Blog

I have a reputation for being an excellent marketer of my art. When I meet people, they exclaim. "You're so good at marketing!" To be honest, I'd rather they first said something nice about my paintings; however, I gracefully receive what is meant as a compliment. I realize that in today's world, commercial success often counts for more than artistic accomplishment. And, compared to those artists whose work sells for five, six, or seven (or more) figures, my earnings barely make a blip. Still, I try not to pay attention to that and simply do what I can to make the best art I've capable of making on a daily basis; then, I make what I've created available in a world that may or may not take notice of my efforts.

 

My paintings rarely fly off the walls. Here's a fun fact: It takes an average of three or four years before the person for whom my art was made to find it and take it to its rightful home. Sometimes, it takes a Silly Sale* such as the one that concludes on Thursday at midnight (10% off any painting!) to get my audience to discover and claim their painting. I love when that happens! Like most artists, I paint—not to make money—but to share the Beauty and Joy that flows through me. (As I explain in 7 Habits of Deeply Fulfilled Artists, after many years of hiding my light under a bushel, I became healthy enough to let my light shine.)

 

Now, having given birth this past year to another book, I find myself in the midst of promoting not only the many new and old paintings in my inventory, but also Monet, Mitchell & Me: A Painter's Pilgrimage. With a nuanced, thoughtful narrative nestled between a pretty hardback cover and many colorful pictures—photos and paintings by the relatively unknown Author/Artist (ME!)—it's not likely to hit the bestseller list anytime soon. So, as with my other art, I know the key to sharing this book is establishing a relationship with potential readers.

 

To that end, I've been invited to make a presentation this Wednesday at the Glen Lake Community Library in Empire, MI at 7 p.m. I'm so interested to see who will come and who will connect with the story of How I Encountered and Overcame a Significant Creative Block. When I was signing books at Horizon Books in Traverse City a couple of weeks ago, I seemed to recognize the people who bought the book even  as they were approaching the table where I was sitting. I even asked one of them if we'd met before. It seemed we were already attuned to one another and that the occasion of the book purchase was simply deepening an awareness of an already-existing resonance.

 

Selling books in this manner is similar to how my paintings seem to sell--it seems like magic when it happens--but magic that isn't so much abracadabra (as when Amazon algorithms or Oprah's Book Club send a chosen few soaring to the top of a list) as an evolution, one that happens in its own good time and that calls forth from the author (ME!) qualities such as patience and perseverance. Good thing, too, for the more I evolve, the more I embrace a world in which things don't zoom and soar, but reveal themselves in the fullness of time, with relaxation and an intuitive sense that the "Universe is unfolding as it should." (Desiderata).

 

In that Spirit of Mysterious Connection, I invite you to experience me through my book(s),  Wednesday at the Glen Lake Community Library, or in the comfort of your own home,  or whenever a book or painting purchase becomes for you the Next Right Thing to Do.

 

Keep warm!

 

Ellie

 

*I'm calling it a Silly Sale of Selected Works because, if you check the price of my similarly-sized paintings,  some (but not all) of these paintings have been discounted so much it's Ridiculous. I just sold a $2000 painting I made last summer for $750! Now, isn't that Silly?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read More