Little things make me happy. Thanks, Dani!
This rainy day finds me tucked into my workspace, painting tiny details. It also finds me wondering if I should get a real job. Those thoughts do creep in from time to time. As cheery as I try choose to stay, the life of a working artist isn't always all cupcakes and sunshine. Sometimes it's sore hands and self-doubt and trying to make a penny into a dollar. But at the end of the day, an artist is what I am and I can't imagine being (or doing) anything else. OK, I can imagine it, but that's only because I have a very vivid imagination.
In the words of the ever-philosophical Popeye the Sailor Man:
Top to me bottom and me bottom to me top,
That's the way it is 'til the day that I drop.
What am I?
I yam what I yam!
Oh Joee, I can sooooooo relate, especially about trying to turn a penny into a dollar. But like you, I can't imagine doing anything else. It's not just a job, it's who we are...This is always the worst time of year too, right before tax time. Hang in there - your work is AMAZING and you can't even THINK of abandoning it for nine to five (perish the thought!)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
~ Carolee
Oh gosh, I so know what you mean! You may dear are such an amazing artist (and, so prolific) that I think you would be totally miserable in a "real" job. 9 to 5? Psht! As you say, you yare what you yare!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sue
we all have those same thoughts.. scary as they may be!
ReplyDeleteBe true to your heart, follow your dreams.. everything else always falls into place :)
I'm always thinking about the grass on the other side of the fence too, I'm a 9 to 5er (well actually 7:30 to 5 and Saturday mornings and some Holidays.... but YOUR work is amazing! Don't doubt that ever! Leave the day jobs to us drones....(I have my review tomorrow- 8 years at THIS job)
ReplyDeletemaybe someday I'll be able to stay home and do what I truly want to do! Hang on! You're living the Dream!
Hey Jo! I know exactly how you feel! After working my dream job for about 1 1/2 years I'm getting laid off in May (so they say)...so it looks like I'm going to go back to creating art full-time...I have no problem with that but the "old fears" do creep in...will I sell anything? Will I be able to come up with fresh new ideas...still...I'm fortunate I'm able to do something..hang in there! You are a very talented artist...no one else can do what you and Dylan do! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteOh Joeeeeeeee.....
ReplyDeleteThe "real job" world is not what it is cracked up to be! It has gotten really tough out here.
Employers are expecting sooooo much from their employees these days. I have never worked so hard for so little reward in my life.
I am SERIOUSLY considering walking from this stinkin' job and and taking a part time at Subway and making dollies the rest of the time...Let 'em forclose...I am that fed up.
So, on a positive note, love your website revamp!
Annette
Hi Jo, I agree and can relate with you and everyone else's thoughts here. I suppose it's our ever active outside the box minds that cause us to now and again wander into the realm of fear and doubt. And often, I don't think it takes too much of something negative or out of the norm to tip the scales for an Artist which causes us to wonder.. "How can there be so many ripples in such a tiny puddle?"... Then, morning arrives, we smile with our friends, pick up a pencil or paintbrush and are for whatever reason, renewed. Here's a smile for you! :-) - Deb
ReplyDeleteI think most feel that way. Today was the first day back at my annual job at a greenhouse. It doesn't pay well but I am so happy to be there. It is like going on a paid vacation. The drawback is the never ending visits , in my mind, from dollies waiting for me to make them. But the steady check is comforting. People are definitly less willing to pay for the luxury of art and prefer to eat or perhaps continue having electricity for another month. But you will be ok...so many love you and your very unique art.
ReplyDeleteBE TRUE TO THY SELF!! and do what makes your heart sing!
ReplyDeleteme, I am a children's librarian, and i do story times, plan book parties and events, and have a lot of fun!
It's raining here and a kid is sick. I think you should know that when I have a challenging day I put on my Cart Before the Horse sweatshirt first thing and start chanting, "I think I can, I think I can..."
ReplyDeleteI have lately found myself debating the same notion. Now that we have a house payment, it's even more tempting to go the 9-5 route. When I imagine this, I always imagine that I would come home & begin creating. But I know that my home time would probably be devoted to laundry & sweeping & mopping & those other super fun tasks.
ReplyDeleteFor me, at least for right now, my goal is to expand my selling range. I'm trying to put my dollies in local art galleries & have plans to participate in a couple of local shows this year. I've dropped a lot of my responsibilities so that I can totally concentrate on creating & selling.
Hopefully, things will pick up soon for all of us!
As much as you might be miserable, Jo, locked away in an office somewhere from 9-5, your fans would be so disappointed. I can't imagine a world without Cart art. And trust me, if I had lots of money, I'd have Jo & Dylan dollies spilling out of every room. Your art is just out of this world amazing. It's on a completely different level!
Thanks for posting this though. Reading everyone's comments lets me know that I'm not alone in my thoughts.
-Becky.
Tho' I definitely could NEVER make a living as an artist (not even as a CRAFTER in MY case) I so understand HAVING to create. When I go through even a short period where I'm unable to, it shrivels my spirit. Creating revives me, challenges me, fulfills me. In YOUR case, lil' Jo, it surely MUST do all that and MORE! You were BORN to create. So funny that you quoted Popeye! Two posts back on MY blog, I did too! (My REASON was different, but my thinking the same!) We are sisters in quotes. LOL! Don't you DARE consider getting a 'mundane' job! YOU ROCK AT WHAT YOU DO!
ReplyDeleteWith twins on the way, the greatest adventure is ahead...how to maintain sanity with work, babies, and my lovely studio just THERE....waiting for me. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I know, however, that I won't ever be able to give up the creative life...come what may. I'll make it work.
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