What They Don’t Tell You About Selling Art


What Do You Do When the Art Market is Slow? You make more art, of course.

Hey Reader

The other day, I found myself in a room (that I may or may not have snuck into) and decided to play with some iPhone photography settings—because why not? Creativity doesn’t wait for perfect conditions, and neither should we.

What you don’t see at an art market? The hours of prep, the set-up, the awkward conversations (or long stretches of none), the customer interactions, the tear-down, the load-out, and that final moment when you get home—exhausted but somehow still fueled by the fire that makes you want to do it all over again.

Being an artist and creative isn’t just about making the work. It’s about showing up—again and again—through every part of the process. Even when it's slow. Even when sales are crickets. Even when you wonder if it’s worth it.

Because that’s what artists do.

So if things are feeling sluggish, create anyway.

Experiment.

Try a new medium.

Sneak into a room and mess with your camera settings (hypothetically speaking, of course).

Creativity thrives in motion, not in waiting for the perfect moment.

Keep showing up.

Keep making.

That’s the real work.

~ Mike Brennan

P.S. Want some daily inspiration? Join the Daily Creative Habit community and keep showing up.

Want to see some of my art?

I typically focus on helping YOU create, but if you're curious about some of what I create take a look!

DAILY CHECK-IN

Begin to ask yourself these questions every day as a part of your daily creating rhythms:

1. What did I create today?

2. What did I learn?

3. What can I celebrate?

DAILY PROMPTS

MONDAY: Take a finished piece you’ve made and recreate it in an opposite style or medium.

TUESDAY: Write a 10-word story that tells a full narrative.

WEDNESDAY: Blind Contour Challenge – Draw an object or person without looking at your paper. No peeking!

THURSDAY: Set a timer for five minutes and create anything without overthinking.

WEEKEND PROMPT:

Accidental Poetry – Open a book, pick random words from different pages, and arrange them into a poem.

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working."
~ Pablo Picasso

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Daily Creative Habit

Creativity isn’t something we visit occasionally, it’s something we practice. The Daily Creative Habit newsletter is where artist and creative mentor Mike Brennan shares reflections, stories, and tools to help you reconnect with your creativity and build a practice that keeps it alive. Through insights from his own creative journey, conversations with other artists, and ideas you can put into action, you’ll discover how small, consistent acts of creativity can lead to meaningful work and a more connected creative life. If you want to stay curious, keep making things, and remain creatively alive, you’re in the right place.

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