17d • General discussion
The “New Body of Work” Trap
A lot of artists tell themselves:
“I just need to create a new body of work first.”
And look, sometimes that’s true.
Sometimes you genuinely need space to create, explore, and build something cohesive.
But here’s the trap:
If you’re creating a new body of work because you secretly believe it will magically sell once it exists…
That’s where most artists get stuck.
Because a new body of work doesn’t automatically create buyers.
If you don’t know:who your ideal collector is,where to find them,how to talk about your work,how to build trust,how to start conversations,how to make offers,
then the new series will probably do what the old series did:
sit there.
And that’s painful, because the art might actually be beautiful.
The problem isn’t always the art.
Sometimes the problem is that the artist keeps creating instead of learning how to sell.
And I get it.
Creating feels safer than selling.
Creating feels familiar.
Creating gives you the feeling of progress.
But if the real goal is to make a living from your art, then business and marketing skills are not optional.
They are part of the job.
You can keep creating forever.
There will always be another series.Another direction.Another idea.Another body of work.
But at some point, you have to ask yourself:
Am I creating this because it’s truly the next step?
Or am I creating this because I’m avoiding the uncomfortable part of selling?
Because if you learn how to find the right people, build relationships, and sell your work properly…
then your next body of work has a real chance.
Not because of luck.
Because you finally have the skills to bring it to the right people.
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The “New Body of Work” Trap
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