No Claws in the Paws- or “making the day job” work as an artist. Part 1.
You’ve heard it, the usual artist laments:
You’ve heard it, the usual artist laments:
there’s not enough time to create because you’re consumed by your day job.
Or,
whatever I create is uninspired because I am living and working in two different worlds
and
straddling work and art is like riding two bareback horses in a coliseum…
(Ok a Complicated thought, Challenging but doable. I’m owned by four horses so this image seems thrilling)
Anywhooo…What to do?
I choose to call myself an artist 24/7. That means I am an artist at work and at home. I create continuously. Perhaps not paintings and sculptures…
— No. Not all the time, too messy on the office carpets.
But I create nonetheless.
At work, I am a college administrator, so there are a lot of forms that need to be redesigned. Posters to lay out. Handbooks to rewrite. Powerpoint slides to tweak and audiences to inspire. And, of course, particular IT personnel to cartoon…
Between the mundane management of data and people, I choose to thrive in creativity no matter how small the burst of inspirational light is.
Remember, I am still creating.
And somehow it works.
I don’t resent my job for taking away my artist time and I am still writing, creating my fine art, and some “fun”art too.
( Oh and the bills are paid and the furry kids, 12 of them, eat and sleep very well)
How do you balance your day job and art life?