SOLD more than Van Gogh
It’s debated whether Vincent Willem van Gogh sold ONE or TWO paintings in his lifetime. Seriously. One or two. And it’s debated. Vincent van Gogh is one of the great masters—and I never will be, however this week I broke double digits on sales with only word of mouth and three months of selling. What!? I am humbled by the love and support I wanted to share a little story.
Like many artist I tend to stress over quality, price, logistics, the future, finding my niche, success and whatever other cliches are out there. Then I had a fortunate conversation with spiritual teacher and artist, Swami Premodaya, where he gave me a couple pieces of advice. First he told me not to make my art about achievement, not to try to achieve anything. “By making it about achievement it will become a burden”, he told me. He also mentioned how much joy it brings me, and how I need more joy in my life. Taking his comments seriously, I immediately felt an imagined and self-imposed weight lift and a sense of freedom.
Soon after we hung up, Swami Premodaya called me right back and asked me how much I know about art history, specifically about Vincent Van Gogh. I knew a little of Van Gogh’s story, as every one does, but he told me in detail the life history and said, “so you’ve sold more paintings than Van Gogh.” I laughed and felt humbled and grateful as well as more open to success and accepting that I’m an artist. Selling art has been a gift and it must be in the cards, because it’s happening.
It’s great to have goals or ideals in mind, but I see now, if that becomes the focus (it’s my idea that it has to look a certain way) I immediately feel anxiety and am headed down the road of burdening what I love.
So if you’re an artist and you’re struggling, don’t worry too much, 3 sales and you’ve sold more than Van Gogh.