Baumwerkshop
Marketing my work has always been precarious territory for me. At a fundamental level, I am much more interested in making my work than trying to sell it. Philosophically and morally, I struggle with the slippery slope of salesmanship and authenticity. Authenticity as a word has already been pretty much trashed by our cultural trend towards filtered-authenticity in order to generate likes and sell products. I am certainly guilty of it, myself. Likes are addictive. But it all leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth. It is hard to not feel like marketing breeds a certain level of dishonesty that we have decided to be ok with as a society.
Usually my work is both deeply personal and (I hope) deeply spiritual. I struggle often with the feeling that I am prostituting both myself and the things of God when I set out to peddle these visual representations in the marketplace. I don’t really have a satisfying resolution for this uncomfortable feeling, except for the opposing weight of the reactions of “my” audience, expressing a desire to share in these things.
I do want to sell my work and provide an income for my family and finance future projects. It is a part of life and a part of growing, of being fruitful. It is part of work, which is a divine invitation.
I have a calling to make art and what I hope are beautiful objects, and useful pieces of furniture. I have a calling to make that work accessible to the culture I am a part of. I want to try to do that in as straightforward a way as I know how. This new web store is an effort to do that.
You can get to the store by going to https://baumwerkshop.com, or you can select the menu of this sight and click on “Purchase Work“. I really do hope that you will visit and let me know what you think. I also really hope that you might purchase something, if you see something you like. There should be some exciting new things showing up there in the coming weeks.
Thank you, for supporting me and following along on this journey. God is good.
- Jack
The School of the Transfer of Energy 
God created you with a calling to make art, Jack, and blessed you richly with gifts that enable you to fulfill your calling. Based on Matthew 25:14-30 I think the Master would be very pleased indeed with how His servant is multiplying the talents he has been given.
Beautiful website, by the way. Everything you touch seems to turn to poetry and art …
Thank you, as ever, Heide, for your steadfast voice of hope and blessing.
Long time observer and admirer of your work but first time commenting. I think we all struggle with the idea of selling ourselves and especially when it comes to art this can be doubly so for art is always a spiritual practice first. No one begins an artistic journey with the intention of making money or certainly getting rich. It is always a higher calling than mere subsistence.
That being said we do have to earn a living and there is nothing wrong with enjoying the fruits of labour. You make honest art, and charge an honest price, and you keep it about the work and not your own ego. Your customers are happy to enjoy your work and support your future endeavours.
I am so excited that you are giving us the opportunity to come into your space and take something home!! You are blessing us with a piece of the art God gives us through you! I am very excited and thankful!
Joni, Thanks so much for commenting. Your comment reminded me of something one of my painting teachers said. When we invite someone into our studio it is like inviting them into our brain. I would say its even more than that, but I am glad you have come. Bless you and Zach and your children.
Aarame, thank you for commenting. I am grateful that you admire my work- it always amazes me that people do. I am grateful for your kindness and encouragement.
Having followed this blog for a while, I was just reminded from another blog that you were selling some art. It took me less than 24 hours to say “Yes, I really do want Tree of Life, and my wife will love it, too.” My order is in.
That’s my vote.
Thank you for such tangible support! And I am thankful also, that you have been following.