Doing What You Love
by Thorny Sterling
I’m in a somewhat unique position for being both an author and artist. . .and getting paid for both.
The idea to do either wasn’t
really my own. See, I joined a little critique group online and read
other authors’ stories since I was pretty good at explaining my likes
and dislikes. Offering constructive criticism made me a beta reader
right away, but it was when I dared to offer a sexy bit of
photo-inspired flash fiction that someone said I should keep going. That
I was good at story-telling.
The same kind of thing
happened when I first started letting people see my paintings. I feel
like I’ve always drawn or painted and people always told me each
finished piece was great. But they were family and close friends,
they’re supposed to say that kind of thing. So when I started college,
working part time in the art department’s office, and I dared to show a
painting to the dean, I wasn’t expecting praise. I figured he’d have a
lot of really big words to say, pat me on the head, and tell me to go
answer the phone. And I would’ve been OK with that! But what he did was
tell me he saw a lot of potential and that I should get myself into some
art classes.
So I took some classes,
learned a lot, and when I shared my paintings with other artists? OMG,
they actually liked it! And then a very good friend suggested I try my
hand at selling my artwork online.
Seriously?!
Yeah, she was serious, and several thousand dollars later, I can say I’m a selling artist.
OK, if I wasn’t married to a man with a great job, I’d be a
starving artist, but still. . . People are actually buying paintings I
make. And loving them! And buying more of them! They’re actually making
collections of my artwork.
{cue the big-eyed, open-mouthed staring}
Then came the craziest moment
of all: People started asking me if I’d paint specific things just for
them. If I’d be a commissioned artist.
After I woke up from fainting,
I consulted with other artists, googled my way through artists’ sites,
tried desperately to understand pricing my “talent” and not just the
physical product. . . And dared to make an offer for the job. Totally
could’ve fainted a second time when they accepted.
And that was when I had to start believing my work, this extension
of myself, was worth it. They didn’t hesitate to accept because they
believed. Sure, some have said they’d save up and get back to me — {eyes
Mere and her mother’s gardenias} — but no one’s ever said I was
charging too much.
It’s a heck of a boost to know you’re worthy like that. It’s provides a momentum that makes sure I won’t stop doing my best.
Right now, I’m working on two
large acrylic paintings for clients and moving into different areas for
paintings I’ll sell in my store, Sunshine Paintings. I’m really
fascinated by light and water at the moment. Below is a work-in-progress
of some ruins in York (Co. Yorkshire, England) at St. Marry’s Abbey.
The photo I’m working from was taken by Anne Tenino while on vacation
with her family. My original plan was to have it be 8x10”, but I might
go larger, like poster-size. It’s just such a striking image.
Hopefully, when I’m done, this
painting will join others in making it possible for me to continue
making a living by doing what I love.
:)
BIO
Thorny Sterling is an
award-winning author and artist living in Ohio with his husband of 4
years. For more information, visit http://thornysterling.com for his
blog and commission contact form, or http://www.sunshine-paintings.com
for his available artwork.
