Working as an artist: a little wisdom and some thoughts

[@jkbees]

I love your art, have your book, and completely agree with what you've said here. I've realized that the business side of art is not for me. So I make art for myself.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh thank you so much! How lovely. Here’s to making art for the value it brings to our lives, for the expression, for the meaning…love Helen x

[@erikaleighart]

Your message, as usual, is so inspirational. Thank you for sharing aspects of things you learned along your journey!

[@LittleFrenchHen]

My goodness! This video needs to be shown to every person who is taking an art class in high school, or doing a course, or attending actual Art College. I see/read so many people feeling so despondent when the art they share online doesn't get the traction in likes & follows, that they feel it should. Then they question whether they are an artist at all. (Which they are of course - if people make art, they are an artist regardless of money made or popularity) P.S. Loving your book that I bought recently! :) x

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh gosh, thank you 🙏🏼 that’s a super response. I really appreciate that. And yes we must celebrate art for arts sake! Love Helen x

[@sandrafisherhayes3219]

OMYGODDESS Helen! I absolutely love your art! There are many avenues we can access without entering art college and once we are prepared to brave all of the experimentation and different mediums on this path then it is possible to make a living as an artist I'm sure. I am an intuitive artist and loving every minute of it (I don't paint/draw with a specific goal in mind I paint because I need to: therapy) so yeah, some excellent points in your video Helen. Art college tbh is overrated and expensive and I don't enjoy critques (who does!) I have attended art portfolio courses and found them immensely helpful because I had some very positive feedback from our tutors! But that was it really...I am mostly self taught anyway. It takes as you said practice and determination to work as an artist. So thank again Helen ❤

[@guitardee1]

Here’s a quote for you from Andy Warhol no less. “Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art”

[@lorrainesaliba5469]

Hi sweet Helen ! Your videos are always so captivating ! I love the way you explain and share your enthusiasm regarding art ! It is so contagious ! I find myself drifting into a world of colour with You ! You give me so much inspiration and courage to be myself ! I sometimes have ideas which I don’t know how to express and there You are showing me how it can be done in such a fun way ! I have just enrolled once again to your new course Sketchbook Magic - Mark Making ! Cannot wait to watch it ..then let it brew in my head to get ideas of my own 🤗🥰! Thank you for being so helpful and inspiring ! I wish you and your husband the best of health and happiness ! May your week be filled with colourful inspiration ! Sincere hugs to You dear Helen ! Lorraine 🎨🥰🤗

[@HelenWellsArtist]

oh gosh Lorraine, how very lovely. I really do appreciate your kind and generous comment. Thank you so much. Love Helen x

[@deborahnewman9569]

I so appreciate YOU, but especially your honesty, integrity, intellect, graciousness and of course your ART. I have learned so much from you over recent years primarily from your newsletter, an occasional online course, you tube and Sketchbook Revival. I have been really inspired by you. Thank you.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Wow, thank you Deborah. That's just so lovely of you...I'm super chuffed that you like what I share. Love Helen xx

[@spencermcdonald4149]

Love your work keep it up

[@HelenWellsArtist]

That’s very kind of you! Thank you 🙏🏼

[@angelasargeant]

Couldn't love this video more. You're one of a kind, Helen.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Wow how lovely of you. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@melli8384]

Thanks Helen for this Video. It comes at the perfect time. Over the last few days I've often thought about starting something of my own at some point. To open a shop or create something and sell it. Your Video gave me Courage and showed me (which is actually logical) that I can take it slowly with the option of working part-time first to find out whether it's the right path. Thank you for inspiring me with your art. Be blessed.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Wonderful! Wishing you every success. Love Helen xx

[@feliciahazelton754]

Dear Helen, I too have your book. I love your art so much, the brilliant colors. I would love to see a few vid’s of you actually creating some pieces. I am slowly working through the previous ones. Cheers,

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh how lovely of you. Thank you so much for your wonderful support Felicia x

[@dolores2716]

It's always a boost to my day to see a new video from you! Thanks for the insight and inspiration.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh thank you Dolores. What a delightful thing to say. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@nanvaughn2258]

Thank you Helen for this video! I finished art school along time ago and now just enjoy the process of making art for myself. Your work inspires me because it is so energetic and authentic Thank you so much for the insight. Art for art sake is important because it creates conversations and vibrancy.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

You are so right! Art for art’s sake…. Thank you. Love Helen x

[@dianehinson2170]

Thank you for sharing this. I love your work. So bold and distinctive ❤

[@HelenWellsArtist]

You are so welcome. That is really very kind of you Diane. Thank you! Love Helen x

[@Carol-ny2pp]

Thank you, Helen,this was such a helpful and encouraging video.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

So glad! Thank you so much Carol x

[@liz-anna2365]

This is so incredibly interesting! So much more work than we realize.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Glad it was interesting Liz x

[@arlenea2572]

Hello beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your insights and journey with us. I always enjoy your videos and artwork 💝. Sending many blessings your way 🙏🥰

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh that's wonderful! of you. Thank you so much for your kind words. Helen x

[@orbs66]

Thank you hun. I love your quirkyness its unique to you and your art. Keep shining in a world full of darkness, you are the light Karen 😂

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh wow, how lovely you are. A very sweet thing to say. Thank you. Love Helen x

[@marionwigzell7334]

Always love hearing from you Helen. You’re very inspiring (-: Marion ❤

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thank you so much! That is a really lovely thing to say. Helen x

[@angelinamichelle8474]

Brilliant. Thankyou so much for sharing your insights

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for watching and your kind words x

[@mandybridger4630]

Your work is beautiful, thank you for sharing ❤

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thank you so much Mandy! That is lovely of you. Helen x

[@kanudaniel7541]

Thanks a lot for sharing this

[@HelenWellsArtist]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching and commenting. Helen x

[@rossiej100]

Most interesting! I have sold art, not good art but pages of painty papers for collage. I would never make them digital downloads for people to print of willy nilly. None of them I considered keepers for my own work but others thought they were good enough for their journals or whatever. Every Christmas I get royalties from a Christmas card I designed and while the funds over the years would barely buy me a good sketchbook it is the thrill I get from the email notification when a sale is made. As I am now retired there is no desire to become a working artist, the process of doing has always been enough motivation to keep going.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh that’s lovely! Thank you so much for sharing. X

[@lisaburda5490]

Thank you, Helen!! Such an insightful and kind video ❤️

[@HelenWellsArtist]

You are so welcome! Thank you so much Lisa. Very lovely of you. Helen x

[@susannelund-petersen3307]

You are awesome and such an inspiration! Loved your video and your honesty…. Your art is so YOU-nique and I absolutely love it!♥️

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thank you so much! How super lovely Susan. Love your comment. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@jdevereux9155]

You are so generous to share this with us. I’ve just enjoyed your latest online class. If I buy your book will it be of any benefit to you ? Or do the publishers keep all the money now ? Take all & every care Helen ❤

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Well that’s a kind and thoughtful response. I don’t earn anything from individual book sales at the moment but please don’t let that stop you! Thank you for your support love Helen x

[@DottyDelightful]

I went to uni to do an art degree in my early forties and it did nothing for me, I felt it was restrictive and a waste of my time, so it really means nothing, I enjoyed listening to your journey, I decided to make it my full time living and there are so many ups and downs, but it’s all experimentation and I can’t bear to work for someone else, I’ve tried it and it’s not for me 😂

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Good on you for following your path… wishing you every success xx

[@DottyDelightful]

Could you make a video on licensing art, there are so many confusing things out there about it,but you have a lovely way of explaining things

[@HelenWellsArtist]

That’s kind of you. I’m not sure I’m qualified to be sharing advice on this.. but will definitely put it in the consideration list…x

[@philipabatty938]

Thanks, glad I saw this today. Open studio week, first time, first morning. Nobody 😂 I very helpful reminder. Reminded of Elizabeth Gilbert's sh#t sandwich , am I still willing to eat it? Early days for me. Thanks, I too have your book.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh thank you Phillipa. Oh I feel for you...don't be too disheartened, we all have stories like this..I hope it all picks up. Wishing you every success and well done you for being brave enough to put yourself in the ring...go you...x

[@philipabatty938]

@@HelenWellsArtist thanks. I think it's due to where I am, tucked away/rural. I ended up getting 6 visitors. They were very complimentary which was great,.in the ring again today.😀 Sold a greetings card.

[@meravgitelzon]

Thank you very much for sharing. I wish I would be able to fulfill a dream and be able to live with dignity from selling my art

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thank you so much, I hope your wish comes true. Love Helen

[@gemmadavies.studio]

100% love this video 😊 I'm in the same boat! Very hard to navigate next steps as an artist 😊

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Sometimes it is like throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks isn't it? wishing you every success...Love Helen x

[@gemmadavies.studio]

@@HelenWellsArtist Thank you, I love how you talk about how you had another income to help support your journey. it's so important. x