Well, I wasn’t planning to get out of bed (at 1 a.m.) to write this post, but it kept nagging at me.

So here it is.

I need to talk to you about the whole “artwork thing.”

As you probably know, I have some sort of artistic ability (without having trained in any way).

Consider all of these paintings.

They look like paintings of stuff that you can actually identify.

It’s kind of magic.

Once upon a time, I used to paint because I’d look at a photo and say, “Hey– that would make a great painting!”

And then I’d do it.

(I haven’t done that in a long, long time.)

These days, I really only tend to pull out the art supplies when someone tells me they really like my artwork– and they want their own painting.

(Because of this tendency, I don’t paint often enough to have enough canvases to show in a gallery.  If and when I paint something, the canvas usually just goes straight to its new home.)

What I’ve been trying to come to terms with lately (and for many, many years), is that I don’t really paint for my own enjoyment.

I paint for other people’s enjoyment.

I like it when my work makes someone else happy.

Nevertheless, everyone’s always telling me that I should make an effort to sell more work.

(Because, the thing is, when I try, I can actually sell work.)

A few months ago, I did a new commission that I thought came out pretty well (see below).

It was my first new painting in six years, and– for a brief moment– I got pretty psyched about maybe doing some other ones.

For whatever reason though, it just didn’t happen.

But it’s never too late, right?

And that’s why I’m talking about artwork again.

Because– quite frankly– I would like to sell some artwork in order to fund the first phase of my 2014/15 “Let My People Flow” Yoga/Wellness Tour.

[While I haven't yet fully fleshed out the concept on my blog, click here to read my last post if you have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about.]

Basically, the idea is that I’m looking for people who believe in me, my artwork, my writing, and my “wellness endeavors” to help me find blank walls (in welcoming homes or businesses) on which to hang my paintings.

While I still have a few paintings left “in stock,” I usually work on commission, based on photos and scenes of the buyer’s choosing.

If you happen to be interested in a painting, please let me know.

Right now, I am pricing to sell.

But, please understand– my work is not “cheap.”

My canvases are generally in the 18″ x 24″ to 36″ x 48″ range, and when I use a palette knife (like in most of the paintings you see here), I go through a TON of paint. (And professional-grade paint isn’t cheap.)

Anyway.

If you personally are not interested in buying art, but you are able to connect me with someone who is, I will pay you a reasonable “finder’s fee” commission based on a percentage of any sale.

(“Money for Nothing”?  Not too shabby.)

* * *

Honestly…

I find the whole business of selling art incredibly awkward, and maybe for that reason I tend to shy away from it.

Nevertheless, I now have a vision for a project much, much bigger than myself or my artwork– and I’d like to at least attempt to capitalize on my natural talents and finance this project through the “fair trade” of cash for canvas before launching some sort of crowd-funding initiative.

(This one is a mosaic made of paper cutouts, by the way.)

I mean, look– not everyone wants to– or can afford to– invest in a painting.

But those who do and can are always looking for artists to invest in.

Why not me?

* * *

If you or someone you know would like to help support my tour in its initial stages through an investment in artwork (or via some other means of support), please contact me at: ejoblin@gmail.com.  

Many more details (re: the tour) to follow soon… stay tuned!