[Cubicle by Tracy Stone]
As a local artist who has to work a non-art related job to pay the bills, I often wonder what it would be like to not work another job, but simply spend all my days just creating and actually getting by.
Would I paint more? Would I make better paintings? Would I become famous?
Glorious visions of me painting all the time in a paint-covered studio, in paint-covered overalls, and wearing a beret or something fill my head. Wouldn’t that be swell?
I use it as an excuse, though. I tell myself I could be the next famous artist if only I had more time to paint. If only I didn’t have a day job (Using that job to type this up right now, haha)…and then I go around resenting other local female artists like Sharon Shapiro or Lisa Beane for not having to wait tables or work desk jobs. But then again, maybe it’s not about having money, but about drive. Maybe I don’t want to make art badly enough?
The truth is, if I had no job, I’d probably sit around all day bored. And eat a lot. Then I’d be a fat loser. I might not even feel like making art at all.
Maybe having other jobs besides making art makes me a more interesting artist in the long run. That’s what I’d like to think. We’re gonna go with that. There’s still that guilt though, about not being creative enough.
I found the blog of a NY artist called, “The Artist in the Office” and she has a lot to say about the good and bad of being an artist and having another job to pay the bills. She also gives you tips on how to incorporate creativity into your workday. The best quote by her is,
“Having a day job doesn’t make any of us less of an artist than anyone who is doing it full-time. Making art, makes us artists. “
Amen sister!
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I think the answer is balance, which comes easy for some and requires attention by others. Balancing work and art and properly defining each is the algebra. Once you have algebra as your base, the more advanced math is built off of that.
/am I talking my thoughts out loud again?
Ew! I hate math.
Math and art. Da Vinci for starters.
I often wonder the same myself. I work two jobs to make ends meet and it often drains me to the point where I can seem to find my creative drive. But, you do what you have to do eh? I will have to check out the blog =)
Lisa represents the everyday Charlottesville resident. We actually have to make a lot to maintain the C’Ville lifestyle. Love that we are free to express it here.
Shaun… Da Vinci for starters?
Five…
LOL! The C-Ville lifestyle?? Hehe - I think I am far away from that - I will be moving soon cause I cant afford the area hence the two jobs to save some money =p To rich for my blood, and wallet, around here
But I am enjoying the area while I am here.
i work two jobs, and wish i still did art. a friend of mine recently asked me to sell one of the paintings i did in college. it’s the first oil painting i ever did, so 1) i don’t want to give it up, and 2) i know i can re-create it now with much higher quality. plus, i’d rather float a good one to my friend’s collection and keep the original. so…what’s my point?
i don’t know if i’m ever going to have time to do it. gah, i hate that.
@5. Da Vinci for starters, meaning he is just one of many artists who saw a connection between math and art, or science and art…in some ways the two go hand in hand
Lisa…
Don’t leave yet. Let’s enjoy Muse a lot more and ask Shaun for donations every now and then. His algebra sounds right, therefore his wallet must hold the magic formula.
@8. That’s why you’re my MUSE.
hey five, long time no see buddy. how the heck you been? you know what you need to do? add a song to our very fist cvilleMUSE mix tape. we just need one more…check out the post from a couple days ago and then hit the ol You Tube and find a video for a favorite tune. i’d love to end the thing with a big high five!
/btw…you’re barking up the wrong tree if you’re asking me for donations my friend
No donations necessary buddy. Just being the MUSE works alright with me. Now for the song…
@4: Thanks for the link. Love your photos! I too, have two jobs on top of trying to be an artist. Weee!
@7: We’re much too young to feel this old
@8: Agh, stop with the math. This post isn’t about math. The only math I use is making sure my canvas is proportionate to my photo/ sketch.
@9
five……okay - if you say so!
Ugh math - thats like a 4 letter word to me! Makes me want to put my fingers in my ear and sing lalalalala! LOL!
We can do this lisa. Let’s recruit Pinkie and start by dancing. I know she knows how to… right Pinkie?
@14
Sounds like a plan to me
agree with Shaun….. 200%
Balance between “work” and “art” is the algebra of life. Algebra isn’t about numbers, computations, counting things or winning. It’s about patterns, metaphors and continuums. Da Vinci got it.
… and if we take a hint from Bhagavan- work and art are labels for different actions with equal value. Art is a life thing, nothing to do with the tracks it leaves. Approach work as art and it is no longer a job. Approach art as work and it becomes a job. Rich and famous have nothing to do with it and neither will extend your life beyond the grave. Yes, we “know” Da Vinci, but does he know we do?
Whoa. I thought it was a time thing. As in not having enough. Is that math too?