A few weeks ago, I had a conversation that stayed with me long after the studio lights were turned off. My sister was visiting, and as we looked over my latest canvases, we fell into a deep discussion about the art world. She asked a question many artists face: "Since it’s so hard to sell art, why not just paint what the buyers want?"
It’s a fair question. From a business perspective, "market demand" is everything. If the world wants blue landscapes, you paint blue landscapes. But as I sat there, I found myself wondering: Do I really want to compromise my artistic flow just for the sake of a sale?
The Business vs. The Soul
I understand the logic behind commercial art. Many talented professionals make a wonderful living by observing trends and fulfilling commissions. I respect that path immensely, it requires a specific kind of skill and discipline.
However, for me, painting has always been an act of self-discovery. When I’m at the easel, I am chasing a feeling, a specific light, or an emotion that I need to release. If I replace that internal "spark" with a checklist of what a buyer might like, I fear the work will lose its soul.
The Risk of "Painting for Others"
When we paint solely for the market, we run a few risks that are often overlooked:
• Creative Burnout: It is exhausting to create things you aren’t passionate about. Eventually, the brush feels heavy.
• Lack of Authenticity: Viewers are incredibly intuitive. They can tell when a piece was born from a place of joy versus a place of "production."
• Lost Growth: If I only stay within the "safe" zone of what sells, I would never have pushed myself to try nudes or mixed media this year. My growth would have stalled.
Finding the "Sweet Spot"
Does this mean we should ignore the market entirely? Not necessarily. The goal is to find the intersection between what lights you up and what resonates with others.
I’ve realized that when I stay true to my own journey, when I focus on my skills and my unique perspective, I eventually find "my tribe." These are the people who don't just want any painting; they want an Annalisa Mongiò painting. They want to see the world through my eyes, not a reflection of a trend they saw in a magazine.
Advice to My Fellow Creatives (and Myself)
My advice to anyone standing at this crossroads is simple: Focus on your own journey. There will always be professionals who are more technically advanced or more commercially successful. But they cannot be you. Be appreciative of how far you have come. Every brushstroke that feels "right" is a victory. If you paint with pleasure and honesty, the work carries a vibration that no "market-driven" piece can replicate.
What do you think?
I am curious about your thoughts. When you look for art to bring into your home, do you look for something that matches the curtains, or do you look for a piece that tells a story or moves your soul?
Let’s start a conversation in the comments below: Is art a business, a passion, or a beautiful, messy mix of both?
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