As a wildlife artist who has spent over two decades selling my artwork from a market stall, I’ve heard just about every comment under the sun.
People’s remarks range from amusing to downright insane, but for the most part, they are repeat comments, and part of the job is to grin and bear it.
Such is the life of an artist.
In this blog post, I’ve compiled a list of the most frequent comments I encounter. I’m listing them here primarily for fun, but it’s also a warning for innocent newbies.
If you are an artist wanting to sell your art face to face, boy are you in for a shock, HAHA. Take note and prepare yourself, my friend. You’ve got to learn to deal with this stuff.
On the other hand, if you are a seasoned artist, sit back and relax coz you’re going to relate to this.
Let’s start
An Artists Life
Let’s begin with a few comments that make you question the value of everything. Casual asides, put-downs, and wild assumptions. You’ll never get big-headed dealing with the public.
- What’s the point? You may as well take a photo.
- Do people actually buy them?
- Why aren’t you famous?
- You should be in a gallery.
- Do you exhibit?
- It’s such a shame you can’t make a living.
- What a wasted talent.
- You’ll get there, one day.
- Keep going, don’t give up.
- Keep up the good work.
- How do you make a living, is this all you do?
- Do you sell them anywhere else?
- Have you ever had a proper job?
People say this stuff without batting an eyelid. They project their preconceptions onto you.
There you are sitting in front of people, drawing away, displaying your art, and selling them, when someone sees this pitiful sight and says ‘It’s such a shame you can’t make a living’
‘What a wasted talent’ is another one that throws me every time. What a waste to be selling your art for a living!
It’s closely related to ‘Why aren’t you famous, and ‘You should be in a gallery’. As if selling your own art is only a stepping stone to… well, selling your art
Apparently, ‘real’ artists sell in galleries – it’s a well-known fact innit? That accounts for the pat on the back. ‘You’ll get there one day, keep up the good work’
The Same Old Art Jokes
The trouble with casual jokes and comments you’ve heard a million times before is that the person inflicting them on you genuinely believes they are the first one to ever dream it up.
- They’ll be worth something when you’re dead
- It doesn’t look anything like me.
- You’ve missed a bit.
- Haven’t you finished that yet?
- Do you need an assistant?
How I laugh. If I had a pound for every time someone told me they’ll be worth something when I’m dead, I’d have all the money I need.
To them, it’s casual banter or an innocent observation, something intended to amuse. But to you, it’s just another repeat joke or cliché that you’ve had to smile through more times than you’ve had hot dinners
So, what do you do? Do you feign amusement, smile politely, or offer a well-practiced stock response?
After many years of hearing the same remarks, you go on autopilot, it’s a survival tactic for navigating these pearls of wisdom through gritted teeth.
You’re fine on the outside, but inside, after each repeated joke, a little part of you DIES!
But here’s the rub, you’re still interacting with potential buyers and you have to play along.
So, you bite your lip and choose your words carefully, knowing that every comment, no matter how tired you are of hearing it, could lead to a sale.
It Doesn’t Matter How Good Your Art Is
Some people, kids especially can’t get their heads around how anyone can draw accurately. Some people refuse to believe it’s possible.
- It’s not possible to draw like that.
- You’re cheating
- Is that done with Photoshop?
- Did you trace it?
- That’s the same one you were doing yesterday.
- Wow, that looks just like a picture.
- I can’t draw a straight line.
- I can’t draw a matchstick man.
- I can’t even draw breath.
- All I can draw is the dole (unemployment money).
It’s bewildering to be challenged while I’m drawing in front of people while, at the same time, being accused of tracing it. It’s as if they can’t believe their own eyes.
People have no concept of the time and focus needed. They assume if someone is ‘clever’ enough to be able to draw, it’s 2nd nature and easy.
I had one chap, try to leave his dog with me while he went off for a drink, as if in that time I’d produce a photorealistic masterpiece by the time he returned.
I often get casual statements such as:
- It’s alright for some.
- Now that’s what I call art
- Beats working for a living.
- What an easy life.
That 40 years of practice and countless hours on my own trying to perfect my skills are dismissed out of hand. Some people assume I can just do it.
- It must be so relaxing.
- It must be wonderful to draw.
- Could you always draw?
- You’ve either got it or you haven’t.
- Is the talent in the family?
Not everyone thinks this way. There are some folk who realize the time things take.
- Do you ever get bored?
- Can you learn to be this good?
- Do you ever make mistakes?
- What age did you start drawing?
- You must have the patience of a saint.
- Do you ever go crazy and just let loose?
- How long does it take to make one drawing?
- Do you ever just screw it up and start again?
Damned By Faint Praise
They mean well, usually. There is no escape when you are plonked down in public. You have to take what’s thrown at you, and people are a mixed bunch.
- Not bad.
- They’d be good if they were in color.
- Do you draw anything from real life?
- Do you just copy?
- Do you ever do anything out of your head?
- I know someone at work that draws like you.
- I was in prison with a guy who could draw like you.
- Do you ever do anything different?
Sometimes the level of self-regard and conceit takes your breath away.
- I can do that.
- You draw just like me
- Do you do SELF portraits?
- Draw me.
- I’m a fellow artist myself.
On one memorable occasion, a lady saw me drawing and came up to me to find out what pencils I use, and as she spoke, she took the pencil out of my hand while I was drawing.
I kid you not.
All the World’s an Expert
Unwelcome advice is part and parcel of being a working artist. Every time a sentence starts with ‘Have you ever thought…’ my heart sinks.
I’m a grown man and I’ve been selling art for donkeys years and YES, I’ve thought about it, probably tried it, and if I’m not doing it, there’s a good reason.
Some people don’t like it when you put up objections. That’s just being negative of course. I’m just putting obstacles in the way and making up excuses for not following advice that they’ve just thrown at me from the top of their head.
- If you came to London you’d make a fortune.
- You should do caricatures
- If you did portraits you’d make a fortune.
- If you did pets you’d make a fortune.
- You’re underselling yourself
- Have you thought of putting them in cafes/libraries/restaurants?
- You should write a book
- You should put your prices up
- You should teach
- You should be on Instagram
In short, I’d be rich, if only I wasn’t so useless. Yeah right.
Artists Don’t Buy
I’m always wary of anyone introducing themself as a fellow artist. No offense if you are one.
For one thing, working artists seldom introduce themselves that way, they don’t have to prove themselves, they just get on with it. Self-declaration as an artist often indicates a lack of confidence in my opinion.
Anyhow, artists are rotten buyers. You learn that the hard way, after you get sucked into the rabbit hole of talking ‘art’ or business, only to realize that you are being tapped for information.
- What pencils do you use?
- What paper do you use?
- Do you make much money?
- Do you need a license to sell here?
- Do you get your images from the internet?
- Do you copy from books?
It takes time to filter out buyers from non-buyers, it comes with experience. Of course, there isn’t one ‘rule’ that fits all. There are only warning signs to guide you.
And sometimes you get it wrong. Just when you convince yourself that artists never buy art, along comes someone to demolish that theory.
But it is true, most of the time.
I Love Art Buyers
I’m much happier when I hear more innocent questions such as:
- What does limited edition mean?
- What’s that number mean?
- Is it a standard size?
- Do you sign them?
- How much are they?
- Do you only take cash?
These are the questions potential buyers ask. I’m always happy when someone asks ‘Have you got any…? It gives you a fighting chance of a sale.
I also appreciate these comments:
- Can I change it for another?
- If I buy 2 can I get a better price?
- Keep the change!
I don’t do commissions anymore but if you do, people will come up to you and say:
- If I bring you a photo…
This is your chance to make some extra money and you must strike while the iron is hot. Many people ask the question, but few follow up. You must do the follow-up by grabbing their details and pursuing it.
I go into more detail in this article: How to Get Art Commissions
Escape Strategies
And just when you think I’m being too positive, These are other comments people say to get away from you without being impolite:
- The framing will cost me more than the picture.
- I don’t want to carry it around with me.
- I’d never get it home in one piece.
- It wouldn’t fit in.
- I’ve got no room.
- What would I do with it?
- Are you always here?
- Got any bigger?
- Got any smaller?
- Have you got a card?
- Have you got a website?
Please don’t display your business cards or website.
You must force enquirers to reveal what they are thinking. That way you can steer them towards making a purchase there and then.
And never, ever, do things for free in return for exposure. That’s 100% BS.
A Few More Memorable Comments
People are mostly kind and say nice things, but hey, who wants to hear a good story? You hear everything, and every now and then you hear something that sticks in your mind.
Check these out:
- “F*** me, that’s the dogs b*llocks” was a memorable compliment
- “Wow, proper drawed it innit-like?” was another
- “Have you got a print of the one you’re drawing?”
- “Are the magnets safe to put on the fridge?”
- “I like your table cloth”
In a way it’s healthy. It brings you down to earth. Sometimes with a bump. No bad thing really.
Life of an Artist: Final Thoughts
And there you have it. I probably missed a few but you get the idea.
As an artist selling your work face-to-face, you’ll quickly discover that dealing with strange and awkward comments is just part of the job.
Whether it’s unwanted advice, recycled jokes, or nosey questions, you’ll hear it all. But as tiresome as these interactions can be, they’re part of the game. The key to surviving, with your sanity intact, is to laugh it off.
As I like to say, ‘It goes in one ear and out the other’
Here’s the thing, after 20 years of hearing the same old stuff, I’ve learned that every remark, no matter how trivial or frustrating, is a lead to a potential sale.
When you realize that, the rewards follow. There’s no point getting upset, or indignant, where does that get you? Nowhere.
Instead, you must treat every remark as an opportunity. It’s that simple.
And if you ever find yourself overwhelmed by it all, just remember: you’re making a living doing you love, and that is a success worth celebrating.
My Guide Will Make Selling Your Art Easier
These posts will also interest you:
- What is it Like To Be an Artist? The Truth Revealed
- 11 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Make Art and Draw
- 14 Tips to Overcome Art Block: 7 Causes, 7 Solutions
- 22 Myths About Artists: Misconceptions Debunked
- 10 Ways Artists Get Their Ideas and Find Inspiration
- Most Artists Fail! 5 Reasons Why Things Go Wrong
- How to Overcome Self-Doubt for Artists (Imposter Syndrome)
- Is Being an Artist Lonely? Read The Truth
Pin For Later
