Monday morning. Scrolling through my social media feed. I come across posts from an artist who has put their paintings up for sale. I read his comments about buyers, the artist's dialogue with the audience goes as follows:

– "People who have money are not very smart or decent."

– "Many are. Fortunately, there are exceptions."

– "All exceptions will soon go bankrupt."

While the mind despises affluent buyers (yes, probably not just buyers, and they can only be considered affluent from the artist's personal perspective), selling paintings is pointless. Perhaps it's cool in the author's eyes to flaunt contempt for people and arrogantly pride oneself on being broke. What a shame. His works are good.

The author doesn't consider it worthwhile for himself or his works to be paid decently. And he humiliates not only buyers but also his own creativity. The problem is that when such an artist comes to me saying, "Come on, Galina, what do I need to do to sell?" my communication with him makes no sense.

Because as long as there's stinking garbage in his mind, all technologies and methods are blocked. Do you think you must always be a martyr? Everything is very complicated? Do you enjoy the closed circle of suffering? That's not our way. Because my work is aimed at making people more prosperous and happy. Have you encountered such artists? How did you feel afterwards?

Unfortunately, your expectations don't always align with reality. Among the people you interact with regarding sales, only about 10-20% are reasonable and adequate clients. Meanwhile, they browse, visit galleries and pages of other artists, hang out in art groups, and to some extent, understand the subject of discussion and selection.

Therefore, artists often immediately set a lower bar for clients. They lower prices "just to make a sale," cover shipping costs if not initially included in the price. "Oh, they bought it!," they say without requiring full payment upfront before sending the artwork. Sometimes, they even give 2-3 additional works instead of one. This used to be a trend.

But now let's break it down. Despite the majority constantly complaining about how and where to find clients, how to sell for decent money, what to do, they all buy only at reduced prices and very rarely. How do you even start sales?

Always. There are artists who are bought for decent sums, sums they set themselves, not just once, but many times over. Am I clear? And it's true, they buy 2-3-4 paintings at once, or collections, from both new and regular buyers, from art lovers and admirers of their work.

Now, pay attention. Do they buy the best art? The most skilled in composition, color, concept, and subject? The most original? No. The answer is very simple. These purchased artists behave naturally with buyers, both online and offline. They are authentic. They don't flirt or bend over backwards for customers. There are no hidden meanings and messages in their photos, videos, and texts. I've made videos about this, about impressions from profiles. They are confident that their art is needed both by themselves and by people. And it's these artists as personalities that clients choose.

What's really happening? Look. In reality, you're genuinely afraid of sales and clients. And to avoid this, you come up with high standards that, in your opinion, clients should meet to buy your artwork.

All these discussions about the level of clients' education, their popular preferences, the development of taste, you gobble them up with big spoons, even often initiating them yourselves. It feels like before buying, the client should personally pass exams on art history and at least on the basics of spatial composition. The same goes for texts about devaluing famous sales for fairly high amounts, devaluing notable works, and then, to top it off, devaluing the authors, your own colleagues.

In reality, you want to distance yourself from sales as much as possible. Your dream clients never show up. They're all simple, uneducated, want the same thing, not established, not well-off. But I'm a star. And they're not. That's why you don't have clients. It's a very convenient position.

Now look closely. The reason you don't have clients is not because you set such requirements for them. It's because you fundamentally have problems in building healthy relationships. It happens in life in different spheres and, of course, affects the sale of your paintings.

Many buyers try to find and buy paintings, but can't. For the same reason. They're afraid to communicate, discuss, make decisions, afraid of responsibility and commitments.

What should you do? Solve this problem. Stop being afraid of clients and all activities associated with them. Stop being afraid of people, deliveries, payment methods, price ranges, negotiations, gallery websites, and everything else. Then all bars will be removed, expectations will disappear. And you'll finally start showing your works and presenting yourself as you truly are. You'll say to me, "What's the point of discussing the price of your painting and delivery method if you're simply scared of clients and don't even show your face to them?"

Oh yes, I almost forgot, that clients simply lack taste and education to buy your painting. And those who are developed and have it, for some reason, don't have money. And they don't want it for free either. Where will this lead? It will lead to you starting to love your works first. And potential buyers will see you, you'll catch their eye. Then the most important thing: your works will captivate the viewer, and you as a person will interest them. And then it's just a matter of technique: negotiations, payment, delivery, and mutual happiness.

If you want to become the coolest artist in the world, collaborate exclusively for a couple hundred thousand dollars for a sketch, and hang out with celebrities, then it's better not to start.

If you've heard something about an artist who showcased controversial works or dreamt of museum fame, then it's better not to start. In short, if you want everything all at once, then it's better not to start.

You should only start in one case. If hundreds of fresh ideas are swirling in your head, itching to be unleashed onto paper no matter what. And if you're okay financially even without drawing.

The profession of an artist, in terms of prestige, income, and effort, holds a high position. But not for everyone. And not everywhere. Be prepared to hear "what's the big deal about waving a brush here" and "why get tired from just moving a pencil on paper," as well as the masterpiece "and you're asking for so much money for these three lines?"

You probably won't make huge amounts of money. But you'll definitely ruin your nervous system and all other aspects of your health. If you have a dog or a parrot, they'll die. Firstly, you won't have anything to feed them, and secondly, you simply won't have time. If that doesn't stop you, then keep reading. When an artist says they're an artist.