Why I decided to sell reproductions of my work

I know a lot of people will have strong opinions about the way that I have launched this website. There is a school of thought which deems selling reproductions of your work as less-than, even bordering on dangerous. It is thought that art should not be commercial. 

However, as a new artist with a background in advertising and marketing, I’ve decided that I will, in fact, approach my work from a (somewhat) commercial perspective. In the corporate world, the goal is to reach as many people as possible with a product that resonates. As I transition to art, it makes sense to carry some of that philosophy forward.

The reason I have decided to sell reproductions of my work is simple: to (hopefully) build a sustainable income stream while making my art accessible to a wide audience. As an artist grows, so does the price of their work. But the problem with only selling originals is that, over time, only a reduced, elite group of people can afford to own original pieces. That does not make sense to me! Additionally, if you are only selling originals, your earning is capped by what you can produce.

Artists deserve to make a sustainable income from their craft, but I don’t believe that should come at the cost of making art inaccessible. Selling reproductions allows me to share my work with more people at a price point that’s within reach. I want my work to be enjoyed by people like me - people who simply do not have hundreds or thousands of dollars to spend on decorating their home and bringing joy into their day to day. 

In the end, for me making art is about bringing joy and meaning to as many people as possible, so if that means sacrificing my reputation slightly (currently non-existant, to be fair) or being otherwise judged, that is a price I am willing to pay.