I am a struggling artist..when I am in the “zone” making my own art ,running a workshop or helping one of my children with a creative school project its amazing. However the art of selling or becoming a professional artist has always been a struggle for me. I know that I am not the only one ,gradually over the years i have seen friends whose work i admire gradually make the decision to give up on being an “artist”. I however chose to carry on ,working part time to ensure a regular salary albeit it a low paid one. I used to have a studio but gave that up as (a) I didnt find it productive (b) it was easier to work from home.
Over the years I have managed to sell work show work in exhibitions and get work running a variety of workshops, but financially it has not been enough to support myself ,my partner or my two children. Should I complain of this situation,with say a creative colleague then we end up in a pool of self pity and in no better position. If I bemoan my situation to anyone else out side of the creative sector my perception is that no matter what they are saying under their breath is “get a proper Job” .
If there were some “proper Job ” out there then maybe i would get it ,but I think I might have left it too late. Either way it would be nice to think that i could just immerse myself in some kind of positive thinking aura (in November ) and make “it” happen.
