So… why do I even want to be a full-time artist?
From the moment I set out to sell art, I have wanted to do it full-time. I love making art, and I also love how dynamic running a business is. There are always new problems to solve and chances to be creative, and no two days look the same. That’s really important to me. I get extremely bored and restless with monotony. I am also an introvert who sometimes has extrovert tendencies, so the idea of spending a lot of time alone is really appealing to me, but I also like socializing selectively at events and openings. This is the first career that has felt like it truly fits my values, needs, and desires.
There will be challenges to overcome, for sure, like my desire to have things planned and in my control. And my tendency towards anxiety & depression. But I think I’m up for the challenge!
And… how did I actually make the decision?
This year has been my best sales year so far, and by the end of the year, I will end up profiting a decent living wage salary even while working 3-4 days a week at my day job… it only took 6 years to get here😂
✨I sold every painting I made in the first half of the year at my Summer shows, plus some from previous years,
✨Painted and sold my largest painting to date,
✨Had my first 5 figure show,
✨Reached a savings goal I had to go full-time,
✨Paid off my debt,
annnnnd spent a month or two completely exhausted, scattered, and realizing that it just isn’t sustainable for my health to continue on working 60-80 hours a week anymore.
What I saw this year is what is possible. And I truly felt that without more time and space (to paint and also to take care of and nurture me) I would be doing myself and my art a disservice.
And, I also realized that it’s never going to feel like the “right time” and yet it always is. Life doesn’t get more simple, and there are always risks. That won’t change, so either I was going to keep waiting around for a magical moment that would never come, or I was going to realize that I had to lean on and trust myself (real talk, still not the easiest thing).
I also had to come to terms with the fact that I could be “unsuccessful” in taking this leap. Something outside of my control could throw a wrench into my plans, and I might have to go back to a day job. And you know what? It could happen, and that’s okay, and it doesn’t mean I’m a failure. Sometimes you go all in on a good hand and the cards don’t fall your way. It doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice.
Finally, when you follow your dreams, you inspire others and create more beauty in a world that sometimes feels incredibly dark, and that is priceless.