I've asked myself this question a million times. I don't think I ever would have gotten up enough nerve to present my art to someone to purchase. I started on ebay in November of 2003. I listed some small, simple watercolor paintings. One was of some pears, I listed it for $10.00 and it sold. Now, I had never sold any of my art before then. I was thrilled that not only someone wanted one of my paintings, but that they actually paid to get it! That $10.00 meant a lot to me and I never cashed the check!
After that sale, there were many others and my final selling price increased over time. When I began painting and selling online, I had a 1 year old and a 3 year old, so it allowed me to earn a little extra money on the side. It also encouraged me to accelerate my creativity. I was able to buy more supplies with my earnings and I was able to have one thing outside of being a wife and mother that was mine. I enjoy painting and it keeps me from drowning in the unappreciated role of mother, maid, cook and wife. Now do not get me wrong. I love my family. I love taking care of them. I love doing things for them. I would not trade them for anything in this world. I would give up my art career in a heartbeat if it interfered with them. What I mean is that I had something else that defined me, that gave me some satisfaction. I think there are a lot of mothers out there who feel unsatisfied only for the fact that they are in constant doubt about their decisions. Being a parent is a lot of mental anguish. Someone once said that having a child is like wearing your heart on your sleeve, and I agree with them. There's no greater joy or pain than loving a child.
I know I feel like a failure a good bit, as far as parenting is concerned. It's hard to be perfect. It's hard to do right for yourself much less someone else. To be responsible for someone else's well being. There's a lot to live up to and heavy consequences if you fail.
With my art, I get to let some of that go for a while. I get to lose myself in a painting for a little while. It's nice! And if the painting is a success. I get to bask in that instant payoff. One, that someone liked my painting enough to pay for it, and two to know a little part of me is out there somewhere, in someone's life and hopefully, I get to take them a little somewhere while they look at my creation.
Please visit my website to learn more about me
www.artbysarahdavis.com
