So, I got this Etsy message this morning, which read “What’s the least you’ll take for this item”. No “good morning”, no “Hello, Katherine or Katie”. That’s it..”what’s the least you’ll take for this item.” That “item” just happened to be my painting. 

No introduction, no small talk, no nicety, no respect. Just gimme.  

Sure, I can imagine someone doing this at a yard sale, where you hold up a ten year old colander with rust spots, and ask for a discount. My artwork doesn’t resemble a rusty colander last I checked. 

I took a deep breath. A realllllly large deep breath, and then I did what every artist should do when receiving such a message. I raised the price on the painting. What used to be $165 is now $300. Why? Because I don’t want my painting going to home where it isn’t appreciated, where it’s not valued, where it’s just “an item”, and where I’m an artist with no name. Whoever buys the painting now will love it as much as I do, and they will take care of it, like I do because it is valuable. 

I wrote back to her and said, “The price is exactly right. Thank you.” I included the pretty picture above with my text.