These last few weeks have been almost surreal, and I don’t think that it has sunken in properly yet. That is because; this month, I sold and handed over my first ever canvas print.
I am beyond thrilled and stunned to such an extent that it’s very difficult finding the words that would best describe how I feel. This is a moment that I have dreamt of for years and it’s so much better than I could have ever imagined it. To know that someone saw value and beauty in something you’ve created, and loved it enough to buy it, is euphoric. I’ve been drawing since I was a child and I adore it passionately. Having the ability to show other people what I see everyday is an amazing thing, however having someone tell you that they love the way you view the world tops that by miles. This was no exception.
The person who bought my art is a very close friend of the family and has always expressed a liking for what I create. As I usually have difficulty with knowing if someone is sincere or not, I mostly just accept it but then would brush it off as a social nicety. However, much to my surprise, they actually meant it and came around to discuss what he wanted to buy.
I was beyond stunned and was in so much shock that I found it hard to answer him when he asked me questions about my work. It didn’t sink in until a few hours after he’d left. I’m not entirely sure if it has sunken in properly yet and it’s been weeks. I’m partly convinced that I hallucinated the whole thing.
Disregarding my dissociative state, I got to work. I started editing the photo, making sure it would be able to be printed with ease, as it wasn’t originally intended to be sold. I’d only drawn it as a header for this very website. Regardless, I edited and refined the photo, my mum doing the trimming and perfecting it for printing.
After about a week or so, when we were confident and happy with it, we searched the internet for a printing website that would print on canvas like the customer wanted. We found loads, however we needed a specific size so it was a little disheartening for a while. After about half a week of looking, we finally found a company who did custom canvas size prints and that was within my price range. After another look over the art piece, we sent it off and then all we had to do was wait.
When it came a few days later, we were blown away by the quality of it. As a digital artist, I don’t get to see much of my work in person and I was stunned by how good it looked. The difference of quality between seeing it on a screen and seeing it in person was astounding and it has given me such a confidence boost.
I notified the new owner and he was just as blown away as we were. He kept exclaiming excitedly by how good it looked and how happy he was with it. I had been panicking for weeks, fearing he wouldn’t like it so the constant confirmation was relieving.
I am beyond ecstatic and the entire experience was somewhat surreal. A goal of mine has been filled and at 18, no less! It was an amazing learning experience and it has motivated me to be even more serious with my art.
Thank you Roy, for the opportunity to fulfill a dream of mine and I’m glad you like the painting! 🙂
Cerys