Honestly when I started working in early August I was scared. I wasn’t sure about how I would balance working and painting along with still being an active participant in my relationships with my partner, my friends and my family. I also had committed to a lot of shows during the summer and as the dates creeped closer and closer I stressed more about being able to finish the work.
I stressed for no reason. Obviously everyone gets scared about showing up for the commitments they make. But as an artist you have to meet those commitments whether you think you can or not. Sometimes I’ve agreed to participate in shows without knowing if I will deliver in the end. But I always do. I constantly remind myself about what Cole Case, an artist I did a studio visit with during my time at CSULB, said. He highlighted the importance of being reliable even when you feel you won’t reach your goal. The more you reach them and prove that you’re someone who always has work on hand for shows the more likely you are to be contacted to participate in shows within your network system. It’s about going through with your commitments despite the constant doubts. I keep this in the back of my mind.
As I type this I’m starting to get ready to head to work. I spent my morning painting and running errands. I will spend my night painting as well as the whole weekend. I’ll also be making stretcher bars and stretching my work. It’s a struggle but it’s a hustle that you commit to as an artist. So I’ll head to work today, possibly hate my work day and then come home and love my studio practice. It works, I have to make it work.
As far as still being an active participant with the people in my life I try my hardest. I squeeze in whatever time I have to spend it with them. Sometimes I push back painting just to make sure that I’m putting in my part. I spend the majority of my time painting. Two/three hours taken out of my day to spend with the important people of my life isn’t the end of the world.
So take it from me, well mostly Cole Case, you’ll reach your goals, you’ll fulfill your commitments and still have time for everything else in your life. You have to make time for all the important things in your life. Anyways that’s all from me. I’ll go off to work. Next I’ll try to make a post about te sources I’ve been using to find artist opportunities.