The art of letting go: what I’ve learned from selling my work

There’s something deeply personal about creating art. Each brushstroke comes from somewhere whether it be an emotion, a memory, or an instinct I can’t always name. It’s a quiet dialogue between me and the canvas. That relationship can run deep, especially when a painting challenges me or unfolds slowly. Sometimes I fall in love with a piece right away; other times, the connection takes time to build. But eventually, something clicks and that’s when the magic happens. The colors speak, the composition settles, and the whole thing just feels…right.

This is a question I’ve often asked myself, and one I get from others, too. Letting go of something you’ve poured yourself into is not always easy. In fact, it’s something I’ve had to learn how to do over time.

At first, I struggled with parting ways with my work. It felt like sending a child out into the world. But the more I practiced, the more I came to see it differently. Now, I think of selling my work as an act of release, of trust. Each piece that leaves my studio makes space for something new to be born. That simple shift in perspective has changed a lot for me.

Before a painting leaves my studio, I scan or photograph it. That way, I always have a record. Not just for my portfolio, but for myself. Sometimes, I look back at those images and remember what was going on in my life when I made them. It’s a comforting kind of archive.

Keeping everything would be like hoarding love letters and never mailing them. My paintings are meant to be seen, lived with, and appreciated in different settings. Knowing that someone has connected with a piece deeply enough to bring it into their life is humbling and gratifying.

When a painting finds a new home, I try to mark that moment with gratitude. A small ritual (like saying thank you to the piece or writing a note in my sketchbook)helps me acknowledge its journey. It’s a quiet way of saying goodbye.

Painting helps me process everything, including the letting go. Creating something new fills that empty space with possibility. It keeps me grounded in the present and excited for what’s ahead.

Letting go is still a practice. But over time, it’s become part of the rhythm of my life as an artist. And I’ve come to see it not as a loss, but as an invitation to keep going, to keep growing, and to keep creating.