Tuesday, July 12, 2011

To Sell or To Be

I think the crux of any philosophical debate among artists boils down to whether you want to sell or not...whether you seek success in a real career, or personal success.  There is nothing wrong with either, for variety is the spice of life!

The pain begins when a fine artist/musician has to be concerned with turning a profit in order to continue doing what he/she loves with every breath.  There IS a solution, but first one has to come to terms with the subconscious mind and free it from any notions of right or wrong.  Next, one must decide what truly lies within one's heart:  If you crave fans, collectors, fame, and fortune for your work more than the work itself, then become the business savvy artist--leverage your contacts, know the market, build your value and do all the things they teach in business/marketing courses on how to gain exposure and sell.  They will tell you not to give things away for free all the time and techniques on how to respond when people want freebies or discounts.  Now if your heart's desire is to produce an expression that answers only to a mysterious calling, and is entirely unconcerned with the result, then it is best to keep a day job or part-time work so you can create with carefree abandon, since your living necessities are not affected by public reception.  It is important that you are able to stay true to your inspiration without stress over finances.

There are always exceptions and lucky are those who didn't ask for fans, yet fans asked for them.

Yes, a true artist may suffer, but in the end, he/she leaves a lasting impression when that interior life has finally been revealed.

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