HOW TO GIVE WITHOUT BEING TAKEN Part 1, ch

Read my suggestions to handling requests to donate your work, at the Fine Art Views blog: How to Give Without Being Taken Part 1.

Check for Part 2 in two weeks! But don’t worry, I’ll be back with more articles before then.

Author: Luann Udell

I find it just as important to write about my art as to make it. I am fascinated by stories. You can tell when people are speaking their truth--their eyes light up, their voices become strong, their entire body posture becomes powerful and upright. I love it when people get to this place in their work, their relationships, their art. As I work from this powerful place in MY heart, I share this process with others--so they have a strong place to stand, too. Because the world needs our beautiful art. All of it we can make, as fast as we can! Whether it's a bowl, a painting, a song, a garden, a story, if it makes our world a better place, we need to do everything in our power to get it out there.

7 thoughts on “HOW TO GIVE WITHOUT BEING TAKEN Part 1, ch”

  1. Hi Luann! I always love your posts. This one was a particularly good one. I agree with you that you have to see your work as value. When I started it was in silent auctions. That is where I got the exposure. Now that I am more established in my area, I can be more choosy but I have a goal to select on charity or cause a month that I believe in to donate something to. That is 12 times a year. It might be more. But I don’t worry about the tax value or anything. I just give because I want to. If I am approached, I consider it but I need to have something in writing that tells me more about the charity or cause so that I can see if it is a good fit for me. One other thing that I am adamant about…I had heard from another jewelry designer when we were both donating to the same cause that she always goes back to what didn’t sell and gives it to the auction. She was amazed that I would take the time to make a piece specifically for the cause, in this case, the local symphony. But I think that this is my calling card and gets me noticed and I don’t want to be noticed for a failed experiment. Perhaps that is why both of my pieces went for more than the value placed on them at the silent auction and hers did not get one single bid.

    Thanks for inspiring me today!
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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    1. I’m so glad you’ve found a meaningful way to contribute that makes you feel good. There’s no right or wrong way, just ways to keep it feeling “balanced”. Thanks for sharing, Erin!

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  2. I enjoy each of your posts for the varying instructive and humane ways you present in navigating our lives as artists. Thank you, for this sage advice on a touchy and frequently arising issue. The mindful and generous spirit of your nature always shines through. daniel

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      1. Thanks Luann, yes it did. I printed it out, re-read & re-read ….practiced in my head how I would respond to this request that I really wanted to help with (a fundraiser for Haiti) but I wanted it to be on my terms – and be a win-win situation for us both. This is truly the best article I’ve seen on this matter. I also feel like I’m ready when I want to say no to one as well. Now I can be the one to choose & not feel bad about it – thanks for the bit of empowerment (that I really needed….been struggling with this one the last 2 years).

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