In November I was moved to concentrate on art. There was no more savings or settlement money at that time. My husband was laid off from a great job at Nortel almost two years ago; it has not been easy. We just keep plodding along. It's hard but it's going to happen. The market is starting to open up again and the telecom is looking better. That's a different story, though.
Michael's has given me a few teaching spots and the pay is pretty decent. Some folks are happy to just get a mark on a piece of paper. There is another teaching job or two at local community centers but that is during the winter session. Hey, if you're teaching art, you're doing art when you show what your students need to know. There is no time for little pleasures. I spend a lot of time painting (well, you're right that's a pleasure, but don't tell anyone).
It's a making up for lost time thing. Years ago when I should have been a starving artist I was a successful chef, well fed, but artistically starved. So here I am in another pair of paint and gesso ruined jeans knowing that the time that is being put into painting will soon pay off. December 2005 is my give up point, maybe.
All of you artists out there trying to break in the business don't give up, just paint. Paint to your heart's content. Be selfish sometimes (hence the unreliable artist). You'll tick some folks off but you need the time and space to develop. Don't be guilty either by the fact you have fun painting or drawing. Who said that work has to be no fun? I had to tell my family if I'm in the studio, pretend I'm at the office with a bad, low-paying job. Since then I'm allowed to paint as long and whenever I want. Until the law was set, they bugged me about all kinds of little things they could do themselves. Paint and you will be rewarded, give it time!
Beth, you'll get there. Don't let the time thing hang over your head. That's pressure. Don't do that to yourself. Just give yourself some more time, relax, have fun and it'll happen! I have faith in you!
