"A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work."
--Colin Powell
I just reread this blog from the very beginning in 2009. I've never been a consistent "blogger" although I love to write. I've always felt like this platform is too narcissistic, like a lot of social media. I follow a few blogs myself, and I can understand that people really are interested in the process and the thinking behind the pieces (in making art). So, I've tried to do that here. I try to describe my artwork, process, and inspiration. The first year I started the blog I had 24 entries, then I went to 8 entries the next year; after that I followed with 9, 8, 3 posts, then 0 in 2018 and this is my second entry of 2020. And I've been isolating for 5 months now, with time on my hands. What's that about?
I've talked about this to so many fellow artists -- I JUST WANT TO MAKE STUFF!!!! But to survive financially as an artist, we have to do as much marketing and self-exposure work as we do creating new art pieces. So, to do that I maintain this blog (sometimes), a website, a Facebook page. I post on Instagram and Pinterest...and I'm sure another version of these sites is right around the corner, that I will need to add to the list. I refuse to tweet as I see that as totally narcissistic.) I'm trying not to worry about being irregular in my blog posts; I don't need to add any more pressure to my life. The writing does, however, help me to see the big picture, which is not a quality of mine -- I usually can't see the forest for the trees.
As I write, we are in the middle of the Age of Corona (will it one day be referred to casually, like when we mention the Ice Age?). I am isolating and wondering how to pay my bills, like so many others. Fortunately, one of my smartest business strategies is to have "multiple income streams". I have money coming to me from teaching, selling in shops and galleries, commissions, online sales. Of course, this money is greatly reduced as everything business related has slowed (except Amazon and Lowe's). Sometimes, I curse this passion of mine to create things, this insistence that I spend my time working with my hands and brain partnering as one. It's so often a double-edged sword: I work so hard for so little money it often doesn't seem worth the time; however, I get frustrated and depressed when I can't paint. An artist friend and I discussed this dilemma last week, laughing at all the jobs we've done over the years in order to support our creative careers.
From the time I graduated college to the present, I have tried to be open to opportunity. I often say yes either to make money to support my art career, or as a way to educate myself and further the career. Sometimes I wonder, "Why am I doing this?" and "How did I get here?", but I know that chance -- meeting someone or being offered an interesting job -- can be found in places that you least expect. Here are some of the jobs I've done over the years to support my art:
--I worked for The Gap for one day, and when I wore Guess jeans I was told things weren't working out (I didn't want to be a Greeter anyway!)
--I worked for a Focus Group company and picked up meals for clients in charge of the opinion groups (once got a speeding ticket because I wanted to make sure the food stayed hot in transit)
--I've minded countless shops
--I worked for a catering company (and learned to cook!)
--I did Displays for several department stores
--I waitressed for a barbeque joint
--I was an admin assistant for an insurance company, and had similar temp jobs
--I repainted posts at a golf course (18 holes) with the County government symbols
--I have painted houses (walls in houses)
--I had a stint doing drawings for an interior designer
--I organized a little artist show in a hair salon
--I worked with a landscaper
--I have participated in various focus groups on games, diapers, snacks, and appliances
--I taught 10th grade English in summer school (covering Hamlet)
I suppose I can't say it's been a dull life...
I've talked about this to so many fellow artists -- I JUST WANT TO MAKE STUFF!!!! But to survive financially as an artist, we have to do as much marketing and self-exposure work as we do creating new art pieces. So, to do that I maintain this blog (sometimes), a website, a Facebook page. I post on Instagram and Pinterest...and I'm sure another version of these sites is right around the corner, that I will need to add to the list. I refuse to tweet as I see that as totally narcissistic.) I'm trying not to worry about being irregular in my blog posts; I don't need to add any more pressure to my life. The writing does, however, help me to see the big picture, which is not a quality of mine -- I usually can't see the forest for the trees.
As I write, we are in the middle of the Age of Corona (will it one day be referred to casually, like when we mention the Ice Age?). I am isolating and wondering how to pay my bills, like so many others. Fortunately, one of my smartest business strategies is to have "multiple income streams". I have money coming to me from teaching, selling in shops and galleries, commissions, online sales. Of course, this money is greatly reduced as everything business related has slowed (except Amazon and Lowe's). Sometimes, I curse this passion of mine to create things, this insistence that I spend my time working with my hands and brain partnering as one. It's so often a double-edged sword: I work so hard for so little money it often doesn't seem worth the time; however, I get frustrated and depressed when I can't paint. An artist friend and I discussed this dilemma last week, laughing at all the jobs we've done over the years in order to support our creative careers.
From the time I graduated college to the present, I have tried to be open to opportunity. I often say yes either to make money to support my art career, or as a way to educate myself and further the career. Sometimes I wonder, "Why am I doing this?" and "How did I get here?", but I know that chance -- meeting someone or being offered an interesting job -- can be found in places that you least expect. Here are some of the jobs I've done over the years to support my art:
--I worked for The Gap for one day, and when I wore Guess jeans I was told things weren't working out (I didn't want to be a Greeter anyway!)
--I worked for a Focus Group company and picked up meals for clients in charge of the opinion groups (once got a speeding ticket because I wanted to make sure the food stayed hot in transit)
--I've minded countless shops
--I worked for a catering company (and learned to cook!)
--I did Displays for several department stores
--I waitressed for a barbeque joint
--I was an admin assistant for an insurance company, and had similar temp jobs
--I repainted posts at a golf course (18 holes) with the County government symbols
--I have painted houses (walls in houses)
--I had a stint doing drawings for an interior designer
--I organized a little artist show in a hair salon
--I worked with a landscaper
--I have participated in various focus groups on games, diapers, snacks, and appliances
--I taught 10th grade English in summer school (covering Hamlet)
I suppose I can't say it's been a dull life...
