What do YOU think?

We all know that if you put a group of random people in a gallery you would have different opinions on every piece of art. This makes me as an artist nuts! True, I want to paint what inspires me but I also want to pay my bills with this profession. So how do you make it all work? How do you create what YOU feel is a great piece of art and also what BUYERS think is a great piece of art? Follow me on a trip of frustration.
This piece is titled "Poppin". When I finished the piece I wasn't happy. It didn't fit the image I had in my mind. My greatest art critic and muse, my honey, LOVED it. He thought it was fantastic. I showed it and the crowds agreed. So many compliments, every gallery wanted to show it. Wow, it's SOOOO cool. Ah uh, I still own it YEARS later. People still fawn when they see it but no one pulls out the cash.

This is "Passing Thru". I was very happy with this painting. I like the idea that the bird was caught in a moment. If you had looked up a second later you might have missed his passage. I also like the monochromatic look. My husband does NOT like this painting and unfortunately I think he is on to something. I can't seem to sell this painting and no one has even made a comment on it. It has made all the gallery rounds several times. What gives?!

This is "Cowboy" I love this painting. I created it about 5 years ago. When I completed the painting my husband scratched his head and said, " A cow? Who is going to buy a painting of a cow?" I stuck to my guns. This was a fun painting and someone would see it laugh and smile and want it for their own. Sure enough, it quickly sold.

Every time a painting is completed you can't help but wonder, I love it, but will anyone else? Will it be loved and adored but not purchased? Should I create things that I think are quite average but sell well? And you thought being an artist was easy.