I have been very silent lately. I am about to take a big next step in my art career. On August 1, I will be switching to part-time employment to devote at least two full days a week only to painting.
OK, a cautious, moderately sized step. But a step nonetheless.
This is quite a sacrifice on my amazing wife's part. She's the one who makes this move possible. She is really my rock and true soul mate. If I have one incentive to make this new arrangement work, it is to make her commitment to my future successful.
I have worked full-time in an administrative position at the same university for nearly 30 years. They have generously agreed for me to work part-time so that I can devote more time to painting. The whole campus community for the President on down, have been incredibly supportive.
Here's the irony. Preparing to reduce my hours has been very time consuming. (So has a major backyard landscaping project which has been going on for far too long. More about that in a future post.)
Much of my time has been productively spent preparing the business side of my art career. Getting mailing lists organized. Updating the Web site. Getting involved in local arts organizations, establishing an online presence on Facebook, ArtSkuttlebutt.com and elsewhere.
But, for the past two months, I have painted zip. Very frustrating. I have, however, been doing a lot of soul searching primarily inspired by rewriting my artist statement under the guidance of Alyson Stanfield's book, I'd Rather Be In The Studio!. I have been reexamining where I am going artistically, and why I am going there. I believe that, once I start painting again (AUGUST 1, for sure!!), I will have greater clarity and focus in my work. I expect to be painting at a new level once the ol' rustiness is worked loose.
Enough excuses, already!
Wish me luck. And watch for new work.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Preparation for a Big Step
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7 comments:
It's great to hear that you're taking this step!! You know already that I don't regret doing to same, and I sure you won't either. It's great that you can start with still working part-time - it'll ease the stress and make it more enjoyable for you.
Looking forward to seeing some new paintings!! I remember that when I used to work, I would go weeks or a month at a time without painting, and I would wonder what the heck it was going to be like when I finally had time to paint. Now I have two full days a week when my daughter is in daycare, and it's heaven - I paint dawn to dusk those two days (I do all my business stuff at night on other days), and it's amazing how much I can get done.
Best of luck!!
Stacey - I wondered how you scheduled your painting time and art biz. You are so prolific and at such a consistently high level. I am, again, very impressed. That bit of info gives me great hope.
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Congratulations on taking the leap. One of my favorite quotations - often attributed to Goethe, perhaps mistakenly so - is "What you can do, or dream you can do, begin it; Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." No matter who actually said it, it has always inspired me.
And you certainly do have the right book on self-promotion in your hands. Alyson's book, I'd Rather Be in the Studio, has literally changed the way I approach the business end of my art life/career.
Kudos also to your wife for helping make this commitment to your art possible. I am in a similar situation, with my wife being the primary breadwinner. She teaches piano and composition privately. Ten years ago she suggested that I quit my day job and devote myself entirely to my art. It hasn't always been easy. There were a number of false starts and unforeseen health issues that had to be dealt with, but what I learned almost immediately was that if you stay focused, believe in what you're doing, and have good support materials that inspire like Alyson's book, you can make it happen.
Good luck to you in this big step! It is a great thing to do and obviously one you are ready for. Here are a few books I've found helpful and I'll be sure to pick up Alyson's.
"The War of Art" By Steven Pressfield;
"Art & Fear" By David Bayles & Ted Orland
Thanks for your comment and visit on Art Scuttlebut!
This is a really great thing to hear. I am so glad to hear that you are making this move. I really like what W. H. Murray wrote in 1951 in The Scottish Himalaya Expedition:
...This may sound too simple, but it is great in consequence - Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:
Indecision brings its own delays, And days are lost lamenting o’er lost days. Are you in earnest? Seize this very minute; What you can do, or dream you can do, begin it; Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
— Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, from Faust in 1835
Way to go Michael! (I've seen you on various art blogs, but got here today thru Stacey's.) Sounds like you're doing necessary preps.
I think making the decision is just as hard as doing it. Seven years ago, I left my full-time job (teacher in public education) to ramp up my two part-time jobs (therapeutic massage and painting) because that's where my heart was. Although I've got no husband (when will the dog and cat get a job?), friends and family offered moral support. I may work harder and longer, but am much happier for it.
As we know, growth doesn't happen until you do. You are what you spend most of your time doing, and you're making that change to be what you want. Although I'm still not painting as much as I need to, I'm painting more that I ever have and learning with every stroke. I've actually been considering ramping it up even more. I'll probably post on that in the coming weeks.
Congrats and carry on!!
Wow, Michael. That is so neat. I love it that I had a small part in helping you search your soul. I love hearing that the book has helped guide you--as it was meant to do.
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