Yesterday I got two "friends" asking why I do the shows and work at the frame store. One told me that my work may not sell well enough and stop doing shows and just work.The other one said he has done well at the shows what he should not work in this dead end job.
These comment remind me of Christine Mount Knapp post (Thank you I Have a Job). At this point since I was at work I could not answer but I just smile and told them let me get your stuff so you can be in your way. I got a lot to do. what is wrong with keeping a job and do about 16 shows a year or even 30. The job provides income to cover the rent, health insurance, food, the basics. The art shows provide for the extras, the luxury items. The most important thing the shows provide sense in my life and quiet my soul.
What is wrong with picture. Does mean that I am fail as an artist?
Comments
I hear all of these posts loud and clear. I am at a bit of a crossroads - I was forced into an early retirement about 4 weeks ago. Not on my own timeline but still - some pension, some savings, and continued insurance coverage for me and my husband, so important. So - I have more time to think about what to do, it was almost easier when I had less time to think! Takes some getting used to. A part time job would be the best answer for me.
Oscar, I think your most important point was that the framing job pays for the basics and your art quiets your soul.
I also have a "real" job, and have often thought of the art as "feeding" my soul. Artists just have some innate need to create, to express themselves, to make something beautiful/unique/surprising that most 9-5 jobs can't fulfill.
I have a friend who used to be a trumpeter, composer and music teacher, then went into the business world to make the big bucks. But he's kept performing in gigs over the years because he still needs the creative outlet.
Maybe having a regular job on the side actually improves the art. It helps to keep money worries at bay, so when it's time to create you can be free of the money stress that cramps up your brain.
Oh, and Oscar, I hope those two "friends" aren't your best friends, because they sure don't seem to understand you very well.
I like a lot of variety in my life, love traveling and having surprises in my everyday life. Look at the richness of your life, Oscar. A place to go and work and money you can depend on, which takes the stress away from depending on your art sales, but enables you to keep going. Plus, your job is in an art store where you meet all kinds of creative people and have a social network.
My income comes from many sources, all of them important, and when one thing isn't working maybe something else will, plus I have the freedom to investigate new ideas. Sounds to me like you have a nice balance. Like you, I was very heartened by the comments in Christine's post "I have a job."
I had a life changing moment a few months ago. I have struggled with being an artist, a stay at home mom, a commercial interior designer, and a spring semester professor at ASU. I met a new friend/author at a gallery event...and she said to me, "what do you do?". I hate that question. I do too much!...and yet do anything and everything I can to try and do my part for my family. She said something to me that night that I know remind myself daily. "Merritt, if you could do anything...with your passion...what would it be?" My answer: "be an artist." She replied, "then that is what you are...and all the other things just help to support your goal." Since that evening, I have tried to let go of the other labels/other hats I wear....and try not to feel like I have to justify or explain myself. It's nice to know that other artists struggle with a similar scenario....refreshing to know I'm not alone.
Nothing wrong with having the best of both worlds. I have a "real job" and I'm out doing some litte market or something nearly every weekend. I don't care to range too far from home, what with the cost of gas lodging and everything else. I also don't want the joy of making to be overshadowed by the stress of trying to live on it. Someday it might grow to support me, but I'm content to wait for that.
It takes a high level of organization Nancy. It also helps that I am a computer programmer and I work from home. Beyond the actual taking pictures, my art involves a lot of computer work. When I am in my office I have two computers going, one for my job and one personal. When I’m on conference calls, or taking a mental break from programming I’m on the personal computer doing art show stuff. I can print while I work and I get up early or stay up late to frame. I generally spend my off season creating new work for the booth and that work will stay up for the season. I may replace one or two that don’t sell well but generally I just replace what sells and do a complete redo in the off season. I hope that I do have the same expectations of profit at a show. I think it would be wrong of me to sell cheaper than others just because I have another source of income. I stay within five hours of home. I will break down on Sunday, drive home, and be at my desk working on Monday morning. Occasionally I will grab a hotel on the way home and get up really early to get home by work time. I’ve been with the company long enough to have four weeks of vacation and almost every day of that is used for art shows. Every weekend that I am not at a show or on call, Clif and I head out in the Jeep for pictures. He doesn’t necessarily enjoy the photography part but he enjoys finding new places and new trails. I do about 15 shows a year and while I go for the big ones I try to keep the high stress shows to around 4 a year. I am required by my job to be in Florida for a week every 3 months and I had hoped to do shows in Florida when I did that but right now shows in Florida have not been worth the time away from home. Last year I did a three show run in Florida for November but this year I’m going to try a couple shows in North Carolina instead.
It is not easy but when I got hire 9 or 10 years ago I told them upfront. I make an effort to make enough money for them when I am work so they not complain to much. Also I do more that I should for my 9-5 job. I try to take one of my days off I go out and produce work. I can be 9 to 12 hours just taking picture and does not count when I awake early and go out before I go to work. I enjoy what I do and both my photography and picture framing goes well together. That is what I think is the key. Both fields help each other.
Thanks for the support.
Oscar, what should it matter to anyone if you are happy and can pay your own bills. People just seem to want everyone to live the same type of life. Some of us just need variety. If it works, that should be what is important. So, Oscar and anyone else fr that matter, if you are happy and doing well, more power to you.
Absolutely nothing wrong with having a job and doing shows. I am in that situation as well and also the primary wage earner. I do my art because it completes me and I love doing shows because the vast majority of the people that come in are wonderful. I would not experience that if I just sold in galleries. It is also a great time for my husband and I to be together and doing something we both like. It is very hectic and I always say that it would be easier if I didn't do them but I know I would miss it.
I hope not because I have a job too. I believe I have the best of both worlds. Yes, during the show season I get insanely busy. The shows all run together and I have to look at my calendar to see where I was the previous weekend. But I love doing it. I've got a great job that I love too. Not to mention I am the primary wage earner for my family.
Don't let anyone tell you what works for your life Oscar.