| The great malady of the twentieth century, implicated in all of our troubles and affecting us individually and socially is ‘loss of soul.’ When soul is neglected, it doesn’t just go away; it appears symptomatically in obsessions, addictions, violence and loss of meaning. ~ Thomas Moore, Care of the Soul |
I recently read through a conversation on Reddit started by an artist who’s looking to supplement their art income with an entry level career that involves art. This is something that I always struggle with – should one make art their career or keep it as a hobby? Of course, the answer is “it depends” – on the circumstances, the person, their drive and skills.
- This week’s artist is – Mike Capron – a cowboy artist from Texas. A friend has repeatedly encouraged me to check out his work and to visit if I’m ever down in his neck of the woods. He’s a cowboy who lives in the same building as his paint studio and does his own custom framing behind the gallery and studio space. Be sure to check out his website and instagram for even more!
- Want to see/hear/experience live music? The Secret Garden at the Rochester Hotel has live music tonight from 5-7! Swing by to hear the bluegrass sounds of People We Know! The $10 cover charge supports 10 local nonprofits through the Community Foundation. Food and drinks available to purchase (Cash only).
- If tonight doesn’t work, head out to FoxFire Farms on Friday from 6-9 where The Assortment will be playing a wide variety of music genres with something for everyone – and Back Porch B.B.Q. will be catering.
- Looking to get commissions for your artwork? Here’s an idea.
- Here’s a guide on using instagram to build a following for your art.
- This artist shows the only 2 ways they market their art online.
- And to round out the thoughts on marketing – nothing matters and nothing works.
- Being a creator can be hard. Perhaps the hardest part is the battle you fight with yourself. Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art is about this resistance we find within ourselves and how to fight it. If you’re fighting this battle, you can get a free audiobook of The War of Art.
- Looking for inspiration? This video shares 5 ways to fill a sketchbook. And this one has 10 ways. (Or if you’re like me and just have too many sketchbooks that aren’t yet filled.)
- Here’s an article with 5 ways to use your sketchbook to get out of a creative slump.
- Here are 8 videos for ways to use colored pencils in mixed media projects.
- Pay attention to the thing that never leaves you.
- This week’s book is Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn’t Exist by James Gurney. This is another of Mr. Gurney’s amazing resources. If you’re read any of his Dinotopia books (which he both wrote and illustrated) you’ll appreciate the value of the lessons he shares. Get your paper copy today.
Returning to the intro paragraph, I am reminded of the idea of a “good enough job” from Barbara Sher’s book, Refuse to Choose:
“If a job isn’t unpleasant, doesn’t eat up more than 40 hours a week, pays well, and provides security – it can give you the freedom to do all the things you love on your own time. People complain about unfulfilling jobs until they understand what the good enough job actually is, and then they feel very different about them. Think of it as a job that doesn’t bother you, whose only crime is that it’s just not enough to fulfill your life. But it provides money and security and the freedom to fulfill your life in your free hours. That sounds like a great job to me.”
I love making art and generally creating things. When I don’t get to exercise my creative muscles, I become grumpy. Personally, expecting my art to feed both my soul and provide for my belly puts too many demands on it. I found a career that I love and allow my art to feed my soul. Epicurus said, “It is never too early or too late to care for the well-being of the soul.” I tuck art making in on lunch breaks, after my baby’s bedtime and before mine, or even get up early to work. Without my art, I show up in the world as a lesser version of myself. I suspect you do too. The world needs the full version of you, and you need your art!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
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