Why do I have to die for my art to have value?
I recently saw this on Facebook, “I have been told countless times how my art will be worth so much more once I’m gone. This is something artists hear all the time. I can’t imagine saying that to someone else. Not only should that nonsense stop, people should start to appreciate and value artists while they’re still here ” I would quote the poster but I am going to say her: this is not a new sentiment. We look to the masters who’s work is worth thousand’s to million’s and wonder why they didn’t see that kind of value in the artist’s lifetime. Let’s look at that from several different points;
First; Some of them did get that ‘kind’ of value or appreciation in their lifetime. They were carried by patrons and some patrons actually took very good care of them (not all, lets be honest). Studio space, materials, food, living space, recognition were all perks of being someone’s “Stable” artist. The reality is, however; most posthumous art collections don’t retain that much value. It is about who owned it, the notoriety of the artist (you don’t have to be good to be famous), and how long the artist remains pertinent to history. Many fade into history within a few decades especially if those who collected or followed them have all passed away.
Second; Money didn’t have the same value as it does now. A Thousand dollars in the 18th century was more like 25 thousand now. It does vary but you can see my point. With the value of the dollar going up and down… many artists traded.
Third; Depending on society in different centuries, priorities change. This might not be the best time to look for getting the greatest value for your art. You need to be marketing to the upper third of the nation’s population right now and if you are like most artists, you live in the bottom. I know that I probably do.
This is the most important point; if you are doing art to sell and not because you love doing art first, you probably should just get out of it. Selling art to make money is like having friends to be popular. You end up being less yourself and not liking who you become to be there. Doing art is supposed to bring you joy and you should choose to sell it because you want to not because you must or are being pressured to do so. Someone who paints for the joy of creating, might end up hating art if they are forced to sell. Seeking sales can cloud the understanding of their own accomplishment of what they are making. When we don’t sell, we begin to think that everything we do is awful because we are looking at our art through the lens of public approval. You start to think that Nobody will ever like it, not recognizing that you are looking at in incredibly small portion of the population in a very small section of the county in the state you are in. It is a horrible pressure!
I am the president of a local art group, and we have a member who paints the most joyful images. I love them and would be overjoyed to purchase one. Our member doesn’t want to sell them. It is alright, she has that choice and we need to honor it. She understands that putting her work in front of people will take away her joy of creating.
There are indicators at artshows that will tell you that it is your market but you aren’t hitting the right sales note at the time. If you can afford to try again, study new tactics and do so. The thing is, don’t blame the market and never blame art. Yes, rejection is painful and hard but really; it isn’t personal. They don’t know you, unless you were talking politics or religion; they don’t know your affiliation. It is hard and yes, I myself have been so despondent that I have closed up shop at the end of the day with tears in my eyes. I do shows because I like interacting with the public and seeing how people react to my art. Perhaps I am a glutton for punishment, I think I like people.
Ultimately, doing art is personal. Do it how you want, the way you want and do with it; what you want. Best to leave guidance in your will for your family for what will be left when you are gone.