Art isn’t my full time gig but it is part of it. When I was laid off from my job in 2017 (thanks to the ineptitude and subterfuge of those running Sears Canada into the ground at the time—a story for another time!) I rode the unemployment train for as long as I could, and then a little longer. I couldn’t see myself going back to another marketing job sitting in a greige office surrounded by fabric walls so I decided to become a barista at the Starbucks down the street (thanks very much to a supportive partner with a well-paying job). It was so much fun! Chatting with colleagues and customers and making lattes from 6:30 to 11am, leaving my afternoons completely free for naps and dog walks. The more I started to chat with customers the more we got to know each other, and before I knew it I started to offer my graphic design and illustration services to those with small businesses. Then I started to tell people in my real life that I was thinking of starting a freelance thing and I found myself in business! Covid happened and Starbucks sent us home (paid!), my partner laid himself off from his job (he was the GM it was the right thing) allowing both of us more time to focus on the business. When Sbux opened back up I tried going back but it wasn’t fun anymore. People were cranky, there was plexiglass everywhere, and when they gave the option to leave I took it, officially going full time freelance. I think that was 2021? So it’s been a good couple years of a good couple years! Good as in fun, relatively low pressure, but also inconsistent and having to adjust to a much lower income than working a corporate job. Having said all that, I’m pretty sure things are about to change in the very near future…
I had no idea you worked in coffee shops too, Melissa! I bet people loved coming in and seeing you while you tamp their espresso! Do you ever see folks who look like your past customers and remember their drinks?
Can’t wait to see what’s next for you because I know it’ll be inspiring and magical! 💕✨
yes! The one I worked at was just down the street so I see customers all the time! I still say hi to the ones that recognize me, and always smile at the ones that don't, just in case haha. I can remember the majority of their go-to orders and most of their names. It's sad that the location closed recently though...
Maybe we need to do a coffee shop session, from the barista side!
And oh! I used to draw comics about being a barista. I used to have them on my old website - I should add them back! And I have zines printed that I never did anything with...
Regarding art in general (taking in writing, filming, photography etc.), I honestly feel like the flag doesn't get waved enough for that last point on your list. There is - or rather, there should be - NO SHAME WHATSOEVER in financing your creative work indirectly while you're building it up, by doing other stuff that pays the bills. I know that it doesn't look good on a t-shirt or make a compelling Instaquote plastered over a photo of a sunset - but it's the reality for the vast majority of creative folk including all the hyper-successful ones, so it's what works.
It just works.
And it's smart.
And it takes the pressure off your brain, so you can really really go for it, and take all the risks you known you should be taking.
And it's just as admirable as going full-time - because you're saying "I'm going to do whatever it takes to make my creative work take off, because I believe in this thing SO MUCH that I DON'T want to take stupid risks with it because of someone else's dumb and poorly-researched idea of what a successful creative life looks like."
Amen, bro! Your identical twin Brad Pitt dressed up in a chicken suit to make ends meet. Nothing is forever. There’s no end to the race until we’re dead! 😵
Thank God the company I worked at never got me to clean restrooms. Now that I'm a freelancer, I'm considering applying as an Art Teacher for kids to increase my income. Thanks for sharing your story and advice!
Am about to stop work to do an MA in Drama and Movement Therapy / continue exploring my creative practice as an artist - and have been experiencing low-grade freaking out despite having done everything feasible to prepare for a spell of no consistent income.
I have been working as an educator (drama and literature) full time since 2020/interning since 2014 while doing my university studies. I had a termite infestation moment as an intern (had to cart it to the skip) and still I stayed (??? - and gosh there are more both wonderful and terrible stories, including constantly mopping rehearsal studios during COVID). I think realising that other people have had cold toilet bowl water moments that was the last straw for them is helping - and also reckoning with what needs doing vs what an employer should be arranging for properly so the work can be done.
I've been an artist and art teacher for over 20 years now, and I regularly wonder if I shouldn't apply for a job at the local library. But then, when I feel the phone has been dead and the internet may have been disconnected (hello? any art lovers out there?), there suddenly is a nice job that earns me a bit of money, or this really wonderful class where people were having so much fun, and then I don't do it. And then I walk past the library and wonder. And then I make another artwork and decide it's the best thing to do in the world. And then I walk past the library and wonder...And then 😅
I get what you mean about art markets and Etsy being exhausting. Selling your work direct to the public teaches you a lot and is satisfying and interesting but I found that I ended up as a production line of what I knew would sell, which was a dead end creatively. Before that I had two part-time jobs (secretary in an architect's office and teaching art evening classes) to support my art practice, which meant I was free, creatively, but had to find ways to make my work known and sell which is time consuming. To be honest, it's all exhausting! No easy answers. But I wish I'd been more vigilant about creative dead-ends and stagnation, and more determined to break out of that. You did the right thing resigning from that toilet cleaning graphic design job! It's really vital.
I know exactly what you mean about the "production line." It really is all exhausting! Did you like teaching the art classes?
The toilet-cleaning job was really great until new management came in, then shook my whole world up. It's crazy how one person can make such an impact.
I loved teaching art classes. But teaching requires a lot of creative thought too, and it's hard to get a balance between putting energy into teaching and finding that left me with less energy for studio work. Grr!
I'm not pursuing art full time because art is my side interest/passion (My main interests/passions are literatur and learning languages). One thing i can say about my art practice is that during the last nine years, i have developed some signatures (Recognizable elements in my works), but also have become more couragous to try new things, more like "dipping my toes in waters" from time to time.
I'm not pursuing art full time because art is my side interest/passion (My main interests/passions are literatur and learning languages). One thing i can say about my art practice is that during the last nine years, i have developed some signatures (Recognizable elements in my works), but also have become more couragous to try new things, more like "dipping my toes in waters" from time to time.
Loved reading all the comments and people’s stories, some I didn’t know…sorry about the toilets Beth… but hey, you may not be HERE without that push!
I have been freelance and pursuing an art career since leaving the Spanish Atelier in 1992. Yup, 33 years. (Now I feel really old)
I always wanted to be a fine artist, I painted murals for 15 of them, assistant muralist for the first 8. Interior decorator applying trompe l’oil faux art on walls like fake marble stone work and quartz bathroom walls… crumbling stones and aging new walls… when people wanted to feel like they were living in a 300 year old Finca and not a new built home. Antiquing and painting new pine furniture to look like it belonged in that 300 year old home.
Illustration and commissions have kept me going, also being open to expand on what the public needed and wanted… running a bi-annual handmade market event for 15 years focusing on Mom and Baby trends… I had a couple of Gallery shows a few years ago… but teaching art for the past 15 years has been more the focus and now finally making time for the fine art that I wanted to create 33 years ago… being flexible and saying yes to many sectors in the art industry… and never calling yourself a specific title… can allow you to move freely and still make art your career.
You’re absolutely right, Char - that splash woke me up and I’m grateful! That's such an expansive history and I loooove your advice to forget about labels and enjoy the ride. And we're all soooo grateful you discovered a love of teaching along the way! ❤️
Thanks Beth… yes and all our experiences help with what we do today. Such a great post! I’ll come back and read new comments and stories- love reading everyone’s stories!
Thank you for sharing this Beth ✨
Thank you for reading! Della! ❤️ We’re all here to share and support each other.
The cat sitting can really add up to some good supplemental income
YES! And so no shortage of inspiration and magnificent models, if you’re into that. And if you’re cat sitting, it’s likely you are! 👏😸
I have done some drawing of the cats and I love the feline friends.
Art isn’t my full time gig but it is part of it. When I was laid off from my job in 2017 (thanks to the ineptitude and subterfuge of those running Sears Canada into the ground at the time—a story for another time!) I rode the unemployment train for as long as I could, and then a little longer. I couldn’t see myself going back to another marketing job sitting in a greige office surrounded by fabric walls so I decided to become a barista at the Starbucks down the street (thanks very much to a supportive partner with a well-paying job). It was so much fun! Chatting with colleagues and customers and making lattes from 6:30 to 11am, leaving my afternoons completely free for naps and dog walks. The more I started to chat with customers the more we got to know each other, and before I knew it I started to offer my graphic design and illustration services to those with small businesses. Then I started to tell people in my real life that I was thinking of starting a freelance thing and I found myself in business! Covid happened and Starbucks sent us home (paid!), my partner laid himself off from his job (he was the GM it was the right thing) allowing both of us more time to focus on the business. When Sbux opened back up I tried going back but it wasn’t fun anymore. People were cranky, there was plexiglass everywhere, and when they gave the option to leave I took it, officially going full time freelance. I think that was 2021? So it’s been a good couple years of a good couple years! Good as in fun, relatively low pressure, but also inconsistent and having to adjust to a much lower income than working a corporate job. Having said all that, I’m pretty sure things are about to change in the very near future…
I had no idea you worked in coffee shops too, Melissa! I bet people loved coming in and seeing you while you tamp their espresso! Do you ever see folks who look like your past customers and remember their drinks?
Can’t wait to see what’s next for you because I know it’ll be inspiring and magical! 💕✨
Also we need to talk coffee soon!
yes! The one I worked at was just down the street so I see customers all the time! I still say hi to the ones that recognize me, and always smile at the ones that don't, just in case haha. I can remember the majority of their go-to orders and most of their names. It's sad that the location closed recently though...
Maybe we need to do a coffee shop session, from the barista side!
And oh! I used to draw comics about being a barista. I used to have them on my old website - I should add them back! And I have zines printed that I never did anything with...
We gotta do something with all our zines! I have way too many and keep making more. It’s too fun not to!
ZINE SWAP!
Regarding art in general (taking in writing, filming, photography etc.), I honestly feel like the flag doesn't get waved enough for that last point on your list. There is - or rather, there should be - NO SHAME WHATSOEVER in financing your creative work indirectly while you're building it up, by doing other stuff that pays the bills. I know that it doesn't look good on a t-shirt or make a compelling Instaquote plastered over a photo of a sunset - but it's the reality for the vast majority of creative folk including all the hyper-successful ones, so it's what works.
It just works.
And it's smart.
And it takes the pressure off your brain, so you can really really go for it, and take all the risks you known you should be taking.
And it's just as admirable as going full-time - because you're saying "I'm going to do whatever it takes to make my creative work take off, because I believe in this thing SO MUCH that I DON'T want to take stupid risks with it because of someone else's dumb and poorly-researched idea of what a successful creative life looks like."
Preach.
Amen, bro! Your identical twin Brad Pitt dressed up in a chicken suit to make ends meet. Nothing is forever. There’s no end to the race until we’re dead! 😵
Thanks Beth 🙂
Thank God the company I worked at never got me to clean restrooms. Now that I'm a freelancer, I'm considering applying as an Art Teacher for kids to increase my income. Thanks for sharing your story and advice!
Thank you for sharing this!
Am about to stop work to do an MA in Drama and Movement Therapy / continue exploring my creative practice as an artist - and have been experiencing low-grade freaking out despite having done everything feasible to prepare for a spell of no consistent income.
I have been working as an educator (drama and literature) full time since 2020/interning since 2014 while doing my university studies. I had a termite infestation moment as an intern (had to cart it to the skip) and still I stayed (??? - and gosh there are more both wonderful and terrible stories, including constantly mopping rehearsal studios during COVID). I think realising that other people have had cold toilet bowl water moments that was the last straw for them is helping - and also reckoning with what needs doing vs what an employer should be arranging for properly so the work can be done.
I've been an artist and art teacher for over 20 years now, and I regularly wonder if I shouldn't apply for a job at the local library. But then, when I feel the phone has been dead and the internet may have been disconnected (hello? any art lovers out there?), there suddenly is a nice job that earns me a bit of money, or this really wonderful class where people were having so much fun, and then I don't do it. And then I walk past the library and wonder. And then I make another artwork and decide it's the best thing to do in the world. And then I walk past the library and wonder...And then 😅
I get what you mean about art markets and Etsy being exhausting. Selling your work direct to the public teaches you a lot and is satisfying and interesting but I found that I ended up as a production line of what I knew would sell, which was a dead end creatively. Before that I had two part-time jobs (secretary in an architect's office and teaching art evening classes) to support my art practice, which meant I was free, creatively, but had to find ways to make my work known and sell which is time consuming. To be honest, it's all exhausting! No easy answers. But I wish I'd been more vigilant about creative dead-ends and stagnation, and more determined to break out of that. You did the right thing resigning from that toilet cleaning graphic design job! It's really vital.
I know exactly what you mean about the "production line." It really is all exhausting! Did you like teaching the art classes?
The toilet-cleaning job was really great until new management came in, then shook my whole world up. It's crazy how one person can make such an impact.
I loved teaching art classes. But teaching requires a lot of creative thought too, and it's hard to get a balance between putting energy into teaching and finding that left me with less energy for studio work. Grr!
I'm not pursuing art full time because art is my side interest/passion (My main interests/passions are literatur and learning languages). One thing i can say about my art practice is that during the last nine years, i have developed some signatures (Recognizable elements in my works), but also have become more couragous to try new things, more like "dipping my toes in waters" from time to time.
I'm not pursuing art full time because art is my side interest/passion (My main interests/passions are literatur and learning languages). One thing i can say about my art practice is that during the last nine years, i have developed some signatures (Recognizable elements in my works), but also have become more couragous to try new things, more like "dipping my toes in waters" from time to time.
Loved reading all the comments and people’s stories, some I didn’t know…sorry about the toilets Beth… but hey, you may not be HERE without that push!
I have been freelance and pursuing an art career since leaving the Spanish Atelier in 1992. Yup, 33 years. (Now I feel really old)
I always wanted to be a fine artist, I painted murals for 15 of them, assistant muralist for the first 8. Interior decorator applying trompe l’oil faux art on walls like fake marble stone work and quartz bathroom walls… crumbling stones and aging new walls… when people wanted to feel like they were living in a 300 year old Finca and not a new built home. Antiquing and painting new pine furniture to look like it belonged in that 300 year old home.
Illustration and commissions have kept me going, also being open to expand on what the public needed and wanted… running a bi-annual handmade market event for 15 years focusing on Mom and Baby trends… I had a couple of Gallery shows a few years ago… but teaching art for the past 15 years has been more the focus and now finally making time for the fine art that I wanted to create 33 years ago… being flexible and saying yes to many sectors in the art industry… and never calling yourself a specific title… can allow you to move freely and still make art your career.
You’re absolutely right, Char - that splash woke me up and I’m grateful! That's such an expansive history and I loooove your advice to forget about labels and enjoy the ride. And we're all soooo grateful you discovered a love of teaching along the way! ❤️
Thanks Beth… yes and all our experiences help with what we do today. Such a great post! I’ll come back and read new comments and stories- love reading everyone’s stories!