New work in my etsy shop

The Safest Place, one of the paintings now available in my etsy shop.

Life has been so busy for a while, but I finally got paintings listed on my etsy shop today. Before I could even put up a notice on here five paintings sold. I had another one sell this morning through a private sale. I'm so over the moon happy that six sold in one day! I really need a better camera for taking pictures of my artwork, so it's great that stuff is selling. Now I can help pay our bills and hopefully save up for a good camera. If you'd like to take a look at what is still available the shop is located at http://www.etsy.com/shop/CherishRusstyBrazil. There are 9 paintings left.

One thing I've noticed in the art and craft community lately is a discussion about pricing your work and how different people feel about that. I think pricing is different for everyone due to a lot of things. For me personally I price things so that everyone can afford them. I think art should be able to be enjoyed by anyone that wants it. I listed a lot of my small paintings at $20. I've had people say not to do that as it's way to cheap. But my feeling is I have this gift to make art and my main goal is to make people happy, make myself happy, and help pay bills for our family. By pricing some of the paintings at a lower price range I know I'm enabling some people who live on tight budgets to be able to afford to buy artwork that will bring them joy. And in turn I get to take the money and buy groceries or things my family needs. Everyone wins and I get to feel good about what I'm doing with my talent. I keep my overhead costs as low as possible, so I can then in turn pass on that savings to people who kindly purchase my work. I truly believe that God blessed me with a talent to create and to be able to do a job that I love, so it's my job in turn to spread the love and joy to others in the best way possible.



When I sell my work through galleries I have to price things differently, because they require a cut of the sales which they totally deserve for the hardwork they do hosting the shows as well as promoting them. I'm thankful for galleries as well as things like etsy so that my art can get to a wide range of people. I'm always happy as well to do private commissions for people to work within their budgets to create art for them that they can enjoy without having to break their bank accounts.

Thank you to all of you who have kindly supported my art for many years. The transition to painting full time was not easy for me nor for all of you who were so faithful to purchase my art quilts and dolls. I'm glad that you have stuck with me and are enjoying the paintings. I hope you continue to follow the journey to see where it will lead.