Do You Display Your Artwork?

When I was younger, I loved putting my art on the refrigerator for everyone to see. It made me feel good that my parents felt proud enough of my work to display it in the most trafficked part of our home. Things have changed in the life of this artist over the years, though.

Gone are the days of wanting to put my work “out there” for the world to see. I used to have pictures posted here, there, and everywhere. I used to put my work into online stores, on to ebay, and on to different forums.

Why did I stop? Why do I want to keep all of my work hidden and just for myself? (I have never displayed my work anywhere aside from on an easel in my home. And, only once have I been part of a juried show . . . in 1993!) It is strange how quickly things can change from feeling good about people seeing my work to feeling like no one should ever see any.

What are your thoughts on this? Are you a private artist, only showing artwork when people are curious? Or, do you hang work over your mantle or in your dining room for guests to enjoy? My goal is to revert back to my old ways because, honestly, I liked it much better.