What I won't do, darn it!
I love my collectors. They obviously have great taste, they like my work! They "get it." Most of the time. But I have to say...at this point in my career, I am no longer open to "suggestions."I've spent my lifetime developing a style, a technique, a voice. I do what I do because it works for me. It brings me great joy. I know what I like, I know what I'm good at.
I also know my art is not controversial, not earth-shattering... I utilize a couple of gifts and quirks - I am eidetic, I have synesthesia, I can draw, I can paint, I have skill in cutting up paper to make my work.
I create portraits, I think they're beautiful. I am inspired by women's faces, by fashion, by travel, color, or an idea. I'm not curing cancer, I'm not trying to be clever, I make pretty pictures.
I am not a performance artist. I don't arrange shoes or shower curtains "just so," I don't dig up galleries, I don't utilize bones or doilies or pornography in my work. I don't pee or smear poop on my work.
I usually don't paint men. I'm not great at landscapes. I might feel like painting flowers but it goes away.
I do NOT paint dogs. Or cats. I do NOT paint cars or motorcycles. I do NOT do company logos. Yes, people so insane for their pets and yes, people spend a fortune on them... and yes, people with money have cars.
I have friends who paint pets and motorized vehicles. They're really good at it, and they make money selling their work. And, they LIKE it! I have graphic artist friends who create logos for a living and they're happy, too.
Me, I'm happy making beautiful women out of little pieces of junk mail and discarded paper. It's my thing. I love it. I am thrilled to be able to make art every day. I am also thrilled when it sells. It's confirmation that this work makes my collectors happy, too.
Comments
Sandhi, I love this post.
I've recently had this conversation, as well. I create art because I want to – I get a rise out of doing it. The day I stop enjoying it because someone else has to tell me what to do or how to do it to please them is the day I go sell shoes, or whatever else I can find. It's OK if someone else's work is more "commercially viable" than mine. I'm happier than most people I know and I'd like to stay that way. :)
Hey, Sandhi,
I wrote you a private comment on your wall.
My husband used to exhibit his photographs and, of course, I'd always have ideas for him. His perennial answer was "get out your camera." We worked together and I learned to do my part of the business, the business, and stay out of the way of the shooter.
Lucky me, last April I happened on Sandhi at an art fair near Palm Springs, quite by accident. Really, really nice, fine interesting, detailed work...I could have spent the entire afternoon in her booth.
Don't get me wrong...people say "hey you should do a portrait of bob dylan" I say - "I'd love to - I take a 50% deposit up front..."
So, I do custom portraits, or commissions if asked...just no dogs...or cars...or unicorns!
I feel what you're saying, but in this economy I will totally sell out. It pays the bills. If somebody wants a picture of their dog, I will give it to them... Granted, it will be done in my own special way of creating the likeness. As long as they have a check in hand, I'm for hire.
The artwork I make for general sale hanging in my booth are of my own choosing. But, I usually make a compromise to find a design that I will enjoy making because it really draws me in, while keeping in mind what I think the public will want.
I do enjoy the endless suggestions by non-buyers as to what I should make though. They are entertaining.
"You know, you really should make a picture of a turtle!"
I just smile and seriously say "Yeah, that would be cool!" Then quickly forget about it.
If I took all of the non-buyer's suggestions and tried to create something that they would want to buy, it would be a frog riding a unicorn through a pool of dolphins to get to the shore where a hot girl in a bikini sits on a harley davidson with a hot air balloon floating in the background.
I'll pass.
But.... if you have a check in hand, I'd be willing to make that scene for you.
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