The one thing I’d tell anyone who wants to sell their art
A short and sweet reflection about the most impactful mindset shift in my artistic career
Welcome to Follow Your Gut, a newsletter about the artist life and business from a mother of two. After soon a decade as an independent artist and writer, the question is not only how to do it, but how to continue to follow your gut in a world that tries its best to stuff it with fluff.
85% of new letters are free to read for 3 days, whereafter they go behind a paywall. If this is our first date, I warmly invite you to check out the free archive first. I’m Swedish after all, don’t want to be too pushy (just a loving nudge ❤️).
Do you also ask yourself how to sell more of your art?
This question feels like a huge elephant in the room. It’s a question that (dare I say) everyone ponders on at one point or another, but rarely dare to fully embrace.
I’m sometimes wondering whether creatives kind of secretly enjoy the stereotype of the starving artist.
That it serves as a legitimate excuse for why it’s unreasonable to think that we can live off our art?
Because it’s just TOO HARD.
I’ll tell you something;
The day everything changed for me was when I finally realized what business I’m in.
For the first couple of years I thought I was in the art-business. But I’m not.
I’m in the well-being business. I make my art for me and you to feel better.
I teach about art (modern hand embroidery especially) as a way to feel better through creative expression.
It wasn’t until I thoroughly began to dig into WHY someone would buy that it really clicked.
Why would someone want to buy what I offered? Because it makes them feel better…
An original art piece brings joy every time a buyer looks at it,
an embroidery pattern or course contribute to a sense of creative fulfillment and rest in a stressful life,
and the Petronella.Art Magazine brings inspiration and new creative energy on a regular weekday.
People consume my work because it makes them feel better in the moment.
And you know what? It makes ME feel better making it too!
It even makes me feel good (and proud) to sell it. Because I know the incredible impact it can have for those who are meant to receive it.
This realization contributed to a tremendous mindset shift.
It changed the entire trajectory of my art business. And I would argue that it’s THE thing that has allowed me to sustain an independent art business for several years.
To conclude;
If there’s one thing I’d encourage anyone wanting to make it with their art do, it’s to figure out what business you’re really in.
Ask yourself why someone would buy what you offer and you’ll have a stone being lifted from your shoulders.
Not only that… knowing your business makes it a lot easier to write and talk about it too (which is ultimately the only way to market yourself and eventually sell).
Thank tou for reading today’s short letter. It felt important to get this out there somehow… maybe it helps to make something click?
Until next time!
Elin xx
Ps. Did you have a chance to grab your kindle copy of my book When Will You Get a Real Job yet?
I got the most humbling review last week by H. Raven and I feel as though I’ve been flying on clouds since.
This is what she said:
“When Will You Get a Real Job? A Personal Case Study on Becoming Professional Artists” 2nd edition by Elin Petronella is a rare creative evolution story and personal case study written by the Elin half of the artist duo the French Charles-Henry and the Swedish Elin Petronella. Elin and Charles-Henry are textile artists renowned for their embroidery and creating exquisite architecture-inspired embroidery designs, embroidery classes, and their artist interviews podcasts. The book describes their journey and artistic evolution, and the tale is raw, honest and illuminating and inspired me to change my approach to sharing my art. Though a writer and filmmaker, Elin’s story revealed relevant concepts I needed to hear. No matter your craft, the text will heartfully and humorously inspire and guide any creative who does or wants to make art for a living. If you are a creative, this book is a brilliant guide for your inspiration library. You should probably buy it right now. In the words of Elin, “If you can do it today, why wait for tomorrow?”
Yes, I’m blushing ☺️ This was just glorious - THANK YOU H. Raven!
You can download your copy right away by upgrading your subscription to Follow Your Gut today (valid for both monthly and yearly)
You can also access it as a unique one-off on my website via this link
P.p.s paying members also get access to the sequel and paid column; How to be a Mother-Artist?
For further reading, here are my most recent free posts:
Petronella.Art Magazine:
Follow Your Gut:
Quick glimpse into my sketchbook too… The first image is a spontaneous rough sketch that I did AS SOON AS I saw
‘s call for “Created with Human Intelligence” badge… And I think I might have to make a stitched badge… The process of that will be shared over in the art magazine, so be sure to join in over there if you’re art-nerdy like me.
The question- Why would someone want to buy what I offered? Because it makes them feel…. Is GOLD✨ Elin! Thank you for sharing!
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