Geri deGruy's blog of art, musings, and inspiration

A gallery, where my work has been shown for several years, is changing hands.  Last week, I received an email from the new owner telling me that she didn't think my work would fit in with her new vision for the gallery.  My first reactions were hurt and humiliation and, yes, anger. I also allowed myself to doubt my work.  But even in the midst of my pity party I knew this was a gift.  I let myself feel blue for about half a day but I couldn't sustain the doldrums.  I KNEW this was a gift.  And I needed to get back in the studio!

For quite awhile I've sensed that there are better, less expensive ways  to sell my art work.  A year ago, a woman in Santa Fe told me that selling from my home was a great possibility for me.  As I look back over the last year, without planning in this direction, most of my sales have been from my home.  MUCH greater sales than from the gallery.  This doesn't mean that a gallery isn't a good venue for sales, but maybe not this gallery at this time. I do love to get my work "out there." 

A day after I received the "Dear Geri..." email, a woman called me to ask if she could come to my home to see my art in person for a new medical facility. We had a wonderful time together looking at and discussing art.  It's so much fun to show people art in my home where I live and work, and where a lot of my work is on the walls.  It's easier to picture it on other walls.  She ended up buying 5 pieces and loving several others possibly for future projects.  And I had the joy of meeting and getting to know her.  

So that is a sweet outcome, short-term.  But the real gift I found in the situation is this.

I WOULD MAKE ART WITH THE SAME PASSION AND FERVOR AND JOY EVEN IF I NEVER SOLD ONE PIECE.  

It isn't about sales.  It isn't about money, although that helps pay for supplies.  If I can build some good relationships on the way, that's wonderful.

I make art because I have ideas that I can only express in art and because I love it.  I love it.