Real vs. Creative Life

[David Carroll]

Hi Patricia, a writer friend calls it the conflict between commerce and creativity. I think in more spiritual terms: "No man can serve two masters". I left a succesful carreer in product sculprure to pursue a higher calling... Poverty... Well, financial poverty anyway. I have had to live in my studios for the last 6 years in order to have a studio. I have made a choice between comfort and creative freedom. I'll tell you that I would not trade my hardest times today for the life I left behind.

Although extra money is nice, it can't buy fulfillment, and for me the spiritual freedom found in poverty is far superior to life on the treadmill.

I have been seeking a higher plane of existence... "Dirtball Artist", I think finaly, I have arrived.

Blessings, Dave

[Heidi Maiers]

Interesting topic Pat, thanks for bringing it up as I find myself in the same boat as you - on one hand resenting my job because it takes so much away from my art, but on the other hand appreciating it immensly because it is such reliable income.
Right now I am burning the candle at both ends working a 40 hour week plus a 90 minute commute each way (thank goodness I have no snow to shovel). I work in the studio until 2am and then get up at 5am and have a hard time staying awake on the drive each way. I get a second wind around 9pm and am wide awake - can't sleep if I tried. Saturday's I always sleep like a log until 10am and am mad that I wasted half the day already. Such is the life of trying to have two careers instead of a career and a nice hobby.
I am torn because at this point, I probably have enough work lined up to quit my day job and sculpt full time - but that is such a scary step.
My husband works too, but we are not sure how much longer that will be because, unfortunately, he suffers from Parkinson's which also adds large medical expenses to our budget. Until recently, my art career has never even been profitable, so I'll try to do both for as long as I can and play it by ear until it is clear that I can make a dependable income from it.
Anyway, it is interesting reading how others of you have dealt with the dilema of when to take the plunge and go full time. I think it is a slow process getting there, but if persistant and willing to put in long hours, it will happen eventually.

[Jeff Fuchs]

Yes, Pat, the cost of living is less down here, but I know a New Englander who was shocked that it wasn't nearly as low as he'd heard. Still, on our modest income we've managed to pay off a mortgage on a really big Victorian, so I'll always have studio space to spare.

This thread reminds me of my friends, Charlie and Laura, whom I've mentioned here more than once. He was an IBM suit at some point in the past, but hated it. He is now a woodworker, and Laura is a full-time artist. I don't know the numbers, but money is very tight with them. They live below the poverty level, and have to watch every penny like a hawk.

They couldn't be happier! They live on the coast in an A-frame house that Charlie built. They work very hard, Charlie in his shop, and Laura in her little studio, a movable storage shed in the back yard. They live in a touristed area, and Laura sells her work in the local gallery. Some pieces are reproductions -- greeting cards that she prints on her PC, so she can sell the same pieces over and over (a luxury that portrait artists don't have).

There's a lot of unspoiled coastline where they live, and they like to spend weekends exploring it in their sailboat, while Laura takes photos of the seabirds, to include in her paintings.

Sounds idyllic, and in a lot of ways it is, but it comes with no safety net. They have no savings, and no health insurance. When it's time to retire, they'll only have Social Security. Laura may be able to paint into retirement, but woodworking may be more difficult for Charlie in his golden years, so poverty is all they'll know. They really don't care. They spent a few days in my home earlier this year, and I don't think our relative luxury impressed them in the least. They coud easily see the noose that comes with it.

[Michele Rushworth]

I don't think our relative luxury impressed them in the least. They coud easily see the noose that comes with it.

Well said.

[Jimmie Arroyo]

I don't want to forget to include this, so I'll say it first. Heidi, I'm sorry to hear about your husband's illness. My wife used to work for the Parkinson's Disease Foundation in New York City. Unfortunately, she resigned because the Foundation was more interested in putting money into research rather than helping the patients with personal programs and support groups. Because of this, she is now in school for Nursing.

Pat, time is a horrible enemy. I tried my best to squeeze time whenever I could and lost literally thousands of hours of much needed sleep. Working till 2 or 3am, then to wake up at 7am was too much for me after 2 straight years. I thought after living with insomnia for so many years before, that forced insomnia would be a piece of cake. I'm forcing myself to stay up again, it's extremely hard, a freezing attic does'nt help.

We are hardly getting by on bills, always have to tap into the savings to pay the mortgage, but I also have a daughter, and I've already lived my childhood in near poverty level, so there's no way in hell I'll let her live that way. She's why I continue, I can only hope it'll have been worth it. If not, I'm kicking her out of the house at 18, hahahaha.

Good luck Pat.

[Richard Monro]

Pat,
Life is way too short to waste it on a job you hate and transitions are very, VERY scary...but almost always worth it if they allow you to live life with purpose, passion and creativity. Early in my career I worked for corporate America for 7 miserable years (making an extraordinarily living I might add) until one day I had enough. With my very supportive wife a two year old son and a newborn daughter, I sold our large house and moved into an apartment over a garage while I pursued my passion. We went almost a year with no income while living off of saving. Two years later we were doing well enough to buy another home. I would do it again in a heart beat and wonder why I waited so long. Be creative in downsizing. It is amazing how little one can live on if you must.

You have a talent for impressionistic painting. I loved the feel of the one you posted. Good impressionism still sells. Turn these paintings into giclees and peddle them to friends, neighbors, local shops, banks, restaurants...well you get the idea. Use this money to support your particular painting passion whatever it is. Remember that you MUST spend half of your time marketing and selling. Far too many of us forget that these tasks are a very important part of our job. I wish you the best. Take the leap!

[Julie Deane]

Pat -

I was going through the same resentment big time last year. This year, I seem to have come to terms with things. I decided that I like having some financial security, I like my full-time job because it helps kids (speech therapy in the school system) which I find fulfilling. I could not produce good art if I was constantly worried about where my income was coming from. I went through lots of options last year in my thoughts, but ended up working the same amount of hours as before, although with some flextime built in this school year. The big difference for me between my misery last year and my present attitude was accepting my limitations and deciding to work within them. "Acceptance is the key".

Right now I'm extremely busy, because I got a lot of small commissions right after the beginning of November - most due by Christmas, of course! At least with my job, I have extra vacation time, which helps. Also, having an ice storm in the area bought me an extra day. Still, the house is a wreck, my teen son keeps asking me what is there to eat (I point him to the fridge - "fix it yourself") and he sulks that it's Christmas time and we still haven't gone to see the movie we had been planning to see but can't because of my deadlines. Oh well....c'est la vie.

Hope this helps.

Julie

[Kimberly Dow]

Pat,

Personally, I think your in a good situation. Only 40 hours? with no kids in the house or spouse to clean up after, cook for, iron for, etc? No band, socceer, tae kwon do practices to chauffer to? No dentists, orthodontists appointments to keep straight for a whole family? No PTA, boy scouts or youth groups to chaperone? No health problems that can stop you?

I'll encourage you the only way I know how to. You have a good situation there for making a go of your art - comparitively speaking. If you want it bad enough - you will do it. It isnt your 40 hours of working that is stopping you. There are many of us that do that, or do 40 hours of other things combined because of demands of families. The only thing stopping you is you. There isnt anyone for you to be resentful towards...you only have to support yourself.

My best piece of advice - drink more coffee.

At one point for a couple years I had 3 children home with me, 2 in diapers. I did medical transcription for about 50 hours a week...stopping to change diapers, cook dinner, throw in laundry and saving children from falling in toilets or poking each others eyes out. I never stopped painting - I did that in the middle of the night and was able to produce 15 landscapes for a solo show in about 6 months. Granted, I didnt sleep much. I only could do it because I wanted it that bad.

Make up your mind that you want it. Dont be resentful - thats a waste of energy. And drink lots and lots of coffee.

I hope I dont sound harsh - everyone here is being so supporting. I like you lots Pat! I mean this as a reality check. I think you can do it! And I wish you luck. Remember though - there are many of us who wouldnt mind being in your situation....if we could find someone to take over our families.

[Julie Deane]

I'll second that advice about coffee. And don't forget diet Coke {my drug of choice lately)!

[Patricia Joyce]

".. kids in the house... spouse to clean up after, cook for, iron for, etc? ... band, socceer, tae kwon do practices to chauffer to? No dentists, orthodontists appointments to keep straight for a whole family? ...PTA, boy scouts or youth groups to chaperone? No health problems that can stop you?-Kim

Boy Kim, I remember those days. I did all that, single, working two jobs and going to college full time (that was when I was first diagnosed with CFSD, an autoimmunie disorder). It has been five years since my last child moved out on his own, I finished my degree, and quit my second job. . .

It is true, I AM what is keeping me back. FEAR of the unknown and FEAR of being foolish. My family already thinks I am foolish and would believe I had jumped off the deep end if I quite working full time and devote more of my time to my art. But then my family cannot live my life, only I can.

I believe this is my winter to really decide what I will be doing come summer, since I would be foolish to do anything before March when I am vested. My goal is to be working less then 40 hours a week and still support myself so that I can spend more hours painting and selling portraits, whether that will happen in Cleveland or down south remains to be seen. Janel your idea is great, but would be a no go with the nuns, unfortunately. But working for them part time is a more likely option and one I may be able to live on.

Richard thank you for the idea of selling my prints. I have ordered a few and really like what they look like, having never done this before. I will try some of your marketing suggestions.

Thank you all for your comments and support, It makes me feel stronger. In the meantime I put in at least 20 hours this past weekend on a drawing which is coming along nicely - that puts a smile on my face!!!

Thank you all!