What Am I Worth? Putting a Price on My Art and Myself

What Am I Worth? Putting a Price on My Art and Myself

How do you put a value on something as personal as your art? Pricing my work has been one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced since stepping into the world of self-employment. Where do you even begin? Defining an hourly rate feels impossible, and what’s considered “fair” can feel like a moving target. I’ve been an artist all my life, but translating that into a number still feels daunting.

And to be honest: determining the value of my work is about more than just numbers, it’s tied to my sense of self-worth - something I’ve wrestled with for years. In many ways, the struggle to price my art mirrors my personal journey of healing—from the physical and emotional toll of a 15-year relationship with a narcissist. It might sound dramatic, but that experience profoundly shaped my ability to see my own value. After years of being made to feel small, I couldn’t even recognize my worth, let alone put a price on something I created.

Healing from that relationship has been a long, difficult process. Rebuilding myself, piece by piece, hasn’t been easy and learning to value myself, not just as an artist but as a person, has been a major part of that journey. The experience of surviving breast cancer only added to that transformation. It forced me to focus inward, to prioritize myself for the first time in years. And while it has left lasting effects, it has also made me stronger—mentally and now physically.

So, when I price my art, it’s about more than just the market or the time I’ve spent on a piece. It’s about honoring the journey I’ve been on—the passion, the growth, and the healing that has shaped me. My art is a reflection of that, and placing a value on it means recognizing my own worth. It’s not just about what I create; it’s about the person I’ve become in the process.