The Dark Side of an Art Sale
An Art Sale!
Or a good attempt at one...
A couple weeks ago I decided to have an art sale. The reason being is that I kind of would like money for my wedding and honeymoon. (He and I have never been on a proper vacation. Ever. This has to be remedied asap!) Therefore, I started to clear out the studio. I looked through old art and started to freak out. I postponed this sale at least three times.
I got overwhelmed.
Bordering on the hysterical, I would just stop and ignore it all. Noping all through the day and pretending I could get it done eventually.
Eventually... This has been my mantra! Eventually... I will sort everything into piles. Eventually... I will photograph the art. Eventually... I will set a date. Eventually... I will price everything. Eventually...
The more I said "eventually" the more upset with myself I got. I can be so bull headed but I can also be a lazy rock. I was so anxious about showing such a wide level of work from years past to now, that I just didn't want to deal with it! What I had to do was force my way through it. This time it isn't about flowing through and letting the "eventual" come. This time there is a very tangible purpose to having an art sale. For one, cash for our wedding. For two, clearing out the cobwebs. I want to create new and beautiful art. I need the space to do that so I need to remove something. Out with the old, in with the new. And for three, this way one of you can have an original piece of art in your home at a reasonable price. Thus, I made myself post a date for this sale...
I had to finally realise that producing art is an integral part of me, I know I want to share it with you. The good and the imperfect. I'm going to include both in this sale. In a way, I am sharing my story and hoping you will want a small portion of it to keep as your very own. When you see an artist having a big 'ole Art Sale, know that there are many reasons for it but also know that they are sharing something special. I get hooked every time...
The Dark Side of an art sale is just all the stuff we creatives go through to get it set up. Setting up the pictures perfectly. Taking time to measure and figure out postage. The worry of pricing something too low or too high, worrying no one will like anything, worrying that something will happen to the art in the mail, and even worrying that it will be so wildly popular that everyone will buy everything and you'll be in high demand. Well... maybe not a bad worry. ;)
The Bright Side of an art sale is the clarifying feeling of cleaning out the studio. Releasing the beautiful, unique, flawed, temperamental creation out to be part of someone else's story... it is a strange feeling.
If you are curious to lurk around during the sale, see a story unfold, and maybe take something home, keep an eye on your Instagram and this website for the launch of the sale on Sunday March 18th at 1:00pm MST. It will go until everything is gone.
What am I looking forward to from this sale? I am looking forward to a clean studio. I am looking forward to creating more and embracing who I am as a creative. I am looking forward to sharing connections and stories! Remember, we are all in this together and it is one big learning process.
I'm pretty frikkin' excited.
xoxo