For me, there is no harmony in the concept that a person should "do what you love," in regards to a job. Of course, I do want to do what I love, and I want to help provide for my family. But I've found that I have a hard time acquiring this balance, when what I love and what I do is art.
This video changed the way I feel about my art. Or rather, it put me back on track of things I have always known about myself, and had forgotten in recent years. It is hard to be in a world where people judge you by how much you make. I find that, as an artist, people judge me by what I charge. I guess that gives some validity to whether I'm worthwhile at my craft if I can prove that other people agree enough to pay me for it. When I don't charge people for my work they are more dismissive; when I worry about what people think, I sometimes end up with things that I don't love. And I know I don't charge enough, but I really want art - especially something like a portrait of someone's own children, to be something that is accessible to everyone. But I'm getting to a point where there just is no way for my heart and my artistic integrity to work with this system. What am I going to do? I think I'm going to quit.
I will never quit being an artist, and as much as I've tried to break up with my camera, I can't. Not even when it's dirty or misbehaving. It's partly because I have children, and I love taking pictures of them. They're precious, you know?
Someone accused me at the beginning of the year of needing my knitting designs to be artful. As in, poor me, I had to have some originality and point. I had to laugh, and I wanted to scream. I guess that's why I have one or two patterns every couple of months, whereas she's well paid.
Anyway. I'm not done being an artist because, well, I am an artist. I've finally figured out that it doesn't have to be for anyone else.
I will never quit being an artist, and as much as I've tried to break up with my camera, I can't. Not even when it's dirty or misbehaving. It's partly because I have children, and I love taking pictures of them. They're precious, you know?
Someone accused me at the beginning of the year of needing my knitting designs to be artful. As in, poor me, I had to have some originality and point. I had to laugh, and I wanted to scream. I guess that's why I have one or two patterns every couple of months, whereas she's well paid.
Anyway. I'm not done being an artist because, well, I am an artist. I've finally figured out that it doesn't have to be for anyone else.
113 in 2013: sun flare
And there you hit the nail on the head -- "it doesn't have to be for someone else." It should be for you and make YOU happy.
ReplyDeleteI get SOOO mad at people who tell kids getting an education to just DO what you love. I love sitting around eating the proverbial bonbons and watching Brit tv -- but is that going to put food on the table. NO. We're ending up with hoards of children choosing paths with no visible means of support (except for the very cream of the crop) and society won't be able to support them all.
Ah well...I'll stop ranting. I'm just glad that you'll still do what you love to do, even if it's only for you. And us ... 'cause you'll still show us, right??? ;-D
My husband wanted to become a composer but knew he couldn't depend on the income so he is an accountant. Now that he's retired I hope he will finally be able to compose. I'm glad you love what you do and recognize that you are truly an artist. Sometimes admitting that you are an artist is the first step to success.
ReplyDeletePerfect words, Karen! You have arrived ;>)
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Awesome post! I couldn't agree more.
ReplyDeleteI bet when work and hobby stop being one in the same your own voice and the beauty in what ever you do will be even better. ((hugs))
My job is my job and I love it, but I wouldn't do it for free. At least, not 36 hours/week or more. I do it because we need the income and benefits.
ReplyDeleteMy crafting I do for free, because I love it, and I want no constraints on it. I don't have much time to do it, so I would be very unhappy with a deadline. If I make something and someone likes it, and I want to sell it to them, that's a serendipity.