To contact me directly e-mail:
meganduncanson@yahoo.com*****************************************************
There are so many different views on what makes an artist a “true” artist? Is it fame, money, acclaim, value, principles, or something else? Overwhelmingly the opinion has always seemed to be centered around principles, whereby an artist must live by a certain set of rules that put artists and their art on a pedestal.
We can look throughout history and see examples of many different artist’s and their success, for a select few the success arrived while they were still living, and for the remaining majority it came after they had passed away. My daughter semi-jokingly tells me that I won’t be a famous artist until after I die. I always reflect upon this and realize she has this idea in her head because most artists have traditionally never received the acclaim and recognition until after they die. There is also the notion of the “starving Artist” that is so prevalent in people’s mind when they think about an “artist” and “work” in the same breath. It’s considered taboo by many people to even consider making a living selling art, It’s almost considered tantamount to selling our souls!
I have had many other artists and admirers of my art tell me that making prints, licensing my art, or painting certain subjects/style, or anything that would “commercialize” my art, is “selling out”. Why is there such a prejudice against artist’s being allowed to make a decent living with their art while they are alive? Is there any other career path where someone is faced with this kind of disdain towards making a living with their career, not that I’m aware. Another common phrase I’ve often heard is “a real artist only creates art for the sake of the art”. It’s as though artists have to answer to a higher calling much more than any other profession, and I’ve never quite understood why. It’s interesting to try and understand this prejudice, and ultimately be rid of it. I believe as more artists are successful while they are alive it will help people to realize art is a legitimate profession, just like being a doctor, or a lawyer.
With the advent of technology and the internet it has opened up a whole new world and opportunities for artists to share their work and talent to the world. Before the internet artists were strictly limited to the whims of Prestigious Galleries and Juried art shows, creating a situation where only a select few people/galleries determined what art was and wasn’t seen by the public. The opportunities via the internet have allowed artists to reach out directly to collectors to share their talent with millions of people who would have never seen it under the “old Gallery” system. If you weren’t showing your art in a gallery or accepted into juried shows you were considered simply a craft person or a hobbyist and not considered a “real” artist.
One of my goals as an artist who DOES make a living selling my art commercially is to try to let other artist’s, and the general public, know that art is still art, and an artist is still an artist, even if they create art to sell. I’m a very prolific artist and have created literally thousands of paintings in just the past few years alone. I simply wouldn’t have anywhere to store all of these paintings, and feel it’s a shame to have them stuffed in a closet somewhere, maybe being taken out and shared after I’ve passed away. As an Artist I HAVE to create art, it’s a part of who I am and I would be lost without it, so I must create, and would rather sell my paintings to someone I know will enjoy and cherish the art every day, than to never share them at all. I also know there are many different budgets people have for purchasing art and luxury items, so I offer each and every one the opportunity to enjoy my art, whether it be an original, a print, a limited edition print and even everyday products that have my art featured on them. None of this makes me less of an artist, just a practical and business oriented artist, who wants to share my joy of painting with others, and keep a roof over my family’s head! There is no shame in this and I hope all Artists who want to venture into sharing their art with the world will always be proud of each and every accomplishment they may ever achieve with their art :)
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