Abundance, 10"x20," Oil and cold wax on cradle panel, ©Lynn Goldstein, private collection Isn't it difficult to sell your art after working so hard on it? This is a question that I have been asked so many times over the years, and my answer is always the same. I am happy to sell a painting because my mission in life is to uplift others, and sharing my work can do just that. However, something occurred that challenged my usual response to the question recently. I got a notification in my email inbox that one of my paintings had sold. After the initial thrill, I realized which piece it was. For the first time that I can remember, I exclaimed out loud (with no one in the room), "Oh NO!" Clearly, I didn't know that I was more attached to this particular painting than I had thought. But the universe had a better plan for that painting than for me to hold on to it. A fact that became abundantly clear the following day when I received another email. See below: Abundance in process on my easel The email came from the buyer of the painting in question and it brought tears to my eyes. I am sharing a shortened version of her email here (in red):
I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer last fall and have been undergoing chemotherapy since then. When I was first diagnosed, I went around my house pulling pictures off the wall that no longer inspired me (it was like some sort of obsessive 'nesting' thing). And I went into the attic and brought down pieces I had acquired early on and other ones with lots of color. And that was about the time I got your first piece as I found the vibrancy and colors to be just what I needed. I wanted to be surrounded by old friends, energy, and beauty. The night before last had been a bit rough, and when I saw your painting it just lifted my spirits. It was perfect timing. Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your work and that you never know how much of an impact it can have.... I can't say how grateful I am that this painting is where it truly needs to be. Art can heal, and we are all enriched to have art in our lives. Do you have a story about how art has enhanced your life? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.
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Illuminated, 20"x20," oil on canvas, ©Lynn Goldstein, private collection One of the paintings submitted for peer review by Washington Society of Landscape Painters See the other pieces submitted below. Guess what? I just found out that I’ve been accepted into the Washington Society of Landscape Painters (WSLP). Getting an acceptance into this group has been a goal of mine for years. Yay! Yay! Yay!
This is a big deal. Why? Read on....
A shelf in my studio outside my home I own an embarrassing amount of art books. They take up space all over my house, in my studio outside my home, and I love them. However, I have some all-time faves. These are the books that always seem to find their way into my hands. They move from my studio outside my home, back to my home with regularity, and from room-to-room frequently. To find out what they are, and why I consider them some of the best out there, check out this video. Fleeting Imagination, 18"x14," oil on panel, ©Lynn Goldstein, $800 Having lived in the Washington, DC area for decades, I have visited the Torpedo Factory Art Center more frequently than I can begin to say. Between taking classes, visiting artist studios and showing my work in juried exhibitions there, I have spent countless hours at this artist's mecca.
For years I have also considered throwing my canvas into the ring to become a part of the Torpedo Factory Artist's Association. That said, I knew that being accepted was not an easy task. Fear played a role as it often has when I was faced with the clear-eyed possibility of rejection. In fact, I experienced that rejection a few years ago when I applied. Didn't even make it through the "first round" in the battle. This time was different. The art goddesses smiled on me, and I recently received my acceptance. I am thrilled. To see the art that I submitted, click read more. This is the first in a series of videos to show you tools that will improve your art. This one is so simple, you will not believe it. Take a look! |
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