Life as an artist

[ReNae Stueve]

Wow,

I had not really given this much thought until reading your posts here. I'd daydreamed how great it would be to earn a living painting or drawing all day. But Michael, after reading your post of a "day in the life" I can't imagine having to "squeeze" inspiration out of myself, under the pressure of a pre-arranged commitment for...how many paintings did you say?

I've come to the conclusion that I need my day job, not only for the income but also for the balance. I'm in electrical/lighting sales. It's technical, and like all sales, high pressure. When I arrive home, turn on NPR and enter my "studio" I literally transform. And the "Art" just flows. If it were the other way around, and I painted by day, and had to find an escape for that in the evening, my lord. My hat is off to all who have self-actualized as income producing artists.

For me, balance is everything. I'd like to hear more about what those of you who DO earn you total living, producing, do for balance.