A Note from CfM Art Marketplace Founder Alexis Joseph

Back in 2024, as we were readying our Art Room for its first in-person classes, I found myself more often in the studio. Before that time, I often held back from making a lot of artwork when I thought about where it was supposed to go—it felt sad to make paintings and just have them sit in a drawer! But that fall, with a row of fresh paintings drying on my desk, a new idea popped into my head: an online marketplace for our community to list and browse original artworks. Every time I thought about it, I felt a bolt of excitement strike through my belly—and knew it was an impulse I had to follow.

When the marketplace was ready enough for me to test out making my own profile, I felt that bolt of excitement once more. This was the space I'd been looking for, the kind of sharing in community that feels so key to keep creative practice moving! Of course, I immediately began worrying about my work looking good all together on the site . . . did it need to be a series or intentional theme to make sense? But then I gave myself permission to let go of old ideas about how art is "supposed" to be shown. Now, there are pieces in my profile that I painted almost ten years ago, and a few I made just recently. There are some themes I'll maybe never visit again, and some I might bring back in future paintings. I don't know where it's all headed, and I feel freed knowing I don't have to—it's all an experiment, and I can't wait to see how it unfolds!

On a small biz level, building a site for artists of all backgrounds and styles feels like a full-circle move here at Case for Making, to uphold our belief that we are all creative, that we are all artists! That we all deserve a place for our artwork to be listed, seen and purchased. We hope you'll join us in this opportunity to post your own work and share in the fun! How might it change your process, if you think about your paintings going somewhere? What would it feel like if someone bought your piece, and you could send it in the mail with a happy note?! So many of us feel like this kind of space wasn't meant for us, or not quite yet—but we're letting you know, you belong here! You really never know how a sweet little drawing, painting, collage or other piece, your piece, will speak to someone and bring them joy. And this is what it's all about—inspiring each other, supporting each other, making room for our ongoing practices, making friends, painting more, and building community! Let's create this space together, and let's just get more art out into the world!

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