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!
|