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Sticking it to the man.

  • Writer: Pete Gillespie
    Pete Gillespie
  • May 21, 2020
  • 2 min read

It would be fair to say that as a business man and entrepreneur I suck massively.

Sales, pricing, advertising...all of that stuff, the insipid, everyday nuts and bolts of trying to extract money out of people makes me a little queasy.

I'm astonishingly grateful to the patrons I've worked with, those that hand over their hard earned cash, many more than once, for my paintings. I appreciate every penny, and the little pot of cash I've managed to build up over recent years.

If I had charged minimum wage for the hours I put in, I'd be looking at 6x the money....though perhaps only a quarter of the sales. But I cannot bring myself to charge more. I know this is a quandary faced by other creative types and I will do a more ranty blog on 'wanting free artwork' in the future because its a real concern.

However, I shall not be ungrateful - making any money out of what I love to do is a welcome bonus, and I'd rather make less and produce more.

I'm mentioning these fiscal quandaries because I have recently undertaken a project whereby I make and sell some of my art online.


Both sites allow me to upload art work, which is then printed on a range of products. The quality of stuff...or at least the photos, is super impressive and make me look really professional.


Professional..........Small pause there.


Now the profits are small, I've sold a few stickers and made less than a tenner, but the hourly rate to make these and get them on the internet is so much smaller than the watercolours I make. The process is also really easy, I don't need loads of space or resources.

It's a winner really.

I have made countless designs already down the years, and they just fill up memory space on my laptop, why not see if I can make me some pocket money out of them?


*cringe*

That again....capitalism making me feeling grubby.


The only way I can publicise what I do is through social media really, aka swamping Facebook..... with my little band of followers, many who have already shown support and are likely tired of me pimping my wares.....I fear TameInk fatigue.


The stickers will never replace my watercolours, but there is an enjoyable creative process and I can't deny that buzz on seeing my phone ping, informing me a Cliff Burton sticker has been bought in New York.

Like so many of my ideas, I start out really enthusiastic and passionate about making a creative statement only to be brought back down to earth by the reality of my talents and popularity in the real world.

But there must be someone out there that yearns for a zombiefied version of yours truly on their morning coffee mug!?


(Me.....of course I bought one)


So for now, shower curtains, coasters and tote bags a go-go!


Pete



 
 
 
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