When buying from an artist/maker, you’re buying more than just an object/painting; you are buying hundreds of hours of failures and experimentation. You are buying days, weeks & months of pure joy. You aren’t just buying a thing, you’re buying a piece of heart, part of a soul, a moment of someone’s life. Most importantly, you’re buying the artist more time to do something they are passionate about.
I found this quote floating around the internet as an unattributed meme and found it to be very accurate. It doesn’t matter if you are buying the creative output of a photographer, a musician, a fine artist or your local craftsman…the effect is the same. By purchasing someone’s creative output you will be telling them that what they do has value and that you want them to continue. You are buying them more time to create and delve deeper and farther into their craft.
I know I have talked about the importance of supporting artists before with my post on So You Want to be an Artist, but I think it is well worth our time to revisit important topics. Yesterday’s post by Avanaut on Michael Paul Smith brought this line of thought back with a vengeance. Before I had even finished reading the post I had already purchased Mr Smith’s upcoming book. (Of course the fact that it would be signed by the artist was an extra added incentive.)
So I urge you, if you see someone creating something that effects you in some way, buy it. It does matter if it is a song, a book, a painting or even a photograph, by purchasing what you love you are sending a very clear message to the creator: this is valued. This goes double for all those beginning photographers out their starting on their own professional journeys. Ask yourself, what have I bought from an artist lately? How do I support the arts? If I want people to support my work, how can I support their work?
It may seem like a little thing, but trust me, buy from an artist and you will give them the gift of time. It is a gift beyond compare.
~ xxsjc
If you enjoyed the movie about Michael Paul Smith and learning what drives him, you should definitely check out Marwencol. It is about a toy photographer who creates amazing photographs with an equally dark back story as Mr Smith.
Care to share the last thing you bought from an artist? My husband and I traded for an 82″ High Wheel Hare. Can you top that?
I absolutely love the quote that heads up this post. Concise, yet it speaks volumes. Great article Shelly… it also opened my eyes to two photographers that I was not familiar with before. Will be delving into them and their work (and most likely supporting them with a purchase) this evening.
My signed copy is ordered.
I knew the work of Elgin Park, but did not know the story or the man behind it.