The Arts Are Not a Side Dish

Recently, I joined an arts organization and put my work out in the world again. It has been many years since I have officially exhibited my paintings.

I'm excited to be part of a group of artists—it gives me the chance to connect with others, discuss creativity and technique, and broaden my perspective. There were also some surprising discoveries.

As I walked around the art show, the diversity and talent that were exhibited were impressive. There were colorful watercolors, 3-D recycled faces, collages made with images and handmade papers, life-size painted angels, and sculptures made out of

tiny toy men. I saw high-quality artwork with sale prices that didn't reflect the time, energy and value of the work.

It was fascinating talking to people who came to see the show. I asked them what it

was about the artwork that moved them. The responses were as varied as the people. Sometimes it was the color, a mood, or a place that sparked a memory, other times

they couldn't put it into words. Art connects us beyond the written or spoken word. 

It connects us on a soul level - accessing the emotional inner world of the artist and

the viewer. If someone has an emotional reaction to our creation, it has made an impact.

Pricing art is challenging. I researched methods, like pricing by square inch, and found many factors are involved, such as the artist's experience, exhibition history, working speed, in addition to materials and time. Ultimately, pricing remains subjective—the artist must be comfortable with it. I understand the dilemma—you want to sell your work and remain competitive, yet it's difficult to be objective about something so personal. When other artists underprice their work, it can make you second-guess

your own pricing. However, to give art and creativity the recognition it deserves, it's important for artists to reflect on the impact and value of their work and price it with confidence.

When you are an artist, you create for many reasons—perhaps to express an idea, capture the beauty of a sunset, a meaningful place, or a person, or convey a powerful emotion. There needs to be a collective shift in how artists approach pricing. For this show, taking into account all that I know, I priced my work for what I felt it was worth.

I was asked why I priced my watercolor painting so high; didn't I want to sell it? With shows and galleries taking anywhere from 20-60% of the sales for providing the venue, marketing, and artists' opening, I felt the price was fair. I don't measure my worth based on sales, and I sold my piece, which was an unexpected gift.

As a multidisciplinary artist, and life coach, the arts serve as a powerful means to help clients gain deeper self-awareness and foster change. I am passionate about witnessing this transformative process in others, and I find great joy in the act of creation itself.

Choosing the medium to convey my message is one of my objectives. When viewers connect with my art, I am intrigued by what resonates with them. Displaying your art publicly requires courage and vulnerability, as it is a reflection of your soul.

Art expresses emotions, preserves history, connects individuals to their heritage, narrates stories, and fosters social change in our lives. If you choose to assign a price, consider the impact and worth. The visual arts offer interpretations of life through paint, color, texture, and diverse perspectives. Don't underestimate yourself. Instead, let's unite to elevate art. We can achieve this by collaborating with other creatives to take have conversations, share ideas and take action. Together, we can make a difference and elevate everyone by highlighting the contributions of the visual arts to our world.