Read Between the Lines

By Claire Gunning
Theme Editor

As she picks up her paint brush, she fills a canvas with joy and passion.
Mira Costa sophomore Malan Smith created an art business during sixth grade, in which she sells canvas paintings that incorporate abstract, landscape, portrait, oil, and watercolor elements.
Smith charges $30 for a 24×24 canvas. The money spent for the supplies comes out of her own pocket. She uses profit she obtains from the pieces to stay in business and replenish her supplies. Smith’s work is publicized through word of mouth for her buisness.
“In fifth grade, I really got into art and started looking up a bunch of different artists and doodled everywhere, which got me motivated to sell my art,” Smith said.
According to Smith, her work gained recognition with the support of her friends and family. They publicize her work and get her more clients by spreading the word to more people about her work and advertising it to their friends.
“Malan has completed some very beautiful pieces in her art collection,” Smith’s mother, Cynthia said. “I believe Malan will grow into a very talented and successful artist. I am very excited and am looking foward to her future creations.” Smith was inspired to start selling her art when a student in her sixth grade class saw her artwork and wanted to purchase it. Eventually, the student’s parents saw Smith’s artwork and decided to buy it. Smith has been selling her abstract art ever since then, and people commision her to create personalized artwork.
“One painting that I’ve sold that I really enjoyed painting was to a woman who runs a place that I volunteer at regularly,” Smith said. “It was my very first watercolor piece that I ever sold to a client.”
Smith adds personalized touches to each piece as her clients request them. The abstract portraits are works that are designed specifically for each customer that wants one.
“You shouldn’t make art to please others, because it’s all about self-expression,” Smith said. “If a person is creating art to satisfy someone else, then it’s no longer self-expression, and it is now just public expression. My advice to a beginning seller is to make sure that the artwork you are creating makes you feel something, because it’s your art. ”