"Marketing"

Marketing is another word for 'sales'. This weekend I am in a three day art show and sale in community centre in the heart of downtown Vancouver, in one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods in North America. I spent a number of years attending such shows, but, after a considerable break, I had forgotten just how exhausting it can be when the crowds (and, hence, sales) are slow. One never knows what to expect at a new venue. This one opened last night with a catered wine and cheese reception, and the talk that 'tonight people come to look and tomorrow they will come back to buy"...uh huh. I am so grateful for my friends who came by to see me and even purchase some paintings! The long and the short of it is that I have always been challenged with "selling myself"...or my work, but what can you do with stacks of paintings (or bins of dolls)? As well as donate and gift...you try to sell. The secret (and the 'art'), is to never let sales affect your sense of self-worth. 

I get a bi-weekly artists' 'letter' (Google Robert GENN). It gives artists from all over the world an opportunity to comment on Mr. Genn's short essays (which are always thoughtful, informative, and very often entertaining). The subject too often turns to marketing, sales, the lack of sales, the poopie market, and all the other administrative details of being a commercially viable artist. There is really a lot of angst out there...and all I want to do is paint!