doubts? About What?
What am I talking about? I am not going to say anything bad about Saatchi. In fact I am quite impressed. It’s like miles above eBay for selling artwork, and they seem very professional about the whole process. They even have standards. So no badmouthing about being with Saatchi – quite the opposite.
Say What?
As I said, they do have standards. Quality is primo! I ran into this in several areas. The one that triggered me thinking was the strict requirement of packaging your art for shipping. It is all highly orchestrated and essential that you do it their way. You can read about it at “Packaging Your Artwork.” It is a good, very secure method.
Again, I’m Still Impressed, but…
The shadow that hung over me for weeks after I read Saatchi’s guidelines was, am I ready to upgrade my packaging process and second, where am I going to get the stuff I need to do this, and how fast can I get it, IF, GASP… Something actually sold! Ever been afraid of selling your artwork? It kept me tossing and turning several nights. So the day came… not that something had sold, but the day I decided to be ready for the big event, when what was sold had to be shipped.
Be Prepared
I had drawn me out a handy-dandi illustration, showing the different layers and their order of application in the process. A list of materials with their appropriate size for the artwork being sold. Found me some retailers who had what I needed, and calculated the cost. So far so good. A few more hours cutting out a shipping box from an oversize cardboard box found in the garage (previously saved for this very purpose, although next time I’ll just buy the boxes from Uline.com and save the effort) and I’m almost set.
Doubts
All, except, now I’m having those doubts again. Any of you who have watched the “Lethal Weapon” series will remember Murtaugh’s (Danny Glover) famous line, “I’m gettin’ too old for this sh**.”
Murtaugh Moment
I was having my own Murtaugh moment. I mean, I’m asking myself, “What am I doing all this for?” I’m 74 and I can physically do it. I can financially handle all this. But, why? Do I really need to sell artwork? Is this my living? Will I starve if I don’t sell something. NO …not at all! I’m actually in a very good place. Then why am I doing this? Jumping through all these hoops, going through all this effort, just to sell another painting. This has been my thinking for the last 3 months. Slowly emerging and now it had fully surfaced.
Outsider
I have already removed myself from the ‘Art World’ and declared myself an outsider artist. Becoming more and more disgusted by the realization, that the artist is the least appreciated in the hierarchy of art and it’s value.
Without Artists There is No Art
Seems simple to understand, but in today’s world things are flipped completely upside down. As I have said before, I have stepped away from, even the consideration of being a part of the Art World rat race anymore. I once thought very differently. But now, it’s all different. Things have changed.
My Goals Are Different.
I realize that the young ‘bucks’ and ‘dears’ out there may not agree, but that’s OK. I intend to pursue art and it’s potential at a leisurely pace without the pursuit of money or fame. I have even thought of giving away some of my art. I have just pulled down my artwork off of eBay and closed my account on Saatchi. I’m just done with all of that. Good bye!
Am I going to work for free?
Not likely. Time is valuable. I will be painting as I go, as I want, but life is bigger than art (have I said that before? Yes! Life IS bigger than art) and time becomes more valuable the older you get.
Adding the T to No
“I’m NOT gettin’ too old for this sh**,” but I have become more aware that, what I do, is more valuable, and important than being a part of the blur while racing your life away for money… all the while, you are passing by what could be your real life and missing what’s happening all around you.
Dave
