STOP and RETHINK!

Friday, July 30, 2004

Being an artist, and trying to make a living is not all it's cracked up to be. I have had friends and folks in the past that have made some very envious remarks to the way I live my life, and it always gives me a chuckle. (I no longer take offense, how are they to know?) I think people picture me, wearing a big straw hat, in flowing linen clothes, sitting out in the garden painting pink flowers on old furniture, while they sit in a stuffy 8-5 office all day. (the little elves stripped, sanded, filled, glued, primed, basecoated that piece of old furniture before it was ready for the art work you know). Sometimes I am ENVIOUS of them! Paid vacations, insurance, benefits, retirement plans, etc. etc. You get the picture.

This morning I did something that I probably should've done BEFORE my life became out of control, and though I feel horrible, because I genuinely LIKE most of my clients I paint for, I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders!

This morning I sent off a letter to all BUT one client and told them that when their furniture was done, this was the end. I am overwhelmed, and not only is my work suffering because of it, I feel like the house is as well. The chores, the yard, the constant clutter. Hell I can barely get to dinner at night and I LIKE making dinner and having a glass of wine with my husband....I am not ready to give that up!

Besides, now I can paint what I want to paint when I want to paint it! I can go into my barn full of furniture and say "hmmm...what strikes my fancy today? I think I'm in the mood to paint hydrangeas on that bureau."

The antique co-op I am in keeps me in business, and I happen to know that several Coastal Shops would take my wares on consignment, and I do believe the money would be better, (in the long run) because I can get what I want and need for a piece.

I have found that I DO NOT enjoy painting things to specification. I don't like trying to picture another person's vision. It clutters my mind when it's time to think of my vision for my own piece.

So for a while I may be poor again, but I feel that it will pay off in the long run, and I'll be a much happier soul as well.