We need more people like you in the art world!!! Humble and having fun—the opposite of those pretentious pricks!!! Haha! Loved this!

As a fellow (much much smaller) YouTuber it saddens me to recognize the carefulness that you describe sort of walking on eggshells because of commenters. I’m in a completely different niche, but this type of informal data collection and analysis is very appreciated and important. Thanks for putting yourself out there.

I don't know what you would call your type of nerd - but I love it. Don't change.

I love your data research fyi. I would love to know more about the psychology of color, in case you're looking for a new idea

Artists always had to do church paintings and portraits to make a living. They did the art they wanted to do on their own time. Sometimes their personal art became popular but not always.

I dislike hearing the claims,  "you're not a true artist if you do x,y and z" or " you're not av true artist if you make art just to make money". If you make art... than you're an artist. Maybe a less fulfilled artist but still an artist in my book.

I concur with the results of your research.  I was a portrait painter for several years (after a 15 year career as a make-up artist in tv/film/music industries).  I, like you, decided that realistic portraits just weren't stretching my artistic need to express myself more and the fun had gone out of it for me.  So, for around 18 months now I've painted exclusively abstract.  I'm SO SO HAPPY painting this way.  I love it.  I've only just started selling those paintings and I charge a premium.  I charge more than the average artist painting the same size as myself.  Not sure if it's because people love my style or they choose my art because of the effect the price has on their ability to "spend and show off" but it works.  However, I also very carefully title every painting (helped by AI), big or small and give a reasonably detailed run-down of what I was thinking when painting it.  The choice of colour palette etc.  I think that is also what people with money to spend on large pieces want, that extra attention to detail in addition to the piece itself.  Of course, along with a super professional COA in it's own display folder, business card, explanation of piece etc.  I haven't been selling long enough to get many repeat customers but my thinking is that with this approach, repeat customers or word of mouth customers are more likely.  Anyhoo, thanks for another fun and informative video.  Bee from 🇦🇺

As a freelance curator who loves art history, So many of the artists of the past did art for "work" while making other types of art for pleasure. I often will find a new piece and be so surprised that it didn't make mainstream in their popularity. It's because the art that made them popular was their "job". Look up Alphonse mucha's "Elf with Iris flowers", "girl with a plate" or "evocation" Not his typical stuff, but you could tell his heart was all the way in it. Or look at Harry Clarke's "Lady of the Decoration", again not typical of his contracted stuff. I would rather make art I don't love making as much as a living than to have a 9-5 in an office and no time to create at all.

I personally paint semi realistic surreal portraits, sometimes I paint birds and flowers with the impressionist style and more simple landscapes. I don't really like abstract and subjective art for my walls but as I was thinking about it further, I realized that I like those types of art in other things that aren't art prints and paintings. I love abstract art on shower curtains, bedding designs, fabric, socks and t-shirts. I think you abstract paintings would look so cool as shirt designs but the ones that take up most of the front part of the shirts, socks, other fabric and house hold items.

I'm so happy I became an artist before (way before) going viral became a thing. I've been painting and selling my art for about 30 years now. It's my creative passion but also my business so yes, I have painted subject matter that "sells". And it was one of your videos that I saw a couple of years ago Kayla, that had me jump onto YouTube to start my own channel. Keep doing what you're doing and don't let the a-holes get you down 😀🎨🖼

I don’t even paint and I enjoy watching these.

Let me throw you another one - I don't have an art budget - if i love the piece and have the funds, and it fits in the space available I have - I buy. I'd guess that in part, the art collectors also buy big pieces because they have the bigger spaces to display and enjoy it. Where as some non-collectors may have less space for big art pieces, and some may have less funds. Just something else to consider. I'd be willing to pay a big price for a small piece - if I LOVED it bc it'd fit in my space. I love all different types of art, though, and i'm not a collector, yet.

I make art, specifically watercolor and mixed media collages with paper I've painted myself. I often combine my watercolors with acrylic collage and it has absolutely resonated with people. I recently sold an 18x18" collage painting for $500 at a charity auction and it made me realize that people were willing to pay good money for my work. So, I'm no longer shy when pricing my pieces. Impressionism and abstract are two of my favorite art styles, and I often incorporate them in my work.

I want to add another dimension to perceived value. When I was a graduate student writing my thesis, a really important idea was recognizing that I needed to enter the conversation that was already going on about the subject. This is the first step in any research: a review of the literature. I need to know what people have already thought what people have already said what studies have already been published? I need to honor What conclusions have already been made to enter a conversation that has been going on since  before I was born with any sort of relevance.

Doing so also shows respect for all the folks that have come before me.

If I don’t understand the history of art, the history of a particular type of art, how a particular artist or group of artists shifted critical and popular understanding of what was possible in Art, how there was a before and after this painting was painted then I can’t recognize the impact of that Art.

Today we have access to all the art of history. But without a firm grounding in art history, we don’t have a clue about the context that was present when that art was made. we can only recognize a piece of contemporary art as deeply significant when we have the context.

Art appreciators are signaling to other art appreciators that they know why it is significant. But I believe this can be secondary to their own appreciation. Other people won’t get it.

It’s just like me not understanding rap. Because I am old enough to have witnessed the beginnings of it, but it was not out of my own, lived experience. I don’t appreciate the nuances. I don’t appreciate the stories. I don’t appreciate the relationship of one artist to another. I know it exists, but I cannot pretend to have a clue about the meaning in that particular context.

I think this is why you got a poor reception, Kayla. I absolutely love and value the research you did! But you didn’t know the conversation you were entering when you posted your poll, so you couldn’t anticipate the questions they would have in order to help them understand your agenda.

Giant paintings would look whacky in small living spaces so that makes sense. Big house-big art. Also, if you’re rich you get beautiful views and interesting objects and beautiful people all the time so perhaps that’s why they have a greater appreciation for abstracts. Abstract paintings may feel chaotic in an unwelcome way if you’re struggling financially. Art for those who can’t afford art is sort of an investment into your ability to have a beautiful future. Sort of like a vision board but less tacky.

Half the reason why I watch your videos is your personality! its a good time I have when I watch you, and of course, your content is super helpful as well, no fluff or filler

This is true, small paintings abstract dont sell as much as impressionist painting of nature. And bigger paintings people like abstract, I have notice.

I think for wealthy people, art is often an investment or status symbol also.

I've seen a couple of artists call the popular decorator pieces "painting for groceries." It is absolutely legit as a JOB. Most of us need to have a job. You can be a barista or postal clerk or a painter-of-pretty-pictures for a LIVING.

The art that comes from the Universe, through your soul, and to your hand is a different thing. It doesn't need to be the only thing you do.

Doing both is called keeping body and soul together.

Would you tell a novelist that writing sports articles for pay makes their novels less legit? In these magical (and nightmarish) days of tech, it's perfectly possible to present your different artistic selves to different artistic audiences.

And really, it's your life. We only get the one. You.Do.You.

The fact that I am not surprised that the art collectors behaved like total assholes says a lot about the kind of person who thinks themselves an art critic and their motivations.