When my husband came home one night, he asked me how my day went and I responded distractedly with “Oh, the usual. Just work.” To which he replied “Sounds like a day at the office.”
Don’t get me wrong I jump out of bed each day eager to start working so I count myself very, very, very lucky. However, there are some days when it’s just a little less fun than it used to be. Here’s why:
1. It’s a job.
And just like any line of work, you now have real and defined responsibilities and deadlines. Now that it’s not something I do leisurely, it’s a true discipline. There’s also a huge difference between painting versus doing design work for clients. When we do the latter, get ready for multiple revisions. In both cases, it’s best to clarify limits and conditions in writing and stipulated in a contract. As mentioned earlier, it’s a job.
2. We’re not always inspired.
Unlike doing art as a pure hobby when I would pick up the brush when a wave of inspiration washes over me, I now make art not because I want to but because I really have to. In the real world, I don’t always feel inspired day in, day out all times of the day. That’s the truth.
The challenge of being a professional in the creative field, I realise, is finding ways to inch forward and make art even when I don’t feel like it.
3. It’s not always 100% spontaneous.
Yes, there is still a lot of liberty and expression in my work, but creativity has now become slightly calculated. Now that I’ve agreed to a theme or to a concept, I must deliver accordingly.
4. It’s a commitment.
I owe it to myself and my clients to continuously hone my craft. This means I must continue to try, to experiment, to be better, to practice and ultimately deliver. Being a professional demands discipline and accountability. This is also why, in an earlier blog post, I talked about why it’s also good to not become an artist from the very start. There are many things one can learn first from a not so artsy background.
5. We need to talk about money.
Money. It’s something I need to gracefully talk about with every transaction — with dignity and conviction. Whatever price I assign for services and/or paintings must be consistent so that remunerations are fair and reliable across all clients. One can’t exactly keep changing fees depending on how one feels about a body of work. This is the part that makes my stomach queasy and something I wish to ponder on further in another post. Artists, we’re gonna talk about this more!
To continue reading Part 2, click here