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Passion? or Profit?

Posted by Chris Hoyt on June 23, 2011 at 7:18am in Art Show Information and Discussions

As many of you know, I've been doing this for a long time now. I believe I got started shortly after the discovery of fire. And many of you know I keep saying I love what I do for a living.

But what makes you do this? Do you do shows/fairs because you love what you do, or because you can make money at it?

I, along with 48% of Americans according to CNN, believe we will be in a depression within the next 12 months. I've cut up all my credit cards and am now living a much simpler life. 

So if shows get worse, will you continue to do them? Or get out? Personally, they're gonna have to take me out feet first from a show. I discovered a passion for what I do, and I'll keep doing it until I go bankrupt if necessary. But who among you are also passionate about what you do? Who would continue to do this even if your shows were half (or less) of what they are now?

How many are doing this for the love, and how many are in it for the money?

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Replies

  • deb upright June 24, 2011 at 3:26pm

    You got me thinking.  I've been out there doing shows for long I can't imagine not doing them.  With that said they aren't as profitable as they used to be and we have adjusted.  Mostly with being  more selective with our show choices.

    Its hard to keep cutting back and making less at shows. We will have to think of alternative sources.  That is part of being creative.  I will always find an outlet for my work.

  • Karole Bowlds June 24, 2011 at 11:00am
    I do this because I LOVE WHAT I DO. Yes it is nice to make $$ doing what I love, but I would continue to create, NO MATTER WHAT. I need to do this- I don't create to please anyone but myself. I was creating long before I started selling at shows. If the sales aren't in the shows, then alternate sales venues will be explored, adjustments made, business model revised, etc. But the creative part- that is part of me- and will not be denied.
  • Carla Bank June 24, 2011 at 1:54am
    Passion. I will keep doing it, if I'm not seeing enough $ I will find more jobs either painting murals, or even just walls! Or I will give classes. I love a quote that Frida Kahlo said, and this applies to any artist, not only painters "If you're a real painter, you'll paint because you can't live without painting. You'll paint till you die"
  • Annette Piper June 23, 2011 at 9:58pm

    Passion keeps me creating and doing the shows I do, but profit drives me to do shows further afield.  

    If profit was minimal from doing shows I'd have to cut back on them as I can't support my 'habit' to that extent - I'd have to find other venues for selling work.

  • Kathy Rose June 23, 2011 at 4:03pm

    I NEED to create.... no matter what! I hope I'm getting smarter and fine tuning my search for shows where I can connect with my target audience. I must generate income - AND do what I love. 

     

    For me - it's not whether I do shows or not.... it's really more of an issue of being smarter about which show - and then making sure I get in! 

     

    I'll hang in the business one way or another.

     

    Kathy

  • Jim Parker June 23, 2011 at 2:28pm
    Boy that's a tough one. I love doing shows, but I can't continue to do them if profits are in a tail=spin. At some point, you have to say to yourself, this isn't the best business model. If attendance is up but sales are down at shows, there comes a time when you have to make some changes. This year may be my year for those changes. I may travel less next year. I say it every summer, and every fall I apply to all of those Florida shows!
  • Michael Higdon June 23, 2011 at 12:37pm
    I agree, I will always create art.  The profit is just a side benefit...
  • MIchelle Monet June 23, 2011 at 9:57am

    I will make art ALWAYS. I would do it even for 1/2 the money. Its like breathing to me.

     

    The money is nice though, but isnt the only reason to do art. If it is, I cant relate to you.

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