On November 22, 2025 I spent the day selling my art at a juried artisan/craftsman festival because my wise and beautiful daughter convinced me to send in an application. When I was notified about my acceptance into the festival, I felt happy and nervous.
Creating my art is easy because creating is solitary. I am alone in my studio when I shape my stories, my vision, with paint. Creating is safe. Putting my art out into the world to sell is hard because selling is gregarious. It invites the public to peruse and ultimately judge my art and therefore my vision. Selling is unnerving. Even more unnerving is selling my art at an event where my interaction with the public is expected and necessary. I much prefer to drop my art off at a gallery or shop and leave the selling and interacting to someone else.
I am thankful to say that my day spent at the festival, with my daughter’s help and support, was very satisfying. Not only did I sell many, many paintings, but I met and had meaningful interactions with a variety of people. Their remarks and insights enriched me. I felt validated as an artist, brought home a renewed sense of vitality for creating, and an overflowing gratitude for those who understood and even shared my artistic vision.
I can say with conviction that my experiences on November 22, 2025 helped me cultivate gratitude for my daughter, the strangers I met, my ability to create art, and the knowledge that purpose and meaning can be found even in an uncertain and unnerving world. I find comfort in those thoughts and hope that during this season of Thanksgiving they bring comfort to you, too.
