How does one grow thicker skin?

[Leslie Ficcaglia]

Hi, October. I agree with the comments about the work you've posted; it's just lovely. It's hard to separate ego from business here since we're all so emotionally involved with what we create, but it's a necessary exercise. At least you're getting the sense from these responses that the failure of the charity auction to work out for you has nothing to do with your ability as a portrait artist! Personally I have never found charity auctions to be particularly helpful. The only commission I ever got via that format was one I was going to get anyway, but minus the percentage I'd promised to the charity. I was NOT happy!

Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

[October Reader]

Leslie, I appreciate your sentiment as I do with everyone's post here. Some comments are so poignant that I am going to review them often as guidance.

It's good to be aware. It probably is healthy not to pin one's hope entirely on a single venue. Though while making an attempt, I sense it's more beneficial to give a hearty try than otherwise.

[Elizabeth Schott]

October, first I love your painting! Don't get hung up on the auction thing, just remember your's might not have gone but the stool painted like a cow eating grass likely went for big bucks!

The getting over thin skin, well I might be wrong, but I don't think this is something you necessarily ever get over. I think it's a tool to keep yourself getting better; like the stage actress who gets nervous before every performance.

I really believe the old saying "the more I learn, the more I learn I do not know" really applies to this field of visual arts. The proof is hanging on the wall. I, to this day, feel a great sense of pride with every painting I finish - only to finish the next and wish I could go and get back the ones done before. I kick myself for even selling portraits "before my time"!

Taking workshops has helped me learn a lot of the elements of painting people, reading this forum keeps my enthusiasm up and actually picking up a brush affirms my love of painting.

I think your posted image is so refreshing and very different, I would keep hold of that and feel good about myself. It is a niche market and a very difficult one to crack. Read every bit of information Michelle R. posts about marketing through auctions, she is a wiz kid!

And... when you think you are bad, go to a smaller museum and look at some of the "lesser" works of well known artist. HA, then you'll smile!

[October Reader]

Beth, your stage fright metaphor definitely puts the matter into perspective. Thank you for your kind words.

To detach self-worth from how others perceive one's own creation calls for a levelheadedness that I guess many people, not just artists must learn to cultivate. Say an inventor or a shop keeper. It's really a necessary life tool I suppose. In that sense I hope time will be a friend.

It's rather comical at times to see famous successful people overreact to criticism or failure. Which goes to show nobody is immune from such human frailty.

[Sharon Knettell]

I offered to do a drawing as a part of a silent auction at a fund raiser. It was for a favorite charity and is one I still participate in. The auction took place at a dinner for a private state animal welfare organization. I knew many of the people there, quite a few of them were well heeled to say the least. I got NOT A SINGLE offer.

To say I slunk home was an understatement. This embarrassment happened only a few years ago.

[Michele Rushworth]

On the other hand, my biggest auction success was when I donated a portrait at a private school fundraiser a couple of years ago. The winning bidder was a Microsoft billionaire. I painted their oldest child (which involved an upgrade that brought me income) and I will also be painting each one of their five kids at full price, over time. Their friends and neighbors have a lot more money than my friends and neighbors so there may be additional referrals over time, too.

Another private school auction success was when a head and shoulders portrait I donated turned into two people, three quarter length with background (additonal income over what I donated). I later got a referral for another two person, three quarter length portrait with background from that, and more referrals may come from eventually, too.

[Mary Sparrow]

Sharon, I find that hard to believe!

I have had success with auctions. The first one I ever participated in was at the Heart Ball for the American Heart Association. Needless to say there were plenty of wealthy people, most of which were doctors. I remember sitting there frozen scared when the time came to auction of my portrait, I wanted to flee the room. To my surprise it brought in more money than any other object, I laughed to myself because it brought in more than double what I would have charged had they come directly to me.

I can't say that I know for sure that any of my commissions came directly from participating in an auction, but just having my art visible to many people was worth it. I do know that I got one portrait specifically commissioned THREE YEARS after the woman saw one hanging in a Designer House. She had kept my card until her daughter was the age she wanted to have her painted.

[Linda Brandon]

Originally Posted by Mary Smith

I laughed to myself because it brought in more than double what I would have charged had they come directly to me.

Hooray Mary!

Sharon, I also find that really hard to believe! Guess you should have offered to paint some pets at that event. There are a lot of people out there that would rather have a pet portrait than a human on the wall.