Is painting a waste of my time if none of my art work sells? Or do I keep trying

1. 75

   Gypsy48posted 13 years ago

   Is painting a waste of my time if none of my art work sells? Or do I keep trying?

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2. 60

   NYKitten82posted 13 years ago

   Personally I love to paint. I don't sell mine, I either keep it over give it to loved ones. I find painting a wonderful way to relax and bring a little peice of joy to myself...so I say keep doing it as long as it makes you happy who cares who wants to buy it..as long as you enjoy putting the time to be creative

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   Squidmomposted 13 years ago

   It depends on what you're wanting to get out of painting.Do you want to earn a living from it, do you paint because you feel compelled to? I would say no, ether way. One, if you are trying to earn a living from it, you may need to look towards something else as an income earner while you keep painting on the side. If you paint because you feel compeled to then you have no choice anyway. I paint because I feel like I must- yet I know I'll probably never sell a painting. Doing something you enjoy is never a waste of time, you may just have to budget less of your time for it.

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   sofsposted 13 years ago

   I paint as a hobby, I give them as gifts and enjoy seeing them displayed at my friends houses. I am improving my skill, making others happy, saving myself money , and love the personal touch that people value so much.
   This is good enough for me ... I think it is a personal thing , love for art.
   You need to decide based on your inclinations but never give up!!

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5. 56

   bunny_lover19posted 13 years ago

   keep trying just cause they dont sell doesnt mean there no good if u enjoy it keep doing it

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   Apostle Jackposted 13 years ago

   NOTHING, IS FOR NOTHING my friend.Always count the little things that you do as important too.To give up is to give you a zero.I think you would rather have a little bit of something...than nothing at all.

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   princessdrea930posted 13 years ago

   Just keep trying and  dont give up!!!!!

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8. 75

   Gypsy48posted 13 years ago

   Thanks everyone for your encouraging answers.

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   justomposted 13 years ago

   Paint for the love of the process and peace of mind, NOT for the money but if the money comes it's just icing on the cake. Do a hub on your paintings we'd all love to see them. Peace!!

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10. 85

    Azure11posted 13 years ago

    As a professional artist I can tell you that it is not easy to sell paintings! If you really want to do it then persevere. If you want and need to sell then you have to slightly turn away from what you may want to paint and paint things that people want to buy. This does not mean painting things that you don't like but just changing your focus slightly to see what other people like.
    
    You can of course keep painting what comes from your heart on the side and also hope that these paintings capture the imagination of someone else :-)

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11. 60

    eilander1542011posted 13 years ago

    Is painting a waste of your time Gypsy48? You have received sound advice from many caring souls. The only step left is to ask yourself your own question. Will you keep painting?

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    Edliraposted 13 years ago

    It all depends on whether you paint to answer a creative urge from within your being or whether you see it as a means to gain financially. In the first instance no matter if you sell or not it is never going to be a waste of time. Should the latter be the case then if after certain time, and endevaour you still don't see results then I would say it is.

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13. 71

    Kenny Wordsmithposted 13 years ago

    In India we have a proverb which translates to: If you keep the Goddess of Art and Learning happy, the Goddess of Wealth is forced to join her.
    Gypsy, keep painting purely for passion and pleasure, and prosperity will follow.

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    stoneyyposted 13 years ago

    Only you can answer that question.  You've gotten good answers.
    
    What is your motivation to paint?
    
    Progression in the craft is ever ongoing-unless one gets to a point and stops.
    
    It is said; proficiency comes as a result of the length of the painting surfaces trailing behind you.
    
    Michaelangelo on his deathbed was reported at protesting; "because he had just begun to see."
    
    I consider 'seeing' to be the most important, and quite difficult, aspect of painting.  If you can't see it you can't paint it!
    
    I paint what interests me-for the challenge.  I haven't tried to sell any of my works, but I can see the learning progression.
    
    Paint what you're emotional about.  The subject can be positive or negative.  The 'death knell' generally tolls on subjects you're neutral to.  It all comes out via the brushwork.  In writing, it comes out via the word choices and sentence construction.
    
    Rhetorical question alert;  are the painting slapped together or is each the best you can do at that point of time, or on that day?
    
    Doing your best based on learning and/or that particular day may not be a indication of quality to a particular buyer or buyers.  It could also be the right buyer hasn't come across your work yet, or the economics of the person doesn't allow the purchase or many other factors may be involved.
    
    Consider a play written by a sixth grader.  Compare that play with one by a playwright.  What's the difference between them?  Time and learning.

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    MickSposted 13 years ago

    
    
    Do you paint because you have to, or paint because you might like a bit of extra money, if it is the latter, give up, you're wasting your time and good canvas and paint; but if you paint becaus you have to,just carry on.
    I sold every painting I exhibited, so what, I now have arthritic hands from practical engineering, but I still paint, I doubt that they will sell now, but I still paint, it's in the blood.  Should Van Gogh have given up because he never sold a Painting?  The colour and light was his blood, in his whole being, if you had cut off his hands he would have used his mouth or feet to hold the brushes.

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    Matt in Jaxposted 13 years ago

    I am just beginning to get back into painting myself and am wondering if any of mine will sell in the future. I plan on getting 10-15 pieces together and venturing out to see if any of them will sell and hoping for the best. The best I can say for you is to not stop trying and continue to enjoy painting and don't make the art a struggle.

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    Tracy Lynn Conwayposted 13 years ago

    This thread is a little old, but I wanted to say that is was very inspirational!  Thank you!

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    pfenbyposted 12 years ago

    I guess it depends on how you sell it or where you sell it. I'm sure if you persevere you will sell your artwork. A friend of mine Vaughn sells his artwork at the markets & does really well. Here's a video that he has done just to show you the style of art he sells.
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJZP2qQlZNY

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    landscapeartistposted 12 years ago

    oh heavens no!! Don't give up on your art work.   I have been painting nearly my entire life.  I have sold a few of my paintings but most of my work has been given away as gifts.  Birthdays, Christmas...etc.  When you paint, you are giving a part of yourself  to that canvas.  That is so much more rewarding and fulfiling than anything you could ever get in a store. 
    Keep up with your artwork.  Even if your work does not sell now, you are creating a piece of history that will outlive photographs and digital pictures.

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    Ary Champosted 8 years ago

    What reality do you want? If you want to make money selling art, then put that into the universe. Life is abundant with people with different likes, many of who are willing to pay for art and like art. Maybe you could try selling the art for a small fee to get comfortable with the idea that your art is worth money, and to start generating capital to at least get you more supplies to do what you like to do.

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