Mastering the Art of Balance: The Many Ways to Live as an Artist

Are you an artist?

Many creative people hold down a full-time job or multiple jobs. Life keeps throwing responsibilities at you, and you are the one in charge of them.

You start to drift away from your creative work, and doubts start to set in. You are not sure if you can call yourself an artist anymore. If you are working a corporate job, it's common to run into a coworker who used to dream of becoming an artist but is not pursuing the dream. Oftentimes, there is this notion that if you aren't creating full-time, you are not a real artist. That can't be further from the truth though.

The most important thing that makes you an artist is not how much time you dedicate to your craft every day, but the fact that you have a reliable routine where you commit to the act of creating at any capacity on a regular basis.

It's time that we finally embrace the reality of being an artist in this day and age and cut some slack for us for persevering. So, the next time someone asks if you are an artist, you say “Yes, I am.” Especially in this economy!

Being an artist? In this economy?

It is absolutely OK to be working a day job and to take a break from creating to tend to your responsibilities. What makes you an artist is not what your schedule looks like but perseverance and your mindset.

Art is cool, but who pays the bills?

I really wish making a living with your passion was as easy as it sounds. Every artist I know would throw their hand up in the air in excitement if the day came when we could do just that: create for a living. Unfortunately, unless you are one of the few lucky ones, you already know that's probably not the reality for a lot of artists.

I'm also using the term artist to broadly represent all visual artists who work in various mediums and other creatives who make works that do not directly translate to a job—musicians, writers, you name it.

On top of that, art supplies are not cheap! Who's going to pay for those? If you make a $500 art sale one month, that's fantastic, but unless it's a predictable monthly sale that consistently brings in income, chances are that you are going to need a job. Not to mention, creating for the sole purpose of selling art can sometimes hinder your creative freedom.

Inevitably, many artists end up taking on a job, sometimes more than one, to make ends meet.

A lot of them also get discouraged from continuing to pursue their creative endeavor because it's just too much to juggle—seriously, who has time for that, right? If you have a full-time job, or you are a parent, or have fur babies or a combination of any of those three or more, it becomes nearly impossible to find the time and energy that's required for studio work.

Having responsibilities also means you have bills to pay, and without a job or a source of income, you will be in big trouble.

Being an artist looks different for different people. Find your voice. Define what it looks like to you.

I have a one-year-old sheepadoodle who is the most adorable thing in the world but is also extremely needy. He has an insane amount of energy that never runs out, and an hour at a park every day still isn't enough to wear him down.

On top of that, I have a full-time job, and add to that an hour-long commute, writing this newsletter, and building a painting portfolio for an MFA application. It's a lot on my plate, and I'm still figuring out how to balance all of my to-do lists.

Part of the reason I am starting this newsletter is to help me organize my thoughts and game plan by sharing them with the audience.

In all honesty, if money wasn't the issue, I would've had a lot more time to do all of the projects I listed and still have some sense of normalcy.

Take the full-time job out of the equation and I will effectively get 40 hours a week back. That's a lot of time.

I took any gigs that paid, sold art infrequently, and frantically tried to make sense of my place in this world.

I was not in a safe mental space to be in a studio to create, even though I had all the time in the world. Think about that.

I forgot who said it, but I was watching an artist speak on YouTube who said, "Think of your job as a patron that supports your studio work." That's what I needed to hear in that moment to allow myself to relax and practice gratitude for what I have.

So, to me, this is what being an artist looks like.

• A 40-hour work week with a job that pays generously and takes care of my insurance and retirement accounts

• Writing this weekly newsletter to remind myself and those around me to keep the grind with their creative endeavor

• Finding bits and pieces of time after work during the week, even if it's only for 10 minutes a day, to sit down and paint something

What being an artist looks like to me doesn’t have to be what it looks like to you

In fact, your week is most likely going to look vastly different from mine. That's the whole point. There is no right or wrong answer in art, only a difference in how. Whether you create something on a daily basis, once a month, or once every few months, what matters the most is that you have a plan in place and stick to it.

Think about a realistic plan that fits your lifestyle and preferences, and stick to it. What is your goal with your creative endeavor? It could be that you want to grow your art business to eventually ditch your 9-to-5. Or you want to create beautiful works to hang on your wall. You might be thinking about going back to school. A solo show sounds fun, too. Your goal will dictate how rigorously you practice your creative work. What does your day-to-day look like? What about your weekends? How much time can you realistically carve out from your days to make it happen? Start there. You can always adjust your plan as you go.

Practice mindfulness and gratitude, as cliché as it sounds

It's easy for an artist to fall into a vicious cycle of not having enough time to create, not practicing, not being happy with their work, and blaming themselves for their lack of willpower or dedication.

Take a deep breath and remind yourself that you are doing one of the hardest things anyone could do, and that is to be true to yourself. You understand what you need spiritually.

Art feeds one's soul. Instead of ignoring what your mind needs, you are taking it upon yourself as your mission to pursue the creative journey.

For that, you are doing more than enough.

Where you are today is a direct result of who you were in the past. That means you have full control of the way your life will be in the future if you start acting today.

It's also important to point out that there are already things in your life that are abundant. We get so used to our surroundings and our own privileges that we forget to stop and contemplate just how lucky we are.

Maybe you have a lifelong friend who is always there for you, an animal that loves and trusts you completely, a roof over your head, a warm dinner, and access to the internet so you can read newsletters like this one. Start there, shift your mindset, and once you start doing that, you will be able to make more space in your life for creative pursuits, whatever they may be.

Takeaways

Balancing a full-time job with your creative passions is a journey of perseverance and self-discovery. Remember, being an artist doesn’t require constant creation, but rather a commitment to regular creative engagement. Whether it’s stealing moments for art after work, finding inspiration in your daily surroundings, or embracing the support of your job as a patron for your artistic endeavors, your unique journey is what defines your creative path. By cultivating mindfulness, gratitude, and a personalized plan, you can break free from the cycle of self-doubt, honoring your journey and unlocking the full potential of your creative spirit. Embrace your current reality, envision your future, and keep pushing the boundaries of what being an artist means to you.

Until next time,

June

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If you found this issue helpful and want to read previous issues, stay tuned for the website launch. An official blog is coming soon where you can see all of the published issues in one place.

Do you want to learn more about time management for creatives with a busy schedule? Interested in how I plan and prepare for a solo show while working a full-time job? I would love to hear from you about what interests you so I can make sure you find this newsletter valuable. Simply reply to this email and share any feedback!💜 

Hey there, if you have any stories, insights, or creative tips, don’t be shy - let’s connect and uplift each other. 🚀 🎉 At Don’t Give Up: Thriving Creatively with a Full Time Gig, I am always waiting for the readers’ stories. Email [email protected] or simply reply to this newsletter to share your stories, feedback, information about the call for artists, and other opportunities for creatives of all shapes and sizes. I am so excited to grow this community of badass creatives who thrive with a full-time gig.