A Fine Balance

Many years ago when I began exhibiting professionally, I was told that in order to be recognized as a professional artist I would have to give up everything outside of painting...no other work. But I have experienced the opposite through my career. Whenever I am working outside of painting, I have been offered so many more opportunities to exhibit as well as sell my work. This doesn't only apply to a paid position but also to volunteer positions. And the other thing I've noticed throughout the years is that whenever I focus more on smaller works, I may sell many more paintings but my income is lower in spite of the fact that the expenses don't change. Two years ago 3/4 of my paintings sold versus 1/3 last year and last year's income was greater. It doesn't mean that the work isn't as important, in fact, I felt that the body of work I created two years ago (the 'Nasty Woman' project) was a definite career highlight for me. It actually ended up receiving much more media recognition from the established and respected art community. It is rare when the two worlds collide, with a body of larger work receiving that kind of recognition as well as sales, though it did when I first created the 'Sacred Vessel' canoe series that combined nature and graffiti. I think what I am trying to say is that, regardless of recognition or sales, none of the work that I do matters more or less, and I don't create it for any other reason than the fact that it just needs to be made by me. I feel very fortunate that I get to do this.