It is the worst feeling thinking that you are inhibiting your spouse in anyway because of your profession. Knowing that money could go to groceries, or that those paints could put you into debt? Its terrifying.
I'm lucky to say that I have an incredible supportive spouse who wants me to work, and knows that I have a healthy and positive state of mind when I have worked in my studio. Even if its for 30 minutes to an hour. I know others are not so lucky, and some are even on their own moonlighting after working their tail off at a 9-5 job.
Believe me, I've thought about getting a job. But I know I am not as strong as others. I know that if I get a 9-5 I will become complacent in my studio and it will go untouched for months at a stretch. Which would be detrimental. I would tear myself down for not being a committed artist. Ive experienced it. Its a downward spiral.
Sacrificing my own well being for money? Is that worth the trade off?
Actually I experienced it today. So, I made an order of paint, paint thinner, brushes, etc. Nothing out of the ordinary, and nothing exotic. However, I felt a huge wave of guilt after I pressed the 'order' button. A good friend of mine told me once "Money is only a tool."
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not telling you to go into debt. Be thrifty. Coupon codes are awesome.
On the matter of Courage...
When I was studying abroad in Cortona, Italy, I had a wonderful teacher who tried reaching out to me. I was going through a rough time artistically, and felt as though my lot in life had no future. My painting suffered. The last time I saw Professor Howard he had a serious expression on his face. He looked me in the eye and said "Don't. Stop. Painting."
It took me a long while to realize that there was hope in that statement. That I was being told I could do this.
Being Positive is a CHOICE.
Choosing Joy is a CHOICE.
Yes, I fail in both of those categories consistently, but I want to keep trying.
Talent doesn't inherently mean ease. Just like hours spent polishing a piece of dirt.... its still dirt.
Taking strides and having the courage to become better. To BE BETTER than I was yesterday.
I have realized even after my short time on this earth that the more I chase after where my path is in life, where God wants me to go, the path becomes more level. I trip less, and in turn, fall less.
It just takes the courage to take those steps and fight forward.
Peace Y'all.
I admire your decision of being a career artist. I don't consider myself an artist like you, but more someone just trying to do what I enjoy and get paid for it. You are beginning down a road that will likely remain very challenging for a long time. Stay strong.
ReplyDeleteBeing an artist is the easy part - that's the part that you "are" or the part that "God gave you" or however you want to describe it. Here's the hard part... But, first, let's not define success by how much money we make, but rather how happy and whole we are. That being said, until we can live off the grid surrounded by mother nature, art, and free range chickens, we currently have to figure out how to pay the bills.
The unfortunate truth for too many artists is that their "value" is determined by the general public. Consumers that, in my opinion, have moved away from art and galleries and more towards Ikea, Hobby Lobby, and TJMax. I've been in the festival circuit for almost 10 years now, and artists are wonderful people - the best. But, many of them are struggling. Here are some tips I stole from the Google ;)
"5 Common Traits of Successful Artists:
1. Art is the core of their lives. These artists wake up and go to sleep thinking about art. They carve out time in their day making art or marketing it. (In fact, for these artists, there seems to be no clear distinction between the creativity of making and marketing.) If they have a full-time job, it is secondary in their minds to art and mostly a means to and end. Their real job is being an artist.
2. Successful artists understand how business works in the art world. Successful artists understand the entrepreneurial aspects of making a living as an artist. When they encounter something new or unusual on the business side, they investigate and learn to do it or delegate the task. They know the value of relationships and network in person and through social media.
3. Successful artists have a strong work ethic. They manage themselves, their creative energy and resources. They balance the time to produce art and to market it. Whatever rhythm of working they choose, they stick to it. Whether these artists enjoy the business tasks or not, they know they must be done and they do them without complaint or resentment.
4. Successful artists are resilient. They know that success does not happen overnight – it requires hard work. These artists understand that things don t always work out the way they expect. When they make mistakes, they focus on solutions, not on regrets. They learn from experience and experiment to improve on any success they have.
5. Successful artists spend time only with people who are 100% supportive of their art career. They limit their time and emotional involvement with people who are negative especially about art as a career choice. If people close to them have the skills and inclination to be more directly involved in their art career, the artist can produce more and better. Successful artists do not allow unsupportive people to be an obstacle to their plans for success."
However, I think the best advice is this:
"Hang out with successful artists and study them"
You will make it, girl. Just be patient. It is a long road and you should expect peaks and valleys. Once you figure out what people will pay for, you can hone in. (That's another unfortunate part, that you have to direct your work towards the customer - figure out what works for you and them at the same time. Catering to what they will buy without selling yourself or your talents short).
I hope that didn't sound too preachy. At the end of the day, what do Google or I know... just follow your gut :)
Love having an artist in the family!
This was fantastic. Thank you so much for the advice. It helps to feel a little more grounded and less impatient about the progress I'm seeing.
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