Is creating art for money some kind of a madness?
Even if you say, it is.
I will say there’s method to this madness.
Some people say, don’t ask for money for your art.
Some say it’s your passion, how can you charge for it?
Some say, you can’t sell it because art is not even a mainstream career.
Some say, art won’t be pure if you sell it.
Why so negative?
But why will selling my art make it impure. Don’t you think that consuming art without paying for it, is what is actually impure? If people are ready to pay for everything they consume, then why not art?
If someone wants to have a painting in their drawing room doesn’t it make sense, that they pay for it. If they have to listen to a particular singer should they not pay for it. Well, they pay for it when they want to have a piece of furniture in their living room. They also pay for it when they buy something as basic as a mosquito repellent.
Similarly, every piece of art has a value to itself.
If people won’t pay for that value, they might feel they did not do anything to earn it. These should be the only impure feelings; if any, associated with art. Selling art is not impure in any way.
Art is like any other profession
It needs effort.
It needs time.
It needs commitment.
It needs hard work.
Yes, art is a full-time job. Just like any other profession. Its outcome is also consumed by people like any other profession’s. And is in no means inferior to any business or job. Is there any doctor or engineer who has never consumed art in their life? Every profession needs the other, so we need to respect art as much as we respect the other professions.
To all the artists out there you don’t need to feel guilty to sell your art.
Taking my blog ahead with Blogchatter’s #MyFriendAlexa
#SwatiWrites
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I agree to your post so much. I just don’t understand why we have so many differences and why can’t we just understand what an artist intends to do or why they charge or don’t charge. it definitely depends from person to person and we need to respect that.
Absolutely.
art is completely chargeable. there are tons of free art out there on the internet and ppl have choice to download them. But if they want something that ours, they better pay for our talent, time, energy, and most importantly, creativity 😀
Yes.
They need to understand that art too is a mainstream profession.
An post that every artist must read. It is a confidence booster.
I am glad you think this way Paresh 🙂
Thank you
Absolutely agree with you. If you are in any kind of creative profession, people take you for granted. They do not realise or value the time and effort. Very well written
Deepika Sharma
I am glad,
it resonated with you.
Wise words. Definitely need to respect the work of an artist and the time and effort they out into it. Also if they wana sell, it’s their choice.
Exactly
Its a personal choice
Thank you for reading my thoughts 🙂
Artists should charge for their work since it’s a labour of their love. Passion for art doesn’t pay bills!
Yes like any other profession it’s a labour of love
I agree to your post so much. We should not take any artist for granted. we need to just understand Iit is a profession.
So true
Thank you for your time 🙂
Very Informative Article!
Thank you 🙂
Art definitely needs to be paid for, just like any other service. What buyers are paying for are the time, dedication and hard work of the artist. I fully endorse your post.
Thank you
Happy to know that
Obviously artists have to survive too. I don’t understand why anyone would want them to starve, I mean give their work free!
Yes the society needs to acknowledge this.
Thanks for stopping by.
People always expect someone else to work for free. I don’t think artists should be feel guilt about charging money. Money is a necessity of life, and nothing wrong in wanting it.
Money is a necessity and the society needs to acknowledge it.
So many people have an unhealthy relationship with money and project their thoughts on others.
I am glad you wrote this. Art is just another profession and charging money for it is completely justified.
Absolutely 🙂
Thank you for reading
Art is definitely a profession and need to be practiced accordingly. But personally I feel, Art is a “luxury goods” so, it will ear big money from very less people. Art surely need Patrons. In today’s world, patronage net has surely widened, however, it’s still a small as compared to other professions
I agree with you to an extent.
But in this world of social media where we are exposed to so much of art on a daily basis. Can we take it as a luxury anymore. We can see so much of art in a 5 minute YouTube video we watch so carelessly.
Yes art needs its patronage but because the society has labelled it as luxury everyone tends to brush away this responsibility.
I think we need to have a balance here.
I totally resonate with your thoughts, Swati. Art is a part of your soul and you cannot just give away pieces of it, can you? And art is appreciated more when it has a tag on it otherwise nameless artists remain nameless and unknown forever.
A part of the soul, I loved this expression of yours.
You are so right.
I never feel guiltily selling my art or science.Hardwork needs to be sustainable to keep up.Great post Swati.
So true
Hardwork needs to be acknowledged in any form.
Thanks
Very well said, Swati. Art comes from the talent and when you are putting your time and efforts along with that, you definitely need to charge for it.
Exactly.
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Love your perspective.
Thank you 🙂
Absolutely! Anything that is put out with a big heart and soul must be paid for…I feel the same way with writing too…
Yes
Thanks for stopping by
I agree, in fact art requires much more effort. Time, commitment and hardword in compare to any other profession, so should be paid in many folds.
Absolutely true 🙂
Totally with you on this. Why shouldn’t artists charge? In fact it’s a shame that people expect their services for free.
Yes people who think an artist should not charge for their work should be ashamed
Art is another form of talent and a good profession, people don’t need to be conscious of their talent and if there are takers who appreciate that talent, definitely should not care of what people think…
So true.
Thank you for reading.
Totally agree with your thoughts…if an artist wants to sell his/her art what’s wrong in it? Very well written post Swati.
Thank you for reading. I am glad you liked it
You are absolutely right. Artists cannot live on love and fresh air. They have every right to make art their profession and charge money for it.
Absolutely
I am glad you agree with it
Completely resonate with your words. I am an artist and I know the kind of hard work it involves, originality it needs, to stand out, to express. Good that you brought out.
Absolutely true 🙂
Thank you for reading
A very relevant read for all creators. One should always value the efforts put in
Thank you for stopping by.
I am glad you agree with my thoughts
Art is definitely chargeable as its need a lot of efforts and creative approach to create every piece of art.
I am glad you think this way 🙂
Every work that showcases the effort and dedication needs to be paid, you have brilliantly put the point forward in the blogpost.
Thank you so much 🙂
It is completely unfair to expect a creator to work for free. Just because we enjoy doing something does not mean we should not charge or get paid for it. I am sure a lot of creators would relate to your post.
Yes, so true
And there are so many other professions where people enjoy their job
Enjoying one’s work is a thing to be celebrated
and one needs to be paid for every job they do
It is high time people understood that art is powerful and requires efforts too
So true
Thanks for your comment 🙂
Nice post
Thank you
Totally agree. One has to pay to gain what he wants. Selling art is the same as selling anything which has consumed time and energy – It’s the value of effort, concept, and creativity.
True
Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Artists or anyone in the creative field should charge for their art and hard work. You shared some relevant points.
Thank you so much
I am glad you liked my POV 🙂
Creativity shouldn’t be taken lightly and art is creativity. people should be willing to pay price for exclusive creativity they’re demanding.
So true 🙂
Thanks for stopping by
It is nothing wrong with creating a skill that helps you be independent it is your power indeed that gives you strength.
Absolutely.
Thank you for the comment Sivaranjini
I really liked your name
Its a name of a rag 🙂
Well said, we need to respect art as much as we respect the other professions. They put so much effort & time.
Yes
I am glad you think this way
Not just selling, but I think even when it comes to increasing prices, there is a whole fight with oneself. Once you know what is your worth there is no holding back.
So true
I had to think 100 times before pricing my book
You are right we need to understand our worth
I totally agree with you. Also any form of payment helps to motivate the creative process.
So true
Thank you for reading my blog 🙂
I totally believe in charging for any kind of art. As you said hard work needs payment.
So true 🙂
Thanks for stopping by
I agree Art can be a full time profession and you can earn money too. It depends what kind of artist and how creative you are. Apart from this Art and creativity also gives satisfaction and happiness.
I am glad you think this way 🙂
I totally agree with you, Swati. Art is one way you can paint your emotions on the canvas and share it with the world to understand and enjoy.
I am glad you liked it
Thank you for stopping by 🙂
I agree with you, My masi hand painted dupatta and we encourage her to sell it. Why not when you can earn from it and art take lot time, hard work.
True
That’s really nice of you to encourage her
This will help her do so much more 🙂
What people forget is that to create something new, and beautiful takes time, effort and practice. And it is totally justified that payment needs to be done for it
Exactly
You are so so right 🙂
There is the common notion and prejudice towards the artists with the ‘after all they are just artitsts’ feeling. You have called out this prejudice with utmost precision.
Thank you Rakhi
Means a lot to me
Of course, any kind of work has to be appreciated and duly paid for. Rather Art pieces require so much creative energy and effort to create.
Exactly
I feel the effort required for creating art is more than the effort required to do a mainstream job
Everyone loves free stuff and never consider the hard work behind it.
Yes, some people have that mentality
You are absolutely correct one should never feel guilty about it. Everything is an art and everyone is selling it. This is your hard work.
So true 🙂
Everything is an art
A very important conversation that any artist needs to have with themselves.
I agree
Artists first have to have this conversation with themselves 🙂
Absolutely loved this blunt and super thoughtful post!
Thank you for reading Jayshree 🙂
I agree the hard work goes behind!! Such a lovely write-up!!
I am glad you think this way 🙂
So true ! These are the new age professions. Moreover social media platforms have given a chance to expand our opportunities.
You are right
Social media has given us this opportunity 🙂
Renoir has said, “the only way that the value of an artwork can be determined is in the saleroom”. Those who value and admire will not question.
Absolutely 🙂
I am glad you pointed that out
Art is a gift and like every person an artist has full right to sell his work for money.
Absolutely 🙂
I firmly believe that Selling any piece of hard work doesn’t make it impure. Those who well understand the concept of Ikigai will never ask such a question ” Why do you sell your art?”
Yes
I was thinking on those terms that day
Glad you used the term
I agree with you. Selling one’s art doesn’t make it impure. Even an artist needs to eat to survive and if art doesn’t pay the bills, the artist will turn his/her attention to something that brings in the money. – what happens to art then?
You are right.
Art won’t survive then
This is such a brilliant post, I loved the way you have shared the views from the artist’s point of view!!
Thank you for your time.
Much appreciated.
Very well said, Swati. one should be duly paid for the work.
True
Thanks for reading
Wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts on monetizing your art. It’s fair and ethical practice. #MyFriendAlexa #TinasPicks
Thank you for reading. I am glad you liked it